cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Use of the Extrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) to treat Severe Diaphragmatic Hernia with Reversible Tracheal Occlusion (rTO) Results in Improved Pulmonary Growth and Function

Background: Fetal tracheal occlusion (FETO) is a promising therapy for prenatally-diagnosed fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We recently developed the EXTEND system to physiologically support the extreme premature infant. We wondered whether the EXTEND system could be utilized as an ex vivo platform for the application of lung growth enhancing strategies in CDH. Here we demonstrate that reversible TO applied during EXTEND support improves lung volumes and …
The Role of Vocabulary Knowledge in Second Language Speaking Fluency: A Mixed-Methods Study

The present study examined the relationship between L2 learners’ task-related lexical access and their utterance fluency. Two groups of American learners of Chinese participated in the study. The first group of learners (N = 15) took part in a vocabulary test requiring them to translate 198 words related to four speaking tasks from L1 to L2. Learners’ accuracy and reaction time were recorded. Learners then completed four speaking tasks. Six features of their utterance fluency were measured. The second group of learners (N = 13) participated in a stimulated recall interview, which was conducted to obtain additional details regarding how lexical access affects utterance fluency in L2 speech. According to the results, significant correlations were found among vocabulary size and all three facets of utterance fluency: speed fluency (speech rate, mean length of runs), breakdown fluency (mean length of silent pauses, number of silent pauses), and repair fluency (number of disfluencies), excluding the number of filled pauses. However, among all fluency measures, only speech rate was significantly correlated to lexical retrieval speed. Moreover, stimulated recall responses revealed that around two-third of the disfluencies were reported to be caused by vocabulary-related issues. The findings confirmed that efficient task-related lexical access was crucial for producing fluent speech in second language.
Evaluation of digital otoscopy in pediatric patients: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract Background Acute otitis media is often misdiagnosed. Pediatric trainees learn otoscopy from supervisors who cannot concurrently view the eardrum. Digital, smartphone otoscopes show promise to improve the visibility and learning due to a concurrent view by trainees and supervisors. We aimed to determine whether use of digital otoscopes improved accuracy of the ear exams between medical trainees and their supervisors, compared to using traditional otoscopes. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the use of digital otoscopes reduced the number of repeat ear examinations by supervisors, changed the trainee's confidence in their exam findings, and led to differences in the rate of antibiotics prescribed. Methods This study was a randomized controlled trial comparing use of a digital otoscope to a traditional otoscope, in a pediatric emergency department and primary care clinic in an academic tertiary care children's center. We used a modified validated image-based grading scale to compare accuracy of the ear exam between trainees and supervisors. Surveys documented modified OMgrade scores, frequency of supervisor exams, trainee confidence on a 5-point Likert scale, and antibiotic prescriptions. Inter-rater agreement of trainees and supervisors, the number of supervisor confirmatory examinations performed, trainee confidence, and antibiotic prescription rates were evaluated. Results Amongst 188 children, 375 ears were examined by 85 trainees and 22 supervisors. The digital otoscope was utilized in 92 (48.9%) exams and 96 (51.1%) used the traditional otoscope. Accuracy of ear exam findings between trainees and supervisors improved by 11.2% (95% CI: 1.5, 21.8%, p = 0.033) using the Cellscope Oto (74.8%, 95% CI: 67.3, 82.1%) compared to the traditional otoscope (63.5%, 95% CI: 56.7, 70.4%). Fewer repeat supervisor exams were performed in the digital otoscope group (27.2%) vs. the traditional otoscope group (97.9%) (p Conclusions Utilization of a digital otoscope resulted in increased accuracy of the ear exam between trainees and supervisors, and fewer total number of examinations performed on a given child. Compared to a traditional otoscope, a digital otoscope may be a more efficient and effective diagnostic tool.
Before colonization (BC) and after decolonization (AD): The Early Anthropocene, the Biblical Fall, and relational pasts, presents, and futures:

Anthropocene debate centers on the start-date and the cause of the geologic Epoch. One argument for the Epoch’s start-date is the “Early Anthropocene,” contending humanity “took control” of Earth s...
Optimization of spin-lock times in T 1ρ mapping of knee cartilage: Cramér-Rao bounds versus matched sampling-fitting.

