cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Applications of Representation Learning in Nepali

We explore the applications of representation learning in Nepali, an under-resourced language. Using distributional similarity on a large amount of unlabeled Nepali text, we induce clusters of different sizes. The use of these clusters as features significantly improves the performance compared to the baseline on two standard NLP tasks. In a part-of-speech PoS tagging experiment where the train and test domain are the same, the accuracy on the unknown words increased by up to 5% compared to the baseline. In a named-entity recognition NER experiment in domain adaptation setting with a small training data size, the F1 score improved by up to 41% compared to the baseline. In a setting where train and test domain are the same, the F1 score improved by 13% compared to the baseline.
Quantitative variations in texture analysis features dependent on MRI scanning parameters: A phantom model

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of MRI scanning parameters on texture analysis features. METHODS Publicly available data from the Reference Image Database to Evaluate Therapy Response (RIDER) project sponsored by The Cancer Imaging Archive included MRIs on a phantom comprised of 18 25-mm doped, gel-filled tubes, and 1 20-mm tube containing 0.25 mM Gd-DTPA (EuroSpinII Test Object5, Diagnostic Sonar, Ltd, West Lothian, Scotland). MRIs performed on a 1.5 T GE HD, 1.5 T Siemens Espree (VB13), or 3.0 T GE HD with TwinSpeed gradients with an eight-channel head coil included T1WIs with multiple flip angles (flip-angle = 2,5,10,15,20,25,30), TR/TE = 4.09-5.47/0.90-1.35 ms, NEX = 1 and DCE with 30° flip-angle, TR/TE=4.09-5.47/0.90-1.35, and NEX = 1,4. DICOM data were imported into an in-house developed texture analysis program which extracted 41-texture features including histogram, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and gray-level run-length (GLRL). Two-tailed t tests, corrected for multiple comparisons (Q values) were calculated to compare changes in texture features with variations in MRI scanning parameters (magnet strength, flip-angle, number of excitations (NEX), scanner platform). RESULTS Significant differences were seen in histogram features (mean, median, standard deviation, range) with variations in NEX (Q = 0.003-0.045) and scanner platform (Q < 0.0001), GLCM features (entropy, contrast, energy, and homogeneity) with NEX (Q = 0.001-0.018) and scanner platform (Q < 0.0001), GLRL features (long-run emphasis, high gray-level run emphasis, high gray-level emphasis) with magnet strength (Q = 0.0003), NEX (Q = 0.003-0.022) and scanner platform (Q < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Significant differences were seen in many texture features with variations in MRI acquisition emphasizing the need for standardized MRI technique.
An Applied Driving Evaluation of Electrodermal Potential as a Measurement of Attentional State

Abstract The chapter aims at analyzing the impact of wrist-wearable electrodermal potential (EDP) devices on measuring levels of alertness previously assessed using electroencephalography (EEG). EDP is expected to prove less time-consuming and less complicated to set up. A gender-balanced and age-diverse sample of experienced drivers drove on-road while connected to the EDP wearable and results were recorded.
Christian Higher Education as a High Calling

What is the high calling of Christian higher education in today’s world? Most Christian colleges and universities proclaim carefully worded mission statements, intended to motivate their students t...
SOLICITING FELLOW FEEDBACK FOR DIDACTIC AND INTERACTIVE SUMMER CORE SESSIONS

Transitioning from lectures to interactive sessions may improve resident and fellow education. We examined fellow perceptions of a revised, interactive summer “boot camp” curriculum. Faculty of a general cardiovascular fellowship program were asked to transition 13 of 17 summer core fellow
Uncovering a multitude of human glucocorticoid receptor variants: an expansive survey of a single gene

Glucocorticoids are commonly used in the clinical setting for their potent anti-inflammatory effects; however, significant variations in response to treatment have been demonstrated. Although the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully understood, this variable response may be a result of alterations in human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) expression and function. In addition to hGRα, the biologically active isoform, a screening of current databases and publications revealed five alternative splice isoforms and hundreds of variants that have been reported to date. Many of these changes in the hGR-coding gene, NR3C1, have been linked to pathophysiology. However, many studies focus on evaluating hGR expression in vitro or detecting previously reported variants. In this study, blood from healthy volunteers, burn and asthma patients, as well as from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from leukoreduced donor whole blood, were screened for NR3C1 isoforms. We identified more than 1500 variants, including an additional 21 unique splice isoforms which contain 15 new cryptic exons. A dynamic database, named the Universal hGR (UhGR), was created to annotate and visualize the variants. This identification of naturally occurring and stress-induced hGR isoforms, as well as the establishment of an hGR-specific database, may reveal new patterns or suggest areas of interest that will lead to the improved understanding of the human stress response system.
Mixing state evolution of agglomerating particles in an aerosol chamber: Comparison of measurements and particle-resolved simulations

