cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metastable phase evolution and grain growth in annealed nanocrystalline Cr-Fe-Ni films

Abstract Nanocrystalline Cr–Fe–Ni thin films libraries are prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputter codeposition on Al 2 O 3 substrates. The variation in distance from different points on the substrate to the three sputter sources produces a spread in composition in the films. Synchrotron radiation is used to analyze composition, crystallographic phase, and grain size as a function of sample position, both as- deposited and after annealing. In addition to three equilibrium phases (bcc, fcc and σ-FeCr), a fourth phase is observed which does not correspond to any equilibrium phase in the Cr–Fe–Ni system, but which is consistent with the α-Mn structure. The films are initially nanocrystalline; both equilibrium and nonequilibrium phases are observed. Ternary phase diagrams measured at annealing temperatures of 200–800 °C show that the stability of nanocrystalline material against thermal grain growth varies widely with composition, and that the crystallographic phase can be selected to be an appropriate heat treatment. Thus, the approach used here is useful for technologies such as magnetic recording media where understanding the stability of the nanograin structure is critical.
Second-Layer Solidification of 3He on Graphite: a Numerical Study

A recent experimental study by Greywall and Busch of 3He bilayers adsorbed on graphite strongly indicates that the second layer solidifies at a relatively low density. This is consistent with an earlier heat capacity experiment but disagrees with recent neutron scattering measurements. Using path integral and variational wavefunction techniques, we find that a recently proposed √7 × √7 registered structure is stable at low temperature and melts at approximately 1 K in agreement with the early heat capacity measurements.
Effects of Pavement Spatial Variability on Contractor’s Management Strategies

Performance-based maintenance contracts are becoming an increasingly popular method of outsourcing pavement maintenance work. These contracts transfer performance-related risks to contractors with the objective of reducing the total cost of maintenance over the pavement life cycle by leveraging on the efficiencies of private sector management. In such contractual settings, transportation agencies hedge their exposure to poorly performing pavements that require frequent attention. However, this comes with a price. Contractors price in their bids a premium to account for such scenarios. This paper presents a model for contractors to determine optimal management strategies by taking into account the inherent spatial variability in pavement's structural characteristics. The model considers a tradeoff between economies of scale associated with managing longer pavement sections and the risk reduction benefits with managing relatively smaller, e.g., more homogeneous sections. The results indicate that the length of optimal management sections depends not only on the expected contract penalty costs (disincentive costs), but also the ability of the contractor to explore economies of scale. The model is illustrated using typical data available to transportation agencies.
High-stakes Testing: Another Analysis

Amrein and Berliner (2002b) compared National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results in high-stakes states against the national average for NAEP scores. They studied NAEP scores for 8th grade mathematics, 4th grade mathematics, and 4th grade reading. They concluded that states that introduced consequences (high-stakes) to their statewide tests did not show any particular gains in their statewide NAEP scores. However, there was no comparison group in their analysis. In this analysis, a comparison group was formed from states that did not attach consequences to their state-wide tests. This analysis showed that states that attached consequences outperformed the comparison group of states on each of the three NAEP tests for the last four-year period. These results showed that, overall, these was a meaningful carryover from attaching consequences on statewide tests to statewide NAEP scores.
Multilevel syncretism and the evolution of Afrikaans periphrastic possessives with se

In Dutch three constructions are available to render the possessive relation. One can use the sigmatic genitive after proper nouns and (namelike) NPs denoting close relatives (la, b), the preposition van (Ic), or a weakened form of the possessive pronoun, which varies according to the gender and number of the possesser (ld-t):
FROM FOSTER CARE TO FOSTERING CARE: The Need for Community

Using an interpretive ethnographic framework, we investigate how being in a caring community benefits foster children and their families during a time of crisis. Through (re)telling the stories of ...
Diurnal variation of the OH concentration in ambient air

OH concentrations in ambient air outside Ford Laboratory were measured in the months of July and August 1986 using the fluorescence technique at low pressures. The peak OH concentration was observed to be about 3 × 106 molecules/cm³; the daytime average OH concentration was found to be in the range of middle 105 molecules/cm³, and the nighttime average below the detection limit of 0.9 × 105 molecules/cm³. It is demonstrated that use of moving average may create the appearance of oscillatory behavior in the diurnal variations of the deduced OH concentration.
Physical stature of adult Tsimane' Amerindians, Bolivian Amazon in the 20th century

We examine the association between exposure to the market and Western society on the height of adult Tsimane’, a foraging-farming society in the Bolivian Amazon. As with other contemporary native peoples, we find little evidence of a significant secular change in height during 1920–1980. Female height bore a positive association with own schooling and fluency in spoken Spanish and with maternal modern human capital (schooling, writing ability, and fluency in spoken Spanish), but male heights bore no association with parental height or with modern human capital. The absence of a secular change likely reflects the persistence of traditional forms of social organization and production that protect health.
4D Seismic Monitoring Applied to SAGD Operations At Surmont, Alberta, Canada