Purpose To compare different optimization approaches for choosing the spin-lock times (TSLs), in spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1ρ ) mapping. Methods Optimization criteria for TSLs based on Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) are compared with matched sampling-fitting (MSF) approaches for T1ρ mapping on synthetic data, model phantoms, and knee cartilage. The MSF approaches are optimized using robust methods for noisy cost functions. The MSF approaches assume that optimal TSLs depend on the chosen fitting method. An iterative non-linear least squares (NLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN) are tested as two possible T1ρ fitting methods for MSF approaches. Results All optimized criteria were better than non-optimized ones. However, we observe that a modified CRLB and an MSF based on the mean of the normalized absolute error (MNAE) were more robust optimization approaches, performing well in all tested cases. The optimized TSLs obtained the best performance with synthetic data (3.5-8.0% error), model phantoms (1.5-2.8% error), and healthy volunteers (7.7-21.1% error), showing stable and improved quality results, comparing to non-optimized approaches (4.2-13.3% error on synthetic data, 2.1-6.2% error on model phantoms, 9.8-27.8% error on healthy volunteers). Conclusion A modified CRLB and the MSF based on MNAE are robust optimization approaches for choosing TSLs in T1ρ mapping. All optimized criteria allowed good results even using rapid scans with two TSLs when a complex-valued fitting is done with iterative NLS or ANN.
Legitimacy and Law in the Roman World: Tabulae in Roman Belief and Practice

List of illustrations Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Introduction Part I. The World of Belief: 1. The use and value of Greek legal documents 2. Roman perceptions of Roman tablets: aspects and associations 3. The Roman tablet: style and language 4. Recitation from tablets 5. Tablets and efficacy Part II. The Evolution of Practice: 6. Roman tablets in Italy (AD 15-79) 7. Roman tablets and related forms in the Roman provinces (30 BC-AD 260) 8. Tablets and other documents in court to AD 400 9. Documents, jurists, the emperor, and the law (AD 200-AD 535) Conclusion References Index.
Doping asymmetry and striping in a three-orbital CuO 2 Hubbard model

While both the hole and electron doped cuprates can exhibit ${d}_{{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}$-wave superconductivity, the local distribution of the doped carriers is known to be significantly different with the doped holes going primarily on the O sites while the doped electrons go on the Cu sites. Here we report the results of density-matrix-renormalization-group calculations for a three-orbital model of a ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ lattice. In addition to the asymmetric dependence of the intra-unit-cell occupation of the Cu and O for hole and electron doping, we find important differences in the longer range spin and charge correlations. As expected, the pair-field response has a ${d}_{{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}$-like structure for both the hole and electron doped systems.
The Contribution of Public Health to Gerontology

Public health brings a unique focus to the study of health and aging, but public health programs have been slow in developing such course offerings. This article presents a content analysis of 71 courses taught in public health degree programs that focus on the elderly, demonstrating both the strengths and weaknesses of providing education on health and aging in public health programs.
Tracking of pathogens via virulence factors: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in cattle and potential risks for human disease

Abstract: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) belong to a group of emerging foodborne pathogens that are a significant public health threat throughout the world. Much is unknown about these organisms: their prevalence, their burden on public health and how they cause disease. The acquisition of virulence factors is responsible for transforming commensal E. coli into pathogens, as virulence factors allow for intimate adherence to and subsequent colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, evasion of the immune system and/or the ability to induce disease. Identifying virulence factors to serve as definitive markers of pathogenicity across EHEC seropathotypes, for molecular detection assays, is a focus of current research.
Sleep and Heart Failure

Sleep deprivation occurs for many reasons but, when chronic in nature, has many consequences for optimal health and performance. Despite its high prevalence, sleep-disordered breathing is underrecognized and undertreated. This is especially true in the setting of heart failure, where sleep-disordered breathing affects more than 50% of patients. Although the optimal strategy to best identify patients is currently unknown, concerted and consistent efforts to support early recognition, diagnosis, and subsequent treatment should be encouraged. Optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy and concurrent treatment of sleep-disordered breathing are necessary to improve outcomes in this complex high-risk population.
Kinetic Analysis Shows That Iron Deficiency Decreases Liver Vitamin A Mobilization in Rats

In view of evidence that nutritional status of iron and vitamin A may affect the other nutrient's metabolism, we used model-based compartmental analysis to examine effects of iron deficiency on whole-body vitamin A dynamics in rats. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed the AIN93G diet with 2.5 nmol retinyl palmitate/g and either 45 [control (CN)] or 4 microg/g Fe [iron-deficient (ID)] for 8 wk. ID rats consumed food ad libitum; CN rats were food-restricted so that their body weights were the same as ID rats. Two rats/group were killed; liver vitamin A was determined and used for vitamin A balance calculations. [(3)H]Retinol-labeled plasma was administered intravenously to remaining rats, and 27 serial blood samples were collected for 7 wk. At killing, plasma vitamin A was 0.52+/-0.12 (ID, n = 5) vs. 1.34+/-0.12 micromol/L (CN, n = 6; P<0.001), and liver vitamin A was 809+/-94 (ID) vs. 112+/-24 nmol (CN, P<0.001). Plasma tracer data were fit to a three- or four-compartment model using the Simulation, Analysis and Modeling computer program and kinetic parameters were calculated. Vitamin A transfer rate between the retinyl ester storage pool [14+/-3 (ID) vs. 24+/-4 nmol/d (CN), P<0.05] and plasma was lower in ID rats. Vitamin A remained longer in the body [44+/-11 (ID) vs. 22+/-3 d (CN), P<0.05]. Adjusted mean disposal rate was lower in ID (10.0) than CN rats (19.9 nmol/d), as was estimated vitamin A absorption efficiency [58% (ID) vs. 76% (CN)]. Our results suggest that iron deficiency inhibits mobilization of vitamin A stores and may decrease the absorption and irreversible utilization of vitamin A.
Ubiquitination in the antiviral immune response

