cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Mode-Matching Method for Tilted-Coil Antennas in Cylindrically Layered Anisotropic Media With Multiple Horizontal Beds

Tilted-coil antennas (TCAs) have been proposed to increase the directional sensitivity and anisotropy sensitivity of well-logging tools used in oilfield exploration. In this paper, we simulate TCAs in 3-D cylindrically layered and anisotropic earth formations with multiple horizontal beds using an extended numerical mode-matching (NMM) approach. The field components are expanded in terms of longitudinal (vertical) eigenmodes to facilitate the analysis of transverse electric and transverse magnetic fields, which are coupled in this case. The perfectly matched layer is incorporated into the NMM formulation to mimic the Sommerfeld radiation condition in the longitudinal (vertical) direction. NMM results are compared with 3-D simulation results using finite-difference time-domain method and a pseudoanalytical approach based on Sommerfeld integrals (for problems where the latter is applicable), showing very good agreement.
Semicrystalline thermoplastic polyimide + polymer liquid crystal blends: Nonisothermal calorimetry and thermogravimetry

Blends of a thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) and a polymer liquid crystal (PLC) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The presence of PLC enhances orientation in the system and lowers the crystallization temperature-—a manifestation of the channeling effect predicted theoretically (38). The degradation studies show high temperature stability of all blends with the degradation onset consistently above 520°C. The onset decreases with PLC concentration but reaches a plateau above 30 wt% PLC when the PLC-rich islands are formed. The amount of moisture absorbed decreases with the PLC concentration while the moisture does not affect the degradation of the samples significantly. A phase diagram is constructed for the PLC + TPI blends from the DSC and TGA data. A comparison of amorphous and semicrystalline TPI and the characterization of amorphous TPI + PLC blends will be reported later.
Tensile Strength of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites

The effect of carbon fibers on the uniaxial tensile strength of cement paste matrix is studied. The tensile strength values are obtained using the novel Cementitious Composites Axial Tensile Technique (CCATT) described previously [1]. The addition of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 volume percent of Polyacrylonitrile-based (PAN) carbon fiber results in an increase in tensile strength of 32, 41 and 48 percent respectively, as compared to the unreinforced matrix. A model based on the rule of mixtures is used to predict the tensile strength of the carbon fiber reinforced composites. Results are discussed with respect to fiber, interface bond, and cementitious matrix characteristic.
Transforming growth factor β signaling controls activities of human intestinal CD8(+)T suppressor cells.

Background & Aims In healthy individuals, interactions between intestinal epithelial cells and lamina propria lymphocytes give rise to a population of CD8 + T cells with suppressor functions (Ts cells). Disruption of Ts cell activities can lead to mucosal inflammation. We investigated what factors were required for expansion of the Ts cell population or loss of their activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods We developed a method to generate Ts cell lines from freshly isolated lamina propria lymphocytes from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), patients with CD, or healthy individuals (controls). Cells were stimulated with a monoclonal antibody against CD3, interleukin (IL)-7, and IL-15. After 14 days in culture, CD8 + T cells were purified and cultured with IL-7 and IL-15. The resulting Ts cells were analyzed for suppressor activity, expression of surface markers, and cytokine secretion profiles. RNA was isolated from the 3 groups of Ts cells and used in microarray analyses. Results Ts cells from patients with UC and controls suppressed proliferation of CD4 + T cells; the suppression required cell contact. In contrast, Ts cells from patients with CD had a reduced capacity to suppress CD4 + T-cell proliferation. The difference in suppressive ability was not associated with surface or intracytoplasmic markers or secretion of cytokines. Microarray analysis identified changes in expression of genes regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β that were associated with the suppressive abilities of Ts cells. We found that TGF-β or supernatants from Ts cells of patients with CD reduced the suppressor activity of control Ts cells. Conclusions Ts cells isolated from patients with CD have a reduced ability to suppress proliferation of CD4 + T cells compared with control Ts cells. TGF-β signaling reduces the suppressor activity of Ts cells.
The Effects of Mississippi Embayment Sediments on Local Earthquake Tomography

The effects of velocity and thickness variations in thick, unconsolidated Mississippi Embayment sediments on local earthquake tomography for the New Madrid seismic zone must be understood before the tomography solutions can be interpreted in terms of deeper structure. Sediment effects are investigated using normal station corrections, synthetic modeling, and application of a sediment correction based upon independent knowledge of sediment thickness and velocity structure. Synthetic modeling indicates that smearing from strong velocity perturbations in the unconsolidated sediments can influence the uppermost, Paleozoic portion of the P -wave velocity solution and can extend into deeper portions of the S -wave velocity solution. However, there is little evidence for smearing due to velocity perturbations in the unconsolidated sediments in inversion results obtained using real arrival time data. The clustered distribution of hypocenters makes station corrections sensitive to velocity variations located deeper than the unconsolidated sediments; application of station corrections removes useful information from the portion of the inversion volume located below the unconsolidated sediments. The sediment correction also appears to remove information from the inversion solution but is an improvement for the P -wave solution over removal of station corrections. There is no evidence that the sediment correction is removing smearing effects produced by velocity perturbations in the unconsolidated sediments. The unconsolidated sediments do not appear to be exerting a first-order effect on local earthquake tomography solutions.
Blind carrier frequency offset estimation in SISO, MIMO, and multiuser OFDM systems