Summary Surmont is a heavy oil field located in northeast Alberta which is currently being developed by a joint venture between ConocoPhillips and Total. The estimated oil in place over the Surmont lease is approximately 20 billion barrels of bitumen located approximately 400 meters below the surface. Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is the in-situ thermal recovery method being used to develop the field. This method utilizes a pattern of horizontal well pairs that continually inject steam into the reservoir to mobilize the heavy oil so it can be produced to surface (Butler, 1994). The acoustic properties of heavy oil sands exhibit a strong response to temperature changes resulting in a significant velocity decrease through zones in the reservoir which have been thermally altered by the SAGD process. This unique response makes it possible to utilize time lapse seismic methods to monitor the thermal evolution of the steam over time (Pullin et al., 1987, Eastwood et al., 1994, Schmitt, 1999). Highly repeatable 4D seismic surveys have been acquired at Surmont over six month intervals since commercial production began in 2007. The 4D results identified several SAGD well pairs which were underperforming due to poorly developed steam chamber conformance (the fraction of the well affected by steam) along significant portions of the well pair. These poor performing wells can have a negative impact on the project economics due to inefficient use of the steam resulting in a higher operating steam-oil ratio (SOR). Using the 4D observations, an optimized well operating strategy was implemented to improve conformance and recovery from these well pairs by more effectively managing heel/toe injection and production splits. A volumetric relationship between cumulative oil production and the 4D anomaly volumes was identified which has been used to estimate current recovery factors at discrete intervals along each SAGD well pair. These results are currently being used to monitor individual well pair performance and history match reservoir simulations in order to provide more accurate predictions from the reservoir models.
Integrated Optical Components In Semiconductor Injection Lasers

In this paper we discuss the integration of various optical components into semiconductor injection lasers in order to improve their properties, thereby enhancing the utility of these lasers. These optical components include 2-dimensional waveguides, optical gratings, prisms and interferometric structures. The paper is divided into four sections; the first of which is a brief review of heterostructure waveguides and laser diodes. Successive sections then describe the utility of integrated optical techniques to control transverse modes, the longitudinal modes and the radiation pattern of lasers.
Dual blockade of EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation potentiates growth inhibition of breast cancer cells

One of the major targets for breast cancer therapy is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and related receptors, which signal via different signal transduction pathways including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This study determined whether there is a correlation between EGFR/HER2 status and MAPK (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in breast cancer cells, and how this affects the response to an inhibitor of the receptors. Expression of EGFR, HER2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were measured by immunoblotting in a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Several lines expressed high levels of pERK1/2, with no obvious correlation with the level of EGFR/HER2. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PKI166 inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in some cells with high levels of growth factor receptors (MDA-MB-468, SUM149, SKBR3), but was less effective in cells that also had high basal ERK1/2 activity (MDA-MB-231). The combination of an inhibitor of MAPK signalling (U0126) and PKI166 produced significantly more inhibition and apoptosis than either agent alone. This suggests that constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway may bypass inhibition of EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinases, and lead to insensitivity to agents targeting the receptors. However, inhibiting both EGFR/HER2 and MAPK signalling can result in significant growth inhibition and apoptosis of EGFR-expressing breast cancer cells.
Effects of Drug Abuse and Mental Disorders on Use and Type of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-infected Persons

Welcome recent advances in treatment have significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection.1,2 Yet access to these improved treatments has been inequitable,3 with serious deficiencies reported in the antiretroviral treatment of drug users.4–6 After first detection of an elevated viral load, delay before starting protease inhibitors has been reported to be longer for drug users and persons with depressive symptoms.7 Mental disorders are highly prevalent in HIV-infected persons8 as well as in substance abusers,9 and many persons with HIV are current or former drug users. Thus the relative contributions of drug abuse, mental disorders, and alcohol use to deficient ART prescribing patterns for HIV-infected persons merit examination. Health care and social support programs should be especially attentive to addressing such potentially key barriers to antiretroviral treatment. We used data from a nationally representative sample of persons in care for HIV in 1996 to examine the effects of previous substance abuse and probable mental disorders on 2 outcomes: 1) any antiretroviral treatment and 2) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with 3 or more drugs including at least 1 protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor among persons on combination therapy. By 1996, monotherapy was considered a less effective form of treatment10 and by 1997, treatment with only 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors was also viewed as less acceptable.11 We predicted that persons with mental health disorders or substance abuse histories would be less likely to receive any treatment and, when treated, would be more likely to receive the “less acceptable” forms of treatment.
The protonated and sodiated dimers of proline studied by IRMPD spectroscopy in the N–H and O–H stretching region and computational methods