Ubiquitination has long been known to regulate fundamental cellular processes through the induction of proteasomal degradation of target proteins. More recently, 'atypical' non-degradative types of polyubiquitin chains have been appreciated as important regulatory moieties by modulating the activity or subcellular localization of key signaling proteins. Intriguingly, many of these non-degradative types of ubiquitination regulate the innate sensing pathways initiated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), ultimately coordinating an effective antiviral immune response. Here we discuss recent advances in understanding the functional roles of degradative and atypical types of ubiquitination in innate immunity to viral infections, with a specific focus on the signaling pathways triggered by RIG-I-like receptors, Toll-like receptors, and the intracellular viral DNA sensor cGAS.
Calculations of transonic flows with shocks using Newton's method and direct solver. II - Solution of Euler equations

Transonic flows with shocks are simulated using steady Euler equations and by simultaneously solving the resulting nonlinear algebraic equations using Newton's method. At each iteration, a direct solver computes the corrections and the process is repeated until convergence is achieved. The corrections and errors are reduced quadratically with the present method, allowing solutions of machine accuracy to be obtained in a few steps. Nonunique inviscid solutions and nonunique solutions of the Navier Stokes equations for quasi-one-dimensional flows in nozzles are presented. Calculations are also presented for steady two-dimensional inviscid flows around a cylinder in the transonic regime.
Quantum mechanics, heredity and the origin of life.

Abstract The concept of heredity is expressed in terms of the theory of evolution and quantum theory, and is found to differ from current molecular biological concepts. A necessary condition for hereditary transmission is a classification process or a many-one mapping. A macroscopic physical system which represents a classification process requires a non-holonomic constraint. A molecular representation of a non-holonomic constraint requires a specific rate control process or tactic catalysis. It is concluded that a quantum theory of measurement is needed to explain enzymes as well as the reliability of biological evolution.
Climate and cultural history of the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

We inferred the Holocene paleoclimate history of the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, by studying stratigraphic variations in stable isotopes (δ 18O and δ 13C) and lithologic properties (organic matter and carbonate content) in sediment cores taken in 6.3 and 16.2 m of water from Lake Punta Laguna. We present a simple model to explain the lithologic and isotopic variations, and discuss the inferred paleoclimate history in terms of its relation to ancient Maya cultural development. We find evidence for lower lake level and drier climate at about the same time as each major discontinuity in Maya cultural history: Preclassic Abandonment (150–250 A.D.), Maya Hiatus (534 to 593 A.D.), Terminal Classic Collapse (750–1050 A.D.), and Postclassic Abandonment (mid-fifteenth century). Although these broad temporal correlations suggest climate played a role in Maya cultural evolution, chronological uncertainties preclude a detailed analysis of climate changes and archaeologically documented cultural transformations.
Contextualizing the Different Voice: Women, Occupational Goals, and Legal Education*

Essentialist views reporting the existence of distinct gender differences have received much criticism. Despite these critiques, there is little empirical research on the limitations of these approaches in institutions such as law schools. While studies of legal education have been informed by gender difference theory, few have sought to contextualize difference. This study examines gender difference among students attending Harvard Law School. Using survey and interview data, this study demonstrates that difference is mediated by such variables as occupational goals, social class, and race. Implications of differences among women are discussed as they relate to reforms in legal education.
Paleoclimatic Significance of Late Quaternary Lacustrine and Alluvial Stratigraphy, Animas Valley, New Mexico

Lacustrine and alluvial stratigraphic sequences in the southern Animas Valley of New Mexico allow reconstruction of late Quaternary climates. Four separate stands of late Quaternary Lake Cloverdale in the southern Animas Valley are recorded by lacustrine shoreline deposits. Soils and stratigraphic evidence show that three young lake highstands occurred during the Holocene and that a higher lake stand occurred 18,000 to 20,00014C yr B.P. Fluvial systems aggraded the southern Animas Valley during the middle to late Holocene. The late Quaternary stratigraphy shows that several periods during the late Holocene were characterized by higher effective precipitation than at any time since the last glacial maximum.
Who May Carry Out Protective Deterrence

Anthony Ellis argues that institutional punishment occurs automatically in a way analogous to mechanical deterrents, and given that issuing real threats is justified for self-defence, institutional punishment, intended to protect society via deterrence, can be justified without violating the Kantian constraint against using persons as means only. But institutional punishments are not in fact executed automatically: they must be carried out by moral agents. Ellis fails to provide a basis for those agents to justify the performance of their legal duties.
Comparison of Functional Outcomes Following Bridge Synostosis with Non-Bone-Bridging Transtibial Combat-Related Amputations