Relying on a kurtosis-type criterion, we develop a low-complexity blind carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimator for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. We demonstrate analytically how identifiability and performance of this blind CFO estimator depend on the channel's frequency selectivity and the input distribution. We show that this approach can be applied to blind CFO estimation in multi-input multi-output and multiuser OFDM systems. The issues of channel nulls, multiuser interference, and effects of multiple antennas are addressed analytically, and tested via simulations.
Resolving Excitonic and Free Carriers Transitions in Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Using Field Enhanced Photocurrent Spectroscopy

Excitonic and free carrier transitions in single wall carbon nanotubes are distinguished using field enhanced photocurrent spectroscopy. Electric field ionization allows for the detection of bound exciton states that otherwise would not contribute to the photocurrent. Excitonic states associated with the ground state semiconductor are resolved. The results are modeled using the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.
Pediatric postanesthesia recovery care

The PACU is a dynamic environment where children undergo significant physiologic changes. Their safe care is dependent on the concerted, prospective efforts of the medical and nursing staff. This can best be done when the staff is well trained in the care of children and the unit is sufficiently equipped. Attention and leadership from anesthesiologists can ensure ongoing quality care for children.
Comparative mechanics of the hip and ankle.

A dicussion of the comparative mechanics of the hip and ankle is made. A synthesis of experimental observations covering the influence of such dual environment on the maintenance of these joints is briefly summarized.
Neurologic complications of anesthesia: A practical approach

Neurologic complications related to anesthesia are infrequent but can be serious. Neurologists are often consulted to evaluate patients with postoperative symptoms and must be ready to discriminate those truly caused by the anesthetic drug or procedure from the more common postoperative complications that are unrelated to the anesthesia itself. This practical review relies on cases to illustrate common reasons for neurologic consultation in the postsurgical setting. It also briefly summarizes what to expect when patients with central or peripheral neurologic disease undergo surgery under general or regional anesthesia.
A Comparison of Mapping Schemes for Reservoir Characterization

Often one is interested in the relationships between various types of geological data, such as depth, formation thickness, position, permeability, porosity, etc. However, geological data are difficult to analyze due to their spatial complexity, and because obvious analytical maps of one type of data onto another seldom exist. Typically, multivariate regression techniques are used to correlate geological data. This approach requires often stringent assumptions about the functional form of the data. Here, we compare a method that does not require such assumptions: Alternating Conditional Expectation (ACE), with two other approaches that do: Geostatistics and MATLAB®. The ACE method, developed by Breiman and Friedman (1985), is an iterative optimal transformation that maximizes the correlation between the transformed dependent variable and the sum of the transformed independent variables. Even with multiple independent variables, the specific functional dependence of each variable can be found. A thorough geostatistical analysis of the full data set is treated as the ground truth, against which the two other methods are compared. The field example from the South Belridge diatomite, Kern County, CA, involves correlating the true vertical depths of diatomite layer boundaries with their x (EW) and y (NS) coordinates. The geological data from approximately 70 wells in an area about 1000 feet by 1000 feet have been used. We compare how well the three methods can smooth and interpolate the data to produce layer mappings. In the end, the most laborious of the three methods, geostatistics with Surfer® as a plotting tool, wins hands down. The other two methods are far more limited.
Shape Control of a Flexible Mirror Using an Electron Gun

Mirrors made of PVDF film are being considered for lightweight transportation and deployment in space. An array of electrodes can be used to distribute charges over the PVDF film for active shaping of the mirrors. This paper presents the derivation of a matrix that enables calculation of the shape of the two-dimensional mirror for any given electron distribution. Finite element simulation shows good agreement with a theoretical example. Furthermore, if a desired shape is given, the required voltage distribution can be computed using the singular value decomposition. Experiments were done in a vacuum vessel, where an electron gun was used to actuate a PVDF bimorph to a desired shape. Dynamic shape control is attainable at low frequencies. At higher frequencies, still significantly below structural resonance, actuation lag and parasitic DC offset can be significant problems that require future research to solve. NOMENCLATURE
The impact of price and tobacco control policies on the demand for electronic nicotine delivery systems

