cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on GM1-gangliosidosis, type II.

Post-mortem studies on a 6-year old boy with GM1-gangliosidosis, Type II revealed no evidence of accumulation of residual bodies nor of gangliosides or glycoproteins in liver and spleen. In brain tissue the ganglioside GM1 accounted for 70% of the ganglioside fraction and ganglioside-NANA was increased 3.6 fold over controls. In addition, the brain tissue contained large amounts of glycoprotein, glycoprotein derived galactose being increased 2.5 times. The neuronal accumulation of tertiary lysosomes exhibited a characteristic distributional pattern: in general the large neuronal perikarya were more consistently involved with the exception of the motor cells of the cranial nerve nuclei, III, IV, and VI. In addition to characteristic MCB's, the nerve cells contained residual bodies with a granulo-floccular matrix, presumed to represent glycoproteins. The distribution of the mutant gene was studied among 30 blood relatives of the proband at risk and 6 carriers could be ascertained on the basis of a reduced leukocytic β-galactosidase activity. The partly purified enzyme from the patient's liver revealed 20% activity as compared to that of normal controls. All three fractions obtained by DEAE cellulose column chromatography exhibited markedly reduced activity at pH 3.6, but nearly normal activity at pH 6.6. The reduced activity corresponded to the B component of the enzyme as shown by electrophoretic separation. It is pointed out that this case cannot be diagnosed as “generalized gangliosidosis” for the process of ganglioside accumulation was restricted to nervous tissue.
Quantification of Grain, Pore, and Fluid Microstructure of Unsaturated Sand from X-Ray Computed Tomography Images

A comprehensive series of three-dimensional x-ray computed tomography (XCT) imaging experiments was conducted to quantitatively assess the multiphase particle- and pore-scale properties of fine Ottawa (F-75) sand. The specimens were prepared to saturations ranging from approximately 5 % to 80 %. Specimens were doped with 10 % CsCl pore fluid solution and imaged using a monochromatic synchrotron x-ray source at energies below and above the Cs x-ray absorption k-edge to allow for high contrast between the solid, liquid, and air phases. Multiphase properties quantified from the XCT images included individual particle sizes and areas, as well as grain size distribution, pore shape and size distribution, water menisci distribution, solid, liquid, and gas surface areas, and particle contact coordination number. At low saturations, pore water is distributed primarily in the form of pendular rings and liquid bridges located between individual grains and in the smallest pore throats and bodies. A highly discontinuous water phase is evident as a large number of separately identifiable water units having very small volume. As the water saturation increases, the number of individual water units decreases; as expected, the average volume of these units increases significantly as the pore water coalesces into larger and larger units. Results obtained using SEM imaging and conventional geotechnical testing methods for particle-size distribution and soil–water retention were compared with those derived from analysis of the XCT images. Results compare very well in each case, typically within a few %. It is shown that the XCT is a reliable and non-destructive method to quantify pore-scale information vital to advance understanding of the hydrologic and mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils at the macroscale.
UNIVERSAL DIRAC-YANG-MILLS THEORY

Abstract An algebraic analogue of Yang-Mills theory coupled to fermions is studied. The pure gauge sector of the theory is the “universal Yang-Mills theory” proposed in an earlier paper. When coupled to fermions, it has the global (chiral symmetries) and discrete symmetries ( P and CP ) of QCD. The case of one flavor is studied in detail in the presence of a regularization. The most general solution of the Gauss' law constraint is found. It is shown that this theory is equivalent to a (1 + 1)-dimensional Fermi model.
Effect of Dimensionality and Anisotropy on the Holstein Polaron

We apply weak-coupling perturbation theory and strong-coupling perturbation theory to the Holstein molecular crystal model in order to elucidate the effects of anisotropy on polaron properties in D dimensions. The ground state energy is considered as a primary criterion through which to study the effects of anisotropy on the self-trapping transition, with particular attention given to shifting of the self-trapping line and the adiabatic critical point. The effects of dimensionality and anisotropy on electron-phonon correlations and polaronic mass enhancement are studied, with particular attention given to the polaron radius and the characteristics of quasi-l-D and quasi-2-D structures. Perturbative results are confirmed by selected comparisons with variational calculations and quantum Monte Carlo data.
Phase selective synthesis of copper sulfides by non-hydrolytic sol–gel methods

Copper sulfide nanoparticles have many potential applications, however, difficulties with controlled synthesis of specific polymorphs, and long term stability of phases with desirable properties, have hampered their implementation. In this work, non-hydrolytic sol–gel chemistry was used for precisely controlled synthesis of five different CuxS polymorphs, namely β-chalcocite, α-chalcocite, djurleite, low digenite and covellite. All polymorphs could be obtained as nanoparticles by adjusting reaction conditions. Notably, α-chalcocite nanoparticles were considerably more stable than any previously reported. In addition, continuous phase evolutions between several sets of copper sulfide polymorphs, and intermediate structures between certain structures, were observed. A route to synthesize digenite with an unusual stoichiometry by grinding β-chalcocite, α-chalcocite or djurleite was also discovered.
Shock-wave production of nanoparticles during high-energy ion sputtering