Background: The prevalence of penetrating wartime trauma to the extremities has increased in recent military conflicts. Substantial controversy remains in the orthopaedic and prosthetic literature regarding which surgical technique should be performed to obtain the most functional transtibial amputation. We compared self-reported functional outcomes associated with two surgical techniques for transtibial amputation: bridge synostosis (modified Ertl) and non-bone-bridging (modified Burgess). Methods: A review of the prospective military amputee database was performed to identify patients who had undergone transtibial amputation between June 2003 and December 2010 at three military institutions receiving the majority of casualties from the most recent military conflicts; two of those institutions, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center, have since been consolidated. Short Form-36, Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire, and functional data questions were completed by twenty-seven modified Ertl and thirty-eight modified Burgess isolated transtibial amputees. Results: The average duration of follow-up after amputation (and standard deviation) was 32 ± 22.7 months, which was similar between groups. Residual limb length was significantly longer in the modified Ertl cohort by 2.5 cm (p < 0.005), and significantly more modified Ertl patients had delayed amputations (p < 0.005). There were no significant differences between groups with regard to any of the Short Form-36 domains or Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire subsections. Conclusions: The modified Ertl and Burgess techniques offer similar functional outcomes in the young, active-duty military population managed with transtibial amputation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Effects of Molasses or Toxaphene on Residual Life and Efficacy of Methyl Parathion on Cotton

Methyl parathion residues on cotton can be protected and their efficacy against Heliothis Virescens (F.) substantially extended by application at dusk in preference to dawn. Adding molasses or toxaphene to methyl parathion sprays further extends its residual life with both dusk and dawn applications.
Host and hydrogen diffusion in an NiZr metallic glass

Abstract Anelastic relaxation measurements have been used to study atomic mobility in glassy Ni 40 Zr 60 , before and after the introuction of hydrogen to the level [ H ]/[ M ] = 0.78. By the combined use of the long-range Gorsky relaxation and the short-range reorientation relaxation, the motion of hydrogen has been observed over an extended temperature range and found to deviate from Arrhenius behavior below 140 K. The distribution of reorientation relaxation times is approximately log-normal, with a single maximum whose width increases to 5 decades at 100 K. The introduction of hydrogen has been found to accelerate relaxation behavior associated with the motion of host atoms. This represents a new effect, termed hydrogen-enhanced host diffusion.
Toward Designing Smart Nanovalves: Modeling of Flow Control through Nanopores via the Helix-Coil Transition of Grafted Polypeptide Chains

Nanopores modified with stimuli-responsive polypeptide chains offer a smart flow-control mechanism. These unique materials have potential wide-ranging applications including smart drug delivery, bioimplants, and molecular machines. Here, we develop a continuum method to analyze flow control through nanopores grafted with polypeptide chains. The helix−coil transition of the polypeptide chains triggered by pH change enables flow regulation. The conformational transition is treated within the Zimm−Bragg model to determine the monomer density profile of the grafted layer inside a nanopore as a function of pH. The Brinkman equation for flow through porous materials is then used to calculate the flow rate. The results are compared with recent experiments in which pH-responsive water permeation through a poly(l-glutamic acid) grafted nanoporous membrane is achieved. The results establish that polymer statistical mechanics combined with a continuum porous layer treatment of flow through the polypeptide grafted na...
The effect of glucose on respiration of the differentiating slime mold

Abstract The respiration of the differentiating slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum at different stages in its life cycle was measured with and without an exogenous energy source. It was found that on a dry weight basis (microliters oxygen per minute per milligram dry weight) respiration is highest at the ameba stage, declines to a plateau from the migrating pseudoplasmodium through the culmination stages, and drops again at the sorocarp stage. Glucose stimulates respiration maximally at the sorocarp stage, in spite of the fact that the cells are maximally permeable to glucose at preculmination. The Q O 2 values obtained for sorocarps in the presence of glucose equaled those obtained for the pseudoplasmodium and preculmination stages in the absence of glucose. The absolute oxygen uptake of a group of cells differentiating on agar in a Warburg flask was maximal at the ameba stage and dropped sharply during pseudoplasmodium formation. A linear decrease in total oxygen consumed was observed from the migrating pseudoplasmodium to the fruit stage. Considered together, the data suggest that no significant increase in respiration occurs during the culmination process and that a critical depletion of endogenous energy sources occurs during development at culmination.
Identifying the variables maintaining self-injurious behavior

