cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AB INITIO QUANTUM CHEMICAL AND MIXED QUANTUM MECHANICS/MOLECULAR MECHANICS (QM/MM) METHODS FOR STUDYING ENZYMATIC CATALYSIS

We describe large scale ab initio quantum chemical and mixed quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods for studying enzymatic reactions. First, technical aspects of the methodology are reviewed, including the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) methods that are typically employed for the QM aspect of the calculations, and various approaches to defining the interface between the QM and MM regions in QM/MM approaches. The modeling of the enzymatic catalytic cycle for three examples--methane monooxygenase, cytochrome P450, and triose phosphate isomerase--are discussed in some depth, followed by a brief summary of other systems that have been investigated by ab initio methods over the past several years. Finally, a discussion of the qualitative and quantitative conclusions concerning enzymatic catalysis that are available from modern ab initio approaches is presented, followed by a conclusion briefly summarizing future prospects.
Human stereo matching is not restricted to epipolar lines

Abstract Computational approaches to stereo matching have often taken advantage of a geometric constraint which states that matching elements in the left and right eye images will always fall on “epipolar lines”. The use of this epipolar constraint reduces the search space from two dimensions to one, producing a tremendous saving in the computation time required to find the matching solution. Use of this constraint requires a precise knowledge of the relative horizontal, vertical and torsional positions of the two eyes, however, and this information may be unavailable in many situations. Experiments with dynamic random element stereograms reveal that human stereopsis can detect and identify the depth of matches over a range of both vertical and horizontal disparity. Observers were able to make accurate near/far depth discriminations when vertical disparity was as large as 45 arcmin, and were able to detect the presence of correlation over a slightly larger range. Thus, human binocular matching sensitivity is not strictly constrained to epipolar lines.
An adaptational view of trauma response as illustrated by the prisoner of war experience

We propose a model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in which they have positive evolutionary adaptational value in traumatic environments. The persistence of PTSD symptoms following return to more benign environments may result from biological changes within the organism, reflected by a primary response of increased levels of underlying traits such as Negative Affectivity. Secondary symptoms such as social withdrawal and substance abuse are conceptualized as subsequent coping with the primary trauma response. This model was tested using data on 413 former World War II Prisoners of War (POWs). The results were consistent with the model, indicating an enduring high level of Negative Affectivity as measured by scales on the MMPI. Capitivity severity scores, developed using a factor analysis of POW experience variables, were related to lifetime and current diagnoses of PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major or minor depression. They were not related to schizophrenia, alcohol abuse/dependence, bipolar I and II disorders, or organic mental disorders. Elevated Negative Affectivity indicators were proportional to the captivity severity scores.
Complications to Optical Measurements Using a Laser with an Unstable Resonator: A Case Study on Laser-Induced Incandescence of Soot

Temporal behavior of pulses from a Nd:YAG with an unstable resonator can vary radially across the beam. Pulses are earlier and longer at the beam center. This behavior has a dramatic effect on time-sensitive experiments.
Current Treatment Options for Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection

During the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the United States and elsewhere. The most common such infections are those involving the skin and skin structures. Although a number of these lesions (including small furuncles and abscesses) respond well to surgical incision and drainage, oral antimicrobial agents are commonly used to treat these infections in outpatients. Unfortunately, with the exception of linezolid, none of the agents presently being used in this fashion has been subjected to rigorous clinical trial. Thus, current therapy is based largely on anecdotal evidence. For more-serious infections requiring hospitalization, parenteral antimicrobials such as vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline are presently available and have demonstrated effectiveness in randomized, prospective, double-blind trials.
Multi-branch predetection equal gain combiner in equally correlated Nakagami-m fading channels

The article presents an analytical framework for evaluating the performance of an equally correlated multi-branch predetection equal gain combining (EGC) diversity receiver in Nakagami-m fading channels. Specifically, the characteristic function (CHF) of the EGC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with L correlated inputs is derived. Selected numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effects of branch correlation and fade distribution on the average error rate and outage probability of EGC receivers.
Theoretical predictions for hot-carrier generation from surface plasmon decay

Decay of surface plasmons to hot carriers finds a wide variety of applications in energy conversion, photocatalysis and photodetection. However, a detailed theoretical description of plasmonic hot-carrier generation in real materials has remained incomplete. Here we report predictions for the prompt distributions of excited ‘hot’ electrons and holes generated by plasmon decay, before inelastic relaxation, using a quantized plasmon model with detailed electronic structure. We find that carrier energy distributions are sensitive to the electronic band structure of the metal: ​gold and ​copper produce holes hotter than electrons by 1–2 eV, while ​silver and ​aluminium distribute energies more equitably between electrons and holes. Momentum-direction distributions for hot carriers are anisotropic, dominated by the plasmon polarization for ​aluminium and by the crystal orientation for noble metals. We show that in thin metallic films intraband transitions can alter the carrier distributions, producing hotter electrons in ​gold, but interband transitions remain dominant.
Synergistic induction of altered hepatocyte foci by combined gamma radiation and diethylnitrosamine administered to neonatal rats.

