cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid falling of an orbiting moon to its parent planet due to tidal-seismic resonance

Abstract Tidal forces play an important role in the evolution of the planet-moon systems. The tidal force of a moon can excite seismic waves in the planet it is orbiting. A tidal-seismic resonance is expected when a tidal force frequency matches a free-oscillation frequency of the planet. Here we show that when the moon is close to the planet, the tidal-seismic resonance can cause large-amplitude seismic waves, which can change the shape of the planet and in turn, exert a negative torque on the moon causing it to fall rapidly toward the planet. We postulate that the tidal-seismic resonance may be an important mechanism, which can accelerate the planet accretion process. On the other hand, the tidal-seismic resonance effect can also be used to interrogate the planet’s interior by long term tracking of the orbital change of the moon.
Chronic Pain and Opioids

Opioid analgesics have long been accepted by the medical community for the treatment of acute, surgical and cancer-related pain; only recently have opioids become more widely used in the treatment of chronic pain conditions. Studies have demonstrated that opioids can be effective in the treatment of chronic pain in some individuals. However, there are certain risks associated with the long-term use of opioid analgesics. The prescribing clinician must consider not only common side effect profile of these medications, but also the unique side effects associated with long-term opioid administration and the risk of addiction. The risks and benefits of prescribing opioids must be carefully weighed for each chronic pain patient. The following chapter provides a discussion of the risks and benefits of using opioid analgesics in the treatment of chronic pain. Potential problems associated with opioid therapy are addressed, and various strategies to manage these problems are also included.
Practical considerations with 17-Hydroxyprogesterone caproate for preterm birth prevention: does timing of initiation and compliance matter?

Objective Determine whether gestational age of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) initiation is associated with preterm birth (PTB) risk. Study design We performed a retrospective cohort study using MarketScan® data. The primary outcome was PTB Result In all 3374 pregnancies met inclusion criteria. Women with an early 17-OHPC start were less likely to deliver preterm than those with a late start (aRR 0.88; 95%CI 0.79-0.97; p = 0.02). Less compliant patients receiving 85% of recommended doses (aRR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-1.7; p Conclusion There is an association between both early 17-OHPC initiation and compliance with reduced rates of PTB.
Examining the validity of a predictive model for vaginal birth after cesarean

Background The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) calculator, while accurate for candidates with high predicted success rates, is not as accurate for poor candidates. This study examines the calculator's validity in an understudied multiracial cohort with a high proportion of poor candidates. Methods This retrospective study examined women with one or two prior cesarean deliveries who attempted VBAC at a single institution. Subjects were placed into quartiles based on MFMU-predicted success rates. For each quartile, actual and predicted success rates were compared. The calculated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was compared to the original AUC. Results The study included 1604 women. Actual and predicted VBAC rates were similar in the lowest and highest quartile groups, 18.2% vs. 21.2% (n = 11, P > 0.99) and 87.1% vs. 88.5% (n = 1090, P = 0.14), respectively. In the 51-75% predicted success rate group, the actual VBAC rate was higher than the predicted rate, 69.9% vs. 65.5% (n = 394) but not statistically significant (P = 0.07). In the 25-50% predicted success rate group, the actual VBAC rate was significantly higher than the predicted rate 55.1% vs. 39.6% (n = 109, P = 0.002). The actual AUC was lower than the MFMU model, 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.75] vs. 0.77 (95% CI 0.76-0.78) (P 75%. As predicted success rates declined, the calculator was increasingly inaccurate and underestimated the success rate. Caution should be taken when using the MFMU VBAC calculator for poor candidates.
The Effects of Host Plant Species and Plant Quality on Growth and Development in the Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy

Philaenus spumarius (Meadow Spittlebug, Homoptera: Cercopoidea) is a cosmopolitan generalist insect that feeds on a wide repertoire of host plants in the field. We studied density and growth of Meadow Spittlebugs on a range of host plants on Kent Island, a boreal island in the Bay of Fundy, NB, Canada. The highest spittlebug densities were on Cirsium arvense (Canadian Thistle), although spittlebugs had larger body sizes on Solidago rugosa (Rough-stemmed Goldenrod) and Anaphalis margaritacea (Pearly Everlasting). We fertilized plots of Rough-stemmed Goldenrod in the field over 3 weeks to examine the effects of plant quality on development of Meadow Spittlebugs. Following fertilization, there were fewer nymphs present in fertilized plots than in unfertilized plots, indicating faster nymph maturation to adulthood on fertilized plants. This study offers an initial report of the host plants used by Meadow Spittlebugs in northeastern boreal habitat, variation in density and performance of the species on a range of host plants, and the effects of plant fertilization on spittlebug life history.
The Invisible Hand - Medical Care during the Pandemic.

