cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ferromagnetism in 2D organic iron hemoglobin crystals based on nitrogenated conjugated micropore materials

In this work we study a low-cost two-dimensional ferromagnetic semiconductor with possible applications in biomedicine, solar cells, spintronics, and energy and hydrogen storage. From first principle calculations we describe the unique electronic, transport, optical, and magnetic properties of a π-conjugated micropore polymer (CMP) with three iron atoms placed in the middle of an isolated pore locally resembling heme complexes. This material exhibits strong Fe-localized dz2 bands. The bandgap is direct and equal to 0.28 eV. The valence band is doubly degenerate at the Γ-point and for larger k-wavevectors the HOMO band becomes flat with low contribution to charge mobility. The absorption coefficient is roughly isotropic. The conductivity is also isotropic with the nonzero contribution in the energy range 0.3-8 eV. The xy-component of the imaginary part of the dielectric tensor determines the magneto-optical Faraday and Kerr rotation. Nonvanishing rotation is observed in the interval of 0.5-5.0 eV. This material is found to be a ferromagnet of an Ising type with long-range exchange interactions with a very high magnetic moment per unit cell, m = 6 μB. The exchange integral is calculated by two independent methods: (a) from the energy difference between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states and (b) from a magnon dispersion curve. In the former case Jnn = 27 μeV. In the latter case the magnon dispersion is fitted by the Ising model with the nearest and next-nearest neighbor spin interactions. From these estimations we find that Jnn = 19.5 μeV and Jnnn = -3 μeV. Despite the different nature of the calculations, the exchange integrals are only within 28% difference.
Prescription Opioid Distribution after the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Colorado.

There have been dynamic changes in prescription opioid use in the US but the state level policy factors contributing to these are incompletely understood. We examined the association between the legalization of recreational marijuana and prescription opioid distribution in Colorado. Utah and Maryland, two states that had not legalized recreational marijuana, were selected for comparison. Prescription data reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration for nine opioids used for pain (e.g., fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone) and two primarily for opioid use disorder (OUD, methadone and buprenorphine) from 2007 to 2017 were evaluated. Analysis of the interval pre (2007–2012) versus post (2013–2017) marijuana legalization revealed statistically significant decreases for Colorado (P < 0.05) and Maryland (P < 0.01), but not Utah, for pain medications. There was a larger reduction from 2012 to 2017 in Colorado (–31.5%) than the other states (–14.2% to –23.5%). Colorado had a significantly greater decrease in codeine and oxymorphone than the comparison states. The most prevalent opioids by morphine equivalents were oxycodone and methadone. Due to rapid and pronounced changes in prescription opioid distribution over the past decade, additional study with more states is needed to determine whether cannabis policy was associated with reductions in opioids used for chronic pain.
Examining Factors Associated with Non-Fatal Overdose among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural Appalachia.

Overdose (OD) deaths have continued to rise in the United States posing a critical public health challenge. Various factors have been associated with increased likelihood of OD, including history o...
A high prevalence of manual wheelchair rear-wheel misalignment could be leading to increased risk of repetitive strain injuries.

To determine the prevalence and severity of manual wheelchair rear wheel misalignment in community-dwelling manual wheelchair users and estimate the associated increases in rolling resistance (RR) ...
Thinking Outside the Bus: Revitalizing the Role of a Teacher's Standard of Care During After-School Hours

A staggering 14 million school children are left unaccompanied every afternoon on America’s elementary, middle, and high school campuses. While some loiter around waiting for a parent to pick them up, still others wait for a ride home after finishing up an athletic practice or music rehearsal later into the evening. When something goes wrong and an unsupervised child ends up injuring themselves or damaging property during after-school hours, who is responsible? Is the school liable for not monitoring these students or do parents bear the burden of making sure their child arrives home safely and out of trouble? Such questions have few answers from a compulsory education system wrought with nationwide inconsistencies, contradictory jurisprudence, and one-sided immunity practices. In its present condition, this custodial blame game does little to make after-school environments safer for America’s schoolchildren. Fortunately, a legislative opportunity to clarify these liability concerns will immensely benefit teachers, parents, and students alike. In my analysis, I present an original catalogue of state education codes that offers insight into the best practices of how states handle the delicate transition of custodial powers from school to parent. A unique cross section of case law accompanies that catalogue to further examine how our country’s legal system has attempted to rectify such uncertainty in the past. While the topic of after-school liability has often gone unreported and unresolved in many of America’s courts and state houses, a brave few have taken up the issue, and the solution is clear: model legislation must be drafted to provide a standardized approach that benefits students everywhere. The model legislation I propose includes (1) an elevated professional standard for teachers monitoring campuses after school, (2) bright-line education code that requires school districts statewide to adhere to standardized language, and (3) recommendations for schools to better engage their local communities in hopes of offering clear solutions for getting kids home safely. Alongside such model legislation is a practical analysis of the resources involved in such reform, and an acknowledgement that much of the infrastructure already exists to make this solution a practical reality. In the end, our school children deserve clearly defined practices determining who has supervisory liability upon the conclusion of the school day.
Changes in the DJIA: Market Reactions and Impact of Estimation Window