To investigate mechanisms underlying the formation of carcinogen-induced altered hepatocyte foci, we histochemically examined the livers of 150-day-old rats that had been treated neonatally with single doses of gamma radiation (75, 150 or 300 rad, whole body) and i.p.-injected diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 0.15 mumol/g body wt) either separately or in combination. Three focus phenotypes, showing the elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase [GG(+)] and/or the iron-exclusion [Fe(-)] histochemical marker(s) were quantitated through the use of serial frozen sectioning techniques and computer-assisted image analysis. DEN and gamma radiation each induced foci when given separately but total focus yield per cm3 of liver was more than 10-fold greater in DEN-treated than in irradiated rats and approximately 3-fold higher in females than in males. Combining the DEN and radiation treatments synergistically increased total focus yields for both sexes, although this response declined with increasing radiation dosage. For rats receiving DEN alone, the sex-dependent differential in total focus yield was due to the higher frequencies in females of the iron-excluding phenotypes [Fe(-) alone and Fe(-) + GG(+)]; the frequencies of foci showing only GG(+) were similar in both sexes. In contrast, the enhancement in total focus yield resulting from the combined DEN--radiation treatments was primarily a consequence of increases in the foci with GG(+) alone. The results suggest that (a) qualitatively different types of genetic damage (carcinogen-induced point mutations and radiation-induced rearrangements) may interact synergistically in the induction of phenotypically altered cells and (b) separate genetic loci are involved in the sex-mediated modulation of focus production and the synergistic enhancement of focus production by DEN--gamma radiation interactions.
Increasing Rates of Hospitalization Due to Septicemia in the US Elderly Population, 1986–1997

Rates of hospitalization due to septicemia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, code 038) in the US elderly population for 1986‐1997 were examined, using Medicare administrative data. Age group‐, sex-, and race-adjusted rates more than doubled from 1986 through 1997, from 3.42 to 7.42 per 1000 beneficiaries. The 1997 rates of septicemia increased with age, from 4.47 per 1000 beneficiaries among persons 65‐74 years old to 18.1 per 1000 beneficiaries among persons >85 years old. The rates of septicemia were slightly greater among men (7.46 per 1000 beneficiaries) than among women (7.39 per 1000 beneficiaries) and were higher among blacks (13.61 per 1000 beneficiaries) than among whites (6.89 per 1000 beneficiaries). The most likely sites of the origin of the septicemia were the urinary tract (40.1%) and lungs (15.3%). Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus species were the most frequently reported organisms. Diabetes was listed as a comorbidity in 24.5% of the hospitalizations. We estimate that the cost to Medicare for septicemia hospitalizations in 1997 was 1$1.8 billion. Recent publications using mortality and morbidity data from the US National Center for Health Statistics have reported a 58% increase in death rates due to infectious diseases from 1980 through 1992 [1] and a rate of hospitalization for infectious diseases that declined less steeply than for all hospitalizations [2]. Simonsen et al. [2] reported a decrease of 33% for all hospitalizations from 1980 through 1994 but only a 12% decrease in hospitalizations due to infectious diseases. Among the 15 leading causes of death in the United States that have been reported since 1950, the greatest increase in death rates has been due to septicemia, an infection that invades the bloodstream and becomes systemic. The age-adjusted death rate due to septicemia increased from 0.3 deaths per 100,000 persons in 1950 to 4.2 per 100,000 persons in 1997, a 14-fold increase, which makes septicemia the thirteenth-leading cause of death in 1997 [3]. The unadjusted rate in 1997 was 8.4 per 100,000. In that same year, among persons >65 years old, septicemia was the tenth-leading cause of death for the 3 major race/ethnicity
Oxidative stress in juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)

Juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), were held in 8–11°C freshwater, starved for 3 days and subjected to a low-water stressor to determine the relationship between the general stress response and oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels (lipid hydroperoxides) were measured in kidney, liver and brain samples taken at the beginning of the experiment (0-h unstressed controls) and at 6, 24 and 48 h after application of a continuous low-water stressor. Tissue samples were also taken at 48 h from fish that had not been exposed to the stressor (48-h unstressed controls). Exposure to the low-water stressor affected LPO in kidney and brain tissues. In kidney, LPO decreased 6 h after imposition of the stressor; similar but less pronounced decreases also occurred in the liver and brain. At 48 h, LPO increased (in comparison with 6-h stressed tissues) in the kidney and brain. In comparison with 48-h unstressed controls, LPO levels were higher in the kidney and brain of stressed fish. Although preliminary, results suggest that stress can cause oxidative tissue damage in juvenile chinook salmon. Measures of oxidative stress have shown similar responses to stress in mammals; however, further research is needed to determine the extent of the stress–oxidative stress relationship and the underlying physiological mechanisms in fish.
A Novel Role for c-Myc in G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase 4 (GRK4) Transcriptional Regulation in Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells

The G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) negatively regulates the dopaminergic system by desensitizing the dopamine-1-receptor. The expressional control of GRK4 has not been reported, but here we show that the transcription factor c-Myc binds to the promoter of GRK4 and positively regulates GRK4 protein expression in human renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs). Addition of phorbol esters to RPTCs not only increased c-Myc binding to the GRK4 promoter but also increased both phospho-c-Myc and GRK4 expression. The phorbol ester-mediated increase in GRK4 expression was completely blocked by the c-Myc inhibitor, 10074-G5, indicating that GRK4 is downstream of phospho-c-Myc. The autocrine production of angiotensin II (Ang II) in RPTCs increased the phosphorylation and activation of c-Myc and subsequently GRK4 expression. 3-Amino-4-thio-butyl sulfonate, an inhibitor of aminopeptidase A, increased RPTC secretion of Ang II. 3-Amino-4-thio-butyl sulfonate or Ang II increased the expression of both phospho-c-Myc and GRK4, which was blocked by 10074-G5. Blockade of the Ang II type 1 receptor with losartan decreased phospho-c-Myc and GRK4 expression. Both inhibition of c-Myc activity and blockade of Ang II type 1 receptor restored the coupling of dopamine-1-receptor to adenylyl cyclase stimulation in uncoupled RPTCs, whereas phorbol esters or Ang II caused the uncoupling of normally coupled RPTCs. We suggest that the Ang II type 1 receptor impairs dopamine-1-receptor function via c-Myc activation of GRK4. This novel pathway may be involved in the increase in blood pressure in hypertension that is mediated by increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system and decreased activity of the renal dopaminergic system.
Inhibition of gastric emptying in response to intestinal lipid is dependent on chylomicron formation

Lipid in the intestine initiates feedback inhibition of proximal gastrointestinal function and food intake. In rats and humans, inhibition of gastric emptying is mediated, at least in part, by chol...
The beta distribution - A statistical model for world cloud cover

A statistical distribution representing worldwide cloud cover is obtained as a basis for an empirical global cloud cover model incorporating some 29 regions of the globe which are of interest to NASA's Skylab Program. A total of 160 representative empirical cloud cover distributions were investigated with the conclusion that the beta probability distribution is an adequate model for world cloud cover.
Franchising, brand name capital, and the entrepreneurial capacity problem

One consequence of vertical integration is increased firm size with the related problem of monitoring employees in a large enterprise. Writers on the theory of the firm suggest that this phenomenon is part of the entrepreneurial capacity problem. This paper argues that quasi-vertical integration via franchising can circumvent the problem and lead to larger-scale retail outlets. Using U.S. Census data from the eating place and motel industries, the empirical evidence in this paper suggests that physical dispersion of outlets and the value of brand name capital increase the entrepreneurial capacity problem, but that franchising offsets these forces and permits somewhat larger local outlets than using nonfranchised operations.
The Effects of Psychological Trauma on Children and Adolescents

In this review the authors examine the cognitive, affective, behavioral, and somatic-physiological effects documented in the literature as sequelae of overwhelming life events in children and adolescents. Findings from the literature are compared with the current formulations of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, revised (DSM-III-R, American Psychiatric Association, 1987) as this diagnostic category applies to children. Responses likely to be observed in children and adolescents who have been exposed to traumatic events are discussed. Suggestions for future research and counseling practice are presented
MP56-14 PREDICTORS AND ONCOLOGIC OUTCOMES OF PT0 PROSTATE CANCER IN RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY SPECIMENS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Both low serum testosterone levels and overweight have been reported to associated with advanced prostate cancer (PC) stage and grade. Even though the biological process underlying these observations is not yet fully understood. Moreover, serum testosterone levels and body composition are also known to be related. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether low testosterone levels, or obesity, or both are directly associated with stage/grade in patients with clinically localized PC. METHODS: Pre-operative sex hormone levels (total (tT) and free testosterone (fT), sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) were prospectively assessed in 776 consecutive European Caucasian men treated with radical prostatectomy from February 2011 to October 2014. The results were had been related to patient specific and clinicopathologic data. RESULTS: Patients with BMI 30 kg/m (n1⁄4146) and WC 110 cm (highest quartile; n1⁄4210) were shown to be significantly associated with pathological tumor grade (Gleason Score >7; p1⁄40.012 and p pT2; p1⁄40.02). Patients with BMI 30 kg/m vs. 7) or extraprostatic disease (>pT2) or lymph node metastases. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, both BMI 30 kg/m (relative risk 2.266; 95% CI 1.169 e 4.391; p1⁄40.015) and WC 110 cm (relative risk 2.539; 95% CI 1.618 e 5.511; p 7) and WC 110 cm was associated significantly with lymph node metastases (relative risk 2.536; 95% CI 1.338 e 4.805; p1⁄40.004) after accounting for tT and age. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing that obesity but not low serum testosterone levels is significantly associated with high grade and metastatic disease in men diagnosed with clinically localized PC. Our findings suggest that low androgen levels at diagnosis, which used to be held responsible for the development of aggressive PC, is only an epiphenomenon of obesity rather than the cause of PC development and/or progression.
Synthesis of FeCo alloy magnetically aligned linear chains by the polyol process: structural and magnetic characterization