The Invisible Hand The patient’s wife had insisted that he get an angiogram, but by the time it came due, the country was in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic. Suddenly, the benefits of continuin...
Faculty First: Promoting Translanguaging in TESOL Teacher Education

Translanguaging has been recently identified as a promising pedagogy that could better serve emergent bilinguals in the U.S. by incorporating their full linguistic repertoires in academic learning. Therefore, it is important to promote translanguaging in teacher education and such change should start with faculty. This qualitative case study examines how one teacher educator (Elizabeth) and her students engaged with translanguaging in a TESOL teacher preparation course. Findings reveal that Elizabeth not only integrated translanguaging as a course content, but also created translanguaging spaces in her classroom. She realized that the social justice agenda of translanguaging resonated with her teaching philosophy and pushed her to be more critical of the dominant structure. Moreover, the students developed a translanguaging stance during the course and utilized a variety of strategies to implement translanguaging in their teaching. This chapter ends with suggestions for future teacher education program development.
Girolamo Cardano: A Defense of His Character.

IF WHAT he heard is correct, Girolamo Cardano was born much to the dismay of his parents, who were not married. They attempted several unsuccessful abortions before his birth on 24 September 1501. Girolamo's father, Fazio, although he practiced law in Milan, found more time for other interests, such as medicine, mathematics, and occult lore. Fazio was highly esteemed as a scholar by his con temporaries in Milan. He apparently, for example, consulted with Leonardo da Vinci about flying machines. Perhaps the similarities evidenced be tween the father and the son may be at tributed in part to the fact that Cardano was educated by his father until the age of nineteen. At this time, with the moral support of his mother, he was finally per mitted to attend his father's alma mater in Pavia to study medicine. The school closed a year later because of war, and he transferred to the University of Padua. There began the stormy life of Cardano that ended in 1576. Much of this life un folds as we examine the character of this remarkable man. It seems that nowhere else does one find a man's character so thoroughly crucified as in the writings about Cardano in most books on the history of mathematics or science. In general, students of the history of mathematics consider him to have been
Dedifferentiated and undifferentiated neoplasms: A conceptual approach

This review provides a conceptual approach to dedifferentiation across a variety of tumor types, with particular attention to genetic events that tie together morphologically disparate areas of these neoplasms. First, working definitions of the terms differentiated, undifferentiated, and dedifferentiated are developed. Then, specific examples of tumors with a particular propensity for undergoing dedifferentiation are highlighted, with emphasis on both immunohistochemical studies and molecular lesions that enable surgical pathologists to establish diagnostic clarity in morphologically vexing situations. Throughout this review, the historical arc of the literature is followed, and therefore the discussion of specific tumor types begins with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, the neoplasm that inspired the terminology regarding dedifferentiation that remains in use today. Selected other sarcomas with well-established pathways of dedifferentiation are subsequently discussed, followed by descriptions of this process in subtypes of carcinoma and melanoma.
Higher Rates of Anticoagulation Among Patients with Portal Vein Thrombosis Are Not Associated with Better Outcomes

Abstract Introduction : Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an unusual-site thrombosis mainly encountered in patients with malignancies, cirrhosis, myeloproliferative disorders (MPN) and acute abdominal inflammatory conditions (AIC). Given the associated comorbidities that can increase bleeding risks in this heterogeneous population, management is challenging. Current recommendations suggest that anticoagulation improves recanalization rates but there is limited information on venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence rates and whether the varied etiologies of PVT fare similarly with anticoagulation. Aim: To compare the anticoagulation rates of patients with PVT in patients with cirrhosis, malignancy and AIC and to determine its effect on clinical outcomes of cavernous transformation, recanalization, PVT progression, PVT recanalization, VTE recurrence and mortality. Methods: Approval was obtained from Montefiore Institutional Review Board to review records of patients from 2005 to 2015. Institutional data mining software was used to identify patients diagnosed with PVT and their etiologies by ICD9 and the index exam results were reviewed manually to ensure accuracy. Results regarding cavernous transformation, PVT recanalization and progression were acquired directly from follow-up imaging studies; data regarding VTE recurrence, mortality and anticoagulation were obtained from chart review. For the purposes of this study, patients with imaging confirmation, imaging follow-up and a diagnosis of cirrhosis, malignancy or AIC were selected. AIC was defined as abdominal infections, acute intra-abdominal surgical procedures or bacteremia occurring within 60 days preceding PVT diagnosis. Results: 698 patients were diagnosed with PVT. Among them, 198 (28.4%) had cirrhosis, 151 (21.6%) had malignancy and 35 (5%) had AIC. Of these, 141 patients had follow-up and were included in the analysis; 78 patients with cirrhosis, 35 with malignancy and 28 with AIC. The mean age was 58.1 ± 12.8 years, 38.8% were Hispanic and 29.6% were African-American and the AIC cohort was the youngest at 52.3yrs. The median follow-up was 35 months. Only 32.6% of patients received anticoagulation. Patients with malignancy were anticoagulated more frequently compared to those with cirrhosis (37.1% vs 10.3%, p Conclusion: Despite lower rates of anticoagulation, patients with cirrhosis were more likely to achieve recanalization and did not have an increased risk of recurrence, progression or mortality compared to other groups. Patients with AIC were younger than those with cirrhosis and malignancy and were more likely to get anticoagulation; however, this did not correlate with higher PVT recanalization or lower progression, recurrence or mortality rates. PVT is associated with multiple pathologies; one therapy for all causes of PVT may not be beneficial. Download : Download high-res image (317KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Billett: Janssen Pharmaceutical: Research Funding.
A New Language, A New World: Italian Immigrants in the United States, 1890-1945