Abstract Several previous studies have shown that the size distributions of smaller nanoparticles (n⩽40 where n is the number of atoms in a given cluster) generated by ion sputtering obey an inverse power law, with an exponent varying between −8 and −4, dependent upon the total sputtering yield. Such large negative exponents have not been explained by any simple physical mechanism. We reported electron microscopy studies of the size distributions of the larger nanoparticles (n>500) that are sputtered from the surface by high-energy ion impacts. These measurements also yielded an inverse power law, but one with an exponent of −2, and one that is independent of total sputtering yield. This inverse-square dependence indicates that the clusters are produced when shock waves, generated by sub-surface displacement cascades, impact and ablate the surface. Many smaller clusters can result from fragmentation of these larger ones, which helps explain the large negative exponents that have been reported previously. In this paper, we briefly review the previous results. In addition, we present new results demonstrating that the same inverse-square size distribution is generated in both transmission and reflection sputtering geometries. An important corollary from these results is that the sputtered nanoparticles consist of simple fragments of the original surface, that is particles which have not experienced any large thermal excursions. Hence high-energy ion sputtering should provide a convenient method for synthesizing a broad distribution of nanoparticles of a wide variety of alloy phases.
Positron Mean Lives in Scandium, Yttrium, and the Rare-Earth Metals

Positron mean lives relative to that in aluminum are reported for scandium, yttrium, and all of the stable rare-earth metals. An automatic cycling procedure allows these relative measurements to be made with an accuracy of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ sec. The average positron lifetime in the trivalent rare earths and in yttrium is 0.675\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec longer than the positron lifetime in aluminum, with an average deviation of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.035\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec. The positron lifetimes in the divalent rare earths (europium and ytterbium) are appreciably longer, while the lifetime in scandium is somewhat shorter. The experimental results indicate a correlation between the positron lifetime and the conduction electron density, and they show that the $4f$ electrons do not participate in the annihilation process.
Procaine alters fast excitatory postsynaptic current decay in amphibian sympathetic ganglia

1--The effects of procaine (25-200 microM) on the fast excitatory postsynaptic currents (e.p.s.cs) of bullfrog sympathetic ganglion B cells were studied with a two-microelectrode voltage clamp system. 2--Procaine decreased peak e.p.s.c. size with no measurable decrease in quantal content. 3--The peak e.p.s.c.-voltage relationship was linear in control cells, but showed a marked nonlinearity in cells treated with procaine so that peak e.p.s.c. size decreased progressively at hyperpolarized values of membrane potential. The e.p.s.c. reversal potential was not altered in procaine. 4--Although the e.p.s.c. decay time course was well described by a single exponential in control cells, the decay phase often became complex in the presence of procaine. The decay phase consisted of two components in the presence of procaine which became more obvious with increasing concentration and membrane hyperpolarization. 5--In control cells, the e.p.s.c. time constant of decay increased with membrane hyperpolarization. In the presence of procaine, the first time constant of decay, tauf, increased with hyperpolarization up to -40mV, but then decreased with hyperpolarization between -40 and -100mV. 6--We conclude that procaine has two sites of action at postganglionic sympathetic neurones: (1) it reduces the number of activatable receptor-channel complexes and (2) procaine blocks open synaptic channels. Blockade of open channels became more important with hyperpolarization.
An Inductively Generated Typology and Process Model of Workplace Courage

As a result of recent preventable corporate failures (e.g., Enron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae), there is a growing desire to understand what might motivate employees to courageously detect and deflect organizational problems before they harm the entire organization. Based on 94 interviews we conducted with a wide variety of employees who witnessed or undertook courageous actions, we inductively developed a model using employees' accounts of the unfolding sequence of events. We learned that employees report engaging in courageous workplace actions when they feel responsible for dealing with a challenging situation such as a workplace error, an abuse of power, an ambiguous situation, or someone in need. We interpreted the stories of courage as suggesting that workplace courage may be a two-stage process, where actors first determine their level of personal responsibility to respond to the challenging situation and then determine the potential social costs of acting. Our model of the courageous wo...
Preauthoritarian Institutions and Postauthoritarian Outcomes: Labor Politics in Chile and Uruguay