FeCo alloy magnetically aligned linear chains (MALCs) were synthesized by the polyol process using a unique reaction format departing from conventional bench-top reactions. FeCo MALC morphology was obtained in the presence of an external dynamic magnetic field. XRD analysis confirmed the body-centered cubic (bcc) FeCo alloy. Transverse and tangential to the incident X-ray path, XRD analyses of as-synthesized FeCo MALCs were performed further substantiating the linear chain morphology. The average chain diameter was ≈206 ± 52 nm while Scherrer analysis of (110) gave an average crystallite size of 29 nm. Chemical attachment of each aligned FeCo alloy segment was confirmed by tangential cross-sectioning by a focused ion beam (FIB). Electron diffraction confirmed the bcc FeCo phase with d-spacings of (110), (200) and (211) in good agreement with XRD. The as-synthesized FeCo alloy MALCs possessed a saturation magnetization value, Ms, of 205 emu g−1 and a coercivity, Hc, of 150 Oe at 300 K. Magnetization was recorded from 300 to 1000 K with increasing temperatures correlating with transitions from hcp Co/α1 to fcc Co/α1 at 500 K and to α1 at 600 K for Co rich portions of the MALCs (Fe32Co68). Annealed (1000 K) FeCo MALCs possessed an Ms of 212 emu g−1 with a Hc value of 120 Oe. Morphological changes of the 1000 K annealed sample were microwire formation and the secondary phase of cubic FeO. As-synthesized FeCo alloy MALCs as highly magnetic, air stable, non-tethered and high aspect ratio structures are candidates for radar absorbent materials (RAMs) when magnetically oriented in coatings or for magnetic sensing devices.
Thermodynamic Aspects of Solid State Sintering

The kinetic approach, initially developed by Kuczynski,(1) based on the use of a two-sphere model has led to an understanding of the mass transport processes that can occur during solid state sintering. The factors that lead to the grain growth that is practically always observed during sintering, however, are not as well understood. The following phenomenological analysis based on a thermodynamic approach provides additional understanding of the densification processes, driving forces for mass transport, and the conditions under which grain boundary movement and consequently grain growth occur.
Effects of sustained flow reduction on postnatal intestinal circulation

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of mechanically induced sustained flow reduction on intestinal hemodynamics and oxygenation in 3- and 35-day-old swine. In vitro gut loops were perfused under controlled-pressure conditions from an oxygenated blood reservoir at age-appropriate perfusion pressures; pressure was rapidly reduced to a level that lowered flow rate to ∼50% of its baseline value, and pressure was then kept at that level for 2 h. In 3-day-old intestine, vascular resistance (R i) increased by 20% immediately after pressure and flow reduction but then stabilized for 3–4 min; thereafter, flow began to decrease despite maintenance of perfusion pressure, so thatR i increased an additional 15% by 30 min after flow reduction. Flow continued to diminish over the next 90 min, though at much slower rate. Intestine from 35-day-old swine demonstrated an immediate increase inR i after pressure and flow reduction, but thereafterR i increased very little. The protocol was repeated within in vitro g...
On the scaling of multicrystal data sets collected at high-intensity X-ray and electron sources

The need for data-scaling has become increasingly evident as time-resolved pump-probe photocrystallography is rapidly developing at high intensity X-ray sources. Several aspects of the scaling of data sets collected at synchrotrons, XFELs (X-ray Free Electron Lasers) and high-intensity pulsed electron sources are discussed. They include laser-ON/laser-OFF data scaling, inter- and intra-data set scaling.
Interferon beta (IFN-β) treatment exerts potential neuroprotective effects through neurotrophic factors and novel neurotensin/neurotensin high affinity receptor 1 pathway.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by coexisting processes of inflammation, demyelination, axonal neurodegeneration, and gliosis. It is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adulthood. Although autoimmune inflammation contributes to axonal pathology and demyelination, more recent evidence suggests that inflammation may also be beneficial. Protective autoimmunity is partly mediated via neurotrophic factors and neurotrophin regulation. Elevated neurotrophin levels have been observed during inflammatory processes, in MS lesions, whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Furthermore, we recently demonstrated that T cells of MS patients produce neurotrophins (Soltys et al., 2014).
Greater Early Gains in Fat-Free Mass, but Not Fat Mass, Are Associated with Improved Neurodevelopment at 1 Year Corrected Age for Prematurity in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