AbstractThis article presents a validation study of the stochastic particle-resolved aerosol model PartMC with experimental data from an aerosol chamber experiment. For the experiment, a scanning m...
‘Seeing with poet’s eyes’: dialogic valuing of the local, the everyday and the personal

This paper defines the notion of dialogic local space and highlights its importance to teaching and learning. A dialogic local space values multiple local realities as it invites us to listen to, t...
On the Discrepancy between Experimental and Calculated Raman Intensities for Conjugated Phenyl and Thiophene Derivatives

Compared with experimental spectra, calculations for conjugated phenyl and thiophene oligomers tend to overestimate the ground state Raman intensities of higher-frequency vibrations (1200-1800 cm-1) relative to the intensities at lower frequencies (<1200 cm-1). The discrepancy was observed in previous benchmarking work that examined the method dependence of the calculated Raman spectra for a series of aromatic molecules. This paper further investigates the nature of the discrepancy by examining the role of anharmonic corrections and the dependence of the calculated Raman spectra on the inter-ring torsion angle for the representative molecules biphenyl (BP), 2-phenylthiophene (PT), and 2,2'-bithiophene (BT). Perturbative anharmonic corrections to the spectra calculated using density functional theory (DFT) provide only slightly better agreement with experiment. On the other hand, calculations at larger torsion angles give up to 30% improvement in the relative Raman intensities compared with the spectra calculated at the optimized geometries. The torsion-angle dependence of the Raman intensities is most pronounced for delocalized C-C and C-S stretching modes, and less pronounced for bending and ring distortion modes that do not involve inter-ring stretching. Higher-level calculations using the coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] method indicate that DFT underestimates the energy barrier for torsion isomerization at small angles, and it overestimates the barriers at large angles, thus predicting minimum geometries at torsion angles that are too small. Therefore, the results suggest that the discrepancy in relative Raman intensities may be related to an overestimation of inter-ring conjugation by DFT, which also tends to favor geometries that are too planar.
Blast wave interaction with structures: an application of exploding wire experiments

The purpose of this research study is to build upon prior shock dynamics research to create an improved experimental setup that can be used to better understand the interaction of shock waves with structures. Large-scale blast wave experiments pose a risk to the individuals running the experiments, the surroundings, and the institution funding them. In contrast, small-scale blast experiments are able to decrease the danger and amount of funding needed associated with each experiment while producing valuable data. Simulations of blast wave–structure interaction may, on the other hand, result in extensive computational times and results that need verification. The exploding wire setup used in this research study has been optimized to consistently produce results at a run-time of less than 100 s per experiment. The adaptable exploding wire setup has a discharge voltage range of 10–40 kV. The configuration includes three main components: the driver, the experimental apparatus, and an ultrahigh-speed imaging system. The original makeup of the exploding wire apparatus allows for flexible adjustments of specifications such as initial detonation, shock wave origin, and magnitude in two and three dimensions. A recent advancement in algorithm tracking has allowed for automated detection of the individual shock fronts. In this instance, the exploding wire apparatus was adapted to simulate city-scale explosions in two dimensions, and the results were compared with numerical simulations.
Advancing understanding of turbulence through extreme-scale computation: Intermittency and simulations at large problem sizes

Advanced GPU-optimized algorithms coupled with a multiresolution short-time sampling paradigm can make extreme-scale turbulence simulations focused on small-scale physics much more accessible. One example is in the study of scaling exponents of the locally averaged energy dissipation rate at high Reynolds number.
Smart Homes that Detect Sneeze, Cough, and Face Touching

Abstract Coughing, sneezing, and face touching activities are three primary ways of spreading disease. With the onset of COVID-19 it is paramount to monitor these activities at home and practice good hygiene. To help stop the spread of disease, we have developed a wireless sensing system capable of detecting voluntary coughs, sneezes, and face touching with alert based notifications sent to a mobile application. Our system uses radio frequency technology to capture motion, speed, direction, and range information from human activities. It does this by using a combination of a continuous wave Doppler and frequency modulated continuous wave radar. By observing a set of features related to the sensed motion, we designed a set of fuzzy logic IF-THEN rules that can differentiate each activity from each other with an overall accuracy of 96%. In addition, our system enables smart homes to detect and localize these activities at different distances up to 2.74 m, through walls, and with multiple people. We envision our system helping not only with prevention of COVID-19, but supporting contact tracing efforts by monitoring people's activities at home.
Machine Learning Models to Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Cohort Study.