An examination of Italian immigrants and their children in the early twentieth century, A New Language, A New World is the first full-length historical case study of one immigrant group's experience with language in America. Incorporating the interdisciplinary literature on language within a historical framework, Nancy C. Carnevale illustrates the complexity of the topic of language in American immigrant life. By looking at language from the perspectives of both immigrants and the dominant culture as well as their interaction, this book reveals the role of language in the formation of ethnic identity and the often coercive context within which immigrants must negotiate this process.
Design Issues for Parallel Matrix Algorithms

It is well known that parallelism by itself does not lead to higher speeds. For example, communication or I/O overheads can lead to situations where adding processors actually increases total execution time. It is important, therefore, to understand and to classify properly the factors that affect the optimal design and implementation of parallel algorithms In order to make our discussion meaningful and specific, we illustrate these factors and trade-offs for: a given class of problems (matrix algorithms) a particular architecture type (distributed-memory, message-passing MIMD hypercube) a particular machine (NCUBE)
Inhibition of amyloidosis using low-molecular-weight heparins.

Amyloid diseases are characterized by the tissue deposition of extracellular proteinaceous material, which results in organ dysfunction and death. Colocalization of heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans to amyloid deposits suggests that they may be an early event in amyloid formation and play an important role in fibril formation. Structural analysis has demonstrated that HS interacts with amyloidogenic proteins resulting in structural changes that allow for an increase in β-sheet content, possibly enhancing fibrillogenesis. Recent studies have shown that small-molecule anionic sulfonates or sulfates can arrest inflammation-associated (AA) amyloid induction. In the present study, we examine the effect of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) on the development of amyloid in the mouse model of AA amyloid. In addition, in vitro fibril formation assays were performed to determine the effect of LMWHs on fibrillogenesis. Injection of mice with clinically relevant doses of LMWHs (enoxaparin and dalteparin) demonstrated a reduction in AA amyloid deposition. These compounds were capable of arresting the progression of AA amyloid and eventually resulting in regression of the amyloid deposits. In vitro analysis indicated that LMWHs prevented AA and Aβ peptide fibril formation by impeding the structural changes necessary for fibril formation. Our findings suggest that the LMWHs may provide beneficial effects against the development of amyloidoses, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Midtarsal joint locking: New perspectives on an old paradigm

Summary We investigated the existence of a midtarsal joint locking mechanism using cadaveric simulations of normal gait. Previous descriptions of this phenomenon led us to hypothesize that non-coupled rotations of the calcaneocuboid and talonavicular (i.e., midtarsal) joints and cubonavicular and talocalcaneal joints occur at heel strike and during weight acceptance, after which joint rotations cease with all bone-to-bone orientations remaining constant during the latter portions of stance phase. Three-dimensional kinematics of the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, and navicular were recorded along with muscle and ground reaction forces. Finite helical axis parameters and joint angles of directly articulating bones were subsequently derived and examined. During weight acceptance, the midtarsal joints everted with obvious changes in the relative orientation of their helical axes. The relative non-parallel orientation of these axes then remained constant until late in stance when these joints inverted and dorsiflexed toward their original pre-stance orientation. The cubonavicular and talocalcaneal joints demonstrated complimentary behavior. Contrary to our hypothesis, the midtarsal joints remained compliant during foot flat and even more so during push-off, despite divergent joint axes. Joint rotations were present after weight acceptance, thereby challenging the concept that midtarsal joint locking produces a rigid lever during push-off. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:110–115, 2014.
Sky's the limit for summer atmospheric research students

It came down to the wire for Zachary Kemp, a 2001 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, who begins graduate studies in applied mathematics at Texas Tech University in Lubbock this fall. Kemp finished writing a new Fortran 77 computer program to help relate the speed of tropical cyclones and their associated rainfall just a few nights before his July 26 research presentation, as part of the Goddard/Howard Fellowship in Atmospheric Sciences, or GoHFAS, 2001 research colloquium showcase.
Toward affective cognitive robots for human-robot interaction

We present a brief overview of an architecture for a complex affective robot for human-robot interaction.
EM propagation system for CASPER east coast campaign