Reliability and validity data are reported for an instrument designed to identify variables maintaining self-injurious behavior. The Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) is a 16-item questionnaire that addresses the situational determinants of self-injurious behavior in persons with autism and other developmental disorders. The reliability study indicated that teachers of 50 developmentally disabled persons could agree on the variables presumably maintaining their student's self-injury (interrater reliability), and that they would be in agreement again 30 days later (test-retest reliability). The validity study indicated that teacher's ratings on the MAS of 8 subjects' self-injury predicted how their students would behave in analogue situations. Specifically, the MAS predicted the subjects' self-injurious behavior in situations with decreased adult attention, with increased academic demands, with restricted access to tangibles, and in unstructured settings. The MAS is presented as an alternative or adjunct to more formal functional analyses in efforts to identify the variables controlling self-injurious behavior.
A Critical Reexamination of Classical Metal Plasticity

P. W. Bridgman's early work on flow and fracture in the presence of hydrostatic pressure showed no systematic effect on strain hardening. This experimental observation led to the conclusions that yielding does not depend on hydrostatic stress and that the yielded material is incompressible. Classical plasticity theory was largely built on these observations. New experiments and nonlinear finite element analyses of 2024-T351 aluminum notched round bars has quantified the effect of hydrostatic tensile stresses on yielding. Nonlinear finite element analyses using the von Mises (yielding is independent of hydrostatic stress) and the Drucker-Prager (yielding is linearly dependent on hydrostatic stress) yield functions was performed. The von Mises results overestimated experimental load-displacement curves by 10?65 percent. The Drucker-Prager results essentially matched the experimental results. The only additional data requirement for the Drucker-Prager yield function is the compressive yield strength. ©2002 ASME
LPS does not directly induce STAT activity in mouse macrophages.

Abstract Induction of gene expression in cytokine-treated cells involves the protein tyrosine kinase-dependent activation of members of the STAT family of transcription factors. To determine if lipopolysaccharide (LPS) might activate one or more STAT factors, nuclear extracts from LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages were assayed for STAT-like DNA binding activity using oligonucleotides recognized by different members of this protein family. Within 30 min a single LPS-inducible DNA–protein complex was detected using three separate oligonucleotides. This activity was not reactive with anti-STAT antibodies and was subsequently identified as composed of the NFκB components NFκB1 and Rel-A. Thus, LPS does not directly stimulate STAT factors with known sequence-specific DNA binding activity.
Commonly prescribed β-lactam antibiotics induce C. trachomatis persistence/stress in culture at physiologically relevant concentrations

Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease agent worldwide, enters a viable, non-dividing and non-infectious state (historically termed persistence and more recently referred to as the chlamydial stress response) when exposed to penicillin G in culture. Notably, penicillin G-exposed chlamydiae can reenter the normal developmental cycle upon drug removal and are resistant to azithromycin-mediated killing. Because penicillin G is less frequently prescribed than other β-lactams, the clinical relevance of penicillin G-induced chlamydial persistence/stress has been questioned. The goal of this study was to determine whether more commonly used penicillins also induce C. trachomatis serovar E persistence/stress. All penicillins tested, as well as clavulanic acid, induced formation of aberrant, enlarged reticulate bodies (called aberrant bodies or AB) characteristic of persistent/stressed chlamydiae. Exposure to the penicillins and clavulanic acid also reduced chlamydial infectivity by >95%. None of the drugs tested significantly reduced chlamydial unprocessed 16S rRNA or genomic DNA accumulation, indicating that the organisms were viable, though non-infectious. Finally, recovery assays demonstrated that chlamydiae rendered essentially non-infectious by exposure to ampicillin, amoxicillin, carbenicillin, piperacillin, penicillin V and clavulanic acid recovered infectivity after antibiotic removal. These data definitively demonstrate that several commonly used penicillins induce C. trachomatis persistence/stress at clinically relevant concentrations.
Physiology of fish endocrine pancreas.

From the very beginning of physiological studies on the endocine pancreas, fish have been used as experimental subjects. Fish insulin was one of the first vertebrate insulins isolated and one of the first insulins whose primary and then tertiary structures were reported. Before a second pancreatic hormone, glucagon, was characterized, a physiologically active ‘impurity’, similar to that in mammalian insulin preparations, was found in fish insulins. Fish have become the most widely used model for studies of biosynthesis and processing of the pancreatic hormones. It seems inconceivable, therefore, that until the recent past cod and tuna insulins have been the only purified piscine islet hormones available for physiological experiments. The situation has changed remarkably during the last decade. In this review the contemporary status of physiological studies on the fish pancreas is outlined with an emphasis on the following topics: 1) contents of pancreatic peptides in plasma and in islet tissue; 2) actions of piscine pancreatic hormones in fish; 3) specific metabolic consequences of an acute insufficiency of pancreatic peptides; 4) functional interrelations among pancreatic peptides which differ from those of mammals. The pitfalls, lacunae and the perspectives of contemporary physiological studies on fish endocrine pancreas are outlined.
Forced convection in wedge flow with non-isothermal surfaces