Changes in the DJIA from 1929-2019 are examined to evaluate the immediate and long-term market reaction after a component change in the DJIA. Using multiple event study methodologies, there is a clear increase in wealth when a firm is added to the DJIA and a decrease in wealth around the time of deletion from the DJIA. Additions earn positive abnormal returns regardless of estimation window. The choice of estimation window is critical for deletions as we show that this is the reason for the difference in results in the literature. Using a post-estimation window, deletions have a more significant negative wealth effect. Using pre-estimation window, returns are negative post announcement, but not at the announcement. Long term, firms added to the DJIA have positive abnormal returns in the second year after inclusion. Deletions from the DJIA after the Great Depression have negative returns three years after removal thus implying a potential investment opportunity upon DJIA changes.
Post-harvest slash burning in coniferous forests in North America: A review of ecological impacts

Abstract Increasing drought and changing temperatures drive researchers to seek more efficient and effective means to aid management of coniferous forests across the western United States. Thinning allows for effective removal of biomass, but with few options to remove the residual slash from the treatment unit after saleable timber is taken away, pile burning has become a favored method of debris removal. Pile burning has greater efficiency and reduced removal cost as compared to air curtain burning or whole tree removal. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on the effects of slash pile burning on soil physical properties, soil nutrients, impacts to understory vegetation and tree regeneration, animal responses to pile burning, and the variety of remediation techniques for burn scar areas. Forest composition and age, climate, and fire intensity have the greatest impact on the outcomes of pile burning. Pre-fire ecosystem dynamics influence the changes to soil structure and nutrient profile, where native vegetation can either capitalize on changes such as altered nitrogen pathways, or be outcompeted by nonnative species. We hypothesize that vegetation adaptations to the natural fire interval may play a role in recovery from these high-intensity burn piles, and with further research, could assist managers in improved remediation efforts. We identify existing gaps in our knowledge of the ecosystem effects of slash pile burning, and to suggest some management-centered areas for further research.
Self-assembly in biobased nanocomposites for multifunctionality and improved performance

Concerns of petroleum dependence and environmental pollution prompt an urgent need for new sustainable approaches in developing polymeric products. Biobased polymers provide a potential solution, and biobased nanocomposites further enhance the performance and functionality of biobased polymers. Here we summarize the unique challenges and review recent progress in this field with an emphasis on self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles. The conventional wisdom is to fully disperse nanoparticles in the polymer matrix to optimize the performance. However, self-assembly of the nanoparticles into clusters, networks, and layered structures provides an opportunity to address performance challenges and create new functionality in biobased polymers. We introduce basic assembly principles through both blending and in situ synthesis, and identify key technologies that benefit from the nanoparticle assembly in the polymer matrix. The fundamental forces and biobased polymer conformations are discussed in detail to correlate the nanoscale interactions and morphology with the macroscale properties. Different types of nanoparticles, their assembly structures and corresponding applications are surveyed. Through this review we hope to inspire the community to consider utilizing self-assembly to elevate functionality and performance of biobased materials. Development in this area sets the foundation for a new era of designing sustainable polymers in many applications including packaging, construction chemicals, adhesives, foams, coatings, personal care products, and advanced manufacturing.
Intraosseous myofibroma of the mandible: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract Soft tissue myofibromas of the head and neck are relatively common lesions diagnosed within the first two decades of life; however, these myofibromas are rarely found to affect the jaw bones. Myofibromas that do develop within the bone are referred to as intraosseous myofibromas (IM). A thorough search and review of the literature has found only five cases of IM impacting the mandible of an adult patient. The current case report describes a myofibroma impacting the right posterior mandible in a 44-year-old male patient with no previous history of pathology or surgery within the affected area. Histologic examination of the incisional biopsy specimen revealed a proliferation of spindle cells, and the spindle cells showed positivity for SMA on immunohistochemical staining supporting the diagnosis of myofibroma. The final pathology results of the subsequent composite resection of the lesion yielded a 1.5cm myofibroma that was
Self-Adjoint Boundary Problems Associated with Second Order Linear Differential Equations

Attention will now be directed to differential systems of the form $$ (a)\ell [u](t) \equiv {[r(t)u'(t) + q(t)u(t)]^\prime } - [q(t)u'(t) + p(t)u(t)] = 0,(b){S_a}[u,v] \equiv {M_{al}}u(a) + {M_{a2}}v(a) + {M_{a3}}u(b) + {M_{a4}}v(b) = 0, $$ (B) where the compact interval [a,b] is a subinterval of I and the coefficient functions r, p, q of (B-a) satisfy either hypothesis V C + of Section II.1 or the following strengthened form of hypothesis (V L + ): V L ++ r, p, q are real-valued, Lebesgue measurable on I with r(t) > 0 on this interval, while the functions r, 1/r, q are locally of class L∞ and p is locally of class L on I.
The Contrast between the Methylation of Transfer Ribonucleic Acid in Vivo and in Vitro by Normal and SV40 Transformed 3T3 Cells