Objective To develop machine learning models that can predict post-transplantation major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting High-volume tertiary care center. Participants The study comprised 1,459 consecutive patients undergoing LT between January 2008 and December 2019. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results MACE, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality were modeled using logistic regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection surgery regression, random forests, support vector machine, and gradient-boosted modeling (GBM). All models were built by splitting data into training and testing cohorts, and performance was assessed using five-fold cross-validation based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Harrell's C statistic. A total of 1,459 patients were included in the final cohort; 1,425 (97.7%) underwent index transplantation, 963 (66.0%) were female, the median age at transplantation was 57 (11-70) years, and the median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 20 (6-40). Across all outcomes, the GBM model XGBoost achieved the highest performance, with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.79) for MACE, a Harrell's C statistic of 0.64 (95% CI 0.57-0.73) for overall survival, and 0.72 (95% CI 0.59-0.85) for cardiovascular mortality over a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. Examination of Shapley values for the GBM model revealed that on the cohort-wide level, the top influential factors for postoperative MACE were age at transplantation, diabetes, serum creatinine, cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, right ventricular systolic pressure, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion Machine learning models developed using data from a tertiary care transplantation center achieved good discriminant function in predicting post-LT MACE, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. These models can support clinicians in recipient selection and help screen individuals who may be at elevated risk for post-transplantation MACE.
Minority Males and Graduate Education: Confronting Microaggressions in Counsellor Education Programs

Microaggressions are intentional or unintentional exchanges that communicate hostile, derogatory, negative slights and insults to people of colour. Microaggressions are prevalent on college campuses across the United States. This article explores the impact of microaggressions on minority male graduate students in counsellor education programs. The article further discusses how institutions and counsellor education programs must address racial stereotypes through cultural competency training and hiring diverse faculty and staff. A quantitative design was employed to understand minority males’ perceptions of microaggressions. The sample of the study consisted of (n=99) participants comprised of Asian (n=30), Hispanic (n=33), and Black (n=36) male degree recipients from counsellor education programs. The data were collected using the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) while a one-way ANOVA was used to examine the impact of microaggressions. The study revealed a difference in perceived microaggressions between Asian, Hispanic, and Black students in counsellor education programs.
Feasibility and efficacy of cryoneurolysis analgesia in robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (CARTS): a pilot study.

Opioid therapy has been the mainstay therapy of post-operative pain management in thoracic surgery patients. With the high incidence of chronic pain in thoracic surgery patients and adverse effects of opioids, we examined the safety and efficacy of cryoneurolysis as an adjunct for narcotic-free pain management in robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies. Ten consecutive patients undergoing robotic-assisted (DaVinci) pulmonary resection and cryoneurolysis were compared to ten patients managed without intraoperative cryoneurolysis. All patients received multimodal pain regimen including paravertebral blocks as per our institutional enhanced recovery pathway. Patients with chronic pain and chronic opioid use were excluded. We compared inpatient and outpatient opioid consumption measured in morphine equivalents (mme), incidence of opioid-free outpatient recovery, and adverse events. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of baseline demographics. Both inpatient (88.13 vs 26.92 mme) and outpatient (118.5 vs 34.5 mme) use of narcotics were significantly lower in the cryoneurolysis group (p < 0.05) with seven of ten patients receiving cryoneurolysis able to recover without the use of opioids in the outpatient setting, compared to two in the control group. One patient reported post-operative neuralgia in each cryoneurolysis and control group. There were no readmissions in either group and mean length of stay was identical at 1.7 days in control group and 1.1 days in experimental group (p = 0.33). The use of intraoperative intercostal cryoneurolysis may safely reduce the utilization of outpatient opioids in patients undergoing robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to validate these findings in a larger cohort of patients.
A Flexible Power Module for Wearable Medical Devices with Wireless Recharging using Corrugated Flexible Coils

In this work, flexible corrugated interconnection and Fan-Out Wafer-Level packaging platform called FlexTrate™ is used to fabricate a thin film, flexible, magnetic resonant wireless recharging module for charging commercial Li-ion battery at an output of 3.3 V constant voltage. A power management IC (LDO bare die LDBL20) for voltage regulation, a fullwave bridge rectifier, a Si-DT capacitor dies for antenna matching. The coil antenna is also fabricated on the PDMS substrate using standard BEOL Cu metallization. The designed power module can deliver 3.9 mW regulated power.
Probing the role of the E304 and P288 residues in the allosteric site of Agrobacterium tumefaciens ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase (769.19)

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPG PPase) is the rate limiting enzyme in the glucan biosynthesis pathway, a vital source for renewable and biodegradable carbon. Thus ADPG PPase is an attractive ta...
Course Management: A Complete Asynchronous Environment Architecture in Education

