cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal evaluation of myofiber microstructural changes in a preclinical ALS model using the transverse relaxivity at tracer equilibrium (TRATE): A preliminary study.

Abstract T2⁎ relaxivity contrast imaging may serve as a potential imaging biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by noninvasively quantifying the tissue microstructure. In this preliminary longitudinal study, we investigated the Transverse Relaxivity at Tracer Equilibrium (TRATE) in three muscle groups between SOD1-G93A (ALS model) rat and a control population at two different timepoints. The control group was time matched to the ALS group such that the second timepoint was the onset of disease. We observed a statistically significant decrease in TRATE over time in the gastrocnemius, tibialis, and digital flexor muscles in the SOD1-G93A model (p-value = 0.003, 0.008, 0.005; respectively), whereas TRATE did not change over time in the control group (p-value = 0.4777, 0.6837, 0.9682; respectively). Immunofluorescent staining revealed a decrease in minimum fiber area and cell density in the SOD1-G93A model when compared to the control group (p-value = 6.043E-10 and 2.265E-10, respectively). These microstructural changes observed from histology align with the theorized biophysical properties of TRATE. We demonstrate that TRATE can longitudinally differentiate disease associated atrophy from healthy muscle and has potential to serve as a biomarker for disease progression and ultimately therapy response in patients with ALS.
Optimal Multi-Dimensional Mechanisms are not Locally-Implementable.

We introduce locality: a new property of multi-bidder auctions that formally separates the simplicity of optimal single-dimensional multi-bidder auctions from the complexity of optimal multi-dimensional multi-bidder auctions. Specifically, consider the revenue-optimal, Bayesian Incentive Compatible auction for buyers with valuations drawn from $\vec{D}:=\times_i D_i$, where each distribution has support-size $n$. This auction takes as input a valuation profile $\vec{v}$ and produces as output an allocation of the items and prices to charge, $Opt_{\vec{D}}(\vec{v})$. When each $D_i$ is single-dimensional, this mapping is locally-implementable: defining each input $v_i$ requires $\Theta(\log n)$ bits, and $Opt_{\vec{D}}(\vec{v})$ can be fully determined using just $\Theta(\log n)$ bits from each $D_i$. This follows immediately from Myerson's virtual value theory [Mye81]. Our main result establishes that optimal multi-dimensional mechanisms are not locally-implementable: in order to determine the output $Opt_{\vec{D}}(\vec{v})$ on one particular input $\vec{v}$, one still needs to know (essentially) the entire distribution $\vec{D}$. Formally, $\Omega(n)$ bits from each $D_i$ is necessary: (essentially) enough to fully describe $D_i$, and exponentially more than the $\Theta(\log n)$ needed to define the input $v_i$. We show that this phenomenon already occurs with just two bidders, even when one bidder is single-dimensional, and when the other bidder is barely multi-dimensional. More specifically, the multi-dimensional bidder is ``inter-dimensional'' from the FedEx setting with just two days [FGKK16]. Our techniques are fairly robust: we additionally establish that optimal mechanisms for single-dimensional buyers with budget constraints are not locally-implementable. This occurs with just two bidders, even when one has no budget constraint, and even when the other's budget is public.
Fish Locomotion: Biology and Robotics of Body and Fin-Based Movements

The study of fish locomotion provides a rich source of inspiration for the design of robotic devices. Fish exhibit an array of complex locomotor designs that involve both diversity of structures used to generate locomotor forces, and versatile behaviors to engage with the aquatic environment. The functional design of fish includes both a flexible body exhibiting undulatory motion as well as numerous control surfaces that enable fish to vector forces and execute rapid maneuvers in roll, pitch, and yaw directions. Patterns of body undulation have often been misunderstood, and fish with propulsive mechanics as diverse as tuna and eels can display similar patterns of body bending during swimming. Many of the often-cited classical locomotor categories are based on a misunderstanding of body and fin kinematics. Fish fins can exhibit remarkably complex conformational changes during propulsion, and do not function as flat plates but have individual mobile fin rays actuated by muscles at the fin base. Fin motion and surface bending in most fish is actively controlled. Even during steady horizontal locomotion, median fins such as the dorsal and anal fins function to balance torques and can contribute to thrust. Locomotion using body undulation is not achieved independently from fin motion, and the vast majority of fish locomotor patterns utilize both the body and fins. Robotic systems derived from fish templates can range from simple flexible plastic panels to more complex models of whole body and fin design. Experimental test platforms that represent individual fins or specific components of fish locomotor design allow for detailed testing of hydrodynamic and mechanical function. Actuating and controlling complex fish robotic systems involving both the body and multiple individual fins are a major challenge for the future.
Employment, Corporate Investment and Cash Flow Uncertainty