Coupled Air-Sea Processes and Electromagnetic-ducting Research (CASPER) is a multi-university research initiative (MURI) project that explores the effects of environmental conditions in the marine-atmospheric boundary layer on low altitude EM propagation, ducting in particular, for naval applications. The East Coast Intensive Operations Period (IOP) is a large experimental campaign that will be conducted off the coast of Duck, NC, during October–November of 2015.
Characteristics of lath martensite: Part III. Some theoretical considerations

Using newly available experimental information, the phenomenological crystallographic theory of martensite transformations has been applied to lath martensite. Experimental observations on the habit plane, orientation relationship, and the interface dislocations are in agreement with the theory using the Bain strain and two lattice invariant shears, one on (lll)[•101]f and the other on (100)[0•11]f. The theoretical approach is based on the maintenance of a glissile interface when experimentally observed misfit dislocations are incorporated in the experimental habit plane. The predicted shape deformation magnitude is 0.96, which is comparatively quite large, but because of extensive accommodation deformation in the martensite, the experimentally observed shape strain magnitude may be considerably smaller than the true value. The large martensite shape deformation appears to be responsible for the intrinsic lath morphology and the restricted growth of the martensite in a direction parallel to the shape deformation. The high density of dislocations in the laths probably arises because of accommodation distortion. Theory predicts a highly coherent martensite/austenite interface consisting of one set of steps on (lll)f with associated dislocations and one set of screw dislocations in the direction [0•11]f.
Effects of trypsin and calcium chloride on signal IIs in oxygen-evolving PS II preparations.

Abstract Photosystem II oxygen-evolving preparations exhibited a reversible loss of signal IIs hyperfine structure when treated with 1.0 M CaCl2. A progressive irreversible loss of hyperfine structure was observed upon trypsin treatment of these preparations. These treatments appear to alter the environment of the radical responsible for signal IIs. Gel electrophoresis of trypsin-treated photosystem II preparations indicates that three polypeptides (45, 32–34, and 26 kDa) are altered with the same kinetics as observed for the trypsin-induced loss of signal IIs. Two of these polypeptides (45 and 32–34 kDa) are core components of photosystem II.
HHM motif at the CuH-site of peptidylglycine monooxygenase is a pH-dependent conformational switch.

Peptidylglycine monooxygenase is a copper-containing enzyme that catalyzes the amidation of neuropeptides hormones, the first step of which is the conversion of a glycine-extended pro-peptide to its α-hydroxyglcine intermediate. The enzyme contains two mononuclear Cu centers termed CuM (ligated to imidazole nitrogens of H242, H244 and the thioether S of M314) and CuH (ligated to imidazole nitrogens of H107, H108, and H172) with a Cu–Cu separation of 11 A. During catalysis, the M site binds oxygen and substrate, and the H site donates the second electron required for hydroxylation. The WT enzyme shows maximum catalytic activity at pH 5.8 and undergoes loss of activity at lower pHs due to a protonation event with a pKA of 4.6. Low pH also causes a unique structural transition in which a new S ligand coordinates to copper with an identical pKA, manifest by a large increase in Cu–S intensity in the X- ray absorption spectroscopy. In previous work (Bauman, A. T., Broers, B. A., Kline, C. D., and Blackburn, N. ...
Insulin-like growth factor-I action on growth hormone secretion and messenger ribonucleic acid levels: interaction with somatostatin.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) suppresses GH gene transcription and GH secretion, while somatostatin (SRIF) only suppresses GH secretion. The interaction of these inhibitors of GH was, therefore, tested in primary rat pituitary cells grown in serum-free medium. Maximal inhibition of GH secretion (to 30% of the control value) was achieved by 13 nM IGF-I, while 5 nM SRIF suppressed GH to 36% of control secretion. The respective ED6o values for IGF-I and SRIF inhibition of GH secretion were similar (∼2.5 nM). Treatment of cells with the two agents together resulted in a further inhibition of basal GH secretion to 18% of control untreated cells (P < 0.005). Increasing doses of SRIF (2.5-10 nM) in the presence of IGF-I caused a dose-dependent suppression of GH secretion. PRL levels were not altered by these treatments, indicating a selective effect on GH. GRH-induced GH secretion was further attenuated by combined IGF-I and SRIF treatment compared to the effect of either of these two agents alone. Northe...
Exogenous BDNF facilitates strategy set-shifting by modulating glutamate dynamics in the dorsal striatum