Objective This work investigates the relationship between early body composition changes and neurodevelopment at 1 year age corrected for prematurity (CA). Study design A prospective, longitudinal study to measure body composition weekly in 34 very low birth weight preterm infants using air displacement plethysmography, beginning when infants stabilized after birth until discharge. Neurodevelopmental testing (Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III) was performed at 12 months CA. Linear mixed effects models were used to obtain inpatient subject-specific changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), which were then used as predictors of Bayley subscale scores in subsequent linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. Protein and energy provision were calculated for the first week of life. Results Greater FFM gains while inpatient were associated with improved cognitive and motor scores at 12 months CA ( P = .002 for both). These relationships remained significant when adjusting for birth weight, gestational age, and intraventricular hemorrhage ( P ≤ .05 for both). Similar analysis was performed for FM gains without significant findings. Increased provision of protein and calories during the first week of life was positively associated with FFM gains ( P ≤ .01 for both), but not FM gains ( P ≥ .2 for both), throughout hospitalization. Conclusions Increased FFM gains, but not FM gains, during hospitalization are associated with improved neurodevelopment at 12 months CA. As early FM gains may be associated with long-term risk, more research is needed to develop strategies that optimize FFM gains while minimizing FM gains in very low birth weight preterm infants.
Effect of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals on in-Situ Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Microreactor Study

In-situ catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) is considered to be a promising pathway to produce aromatic hydrocarbons from lignocellulosic biomass. However, the presence of variable amounts of inorganic ash in biomass in the form of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) is a concern while using in situ catalysts because AAEMs could influence product distribution from CFP while also being a major reason for catalyst deactivation. In this study, the effect of four alkali and alkaline earth metals (K, Na, Mg, and Ca) commonly found in biomass was investigated to understand their individual influence on the fate of primary pyrolysis products as well as their effect on the selectivity of products from in situ CFP using ZSM-5 catalyst. Experiments were performed in a microreactor (Py-GC/MS) with ZSM-5 catalyst using AAEM-impregnated biomass. It was found that the type of AAEM as well as the concentration were significant, with Mg appearing to be relatively inert when compared to the stronger catalytic activity of ...
Case Digest: Liwan District Construction Company v. Euro-America China Property Limited

This case digest summarizes the 1990 Guangdong court case of Liwan District Construction Co. v. Euro-America China Property Ltd. The case is a suit for breach of contract that was complicated because the defendant had been declared bankrupt in Hong Kong and had lost capacity to participate in a civil action in the PRC.
Application of "3S" Technology in the Protection Field of Qinling Ecological Environment

On the basis of briefly introduction of the status of Qinling ecological environmental protection work,the remote sensing,geographic information systems,global positioning system ( "3S" technology)of the constructing the Qin Ling ecological environmental protection information technology were described,especially in the application of the eco-environmental investigation,eco-environmental monitoring,environmental quality evaluation,while the existing problems and countermeasures of "3S" technology application in the eco-environmental protection were summarized.
Pregnancy in a perinatally infected woman: preventing second-generation mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

A 28-year-old African American woman (gravida 1, para 1) presented to clinic with breast tenderness. The result of a urine pregnancy test was positive.
Interrogating Ourselves in a Racialized World Using Personal Experience to Improve Students’ Understanding of Racism

In this article we suggest strategies for teachers who do not teach race and ethnicity courses on how to create learning opportunities for students to analyze their social environments and interrogate how their beliefs, feelings, and actions concerning race and racism are shaped by their social worlds. We propose a pedagogical approach that examines and welcomes students’ personal experiences in the classroom as one of the most powerful tools for promoting deep learning about race relations and the damaging subtleties of racism. We argue that having students analyze the social origins of their thoughts by personalizing their assignments helps students identify the source of internalized colorblind ideologies. We contend that only when students are pushed to acknowledge the social sources of their “individual” perspectives will they be equipped to examine society through racialized lenses.
Crying, Waiting, Hoping: The Beatles, Girl Culture, and the Melodramatic Mode

In the 1960s, those famous throngs of Beatlemaniacs screamed in their seats and chased after the Fab Four in the streets. But the Beatles continue to appeal to many contemporary girls, whose fandom is still expressed in public via the Web. To theorize the Beatles’ lasting popularity among female youth, this chapter first considers the Beatles’ relationship to girl culture, especially in the context of the Ed Sullivan Show. The Beatles invoked girl-group discourse in their songs, speaking directly to girls; at the same time the band presented a comforting vision of brotherly intimacy, and they were also rebellious in this androgyny. The chapter next turns to a consideration of modern-day girl fans, exploring a couple of their YouTube channels. Consistently, these girls (one from America, one from Germany) call upon the Beatles as a vehicle for addressing intimacy in relationships, mashing up songs and images as they “play” with the members of the band. In fact, re-envisioning John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s friendship outside its historical moment offers possibilities for queer re-workings of Beatle biographies. Such innovative play reveals how the Beatles’ appeals to girls in the 1960s inform the band’s relevance to this twenty-first-century moment.
Determination of Bulk and Surface Atomic Arrangement in Ni–Zn γ-Brass Phase at Different Ni to Zn Ratios