Background While much is known about the demand for conventional cigarettes, little is known about the determinants of demand for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS or e-cigarettes). The goal of this study is to estimate the own and cross-price elasticity of demand for e-cigarettes and to examine the impact of cigarette prices and smoke-free policies on e-cigarette sales. Methods Quarterly e-cigarette prices and sales and conventional cigarette prices from 2009 to 2012 were constructed from commercial retail store scanner data from 52 US markets, for food, drug and mass stores, and from 25 markets, for convenience stores. Fixed-effects models were used to estimate the own and cross-price elasticity of demand for e-cigarettes and associations between e-cigarette sales and cigarette prices and smoke-free policies. Results Estimated own price elasticities for disposable e-cigarettes centred around −1.2, while those for reusable e-cigarettes were approximately −1.9. Disposable e-cigarette sales were higher in markets where reusable e-cigarette prices were higher and where less of the population was covered by a comprehensive smoke-free policy. There were no consistent and statistically significant relationships between cigarette prices and e-cigarette sales. Conclusions E-cigarette sales are very responsive to own price changes. Disposable e-cigarettes appear to be substitutes for reusable e-cigarettes. Policies increasing e-cigarette retail prices, such as limiting rebates, discounts and coupons and imposing a tax on e-cigarettes, could potentially lead to significant reductions in e-cigarette sales. Differential tax policies based on product type could lead to substitution between different types of e-cigarettes.
Effects of antennule morphology and flicking kinematics on flow and odor sampling by the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

The flow structure around the lateral antennular flagellum of the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, was quantified to determine how antennule morphology and flicking kinematics affect fine-scale flow surrounding their chemosensory sensilla, called aesthetascs. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure velocity and vorticity of flow between aesthetascs of dynamically scaled physical models of P. clarkii antennules. Results revealed that the spacing between aesthetascs and antennule flicking speed induces substantial changes in fluid flow near aesthetascs. The downstroke flicking motion of the anten nule occurs at a peak speed of 2.7 cm/s. The returnstroke occurs at approximately 70% of this speed, but the fluid velocity between aesthetascs during the returnstroke is approximately 15% compared with the downstroke. The significant decrease in fluid flow near aesthetascs results from the reduced antennule speed and from the coupled interaction of boundary layers of the aesthetascs and antennule during the returnstroke. Odorant-laden fluid captured during the downstroke is retained between the aesthetascs during the slower returnstroke, and sufficient time occurs for odorant molecules to molecularly dif fuse to aesthetasc surfaces. In addition, locally generated vorticity was observed near the tip of the aesthetascs, which may induce odorant transport to aesthetasc surfaces and enhance olfactory response times to odors.
Feasibility of Steel Fiber Concrete in End Zones of Posttensioned Bridge Girders: Results of Special Anchorage-Device Acceptance Test

The secondary spiral and skin reinforcement in the anchorage zone of prestressed, posttensioned girders cause congestion and pose difficulty in the placement of concrete. Also, it is labor intensive to produce and place the secondary anchorage reinforcement. A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of reducing or eliminating the secondary reinforcement and replacing with steel fibers for posttensioned anchor zones because of the expected improvement in mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete over nonfibrous concrete. The AASHTO special anchorage device acceptance test was performed. Variations of spiral and skin reinforcement, with concrete strengths ranging from 24 to 34.5 MPa (3,500 to 5,000 psi), were used to investigate the performance of the two types and various amounts of steel fibers. Experimental results indicated that 1% hooked-end steel fiber could reduce a maximum of 79% of the secondary reinforcement for a minimum concrete strength of 32.5 MPa (4,710 psi). Lower volumes of steel fibers may also result in reduction of secondary reinforcements.
A Phenomenal Hiding Place: Homer, Heraclitus, Heidegger

As the fifth book of Homer’s Odyssey comes to a close, Odysseus is stranded on the island of the Phaiakians, and he seeks shelter before nightfall. Near the shore there is a wood where Odysseus hides under some trees. The description of this hiding place merits careful examination. The wood is said to be “in [the] periphenomenal”, but what that means is not immediately clear. In this paper, I shall attempt to confront the strange circumstances of Odysseus’ hiding place, showing that it is paradoxically also a place of manifestation. Reference to Martin Heidegger’s interpretation of the Greek thinker Heraclitus will aid in the understanding of such a paradox.
Self-limiting software and sociotechnical ecosystems: Friday plenary session

In this talk, I will discuss three stages of the web, from library, to self-expression medium, to application environment. I will discuss some opportunities that each mode can provide: including access to information, cultivation of empathy, and ability to work collectively. I will give some examples from my own work, including Kaltix, a personalized search engine that was acquired by Google in 2003, We Feel Fine, an art piece that visualizes the world's emotions in real time, and Wildflower Montessori, a decentralized network of schools fostered by a software-supported collective process. In showing these, I will propose a philosophical framework for creating social software, that takes its inspiration from eastern medicine and permaculture. I will describe some principles that underly the framework, and suggest where they might lead.
Becoming a Good Father: The Developmental Engine of First-Time Fatherhood