Abstract The steady heat transfer across laminar, incompressible, constant property boundary layers over wedges with a step discontinuity in surface temperature is investigated. The analysis begins with an appropriate transformation of the energy boundary layer equation with the consequence that the non-similar solution of the problem decomposes into an infinite sequence of simple, similar solutions. Of significance is the fact that these similar solutions are expressible as universal functions and, thus, can be tabulated once and for all. For fluids with Prandtl number of the order of unity or larger, only a very few of the functions are needed to achieve results of high accuracy. A tabulation of such functions is given. With these, the determination of the temperature field in the boundary layer, as well as the local heat transfer rate at the wedge surface, becomes a matter of simple arithmetic. Similar information for wedges with any arbitrarily prescribed surface temperature distribution can likewise be obtained.
Optimal design of cellular structures under random fields

Uncertainties in material properties, geometry, manufacturing processes, and operational environments are clearly critical at all scales (nano-, micro-, meso-, and macro-scale). The incorporation of reliability analysis is critical in designing material structures when material properties are uncertain. The concept of mesostructured or cellular materials is motivated by the desire to put material only where it is needed for a specific application. Typically, the cellular materials have superior structural compliant performance per weight than parts with bulk material or foams. This research develops a reliability-based synthesis method to design cellular material structures under random fields. The efficiency of the proposed framework is achieved with the combination of topology optimisation and stochastic local regression by utilising polynomial chaos expansion and Karhunen–Loeve transform. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated with two examples including a ground truss structure an...
Coolant controls of a PEM fuel cell system

Abstract When operating the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, temperatures in the stack continuously change as the load current varies. The temperature directly affects the rate of chemical reactions and transport of water and reactants. Elevated temperature increases the mobility of water vapor, which reduces the ohmic over-potential in the membrane and eases removal of water produced. Adversely, the high temperature might impose thermal stress on the membrane and cathode catalyst and cause degradation. Conversely, excessive supply of coolants lowers the temperature in the stack and reduces the rate of the chemical reactions and water activity. Corresponding parasitic power dissipated at the electrical coolant pump increases and overall efficiency of the power system drops. Therefore, proper design of a control for the coolant flow plays an important role in ensuring highly reliable and efficient operations of the fuel cell system. Herein, we propose a new temperature control strategy based on a thermal circuit. The proposed thermal circuit consists of a bypass valve, a radiator with a fan, a reservoir and a coolant pump, while a blower and inlet and outlet manifolds are components of the air supply system. Classic proportional and integral (PI) controllers and a state feedback control for the thermal circuit were used in the design. In addition, the heat source term, which is dependent upon the load current, was feed-forwarded to the closed loop and the temperature effects on the air flow rate were minimized. The dynamics and performance of the designed controllers were evaluated and analyzed by computer simulations using developed dynamic fuel cell system models, where a multi-step current and an experimental current profile measured at the federal urban driving schedule (FUDS) were applied. The results show that the proposed control strategy cannot only suppress a temperature rise in the catalyst layer and prevent oxygen starvation, but also reduce the parasitic power dissipated for operation of the air blower and coolant pump.
Unfolding perspectives on the genetic effects of human exposures to radiation.

My role in this program is to present the current status of the longrunning studies on the potential genetic effects of the atomic bombs, and then indicate the direction of current thinking regarding future studies on this subject, with particular reference to studies at the DNA level. I would like to begin, however, with what will seem like a diversion, a brief review of the results of some rather recent, seemingly unrelated studies which, I believe, point to the kinds of fundamental biases which may inadvertently creep into studies of spontaneous and induced mutation rates. Such biases could be very relevant to the apparent discrepancy between the results in Japan and the experimental observations on mice, to which I will speak briefly, and should be avoided in planning for any future studies.
Freezing of water-saturated porous media in the presence of natural convection: experiments and analysis

Freezing of superheated water-porous media (glass beads) contained in a rectangular test cell has been studied both experimentally and numerically. The effects of liquid superheat and imposed temperature difference were investigated. When the superheat across the liquid region was small the flow in the porous media was weak, and the interface was almost planar. For larger superheats, natural convection flow and the solidification front shape and velocity were found to depend on the imposed temperature and the permeability of the porous medium. Due to the density inversion of water, the rate of freezing was higher, either at the top or at the bottom of the cell, depending on the amount of superheat. The measured temperature distributions were compared with predictions of numerical model that considered both conduction in the solid and natural convection in the liquid region. This model is based on volumetric averaging of the macroscopic transport equations, with phase change assumed to occur volumetrically over a small temperature range. Both Brinkman and Forchheimer extensions were added to the Darcy equations. The effect of density inversion of water on the fluid flow and heat transfer has been modeled. Good agreement has been found between the experimental data and numericalmore » predictions.« less
Association of osteoprotegerin and bone loss after adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose Chemotherapy induced ovarian failure (CIOF) results in rapid bone loss. Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (RANK)-RANK ligand (RANK-L) signaling balances bone resorption and formation. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) acts as a decoy receptor for RANK, interrupting osteoclast activation and bone resorption. This study examined the relationship between OPG and bone loss in women with CIOF.
The maximum valency of regular graphs with given order and odd girth