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling via tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB) receptors exerts modulatory effects on glutamatergic transmission, learning, memory and reward processing. Although the role of BDNF in the regulation of mnemonic and affective/motivational processes is well studied, whether this neurotrophin could also regulate executive functions is not known. In the present study, we assessed the effects of intrastriatal infusions on BDNF (1-100 ng/hemisphere) in mice performing an operant strategy set-shifting task that required the animals to eliminate a visual cue-based strategy and adopt a new egocentric spatial response strategy to achieve rewards. Exogenous BDNF administration facilitated the acquisition of strategy shifting by minimizing response perseveration to the previously acquired strategy and this effect resemble an inverted-U shaped dose-response pattern. Faster acquisition of strategy switching in BDNF-infused animals was dependent upon the activation of striatal trkB receptors. Moreover, activation of mGluR2/3 receptors by the selective group II metabotropic receptor agonist LY379268 abolished BDNF-induced cognitive enhancement suggesting the involvement of presynaptic glutamatergic activity. Assessment of striatal glutamate dynamics using electrochemical recordings indicated that local application of BDNF directly induces glutamate release by activating presynaptic trkB receptors on glutamatergic terminals, and this effect followed a bell-shaped dose-response pattern similar to strategy shifting performance. These data suggest that activation of BDNF-trkB signaling in the dorsal striatum improves strategy switching by effectively minimizing response conflicts, and this effect primarily involves facilitation of glutamatergic transmission.
Understanding Protective Overcoat Damages: Failure Analysis to the Next Level

Failure analysis (FA) is key in root cause identification for any problem solving journey. Diagnosis given provides insights on mechanisms by which failures occur. This helps in determining factors that lead to the failure and consequently the root cause, thus easier to provide corrective actions. In mid June 2004, a sudden increase in test fall-outs was encountered. Several devices from different product groups were affected. Fail modes reported were supply shorts and functional fails. FA on rejects showed PO damages with burnt metals as the physical defect of the rejects. PO damages are commonly induced mechanically. Burnt metals, on the other hand, are usually identified with electrical overstress (EOS) or electro-static discharge (ESD) related event. Both features were observed on inspected rejects; hence root-cause identification became a challenge. Conflicting views from counterparts added to the confusion. Experts in the US leaned on the EOS or ESD side of the case while counterparts in France maintained the mechanical angle of the issue. These conflicting inputs brought about different insights on different mechanisms leading to PO damages
Responses of cortical neurones in rat to microelectrophoretically applied hydrogen ion.

Abstract The effects are described of hydrogen ions, applied by microiontophoresis, on corticalneuronal activity. The majority of the cells tested were excited. A smaller proportion of the cells were depressed but these effects may have been secondary to excessive neuronal depolarization. The effects of H+ were very similar to those of NA applied from a solution of pH 3.0. These results support the argument that H+ contribute to the excitations attributed to NA released from acidic solutions.
Mitigation of hydrogen fluoride aerosols by dry powders

Abstract Fluid bed tests were used to determine overall reaction rates for eight different dry powders of low hazard and toxicity before and after reaction with HF. In flow chamber tests, a representative oxide, hydroxide and carbonate were used to measure the efficiency of mitigation of an HF aerosol cloud. The results show that dry powders provide a valid alternative to water spray mitigation. Powder efficiencies are higher than water efficiencies at constant weight ratio. At present, no attempt has been made to provide any technical designs or layouts for powder mitigation systems. However, the technology for smaller systems is available through manufacturers of dry powder chemical fire extinguisher equipment. When these powders are kept dry and under nitrogen atmosphere, a shelf life of several years can be expected.
An inexpensive, high performance pulse-height readout system for proportional chambers

Abstract We describe a simple system to read out pulse-height information from a large number of proportional chambers. Its main features are simplicity, low noise, and wide dynamic range. A complete system with 6000 channels was built for less than $7 per wire, including fabrication and cabling. Typical readout time is
Large-scale periodic patterns and their applications for growing aligned nanotube and nanowire arrays

Large-scale, two-dimensional arrays of periodic particles were prepared by nanosphere lithography. We modified the fabrication technique based on a self-assembly of latex particles on water surface in order to improve mask quality and size. Modifications of particles arrangement in an array were also practicable by using double-layered masks and mask transfer method. Such particle arrays were used for catalytic growth of aligned carbon nanotubes and ZnO nanorods with various configurations, length, and diameter. These exhibit interesting phenomena - antenna effects, photonic bandgap behavior, subwavelength lensing, and enhanced field emission. Therefore, they can be used in variety of future optoelectronic devices, such as THz and IR detectors.
Applications of Automated Identification Technology in EHR/EMR

Although both the electronic health record (EHR) and the electronic medical record (EMR) store an individual’s computerized health information and the terminologies are often used interchangeably, there are some differences between them. Three primary approaches in Automated Identification Technology (AIT) are barcoding, radio frequency identification (RFID), and biometrics. In this paper, technology intelligence, progress, limitations, and challenges of EHR/EMR are introduced. The applications and challenges of barcoding, RFID, and biometrics in EHR/EMR are presented respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v2i3.3300
On the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test for Normality with Mean and Variance Unknown

Abstract The standard tables used for the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test are valid when testing whether a set of observations are from a completely-specified continuous distribution. If one or more parameters must be estimated from the sample then the tables are no longer valid. A table is given in this note for use with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic for testing whether a set of observations is from a normal population when the mean and variance are not specified but must be estimated from the sample. The table is obtained from a Monte Carlo calculation. A brief Monte Carlo investigation is made of the power of the test.
Folded graphene nanoribbons with single and double closed edges