The article argues that preauthoritarian institutions have strongly influenced postauthoritarian labor politics in Chile and Uruguay. The nature of preauthoritarian labor administration—state corporatist in Chile, pluralist in Uruguay—had a strong impact on postauthoritarian collective outcomes, whether or not they were modified by the dictators or the ideological disposition of the postauthoritarian governments. Variation in preauthoritarian labor politics between Chile and Uruguay gave historical foundation to different union fortunes in the postauthoritarian era. That result points to the contemporary influence of preauthoritarian institutions, with or without authoritarian modifiers.
DPF - a perceptual distance function for image retrieval

For almost a decade, content-based image retrieval has been an active research area, yet one fundamental problem remains largely unsolved: how to measure perceptual similarity. To measure perceptual similarity, most researchers employ the Minkowski-type metric. Our extensive data-mining experiments on visual data show that, unfortunately, the Minkowski metric is not very effective in modeling perceptual similarity. Our experiments also show that the traditional "static" feature weighting approaches are not sufficient for retrieving various similar images. We report our discovery of a perceptual distance function through mining a large set of visual data. We call the discovered function dynamic the partial distance function (DPF). When we empirically compare the DPF to Minkowski-type distance functions, the DPF performs significantly better in finding similar images. The effectiveness of the DPF can be well explained by similarity theories in cognitive psychology.
Diversity of Intertidal Macroalgae Increases with Nitrogen Loading by Invertebrates

Many ecological phenomena are characterized by context dependency, and the relationship between diversity and productivity is no exception. We examined the re- lationship between macroalgal diversity and nutrient availability by evaluating the effects of reduced nutrients and their subsequent replacement via local-scale nutrient loading in tide pools. Macroalgae in Oregon coast high-intertidal pools have evolved in a nitrate-rich upwelling ecosystem, but instead of settling on low-intertidal reefs (where algae are often immersed in nutrient-rich nearshore waters) these individuals have colonized high-zone pools, where they are isolated from the ocean for extended periods of time and are subjected to extended periods of nitrate depletion. In some pools, this nutrient stress was ameliorated by a positive interaction: the excretion of ammonium by invertebrates. We conducted ex- perimental manipulations to quantify invertebrate-mediated ammonium loading and ma- croalgal ammonium uptake in high-intertidal pools. Variation in tide pool volume and invertebrate biomass created a gradient of local-scale nutrient inputs, allowing us to address the relationship between nitrogen loading and algal diversity. Slow-growing species tolerant of low nitrogen availability were joined by fast-growing species with higher nitrogen re- quirements in pools with higher ammonium loading rates. A fourfold increase in the am- monium loading rate was associated with a doubling in the number of macroalgal species, and macroalgal assemblages in more species-rich pools were characterized by higher rates of biomass-specific ammonium uptake. These patterns contrast with productivity-diversity relationships in terrestrial systems, where local-scale nutrient enrichments generally result in reduced producer diversity due to displacement of subordinate species by aggressive competitors. Our data suggest that the effect of enrichment on diversity is context-depen- dent. Each ecosystem has a critical level of nutrient availability, determined by the level of nutrients typically available in that system. Below this critical level, local-scale nutrient additions increase diversity, but above it, diversity declines with enrichment.
Sexual selection acting on a speciation trait in darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

Despite theoretical support linking sexual selection for elaborate coloration and behavioral isolation, few empirical examples clearly demonstrate that the sexually dichromatic signals responsible for behavioral isolation between species are, or have been, subject to sexual selection within species. The present study investigates sexual selection on male nuptial coloration in Etheostoma barrenense, a darter species for which male color has been shown in a previous study to contribute to behavioral isolation from a sympatric congener. Through the use of motorized model fish, we demonstrate that female E. barrenense discriminate between the orange and red body hues of conspecific males and exhibit an association preference for orange over red models. Combined with the results from a previous study, these data provide evidence for a link between sexual selection and behavioral isolation and by extension for a role of sexual selection in speciation. A post hoc analysis of the colors modeled in darter visual space suggests that quantifying signal values as they are perceived, rather than expressed, provide a promising way of linking sexual selection and behavioral isolation.
Developing effective ethics for effective behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the internal structure of Gandhi's ethics as a way to determine opportunities for improving that system's ability to influence behavior. In this paper, the author aims to work under the idea that a system of ethics is a guide for social responsibility.Design/methodology/approach – The data source is Gandhi's set of ethics as described by Naess. These simple (primarily quantitative) studies compare the concepts within the code of ethics, and their relationships to one another.Findings – Gandhi's ethics are robust at the 0.25 level (the scale is zero to one – zero is lowest). This is consistent with theories of the social sciences (that do not work well in practice). Gandhi's success might be ascribed to his leadership ability.Research limitations/implications – Some suggest this approach is reductionist because of its superficial similarity to approaches of physical science. The implications for research are profound. First, this approach provides an ob...
Confirmation, Heuristics, and Explanatory Reasoning