First-time fathers begin to develop their identity during their transition to fatherhood. The new standard for father involvement during this transition hinges on the dual expectation of fathers as caregivers and financial providers, influencing firsttime fathers’ identity development. By analyzing data collected from six focus groups ( N = 47 fathers), this qualitative study details men’s desires and motivation to become good fathers, and the related challenges. The findings support a conceptualization of first-time fatherhood as a “developmental engine” ignited during the prenatal period. Additionally, the findings suggest that differences in fathers’ identity construction fall across social location. Suggestions for future research examining the relationship between first-time fathers’ attitudes about their identities and their uptake of caregiving and provider tasks are offered in the context of fathers’ social location and macro-level factors.
Outgrowth of Salmonellae and the physical property of albumen and vitelline membrane as influenced by egg storage conditions.

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of storage time and temperature on the volume, weight, and pH of egg albumen, the physical strength of vitelline membrane, and the fate of Salmonella Enteritidis artificially inoculated into egg albumen. A fiber-optic probe was used for inoculation with Salmonella Enteritidis at 102, 104, or 106 cells per egg. Both fresh and inoculated eggs were stored at 4, 10, and 22°C for 6 weeks. Five fresh uninoculated eggs from each storage group were collected each week, and the weight, volume, and pH of the egg albumen were measured. The forces, energies, and degrees of membrane deformation required to rupture the vitelline membranes also were determined from either albumen-free yolks or yolks surrounded by albumen. In separate experiments, five inoculated eggs were evaluated each week for populations of Salmonella Enteritidis. When the eggs were stored at 4°C, the albumen retained significantly more volume and weight and had a relatively lower pH. The vitelline...
Some Theories of High Temperature Superconductivity

A brief review is given of some historical aspects of theoretical research on superconductivity including a discussion of BCS theory and some theoretical proposals for mechanisms which can cause superconductivity at high temperatures.
The Integrity of the Work: Alan Moore, Modernism, and the Corporate Author

Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s series of graphic novels, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen , interrogates its own status as intellectual property in ways that resonate with the engagements with literary copyright of Ezra Pound and other modernists. League thus serves as a contemporary participant in what Paul Saint-Amour calls modernism’s copyright meta-discourse. The commentary on copyright that emerges in League clarifies Moore’s public denunciations of the comic book industry: League operates as a graphic narrative allegory for the detrimental effects of corporate authorship and maximalist copyright protections that Moore not only sees as responsible for the comic book industry’s decline, but also as threats to the flourishing of the culture at large. Grounded in notions of integrity — artistic, professional, and cultural — League ultimately functions as confirmation of fears over modern copyright’s potentially detrimental consequences found in the work of early twentieth-century modernists.
Survey on the infectious status of population with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus in Macheng City,Hubei Province in 2013

Objective To investigate and evaluate the infectious status of healthy population with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus( SFTSV) in Macheng City so as to provide scientific evidence for its effective prevention and control.Methods We randomly selected 159 serum samples from healthy population in three towns of Macheng City. Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA) and real- time polymerase chain reaction( PCR) were used to detect IgG and IgM antibodies to SFTSV and the specific nucleic acid. Results The seroprevalence rate of IgG antibody to SFTSV was 5. 03%,while SFTSV- IgM antibody and the specific nucleic acid were not detected. Conclusions Macheng City is the main endemic area of SFTSV infection in Hubei Province. It is necessary to enhance the awareness of SFTSV prevention and the ability of rapid diagnosis.
Steps to an Ecology of Emergence.

To begin to take steps to a mental ecology of emergence we first establish two fundamental assumptions from the methodology of transformational grammar—the centrality of human judgment based on direct experience and the proposition that the systematic nature of human behavior is algorithmically driven. We then set a double criterion for understanding any formalism such as emergence: What is formalism X, that a human may know it; and a human, that a human may know formalism X? In the cybernetic sense, the two are defined in relation to each other. In answer to the first question, we examine emergence as a formalism, using Turing’s work as a defining case and an NK Boolean system as a specific working model. In answer to the second question, we frame the knowing of emergence in a Batesonian epistemological approach informed by modern developments in discrete dynamic systems. This epistemology specifies mental process as the transformation of differences across a richly connected network. The relational reference point which integrates the two sides of the cybernetic question is human judgment of perceptual similarity which links emergent hierarchies in a formal NK Boolean model to hierarchies of perceptual similarity based on direct experience.
The Associations Between Forced Sex and Severe Mental Health, Substance Use, and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Asian American Women