Technological improvements have enhanced our range of educational experiences with such things as distance-learning. The education systems of today are needed to be supported by new architectures for managing the courses, instructors, students, performance records, for grading homeworks and exams, for supporting assessment, legacy systems, and security. We have developed a multi-tier architecture which integrates back-end tools and systems with commodity interfaces. Data at the back-end databases transformed into knowledge at the front-end browser through a hierarchical middle-ware using various object web technologies. We implemented an asynchronous open information access environment. This asynchronous resource is used to support traditional classroom and interactive synchronous lessons offered using TangoInteractive. It evolved with the needs, reached a large audience, 450 users, including on-campus and on-line distance courses. This paper presents a technical architecture overview and discusses its functionalities gained from our experiences.
Bringing Theory to Life: Strategies that Make Culturally Responsive Pedagogy a Reality in Diverse Secondary Classrooms

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 111 635 COE-ESL 5 1 779 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Preparing U.S. teachers for effectiveness with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) secondary students remains a challenge, given the relative homogeneity of educators and their enculturation to an educational system based on European American norms and values. Although culturally responsive pedagogy has emerged as a promising avenue for promoting student achievement, instructional tools are needed to support application of theory in multicultural classrooms. In this paper the authors provide a framework for linguistic and academic development, contextualized within a larger model of biography-driven instruction. Instructional strategies implemented throughout the lesson are described, and their usefulness for improving teacher performance is explored.
A soluble metalloendopeptidase from rat brain

A metalloendopeptidase, optimally active at a neutral pH, was purified from the soluble fraction of brain homogenates. The enzyme (molecular weight about 67000) is strongly inhibited by metal chelators such as EDTA and o-phenanthroline. An EDTA-treated enzyme can be reactivated by several divalent metal ions including Zn2+, Co2+, and Mn2+. The specificity and kinetic parameters of the enzyme were studied with a series of model synthetic substrates. The enzyme preferentially cleaves peptide bonds in which the carbonyl group is contributed by an aromatic amino acid residue in the P1 position. The lowest Km values and the highest Kcat/Km ratios were obtained with substrates having aromatic residues in the P′3 and P1 position or in the P′3 and both the P1 and P2 positions. Lower Kcat/Km ratios were obtained with substrates having arginine residues in position P1, and even lower values with those substrates having a glycine or aspartyl residue in this position. Introduction of a D-amino acid residue in either position P1 or P′1 renders the substrate totally resistant to hydrolysis. The specificity studies suggest that the active site of the metalloendopeptidase can accomodate at least five amino acid residues, with two of those residues binding on the N-terminal side and three binding on the C-terminal side of the hydrolyzed bond. Several biologically active peptides are cleaved by the enzyme at sites consistent with the specificity deduced from studies with model synthetic substrates.
Utilizing tiling microarrays for whole‐genome analysis in plants

Summary The recent explosion in available genome sequence data has ushered in an era in which analysis of a whole genome can be performed in a single experiment. While DNA microarrays have long been the established technology for measuring gene expression levels, standard expression arrays use relatively few probes for each gene and are typically biased toward known and predicted gene structures. Recently, with the availability of complete genome sequences for many organisms, very-high-density oligonucleotide-based microarrays that span the entire genome have emerged as the preferred platform for genomic analysis. Whole-genome tiling microarrays can be employed for a myriad of purposes, including empirical annotation of the transcriptome, chromatin immunoprecipitation–chip studies, analysis of alternative RNA splicing, characterization of the methylation state of cytosine bases throughout a genome (methylome), and DNA polymorphism discovery. Here, we review several applications of whole-genome technology to obtain a variety of genomic-scale information in plants.
Introduction to the Special International Issue

It is axiomatic to suggest that the world of education is influenced by global trends. What may not be so obvious is the fact that some trends have deep historical roots, that progress can be stimu...
Finite element analysis of toughening for a particle‐reinforced composite

An axisymmetric spherical cell is used to quantitatively predict the toughening of a glass particle-reinforced 2,2-bis[4(2-hydroxy-3 methacryloyloxypropyloxy)-phenyl]propane/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (BisGMA/TEGDMA) polymer composite. The effect of a novel interphase consisting of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, and residual stresses on composite toughness is studied. Results show that the fracture toughness of the composite increases with increasing interphase thickness, while the Young's modulus is not reduced significantly if the interphase thickness is less than 10% of the particle diameter. The negative strain originating from the curing process reduces fracture toughness, while an imagined positive strain increases fracture toughness significantly. POLYM COMPOS., 27:360–367, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
EFFECTS OF BOND STRETCHING ON POLYMER STATISTICS

A probability distribution for polymer chain end-to-end separation is derived that incorporates the effects of bond stretching and bending. Each bond is represented by a spring with an equilibrium ...
Assessing the dispute in the South China Sea: a model of China's security decision making