IRMPD spectroscopy and computational chemistry techniques have been used to determine that the proton- and sodium-bound dimers of proline exist as a mixture of a number of different structures. Simulated annealing computations were found to be helpful in determining the unique structures of the protonated and sodiated dimers, augmenting chemical intuition. The experimental and computational results are consistent with the proton-bound dimer of N-protonated proline bound to zwitterionic proline. There was no spectroscopic evidence in the 3200-3800 cm(-1) region for a canonical structure which is predicted to have a weak N-H stretch at about 3440 cm(-1). A well resolved band at 1733 cm(-1) from a previous spectroscopic study (DOI: 10.1021/ja068715a ) was reassigned from a high energy canonical isomer to the C=O stretch of a lower energy zwitterionic structure. This band is a free carboxylate C=O stretch where protonated proline is hydrogen bonded to the other carboxylate oxygen which is also involved in an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Fifteen structures of the sodium bound proline dimer were computed to be within 10 kJ mol(-1) of Gibbs energy and eight structures were within 5 kJ mol(-1). None of these structures can be ruled out based on the experimental IRMPD spectrum. They all have an N-H stretching band predicted in a position that agrees with the experimental spectrum. However, only structures where one of the proline monomers is in the canonical form and having a free O-H bond can produce the band at ∼3600 cm(-1).
Synthesis and characterization of N-acylated, pH-sensitive ‘caged’ aminophospholipids

A series of acid-labile 'caged' phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) molecules have been synthesized by N-acylation of the aminophospholipid with maleic, citraconic, dimethylmaleic, phthalic, or 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. N-citraconyl-dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (C-DOPE) and N-citraconyl-dioleoyl-phosphatidylserine (C-DOPS) exhibited the highest degree of sensitivity to acidic pH; incubation at pH 5.5 and 6.5, respectively, resulted in 50% cleavage to the native aminophospholipid within 60 min. Significant cleavage of the phthalyl- and maleyl-PE derivatives did not occur at physiologically relevant pH values (pH 5.5-8), while tetrahydrophthalyl-PE and dimethylmaleyl-PE could not be isolated, reflecting their inherent instability. At pH 5.5, the half time for cleavage of C-DOPE and C-DOPS was 110 min and 85 min, respectively. The utility of these 'caged' lipids was demonstrated in human erythrocytes. When mixed with cells, C-DOPS, or the short chain analog, N-citraconyl-dilauroylphosphatidylserine (C-DLPS), transferred from liposome membranes into erythrocytes and remained in the cell outer monolayer. Low pH treatment released the citraconyl group and the free PS was transported to the inner monolayer by the aminophospholipid transporter. These novel 'caged' phospholipids may be useful for the study of transmembrane aminophospholipid transport, protein-lipid interactions and membrane fusion.
Area diversity in computer science collaborations

The contribution of this paper is to look at the diversity of areas of computer science fields in paper collaborations. To study collaborations, we have collected publication information from the Association for Computing and Machinery (ACM) Digital Library and modelled the collaborations as a social network. We have studied the community structure of these collaborations and discovered that multidisciplinary characteristics of communities only weakly correlate to a higher number of citations per paper or publications per authors in those communities.
Achromatic prism-coupler for planar waveguide

Abstract We derive the required optical properties of a prism for coupling light achromatically into a planar waveguide. Efficient coupling over a 110 nm spectral bandwidth was experimentally demonstrated with a prism-coupler designed to match the dispersion of a particular waveguide. The design tools described here should be useful in the implementation of broadband attenuated total reflection spectroscopy in the waveguide regime to probe ultrathin and very weakly absorbing molecular submonolayers.
Proposed Test of Charge-Conjugation Invariance in Positronium Decay

If the electromagnetic interactions are invariant under charge conjugation, C, then singlet positronium (Ps) can only decay into an even number of photons, while triplet Ps can only decay into an odd number of photons. In this paper we consider a model Hamiltonian which violates C invariance but conserves parity. If λ is the coupling constant in the proposed C-noninvariant interaction, then the branching ratio of the forbidden decay, 1 3 S 1 →4λ, to the allowed decay, 1 3 S 1 →3λ, has been found to be F T 4λ =1.2×10 -5 λ 2 . An experimental upper limit on F T 4λ would provide a novel check of C invariance in electromagnetic interactions, and would also yield new information on the e - eγγγγ interaction. At present, indirect limits on F T 4λ show it to be less than about 10 -2 . We are now working on an experiment which is designed to reduce this upper limit to 10 -5 -10 -6 . If successful, it will subject the proposed interaction, or any similar interaction leading to 1 3 S 1 →4γ, to a stringent test. An outline of the experiment is included in this paper.
Amorphous-crystalline silicon junctions

High barriers are observed in amorphous-p-type-silicon junctions, resulting in good rectification. No significant barriers are detected in amorphous-n-type-Si junctions. A simple model is also presented to describe the junction.
Space Filling Curves: Its Design and Fabrication for Extrusion Based SFF Systems