We examined the association between forced sex history and mental health, sexual health, and substance use among Asian American women ( n = 720); 14.3% of our sample ( n = 103) reported forced sex experiences. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that participants with forced sex histories were 2-8 times more likely to have higher rates of mental health problems, HIV risk behavior, and substance use. Qualitative analysis was used to supplement the quantitative results and give depth to our findings. Our results suggest that interventions for Asian American women who experienced forced sex should integrate mental health, substance use, and sexual health treatments.
The Real Sector Dimension: Constraints on Encouraging the Private Sector

This chapter shows how the new National Housing Policy (NHP) adopted in Nigeria in 1992 can be considered within the framework of analysis presented in the first section of this book. In particular, it evaluates the new proposal for the private sector and shows how this proposal attempts to link the housing and financial markets. The language of the new policy approach promotes the private sector as the chief means to address the severe shortages and costs of shelter in Nigeria. However, it appears that many of the key measures advocated could be counterproductive to both private-sector development and the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP). Through a review of the strategies and programs that other countries have used to rejuvenate their shelter sector, this chapter provides information on how the NHP might be revised to better exploit the private sector, operate more efficiently and sustainably, and contribute to, rather than impede, the Structural Adjustment Program.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN NUCLEIC ACIDS AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Introduction and Basic Principles. As emphasized recently by Medvedev (1972), the wide species variation, even among mammals, in the average life span implies a correlation between aging and the loss of alteration of biological information. The brain might be expected to occupy a central role in the aging process, since such species-specific changes would be most evident in mitotically inactive tissues; the maximum life span of a brain cell should parallel the species life span.
Optimal Volume of Administration of Intranasal Midazolam in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Study objective The optimal intranasal volume of administration for achieving timely and effective sedation in children is unclear. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes relevant to procedural sedation associated with using escalating volumes of administration to administer intranasal midazolam. Methods We conducted a randomized, single-blinded, 3-arm, superiority clinical trial. Children aged 1 to 7 years and undergoing laceration repair requiring 0.5 mg/kg intranasal midazolam (5 mg/mL) were block-randomized to receive midazolam using 1 of 3 volumes of administration: 0.2, 0.5, or 1 mL. Procedures were videotaped, with outcome assessors blinded to volume of administration. Primary outcome was time to onset of minimal sedation (ie, score of 1 on the University of Michigan Sedation Scale). Secondary outcomes included procedural distress, time to procedure start, deepest level of sedation achieved, adverse events, and clinician and caregiver satisfaction. Results Ninety-nine children were enrolled; 96 were analyzed for the primary outcome and secondary outcomes, except for the outcome of procedural distress, for which only 90 were analyzed. Time to onset of minimal sedation for each escalating volume of administration was 4.7 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8 to 5.4 minutes), 4.3 minutes (95% CI 3.9 to 4.9 minutes), and 5.2 minutes (95% CI 4.6 to 7.0 minutes), respectively. There were no differences in secondary outcomes except for clinician satisfaction with ease of administration: fewer clinicians were satisfied when using a volume of administration of 0.2 mL. Conclusion There was a slightly shorter time to onset of minimal sedation when a volume of administration of 0.5 mL was used compared with 1 mL, but all 3 volumes of administration produced comparable clinical outcomes. Fewer clinicians were satisfied with ease of administration with a volume of administration of 0.2 mL.
Hurricane Sandy Exposure Alters the Development of Neural Reactivity to Negative Stimuli in Children

This study examined whether exposure to Hurricane Sandy-related stressors altered children's brain response to emotional information. An average of 8 months (Mage = 9.19) before and 9 months after (Mage = 10.95) Hurricane Sandy, 77 children experiencing high (n = 37) and low (n = 40) levels of hurricane-related stress exposure completed a task in which the late positive potential, a neural index of emotional reactivity, was measured in response to pleasant and unpleasant, compared to neutral, images. From pre- to post-Hurricane Sandy, children with high stress exposure failed to show the same decrease in emotional reactivity to unpleasant versus neutral stimuli as those with low stress exposure. Results provide compelling evidence that exposure to natural disaster-related stressors alters neural emotional reactivity to negatively valenced information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Learner-Centered Counseling Theory: An Innovative Perspective

ABSTRACTOne of the most useful tools counselors possess is a consistent, effective theoretical orientation. Yet, counselors often experience theory as an academic-only enterprise, rather than a skill-set informed by reason and empiricism. This article presents an alternative approach to learning and harnessing the power of theory to impact clients’ lives.
Hydrogen Sulfide Increases GSH Biosynthesis, Glucose Uptake and Utilization in Mouse Myotubes

Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic diseases, such as heart disease. Diabetic patients have lower blood concentrations of H 2 S and L-Cysteine (LC). LC undergoes enzymatic breakdown to produce hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), a gasotransmitter that regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis. Using C2C12 mouse myoblast (differentiated into myotubes) as a model, this study investigates the hypothesis that beneficial effects of LC supplementation are mediated by the upregulation of H 2 S status in diabetic patients. Results show that exogenous administration of Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS 10µM; 6 hours), a H 2 S donor, significantly ( p 2 S production induced by using CSE siRNA caused an increase in ROS, and down regulation of potent antioxidant GSH biosynthesis enzymes (GCLC, Glutathione Synthetase) but not GGLM. Further, CSE knockdown downregulate Glucose Transporter Type 4 (GLUT4) mRNA level and reduces glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. Taken together, these data suggest that the upregulation of physiological levels of H 2 S can have beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and redox balance via GSH pathway. Further mechanistic studies are under investigation on how H 2 S regulate GSH biosynthesis and L-Cysteine transporter (SLC7A11) in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Supported by NIH/NCCIH RO1 AT007442
Alan Watts and the Re-Visioning of Psychotherapy

Alan Watts’ seminal text Psychotherapy East and West was authored near Humanistic Psychology’s beginnings, also a transformational time for psychotherapy theory and practice. Watts fostered appreci...
IP determination and 1+1 REMPI spectrum of SiO at 210–220 nm in an ion trap: Implications for SiO+ ion trap loading

Abstract The 1+1 REMPI spectrum of SiO in the 210–220 nm range was recorded. Observed bands were mostly assigned to the vibrational bands v ″ = 0 - 3 , v ′ = 5 - 10 of the A - X electronic transition. Additionally, a band near 216–217 nm was tentatively assigned as a 2-photon transition from X to the n = 12 , 13 [ X 2 Σ + , v + = 1 ] Rydberg states. Based on observed lines we estimated the IP of SiO to be 11.594(5) eV. The SiO+ cation has previously been identified as having a cycling transition useful for state control by optical pumping. Our work allowed us to identify an efficient method for loading an ion trap with rotationally and vibrationally cold SiO+ from an ablated sample of SiO by photoionizing through the (5,0) A - X band at 213.977 nm.
Ritual Education and Moral Development: A Comparison of Xunzi and Vygotsky

Xunzi’s 荀子 advocacy for moral education is well-documented; precisely how his program bolsters moral development, and why a program touting study of ritual could be effective, remain subjects of debate. I argue that these matters can be clarified by appealing to the theory of learning and development offered by Lev Vygotsky. Vygotsky posited that development depends primarily on social interactions mediated by sociocultural tools that modify learners’ cognitive architecture, enabling increasingly sophisticated thought. Vygotsky’s theory is remarkably similar to Xunzi’s account of how studying and practicing ritual restructures learners’ moral psychology. Specifically, both Vygotsky and Xunzi offer nonnativist accounts of psychosocial development that emphasize the centrality of sociocultural tools for learning. This comparison yields a more nuanced and empirically supported interpretation of Xunzi’s account of moral education, as well as an account that has applications in contemporary work in moral education and development.
Attitudes of high-school students taught using traditional and reform mathematics curricula in middle school: a retrospective analysis

This paper presents findings from a larger research project that provides insight into the attitudes of high-school students who were taught using different types of mathematics curricula when they were in middle school. A total of 44 12th-grade students from 10 high schools in the same urban school district were interviewed. Eighteen (41%) of them had been taught using a reform curriculum in middle school and 26 (59%) had been taught using a more traditional curriculum. Using Di Martino and Zan’s three-dimensional model for attitude, we found that the high-school seniors who had been taught using the reform curriculum in middle school harbored attitudes toward mathematics that differed significantly from the attitudes of those who had been taught using a traditional curriculum in middle school. Our analysis of the student interviews culled seven themes that provide fine-grained information about the students’ attitudes toward mathematics. Significantly greater percentages of reform students than traditional students had a relational Vision of mathematics as opposed to an instrumental Vision; however, there was no significant difference between the proportions of reform and traditional students who had a positive Emotional Disposition toward mathematics or a positive Perceived Competence in mathematics.
Studying biomineralization pathways in a 3D culture model of breast cancer microcalcifications.

Microcalcifications serve as diagnostic markers for breast cancer, yet their formation pathway(s) and role in cancer progression are debated due in part to a lack of relevant 3D culture models that allow studying the extent of cellular regulation over mineralization. Previous studies have suggested processes ranging from dystrophic mineralization associated with cell death to bone-like mineral deposition. Here, we evaluated microcalcification formation in 3D multicellular spheroids, generated from non-malignant, pre-cancer, and invasive cell lines from the MCF10A human breast tumor progression series. The spheroids with greater malignancy potential developed necrotic cores, thus recapitulating spatially distinct viable and non-viable areas known to regulate cellular behavior in tumors in vivo. The spatial distribution of the microcalcifications, as well as their compositions, were characterized using nanoCT, electron-microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy. Apatite microcalcifications were primarily detected within the viable cell regions and their number and size increased with malignancy potential of the spheroids. Levels of alkaline phosphatase decreased with malignancy potential, whereas levels of osteopontin increased. These findings support a mineralization pathway in which cancer cells induce mineralization in a manner that is linked to their malignancy potential, but that is distinct from physiological osteogenic mineralization.
In Search of Head Injury Criteria