Abstract The methylation of tRNA in vitro and in vivo was studied using normal mouse cells (3T3) and transformed mouse cells (SV3T3) which were obtained by transformation of the normal 3T3 cells with SV40 virus. Cytoplasmic extracts prepared from transformed cells transferred methyl groups in vitro from S-adenosylmethionine to either Escherichia coli B or mouse tRNA to a much greater extent than did extracts of nontransformed control cells. Furthermore, the tRNA methylating enzymes of the transformed cells had an altered specificity which resulted in methylation of new sites on E. coli B tRNA in addition to those methylated by nontransformed cell enzymes. It was also demonstrated that E. coli B tRNA methylated by transformed cell extracts chromatographed differently on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose and had more methylated oligonucleotide sequences than did E. coli B tRNA methylated by normal cell extracts. In marked contrast to the results obtained in vitro with mouse enzymes and E. coli B tRNA, no differences were detected in tRNA which was methylated in vivo by growing normal and transformed cells in l-[methyl-14C]methionine or l-[methyl-3H]methionine. The extent of methylation and the methylated base composition of the two tRNA populations were the same. The normal and transformed cell tRNA co-chromatographed on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose and had the same methylated oligonucleotide sequences.
FSUTMS Mode Choice Modeling: Factors Affecting Transit Use and Access

This study utilized the transit onboard survey data from the 2000 Southeast Florida Travel Characteristic Study to investigate the needs to incorporate additional variables other than travel time and costs into the modal split model of the Florida Standard Urban Transportation Model Structure (FSUMS) to improve its transit forecasting capability. Factors including land use, demographics, the socioeconomic characteristics of the population, and transit supply were studied using regression analysis. GIS was used extensively for both data compilation and spatial analysis. The study identified a number of transit supply variables as well as population, employment density, and land use mix as strong indicators of transit use. Analysis of transit walk accessibility indicated that transit use beyond one half mile was minimum. A methodology was developed for estimating the percentage of transit service population in a zone, which proved to be a better indicator of transit use than the commonly used buffer method. Regression models that may be used for estimating and forecasting, for a future model year, the percentage of population and workers served by transit were also developed.
Оптимизация Государственного Сектора: Зарубежный Опыт и Рекомендации Для России (Optimizing the Public Sector: Foreign Experience and Recommendations for Russia)

В работе основное внимание уделено направлениям оптимизации государственного сектора российской экономики. Проанализированы возможные пути реформирования сектора унитарных предприятий и возможные механизмы повышения эффективности государственного участия в капитале хозяйственных обществ. На широком фактическом материале проанализированы вопросы оптимизации государственного сектора и приватизации в переходных экономиках в 2000-е гг.This paper focuses on the areas of optimization the public sector of the Russian economy. The possible ways of reforming the sector of the unitary enterprises and possible mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of public participation in the capital of business entities. On the broad factual data analyzed by the optimization of the public sector and privatization in transition economies in the 2000s.
Regulation of reverse uniport activity in mitochondria by extramitochondrial divalent cations. Dependence on a soluble intermembrane space component.

We previously reported that uncoupling Ca2+-loaded mitochondria in the presence of [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid (EGTA) produces a partial expression of the permeability transition. From this and related observations, it was proposed that the absence of external free Ca2+ is inhibitory to reverse activity of the Ca2+ uniporter (Igbavboa, U., and Pfeiffer, D.R. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1405-1412). By using Sr2+-instead of Ca2+-loaded mitochondria, the transition is avoided upon treatment with EGTA plus uncoupler, and inhibition of reverse uniport activity can be observed directly. In the presence of physiological Mg2+ concentrations, reverse uniport of Sr2+ is eliminated by external EGTA following a brief period of rapid activity. It is proposed that binding of Mg2+ rather than Sr2+ (Ca2+) at an external site is responsible for the inhibition. Regulation at the external site is modified by the size of the Sr2+ load. EGTA, in the presence of Mg2+, does not inhibit the reverse uniport-dependent release of Sr2+ from mitoplasts. The inhibitory effect can be recovered by adding back the soluble components obtained as the intermembrane space fraction following removal of the outer membrane. The soluble factor could be a regulatory subunit which contains the external cation binding site. Adjustments to uniporter activity due to regulation by the binding site and/or the soluble factor may be slow and may be significant in determining how mitochondria respond to rapid Ca2+ transients in vivo.
iTOUGH2: FROM PARAMETER ESTIMATION TO MODEL STRUCTURE IDENTIFICATION