Previous attempts to characterize the γ-brass crystal structure of Ni–Zn (15.4–24% Ni) have failed to identify the location of the Ni and Zn atoms in the crystal lattice for more than 15.4% Ni content (Ni8Zn44) due to the similar X-ray diffraction cross sections of Ni and Zn. Ni8Zn44 is known to have a typical γ-brass crystal structure (space group 217, I43m, 52 atom unit cell with four distinct symmetry positions: inner tetrahedral, outer tetrahedral, octahedral, and cuboctahedral) where Ni atoms reside in outer tetrahedral sites completely isolated from each other and coordinated by 12 Zn atoms. We utilize neutron diffraction to identify the substitution positions of Zn by Ni when the Ni content is increased above 15.4% and up to 19.2% (Ni10Zn42). Upon increasing the Ni content above 15.4% (Ni9Zn43 and Ni10Zn42), Zn in the γ-brass octahedral positions are replaced by Ni leading to the formation of Ni–Ni–Ni trimers, which are absent in Ni8Zn44. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm our ne...
Thinking Inside the Box: On Identity, Sexuality, Prostate Cancer, and Social Support

This fictional account results from three years of studying a social support group for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones. As a consequence, the story centers on the issue of identity and its relationship to illness, a significant cause of concern among group members. The story addresses the loss of sexual function and general agency that often accompany the disease, then considers the roles of social support and open communication in negotiating a new identity.
The Unit Stock Concept: Bounded Fish and Fisheries

The geographic ambit of human influences in the marine environment has increased over the hundreds of years that fishers and scientists have observed the linked cycles of fish migration and abundance. Codified as the unit stock, modern fisheries science has been motivated to define groups of fish that are subject to geographically bounded influences: fishing, hatchery augmentation, pollution, habitat loss, and climate. Although stocks are often defined as reproductively isolated populations, in many instances group entities (e.g., contingents and subpopulations) other than populations are most influenced. Further, structural elements within populations often contribute to yield, stability, persistence, and resilience through connectivity and aggregate metapopulation responses. Flexible (operational) definitions of stocks retain important ecological meaning, accommodate the complex life cycles of marine fishes, and are required for ongoing challenges related to overfishing and recovery of overfished stocks, mixed stocks, and interjurisdictional fisheries, climate-shifted stocks, and intensive spatial management.
Population Development and Insecticide Susceptibility of Apple Aphid and Spirea Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Apple

Colonies of apple aphid, Aphis pomi DeGeer, and spirea aphid, A. spiraecola Patch, were confined separately in bottle cages on apple tree branches to compare population development and susceptibility to insecticides under field conditions. Spirea aphid populations were significantly larger than apple aphid populations eight days after introduction into bottle cages. After two and a half weeks there was a 24-fold and 40-fold increase in the population of apple aphid and spirea aphid, respectively. Apple aphid was more susceptible than spirea aphid to a low concentration of esfenvalerate and to normal field and 2X field concentrations of azinphosmethyl. There was no significant difference between the two aphid species in susceptibility to methomyl, chlorpyrifos and endosulfan. Mortality of apple aphid to the two phosphate insecticides, azinphosmethyl and chlorpyrifos, was similar; however, spirea aphid was more susceptible to chlorpyrifos than to azinphosmethyl. An increased rate of population development a...
Bank Branching Deregulation and High School Graduation: A Regression Discontinuity Approach

Graduating high school improves wellbeing. It is important to understand how policy affects high school graduation. This paper studies the impact of bank branching deregulation on high school graduation. The use of National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 geocoded data focuses the results on three deregulations: Ohio in 1979, Connecticut in 1980, and Alabama in 1981. Discontinuities in treatment assignment at borders between deregulated states and regulated states identify the effect of banking deregulation on high school graduation. Results indicate significant increases in the likelihood of high school graduation for treated individuals. Analysis provides evidence of heterogeneous effects of bank branching deregulation based on skill level and income level.
On the Jacobians of Curves Defined by the Generalized Laguerre Polynomials