In this paper we explore the role of cash flow uncertainty on co rporate employment and corporate investment. We develop a novel approach towards measuring cash flow risk, and we consider investment in both tangible and int angible assets. We find that our measures of cash flow uncertainty have a significa ntly negative impact on corporate employment and corporate investment in both tangible and intangible assets. Economically, if cash flow uncertainty were to rever t to levels observed back in 2005, corporate employment would increase by more than 1.89 million jobs, investment in tangible assets would increase by more than 10%, and investment in intangible assets would increase by more than 19%. Furthermore, we document that our risk measures have had a more negative impact on corporate employment and corporate investment in tangible and intangible assets dur ing economic recessions than during economic expansions. These findings have signifi cant policy implications. To wit, if policy makers would like corporations to increase their employment and investment, they should focus on policies that decrease corporate cash flow uncertainty.
Establishing the foundation for energy management on university campuses via data analytics

Campus energy management increasingly demands a controlled and managed process for achieving the aims of cost control and operation effectiveness. A mature decision making process is driven by data gathering, analysis and reporting, as advocated by business intelligence (BI), which already has had broad impact on enterprises. The BI process has been widely adopted by universities in a number of areas already, including student services (enrollment) but less so in supporting areas like energy management. This paper describes an initial effort to apply BI practices to manage energy (starting with electric power) consumption on campuses, beginning with a needs assessment to develop an effective energy usage data gathering (in real-time), modeling, analysis and reporting process on our own campus. We provide details on how the situation was at the beginning of our four-month project, and on the improvements we were able to make to the campus' energy management process.
Isolation of a Vibrating Machine Mounted on a Flexible Structure

This paper considers the problem of actively isolating a vibrating machine from a flexible structure. The structural dynamic response is assumed to be known with too little fidelity to permit model-based control design. The discussion is specialized to narrow-band disturbances, and to single-axis mounting. Narrow-band compensation, exploiting knowledge of the disturbance frequency, is proposed. Guaranteed properties of the structural dynamic response are exploited to derive stability and maximum performance criteria for this type of compensation.
Contribution of Bending Energy Losses to the Apparent Tear Energy.

When a strip is torn, energy is expended both in tearing it and in propagating a bend along each torn section. Estimates are given of the contribution of bending energy losses to the apparent tear energy. Experiments with highly-dissipative semi-crystalline polymers, torn with controlled amounts of bending, are then described. The bending energy losses ranged from 5 to 70 percent of the total tear energy, depending upon the degree of bending imposed, the thickness of the strip, and the extent to which it had been partly cut through before tearing. These results were in satisfactory agreement with approximate theoretical estimates. When the torn strips were allowed to take up naturally bent configurations under the action of the tearing force, then the contribution of bending energy losses to the apparent tear energy became rather independent of the strip dimensions and depended principally upon the dissipative nature of the material, represented by the fraction H of deformation energy that is not recovered. A general relationship is proposed between the apparent (G′ c) and true (G c) tear energies in this case: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaaGqaciaa-Deada% qhaaWcbaGaa83yaaqaaiaa-DcaaaGccqGH9aqpcaWFhbWaaSbaaSqa% aiaa-ngaaeqaaOGaai4laiaacIcacaaIXaGaeyOeI0Iaa8hsaGqaai% aa+Lcaaaa!415E!\[G_c^' = G_c /(1 - H)\]. Values of H for the materials examined ranged from 30 to 70 percent. Thus, bending energy losses are expected to increase the tear energy by a factor of 1.4 × to 3.3 × for unconstrained tearing of these semi-crystalline polymers. Somewhat smaller increases were actually observed, ranging from 1.1× to 2×.
Fear and Loathing in the Law Schools

In a world in which legal work is becoming increasingly diversified and specialized, lawyers have one common bond: law school. Despite curricular experimentation, the law school experience is stubbornly uniform for students at law schools across the country. Regardless of their year of study or the diversity of their class schedules or teachers' styles, law students will still face a process that has a similar effect upon them. Law school is stressful. Students, perceiving the educational process to be the cause of this stress, often act instinctively to protect themselves through "fight or flight" reactions. Students fight education and educators in ways ranging from hostility and ridicule to passive aggression, and they see themselves as "beating the system" or "refusing to play the game." Students flee as well, dropping out entirely or continuing their enrollment while "playing dead in school. Not only are many of these defense mechanisms counterproductive to one's education, but they can teach unintended lessons about oneself, the law, and lawyers. For example, after three years of battle with law school, "fighting" students often are left dispirited about learning and cynical about the law, the legal profession, and most especially law school. Likewise, among students who flee the school or who allow themselves to be swept along without taking risks or making much of an effort, few graduate with the necessary courage and self-knowledge to exercise independent professional judgment. Faculty members have a professional responsibility to address their students' fear and loathing. There is much that can and should be done to improve the psychological climate of law schools. We need to find the proper way of helping students test their mettle than allowing them to burn out.
But He Doesn't Look Retarded: Challenges to Jury Selection in the Capital Case for the Mentally Retarded Client Not Excluded After Atkins V. Virginia

While it is true that in Atkins v. Virginia the United States Supreme Court held that it was unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded, the Court left it up to the states, both substantively and procedurally, to define and remove the mentally retarded from the pool of death-eligible capital defendants. History teaches us that these procedures and policies will not always remove the mentally retarded from that pool, and that the capital defender is often left defending a death penalty case for a mentally retarded defendant. This article explores the challenges presented in jury selection when that is the case.
Serving Children Who Are Gifted: Perceptions of Undergraduates Planning to become Teachers.