In this lecture, I have tried to describe the evolution of the concept of a Head Injury Criterion-HIC-and the role of Federal funding agencies in the quest for a scientifically based theory of head injury. Various injury statistics are presented and the role of the Injury in America study in the founding of the Center for Injury Prevention and Control is discussed. The theory of finite element modeling and several head injury finite element models are summarized. A brief description of the new European Union (EU) Advanced Protective Systems Initiative SP5 Head Injury is provided.
Network and Regulation of the Idiotypic Repertoire

The emergence and evolution of the immune and idiotypic repertoires of the immune system are closely intertwined, given that idiotypes are after all the antigenic markers of the antibody molecule’s variable region. Those factors which can affect the expression of these two repertoires will differ according to the maturity of the immune system. At this point we would like to distinguish between those forces affecting the primary or early repertoire versus those influencing the expression of the later secondary repertoire.
Understanding Ordinary and Disruptive Events Discussion in Twitter: Barbados Environmental Health Hazard as a Use Case

Online users may utilize social media to discuss issues related to their environment. Understanding such discussions can help with predicting early warning signs for crisis situations and to enhance situational awareness and emergency preparedness. Over a period of more than four years, we collected and adopted a filtering method to obtain 30,358 tweets concerning environmental health risks in Barbados. In this study, we implemented an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to discover and understand how social media is used in the discussion of environmental health situational awareness. Moreover, what other topics online users are exposed to when engaging in such conversations. Our results show that there is a distinction between disruptive and ongoing events by exploring the number of tweets at a certain point of time and the sentiment of each event.
Ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot feasibility study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise intensity and feasibility of recreational ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).Methods: Seven persons with MS part...
Efficient Signal Reconstruction via Distributed Least Square Optimization on a Systolic FPGA Architecture

Optimization problems form the basis of a wide gamut of computationally challenging tasks in signal processing, machine learning, resource planning and so on. Out of these, convex optimization, and in particular least square optimization, covers a vast majority; and recent advances in iterative algorithms to solve such problems of large dimensions have gained traction. Multi-core designs with systolic or semi-systolic architectures can be a key enabler for implementing discrete dynamical systems and realize massively scalable architectures to solve such optimization algorithms. In this paper, we present a platform architecture implemented in programmable FPGA hardware to solve a template problem in distributed optimization, namely signal reconstruction from non-uniform sampling. This is a quintessential problem with wide-spread applications in signal processing, computational imaging etc. We expect such an architectural exploration to open up promising opportunities to solve distributed optimizations that are becoming increasingly important in real-world applications. The complete system design, mapping and optimization into an FPGA architecture as well as analysis of convergence and scalability have been presented.
Absorption and Safety of Topically Applied Timolol for Treatment of Chronic Cutaneous Wounds

Objective: There are no safety or absorption studies to guide topical timolol therapy for treatment of chronic wounds. This study was undertaken to address this gap. Approach: A prospective, observ...
Nusinersen for Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Father’s Perspective

* Abbreviations: HINE-2 — : Hammersmith Infant Neurologic Examination, section 2 — SMA — : spinal muscular atrophy We thought our younger son was healthy at birth, and we had high hopes for his future. His weak movements and excessive fussiness raised our concerns, leading to an unsuspected, devastating diagnosis of type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The US Food and Drug Administration had recently approved nusinersen, the first disease-modifying treatment for SMA, but its supporting evidence and steep list price made the drug controversial. We made the decision to treat him, despite limited available information. My roles of father and physician soon became inextricably linked; pulse oximetry alarms needed attention at home like in the emergency department, and sometimes the commute from work to our son’s bedside involved only a brief elevator ride to the PICU. This experience offered an unexpected perspective on the benefits and costs of nusinersen therapy for type 1 SMA. Consider the patient impact of 1 end point of the ENDEAR trial1 (identifier NCT02193074 at www.clinicaltrials.gov): motor-milestone response, assessed by using the Hammersmith Infant Neurologic Examination, section 2 (HINE-2). The HINE-2 quantifies infant motor development by assigning scores to various abilities,2 including head control, rolling, and sitting. The use of this end point was motivated by the natural history of type 1 SMA; children rarely gain new motor milestones after symptom onset, and loss of previously achieved milestones is expected instead.3 The value of motor-milestone response may not be self-evident, but for our son, what seem like minor changes in the HINE-2 led to major improvements in function. Our son fit the population enrolled in the ENDEAR trial, … Address correspondence to Nathan R. Hoot, MD, PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, 4th Floor JJL, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: nathan.r.hoot{at}uth.tmc.edu
Valveless Microfluidic Flow Control Using Planar Fresnel Type GHz Ultrasonic Transducers