Chinese foreign policy is represented as a function of internal, domestic political considerations. Through the analysis of Chinese policy, we illustrate a method for predicting the outcome of policy decision making inside China. The substantive issue is China's expected approach toward territorial disputes in the South China Sea, especially surrounding the Spratly Islands. We address the extent to which China can be expected to reallocate resources from economic reform to foreign policy undertakings in that area and how likely China is to utilize force to impose its will on weaker neighbors. The approach represents a marked departure from the predominant neorealist paradigm in international politics. We assume that decision makers seek an optimal compromise between enhancing their security and pursuing their specific policy or ideological goals. Using this perspective, we conclude that, despite a dramatic increase in military expenditures and a significant strengthening of China's naval force in the South China Sea, China is unlikely to engage in any significant uses of force to pursue its agenda in the South China Sea.
The need for speed. I. Fast reactions and myelinated axons in copepods

A rapid and powerful escape response decreases predation risk in planktonic copepods. Calanoid copepods are sensitive to small and brief hydrodynamic disturbances: they respond with multiple nerve impulses to a vibrating sphere. Some species, such as Pleuromamma xiphias and Labidocera madurae, respond with very large spikes (1-4 mV), whereas maximum spike heights are an order of magnitude smaller in others, such as Undinula vulgaris and Neocalanus gracilis. A comparative study of the escape responses showed that all species reacted within 10 ms of the initiation of a hydrodynamic stimulus. However, U. vulgaris and N. gracilis had significantly shorter reaction times (minimum reaction times: 1.5 ms and 1.6 ms) than the other two, P. xiphias (6.6 ms) and L. madurae (3.1 ms). Examination of the first antenna and the central nervous system using transmission electron microscopy revealed extensive myelination of sensory and motor axons in the two species with the shorter reaction times. Axons of the other two species resembled typical crustacean unmyelinated fibers. A survey of 20 calanoids revealed that none of the species in two of the more ancient superfamilies possessed myelin, but myelination was present in the species from three more recently-evolved superfamilies.
Understanding study design.

Medical studies use several common designs. Correctly naming a study’s design is not just an exercise in terminology but helps readers to evaluate the study’s level of evidence, limitations and biases, and statistical analyses. Analytic studies evaluate the association between a risk factor (eg, intervention, exposure) and the outcome. Studies fall into 2 overarching categories: observational and experimental. This article reviews the major analytic study designs, including their advantages and disadvantages, and their relevance for statistics (summarized in Table 1).
Extradural extranasal combined transmaxillary transsphenoidal approach to the cavernous sinus: a minimally invasive microsurgical model.

The authors have previously described an extradural transmaxillary approach to the anterior compartment of the cavernous sinus. In an effort to expand the surgical access to that area without necessitating a craniotomy or wide transfacial dissection, they present a modification of the transmaxillary approach to the sellar region and cavernous sinus. Methods: The approach was developed on 12 fresh and 12 embalmed cadaveric specimen, and 2 dry skulls. The initial sublabial incision is followed by a maxillotomy to expose the course of the infraorbital nerve (terminal branch of maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve) on the roof of the maxillary sinus. The route of the infraorbital nerve is traced to the pterygopalatine fossa as a guide to the foramen rotundum. Superomedial drilling of the foramen rotundum is then performed to reveal the contents of the superior orbital fissure. After the nerves are safely identified in the superior orbital fissure, medial enlargement of the window into the cavernous sinus is made possible by drilling the lateral and posterior wall and septum of the sphenoid sinus. Results: The combined transmaxillary transsphenoidal approach offers an excellent exposure of the sellar and infrasellar region. The approach offers clear visualization of the ipsilateral loop of the carotid artery, the pituitary fossa, and the cranial nerves of the ipsilateral cavernous sinus. Mean operative reach is 38 mm from the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus to the ipsilateral carotid loop and 56 mm to the contralateral loop. The width of the operative window is 26 mm at the base within the cavernous sinus. Conclusion: The model offers a minimally invasive approach that avoids the need for craniotomy or violating the nasal cavity. It may be safely employed to access vascular as well as invasive lesions of the sellar and infrasellar region. The approach offers excellent visualization of the ipsilateral intracavernous carotid artery with both proximal and distal control, as well as cranial nerves III, IV, VI, V2, the hypophyseal region, and the medial aspect of the contralateral cavernous sinus.
Finite element methods for nonlinear eigenvalue problems and the postbuckling behavior of elastic plates

Abstract In the following paper new variational methods for the solution of problems of postbuckling of elastic plates are formulated, and approximate solutions for various cases are obtained using finite element methods. Initially, the postbuckling problem is phrased as a nonlinear eigenvalue problem. Variational principles for the nonlinear eigenvalue problem of the postbuckling of structures are developed. These variational principles have a form which can be characterized as a nonlinear Rayleigh principle, finite-element models are introduced and are used to implement the postbuckling variational principle. Incremental amplitude solution schemes are developed to solve the corresponding finite-element equations. Sample results are presented for the postbuckling behavior of circular plates.
Proto-Oncogene c-fos Is Transcriptionally Regulated by Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and PTH-Related Protein in a Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Dependent Manner in Osteoblastic Cells*

PTH and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) bind to the PTH-1 (PTH/PTHrP) receptor and produce anabolic and catabolic effects in bone. To investigate postreceptor mechanisms of action, MC3T3-E1 cells were induced to differentiate to optimize PTH-1 receptor expression, and differentiated MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with varying doses of PTH (1–34) for 1 h. Northern blot analysis revealed a dose-dependent stimulation of steady state c-fos messenger RNA (mRNA), with measurable expression at doses as low as 1 pm PTH. The time course of c-fos mRNA induction was rapid, with peak levels detected at 30–45 min. Increased steady state c-fos mRNA was due to increased transcription of the c-fos gene as demonstrated by nuclear run-on assays and was dependent on the temporal differentiation state of the MC3T3-E1 cells. Stimulation of c-fos mRNA was induced exclusively by N-terminal PTH and PTHrP (which is also responsible for cAMP activation), and did not occur with PTH (7–34), (53–84), or PTHrP (107–139). The effects of PTH (...
Quantifying the Impact of Renewable Energy Futures on Cooling Water Use

This article presents an empirically based model, WiCTS (Withdrawal and Consumption for Thermoelectric Systems), to estimate regional water withdrawals and consumption implied by any electricity generation portfolio. WiTCS uses water use rates, developed at the substate level, to predict water use by scaling the rates with predicted energy generation. The capability of WiCTS is demonstrated by assessing the impact of renewable electricity generation scenarios on water use in the United States (U.S.) through 2050. The energy generation scenarios are taken from the Renewable Energy Futures Study performed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy. Results indicate reductions in water use are achieved under these renewable energy scenarios. The analysis further explores the impact of two modifications to the modeling framework. The first modification presumes geothermal and concentrated solar power generation technologies employ water-intensive cooling systems vs. cooling technology that requires no water. The second modification presumes all water-intensive cooling technologies use closed cycle cooling (as opposed to once-through cooling) technologies by 2050. Results based on one of the renewable generation scenarios indicate water use increases by over 20% under the first modification, and water consumption increases by approximately 40% while water withdrawals decrease by over 85% under the second modification.
Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in children: A continuing diagnostic challenge

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common cause of respiratory compromise in early childhood. The objective of this study was to describe the features and outcomes of children with FBA in early and late presentations and to examine the reasons for the delay in diagnosis. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all children who were admitted with suspected FBA between July 2001 and June 2010. Patient's characteristics, history, clinical, radiographic, bronchoscopic findings, reason for delay presentation, and complications were noted. Results: A total of 158 children admitted to the hospital with suspected FBA were included in this study. The average age was 3.28 years. Forty-eight (30.3%) children were presented late (more than 14 days after FBA) and 110 (69.7%) children were presented early (0-14 days). The common clinical manifestations of FBA were persistent cough (100%) and choking (72%). The most frequent radiological finding observed was air trapping (40%) followed by atelectasis (14%). Chest radiographs were normal in 32.2% patients. Ten children in early diagnosis group and 29 children in late diagnosis group presented with complications. The diagnosis delay was mainly attributed to physician misdiagnosis (41.6%). Rigid bronchoscopy was performed in all patients. Foreign body was found in all of the cases except six. Watermelon seeds and peanuts accounted for 80% of the aspiration. Conclusion: FBA is difficult to diagnose in children. Delay in diagnosis appears to result from a failure to give serious consideration to the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies must be achieved to avoid complications.
Intermediacy of o-Sulfonylium Arenide Ylides in the Reactions of Arenesulfonyl Derivatives with Strong Bases: Insight into the Puzzling Rearrangement of N-Arylarenesulfonamides into 2-Aminodiaryl Sulfones1

Benzenesulfonyl derivatives, PhSO2E, such as benzenesulfonyl fluoride, phenyl benzenesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, have been found to undergo ortho-lithiation with lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP) in THF at −78 °C. The resulting lithio derivatives undergo 1,3-elimination of LiE to form the transient o-sulfonylium benzenide. The latter ylide, which may be stabilized by its carbenoid character and its complexation with LiE, can be trapped by benzophenone acting as a 1,3-dipolarophile to form the adduct, 3,3-diphenyl-1,2-benzoxathiole 1,1-dioxide. The alternative formation of the latter cyclic sulfonate by reaction of the initially formed o-lithio derivative with benzophenone and by subsequent cyclization was shown not to occur. If not trapped with benzophenone, such an ylide decomposes partly into SO2 and benzyne and then undergoes self-condensation to yield poly(phenylene-o,o‘-biphenylene sulfones). o-Sulfonylium benzenide also can be captured by lithium alkoxides, either ...
Fully relativistic calculations for the ground state of the AgH molecule.

All-electron basis-set Dirac-Fock calculations for the lowest-lying $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ state of the AgH molecule are reported. The Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian for point nuclei and kinetically balanced four-component spherical spinor basis functions are used. The large-component radial variation is of Gaussian form, ${\mathit{r}}^{\mathit{ne}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\xi}{\mathit{r}}^{2}}$, with \ensuremath{\xi} an element of the increasing geometric sequence a,ab,${\mathit{ab}}^{2}$,... . An (uncorrelated) ground-state energy of -5315.1083 hartrees is obtained; the corresponding bond length and dissociation energy are, respectively, 1.6908 \AA{} and 0.0529 hartrees (1.44 eV). \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Sinusoidal C4d deposits in liver allografts indicate an antibody-mediated response: diagnostic considerations in the evaluation of liver allografts.

There is a paucity of data concerning the correlation of complement component 4d (C4d) staining in liver allografts and antibody-mediated rejection. Data about the location and character of C4d deposits in native and allograft liver tissues are inconsistent. We performed C4d immunofluorescence (IF) on 141 fresh-frozen liver allograft biopsy samples and native livers, documented the pattern of C4d IF staining, and correlated the findings with the presence of donor-specific alloantibodies (DSAs). A linear/granular sinusoidal pattern of C4d IF was noted in 18 of 28 biopsy samples obtained after transplantation from patients with positive crossmatch and detectable donor-specific alloantibody (pos-XM/DSA) findings. None of the 59 tested biopsy samples from patients with negative crossmatch and detectable donor-specific alloantibody (neg-XM/DSA) findings were C4d-positive (P < 0.001). No significant association was found between pos-XM/DSA and C4d IF staining in other nonsinusoidal liver compartments. To compare the results of sinusoidal C4d staining with IF and 2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques, C4d IHC was performed on 19 liver allograft biopsy samples in which a sinusoidal pattern of C4d IF had been noted. Sinusoidal C4d IHC findings were negative for 17 of the 19 biopsy samples; 2 showed weak and focal staining, and both patients had pos-XM/DSA findings. Portal vein endothelium staining was present in only 1 IF-stained biopsy sample (pos-XM/DSA) but in 11 IHC-stained biopsy samples (2 of the 11 samples had neg-XM/DSA findings). We conclude that sinusoidal C4d deposits detected by IF in frozen tissue samples from liver allograft recipients correlate with the presence of DSAs and an antibody-mediated alloresponse. These observations are similar to findings reported for other solid organ transplants and can provide relevant information for patient management. Further validation of IHC techniques for C4d detection in liver allograft tissue is required. Liver Transpl 18:641–658, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Controversies in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Do Sex Differences in Response Exist?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is well established in the treatment of patients with heart failure, but lacks data addressing sex differences in response. Women with heart failure outnumber men, but have additional comorbidities and typically are older. Women continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials, but examining their response to a therapy across multiple studies could provide significant insight into the treatment effect. The major clinical trials did have a significant percentage of female patients, but present minimal in subgroup analysis. A few small studies comparing the effect of CRT between men and women indicate a more positive effect in women. This early data suggests CRT is at least as effective in women as it is in men, and may have additional benefit in this population.
A pragmatic approach to the demarcation problem

Abstract The question of how to distinguish between science and non-science, the so-called ‘demarcation problem’, is one of the most high-profile, perennial, and intractable issues in the philosophy of science. It is not merely a philosophical issue, however, since it has a significant bearing on practical policy questions and practical decisions. This essay develops a pragmatic approach to the demarcation problem: it argues that while there are some core principles (or criteria) that we can use in distinguishing between science and non-science, particular judgments and decisions about something's scientific status depend, in part, on practical goals and concerns.
Effects of multiple daily genistein treatments on delayed alternation and a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding task in middle-aged rats.

Abstract The use of extracts that are highly enriched in phytoestrogens, such as genistein, has become popular to promote various aspects of healthy aging, including maintenance of cognitive function. These compounds are promoted to menopausal women as safe, natural alternatives to traditional estrogen therapies, yet their safety and efficacy are poorly understood. Previous research in our lab found that once daily oral treatment of ovariectomized female Long–Evans (LE) rats with the soy phytoestrogen, genistein resulted in subtle deficits in performance on cognitive tasks assessing working memory and response inhibition/timing ability. The present study further modeled exposure of the menopausal woman to genistein by treating 14-month old ovariectomized female LE rats three times daily at a dose of genistein resulting in serum concentrations similar to those that could be achieved in humans consuming either a commercially available soy isoflavone supplement or a diet high in these phytoestrogens. Genistein (3.4 mg/kg) or sucrose control pellets were orally administered to animals daily, 30 min before behavioral testing, and again both 4 and 8 h after the first treatment. The test battery consisted of a delayed spatial alternation task (DSA) that tested working memory and a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) task that tested inhibitory control/timing. Genistein treatment impaired DSA performance relative to sucrose controls. Performance on the DRL task was largely unaffected by genistein treatment. Although the impairment measured on DSA was less pronounced than that we have previously reported following chronic treatment with 17β-estradiol, the pattern of the deficit was very similar to that observed with 17β-estradiol.
Redilation of bowel after intestinal lengthening procedures--an indicator for poor outcome.