iTOUGH2 provides inverse modeling capabilities for the TOUGH2 family of nonisothermal multiphase flow simulators. It can be used for a formalized sensitivity analysis, parameter estimation by automatic model calibration, and uncertainty propagation analyses. While iTOUGH2 has been successfully applied for the estimation of a variety of parameters based on different data types, it is recognized that errors in the conceptual model have a great impact on both the estimated parameters and the subsequent model predictions. Identification of the most suitable model structure is therefore one of the most important and most difficult tasks. Within the iTOUGH2 framework, model identification can be partly addressed through appropriate parameterization of alternative conceptual-model elements. In addition, statistical measures are provided that help rank the performance of different conceptual models. We present a number of features added to the code that allow for a better parameterization of conceptual model elements, specifically heterogeneity. We discuss how these new features can be used to support the identification of key model structure elements and their impact on model predictions.
Role of Novel Serine 316 Phosphorylation of the p65 Subunit of NF-κB in Differential Gene Regulation

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a central coordinator in immune and inflammatory responses. Constitutive NF-κB is often found in some types of cancers, contributing to oncogenesis and tumor progression. Therefore, knowing how NF-κB is regulated is important for its therapeutic control. Post-translational modification of the p65 subunit of NF-κB is a well known approach for its regulation. Here, we reported that in response to interleukin 1β, the p65 subunit of NF-κB is phosphorylated on the novel serine 316. Overexpression of S316A (serine 316 → alanine) mutant exhibited significantly reduced ability to activate NF-κB and decreased cell growth as compared with wtp65 (wild type p65). Moreover, conditioned media from cells expressing the S316A-p65 mutant had a considerably lower ability to induce NF-κB than that of wtp65. Our data suggested that phosphorylation of p65 on Ser-316 controls the activity and function of NF-κB. Importantly, we found that phosphorylation at the novel Ser-316 site and other two known phosphorylation sites, Ser-529 and Ser-536, either individually or cooperatively, regulated distinct groups of NF-κB-dependent genes, suggesting the unique role of each individual phosphorylation site on NF-κB-dependent gene regulation. Our novel findings provide an important piece of evidence regarding differential regulation of NF-κB-dependent genes through phosphorylation of different p65 serine residues, thus shedding light on novel mechanisms for the pathway-specific control of NF-κB. This knowledge is key to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of constitutive NF-κB-driven inflammatory diseases and cancers.
Effects of Chronic Administration of Bopindolol on the Binding Characteristics of Cardiac α1H-, α1L-, β1- and β2-Adrenoceptor Subtypes in Cardiac Muscles of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR)

The effects of the chronic administration of bopindolol on the binding characteristics of [3H]CGP12177 and [3H]prazosin to cardiac α1H-, α1L-, β1- and β2-adrenoceptor subtypes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were compared with those of two other β-blockers, atenolol and propranolol. Bopindolol (1 and 3 mg/kg/d), atenolol (50 mg/kg/d) and propranolol (60 mg/kg/d) were given to 10-week-old SHR for 12 weeks. The changes in Kd and Bmax values of the myocardium of SHR treated without and with those drugs were assessed by Scatchard analysis, and the ratio and Bmax values of the β1- and β2-adrenoceptor subtypes were also calculated from displacemental curves using ICI 118, 551. The systolic blood pressure in SHR was dose-dependently lowered by the administration of dopindolol, and was also lowered by the administration of atenolol and propranolol. The Bmax values of β1- and β2-adrenoceptors were lowered by the administration of bopindolol (1 and 3 mg/kg/d) without any changes in the Kd values or the ratio of β1- and β2-adrenoceptors. Propranolol lowered 3-fold the affinity to the β-adrenoceptor. On the other hand, the Kd and Bmax values of α1H- and α1L-adrenoceptor subtypes (high and low affinity binding sites for [3H]prazosin) were not changed by these drugs. These findings suggest that bopidolol had a beneficial effect on β-adrenoceptors in the membranes of cardiac muscles of SHR, simplying that these effects may contribute to lowering hypertension.
Scheduling crackdowns on illicit drug markets

Abstract This paper presents an analytical approach for scheduling crackdowns on street-corner drug markets. The crackdown scheduling problem is shown to be NP-complete. We then provide efficient optimal algorithms for several special cases and approximation algorithms for the general case. These results show that the optimal strategy is to give priority to markets that take longer to bring down and which require low levels of post-crackdown maintenance. The results are then extended to incorporate dealer displacement between drug markets.
Assessing anti-fat bias in preschoolers: a comparison of a computer generated line-drawn figure array and photographic figure array.