Recent work on inference to the best explanation has come to an impasse regarding the proper way to coordinate the theoretical virtues in explanatory inference with probabilistic confirmation theory, and in particular with aspects of Bayes's Theorem. I argue that the theoretical virtues are best conceived heuristically and that such a conception gives us the resources to explicate the virtues in terms of ceteris paribus theorems. Contrary to some Bayesians, this is not equivalent to identifying the virtues with likelihoods or priors per se; the virtues may be more accessible epistemically than likelihoods or priors. I then prove a ceteris paribus theorem regarding theoretical consilience, use it to correct a recent application of Reichenbach's common cause principle, and apply it to a test case of scientific reasoning. 1 Explanation and confirmation 2 The heuristic conception of theoretical virtues 3 Abduction and the accessibility of explanatory power
Discovery, Confidentiality, and In Camera Review: Is It Possible to Serve Two Masters?

Discovery is that phase of the litigation process that often involves the exchange of documents between and among parties. Although discovery is meant to be fairly broad as to what must be provided, there are some exceptions. One of these exceptions is psychological records. Psychological records are considered to be of a sensitive and confidential nature, so they are given privilege from the discovery process. Of course, this is not always the circumstance. To avoid confusion regarding when it is or is not proper to turn over psychological records, mental health professionals can request that the court inspect the records privately. This is referred to as “in camera review.” The presiding judge will inspect the records and only give opposing counsel those parts of the record, if any, that may be relevant to the case.
Selecting the polarization in silicon photonic wire components

Silicon photonic wire waveguides are usually highly birefringent, so they are generally designed to operate for one particular polarization. For commonly used waveguides with a silicon thickness of 220 nm, TE polarization is preferred since TM is only weakly guided. For waveguides with a silicon thickness larger than 250 nm, both TE and TM polarizations have been employed. Overall, the choice of polarization has largely appeared arbitrary. In this presentation we review the pertinent polarization-dependent waveguide properties, including losses, back-reflection, polarization conversion and fabrication tolerances, with the intent to suggest guidelines for choosing the proper polarization. Through experimental evidence, we show that TM polarization has several important advantages and can support high performance resonators with a radius down to 2 μm.
Siblings of hospitalized children: Assessment and intervention

The issues faced by children who have had a sibling recently hospitalized are summarized in this report. In addition, the research findings about this sibling experience as well as assessment and intervention strategies for siblings are presented. Craft and Knafl and their colleagues have found that the siblings who are at the greatest risk for adverse effects are younger and experiencing many changes, perceive their parents to be treating them differently as compared with before their sibling's hospitalization, have received little information about their ill brother or sister, and are being cared for outside of the home by care providers who are not relatives. Nurses need to assess siblings and intervene as indicated to ensure that the effects of short-term stress do not initiate adverse long-term sequelae.
Anomalies of water and hydrogen bond dynamics in hydrophobic nanoconfinement

Using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the TIP5P model of water, we investigate the effect of hydrophobic confinement on the anomalies of liquid water. For confinement length Lz = 1.1 nm, such that there are 2‐3 molecular layers of water, we find the presence of the bulk-like density and diffusion anomaly in the lateral directions. However, the lines of these anomalies in the P‐T plane are shifted to lower temperatures (� T ≈ 40 K) and pressures compared to bulk water. Furthermore, we introduce a method to calculate the effective diffusion constant along the confinement direction and find that the diffusion anomaly is absent. Moreover, we investigate the hydrogen bond dynamics of confined water and find that the hydrogen bond dynamics preserves the characteristics of HB dynamics in bulk water, such as a non-exponential behavior followed by an exponential tail of HB lifetime probability distributions and an Arrhenius temperature dependence of the average HB lifetime. The average number and lifetime of HBs decrease in confined water compared to bulk water at the same temperature. This reduction may be the origin of the reasons for the different physical properties of confined water from bulk water, such as the 40 K temperature shift. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
The Great Struggles of Life : Darwin and the Emergence of Evolutionary Psychology

David M. BussUniversity of Texas at AustinDarwin envisioned a scientiÞc revolution for psychol-ogy. His theories of natural and sexual selection iden-tiÞed two classes of strugglesNthe struggle for existenceand the struggle for mates. The emergence of evolution-ary psychology and related disciplines signals the ful-Þllment of DarwinOs vision. Natural selection theoryguides scientists to discover adaptations for survival.Sexual selection theory illuminates the sexual struggle,highlighting mate choice and same-sex competition ad-aptations. Theoretical developments since publication ofOn the Origin of Species identify important strugglesunknown to Darwin, notably, within-families consictsand consict between the sexes. Evolutionary psychologysynthesizes modern evolutionary biology and psychologyto penetrate some of lifeOs deep mysteries: Why do manystruggles center around sex? Why is social consict per-vasive? And what are the mechanisms of mind that deÞnehuman nature?Keywords: Darwin, evolutionary psychology, great strug-gles of life, sexual selection, sexual consict
Two Time Constant Modeling Approach for Residential Heat Pumps