Seeking information about preconceived notions of the educational needs of children who are gifted, we asked 285 undergraduates in prerequisite classes for teacher education to complete questionnaires. topics addressed included the need for special services for chil- dren who are gifted, perceptions of forms of service delivery in elementary schools, and egalitarian versus elitist issues in gifted education. Preferences among our respondents fell in favor of services carried out in general classroom settings at elementary schools, reflecting egalitarian attitudes. We found misconceptions, compared to empirical evi - dence, for notions about tutoring practices and academic acceleration. in their response rates to items, undergraduates previously served as gifted differed only occasionally from those not served as gifted. We discuss implications of our findings in terms of the need for proponents of gifted programs to address some misconceptions that appear to be related to school reform and appropriate services for children who are gifted. Serving children who are gifted continues to be a prominent role for many educational professionals. Regular education teachers, gifted educational specialists, school counselors, school psychologists, and special educators are each occasionally, or even frequently, called upon to solve problems and contribute to the individualized educa - tional needs of these children. Nevertheless, training for teachers and school-based mental health workers that focuses on gifted services may vary considerably, depending on the individual's ultimate goals and state certification guidelines. With the exception of university
Enterocyte TLR4 Mediates Phagocytosis and Translocation of Bacteria Across the Intestinal Barrier

Translocation of bacteria across the intestinal barrier is important in the pathogenesis of systemic sepsis, although the mechanisms by which bacterial translocation occurs remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that bacterial translocation across the intact barrier occurs after internalization of the bacteria by enterocytes in a process resembling phagocytosis and that TLR4 is required for this process. We now show that FcγRIIa-transfected enterocytes can internalize IgG-opsonized erythrocytes into actin-rich cups, confirming that these enterocytes have the molecular machinery required for phagocytosis. We further show that enterocytes can internalize Escherichia coli into phagosomes, that the bacteria remain viable intracellularly, and that TLR4 is required for this process to occur. TLR4 signaling was found to be necessary and sufficient for phagocytosis by epithelial cells, because IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells were able to internalize LPS-coated, but not uncoated, latex particles and because MD2/TLR4-transfected human endothelial kidney (HEK)-293 cells acquired the capacity to internalize E. coli, whereas nontransfected HEK-293 cells and HEK-293 cells transfected with dominant-negative TLR4 bearing a P712H mutation did not. LPS did not induce membrane ruffling or macropinocytosis in enterocytes, excluding their role in bacterial internalization. Strikingly, the internalization of Gram-negative bacteria into enterocytes in vivo and the translocation of bacteria across the intestinal epithelium to mesenteric lymph nodes were significantly greater in wild-type mice as compared with mice having mutations in TLR4. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which bacterial translocation occurs and suggest a critical role for TLR4 in the phagocytosis of bacteria by enterocytes in this process.
Perspective on the safety and effectiveness of conjugated linoleic acid

The amount of scientific literature on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is growing at a phenomenal rate. Animal studies and clinical trials indicate the possibility that CLA could be useful in improving human health in a number of areas, eg, controlling body fat gain and enhancing immunity while also reducing inflammation and other adverse effects typically associated with immune enhancement. The background of this growing research field and mechanistic insights from animal and cell culture experiments are briefly reviewed. Experimental and clinical data relating to the safety and effectiveness of CLA in humans are presented and discussed.
Electron energy-loss spectroscopy investigation of dopant homogeneity in Tb-doped Y2O3 nanoparticles prepared by solution combustion synthesis

Abstract The emergence of nanotechnology imposes a new level of control in the synthesis of materials, one in which the structure and chemistry have to be controlled and characterized at the nanoscale. The solution combustion synthesis method has been used to synthesize many different oxides, including luminescent ones. However, a systematic investigation of the dopant homogeneity at the nanoscale in materials produced by this method is lacking. This is of particular relevance in nanophosphors due to the possibility of concentration quenching. In this work, 5 at.% Tb-doped Y 2 O 3 was prepared by the solution combustion synthesis method and investigated on its structure and chemical composition homogeneity at the nanoscale by means of electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), high resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements. The results show that it is possible to prepare luminescent materials by the solution combustion synthesis method where the dopant is homogeneously distributed within each nanoparticle.
Mechanism and Control of Carbon Deposition on High Temperature Alloys