Abstract This study examined differences in preschoolers’ ratings of anti-fat bias and identification of current body size depending on the realism of the figure array used: computer generated line-drawn or photographic. Children reported strong anti-fat bias with both arrays. However, less extreme bias was elicited with the photographic figure array. In addition, children were inaccurate reporters of their current body size when both figure arrays were used. However, children were consistent in their selection of figures that were thinner than their actual body size. Children's consistent selection of thinner figures as representative of their current body size may be an additional indicator of anti-fat bias. Overall, these results suggest that some of the anti-fat bias observed in preschoolers is attributable to less realistic figure arrays. Therefore, photographic figure arrays are proposed as a better measurement tool in the assessment of anti-fat bias in preschoolers.
Disparate changes in the mechanical properties of murine carotid arteries and aorta in response to chronic infusion of angiotensin-II

Chronic infusion of angiotensin-II (Ang-II) has proved useful for generating dissecting aortic aneurysms in atheroprone mice. These lesions preferentially form in the suprarenal abdominal aorta and sometimes in the ascending aorta, but reasons for such localization remain unknown. This study focused on why these lesions do not form in other large (central) arteries. Toward this end, we quantified and compared the geometry, composition, and biaxial material behavior (using a nonlinear constitutive relation) of common carotid arteries from three groups of mice: non-treated controls as well as mice receiving a subcutaneous infusion of Ang-II for 28 days that either did or did not lead to the development of a dissecting aortic aneurysm. Consistent with the mild hypertension induced by the Ang-II, the carotid wall thickened as expected and remodeled modestly. There was no evidence, however, of a marked loss of elastic fibers or smooth muscle cells, each of which appear to be initiating events for the development of aneurysms, and there was no evidence of intramural discontinuities that might give rise to dissections.
School Desegregation and Black Achievement: An Integrative Review

Meta-analytic techniques were used to explore overall conclusions and variables moderating treatment effects in the research literature on school desegregation and black achievement. Studies were classified on the basis of the threats to their validity as either accepted or rejected for the analysis. For the initial analysis quasi-experimental studies were accepted, yielding an average effect size of .45. The better-designed studies had an average effect size of .34, which was reduced to .16 when adjusted for pretest differences. The National Institute of Education (NIE) convened an expert panel that reviewed and reanalyzed these results. An average pretest-adjusted effect size of .14 was found for the 19 studies selected for analysis by the NIE panel. An average effect size of .20 was found for the better-designed studies that had no selection problems. This is equivalent to two months of educational gain. The largest effects occurred among students moving from highly segregated to predominantly white sc...
Evaluation and Treatment of the Patient with Chronic Cough Referred to the Otolaryngologist

Methods: Patients were identified as being referred for cough between 2005 and 2010. Initial consultation and clinical encounters were reviewed and diagnostic studies/therapies recorded. Findings on diagnostic studies were noted if they aided in treatment. Response to therapies was determined by reviewing clinical encounter documentation and therapies were rated: no response, partial response, or complete response.
What's mom got to do with it? Contributions of maternal executive function and caregiving to the development of executive function across early childhood.

Executive functions (EFs; e.g. working memory, inhibitory control) are mediated by the prefrontal cortex and associated with optimal cognitive and socio-emotional development. This study provides the first concurrent analysis of the relative contributions of maternal EF and caregiving to child EF. A group of children and their mothers (n = 62) completed age-appropriate interaction (10, 24, 36 months) and EF tasks (child: 24, 36, and 48 months). Regression analyses revealed that by 36 months of age, maternal EF and negative caregiving behaviors accounted for unique variance in child EF, above and beyond maternal education and child verbal ability. These findings were confirmed when using an early child EF composite-our most reliable measure of EF - and a similar pattern was found when controlling for stability in child EF. Furthermore, there was evidence that maternal EF had significant indirect effects on changes in child EF through maternal caregiving. At 24 months, EF was associated with maternal EF, but not negative caregiving behaviors. Taken together, these findings suggest that links between negative caregiving and child EF are increasingly manifested during early childhood. Although maternal EF and negative caregiving are related, they provide unique information about the development of child EF. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPKXFbbrkps.
The distribution of the solumble protein components in the crystalline lenses of specimens of amphibians, reptiles and birds

Abstract 1. 1. The distributions of the soluble proteins from the lenses of one amphibian, two reptiles and four birds were determined by free electrophoresis, by zone electrophoresis on cellulose acetate and by sedimentation. 2. 2. The distributions appeared to be characteristics for the classes and species studied. Furthermore, the distributions were characteristics for the two orders of birds studied (Anseriformed and Galliformes). 3. 3. On the basis of electrophoretic and sedimentation data, the two reptiles, turtle and snake, did not appear to be closely related phylogenetically. 4. 4. By sedimentation criteria, only traces or small amounts of components comparable to mammalian α-crytstallin appeared in the lenses of the amphibian, reptiles and birds. 5. 5. The predominating components in the lenses of the amphibian and reptiles were similar to those designated γ-crystallins in the mammalian lens. 6. 6. The predominating components in the lenses of the birds were similar to those designated β-crystallins in the mammalian lens.
Structural and functional changes in spastic skeletal muscle