Scaffolds with designed interior pore architecture, predefined porosity and a well interconnected predetermined network has been the most favored design approach for tissue engineering applications. Solid freeform fabrication technologies have provided the capability of fabricating tissue scaffolds with desired characteristics due to its integration with CAD enabled tools. However, currently the interior macro pore design of scaffolds have been limited to simple regular shapes of either squares or circles due to limited CAD capability. In this paper we seek to enhance the design of the scaffold architecture by using space filling curves within its interior space. The process involves: definition and characterization of space filling curves such as the Hilbert Curve and Sierpinski Curves, applying the principle of layered manufacturing to determine the scaffold individual layered process planes and layered contours; Feasibility studies applying the curve generators to sample models and the generation of fabrication planning instructions for extrusion based SFF systems is presented.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The optical structure of the Crab Nebula's jet

A deep, high-resolution forbidden O III image of the Crab Nebula's northern 'jet' is presented which reveals considerably finer details than visible on previous photographs. The jet's small-scale structure appears composed of numerous emission-line filaments and knots which collectively exhibit a strong alignment having well-defined east-west boundaries. Comparison with an earlier published image suggests a proper motion northward for one of the jet's emission knots of 0.22 + or - 0.05 arcsec/yr. The jet's optical morphology is discussed and its properties compared to predictions of several proposed models. The 'shadowed flow' model suggested by Morrison and Roberts (1985) appears to explain best the jet's known properties.
Virulence- and antibiotic resistance-associated two-component signal transduction systems of Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria as targets for antimicrobial therapy

Two-component signal transduction systems are central elements of the virulence and antibiotic resistance responses of opportunistic bacterial pathogens. These systems allow the bacterium to sense and respond to signals emanating from the host environment and to modulate the repertoire of genes expressed to allow invasion and growth in the host. The integral role of two-component systems in virulence and antibiotic sensitivity, and the existence of essential two-component systems in several pathogenic bacteria, suggests that these systems may be novel targets for antimicrobial intervention. This review discusses the potential use of two-component systems as targets for antimicrobial therapy against Gram-positive pathogens and the current status in the development of inhibitors specific for these systems.
Abstract 3863: Exhaled microRNAs as potential biomarkers in lung cancer

Introduction: There is a need for non-invasive airway-based biomarkers in lung carcinogenesis for both diagnosis, and risk assessment. MicroRNAs are small, stable, noncoding RNAs that function in gene regulation. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs play important regulatory roles in carcinogenesis. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) contains airway lining fluid molecules, including nucleic acids, as we9ve previously reported for DNA methylation. We previously developed an RNA-specific microRNA-PCR, whereby PCR artifact can be detected. Here we pilot the detection of microRNAs in EBC of lung cancer patients and controls. Methods: MicroRNA expression profiling using RNA-specific RT-qPCR was performed in EBC from 28 subjects, choosing literature-derived microRNAs that segregate tumors and non-tumor tissue, and an ongoing discovery effort we have commenced using microRNA-seq for tumor versus non-tumor comparison. As of abstract deadline, the top 12 significantly different microRNAs between lung tumor and non-tumor were chosen and their qPCR primers were designed. Results: So far, we have detected several microRNAs in EBC including 21, 34a, 153, 193b, 200c, 221; case-control comparisons are pending. Topographic validation studies are pending. Conclusion: By comparing the differences of microRNA expression between EBC from lung cancer cases and EBC from non-cancer controls, potential exhaled microRNA biomarkers might be found and used in early detection of lung cancer. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants1RC1 CA145422-01, 1K24-CA139054-01. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3863. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3863
3-D Micro-Fabrication and Separation of PDMS by Ultra-Short Pulsed Laser

In this paper, micro-fabrication of bio-degradable polymer-PDMS via an ultra-short pulsed (USP) laser is reported for potential applications in biomaterial, biomedicine, and tissue engineering. Thin layer PDMS separation has been presented with a minimum of about 20 μm thickness and a 3-dimensional PDMS micro-channel network has also been shown. The surface condition and thickness of the separated PDMS layer are examined using SEM and surface profilometre. This work on using USP laser for separation of bio-degradable polymer is the first of its kind, and it shows great potential biomedical application for tissue microprocessing and separation.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Escherichia coli β-hydroxydecanoyl thioester dehydrase reacts with native C10 acyl-acyl-carrier proteins of plant and bacterial origin