The paper describes the rationale behind using a two time constant mathematical model to model the indoor coil of a heat pump. The model can be used for either the heating (condenser) or cooling (evaporator) mode. The model is compared to experimental data.
Beyond the Closet? The Changing Social Meaning of Homosexuality in the United States:

Drawing on interviews, this article rethinks both the core ideas of gay culture and the contemporary texture of gay life. We argue that the categories of the closet, coming out, and a primary gay identity are linked to specific historical conditions. Specifically, the lives of many gay Americans have been normalized, even if incompletely, and thus are `beyond the closet'. This article examines the change in the texture of gay life today and the implications of this change for gay identity, community and politics.
The Impact of Alternate Assessments A Statewide Teacher Survey

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 require that all states, by July 2000, will have developed and implemented alternate assessment methods for those students with disabilities who cannot be included within regular state and local district educational assessment and accountability measures. A statewide survey of teachers involved in the nation's first alternate assessment and accountability system for students with moderate and severe disabilities was conducted to determine the extent to which these teachers perceived benefits of including their students in state and school accountability measures, as well as their perceptions of the instructional impact of the alternate system upon student outcomes. The results of this survey indicated that teachers did realize such benefits, and perceived positive changes in both instructional programming (e.g., students' learning to follow their own individualized schedules, students' learning to assess their own performance) and e...
Changes in Postural Muscle Dynamics as a Function of Age

Histologic studies have demonstrated both a decrease in size and loss in number of type II muscle fibers with increasing age. Although these age-related histologic changes are believed to result in decreased strength and functional capacity, age-related changes in muscle force dynamics have not been clearly elucidated. Using vibromyographic (VMG) techniques, we recorded muscle activity of the soleus in 40 healthy adult volunteers spanning the age range of 20-82 years to test whether changes in postural muscle dynamics, in the frequency range of 0.1-50 Hz, were also associated with age. Although muscle dynamics below 15 Hz do not change with aging, the 30-50 Hz frequency components of the VMG were found to change significantly with advancing age (r = -.619, p = .0001). This was observed in both sexes independently. The observed age-related changes in muscle force dynamics demonstrate distinct physiologic alterations in muscle fiber activity. Further research will be required to fully elucidate the relationship between age-related changes in muscle fiber activity and other age-related conditions such as postural instability and osteoporosis.
A new post-disaster mine communication system

A post-disaster signalling system from mine to surface, using through-the-earth electromagnetic propagation of a 1950 Hz carrier, phase modulated by a repeating 255 bit maximal length sequence, is discussed. Coherent integration up to 4.46 min allows output pulse detection on a CRT at input signal-to-noise ratios down up -30 dB, which is about 30 dB less than required for the present pulse transmitter system. The system offers vastly increased reliability along with some combination of increased range, signal processing delay time, smaller transmitter antenna, and reduced power. It avoids a manual signal search period and permits more accurate automated or manual null-seeking emitter location. After location, it can be used with pulse position modulation (PPM) for communication. It should also be valuable for measurements to determine geological properties. >
Impact of tat genetic variation on HIV-1 disease

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter or long-terminal repeat (LTR) regulates viral gene expression by interacting with multiple viral and host factors. The viral transactivator protein Tat plays an important role in transcriptional activation of HIV-1 gene expression. Functional domains of Tat and its interaction with transactivation response element RNA and cellular transcription factors have been examined. Genetic variation within tat of different HIV-1 subtypes has been shown to affect the interaction of the viral transactivator with cellular and/or viral proteins, influencing the overall level of transcriptional activation as well as its action as a neurotoxic protein. Consequently, the genetic variability within tat may impact the molecular architecture of functional domains of the Tat protein that may impact HIV pathogenesis and disease. Tat as a therapeutic target for anti-HIV drugs has also been discussed.
Splicing factor SRP20 is a novel partner of BCL6 in a t(3;6)(q27;p21) translocation in transformed follicular lymphoma.