This review summarizes current information regarding the changes in structure or function that occur in skeletal muscle secondary to spasticity. Most published studies have reported an increase in fiber size variability in spastic muscle. There is no general agreement regarding any shift in fiber type distribution secondary to spasticity. Mechanical studies in whole limbs as well as in isolated single cells support the notion of an intrinsic change in the passive mechanical properties of muscle after spasticity in addition to the more widely reported neural changes that occur. Evidence is presented for changes within both the muscle cell and extracellular matrix that contribute to the overall changes in the tissue. Taken together, the literature supports the notion that, although spasticity is multifactorial and neural in origin, significant structural alterations in muscle also occur. An understanding of the specific changes that occur in the muscle and extracellular matrix may facilitate the development of new conservative or surgical therapies for this problem.
Airborne exposure patterns from a passenger source in aircraft cabins

Airflow is a critical factor that influences air quality, airborne contaminant distribution, and disease transmission in commercial airliner cabins. The general aircraft-cabin air-contaminant transport effect model seeks to build exposure-spatial relationships between contaminant sources and receptors, quantify the uncertainty, and provide a platform for incorporation of data from a variety of studies. Knowledge of infection risk to flight crews and passengers is needed to form a coherent response to an unfolding epidemic, and infection risk may have an airborne pathogen exposure component. The general aircraf-tcabin air-contaminant transport effect model was applied to datasets from the University of Illinois and Kansas State University and also to case study information from a flight with probable severe acute respiratory syndrome transmission. Data were fit to regression curves, where the dependent variable was contaminant concentration (normalized for source strength and ventilation rate), and the independent variable was distance between source and measurement locations. The data-driven model showed exposure to viable small droplets and post-evaporation nuclei at a source distance of several rows in a mock-up of a twin-aisle airliner with seven seats per row. Similar behavior was observed in tracer gas, particle experiments, and flight infection data for severe acute respiratory syndrome. The study supports the airborne pathway as part of the matrix of possible disease transmission modes in aircraft cabins.
Carbon dioxide supersaturation in Florida lakes

We examined data on CO2 and related limnological and geographic information from a sample of 948 Florida freshwater lakes. The objectives for this study were (1) to determine the partial pressures of carbon dioxide (ρCO2) in the surface waters of a large sample of Florida lakes, (2) to determine if several limnological or geographic factors are related to levels of ρCO2 in Florida lakes, and (3) to estimate the net annual rate of loss of CO2 to the atmosphere from the freshwater lakes of Florida. The calculated ρCO2 for the lakes in our sample range from 0 to 81,000 μatm, with a mean of 3,550 μatm, a median of 1,030 μatm, and a geometric mean of 1,270 μatm. About 87% of the Florida lakes were supersaturated with CO2. There were statistically significant correlations between values for ρCO2 and several water chemistry variables; however, the R 2 values were small and accounted for only a small portion of the variance. In general the ρCO2 values were higher in the lakes with low alkalinities and low contents of dissolved salts. The best predictor of ρCO2 is pH, with an R 2 of 0.82 for a polynomial relationship. The ρCO2 values tend to decrease from northwest to southeast across the state of Florida, which corresponds to the gradients we found for pH, alkalinity, and specific conductance. The average areal rate of carbon emission from the Florida lakes was 328 g C m−2 y−1, and the total carbon loss for the lakes and ponds of Florida was 2.0 Tg y−1. This amounts to about 2% of the total carbon emissions from all the lakes of the world as estimated by previous studies.
Simple shear flows of dilute gas–solid suspensions

Kinetic theory and numerical simulations are used to explore the dynamics of a dilute gas–solid suspension subject to simple shear flow. The particles experience a Stokes drag force and undergo solid-body interparticle collisions. Two qualitatively different steady-state behaviours are possible: an ignited state, in which the variance of the particle velocity is very large; and a quenched state, in which most of the particles follow the local fluid velocity. Theoretical results for the ignited state are obtained by perturbing from a Maxwell distribution, while predictions for the quenched state result from consideration of the collision of particles that initially move with the fluid. A composite theory, which includes effects of collisions driven by both the mean shear and the velocity fluctuations, predicts the existence of multiple steady states. Dynamic simulations and calculations using the direct-simulation Monte Carlo method confirm the result that, for certain volume fractions and shear rates, either the quenched or ignited state can be achieved depending on the initial velocity variance. Simulations are also performed for particles experiencing a nonlinear drag force. Both the theory of rapid granular flow, which neglects drag, and our theory for the ignited state with linear drag predict that the particle velocity variance can grow without bound as ϕ → 0, where ϕ is the volume fraction. The nonlinear drag force eliminates the divergence and leads to a particle velocity variance that will always decrease with decreasing volume fraction in the limit ϕ → 0.
Photosynthesis in the Open Ocean

Global primary productivity (the fixation of carbon dioxide, CO2, into organic matter) fuels food production on land and in the sea. About half of this CO2 fixation occurs in the sea, mainly by a type of phytoplankton called cyanobacteria ( 1 ). Recent reports ( 2 – 4 ) have shown that a key characteristic of oxygenic photosynthesis—the electron flux through photosynthetic reaction centers coupled to oxygen (O2) evolution—is variable, thus uncoupling oxygen cycling from CO2 fixation. This insight has implications for how phytoplankton have adapted to the marine environment and for how we measure the productivity of the oceans.
Studies concerning the possible intermediacy of singlet oxygen in the metapyrocatechase-catalyzed oxidation of catechol.