In solid oxide fuel cells, the preferred anode electrode is a cermet of Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia. When high carbon activity (a c > 1) and low oxygen partial pressure (p O 2 ) environments are encountered in the anode compartment, carbon deposition occurs in concert with a corrosion reaction known as metal dusting. Thus high temperature alloys that could resist the carbon deposition/ metal dusting reaction are needed. The present work has led to a carbon deposition-resistant alloy in which the initial rapid formation of a surface MnO layer blocks carbon transfer. Subsequently, a Mn-rich spinel layer (MnCr 2 O 4 ) develops beneath the MnO layer providing long-term resistance to carbon transfer and corrosion. In the alloy, 20Fe-40Ni-10Mn-30Cr, a layer of MnO forms almost instantaneously when exposed to high carbon activity environments over the temperature range 650-950°C. In the above environment, MnO is an n-type conductor and allows rapid Mn transport via Mn vacancies. Beneath this MnO layer, a diffusion resistant, adherent MnCr 2 O 4 film develops.
What Subjectivity Is Not

An influential thesis in contemporary philosophy of mind is that subjectivity is inexplicable because it is paradoxical. Joseph Levine’s Purple Haze: The Puzzle of Consciousness (2001) made this thesis explicit and connected it with the so-called “hard problem” of consciousness (Chalmers, 1996). The peculiar claim that there is a paradox about subjectivity arises within a certain tradition and a particular set of texts, and the ways they encourage philosophers to think about the topic. In this literature, subjectivity is conceived as inner awareness of qualia. Drawing on this conception, Levine (2007, 2001) has argued that this unique form of awareness generates a paradox resisting empirical explanation. Levine concludes that the hardest part of the hard problem of consciousness is to explain how anything like a subjective point of view could arise in the world (2001, p. 174). Against this, I argue that the nature of subjective thought is not correctly characterized in terms of inner awareness, and that the problem about the subjective (first-person) point of view should be distinguished from the perennial metaphysical problem of qualia or phenomenal properties.
Mesonephros has a role in limb development and is related to thalidomide embryopathy.

Recent studies have demonstrated a link between limb reduction defects and mesonephros removal [Geduspan and Solursh, 1992) Dev. Biol., 151 :242-250]. However, there is some question as to whether the limb-reduction defects seen in that study resulted from the removal of mesonephros or from the formation of scar tissue medial to the limb territory. The current study was conducted to test the hypothesis that elimination of the mesonephros without producing scar tissue adjacent to the limb will adversely affect limb morphogenesis. The hypothesis was tested by the insertion of tantalum foil barriers into various levels of the intermediate mesoderm of developing chick embryos to prevent the caudal elongation of the mesonephros. Limb reduction defects were obtained when the mesonephros was prevented from forming caudal to somite 14. No limb defects were seen when a foil barrier was placed into the intermediate mesoderm at the level of somite 21 or 25. Our results support the notion that a signal from the mesonephros is necessary for normal limb development. In addition, it appears that a craniocaudal factor emanating from the mesonephros plays a role in limb development. The limb reduction defects obtained in this study were also compared to the pattern of thalidomide embryopathy in humans. There is a close correspondence between the types of limb reduction anomalies seen with thalidomide and mesonephric blocks and between the severity of defects vs. the timing of thalidomide intake or mesonephric blockage. A model for possible thalidomide embryopathy is presented.
On the Valuation of Multistage Information Technology Investments Embedding Nested Real Options

As real options analysis (ROA) is being applied to increasingly complex information technology (IT) investment problems, a concern arises over the use of heuristic ROA models that are simpler to apply but can produce overvaluations. A good example is the application of a heuristic nested variation of the Black-Scholes (BS) model to the evaluation of interrelated IT investments as nested options. This particular heuristic BS model could overvalue by more than 100 percent. Using a binomial model that is custom-tailored to a generic IT investment embedding nested options as the "baseline," we identify conditions under which the degree of overvaluation of this heuristic BS model is severe and unpredictable. Moreover, upon examining the structure of the custom-tailored binomial model, we identify the reason for overvaluation and derive a more accurate nested variation of the BS model. These findings should serve as a cautionary message about the use of untested heuristic ROA models.
The metabolism of tyramine by monoamine oxidase A/B causes oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA

Monoamine oxidases A/B (EC 1.4.3.4, MAO), flavoenzymes located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, catalyze the oxidative deamination of biogenic amines, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. In this study, we examined whether the H2O2 formed during the two-electron oxidation of tyramine [4-(2-aminoethyl)phenol] (a substrate for monoamine oxidases A/B) may contribute to the intramitochondrial steady-state concentration of H2O2 ([H2O2]ss) and, thus, be involved in the oxidative impairment of mitochondrial matrix components. Supplementation of intact, coupled rat brain mitochondria with benzylamine, beta-phenylethylamine, or tyramine showed initial rates of H2O2 production ranging from 0.4- to 1.6 nmol H2O2/min/mg protein. ESR analysis of the oxidative deamination of tyramine by intact rat brain mitochondria revealed the formation of hydroxyl (HO.) and carbon-centered radical adducts--the latter probably originating by the (HO.-)-mediated oxidation of mannitol. The signals were substantially enhanced upon addition of FeSO4 and were abolished by catalase. The intramitochondrial [H2O2]ss calculated in terms of glutathione peroxidase activity during the metabolism of tyramine was 48-fold higher (7.71 +/- 0.25 x 10(-7) M) than that obtained during the oxidation of succinate via complex II in the presence of antimycin A (1.64 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) M). Oxidative damage to the brain mtDNA was assessed by single strand breakage. The ratio of nicked DNA for the preparations treated with tyramine and those without the amine was 1.5 +/- 0.29 (n = 4), 2.12 +/- 0.28 (n = 8, P < or = 0.05), and 3.12 +/- 0.69 (n = 3, P < or = 0.05) at 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively . Preincubation of mitochondria with tranylcypromine (trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine), an inhibitor to MAO A/B, abolished mtDNA oxidative damage. Catalase inhibited mtDNA strand breakage by approximately 60%. Incubation of intact, coupled rat brain mitochondria with chlorodinitrobenzene (CDNB) depleted mitochondrial GSH by 72%. Tyramine-dependent damage of mtDNA was decreased by 68% in CDNB-treated mitochondria (with 28% remaining GSH). The [H2O2]ss was slightly increased in CDNB-treated mitochondria: 1.38- and 1.28-fold increase during the oxidation of succinate in the presence of antimycin A and during the oxidation of tyramine, respectively. These results suggest that the H2O2 generated during the MAO-catalyzed oxidation of biogenic amines and possibly certain neurotransmitters at the outer mitochondrial membrane contributes to the intramitochondrial [H2O2]ss and may cause oxidative damage to mtDNA. This is effected by the intramitochondrial concentration of GSH and might have potential implications for aging and neurodegenerative processes.
A rapid method for assaying the metabolism of 7-ethoxyresorufin by microsomal subcellular fractions

Abstract The formation of resorufin from 7-ethoxyresorufin by microsomal mixed-function oxidase may be assayed rapidly by precipitating the protein in incubation mixtures with methanol and measuring the fluorescence of resorufin in the supernatant after centrifugation. Conditions are described for minimizing the effects of the instability of resorufin and of inhibition by the product. Higher activity and linear plots of microsomal protein concentration versus activity are obtained by including bovine serum albumin or ethylenediamine-tetraacetate in the incubation mixture.
Studies of two- and three-dimensional ZnO:Co structures through different synthetic routes

Multilayers of Co and ZnO, with nominal layer thicknesses on the atomic scale with up to 25 bilayers, were deposited by ion beam sputtering on silicon and glass substrates at ambient temperature. Thick epitaxial CoxZn1−xO films on Al2O3(012) substrates were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using a liquid precursor delivery system. All were co-doped with Al. Comparative analysis of magnetization, resistivity, and magnetoresistance measurements, performed in the temperature range 2.5–300 K, is presented. At small thickness of Co layers in the multilayer samples, these structures are diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) superlattices, with properties close to the epitaxial films. A crossover from DMS to discontinuous magnetic metal/semiconductor multilayers is observed with increasing metal content in the multilayers. This leads to changes in conduction mechanisms, with increasing contribution of quasithree-dimensional or quasitwo-dimensional intergranular hopping, and superparamagnetism.
Selective electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formate by a water-soluble iridium pincer catalyst

A water-soluble Ir PCP-type pincer catalyst was developed to reduce CO2 to formate electrocatalytically in water with high efficiency and selectivity. Formate is the only reduced carbon product, formed in 93% Faradaic yield with no formation of CO. A small fraction of “background” H2 (ca. 7%) is directly produced at the electrode by solvent reduction. Detailed kinetic information relevant to the catalysis was obtained. The high selectivity for formate production over H2 originates from the aqueous stability of Ir dihydride species, the active species for hydride reduction of CO2. Under neutral pH, the Ir pincer complex does not catalyze the reduction of protons to H2 making water a viable solvent for use with this catalyst system. Addition of small amounts (ca. 1%) of acetonitrile reduces the over-potential and renders the catalysis sustainable. Mechanistic studies suggest that acetonitrile is a key ancillary ligand that ionizes formate effectively preventing catalyst deactivation.
SERUM CHOLESTEROL AND PERCEPTION OF ANGER AND SADNESS

Analysis of cholesterol levels in 34 forensic patients indicated significant associations with measures of the patients' perceptions of the emotional content in auditory stimuli. In particular, patients with low cholesterol showed hypersensitivity in the detection of anger and sadness. The authors hypothesize the involvement of serotonin in the hypersensitivity effects. Organicity and age were ruled out as contributing factors.
Void Growth Model and Stress Modified Critical Strain Model to Predict Ductile Fracture in Structural Steels