Graphene nanoribbon folds with single and double closed edges are studied using density functional theory methods. The van der Waals dispersive interactions are included via semiempirical pairwise optimized potential. The geometrical phases of the single and double folded ribbons are obtained. The electronic structure in terms of energy needed for the folding process, van der Waals contribution, energy band gaps, and band structures are also calculated. The results are interpreted in terms of peculiarities of the structures and dispersion interactions. It is shown that significant modifications in the electronic structure can be achieved as a result of folding.
A CELLULOSE SYNTHASE (CESA) gene essential for gametophore morphogenesis in the moss Physcomitrella patens

In seed plants, different groups of orthologous genes encode the CELLULOSE SYNTHASE (CESA) proteins that are responsible for cellulose biosynthesis in primary and secondary cell walls. The seven CESA sequences of the moss Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B. S. G. form a monophyletic sister group to seed plant CESAs, consistent with independent CESA diversification and specialization in moss and seed plant lines. The role of PpCESA5 in the development of P. patens was investigated by targeted mutagenesis. The cesa5 knockout lines were tested for cellulose deficiency using carbohydrate-binding module affinity cytochemistry and the morphology of the leafy gametophores was analyzed by 3D reconstruction of confocal images. No defects were identified in the development of the filamentous protonema or in production of bud initials that normally give rise to the leafy gametophores. However, the gametophore buds were cellulose deficient and defects in subsequent cell expansion, cytokinesis, and leaf initiation resulted in the formation of irregular cell clumps instead of leafy shoots. Analysis of the cesa5 knockout phenotype indicates that a biophysical model of organogenesis can be extended to the moss gametophore shoot apical meristem.
From Logic to Rhetoric: Adam Smith's Dismissal of the Logic(s) of the Schools

In the professorship of Logic, to which Mr. Smith was appointed on his first introduction into this university, he soon saw the necessity of departing widely from the plan that had been followed by his predecessors, and of directing the attention of his pupils to studies of a more interesting and useful nature than the Logic and Metaphysics of the schools. Accordingly, after exhibiting a general view of the powers of the mind, and explaining so much of the ancient logic as was requisite, to gratify curiosity with respect to an artificial method of reasoning, which had once occupied the universal attention of the learned, he dedicated all the rest of his time to the delivery of a system of Rhetoric and Belles-lettres (Stewart 1858: 11).
Pancreatic Cancer: Medical Management (Novel Chemotherapeutics)

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer death and has an extremely poor prognosis: The 5-year survival probability is less than 5% for all stages. The only chance for cure or longer survival is surgical resection; however, only 10% to 20% of patients have resectable disease. Although surgical techniques have improved, most who undergo complete resection experience a recurrence. Adjuvant systemic therapy reduces the recurrence rate and improves outcomes. There is a potential role for radiation therapy as part of treatment for locally advanced disease, although its use in both the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings remains controversial. Palliative systemic treatment is the only option for patients with metastatic disease. To date, however, only the gemcitabine plus erlotinib combination, and recently the FOLFIRINOX regimen, have been associated with relatively small but statistically significant improvements in OS when compared directly with gemcitabine alone. Although several meta-analyses have suggested a benefit associated with combination chemotherapy, whether this benefit is clinically meaningful remains unclear, particularly in light of the enhanced toxicity associated with combination regimens. There is growing evidence that the exceptionally poor prognosis in PC is caused by the tumor's characteristic abundant desmoplastic stroma that plays a critical role in tumor cell growth, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Carefully designed clinical trials that include translational analysis will provide a better understanding of the tumor biology and its relation to the host stromal cells. Future directions will involve testing of new targeted agents, understanding the pharmacodynamics of our current targeted agents, searching for predictive and prognostic biomarkers, and exploring the efficacy of different combinations strategies.
Execution patterns for visualizing web services

Web Services are well on their way to becoming the Lingua Franca for distributed computing. Although tools for building and monitoring web services applications are more powerful and easier to use than ever, they do not yet fully address the horizontal complexity of mature applications built as large nets of interconnected web services. We present a pattern-based visualization that enables business owners, application designers, programmers, and operations staff to quickly understand the behavior of complex web services applications. We describe a novel pattern extraction algorithm that captures important trends from web services execution traces. We demonstrate a new way to visualize these patterns that shows the behavior of web services applications at different levels of abstraction. Finally, we explain how this can help developers with performance analysis by showing both the averages and variations in the data contained in each pattern.
Shining Light on the Brain: Optogenetic Dissection of the Cortical Circuits of Vision

By optogenetically dissecting the neural circuits of vision we reveal a fundamental circuit that mediates lateral inhibition in the cortex to sharpen the spatial representation of sensory objects in the external world. Article not available.
A Semiautomated Technique for Volume Reduction of Stem Cell Suspensions for Autotransplantation