The odd girth of a graph G is the length of a shortest odd cycle in G. Let d(n, g) denote the largest k such that there exists a k-regular graph of order n and odd girth g. It is shown that dn, g ≥ 2|n/g≥ if n ≥ 2g. As a consequence, we prove a conjecture of Pullman and Wormald, which says that there exists a 2j-regular graph of order n and odd girth g if and only if n ≥ gj, where g ≥ 5 is odd and j ≥ 2. A different variation of the problem is also discussed.
Wireless multimedia: panacea or reality

Summary form only given. This talk will try to identify the challenges that face the wireless multimedia services deployment. Attempt will be made to provide a pragmatic view to addressing these challenges without ignoring the industry reality. The important issues in the talk include (1) evolution vs. revolution, (2) disconnect between wireless voice and data services, (3) wireless cost per bit and its impact on wireless multimedia, (4) wireless links and its capacity, (5) transportation time to transport large files through wireless link and its impact on user acceptability, (6) how complex is the management of QoS in the wireless multimedia and what is reality, (7) what is the mobility direction of wireless multimedia, (8) wireless multimedia terminal: plug and play or single integrated, (9) multimode terminal, (10) terminal power, (11) content delivery and its format, (12) wireless spectrum licensed vs. unlicensed. This talk will not provide an answer to these questions, but it will help to stimulate the debate for our future research and innovations.
Validation of macromolecular flexibility in solution by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)

The dynamics of macromolecular conformations are critical to the action of cellular networks. Solution X-ray scattering studies, in combination with macromolecular X-ray crystallography (MX) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), strive to determine complete and accurate states of macromolecules, providing novel insights describing allosteric mechanisms, supramolecular complexes, and dynamic molecular machines. This review addresses theoretical and practical concepts, concerns, and considerations for using these techniques in conjunction with computational methods to productively combine solution-scattering data with high-resolution structures. I discuss the principal means of direct identification of macromolecular flexibility from SAXS data followed by critical concerns about the methods used to calculate theoretical SAXS profiles from high-resolution structures. The SAXS profile is a direct interrogation of the thermodynamic ensemble and techniques such as, for example, minimal ensemble search (MES), enhance interpretation of SAXS experiments by describing the SAXS profiles as population-weighted thermodynamic ensembles. I discuss recent developments in computational techniques used for conformational sampling, and how these techniques provide a basis for assessing the level of the flexibility within a sample. Although these approaches sacrifice atomic detail, the knowledge gained from ensemble analysis is often appropriate for developing hypotheses and guiding biochemical experiments. Examples of the use of SAXS and combined approaches with X-ray crystallography, NMR, and computational methods to characterize dynamic assemblies are presented.
Conservation of the PRM1→PRM2→TNP2 Domain

In mouse and human, the genes encoding protamines PRM1, PRM2 and transition protein TNP2 are found clustered together on chromosome 16. In addition, these three genes lie in the same orientation to one another and are coordinately expressed in a haploid-specific manner during spermatogenesis. Previously, we have shown that the human PRM1→PRM2→TNP2 locus exists as a single chromatin domain bounded by two male germ cell-specific MARs, i.e. Matrix Attachment Regions. A third, somatic-specific MAR element lies immediately 3′ of the PRM1→PRM2→TNP2 domain. This MAR maps to a conserved CpG island 5′ of the human SOCS-1 gene. Similarly, two candidate MARs flank the mouse Prm1→Prm2→Tnp2 domain. Comparative analysis of the mouse and human promoter regions identified several conserved regulatory motifs for each of the genes of this cluster. This further establishes the synteny of this region. Global structural similarities and the functional relevance of the associated candidate regulatory elements are discussed.
The value of monetary policy commitment under imperfect fiscal credibility

Abstract A central finding of the previous monetary policy research is that commitment to a policy rule results in substantial welfare gains. In this paper, I reevaluate the value of monetary policy commitment in an environment where monetary and fiscal policies are conducted by separate branches of the government. I find that welfare gains from monetary policy commitment can be small if the fiscal authority can exercise a certain degree of commitment on his own. I also find that a moderate improvement in fiscal credibility can substantially reduce the welfare gains from full commitment in monetary policy under monetary leadership. Under fiscal leadership, the degree of fiscal credibility does not affect the welfare gains from monetary commitment.
Bubble pumping in cocurrent gas‐liquid flow and its effect upon conversion in continuous fermentation