ABSTRACTLet Ln⟨α⟩(x)=∑j=0nn+αn-j(-x)jj! be the nth Generalized Laguerre Polynomial. In this paper we study the arithmetic of the algebraic curves L(n)/Q defined by L⟨α⟩n(x) = 0, viewed as a two-var...
Letter to the Editor: Contemporary Screening and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant genetic heart disorder.[1][1] HCM is characterized by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) without LV dilatation, particularly of the interventricular septum, in the absence of other predisposing conditions such as hypertension or
Reducing residual limb adipose tissue via surgery alters foursquare stepping mechanics of a transfemoral amputee

As prosthetic technology advances, performance improvement is expected for persons with amputation to accomplish their daily activities. However, prosthesis research often overlooks the interface between the residual limb of the user and the prosthetic socket. This case study analyzed the influence of the local mechanical properties of the residual limb on biomechanics during non-steady movements. Before and after a unique surgery removing excess adipose tissue in the residual limb, an obese transfemoral amputee performed foursquare step tests. Post-surgery, the subject moved more fluidly. The increased maneuverability is characterized by increased stepping speed, less sharp direction changes, and more efficient movement path, and these movement qualities were quantified by task completion time, radius of curvature, and distance travelled, respectively.
Mining echocardiography workflows for disease discriminative patterns.

OBJECTIVE To provide quick diagnostic insights to medical practitioners into echocardiograms by only analyzing the echocardiogram workflows (defined as the sequence of modalities examined). METHODS We define a dictionary of workflows, called subflows, which are commonly encountered in echocardiography workflows but are mutually exclusive. We represent each workflow as a mixture of dictionary subflows and learn discriminative models for various cardiac diseases using Support Vector Machines. Using these discriminative models, we can predict occurrences of diseases for any, yet unseen, echocardiogram workflow. RESULTS Working with a corpus of 2300 echocardiograms workflows, we build a dictionary of 172 subflows. Using the associated reports (expert created) we identify the ground-truth diagnoses. We then build discriminative models for 7 different cardiac diseases. Using just the workflow as input, these models can predict diseases on average with over 75% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS Mining collection of echocardiography workflows, for the first time, we are able to predict diseases without even looking at the image contents.
Histamine in Narcolepsy and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Central histaminergic neurotransmission, originating from the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) in the posterior hypothalamus, constitutes one of the most important wake-active systems (see [1, 2] for review). Similar to other monoaminergic systems, histaminergic neurons consist of almost ubiquitous and long projections, a characteristic of neuronal circuits that are involved in vigilance control. Histaminergic neurons are active, and histamine release is high during wakefulness [3, 4]. There is evidence that histaminergic neurotransmission is interacting with other sleep–wake regulatory systems to mediate physiological wakefulness and other physiological functions during wakefulness [1, 2]. However, we do not well understand how the histaminergic system interacts with other sleep–wake regulatory systems, and how these systems are harmonized.
Treatment of Post-Cesarean Section Endomyometritis

Pelvic infection following cesarean section is the most common hospital-acquired infection facing the Obstetrician-Gynecologist today. The most important contributing factor is the dramatic rise in the cesarean section rate. Cesarean births in the United States have increased almost threefold, from 5.5% of all deliveries (195 000 operations) in 1970 to 15.2% (510000) in 1978 [1]. Although the prevalence of infection following cesarean section is not uniform throughout the United States, maternal morbidity rates are generally five to ten times higher after cesarean birth than after vaginal delivery, occurring in 10% to 65% of cases [1–4]. (see Fig. 1).
Three-dimensional printing of large objects with high resolution by scanning lithography

Stereolithography (SLA)-based three-dimensional (3D) printing is widely used in both industrial and consumer markets for prototyping and concept validation. It also plays an important role in aircraft industry as it offers advantages in surface finish and high precision. Despite the extensive usage, the combination of large volume, high resolution, and high speed is hard to achieve. This paper presents a 3D printing technology that allows a UV projector to continuously cure resin while scanning over the build area. To print large objects, 3D models are sliced into layer-by-layer, high-resolution image “maps”. Each “map” is further divided into sub-region images that are dynamically exposed to the photocurable materials and synchronized with the scanning of the projector, causing a still exposure pattern to appear on the build area. Therefore, large objects with delicate details can be printed layer-by-layer. As such, customized build volumes on a large scale (greater than 1 m3) can be achieved with micro-scale features. Along with a wiping system, this technique is compatible with various materials, leading to the direct manufacturing of final parts from photocurable materials. Furthermore, this technique shows advantages over existing large-scale DLP printing methods regarding both printing speed and material flexural properties. This technique can be implemented at design workflow in the aerospacing industry by facilitating design communication, validation, pre-production, and even assisting in producing final parts.
Effects of cyclosporine and dexamethasone on canine T cell expression of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma.