Material tests and analyses are presented to investigate the accuracy of two micromechanics-based continuum criteria for predicting ductile crack initiation in low-carbon steels, which are representative of mild steels used in civil engineering construction. Referred to as the stress modified critical strain (SMCS) model and the void growth model (VGM), both criteria integrate plastic strains and triaxial stresses to predict crack initiation associated with the mechanisms of void initiation, growth and coalescence. The models are suitable for implementation through finite-element analyses to simulate fracture initiation in steel structures. Material tests and finite-element analyses of seven varieties of structural steels, including two new high-performance steels, are conducted to validate and calibrate the model parameters for practical structural engineering applications. Both models are shown to predict fracture accurately across the spectrum of steel samples and geometric configurations. However, application of the models to situations with high stress and strain gradients is shown to be quite sensitive to the characteristic length parameter of the models, which leads to large model variability in such cases. A strong empirical relationship between Charpy V-notch upper-shelf energy and the SMCS and VGM parameters is observed, which can be utilized to estimate the model parameters.
Association of device surface and biomaterials with immunologic sensitization after mechanical support.

Objective Biomaterials and textured surfaces in early pulsatile left ventricular assist devices (HeartMate I; Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) may increase immunologic risk through allosensitization. We hypothesized that axial-flow devices without biologic membranes or textured surfaces (HeartMate II; Thoratec; and DeBakey; MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc, Houston, Tex) would cause less allosensitization than devices with such membranes and surfaces. Methods HeartMate II and DeBakey (n = 24) and HeartMate I (n = 36) devices were implanted from 1999 to 2006 in patients with severe heart failure cohort-matched for age, etiology, and support duration. Serum samples reacting with more than 10% of the HLA reference panel were considered positive for anti-HLA antibodies. Endomyocardial biopsy samples were collected after transplant. Results There were no significant cohort differences in age, etiology, sex, blood transfusion, or support duration. Anti-HLA antibodies were not detected at implantation of either HeartMate II and DeBakey or HeartMate I devices; however, significant increases in anti-HLA antibodies were present within 1 and 3 months of support with HeartMate I but not HeartMate II and DeBakey devices. Overall, fewer patients with HeartMate II and DeBakey devices demonstrated positive anti-HLA antibodies during support (8% vs 28%, P = .02), and fewer episodes of acute rejection per patient were seen within the first 9 posttransplant months(0.31 vs 0.69, P = .052). Long-term posttransplant survival was not different between groups. Conclusion Hemodynamic support with HeartMate II and DeBakey devices produced less allosensitization than did HeartMate I devices. Device selection may improve clinical outcomes for high-risk patients.
Classical population genetics and the semantic approach to scientific theories

In what follows, I argue that the semantic approach to scientific theories fails as a means to present the Wright–Fisher formalism (WFF) of population genetics. I offer an account of what population geneticist understand insofar as they understand the WFF, a variation on Lloyd’s view that population genetics can be understood as a family of models of mid-level generality.
Where Genetic Algorithms Excel

We analyze the performance of a genetic algorithm (GA) we call Culling, and a variety of other algorithms, on a problem we refer to as the Additive Search Problem (ASP). We show that the problem of learning the Ising perceptron is reducible to a noisy version of ASP. Noisy ASP is the first problem we are aware of where a genetic-type algorithm bests all known competitors. We generalize ASP to k-ASP to study whether GAs will achieve "implicit parallelism" in a problem with many more schemata. GAs fail to achieve this implicit parallelism, but we describe an algorithm we call Explicitly Parallel Search that succeeds. We also compute the optimal culling point for selective breeding, which turns out to be independent of the fitness function or the population distribution. We also analyze a mean field theoretic algorithm performing similarly to Culling on many problems. These results provide insight into when and how GAs can beat competing methods.
Design of the Compact Wide Swath Imaging Spectrometer (CWIS)

The Compact Wide Swath Imaging Spectrometer (CWIS) is a pushbroom imaging spectrometer for the solar reflected spectrum (380-2500 nm) with wide swath (1600 elements), fast optical speed (F/1.8), and high uniformity (≥95%). The CWIS compact Dyson demonstrates a reduction in volume and mass over the equivalent Offner-type instrument. CWIS is currently under development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is intended to address the need for high signal to noise ratio compact imaging spectrometer systems for the visible short wave infrared wavelength range. Optical design, stray light modeling, and current status of the instrument are discussed.
Management applications of expert systems

Abstract The development of expert systems for such professionals as doctors diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and geologists exploring for mineral deposits has led to suggestions that expert systems be developed for managers in public and private organizations who make manufacturing, marketing, financial, personnel, and other decisions. This paper describes briefly some of the systems of this type that have already been developed, with an emphasis on the logic expressions used in them, examines other fruitful areas for system development, and identifies software requirements for the implementation of such systems.
Hepatitis B Therapy in Pregnancy