Abstract β — Hydroxydecanoyl — [acyl — carrier — protein] dehydrase catalyzes the essential step in the formation of unsaturated fatty acids in Escherichia coli. This reaction was characterized with native C10 acyl—acyl-carrier protein (ACP) structures in both an aqueous phase system and a substrate immobilization assay system. The dehydrase is equally active with E. coli ACP, recombinant ACP-I derived from spinach, or protein A:ACP-I fusion (acyl-thioesters). There were differences among the substrates in terms of the equilibrium product distribution. Both E. coli acyl-ACP and recombinant acyl-ACP-I as cosubstrates with β-OH 10:0, trans-2 10:1, or cis-3 10:1 yielded about equal amounts (37 mol%) of the two monoenes regardless of the initial substrate. In contrast, the fusion acyl-ACP-I yielded only 17 mol% cis-3 10:1 with 49 mol% trans-2 10:1 present at equilibrium. These equilibrium values for native cis-3 10:1 are higher than those reported previously for the dehydrase using N-acetylcysteamine thioesters as substrates. The Km values for each β-OH 10:0 ACP substrate were similar to each other and within the range of in vivo concentrations (5–10 μ m ). Dehydrase reactivity depends more on acyl chain length than ACP structure or origin and is therefore different from other branch point ACP-utilizing enzymes (plant and bacterial) which discriminate according to ACP structure (D. J. Guerra, J. B. Ohlrogge, and M. Frentzen, 1986, Plant Physiol. 82, 448–453).
High element count two dimensional transducer array

Preliminary work on a fully sampled (32/spl times/32 element) 2D array is presented. This forms a component of a planned system capable of C-Scans (and ultimately B-Scans) of shallow blood vessels as a guide for intravenous needle insertion. Amongst the challenges faced when fabricating such an array, the process by which to form 1024 electrical connections in a compact area is probably most burdensome. The approach used here employs a printed circuit board (PCB) with an eight layer substrate through which electrical signal connections to each element were routed. In an early prototype, in which only edge elements were electrically accessible, we have achieved a high yield (approximately 90%) of active elements without open or short circuits. In a later prototype, using a full scale PCB we achieved approximately 80%+ yield of working elements. A discussion of the design and fabrication challenges is presented. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used as part of the design and optimization. Strategies for future improvements to both the design and fabrication processes are presented.
COMPLEX GENE STRUCTURE OF THE FORM II RUBISCO IN THE DINOFLAGELLATE PROROCENTRUM MINIMUM (DINOPHYCEAE) 1

We analyzed the unusually complex organization of the nuclear-encoded (form II) RUBISCO gene in the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum (Parvillard) Schiller by intensive genomic DNA and cDNA sequencing and Western blotting. Over 10 transcribed units (TUs) were detected, which varied dramatically in their 3 0 untranslated region. Each TU appeared to contain four tandem copies of the RUBISCO coding region (1.46 kb each; coding unit, or CU) interspersed by a 63-bp spacer; the four CUs in each TU were cotranscribed and apparently cotranslated to a tetrameric polyprotein that may undergo successive cleavage steps to yield mature RUBISCO. By means of real-time PCR analysis, it was estimated that each of the P. minimum genome harbored 148716 CUs. Although nucleotide sequences varied by 1%‐9% among the detected CUs, their inferred amino acid sequences were essentially identical. Our results suggest that the complex structure of Pmrbc has been derived from extensive and repeated gene duplications, an evolutionary process that has also been observed for other dinoflagellate genes.
Advances and Challenges in School-Based Intervention for Anxious and Depressed Youth: Identifying and Addressing Issues of Sustainability.

Anxiety and depression are among the most common types of psychopathology in children and adolescents, with lifetime prevalence rates approaching 32% and 12% before age 18, respectively (Costello, Egger, & Angold, 2005; Merikangas et al., 2010). Youth with internalizing disorders experience significant impairment in friendships, family relationships, and academic functioning, including difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and lower academic achievement (Colman, Wadsworth, Croudace, & Jones, 2007; Grover, Ginsburg, & Ialongo, 2007; Langley, Bergman, McCracken, & Piacentini, 2004). Without intervention, these disorders frequently persist into adulthood (Costello et al., 2005), placing youth at substantial risk for long-term disability (Bittner et al., 2007; Costello, Mustillo, Erkanli, Keeler, & Angold, 2003).
Stability of asynchronous systems with Poisson transitions

We consider the stability of an asynchronous system modeled as a collection of coupled processes with independent Poisson state transitions. Using Lyapunov functions, sufficient conditions for both mean square and almost sure convergence independent of state transition rates are developed for the linear case, and weaker transition rate dependent conditions are derived for the linear and nonlinear case. An illustrative example is discussed and simulated. >
Myocardial protection in the failing heart: II. Effect of pulsatile cardioplegic perfusion under simulated left ventricular restoration