Abstract Background/Purpose Despite a good understanding of short-term outcomes of the longitudinal intestinal lengthening and tailoring (LILT) and serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) procedures, limited data exist on long-term complications. Methods This is a 15-year single-institution retrospective chart review of patients who underwent an intestinal lengthening procedure (ILP). Long-term ILP-related complications, their interval to development, patients' ability to wean off parenteral nutrition (PN), and the need for further procedures were analyzed. Results Of 119 patients with short bowel syndrome, 14 had undergone an ILP. Seven patients had an LILT, and 9 patients had a STEP, including repeat ILPs on the same patient. Overall, 93% of patients had complications. Four patients in the LILT group and 3 patients in the STEP group weaned off PN. Eight patients (57%) experienced bowel redilation after their ILP. The 2 deaths in the study came from this group. Seven required another abdominal operation and only one weaned off PN. There were no significant differences in mean bowel length between the redilated group and the non–re-dilated group. Conclusions Complications are common after ILPs, and patients who redilated their bowel after ILP did clinically worse than those who did not.
Age-dependent covenant DNA alterations (I-compounds) in rat liver mitochondrial DNA

Abstract Rat liver mitochondrial (mt) DNA was investigated for the presence of I-compounds, a recently discovered type of DNA modifications which is detected and measured via 32P-postlabeling. These DNA modifications were previously shown to accumulate in an age-dependent manner in total cellular DNA of various tissues of untreated rodents. In the present work, mt DNA of 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats was found by 32P-postlabeling also to contain I-compounds that increase with age. Most of the I-compounds were identical for mt and nuclear (nu) DNA. A cluster of 2 non-polar I-spots (termed M-compounds) was mitochondria-specific and increased about 8-fold from 1 to 9 months, attaining a RAL value of 44 × 10−9 or 1 modification in 2.3 × 107 DNA nucleotides at 9 months. Quantitative differences between chromatographically identical spots were seen mainly for a low-polarity fraction of I-compounds, which exhibited 2 times higher overall levels in mt DNA versus nu DNA over the age range studied. Total I-compound levels increased during this time 6.9- and 5.1-fold in nuclei and mitochondria, respectively. The M-compound level was close to 10% of total mt DNA I-compound levels. M-compounds may conceivably be derived from potentially DNA-reactive electron carriers of the mt electron-transport chain, while I-compounds common to both mt and nu DNA presumaly originate in extramitochondrial sources. The similarity of mitochondrial and nuclear I-compound profiles and amounts implies possible regulatory mechanisms in I-compound formation and repair. Mt DNA maps showed additional 32P-labeled material which may have been associated with DNA damage caused by oxygen free radicals known to be generated by the mt electron-transport chain. Age-dependent increases of mt DNA modifications are potentially related to mt mutations and may be linked to age-related degenerative changes in mitochondria.
Spin coupling constants and hyperfine transition frequencies for the hydrogen molecular ion.

We have calculated for the ten lowest vibrational levels of {ital H}{sub 2}{sup +} the first-order hyperfine and spin-rotation constants with the inclusion in perturbation theory of the first-order coupling of the electron and nuclear motion and have determined the hyperfine transition frequencies. The calculated frequencies agree to better than 175 kHz with all the experimentally determined hyperfine frequencies for the {ital N}=1 rotational level and to better than 3 kHz for the {ital N}=2 rotational level. Relativistic and radiative effects may account for the remaining discrepancy.
Performance evaluation of slurry-packed capillary columns for liquid chromatography

Fused-silica capillary columns with 200 μm internal diameter were efficiently packed with both 3 μm and 5 μm spherical C18 bonded-phase particles. Optimum packing conditions were determined and column performance was then critically evaluated in terms of the reduced plate height as a function of both reduced velocity and solute capacity factor. Characteristic values for various column performance indices, such as the Knox separation impedance and the interparticle porosity, were also determined and found to be highly reproducible and similar to those of conventional columns. At optimum velocity, the column contribution to reduced plate height values appeared very close to the theoretical. The columns were found to tolerate samples of up to 5 μg with little loss of efficiency and were used in the high-resolution separation of coal-derived fluids.