All decisions about initiating, continuing, or stopping therapy of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) during pregnancy must include an analysis of the risks and benefits for mother and fetus. The trimester of the pregnancy and the stage of the mother’s liver disease are important factors. Treatment in the third trimester may be initiated to aid in preventing perinatal transmission, which appears to be most pronounced in mothers with high viral loads. Consideration of initiating treatment in the third trimester should occur after a high viral load is documented in the latter part of the second trimester, to allow adequate time for initiation of antiviral therapy with significant viral suppression before delivery. This discussion should include the topic of breastfeeding, because it is generally not recommended while receiving antiviral therapy. Currently, lamivudine and tenofovir appear to be the therapeutic options with the most reasonable safety data in pregnancy.
Is cytochrome aa3 from thermus thermophilus a single subunit oxidase

Abstract A reliable procedure has been developed for the purification of the cytochrome c 1 aa 3 complex from the plasma membrane of T. thermophilus . The ratios heme C:heme A:Fe:C were found to be 1:2:3:2 confirming previous results, however, the molecular weight was found to be ∼92,000 rather than the ∼200,000 reported earlier [1]. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under strongly denaturing conditions and high performance reverse phase liquid chromatography showed that cytochrome c 1 aa 3 is composed of only two subunits in 1:1 ratio. Both polypeptides have blocked N-termini. The smaller subunit (∼33,000) binds heme c and presumably no other metals. The larger subunit (∼55,000) is thus thought to contain the elements of cytochrome aa 3 and therefore be considered a single subunit cytochrome oxidase. The bacterial cytochrome c 1 aa 3 has been compared with beef heart cytochrome oxidase with a number of techniques including optical, EPR [1], Raman, MCD, and Mossbauer [2] spectroscopies. These experiments establish that the fundamental chemical properties of the redox centers are substantially similar in these two proteins. Cytochrome c 552 (from Thermus ), horse heart cytochrome c , and tetramethylphenylenediamine greatly stimulate the ascorbate oxidase activity of cytochrome c 1 aa 3 . This enhancement is characterized by a ‘high affinity’ component which results in only a small velocity increase and a ‘low affinity’ component which gives a large velocity increase. Very similar behavior has been previously observed with mammalian cytochrome oxidase [3]. Preliminary experiments show that vesicularized c 1 aa 3 is capable of proton pumping.
Plume management - an inexpensive long-term strategy for groundwater contamination at low-risk sites

Abstract The costs of full-scale groundwater treatment and source removal and the unrealistic goals of many groundwater treatment projects have prompted a reevaluation of long-term remediation strategies. This report has presented a plan that manages the groundwater contamination and is sensitive to the changing regulatory and technical climate. The groundwater treatment system is inexpensive to install, operate, and maintain. Plume migration has been stopped. Treatment time is exceedingly long, but the site operator is now free to evaluate new technology or the development of a risk-based clean-up strategy. We believe that implementing such a strategy at low-risk sites can result in significant cost savings to the hazardous waste clean-up problem.
Attitudes towards Desegregation of Southern White and Negro Children

The legal decision of May 17, 1954, that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional has given the social psychologist a unique opportunity to participate in the collection of relevant facts for the understanding of an important social issue. The common sense psychologies of Negro and white leaders frequently lead to statements concerning how the relevant groups actually feel about the situation and to preferred techniques for inducing change. However, usually these theories have little basis in fact and, more often than not, reflect the particular bias and position of the speaker.
Inhomogeneous accumulation of the earth from the primitive solar nebula.

Model for accumulation of earth and planets from primitive solar nebula, implying inhomogeneous chemical composition of bodies in solar system
Zero Population Growth, Inc.: a second study.

This paper reports the results of a sample survey of ZPG members undertaken in April 1971 to ascertain if any changes had occurred in membership attributes since the first survey in September 1970 and to investigate additional characteristics. Age, education, religion and student/ non-student status are considered in relation to length of membership of ZPG. Income, political activities, intended family size and opinions about ideal population size and population control are also examined, including attitudes towards vasectomy and abortion.It is concluded that, among members of voluntary organizations, demographic factors such as age, education, religion and sex do not possess a causal relationship with social behaviour.
Implementing a hybrid web-based curriculum for an elective medical student clerkship in a busy surgical intensive care unit (ICU): effect on test and satisfaction scores.

Objective To determine whether a hybrid traditional and web-based curriculum improves test scores and enrollment among senior medical students in an elective critical care rotation. Design and Setting Retrospective study in a surgical ICU at a major academic center. Subjects One hundred twenty-one fourth year medical students completing an elective ICU clerkship between 2007 and 2010. Interventions Pre-test and post-test during a 4-week rotation. Methods We implemented a hybrid curriculum that involved both traditional teaching methods and a new online core curriculum that incorporating audio, video, and text using screen capture technology. The curriculum was hosted on a secure online portal called ICON (Desire2Learn Inc., Ontario, Canada). The core curriculum covered topics that were considered essential to meet the didactic objectives of the rotation. Measurements and Evaluations A pre-test was administered online on day 1 of the rotation. A post-test was administered on the second to last day of the rotation. Both tests were composed of 20 questions randomly chosen from a question bank of 100 questions. The tests are managed (administering, grading, and reporting) exclusively online. Results One hundred twenty-one medical students have successfully completed the clerkship since implementing the new curriculum. Each group of students showed an improvement in the mean post-test score by at least 17%+ to 10%. The satisfaction scores of the clerkship improved consistently from 2007 and is currently rated at 4.31 ± 0.85 (on a 5-point scale). The rotation is in the top 25 th percentile of all clinical clerkships offered at the University of Iowa. Conclusion A systematically implemented hybrid web-based critical care curriculum can improve knowledge based test scores and overall clerkship satisfaction scores in a busy surgical ICU.
Toxicity and bioaccumulation of cadmium in Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Abstract Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultures grown at pH 7 in the presence of 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mg of Cd/liter had doubling times of 11, 21, 22, and 35 hours, respectively, whereas similarly exposed cultures grown at pH 8 had doubling times of 11, 16, 17, and 25 hours, respectively. C. pyrenoidosa is capable of concentrating cadmium, and the amount accumulated is directly proportional to the concentration of metal present initially and is dependent upon the pH of the medium. No accumulation occurs in the dark, at 4°C, or in dead cells. Cadmium accumulation is not affected by the concentration of calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, copper, zinc, or cobalt in the growth medium, whereas a level of manganese equal to 0.20 mg/liter completely blocks cadmium accumulation; iron may also play a role in regulating cadmium accumulation. Cells which had accumulated cadmium could still fix atmospheric CO2, albeit at reduced rates; O2 evolution was also inhibited, but to a lesser extent. The ability of C. pyrenoidosa to accumulate large concentrations of cadmium before showing adverse effects may be related to the presence of cadmium-sequestering agent(s) within the cell. The concentration of cadmium by C. pyrenoidosa could pose a hazard to the freshwater food chain.
Réconciliation et éthique de la mémoire publique

Cet article examine quelques idees concernant ce que j’appelle une ethique de la memoire publique. Plus exactement, il considere comment les citoyens devraient apprendre a se souvenir du mal politique commis et subi dans des societes marquees par les circonstances de la reconciliation, dans lesquelles la stabilite politique et les pratiques democratiques sont mises en peril par des souvenirs collectifs qui alimentent l’antipathie mutuelle et le ressentiment entre les citoyens d’un meme Etat. Comment des communautes democratiques fonctionnelles peuvent-elles etre reparees ou creees a nouveau lorsqu’elles ont ete fracturees par des hostilites historiques ? Cet article examine un certain nombre de reponses possibles a cette question en utilisant une conception deliberative de ce qu’une communaute democratique fonctionnelle devrait etre. Cette conception s’incarne en gros dans deux normes democratiques : l’impartialite et l’inclusion. C’est en reference a ces deux normes que l’article discute differentes tentatives actuelles de remplacer les anciennes histoires nationales, qui s’appuyaient sur les mythes civiques, par des histoires multiculturelles qui les refusent.
Antibiotic combinations in the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus infection.

A penicillin-sensitive strain of Staphylococcus aureus was used to evaluate the efficacy of six antibiotic combinations in the therapy of an experimental infection in mice. One hour after intraperitoneal infection, animals were treated with penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, or tobramycin singly or in various combinations of two of these drugs. Penicillin in combination with tobramycin, gentamicin, or erythromycin significantly reduced mortality as compared with therapy with a single drug. Survival of animals treated with the combinations of penicillin and clindamycin, clindamycin and gentamicin, and erythromycin and gentamicin was not different from that seen with single-drug therapy. Penicillin plus either gentamicin or erythromycin significantly reduced the number of culturable organisms from livers and spleens of infected animals when compared with penicillin, gentamicin, or erythromycin alone. In vitro studies correlated with some aspects of in vivo results but conflicted with others. Thus the combination of penicillin with either an aminoglycoside antibiotic or erythromycin is more effective than a single drug in the therapy of infection caused by the Smith strain of S. aureus.
Utilidad de los antagonistas de los receptores muscarínicos en el tratamiento de los varones con síntomas del tracto urinario inferior secundarios a HBP

Use of antimuscarinic agents in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) has become increasingly relevant over the last few years. Prescription of these drugs is in conflict with a long-established concept learnt in Medical School: antimuscarinics are contraindicated in patients with BPH. Several factors, however, have placed this issue under constant review. The description of OAB syndrome and the scientific research carried out over recent years have provided epidemiological and pathophysiological data worthwhile reviewing, most importantly in order to understand why a review of such a solidly established concept has been raised. This paper reviews the prevalence of OAB in men with BPH, the role of urodynamics to evaluate men with OAB and the existing evidence on the effect antimuscarinics have in terms of efficacy and safety on male patients with detrusor obstruction and overactivity.