Objective The open ventricle was studied in pacing-induced experimental heart failure to determine the extent of coronary perfusion and distribution during either continuous or pulsatile cardioplegic perfusion compared with whole blood in the beating heart. Methods In 5 animals that underwent pacing-induced heart failure and in 6 control swine, regional coronary blood flows were measured on bypass in the open left ventricle (simulating exposure for left ventricle restoration) during (1) beating, (2) nonpulsatile cardioplegia, and (3) pulsatile cardioplegia modalities. Mean perfusion pressure was maintained at 80 mm Hg. Results Flow magnitude and distribution differed in control and failing hearts in the open left ventricle. In control hearts, transmural and endocardial cardioplegic flow of nonpulsatile and pulsatile flow (which were similar to each other) exceeded beating flow by 63% and 70%, respectively, in the open left ventricle condition. Transmural and subendocardial vascular resistance increased in failing hearts during cardioplegic delivery, resulting in lower subendocardial flow under nonpulsatile conditions for the same perfusion pressure. In failing hearts, subendocardial perfusion conditions did not change in the beating state (0.89 vs 0.78 mL/min/g in control and failing open beating states, respectively), but nonpulsatile cardioplegic flow was significantly reduced by 154%, and became lower than beating flow by 32.2% (0.78 vs 0.59 mL/min/g). Conversely, pulsatile cardioplegic delivery improved endocardial flow in the open failing hearts, as cardioplegic perfusion with pulsatility exceeded beating flow by 41%. In heart failure, pulsatility from either the beating heart, which causes extrinsic compression of coronary vessels, or intrinsic vessel distension during pulsatile cardioplegic perfusion preserved endocardial perfusion better than nonpulsatile cardioplegia at the same perfusion pressure. Conclusion In the failing open ventricle (simulated geometry during ventricular restoration), subendocardial blood flow was maintained in the beating state, but decreased significantly from control values during nonpulsatile cardioplegic perfusion. Conversely, pulsatile cardioplegic delivery improved subendocardial perfusion of the open failing ventricle. These findings of improved subendocardial perfusion during pulsatile delivery (either during beating or cardioplegic perfusion) compared with nonpulsatile cardioplegic delivery may have important implications for myocardial protection in failing hearts.
Analysis of Tubulin Alpha-1A/1B C-Terminal Tail Post-translational Poly-glutamylation Reveals Novel Modification Sites

Tubulin-α(1A/1B) C-terminal tail (CTT) has seven glutamic acid residues among the last 11 amino acids of its sequence that are potential sites for glutamylation. Cleavage of C-terminal tyrosine resulting in the detyrosinated form of tubulin-α(1A/1B) is another major modification. These modifications among others bring about highly heterogeneous tubulin samples in brain cells and microtubules, play a major role in directing intracellular trafficking, microtubule dynamics, and mitotic events, and can vary depending on the cell and disease state, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Identified previously using primary mass spectrometry (MS) ions and partial Edman sequencing, tubulin-α(1A/1B) glutamylation was found exclusively on the E(445) residue. We here describe the analysis of tubulin-α(1A/1B) glutamylation and detyrosination after 2-DE separation, trypsin and proteinase K in-gel digestion, and nanoUPLC-ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS of mouse brain and bovine microtubules. Tyrosinated, detyrosinated, and Δ2-tubulin-α(1A/1B) CTTs were identified on the basis of a comparison of fragmentation patterns and retention times between endogenous and synthetic peptides. Stringent acceptance criteria were adapted for the identification of novel glutamylation sites. In addition to the previously identified site at E(445), glutamylation on mouse and bovine tubulin-α(1A/1B) CTTs was identified on E(441) and E(443) with MASCOT Expect values below 0.01. O-Methylation of glutamates was also observed.
Optical trapping and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy of submicron-size particles

Optical trapping combined with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy is demonstrated for the first time as a new technique for the chemical analysis of individual particles over an extended period of time with high temporal resolution. Single submicron-size particles suspended in aqueous media are optically trapped and immobilized using two tightly focused collinear laser beams from two pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser sources. The particles can remain stably trapped at the focus for many tens of minutes. The same lasers generate a CARS vibrational signal from the molecular bonds in the trapped particle when the laser frequencies are tuned to a vibrational mode of interest, providing chemical information about the sample. The technique is characterized using single polystyrene beads and unilamellar phospholipid vesicles as test samples and can be extended to the study of living biological samples. This novel method could potentially be used to monitor rapid dynamics of biological processes in single particles on short time scales that cannot be achieved by using other vibrational spectroscopy techniques.
Cognitive Vulnerability-Stress Theories of Depression: Examining Affective Specificity in the Prediction of Depression Versus Anxiety in Three Prospective Studies.

Anxiety and depression overlap extensively at the level of symptoms and disorder. We tested the etiological factors from two cognitive vulnerability-stress models of depression (Hopelessness theory and Beck’s theory) for specificity in predicting depression compared with anxiety. Multiple symptom measures of anxiety and depression with good discriminant validity, diagnoses of anxiety and depression, cognitive vulnerability (negative cognitive style and dysfunctional attitudes), and negative events were assessed in three prospective studies: one with a short-term (5-weeks) follow-up, the second with a long-term (2-years) follow-up, and the third with an academic midterm design. Results show that negative events were a general risk factor for anxiety and depression. Cognitive vulnerability for depression interacted with negative events to predict future depression specifically but not anxiety. Comparison of the two theories suggests that their cognitive vulnerability-stress components overlap largely in the prediction of depression. Implications for the co-occurrence of anxiety and depression as well as for the cognitive vulnerability-stress theories of depression are discussed.
Engineering copolymeric artificial cornea with salt porogen.

Artificial corneas or keratoprostheses (KPros) are designed to replace diseased or damaged cornea. Although many synthetic KPros have been developed, current products are often inappropriate or inadequate for long term use due to ineffective host integration. This study presents an alternative approach of engineering a KPro that comprises a combination of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and sodium chloride (NaCl) as porogen. Based on the core-skirt model for KPro, the porous outer portion of artificial cornea (skirt) was engineered by combining NaCl with HEMA and MMA monomers to promote tissue ingrowth from the host. The central optic (core) was designed to provide >85% light transmission in the visible wavelength range and securely attached to the skirt. Mechanical tensile data indicated that our KPro (referred to as salt porogen KPro) is mechanically stable to maintain its structure in the ocular environment and during implantation. Using human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs), we demonstrate that the cells grew into the pores of the skirt and proliferated, suggesting biointegration is adequately achieved. This novel PHEMA-PMMA copolymeric salt porogen KPro may offer a cornea replacement option that leads to minimal risk of corneal melting by permitting sufficient tissue ingrowth and mass transport. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1799–1808, 2014.
Survey of Detection, Mitigation, and Repair Technologies to Address Problems Caused by Sensitization of Al-Mg Alloys on Navy Ships

Structural aluminum alloys are used in marine applications where light weight and increased speed are paramount. The 5xxx series alloys are the ideal choice, providing an optimum combination of as-welded strength and general corrosion resistance. A particular concern is sensitization in service. Aluminum is considered sensitized when a nearly continuous network of β phase forms along the grain boundaries. The β phase is anodic to the Al matrix, and, when exposed to sea water and sufficient loading, provides a clear pathway to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The degree of β-phase precipitation is driven by a combination of time and elevated temperature. For over a decade, SCC of Al superstructures has plagued Navy ships. To address this issue, relevant technologies have been adopted, adapted, and developed to combat this issue. More specifically, the technology areas involve the detection of sensitization, the mitigation of SCC, and the replacement of corrupt materials. The technologies discussed herein a...
Contrasting Adult and Infant Immune Responses to HIV Infection and Vaccination

Extensive studies have demonstrated that infant immune responses are distinct from those of adults. Despite these differences, infant immunization can elicit protective immune responses at levels comparable to or, in some cases, higher than adult immune responses to many vaccines. To date, only a few HIV vaccine candidates have been tested in infant populations, and none of them evaluated vaccine efficacy. Recent exciting studies showing that HIV-infected infants can develop broad neutralizing antibody responses and that some HIV vaccine regimens can elicit high levels of potentially protective antibodies in infants provide support for the development and testing of HIV vaccines in pediatric populations. In this review, we discuss the differences in adult and infant immune responses in the setting of HIV infection and vaccination.
CGC: A Flexible and Robust Approach to Integrating Co-Regularized Multi-Domain Graph for Clustering

Multi-view graph clustering aims to enhance clustering performance by integrating heterogeneous information collected in different domains. Each domain provides a different view of the data instances. Leveraging cross-domain information has been demonstrated an effective way to achieve better clustering results. Despite the previous success, existing multi-view graph clustering methods usually assume that different views are available for the same set of instances. Thus, instances in different domains can be treated as having strict one-to-one relationship. In many real-life applications, however, data instances in one domain may correspond to multiple instances in another domain. Moreover, relationships between instances in different domains may be associated with weights based on prior (partial) knowledge. In this article, we propose a flexible and robust framework, Co-regularized Graph Clustering (CGC), based on non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), to tackle these challenges. CGC has several advantages over the existing methods. First, it supports many-to-many cross-domain instance relationship. Second, it incorporates weight on cross-domain relationship. Third, it allows partial cross-domain mapping so that graphs in different domains may have different sizes. Finally, it provides users with the extent to which the cross-domain instance relationship violates the in-domain clustering structure, and thus enables users to re-evaluate the consistency of the relationship. We develop an efficient optimization method that guarantees to find the global optimal solution with a given confidence requirement. The proposed method can automatically identify noisy domains and assign smaller weights to them. This helps to obtain optimal graph partition for the focused domain. Extensive experimental results on UCI benchmark datasets, newsgroup datasets, and biological interaction networks demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
A 20-year experience with isolated pericardiectomy: Analysis of indications and outcomes.

Abstract Objectives Outcome after pericardiectomy depends on many factors, but no large study has provided clarity on the effects of patient variables or cause of pericarditis on patient survival. We report early and late results from a 20-year experience with isolated pericardiectomy. Methods From January 1993 to December 2013, 938 patients underwent pericardiectomy at our institution. In order to establish a homogeneous population to analyze the impact of pericardiectomy, we excluded patients with prior chest radiation, malignancy, and concomitant valvular or coronary procedures. We identified a cohort of 521 who underwent isolated pericardiectomy; of these, 513 patients gave consent for research and comprise the cohort for this analysis; median age at operation was 57 years (range, 18-84 years) and 363 (71%) were men. Indications for pericardiectomy were effusive/chronic relapsing pericarditis in 158 (31%) and pericardial constriction in 355 (69%). Prior coronary artery bypass grafting had been performed in 84 patients (14%). Median preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 60% (range, 24%-80%), and 77% of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV. Results Surgical approach was median sternotomy in 412 (80%), left thoracotomy in 71 (14%), and clamshell in 30 (5%). Extent of pericardial resection was radical in 414 (81%), subtotal in 71 (14%), and completion in 28 (5%). Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in 205 (40%). Overall mortality was 12/513 (2.3%); 3/158 (1.9%) for the effusive/chronic relapsing group versus 9/355 (2.5%) for the constriction group ( P = .65). In the absence of multivariate predictors, which could not be identified, univariate predictors associated with increased risk of early death included lower left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; P = .03) and preoperative renal insufficiency (HR, 9.9; P P P P = .02), diabetes (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, [1.2, 2.7]; P = .004), completion pericardiectomy (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, [1.2, 4.7]; P = .01), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 2.45; 95% CI, [1.5, 3.9]; P = .004). During the follow-up period, 80% of patients were free from NYHA functional class III/IV symptoms at 5 years and 78% at 10 years. Conclusions Whereas early mortality after isolated pericardiectomy is low irrespective of the indication for surgery, late follow-up demonstrates better outcomes after pericardiectomy for effusive/chronic relapsing pericarditis compared with pericardial constriction. Importantly, the majority of patients were free from significant heart failure symptoms during follow-up.
Reliability — The forgotten factor

Much time, effort, and money are being spent today to develop new and exotic insulation for rotating electrical equipment. Insulation specialists are able to determine to the most minute detail the chemical, physical, and electrical characteristics of the insulation. But the reliability factor is almost forgotten.
The management of posterior urethral valves by initial vesicostomy and delayed valve ablation.

AbstractWe managed 32 neonates and infants with temporary vesicostomy and delayed valve ablation. The criterion on which successful management was gauged was estimated creatinine clearance. Renal failure or death occurred in 30% of the patients and 7% required transplantation. There was no apparent difference between our patients managed initially with vesicostomy and other series managed initially with valve ablation in preventing the complications of posterior urethral valves. (J. Urol., 144: 1212–1214, 1990)
Using Assumptions to Oversimplify

After motivating assumptive systems in Section 6.1, we formally define methods for making assumptions about initial conditions, actions and percepts in Section 6.2. Section 6.3 presents control algorithms for rfa’s implementing assumptive systems and presents soundness completeness and optimality results for those systems. Section 6.4 presents a novel form of assumptive planning that recomputes assumptions after every step of execution. Section 6.5 goes on to analyze the cost of assumptive systems theoretically. Section 6.6 consists of an in-depth description of two large-scale experiments involving assumptive systems implemented on real-world mobile robots. Finally, Section 6.7 puts the present work in context by summarizing related research in the planning and motion planning communities and, most importantly, in the finite automaton community.
Preliminary Findings on the Effects of Online Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Training on Therapist Competency

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a contextual behavioral psychotherapy approach in which client behavior is shaped in the psychotherapy relationship and then generalized to out-of-session contexts. Efforts to train therapists in FAP have employed a parallel process, attempting to shape trainee behavior in an 8-week, live, online course in which trainees interact with each other in a series of experiential exercises. Previous research on the effects of this FAP training protocol have been hampered by reliance on trainee self-report and a lack of objective assessment of trainee behavior in actual sessions. In the current study, we developed and piloted an objective measure of FAP competency and employed it to assess outcomes in a FAP training study. Sixteen participants with a range of previous FAP training experiences were randomly assigned to an immediate FAP training or a waitlist-then-training group. Trainee self-report findings largely replicated findings from the previous study (Kanter, Tsai, Holman, & Koerner, 2012), with larger and more consistent effects found for trainees with fewer previous FAP training experiences. Objective assessment of in-session trainee behavior with the FAP Competency Scale suggested a significant effect of training, but these results were limited by missing data. These findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that engaging in a FAP training that functionally parallels the therapy process can enhance FAP therapist in-session competency.
Introduction to this special section: Hydrogeophysics

Most view the field of hydrogeophysics as the bridge between the disciplines of hydrology and geophysics. Within SEG, hydrogeophysics most definitely remains, as it began, with a heavy focus on the development and implementation of novel geophysical methods for hydrologic applications. Rather than applying existing geophysical methods to the problem of estimating subsurface hydrologic properties or monitoring hydrologic processes, the research community within SEG has continued to develop new ways of acquiring data, new ways of analyzing data, and new ways of communicating the geophysical results to end users — who are often much more interested in hydrology than geophysics!