cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical conformational analysis for chain systems with two conjugated double bonds in the gas phase and in solution

Abstract Conformational preferences for butadiene-1,3, acrolein, glyoxal, methyl-1-propenyl ketone, acrylic and pyruvic acids with conjugated double-bond substructures have been studied at the IEF-PCM/B97D/aug-cc-pvqz and IEF-PCM/CCSD(T)/CBS theoretical levels in dichloromethane, acetonitrile and water. Overall agreement were achieved by the two quantum mechanical methods with deviations in the relative conformational free energies up to a few tenths of a kcal/mol. Considering explicit-solvent Monte Carlo simulations, the favorable conformations agree with those from IEF-PCM results with an exception for pyruvic acid. Barriers to rotation about the central C C bond were calculated at 1.2–8.5 kcal/mol. The conformational equilibria are under thermodynamic control with predominating s-trans form in general. Monte Carlo simulations predict non-negligibly different relative solvation free energies when a reaction field model or the Ewald correction has been applied to account for the long-range electrostatic interactions. Acids favorably adopt the dimeric form with doubly hydrogen-bonded structures in dilute solutions. The calculated degree of association is highly sensitive to the accepted atomic charges, indicating the importance of the polarization of the constituents within the dimer.
Single-sensor multi-channel maximum power point tracking controller for photovoltaic solar systems

This study presents a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method and controller for a multi-channel ( N -channel) photovoltaic solar system. The N -channel single-sensor MPPT (SS-MPPT) controller is able to track the maximum power point (MPP) of each solar panel using only one output current sensor in the N -channels. Compared with a conventional N -channel MPPT system which requires N voltage sensors, N current sensors, 2 N analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) (or an ADC with 2 N channels) and N -MPPT controllers along with the associated conditioning circuitries, the proposed method only requires one sensor, one ADC and one MPPT controller. In the proposed N -channel SS-MPPT controller, the MPPT for each channel is achieved by tracking the maxima of the output (load) current (resulting in the maxima of the system output power) using the Perturb and Observe algorithm and the maxima of each channel power via channel output current difference optimisation. Two algorithms which can be used to realise the SS-MPPT controller are discussed and compared. The concept and operation of the SS-MPPT controller is presented, analysed and verified by results obtained from a proof-of-concept experimental prototype.
What aspects of experience can functional neuroimaging be expected to reveal

The success of functional neuroimaging methods in picturing distinct cerebral activation profiles for different psychological functions has led many specialists and many more non-specialists to speculate that it will soon be possible for neuroimaging experts to sit in front of the screen of a functional brain imaging device and "read" in the changing patterns of brain activity, displayed there in real-time, what the person whose brain is imaged is experiencing from one moment to the next. This apparently reasonable scenario presupposes that each concrete experience is associated with a distinct and unique brain activity pattern, and that these patterns are, at least in principle, discernible through functional neuroimaging. It will be argued that, for reasons of an epistemological order, even if the first assumption was true, that pattern could not be discernible, and therefore readable, even with ideal neuroimaging devices. It will also be argued that the only epistemologically, therefore, in principle, also technically feasible feat is to discern and decipher patterns of the brain activity corresponding not to concrete experiences, but to types or "kinds" of experiences, that is, to general concepts. Moreover, it will be shown that we could, in principle, discern only such patterns for the very same reason that we can know objectively only concepts, that is, the invariant features common to sets of concrete, fleeting and unrepeatable single experiences.
Biomaterial applications in cardiovascular tissue repair and regeneration

Cardiovascular disease physically damages the heart, resulting in loss of cardiac function. Medications can help alleviate symptoms, but it is more beneficial to treat the root cause by repairing injured tissues, which gives patients better outcomes. Besides heart transplants, cardiac surgeons use a variety of methods for repairing different areas of the heart such as the ventricular septal wall and valves. A multitude of biomaterials are used in the repair and replacement of impaired heart tissues. These biomaterials fall into two main categories: synthetic and natural. Synthetic materials used in cardiovascular applications include polymers and metals. Natural materials are derived from biological sources such as human donor or harvested animal tissues. A new class of composite materials has emerged to take advantage of the benefits of the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of both synthetic and natural materials. This article reviews the current and prospective applications of biomaterials in cardio...
Pattern formation during insect leg segmentation: Studies with a prepattern of a cell surface antigen

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) that binds to a cell surface antigen selectively localized to epithelial cells undergoing morphogenesis was used to study the segmentation of the growing embryonic leg of the cockroachPeriplaneta americana. The MAb labels circumferential stripes of cells at locations where invagination will occur to form the leg segments. The formation of these stripes precedes any morphological change in the epithelial layer or in individual cells. The temporal and spatial distribution of the antigen indicates the existence of a prepattern for leg segmentation, examination of which can give information about pattern generating mechanisms. Although highly stereotyped, the sequence in which the stripes appear does not follow a simple pattern proceeding in one direction along the proximal-distal axis. It is proposed that each stripe is a boundary in a positional field. Stripe formation leads to the division of the leg into a repeating series of identical positional fields. Three different mechanisms for the formation of stripes of MAb labeled cells have been observed and the role of each in the evolution of the insect leg is discussed. Measurements of leg and leg segment lengths when the various stripes appear has demonstrated considerable variation, particularly at the early stages of segmentation. Rules or mechanisms generating pattern at early stages of development are not rigid. Variations arising are compensated for by later occurring events so that stereotyped structures are formed.
Low-Speed Fan Noise Attenuation from a Foam-Metal Liner

A foam-metal liner for attenuation of fan noise was developed for and tested on a low-speed fan. This type of liner represents a significant advance over traditional liners, due to the possibility of placement in close proximity to the rotor. An advantage of placing treatment in this region is that the acoustic near field is modified, thereby inhibiting the noise-generation mechanism. This can result in higher attenuation levels than could be achieved by liners located in the nacelle inlet. In addition, foam-metal liners could potentially replace the fan rub strip and containment components, ultimately reducing engine components and thus weight, which can result in a systematic increase in noise reduction and engine performance. Foam-metal liners have the potential to reduce fan noise by 4 dB based on this study.
Is ICT the panacea to sub-Saharan Africa’s development problems? Rethinking Africa’s contentious engagement with the global information society:

The explosion in mobile phone subscription notwithstanding, benefits from ICT deployment are far from being realized in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A clash between the rationality for development and local systems of reasoning, and the failure to cultivate behaviours that support technological innovation provide little hope for sustained information and communication technology (ICT) adoption in the region. The article discusses failures in technological innovation and then explores ways that SSA countries can manage ICT deployment to stimulate sustained adoption.
Chlorine Isotope Separation by Thermal Diffusion

From "two-bulb experiments" the thermal diffusion constant $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ of HCl has been determined to be +0.010 at ${T}_{r}=685\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K and -0.009 at ${T}_{r}=229\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K. Such a rapid change of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and ${R}_{T}$ with temperature and an inversion temperature at or above room temperatures seem to be characteristic of strongly polar molecules. The troublesome "memory effects" of HCl in a mass spectrometer can be eliminated by using a pin-hole leak right in the box of the ion source plus a baking out, flushing and repeated-analysis routine. Some details are given of a 6.8-meter hot-wire thermal diffusion column apparatus, having an equilibrium separation factor of 7, and which has provided fairly large samples of HCl enriched to 94 percent H${\mathrm{Cl}}^{35}$ and 62 percent H${\mathrm{Cl}}^{37}$ for cyclotron beam targets and other experiments.
International Students as a Resource for Achieving Comprehensive Internationalization

This chapter describes how the American higher education system is about to witness unprecedented growth in the number of foreign students studying on U.S. campuses. Presidents and governing board members are challenged to leverage this threshold moment to achieve comprehensive internationalization.
EVOLUTION AND SUBJECTIVITY

. Evolutionary theory is becoming an all-encompassing form of explanation in many branches of philosophy. However, emergence theory uses the concept of self-organization to support yet alter traditional evolutionary explanation. Biologist Stuart Kauffman suggests that the new science will need to tell stories, not simply as a heuristic device but as part of its fundamental task. This claim is reminiscent of C. S. Peirce's criticism of the doctrine of necessity. Peirce's suggestions reference Hegel, and this essay draws out this Hegelian background, addressing the question of subjectivity and issuing some Hegelian reminders so that such evolutionary and emergent theories will consider the implication of this research program on philosophy of mind. The primary focus is on two post-Kantian, neo-Hegelian thinkers in contemporary philosophy who deal with this problem: John McDowell and Robert Brandom.
Bundles, Big Deals, and the Copyright Wars: What Can Academic Libraries Learn from the Record Industry Crash?

This article reviews the contention that U.S. laws favor copyright owners over consumers, and pre-existing models over innovation. The relationship of commercial publishers to the Open Access movement is compared to that of the creators/users of file sharers and the Record Industry. The library literature bears out the contention that journal publishers have exhibited some of the behaviors that contributed to the decline of the major record labels. Librarians who support free scholarship will find the music industry plight instructive; just as iTunes fulfilled consumer demand, Open Access and other alternatives will transform publishing.
Pi±-p total cross sections in the range 450 Mev to 1650 Mev

A series of counter experiments is being carried out at the Berkeley Bevatron and 184-inch cyclotron to measure total and differential scattering cross sections for pions at energies above the first resonance. (1-3) In this Letter we report the results of measurements of the total cross section for positive and negative pions on protons in the energy range from 450-Mev to 1650-Mev pion kinetic energy (lab).
A nested iterative scheme for indefinite linear systems in particulate flows

Abstract High fidelity large-scale direct numerical simulation of particulate flows is of great value in a variety of industrial applications. It is computationally intensive as it combines time integration, solving nonlinear algebraic equations, and the associated linear systems. The finite element discretization of the coupled system of PDEs on an unstructured grid using an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian moving mesh technique leads to very large nonlinear systems that are linearized by a version of Newton's method. The linear algebraic systems (Jacobians) are sparse, nonsymmetric and indefinite, for which standard linear system solvers based on Krylov subspace methods generally fail to converge without appropriate preconditioners. The failure of Krylov methods in production codes is currently being addressed by reducing the size of the time step. This, however, leads to a very long simulation time, and therefore is not always a viable approach. In this study, we design a hybrid inner–outer iterative scheme for solving these indefinite systems which proves to be both efficient, robust and ideally suited for parallel computing platforms even with appropriate large time steps. Comparisons with Krylov subspace methods show the superiority of our proposed class of nested iterative schemes which is also scalable with respect to mesh size, and insensitive to changes in properties of the fluid–particles system.
Addressing Context Awareness Techniques in Body Sensor Networks

Context awareness in Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) has the significance of associating physiological user activity and environment to the sensed signals of the user. The context information derived in a BSN can be used in pervasive healthcare monitoring for relating importance to events and specifically for accurate episode detection. In this paper, we address the issues of context-aware sensing in BSNs, along with a comparison of different techniques for deducing context awareness, namely, Artificial Neural Networks, Bayesian Networks, and Hidden Markov Models.
Fact Retrieval and the Paradox of Interference.

Many theories of memory incorporate the notion of retrieval interference, which says that facts learned about the same concept can interfere with one another during retrieval. This notion implies that the more facts learned about a concept the greater the retrieval interference. But this makes it paradoxical how one ever becomes knowledgeable about a topic. To resolve this paradox, we argue that one can overcome interference by using relevant world knowledge to integrate various facts learned about a concept. Three experiments demonstrate that integration can overcome interference. All used a recognition paradigm developed by Anderson and Bower 1973. Subjects first memorized a set of facts about particular people (e.g., Marly, the banker), and then decided whether or not test sentences were from the memorized set. Experiments 1 and 2 manipulated (a) the number of facts learned about a particular person and (b) whether or not they were integrated. With unintegrated facts, the time to recognize a test sentence increased with the number of facts learned about the person mentioned in that sentence; with integrated facts, no such increase was found. Experiment 3 further showed that subjects had difficulty rejecting distractors that were thematically related to integrated facts. To account for these effects, two hypotheses were considered, one an alteration of Anderson and Bower's HAM model, and the other an elaboration of Schank and Abelson's 1977 script analysis.
The Promise of Progressivism: Herbert Croly and the Progressive Rejection of Individual Rights

Herbert Croly's Promise of American Life provides the theoretical foundations for many of America's twentieth-century political reform movements. Croly called for the adoption of Hamiltonian means to achieve Jeffersonian ends. To achieve this synthesis, however, Croly rejected Hamilton's arguments for institutional checks on a pure national democracy, and Jefferson's arguments for limited government. Croly rejected these elements in Hamilton's and Jefferson's thought because they are tied to the liberal doctrine of individual rights. Croly wanted to transcend the doctrine of individual rights in order to create a national political communityone that would be forged by a strong but democratic national government. However, Croly failed to see the connection between Jefferson's belief in democracy and his belief in limited government, and he failed to see the connection between Hamilton's belief in a strong national government and his call for institutional checks on democracy. Thus, although many American reform movements have their roots in the rhetoric of Croly's progressivism, to be effective they have had to accommodate the principles of liberal individualism that Croly wished to eradicate.
Exact probabilities of obtaining estimated non-positive definite between-group covariance matrices

The probability that the estimated between-group covariance matrix is not positive definite is computed exactly under certain conditions given in Hill and Thompson (1978) for the balanced single classification multi-vanate analysis of variance with random effects. The computation is done using the Pfaffian method. This method can also be used more generally to calculate the cummulative distribution function of the largest root of the matrix where S1 and S2 are independent central Wishart matrices with common covariance matrices. The Pfaffian method is found to be a rapid and highly practical alternative to an algorithm of Venables (1974).
Effects of the mGlu2/3 Agonist LY379268 and the mGlu5 Antagonist MTEP on Ethanol Seeking and Reinforcement Are Differentially Altered in Rats with a History of Ethanol Dependence

Background Growing evidence supports a role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in ethanol reinforcement, ethanol seeking, and ethanol withdrawal. To extend the understanding of the role of mGluRs in the addiction-relevant effects of ethanol as well as of the treatment target potential of these receptors for alcohol abuse, the effects of a selective mGlu2/3 agonist (LY379268) and a selective mGlu5 antagonist (MTEP) were tested on two processes central to alcohol addiction: ethanol reinforcement and stress-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking in rats with a history of ethanol dependence. Methods Following operant ethanol self-administration training, male Wistar rats were made dependent by intragastric ethanol intubations. Ethanol dependence was confirmed by the presence of somatic withdrawal signs. Following 2 weeks of withdrawal, stable ethanol self-administration was reestablished, and the effects of LY379268 (0–3 mg/kg subcutaneous) and MTEP (0–3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on ethanol self-administration were determined in both nondependent and postdependent rats. A second set of rats underwent extinction training and then was tested for the effects of LY379268 or MTEP on reinstatement of ethanol seeking induced by footshock stress. Results LY379268 and MTEP dose-dependently reduced both ethanol self-administration and reinstatement of ethanol seeking induced by footshock stress. Additionally, LY379268 was more effective than MTEP in inhibiting both behaviors in postdependent than in nondependent animals. Conclusions These findings suggest that neuroadaptation associated with chronic ethanol exposure or withdrawal alters the sensitivity of mGlu2/3 receptors, with implications for the understanding of the neural basis of alcohol dependence and the treatment target potential of these receptors.
The Interactive Effects of Chronic Pain, Guilt, and Perfectionism on Work Outcomes

Two studies were conducted examining the interactive effects of chronic pain, perceived perfectionism (e.g., self- and socially prescribed), and guilt on job tension and job satisfaction. It was hypothesized that chronic pain would have its most adverse effects on these work outcomes when concurrently coupled with high levels of perceived perfectionism and guilt. In both studies, the results supported the interaction effect of Chronic Pain × Socially Prescribed Perfectionism × Guilt on tension and satisfaction in the expected direction. As predicted, the results also indicated a Chronic Pain × Guilt × Self-Oriented Perfectionism interaction on job tension. Implications for theory and practice, strengths and limitations, and avenues for future research are provided.
Ranges in chemical concentrations in sediments associated with adverse biological effects

Abstract Chemical analyses of sediments provide indications of the relative degrees of contamination among sampling areas, but, thus far, they have provided neither a measure of adverse biological effects nor an estimate of the potential for effects. Data derived from many different geographic regions, methods, and approaches were assembled and evaluated to identify the ranges in chemical concentrations associated with adverse effects. The data from three basic approaches to the establishment of effects-based criteria were evaluated: the equilibrium partitioning approach, the spiked-sediment bioassay approach, and various methods of evaluating synoptically collected biological and chemical data in field surveys. Available data were evaluated to determine the concentrations at which effects begin and the concentrations above which effects frequently or always occur. This article illustrates the approach that was taken with data for two examples: mercury and fluoranthene.
Adaptation of muscle pyruvate kinases to environmental temperatures and pressures

Kinetic and structural properties of muscle pyruvate kinases from species adapted to different temperatures and hydrostatic pressures were examined. Most muscle pyruvate kinases can exist in two temperature-dependent conformational states. For the low temperature conformers, activation free energies and enthalpies were proportional to the species' adaptation temperatures. The interspecific differences in activation parameters may be due to different amounts of weak bond formation/rupture during the rate-limiting event(s) in catalysis. When comparisons of substrate binding ability at physiological temperature, is are made, a marked conservation in apparent Km values is observed among species. Structural rigidity, as estimated by heat inactivation temperature, is positively correlated with adaptation temperature. The apparent size of the conformational change which occurs during catalysis is also positively correlated with cell temperature, except for enzymes for deep-sea species.
Impact of idpn on kt/v

The administration of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) and the impact it has on Kt/V has not been thoroughly examined. The available literature addressing the influence of IDPN on Kt/V is limited and the observations are conflicting. Some studies have observed little or no significant change with IDPN administration. In contrast, one randomized, crossover study by McCann et al. of patients receiving IDPN observed a significant decrease. When amino acid (AA), dextrose and lipid components were administered a significant reduction in mean Kt/V resulted. When solutions containing only AA were administered, Kt/V was significantly less then when IDPN was withheld Administration of IDPN without AA resulted in a mean Kt/V not significantly different from the mean Kt/V when IDPN was withheld. AA containing IDPN reduced mean Kt/V by 18–23%. By personal communication with McCann, it was thought the amount of carbohydrate (CHO) determined whether the Kt/V was impacted when they studied further (unpublished). The authors found that by increasing the CHO, the Kt/V was not impacted (lower) and theorized that inadequate CHO resulted in catabolized protein generating urea. To investigate this further, a retrospective analysis was performed of the Pentec Health IDPN internal data base consisting of 489 patients that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. For this group: the age was 66.23+13.38 years; BMI was 25.79+56; 239 males (49%) and 250 females (51%); 304 patients with DM (62%); 430 patients with HTN (88%). Baseline albumin was 2.98+38 g/dL and baseline creatinine was 6.03+2.10 mg/dL. Results are below Table Kt/V (mean + SD) Baseline Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 1.65+.34 1.44+.36 1.43+.35 1.44+.34 A repeated measures ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference (p
Effect of short‐term treatment with alendronate on ulnar bone adaptation to cyclic fatigue loading in rats

Targeted remodeling of fatigue-injured bone involves activation of osteoclastic resorption followed by local bone formation by osteoblasts. We studied the effect of parenteral alendronate (ALN) on bone adaptation to cyclic fatigue. The ulnae of 140 rats were cyclically loaded unilaterally until 40% loss of stiffness developed. We used eight treatment groups: (1) baseline control; (2) vehicle (sterile saline) and (3) alendronate before fatigue, no adaptation (Pre-VEH, Pre-ALN, respectively); (4) vehicle and (5) alendronate during adaptation to fatigue (Post-VEH, Post-ALN, respectively); (6) vehicle before fatigue and during adaptation (Pre-VEH/Post-VEH); (7) alendronate before fatigue and vehicle during adaptation (Pre-ALN/Post-VEH); (8) alendronate before fatigue and during adaptation (Pre-ALN/Post-ALN). Bones from half the rats/group were tested mechanically; remaining bones were examined histologically. The following variables were quantified: volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD); ultimate force (F(u)); stiffness (S); work-to-failure (U); cortical area (Ct.Ar); new woven bone tissue area (Ne.Wo.B.T.Ar); resorption space density (Rs.N/T.Ar). Microcracking was only seen in fatigue-loaded ulnae. A significant effect of alendronate on vBMD was not found. Preemptive treatment with alendronate did not protect the ulna from structural degradation during fatigue. After fatigue, recovery of mechanical properties by adaptation occurred; here a significant alendronate effect was not found. An alendronate-specific effect on adaptive Ne.Wo.B.T.Ar was not found. In the fatigue-loaded ulna, Rs.N/T.Ar was increased in vehicle-treated adapted groups, but not alendronate-treated adapted groups, when compared with baseline control. These data suggest that short-term alendronate treatment does not protect bone from fatigue in this model. Inhibition of remodeling may reduce microcrack repair over time.
Technical Note: Remark on the Formal Identity of Two Statistical-Acoustics Models of Coupled Rooms

Confusion can result because the two best-known statistical-acoustics models of energy decay in coupled rooms give variant predictions, despite being derived from identical base assumptions. It is shown here that the model given by Cremer and Muller is formally identical to the model given by Kuttruff and that differences between the models arise only if Cremer and Muller's approximate solution method is followed. An exact formulation of Cremer and Muller's model is given explicitly and its predictions are shown to agree with those of Kuttruff's model.
Sleep quality in women seeking care for pelvic organ prolapse

Objectives To identify the prevalence of sleep disturbance in women seeking treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and identify correlates of poor sleep quality in this population by using a validated sleep scale. Study design This is a cohort study of female patients with pelvic organ prolapse. Main outcome measures Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pelvic Floor Disorders Inventory (PFDI), and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ) measures were completed. Demographic data, medical comorbidities, medications, and physical examinations were also recorded. Results 407 Women were enrolled. Analysis was performed on the 250 subjects who completed all PSQI components. Subjects were predominantly white, with a mean age of 61 ± 11 years and mean BMI of 28 ± 5 kg/m(2). The majority (71%) had Stage III prolapse. Half (N=127) had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Women with poor sleep quality were younger, had more medical comorbidities, more pelvic floor symptoms, more nocturia, more depressive symptoms, and took more time to fall asleep. Factors associated with sleep quality were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models. Worse sleep scores were associated with each of the PFDI subscores (urinary, prolapse, bowel), depressive symptoms, severe nocturia symptoms, and number of comorbidities. Conclusions Poor sleep is prevalent in women with prolapse. Pelvic floor symptoms as measured by PFDI sub-scales, were associated with poor sleep quality. Future studies are needed to better understand how sleep disturbances may contribute to the impact of pelvic floor symptoms on quality of life.
Nonplanar magnetic reconnection associated with conical slow shocks

We study a nonplanar model of magnetic reconnection associated with conical slow shocks, assuming that the shock surfaces are two identical cones with circular cross sections symmetrical about the ±x-axis. In the inflow region upstream of the shocks, two oppositely directed magnetic fields are separated by a current sheet. The model treats the current sheet as a tangential discontinuity and treats shocks and tangential discontinuity as surfaces of zero thickness. The dynamical structure of the global magnetic field in the continuous regions is studied using compressible, non-resistive MHD equations. In the inflow region, nonplanar magnetic field lines first move toward the current sheet. Near the sheet, the middle sections of the field lines become highly flattened, almost parallel to the sheet. Eventually, then oppositely directed field lines merge across the tangential discontinuity between the two shocks, and the magnetic lines are reconnected at the intersection of the shock and the tangential discontinuity. Reconnected magnetic lines are carried away at high speeds by the MHD flow in the outflow region, downstream of the shocks.
Chronic appendicitis: uncommon cause of chronic abdominal pain

The exact pathophysiology of acute appendicitis is well known, but the existence of chronic appendicitis (CA) appears to be controversial among many physicians. Several case reports and case series from the last two decades have provided supporting evidence that CA, although uncommon, does occur [Mattei et al. 1994; Rao et al. 1998; Mussack et al. 2002]. CA is a rare clinical entity that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for clinicians since a majority of patients present with atypical symptoms. The incidence of CA is 1.5% of all cases with a history of acute appendicitis [Shah et al. 2013], and is thought to be secondary to partial and transient obstruction of the appendix [Vanwinter and Beyer, 2004; Shah et al. 2013]. Although not considered a surgical emergency, it is often a missed diagnosis with complications such as perforation or abscess formation [Shah et al. 2013]. computed tomography (CT) scan is considered to be the best test for diagnosis of CA [Shah et al. 2013]. We describe a 39-year-old man with a history of chronic right lower quadrant pain greater than 6 months duration who was found to have CA while undergoing a colonoscopy.
Effect of partial portal vein ligation on hepatic regeneration.

To evaluate the effect of portal hypertension and diminished portal venous blood flow to the liver on hepatic regeneration, male rats were subjected to partial portal vein ligation and subsequently to a two-thirds partial hepatectomy. The levels of ornithine decarboxylase activity at 6 h after partial hepatectomy were greater (p > 0.001) in the rats with prior partial portal vein ligation than in those without portal hypertension. The rats with prior partial portal vein ligation also had greater (p > 0.005) levels of thymidine kinase activity at 48 h after partial hepatectomy than did those without portal hypertension. Hepatic sex hormone receptor activity was not affected by prior partial portal vein ligation either before or after partial hepatectomy. The reductions in both estrogen and androgen receptor activity observed in the hepatic cytosol after partial hepatectomy were similar to those observed in control animals. These data indicate that animals with portal hypertension having a diminished hepati...
Testicular shielding in low-dose total body irradiation.

Recently, we treated a 10-year-old boy with the diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia with total body irradiation (TBI) as part of an allogeneic sibling-matched bone marrow transplant. This was the second allogeneic sibling-matched transplant for this patient. TBI was used as part of the preparative regimen for the second transplant after the child suffered graft rejection after the first transplant.
The penetration of highly directional acoustic beams into sediments

Abstract A planar array of seven hydrophones buried in a sand sediment was used to study the propagation of 20 kHz sound waves through a water/sediment interface. Two different sources were used: one a parametric source with a beamwidth near 2°, and the other a linear source with a beamwidth near 10°. Measurements were made with each source at four grazing angles between 14° and 78°. It was found that at low grazing angles the behavior of the wave produced by the parametric source departed significantly from the prediction of plane wave theory for a lossy sediment. When the parametric source was used, the wave fronts penetrated more steeply into the sediment and the attenuation with depth was less than predicted by plane wave theory. It was observed experimentally that near the critical grazing angle the narrow acoustic beam is displaced along the interface before entering the sediment.
Fracture of functionally graded materials

Selected Papers. Editorial (G.H. Paulino). Theoretical investigation of the effect of plasticity on crack growth along a functionally graded region between dissimilar elastic-plastic solids (V. Tvergaard). Thermal fracture behaviour of metal/ceramic functionally graded materials (A. Kawasaki, R. Watanabe). Transient thermoelastic responses of functionally graded materials containing collinear cracks (N. Noda, B.L. Wang).
The hydrogen fuel economy and aircraft propulsion

Abstract : Transportation currently is almost completely dependent upon liquid petroleum derived fuels. Hydrogen is a clean, attractive alternative fuel for aircraft propulsion. Large, new sources of economical hydrogen are required before hydrogen can play an important role as an aircraft fuel. Hydrogen cannot produce a significant impact on fuel availability for aircraft until well after 1990. (Author)
DescFold: A web server for protein fold recognition

Background Machine learning-based methods have been proven to be powerful in developing new fold recognition tools. In our previous work [Zhang, Kochhar and Grigorov (2005) Protein Science, 14: 431-444], a machine learning-based method called DescFold was established by using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) to combine the following four descriptors: a profile-sequence-alignment-based descriptor using Psi-blast e-values and bit scores, a sequence-profile-alignment-based descriptor using Rps-blast e-values and bit scores, a descriptor based on secondary structure element alignment (SSEA), and a descriptor based on the occurrence of PROSITE functional motifs. In this work, we focus on the improvement of DescFold by incorporating more powerful descriptors and setting up a user-friendly web server.
A study of genetic polymorphisms of milk beta-lactoglobulin, alpha s1-casein, beta-casein, and kappa-casein in five dairy breeds.

Gene frequencies of the milk β-lactoglobulin, αS1-casein, β-casein, and κ-casein loci have been estimated from 1663 cows of five dairy breeds. Departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found only in the κ-casein system in Jerseys. However, chance alone could have accounted for this single significant finding. Results of pairwise comparisons among the five breeds of allele frequencies at these milk protein loci indicate that of the 40 possible tests, only six comparisons are not significant at the 5% probability level. It would appear that these breeds are characterizable in terms of the gene frequencies of these milk protein loci. Nonindependent assortment of genotypes among these milk protein loci was also studied. The closely linked casein loci were not independent in almost all the breeds where tests could be carried out. The only exception was between the αS1-casein and κ-casein loci in Holsteins. β-Lactoglobulin was independent of the casein loci in all breeds except Brown Swiss, where it was found to be significantly associated with κ-casein. Close linkage is proposed as an important factor for maintaining the observed milk protein polymorphisms.
Detection of Heterogeneous Variance in Herd Production Groups

Abstract The detection of heterogeneous variance across herd groups is based largely on data stratified by mean herd production. Such stratification is analogous to selection on herd means. This introduces the possibility of biased estimates of genetic and residual variances. Results presented show that Henderson's Method 3 estimates of the residual variance are unbiased by selection on herd means. However, reductions in sums of squares for sires have different expected values in no selection and selection models. The magnitude of this bias is evaluated with a small-scale simulation. Extension of these results to other methods of variance estimation reveals a potential bias from selection on herd means.
Thermo-mechanical grain refinement in gamma (γ) based TiAl intermetallics

Abstract The purpose of this study was to refine the grain structure of cast and powder material (PM) Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb, and improve the room temperature properties of this α 2 +γ alloy. Thermo-mechanical grain refinement was investigated at 950 and 1050 °C for 50% deformation in cast material and at 50 and 75% deformation in the PM material. The grain size of the cast structure was reduced to 7–10 μm, whereas the grain size of the PM material decreased to submicron size. Room temperature compression tests revealed that the yield strength and the fracture stress of the alloys increase without an associated fracture energy loss. Submicron PM alloys showed intergranular fracture while as-received cast material exhibited cleavage fracture in room temperature tensile tests.
Photoöxidation of crystalline lysozyme in the presence of methylene blue and its relation to enzymatic activity.

Abstract Optimal conditions for the photooxidation of lysozyme were investigated. Photooxidation of the lysozyme molecule to the extent of 2 moles of oxygen resulted in 70% reduction in enzymatic activity, in complete elimination of histidine (1 mole), and in loss of 1.2 moles tryptophan out of the total of 8 moles. Photooxidation carried out to 6 moles of oxygen per mole of enzyme eliminated the activity completely, and caused an additional loss of about 3 moles of tryptophan and about a half mole of tyrosine of the total of 3 moles. Changes in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of lysozyme during photooxidation are presented. The observed decrease in solubility and increase in viscosity during photooxidation of lysozyme did not appear to be related to enzyme inactivation. The possible roles of tryptophan and histidine in lysozyme activity are discussed.
Fulminant Wilson's Disease Managed with Plasmapheresis as a Bridge to Liver Transplant

New-onset jaundice can be a manifestation of multiple pathologic processes including hemolysis, parenchymal liver disease, and cholestasis; the differential diagnosis is broad and requires a systematic approach. We report a case of a patient who presented with jaundice after starting minocycline for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rapidly developed fulminant liver failure found to be due to Wilson's disease. She also manifested severe Coomb's negative hemolytic anemia and renal failure secondary to hepatorenal syndrome. As a bridge to liver transplant, she was successfully treated with plasmapheresis to decrease serum copper in addition to hemodialysis for acidosis and hyperkalemia. She was able to receive a liver and made a full recovery. The case highlights the use of plasmapheresis as an adjunctive treatment modality in cases of fulminant liver failure due to Wilson's disease.
Locally symmetric and ricci-symmetric contact metric manifolds

We have characterized locally symmetric and Ricci-symmetric contact metric manifolds of dimension greater than 3, by assuming certain conditions on the curvature and Ricci curvature along the characteristic vector field of the contact structure.
Array like runtime reconfigurable MIMO detectors for 802.11n WLAN: a design case study

Future high speed wireless standards such as 802.11n involve Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna systems as a key technology component. Efficient design of the MIMO detector is a challenging task. This is further compounded by the fact that 802.11n standard requires support for runtime switching between different modulation schemes (or modes). While searching for an appropriate architecture attention must be paid to application requirements such as required throughput, limits on latency, and reconfiguration between various modes of operations. Important hardware design metrics such as area/power should be optimized over all the operating modes of the detector. In this paper we carry out extensive architectural space exploration to address the issues of power consumption, area, and reconfigurability between different modes of operation while meeting the standards throughput requirement. Ultimately, we come up with two designs that target low area and low power respectively. We also maintain close to optimum Bit Error Rate(BER), which is vital for any wireless system. The design estimates are based on 45nm technology library.
Protein kinase A–induced myofilament desensitization to Ca2+ as a result of phosphorylation of cardiac myosin–binding protein C

In skinned myocardium, cyclic AMP–dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-catalyzed phosphorylation of cardiac myosin–binding protein C (cMyBP-C) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is associated with a reduction in the Ca2+ responsiveness of myofilaments and an acceleration in the kinetics of cross-bridge cycling, although the respective contribution of these two proteins remains controversial. To further examine the relative roles that cTnI and cMyBP-C phosphorylation play in altering myocardial function, we determined the Ca2+ sensitivity of force (pCa50) and the activation dependence of the rate of force redevelopment (ktr) in control and PKA-treated mouse myocardium (isolated in the presence of 2,3-butanedione monoxime) expressing: (a) phosphorylatable cTnI and cMyBP-C (wild type [WT]), (b) phosphorylatable cTnI on a cMyBP-C–null background (cMyBP-C−/−), (c) nonphosphorylatable cTnI with serines23/24/43/45 and threonine144 mutated to alanines (cTnIAla5), and (d) nonphosphorylatable cTnI on a cMyBP-C–null background (cTnIAla5/cMyBP-C−/−). Here, PKA treatment decreased pCa50 in WT, cTnIAla5, and cMyBP-C−/− myocardium by 0.13, 0.08, and 0.09 pCa units, respectively, but had no effect in cTnIAla5/cMyBP-C−/− myocardium. In WT and cTnIAla5 myocardium, PKA treatment also increased ktr at submaximal levels of activation; however, PKA treatment did not have an effect on ktr in cMyBP-C−/− or cTnIAla5/cMyBP-C−/− myocardium. In addition, reconstitution of cTnIAla5/cMyBP-C−/− myocardium with recombinant cMyBP-C restored the effects of PKA treatment on pCa50 and ktr reported in cTnIAla5 myocardium. Collectively, these results indicate that the attenuation in myofilament force response to PKA occurs as a result of both cTnI and cMyBP-C phosphorylation, and that the reduction in pCa50 mediated by cMyBP-C phosphorylation most likely arises from an accelerated cross-bridge cycling kinetics partly as a result of an increased rate constant of cross-bridge detachment.
Systems biology data analysis methodology in pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenetics aims to elucidate the genetic factors underlying the individual’s response to pharmacotherapy. Coupled with the recent (and ongoing) progress in high-throughput genotyping, sequencing and other genomic technologies, pharmacogenetics is rapidly transforming into pharmacogenomics, while pursuing the primary goals of identifying and studying the genetic contribution to drug therapy response and adverse effects, and existing drug characterization and new drug discovery. Accomplishment of both of these goals hinges on gaining a better understanding of the underlying biological systems; however, reverse-engineering biological system models from the massive datasets generated by the large-scale genetic epidemiology studies presents a formidable data analysis challenge. In this article, we review the recent progress made in developing such data analysis methodology within the paradigm of systems biology research that broadly aims to gain a ‘holistic’, or ‘mechanistic’ understanding of biological ...
Reflections on operating in hostile environments

We introduce a generally applicable framework to assess and substantiate the security of a software component of a computer system. The framework constitutes a metamodel. Security models can be derived from it for components of a computer system. The concept of trust is interwoven into the metamodel and is an integral part of derived security models.
Smooth feedback control algorithms for distributed manipulators

This paper introduces a smooth control algorithm for controlling fully actuated distributed manipulation systems that operate by frictional contact. The control law scales linearly with the number of actuators and is simple to implement. Moreover, we prove that control law has desirable robustness properties in the presence of the nonsmooth mechanics inherent in distributed manipulation systems that rely upon frictional contact. This algorithm has been implemented on an experimental distributed manipulation test-bed, whose structure is briefly reviewed. The experimental results confirm the validity and performance of the algorithm.
Clinical reasoning and reflective practice: implications of fieldwork activities.

Objectives. Theories and research suggest that learning clinical reasoning skills requires students to be reflective in their practice. To explain this proposition, five research questions were developed to examine the effect of: (a) the fieldwork experience on clinical reasoning skills, (b) degree of participation in different clinical reasoning activities on clinical reasoning skills, and (c) the total number of clinical reasoning activities in which students participated related to clinical reasoning. Method. Data (n = 70) were collected using a researcher-developed case analysis test, the Adaptive Style Inventory, and a questionnaire. Paired t tests, ANCOVA, and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data from the research questions. Results. Fieldwork does improve clinical reasoning skills (large effect size). Participation in activities thought to develop clinical reasoning skills was mixed. Conclusion. The results support the improvement of fieldwork as a mode of developing clinical reasoning skills in occupational therapy students.