Infusion of thawed cryopreserved autologous stem cells (SC) is associated with a variety of complications due to the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and free hemoglobin and to volume overload...
Amorphous Si prepared in a UHV plasma deposition system

Abstract Although glow discharge decomposition of SiH 4 has been demonstrated to yield a-Si:H films with potential for large area device applications, the a-Si:H films often have high impurity level (∼ 10 19 t - 10 20 /cc). Moreover, cross contamination of dopants at interfaces between differently doped layers is a problem. Since both issues may be the key to improving material quality, a UHV plasma deposition systems has been built to address them. By controlling all sources of contaminants such as chamber walls, gas lines and gas bottles, the impurity levels have been significantly lowered to ∼10 17 −10 18 /cc. In addition, sharp interfaces between differently doped layers are obtained, which allow the preparation of multilayer structures.
From ‘The Bluest Eye’ to ‘Jazz’: a retrospective of Toni Morrison's literary sounds

(1995). From ‘The Bluest Eye’ to ‘Jazz’: a retrospective of Toni Morrison's literary sounds. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education: Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 377-389.
AN AB INITIO QCISD STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL ENERGY SURFACE FOR THE REACTION HNO + NO N2O + OH

Abstract : Results are presented from ab initio quantum chemical calculations on the ground state potential energy surface for the open shell doublet reaction: HNO + NO right arrow N2O + OH. (I) This reaction is thought to be Important in the sustained combustion of nitrogen-containing fuels. Geometry optimizations have been carried out at the QCISD/6-31G(d,p) level using UHF zeroth-order wave functions in search of local minima and transition states, followed by energy refinements for all critical points at the QCISD(T)/6-311 +G(2df,2p) level. All saddle points were subjected to intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations to determine the minima to which they connect. We report two completed reaction pathways for (I). Some of these results will be compared with earlier work by others on the same reaction where geometry optimizations were carried out primarily at the UMP2/6-311G(d,p) level. The comparison brings to light some interesting differences between QCISD and UMP2 theory in the prediction of molecular structures and the connectivity of critical points (and therefore, connected reaction paths) for the doublet system in Reaction I.
Standard-target calibration of an acoustic backscatter system

The standard-target method used to calibrate scientific echo sounders and other scientific sonars by a single, solid elastic sphere is being adapted to acoustic backscatter (ABS) systems. Its first application, to the AQUAscat 1000, is described. The on-axis sensitivity and directional properties of transducer beams at three operating frequencies, nominally 1, 2.5, and 4 MHz, have been determined using a 10-mm-diameter sphere of tungsten carbide with 6% cobalt binder. Preliminary results are reported for the 1-MHz transducer. Their application to measurements of suspended sediment made in situ with the same device is described. This will enable the data to be expressed directly in physical units of volume backscattering.
Sequence Characterization of the 5′ Noncoding Region of GB Virus C/Hepatitis G Virus

Abstract The nucleotide sequences of the 5′ noncoding region of the GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) were determined in 18 isolates from the United States. Two genotypes have been classified based on the sequence heterogeneity within the 5′ noncoding region of GBV-C/HGV. The most distantly related isolates between the two genotypes were 84.6% identical. Sequence identity of the isolates within a genotype was 95-99%. The 5′ noncoding region of this virus contains four highly conserved domains. These conserved elements would facilitate the selection of optimal primers for the sensitive detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA by PCR. In addition, they suggest a crucial role for this region in viral replication and/or gene expression. Detection of genotypic variation among GBV-C/HGV infected individuals may provide further insight into the possible pathogenicity and into the transmission of the virus.
The venus magnetotail

The magnetic structure of the Venus magnetotail has been measured using 9 seasons of Pioneer Venus measurements in the distant wake region. The magnetotail region is about 4 Venus radii wide and about 3.2 Venus radii high at 12 Venus radii behind the planet. The tail contains about 2.3 Megawebers of flux, much of which closes across the tail. The J x B force associated with this cross tail component accelerates the tail plasma down the tail causing an ion loss rate of about 10 to the 26th ions per second. The Venus tail does respond to solar activity and contains significantly less magnetic flux at solar minimum.
Sulfur shuffle: modulating enzymatic activity by thiol-disulfide interchange.