Abstract Cyclosporine and glucocorticoids are powerful immunosuppressive agents used to treat many inflammatory diseases in dogs. Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin-dependent pathways of T cell activation and resultant T cell cytokine production, and glucocorticoids directly inhibit genes coding for cytokines. Little work has been done comparing the effects of these agents on T cell cytokine production in dogs. Our study measured T cell interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production using flow cytometry and T cell IL-2 and IFN-γ gene expression using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in activated canine T cells incubated with cyclosporine and dexamethasone in vitro. For flow cytometric assays, diluted whole blood was cultured for 7 h in the presence of cyclosporine (10, 100, 500, and 1000 ng/mL) or dexamethasone (10 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, 1 μg/mL, and 10 μg/mL). For qRT-PCR, whole blood was cultured for 5 h with the same drugs at the same concentrations, and RNA was then extracted from leukocytes. Flow cytometry and qRT-PCR both demonstrated inhibition of IL-2 and IFN-γ that was concentration-dependent in response to cyclosporine, and was more variable for dexamethasone. Quantitative RT-PCR but not flow cytometry documented significant reduction of IL-2 expression after dexamethasone treatment, while both methods showed concentration-dependent suppression of IFN-γ. Quantitative RT-PCR also revealed additional cytokine suppression at higher cyclosporine concentrations, an effect not found using flow cytometry, and may therefore be the preferred method for cytokine determination in dogs. Suppression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in activated T cells may have potential as an indicator of the efficacy of cyclosporine and glucocorticoids in suppressing canine T cell function in vivo, and may therefore be of value for characterizing the immunosuppression induced by these drugs in clinical patients.
Virtual vs traditional care settings for low-acuity urgent conditions: An economic analysis of cost and utilization using claims data:

BackgroundOn-demand, direct-to-consumer video (or virtual) visits represent one of the fastest growing telemedicine services. Due to the absence of an in-person physical examination, some question ...
MP7 - Integrated Photonic Outcoupling Array for Imaging-based Beam Steering

Imaging-based beam steering (IBBS) utilizes a lens to relay focal-plane coordinates to line-of-sight (LOS) directions converting angular pointing into a position control problem. We introduce a photonic integrated circuit to dynamically route optical signals across a high-density outcoupler array for free-space optical communications using IBBS.
Application of synchrotron x-ray imaging and micro-CT to 4D visualization of multiphase flow inside a steel fuel nozzle (Conference Presentation)

The multi-phase flow within a steel diesel injector is imaged using synchrotron-produced X-rays from the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Projections gathered from several repeated injection events at up to 10,000 frames per second and with 2.1 micrometer resolution at various viewing angles resulted in a 4D data set. Photon statistics were improved by averaging the data over 200 injection events. Owing to significant attenuation caused by the injector body material, and the short exposure time, the images are obscured by various types of noise making tomographic reconstruction challenging. Attempts at denoising this data are discussed. At each time step, translational and rotational image registration was performed to align projections obtained from different lines-of-sight. This is followed by a Fourier Transform method for computed tomography to reconstruct the 3D flow-field, from the start to end of fuel injection, which is a 2 millisecond long event. The X-ray phase contrast in the data was exploited by applying a low-pass filter. Segmentation is performed to track the location of the liquid-gas interface, thus distinctly revealing a highly asymmetric flow-separation layer affected by micron-scale features in the nozzle geometry. This complete data processing pipeline converted the images acquired at a signal-to-noise ratio of 1 into a unique tomographic dataset of internal fluid flow through approximately 2 millimeters of steel. The data shows excellent validation with computational fluid dynamics simulations of the flow profile previously obtained for this nozzle.
Performance of Single and Double-Integrator Networks over Directed Graphs

This paper provides a framework to evaluate the performance of single and double integrator networks over arbitrary directed graphs. Adopting vehicular network terminology, we consider quadratic performance metrics defined by the L2-norm of position and velocity based response functions given impulsive inputs to each vehicle. We exploit the spectral properties of weighted graph Laplacians and output performance matrices to derive a novel method of computing the closed-form solutions for this general class of performance metrics, which include H2-norm based quantities as special cases. We then explore the effect of the interplay between network properties (e.g. edge directionality and connectivity) and the control strategy on the overall network performance. More precisely, for systems whose interconnection is described by graphs with normal Laplacian L, we characterize the role of directionality by comparing their performance with that of their undirected counterparts, represented by the Hermitian part of L. We show that, for single-integrator networks, directed and undirected graphs perform identically. However, for double-integrator networks, graph directionality -- expressed by the eigenvalues of L with nonzero imaginary part -- can significantly degrade performance. Interestingly in many cases, well-designed feedback can also exploit directionality to mitigate degradation or even improve the performance to exceed that of the undirected case. Finally we focus on a system coherence metric -- aggregate deviation from the state average -- to investigate the relationship between performance and degree of connectivity, leading to somewhat surprising findings. For example increasing the number of neighbors on a \omega-nearest neighbor directed graph does not necessarily improve performance. Similarly, we demonstrate equivalence in performance between all-to-one and all-to-all communication graphs.