The BCL6 gene mapped at chromosome band 3q27 encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor and is frequently rearranged and deregulated in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by promiscuous chromosomal translocations which involve diverse genes. We identified a novel t(3;6)(q27;p21) in a follicular lymphoma (FL) with histologic evidence of transformation and, by cloning the translocation junction, determined that the SRP20 gene was the partner. In this translocation, the 5′ regulatory region of the BCL6 was substituted by a putative regulatory region of SRP20. Previously, we hypothesized that substitution of BCL6 promoter by those of the partner genes that were constitutively expressed throughout B-cell development led to persistent and inappropriate expression of BCL6. We examined the expression pattern of SRP20 during B-cell development by Northern blot analysis of a panel of B-cell lines representing various stages of B-cell development and noted that SRP20 mRNA was expressed throughout B-cell development. The SRP20 gene plays an important role in regulation of pre-mRNA splicing, and is expressed specifically in lymphoid tissues. This study provides the first evidence of SRP20 gene rearrangement in human hematopoietic malignancies. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Discussing Shiloh: A Conversation Beyond the Book

An analysis of what appears initially to be a typical literature circle discussion about the book Shiloh illuminates larger issues of the influence of class and gendered discursive practices. Drawing on critical discourse analysis, the author suggests that the ways these fifth-grade students enact class and gender roles actually positions them outside of desired literacy behaviors. By understanding how students' language practices are shaped and influenced beyond the text, teachers can help students engage in more productive discussions and can create a more positive classroom environment for learning.
Enhanced Metabolic Stability and Protein‐Binding Properties of Artificial α Helices Derived from a Hydrogen‐Bond Surrogate: Application to Bcl‐xL

The α helix plays a fundamental role in imparting specificity to protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions. Molecules that can predictably and selectively disrupt these interactions would be invaluable as tools in molecular biology and, potentially, as leads in drug discovery.[1] We recently described a new strategy for the synthesis of artificial α helices in which one main-chain i to i + 4 hydrogen bond in the target α helix is replaced with a carbon–carbon bond derived from a ring-closing metathesis reaction (Figure 1).[2] A key feature of this hydrogen-bond surrogate (HBS) approach is that the internal placement of the cross-link affords short helices with minimal perturbations to their molecular recognition surfaces. This method differs significantly from the commonly employed side-chain cross-linking method for helix stabilization. A limitation of the latter approach is that side-chain functionality must be sacrificed to nucleate stable helical conformations. The modified side chains are unavailable for molecular recognition; moreover, the resulting tether blocks at least one face of the putative helix. The HBS approach uniquely allows the synthesis of artificial helices with all side chains available for molecular recognition, and does not place any steric encumbrances on the helix surface. We believe that our artificial α helices have the potential to target protein receptors and regulate protein–protein interactions more successfully than helices with cross-linked side chains.
COMPARING E- AND D-SPEED FILM: THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS STORAGE CONDITIONS ON FOGGING

Despite the reduced radiation exposure documented with E-speed film use, many clinicians still prefer D-speed radiographic film. The authors tested various storage factors and found that E-speed film is more sensitive to these variables than D-speed film.
A best known methodology for transfer machine metrics from technology development facility to high volume manufacturing facility

In advanced semi-conductor manufacturing capital equipment depreciation drives the largest cost in producing products. Therefore, it is critical to have the exact amount of machines (or tools). Several parameters dictate machine quantities for a given technology launch to high volume manufacturing, such as: availability, utilization, run rate, synergies with other technologies and time factors. These machine parameters, also known as "machine metrics", must be optimized. This paper presents a best known methodology to transfer the machine metrics from technology development (TD) site to high volume manufacturing (HVM) site in order to minimize the changes in tools' quantities forecast
Reciprocities and realities: World views, peacefulness, and violence among Semai and Waorani

Implicit in all social relations, including those involving material transactions, are conceptions of reality that include fundamental assumptions about the nature of human beings, the relationships among them, and the world around them. This article examines economic exchange and reciprocity in two societies that are very similar in their ecological contexts, modes of subsistence, technologies, and social organizations but at opposite extremes in their attitudes toward violence. They are the Semai of Malaysia, one of the most peaceful societies known, and the Waorani of Amazonian Ecuador, the most violent society yet described. Comparison of the norms of exchange in these two societies reveals two very different views of the world: The Semai see themselves as helpless in a hostile world that is beyond their control and the Waorani see themselves as self-reliant and capable in a world that they feel fully competent to control. Understanding these culturally constructed realities as they are embodied in Semai and Waorani exchange (and in other areas of life as well, of course) contributes to an understanding of the character of sociality generally in these two societies, including their diametrically opposed dispositions toward violence in human relations.
Glasser, William (1925-2013)

William Glasser (1925–2013) founded reality therapy, a cognitive behavioral system that includes a usable strategy applicable to clients who demonstrate minor or major issues. Originating in a correctional institution and a mental hospital, its applications now include use in schools, business, management and supervision, and most interpersonal relationships. Its theoretical basis is choice theory, formerly known as control theory or control system theory, which posits that human behavior is the result of a current effort to satisfy five genetic needs: survival or self-preservation, love and belonging, power or inner control, freedom or independence, and fun or enjoyment. Most behaviors are chosen or at least partially chosen. When implementing the theory and practice, the helper assists clients in examining their choices, evaluating them, and making plans for more effective need satisfaction. Keywords: counseling psychology; mental health; psychology of relationships; decision making
Opportunistic Violation in Crisis: A Test on Alliance Termination

The question of alliance termination raises a variety of theoretical and empirical issues in the study of alliances. While it has been overlooked by many IR scholars, the recent theoretical literature has accumulated a series of new findings by treating alliance itself as the unit of analysis. (Bennett 1997; Leeds and Savun 2007; Morrow 1991) However, this “alliance approach” to the problem leaves crucial questions unanswered: Why do states abandon security agreements that they once welcomed? Under what conditions do states violate them? To answer these empirical questions, it is imperative to focus on the individual state as the unit of analysis for further investigation of state behavior in given international security and domestic contexts. This article, which employs the “state approach,” aims to offer insight into alliance violation. It relies on the Alliance Treaty Obligation and Provisions (ATOP) dataset and uses a competing-risks event-history model for estimating the risks of other termination modes, as in Leeds and Savun (2007). This study reveals the following: First, the statistical findings, which are significant, contradict the predictions of the capability aggregation model. Furthermore, it discusses these findings in light of the suggestion that states opportunistically violate alliances at a higher level of external threats for their own survival, in some cases, or for their aggressive policies, in others. Second, it finds that the effect of domestic politics on a state’s alliance violation is not as salient as external security and national capability factors. Third, the article shows that wartime alliance is short-lived, which is consistent with our intuition, but its termination by violation occurs less frequently than other termination modes. This is because the casus foederis clearly exists for the allies, and, as such, they have less incentive to deviate from a given agreement during wartime.
Bourdieu, Marx, and Capital: A Critique of the Extension Model

It has been claimed that in extending its critical problematic to the cultural sphere, Pierre Bourdieu transcends the economism of Marx’s concept of capital. I argue that this claim must be rejecte...
Simulating Flow Changes Due to Current Energy Capture: SNL-EFDC Model Verification

Increasing interest in current energy capture (CEC) has led to significant efforts to optimally design and site emerging technologies to maximize energy conversion and minimize effects on the environment. Turbine-based CEC technologies remove energy (momentum) from tidal/current systems and in the process generate distinct turbulent wakes. These wakes may interact with other nearby turbines, thereby influencing power generation, and have the potential to alter ecosystem processes such as flow regimes, sediment dynamics, and water quality. For the CEC industry to succeed, the interrelationship between the number, size, and location of installed CEC devices and their commensurate hydrodynamic and environmental effects must be characterized. This work verifies a model that simulates the hydrodynamic response of flow through and around CEC turbines. The tool facilitates virtual design of array layouts to optimize energy generation and minimize environmental effects. This study is based on modifications to an existing flow, sediment dynamics, and water-quality code (SNL-EFDC) where simulations of experimental flume data are used to quantify and visualize the influence of CEC on flow dynamics. Turbulence generation and breakdown and flow parameters are calibrated against wake data from two turbine-in-flume experiments to produce validated simulations of CEC. Considering the assumptions going into the model, results compare favorably and the model can be considered verified.
An Update on Helminths in Human Carcinogenesis

This review examines the salient literature on selected helminths involved in carcinogenicity in humans and updates information in an earlier review on this topic by Fried et al. (Cancer Lett 305:239–249, 2011). Herein, we examine the salient cancer-helminth literature from 2011 to 2014 on Opisthorchis viverreni and Clonorchis sinensis (associated with liver and bile duct cancer), and Schistosoma haematobium (associated with urinary bladder cancer). These three trematodes are the only helminths recognized by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as being human carcinogens. Our review places particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involved in helminth induced carcinogenesis.
Organ Entrapment System for Removing Nodal Tissue During Laparoscopic Pelvic Lymphadenectomy

AbstractWhen performing a laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection, the tissue specimen may be too large to remove intact through the laparoscopic trocar. An organ entrapment system has been developed that allows en bloc retrieval of nodal tissue via an 11mm. trocar site. This system facilitates tissue removal, and minimizes the risk of tissue loss and possible peritoneal or wound contamination.
3D Laplacian Pyramid Signature

We introduce a simple and effective point descriptor, called 3D Laplacian Pyramid Signature (3DLPS), by extending and adapting the Laplacian Pyramid defined in 2D images to 3D shapes. The signature is represented as a high-dimensional feature vector recording the magnitudes of mean curvatures, which are captured through sequentially applying Laplacian of Gaussian (LOG) operators on each vertex of 3D shapes. We show that 3DLPS organizes the intrinsic geometry information concisely, while possessing high sensitivity and specificity. Compared with existing point signatures, 3DLPS is robust and easy to compute, yet captures enough information embedded in the shape. We describe how 3DLPS may potentially benefit the applications involved in shape analysis, and especially demonstrate how to incorporate it in point correspondence detection, best view selection and automatic mesh segmentation. Experiments across a collection of shapes have verified its effectiveness.
The renin system and new understanding of the complications of hypertension and their treatment.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone hormonal axis is the major long-term servocontrol for regulation of both arterial blood pressure and sodium balance. It supports normotension or hypertension via angiotensin vasoconstriction and angiotensin plus aldosterone-induced renal sodium retention. Normally, in the presence of hypertension or sodium-volume excess, plasma renin activity promptly falls to zero. Accordingly, any renal secretion of renin in the face of high blood pressure is abnormal. In established essential hypertension varying degrees of abnormal plasma renin activity operate to cause or sustain the hypertension; only very low plasma renin values reflect a normal renal response. Human hypertensive disorders comprise a spectrum of abnormal plasma renin-sodium volume products. High renin, intensely vasoconstricted, hypovolemic forms (e.g., malignant, renovascular) are one extreme of the spectrum; "wet"-volume-excess low-renin forms are the other extreme (e.g., primary aldosteronism, low-renin essential hypertension). These varying, but abnormal renin-sodium products are caused by a renal lesion in which a subpopulation of ischemic nephrons hypersecretes renin and retains sodium despite systemic hypertension and sodium excess. Thus, hypertensive patients cannot suppress their renin secretion normally. The hypertension from this renal lesion is correctable by agents that reduce renin secretion or block its effect (beta blockade, CEI, renin inhibition, or angiotensin II antagonism). None of these agents lower blood pressure after binephrectomy, verifying the renal origin of renin in the cardiovascular control system. In essential hypertension, the plasma renin level appears as a continuous variable associated with greater risk of ischemic injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Urologic applications of angiographic guide wire and catheter techniques.

AbstractA technique is described using angiographic guide wires and catheters in combination with endoscopy. Obstruction of 9 ureters in 7 patients was managed successfully with this technique. The ureters in these cases were inaccessible otherwise because of unusual ureteral position or severity of obstruction. The method allows placement of angiographic guide wires and catheters past ureteral obstacles when standard urological retrograde procedures are not feasible technically.
Implementation of hybrid DEM-PBM approach to reduce the computational cost of powder mixing modeling

Abstract The high computational cost incurred for implementing a computationally complex model such as discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the microscale particle interactions renders it grossly inefficient while developing models for real scale geometries and for simulating actual time length of powder processing unit operations. In this study, we examine an alternative computational cost saving methodology that utilizes the hybrid framework of coupled discrete element method (DEM) and population balance method (PBM) to allow for an extended particulate system analysis by extrapolating a limited DEM simulation through PBM methodology. This work focuses on the capability of DEM-PBM framework to not only simulate the dynamics of powder mixing but also to reduce the time-scale of computationally taxing DEM simulations. Through case studies of powder blending, which is a critical unit operation in pharmaceutical industries, in both continuous (bladed mixer) as well as batch (tumbling bin blender) setting, this study investigates the optimal DEM simulation length required to retain accurate mixing dynamics. The mixing dynamics are quantitatively recorded in terms of powder composition through relative standard deviation (RSD) studies. The predictive accuracy of PBM models derived from limited DEM simulations of various time-scales are also compared against a full DEM simulation to show the reduction in computational cost achieved by utilizing a DEM-PBM hybrid.
Library earns high marks

La bibliotheque de Seton Hill College a remporte une recompense de l'ALA pour la production de signets promouvant ses services
Propensities and Frequencies

Perhaps no principle of reasoning holds more promise for understanding the foundations of scientific inquiry than that of inference to the best explanation. In its general form, this is a species of inductive inference that involves selecting one member from a set of alternative hypotheses as the hypothesis providing the best explanation for the available evidence. Alternatives that explain more of the available evidence are preferable to those that explain less, while those that are preferable when sufficient evidence is available are also acceptable. Acceptable hypotheses may still be false, making reasoning of this kind fallible, but remain the most rational of those alternatives under consideration.
Surface Modification of Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts by Carbon Ion Irradiation

Abstract Selective modification (e.g. defect creation and amorphization) of diamond surfaces is of interests for functional diamond-based semiconductors and devices. Bombarding the diamond surface with high energy radiation sources such as electron, proton, and neutrons, however, often result in detrimental defects in deep bulk regions under the diamond surface. In this study, we utilized high energy carbon ions of 3 MeV to bombard the polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) specimen. The resultant microstructure of PDCs was investigated using micro Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the carbon bombardment successfully created point defects and amorphization in a shallow region of ∼500 nm deep on the diamond surface. The new method has great potential to allow diamond-based semiconductor devices to be used in numerous applications.