The facile modulation of biological processes is an important goal of biological chemists. Here, a general strategy is presented for controlling the catalytic activity of an enzyme. This strategy is demonstrated with ribonuclease A (RNase A), which catalyzes the cleavage of RNA. The side-chain amino group of Lys41 donates a hydrogen bond to a nonbridging oxygen in the transition state for RNA cleavage. Replacing Lys41 with a cysteine residue is known to decrease the value of kcat/Km by 105-fold. Forming a mixed disulfide between the side chain of Cys41 of K41C RNase A and cysteamine replaces the amino group and increases kcat/Km by 103-fold. This enzyme, which contains a mixed disulfide, is readily deactivated by dithiothreitol. Forming a mixed disulfide between the side chain of Cys41 and mercaptopropyl phosphate, which is designed to place a phosphoryl group in the active site, decreases activity by an additional 25-fold. This enzyme, which also contains a mixed disulfide, is reactivated in the presence...
NMR imaging studies of stratified flows in a horizontal rotating cylinder

NMR imaging was used to study the flow of pairs of density stratified, immiscible fluids in a horizontal, rotating cylinder. Mixtures of oil and water, oil and ethyl alcohol, and air and water were studied in the regime of slow rotation in which stratification was maintained. Two types of NMR experiments were performed. A NMR tagging method was used to visualize the flow fields, and a phase method was used to measure detailed, quantitative two‐dimensional velocities far from the ends of the cylinder. The difference of the spin‐lattice relaxation times of the liquids was exploited to discriminate between the fluids. Both NMR experiments showed that the flows were composed of boundary layers rotating with the cylinder, interfacial currents, and slowly counter‐rotating internal regions.
Lectures on Black Hole Quantum Mechanics

The lectures that follow were originally given in 1992, and written up only slightly later. Since then there have been dramatic developments in the quantum theory of black holes, especially in the context of string theory. None of these are reflected here. The concept of quantum hair, which is discussed at length in the lectures, is certainly of permanent interest, and I continue to believe that in some generalized form it will prove central to the whole question of how information is stored in black holes. The discussion of scattering and emission modes from various classes of black holes could be substantially simplified using modern techniques, and from currently popular perspectives the choice of examples might look eccentric. On the other hand fashions have changed rapidly in the field, and the big questions as stated and addressed here, especially as formulated for "real" black holes (nonextremal, in four-dimensional, asymptotically flat space–time, with supersymmetry broken), remain pertinent even as the tools to address them may evolve. The four lectures I gave at the school were based on two lengthy papers that have now been published, "Black Holes as Elementary Particles," Nuclear PhysicsB380, 447 (1992) and "Quantum Hair on Black Holes," Nuclear PhysicsB378, 175 (1992). The unifying theme of this work is to help make plausible the possibility that black holes, although they are certainly unusual and extreme states of matter, may be susceptible to a description using concepts that are not fundamentally different from those we use in describing other sorts of quantum-mechanical matter. In the first two lectures I discussed dilaton black holes. The fact that apparently innocuous changes in the "matter" action can drastically change the properties of a black hole is already very significant: it indicates that the physical properties of small black holes cannot be discussed reliably in the abstract, but must be considered with due regard to the rest of physics. (The macroscopic properties of large black holes, in particular those of astrophysical interest, are presumably well described by the familiar Einstein–Maxwell action which governs the massless fields. Heavy fields will at most provide Yukawa tails to the field surrounding the hole.) I will show how perturbations may be set up and analyzed completely, and why doing this is crucial for understanding the semiclassical physics of the hole including the Hawking radiation quantitatively. It will emerge that there is a class of dilaton black holes which behave as rather straightforward elementary particles. In the other two lectures I discussed the issue of hair on black holes, in particular the existence of hair associated with discrete gauge charges and its physical consequences. This hair is particularly interesting to analyze because it is invisible classically and to all order in ℏ. Its existence shows that black holes can have some "internal" quantum numbers in addition to their traditional classification by mass, charge, and angular momentum. The text that follows, follows the original papers closely.
Mortality and community changes drive sudden oak death impacts on litterfall and soil nitrogen cycling

Few studies have quantified pathogen impacts to ecosystem processes, despite the fact that pathogens cause or contribute to regional-scale tree mortality. We measured litterfall mass, litterfall chemistry, and soil nitrogen (N) cycling associated with multiple hosts along a gradient of mortality caused by Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of sudden oak death. In redwood forests, the epidemiological and ecological characteristics of the major overstory species determine disease patterns and the magnitude and nature of ecosystem change. Bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) has high litterfall N (0.992%), greater soil extractable NO3 -N, and transmits infection without suffering mortality. Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) has moderate litterfall N (0.723%) and transmits infection while suffering extensive mortality that leads to higher extractable soil NO3 -N. Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) has relatively low litterfall N (0.519%), does not suffer mortality or transmit the pathogen, but dominates forest biomass. The strongest impact of pathogen-caused mortality was the potential shift in species composition, which will alter litterfall chemistry, patterns and dynamics of litterfall mass, and increase soil NO3 -N availability. Patterns of P. ramorum spread and consequent mortality are closely associated with bay laurel abundances, suggesting this species will drive both disease emergence and subsequent ecosystem function.
Quark distributions in nuclei

Recent deep-inelastic lepton-scattering data from iron and deuterium targets are interpreted from a quark-model viewpoint as evidence for a significant number of six-quark clusters in iron. Standard expectations for the distribution of quarks within a six-quark cluster give some quantitative success in describing the data.