Abstract Metapyrocatechase, a dioxygenase crystallized from Pseudomonas arvilla , catalyzes the conversion of catechol to α-hydroxymuconic e-semialdehyde with the insertion of two atoms of O 2 into the bond adjacent to a hydroxyl group. The reaction proceeds by an unknown mechanism, but model reactions and indirect evidence suggest that singlet oxygen intermediates may be involved in such biochemical processes. Investigations described in this manuscript were designed to test the hypothesis that singlet oxygen, conceivably generated from a Superoxide intermediate, is the “active oxygenating species” in the metapyrocatechase reaction. Preparations of Superoxide dismutase failed to inhibit metapyrocatechase at any stage of reaction, which with other evidence suggests that Superoxide may not be involved in the oxygen insertion reaction. To specifically test for the generation of singlet oxygen during the reaction, singlet oxygen quenchers and proximity trapping agents were incubated with metapyrocatechase. These experiments failed to provide evidence to support the formation of a singlet oxygen intermediate. Results of these and other experiments are presented and indicate that singlet oxygen involvement in metapyrocatechase-catalyzed reactions is doubtful.
Attenuation of a vaccine strain of vaccinia virus via inactivation of interferon viroceptor.

Background Interferons (IFNs) play an important role in host antiviral responses, but viruses, including vaccinia viruses (VV), employ mechanisms to disrupt IFN activities, and these viral mechanisms are often associated with their virulence. Here, we explore an attenuation strategy with a vaccine strain of VV lacking a virus-encoded IFN-γ receptor homolog (viroceptor).
The Stress Ellipsoid, II

In Chapter 7 we took it on faith that the stress vectors at a point in two dimensions define an ellipse. In this chapter we calculate the stress vector on a plane from given boundary stresses on a block of rock. We do this first for a specific numerical example, and second for a more general case that demonstrates the reality of the stress ellipse.
Effectively compensating parasitic capacitance of ESD component for high-speed differential channel in high density routing platform

This paper introduces an effective method on improving the signal integrity of the high-speed digital video channels by mitigating the impact of parasitic capacitance introduced by the indispensable ESD protector, which is intentionally compensated by a locally high inductance in high density routing boards without adding any cost at platform level. Both TDR and eye pattern simulation of the concerned high-speed differential channel indicate significant performance improvement, which is correlated with the lab measurement
Adult learners in transition

This chapter discusses the challenges, characteristics, and transitional roles of adult learners. Implications for student services professionals are presented.
Fast-ion thermalization in non-circular tokamaks with large-banana-width effects

Fusion-product thermalization and heating are calculated on the assumption of collisional slowing-down. The present analytical model describes fast-ion orbits and their distribution function in realistic, high-beta, non-circular tokamak equilibria. The Fokker-Planck equation is bounce-averaged over the large banana-width orbits after the variables have been transformed to the constants-of-motion space. First-orbit losses, trapping effects, and slowing-down drifts are fully treated. By solving a 3-D (+ time) partial differential equation, it is possible to obtain an invariant of the slowing-down process, μ/E = (magnetic moment)/energy = constant, and explicit expressions for the slowing-down drifts. Large banana-width effects give rise to a net co-going alpha-particle current. The large banana-width orbits smear the energy deposition over large regions of the plasma. This causes the in-situ heating rates to be 20–25% above theflux-surface-averagedrates on axis but enhances the edge heating 10-fold over in-situ deposition. While this result implies reduced alpha 'ash' accumulation on axis, the reduced heating rate makes start-up and maintenance of ignition more difficult.
236) African Americans are at increased risk of developing chronic pain and itch at the site of tissue autograft following major thermal burn injury

s The Journal of Pain S35 (236) African Americans are at increased risk of developing chronic pain and itch at the site of tissue autograft following major thermal burn injury A Liu, A Bermudez, J Hu, S Jones, J Hwang, J Smith, L Ballina, A Patel, T Tran, R Karlnoski, D Smith, B Cairns, and S McLean; University of North Carolina,
Collisional probes and possible structures of La2C80

Abstract The soluble molecule La2C80 recently reported by Alvarez et al. exhibits a robustness similar to other fullerenes. It survives intact for ≈ 10−6s following impact against solid surfaces Si(100) at up to 200 eV, yielding an estimate Ef>4 eV for fragmentation processes. The high threshold for electron emission suggests that the electron affinity in La2C−80 is significantly larger than in C60. These facts seem to rule out an external site for either La atom and disfavor a network-site interpretation, and thus favor endohedral (encapsulation) sites. Among the possible cages, the Ih-C80 fullerene appears to be highly favorable for the oxidation state (La3+)2C6−80.
Synthesis of radiolabeled biphenylsulfonamide matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as new potential PET cancer imaging agents.

Abstract Novel matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor radiotracers, ( S )-3-methyl-2-(2′,3′,4′-methoxybiphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-butyric acid [ 11 C]methyl ester ( 1a – c ), ( S )-3-methyl-2-(2′,3′,4′-fluorobiphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-butyric acid [ 11 C]methyl ester ( 1d – f ), and ( S )-3-methyl-2-(4′-nitrobiphenyl-4-sulfonylamino)-butyric acid [ 11 C]methyl ester ( 1g ), a series of substituted biphenylsulfonamide derivatives, have been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) cancer imaging agents.
Preference for own versus conspecific pups by inbred and outbred rats

Communal care of young may occur when related females live in close proximity to each other. The degree of relatedness between females may affect discrimination of own from conspecific young. Retrieval tests were used to examine preference for own versus conspecific pups by inbred and outbred rats. Dams were given retrieval tests in a neutral arena every other day from day 1 through 10 postpartum. Outbred, but not inbred, dams showed a significant preference for their own pups. Outbred dams also retrieved pups more slowly than did inbred dams. Differences in the behavior of dams and/ or similarity of cues presented by pups may be responsible for the lack of preference for own pups shown by inbred dams. The results of this study suggest that indiscriminate care of young should occur when closely related females share a nest.
The isothermal piezooptic coefficient of n-alkanes, n-alcohols, and some substituted benzenes

The isothermal piezooptic coefficients (∂n∂p)T of 27 pure liquids have been measured with an ultracentrifuge equipped with laser optics, in good agreement with available literature values. The isotropic part (R1s) of light scattered by pure liquids has also been calculated. A decrease in R1s has been observed with increasing chain length of n-alkanes. For n-alcohols R1s remains constant at least up to nonanol.
A short course of induction chemotherapy followed by two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue for chemotherapy naive metastatic breast cancer

A short course of induction chemotherapy followed by two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue for chemotherapy naive metastatic breast cancer
Rapid activity-induced transcription of Arc and other IEGs relies on poised RNA polymerase II

Immediate early genes are rapidly transcribed in response to neuronal activity, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The authors show that this rapid transcription is mediated by a stalled RNA polymerase II, poised just downstream of the transcription start site. RNAi-depletion of negative elongation factor compromises the rapid transcription.
Multiphoton excited fabricated nano and micro patterned extracellular matrix proteins direct cellular morphology

We use multiphoton excited (MPE) photochemistry to fabricate patterned extracellular matrices (ECM) and to investigate the morphology of human dermal fibroblasts adhered to the resulting photocrosslinked linear structures of fibronectin (FN), fibrinogen (FG), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). These proteins were chosen to systematically investigate the roles of topography and ECM biochemistry on cell spreading, as fibroblasts bind directly to both FN and FG at RGD sites through known integrins, whereas BSA provides no comparable ECM cues for cell binding. MPE crosslinked patterns are created from parallel linear structures 600 nm in width, 200 microm in length, and spaced by either 10 or 40 microm. Immunofluorescence staining of FN and FG was used to assay the functionality of crosslinked proteins. The metrics of orientation, elongation, and cell perimeter were used to quantitate the resulting cellular behavior on the crosslinked protein patterns. These parameters all reflect statistical differences for cells on BSA, relative to the similar statistical behavior on fibronectin and fibrinogen. Cells on the BSA patterns are constrained by physical guidance and orientation between linear structures. In contrast, cells adhered on both FN and FG had a greater propensity to spread across adjacent structures, indicating the importance of cell matrix interactions. Focal adhesion staining of cells adhered to the protein structures revealed similar trends. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that these crosslinked matrix protein structures are expected to direct cell adhesion and spreading and that the topography and ECM cues lead to different forms of guidance.
Analysis of DAFS fine structure and background

Abstract The oscillatory structure in the diffraction anomalous fine structure (DAFS) spectrum contains at least as much local structural information as X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). We present three XAFS analysis programs, atoms, autobk , and feffit , which are easily extended to background removal and fine structure analysis in DAFS. The background subtruction and curve-fitting of DAFS data require the crystallographic structure factor, F , for the material. atoms calculates F for an arbitrary crystal from tables of anomalous scattering factors. autobk , an automated background removal program, estimates the shape of the DAFS background and correctly normalizes the resulting ξ(k). feffit , an XAFS curve-fitting program using multiple scattering theory and sophisticated model-building capabilities, is easily extended to handle the DAFS oscillatory structure. We show the succes of these programs in handling DAFS spectra.