Bubble pumping was demonstrated in cocurrent, gas-liquid flow through experimental vessels which had been used to carry out continuous alcohol fermentation. The pumping rates, measured with a video-tape technique during cocurrent upward flow, were used to compare these vessels as gas-lift pumps to some actual air lift pumps. The effect of bubble pumping upon the conversion achieved in these vessels is shown and the significance of this for vessel design is discussed. Le pompage par bulles a ete mis en evidence dans l'ecoulment gaz-liquide a cocourants dans des recipients utilises pour la production d'alcool par fermentation continue. Les vitesses de pompage mesurees a l'aide de rubans magnetoscopiques pendant l'ecoulement cocourant ascendant, ont ete utilisees pour comparer le pompage de gaz dans ces recipients avec quelques pompes a air. L'effet du pompage par bulles sur la conversion atteinte a ete etabli et on discute de l'importance de cet effet pour les methodes de calcul de ces recipients.
Dissociation of (Zn,O) pairs in GaP

Abstract We have observed photoinduced reactions in which nearest-neighbor (Zn,O) pairs in GaP dissociate, and subsequently re-form as further separated pairs. From reaction rate measurements, we find that the dissociation is induced by electron-hole recombination at the defect. A theoretical analysis is presented of the vibrational modes which may be involved in the reaction.
The effect of weather map scale on the results of A synoptic climatology

The results of an objective synoptic climatology of glacier mass balance in south-western Canada are affected by the scale and degree of generality of the synoptic patterns used. Two scales of 500 mb daily weather maps are compared. Statistical analysis shows little direct relationship between the two scales: the smaller, high wave number patterns vary randomly within the more general flow of the larger circulation patterns. However, further analysis suggests that the smaller synoptic patterns control glacier mass balance in coastal British Columbia. Glacier accumulation in the Canadian Rockies is more closely related to larger-scale atmospheric flow.
PVT properties of main-chain liquid-crystalline polymers

Abstract The densities, as a function of temperature and pressure, of several main-chain liquid-crystalline polymers were measured. The polymers were a copolyester and a series of azomethine ether polymers containing flexible spacer groups along the chain. An equation-of-state theory was developed, which was based on a cell model where expansion of the lattice occurred only in two dimensions. The ability of the theory to describe the PVT properties was investigated and compared to a simple cell model that has been used for flexible polymers. It was found that the liquid-crystal cell model described the PVT properties of the liquid-crystalline polymers better than the simple cell model. The fit became worse for polymers with flexible spacing groups, and the equation did not describe flexible polymers such as polyethylene. It is inferred that the liquid-crystal model gives a better physical description of the structure of rigid polymers.
Computational methods to identify novel methyltransferases

Background 1.2% of the yeast genes are estimated to encode enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to protein, nucleic acid, lipid, and small molecule substrates [1]. These enzymes function in biosynthesis, regulating metabolic pathways, and controlling gene expression, including writing the histone code. BLAST and MEME/MAST analysis using the amino acid sequence of motifs have previously generated a list of putative Class I methyltransferases [2]. Recently we have used a combination of a new search algorithm and structural information to refine this analysis [3]. This study utilizes these updated methods of identifying motifs and scanning the proteome to predict new members of the different families of methyltransferases in different organisms. These new members may function in novel pathways or new modes of regulation.
Local phytoplankton abundance and turbulence

Abstract The distribution of the variance of phytoplankton abundance in the mixed layer follows a minus-five-thirds power relationship over a range of length-scales from 10 to 1000 m.
Solvent-specific gel-like transition via complexation of polyelectrolyte and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles suspended in water–glycerin mixtures: a rheological study

Polyelectrolytes are routinely used in many applications including hydrogels and aqueous particle suspensions. Although the rheology of charge-stabilized colloidal particle systems involving polyelectrolyte in a single solvent has been studied both theoretically and experimentally, the influence of a second solvent has received considerably less attention. We report here on the system comprising ellipsoidal nano-hydroxyapatite particles suspended in water–glycerol mixtures containing dissolved polyelectrolyte “dispersant.” The nano-hydroxyapatite content ranged from 0 to 20 vol%, while the concentration of the neutralized poly(acrylic acid) dispersant was varied between 0 to 0.08 wt% in the suspension (0 to 0.108% with respect to the HA component). In contrast to earlier reports on similar suspensions, an increase in apparent viscosity by three orders of magnitude with increasing polyelectrolyte content was observed. At the highest concentrations of polyelectrolyte, the suspensions exhibited solid-like behavior as indicated by the presence of a yield behavior and a shear storage modulus one order of magnitude larger than the loss modulus. These observations led to the hypothesis that the polyelectrolyte contributed to the formation of polymer-rich water bridges between the particles, although no macrophase separation was found in the absence of the particles.
Fixing Broken Cities: The Implementation of Urban Development Strategies by John Kromer

John Kromer, Fixing Broken Cities: The Implementation of Urban Development Strategies (New York: Routledge, 2010).This book is like a long lunch (or several lunches) with a favorite uncle. It tells...