Localized microfluidic flow control using a 1×4 linear array of Fresnel type GHz ultrasonic transducers is presented. The planar fabrication process and the decoupling of fluidics from the electrical interconnects side of the aluminum nitride based transducer enable easier integration of GHz transducers and fluidics in a distributed manner. The streaming vortices generated by the high frequency focused sonic waves from the Fresnel transducers perturb the laminar nature of the microfluidic flow in the channel. By electronically controlling the on and off times of the RF signal inputs to the Fresnel transducers, fluidic steaming was localized. Further, the changes in the path of polystyrene microbeads in water that were pumped into the microchannel indicate changes in the fluidic forces acting on them due to acoustic streaming and change in the flow velocity.
Modeling Complex Deformations of the Sigmoid Colon Between External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy Images of Cervical Cancer.

Purpose In this study, we investigated registration methods for estimating the large interfractional sigmoid deformations that occur between external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT) for cervical cancer. Methods and Materials Sixty-three patients were retrospectively analyzed. The sigmoid colon was delineated on 2 computed tomography images acquired during EBRT (without applicator) and BT (with applicator) for each patient. Five registration approaches were compared to propagate the contour of the sigmoid from BT to EBRT anatomies: rigid registration, commercial hybrid (ANAtomically CONstrained Deformation Algorithm), controlling ROI surface projection of RayStation, and the classical and constrained symmetrical thin-plate spline robust point matching (sTPS-RPM) methods. Deformation of the sigmoid due to insertion of the BT applicator was reported. Registration performance was compared by using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), distance to agreement, and Hausdorff distance. The 2 sTPS-RPM methods were compared by using surface triangle quality criteria between deformed surfaces. Using the deformable approaches, the BT dose of the sigmoid was deformed toward the EBRT anatomy. The displacement and discrepancy between the deformable methods to propagate the planned D1cm3 and D2cm3 of the sigmoid from BT to EBRT anatomies were reported for 55 patients. Results Large and complex deformations of the sigmoid were observed for each patient. Rigid registration resulted in poor sigmoid alignment with a mean DSC of 0.26. Using the contour to drive the deformation, ANAtomically CONstrained Deformation Algorithm was able to slightly improve the alignment of the sigmoid with a mean DSC of 0.57. Using only the sigmoid surface as controlling ROI, the mean DSC was improved to 0.79. The classical and constrained sTPS-RPM methods provided mean DSCs of 0.95 and 0.96, respectively, with an average inverse consistency error Conclusions Large deformations of the sigmoid were observed between the EBRT and BT anatomies, suggesting that the D1cm3 and D2cm3 of the sigmoid would unlikely to be at the same position throughout treatment. The proposed constrained sTPS-RPM seems to be the preferred approach to manage the large deformation due to BT applicator insertion. Such an approach could be used to map the EBRT dose to the BT anatomy for personalized BT planning optimization.
Molecular characterization and expression of arginine vasotocin V1a2 receptor in Atlantic croaker brain: Potential mechanisms of its downregulation by PCB77.

The arginine vasotocin (AVT)-V1a receptor mediates critical reproductive behaviors of the nonapeptide vasotocin in the teleost brain. In this study, we report the molecular characterization of the AVT-V1a2 receptor and its messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions in the Atlantic croaker brain after exposure to the planar polychlorinated biphenyl congener 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77). The full-length sequence of croaker AVT-V1a2 receptor complementary DNA (cDNA) is highly homologous to other teleost AVT-V1a2 receptor cDNAs. Double-labeled immunohistochemistry showed coexpression of AVT-V1a2 receptor and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I, a neuropeptide that regulates gonadotropin secretion) in hypothalamic neurons, thereby providing the anatomical basis for possible AVT modulation of croaker reproduction through alterations in GnRH-I secretion. AVT-V1a2 receptor mRNA and protein levels as well as GnRH-I mRNA levels were markedly decreased in hypothalamic tissues of croaker exposed to PCB77 (dose: 2 and 8 µg/g body weight for 4 weeks) compared with levels in untreated (control) fish. In contrast, hypothalamic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A, a monooxygenase enzyme) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β, a cytokine indicator of inflammation and response to neuronal damage) mRNA levels, and plasma protein carbonyl (PC, an indicator of reactive oxygen species) contents, important biomarkers of neural stress, were increased in PCB77-exposed fish compared with controls. Collectively, these results suggest that the downregulation of hypothalamic AVT-V1a2 receptor and GnRH-I transcripts due to PCB77 exposure is associated with induction of CYP1A, cellular inflammation and oxidative stress in Atlantic croaker, a marine teleost that inhabits estuaries along the US Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico that are often contaminated with persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs.