cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical aspects of the nonstationary modified linearized Bregman algorithm

Abstract The solution of discrete ill-posed problems has been a subject of research for many years. Among the many methods described in the literature, the Bregman algorithm has attracted a great deal attention and been widely investigated. Recently, a nonstationary preconditioned version of this algorithm, referred to as the nonstationary modified linearized Bregman algorithm, was proposed. The aim of this paper is to discuss numerical aspects of this algorithm and to compare computed results with known theoretical properties. We also discuss the effect of several parameters required by the algorithm on the computed solution.
When the 'Silent Majority' Breaks its Silence: Conservative Female Politicians' Representative Claims for Women in Contemporary Japan

The Japanese government recently proclaimed its aspiration to increase the percentages of female candidates for the national Diet assuming that having more female legislators can lead to better representation of women’s needs and wants. The existing studies have shown that a feminist way is not the only way to represent women’s needs and wants and called for more analyses of conservative women’s claims for women. This paper examines how the ideology of female political representatives influence the ways in which they represent women by focusing on Japanese conservative female politicians. The Japanese conservative female politicians, while being anti-feminist, do speak as and speak for women’s needs and wants. Their choices of which women and what needs and wants of these women to represent reflect the conservative ideological normative view of what Japanese women should be, their anti-feminism, and their own experiences as working women and working mothers. Given these findings, I suggest that having more female legislators might increase the visibility of women’s concerns, needs, and wants in the national political arena while it can also create more debates regarding which women’s which concerns deserve more political attention and which political measures should be provided for these women.
Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders Associated with Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Following the NIH Consensus Development Conference on Liver Transplantation (1) in 1984 there has been a rapid increase in the use of transplantation to treat end stage liver disease (2). As a result it has become apparent that a more aggressive approach has to be taken towards the medical management of patients who would previously have been considered terminally ill (3, 4). In addition the operative and postoperative periods are characterised by unique fluid and electrolyte problems (5–11). A number of studies (12–18) have shown that pre-existing renal dysfunction has a significant impact on the post-operative prognosis, and that the need for hemodialysis following transplantation is associated with increased mortality. The various phases of the operation itself and the massive blood transfusions produce calcium and acid-base disorders which necessitate careful intra- and post-operative monitoring.
Biocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer: an invigorating approach to free-radical reactions

Initiating and terminating free-radical reactionis via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) is an attractive means of avoiding substrate prefunctionalization. Small molecule catalysts and reagents, however, struggle to execute this fundamental step with useful levels of diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. In contrast, nature often carries out HAT with exquisite levels of selectivity for even electronically unactivated carbon–hydrogen bonds. By understanding how enzymes exploit and control this fundamental step, new strategies can be developed to address several long-standing challenges in free-radical reactions. This review will cover recent discoveries in biocatalysis that exploit a HAT mechanism to either initiate or terminate novel one-electron reactions.
Logcrypt: forward security and public verification for secure audit logs

Logcrypt provides strong cryptographic assurances that data stored by a logging facility before a system compromise cannot be modified after the compromise without detection. We build on prior work by showing how log creation can be separated from log verification, and describing several additional performance and convenience features not previously considered.
Assessing the Effect of Clinical Trial Evidence and Anecdote on Caregivers’ Willingness to Use Corticosteroids: A Randomized Controlled Trial :

Background:Treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is hindered by nonadherence, but caregiver reassurance may help overcome this hurdle.Objectives:To assess caregivers’ willingness to treat c...
Protective Effectiveness of Long-Lasting Permethrin Impregnated Clothing Against Tick Bites in an Endemic Lyme Disease Setting: A Randomized Control Trial Among Outdoor Workers

Tick-borne diseases are a growing threat to public health in the United States, especially among outdoor workers who experience high occupational exposure to ticks. Long-lasting permethrin-impregnated clothing has demonstrated high initial protection against bites from blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), in laboratory settings, and sustained protection against bites from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), in field tests. However, long-lasting permethrin impregnation of clothing has not been field tested among outdoor workers who are frequently exposed to blacklegged ticks. We conducted a 2-yr randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial among 82 outdoor workers in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. Participants in the treatment arm wore factory-impregnated permethrin clothing, and the control group wore sham-treated clothing. Outdoor working hours, tick encounters, and bites were recorded weekly to assess protective effectiveness of long-lasting permethrin-impregnated garments. Factory-impregnated clothing significantly reduced tick bites by 65% in the first study year and by 50% in the second year for a 2-yr protective effect of 58%. No significant difference in other tick bite prevention method utilization occurred between treatment and control groups, and no treatment-related adverse outcomes were reported. Factory permethrin impregnation of clothing is safe and effective for the prevention of tick bites among outdoor workers whose primary exposure is to blacklegged ticks in the northeastern United States.
INHIBITED ($sup 3$He,d) TRANSITIONS TO 3s/sub $sup 1$/$sub 2$/ ISOBARIC ANALOG STATES.

The ($^{3}\mathrm{He},d$), reaction cross sections on $^{90,92,94}\mathrm{Zr}$ and $^{92,94,96,98}\mathrm{Mo}$ targets have been measured to unbound isobaric analog states. All expected transitions are observed except those to $3{s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ analog states which are inhibited. Distorted-wave Born approximation calculations do not explain the anomaly. Other possible explanations are suggested.
Brief report: Gender and ethnicity predict adolescent self-silencing above and beyond gender ideology

Abstract Introduction Feminist scholars have proposed that adolescents experience a loss of voice termed “self-silencing” due to the internalization of gender norms. A growing literature shows that the content and strength of adolescents' gender norms is dependent on ethic socialization practices. Methods We examined the association among self-silencing behaviors and gender ideology, measured both explicitly and implicitly, in a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 12–14 year old American adolescents (N = 119, 62 female). Results & conclusion Multiple regression analyses indicated that self-silencing was weakly associated with implicit gender ideology, but being White and female were larger risk factors for self-silencing. The internalization of implicit gender norms weakly predicted self-silencing when adjusting for ethnicity and gender, but we challenge past research by showing gender and ethnicity to be stronger predictors than gender ideology. Self-silencing occurred in both boys and girls, but was slightly more salient in girls. We report preliminary findings intended for replication due to limitations on statistical power and the introduction of an implicit measurement tool for assessing gender attitudes with adolescents. Implications include clarification of the widely debated association between self-silencing and gender ideology and the development of more culturally nuanced theories of interpersonal development as it relates to gender and ethnicity during adolescence
Revisiting the first Sandia Fracture Challenge with transient deformation heating and strain localization considerations

Here, we present a systematic experimental study and accompanying theoretical analysis of the dependence of ductile fracture on strain localization, strain hardening rates, deformation-induced thermal softening, and transient heat conduction under spatially uniform as well as spatially heterogeneous deformation. Spatially uniform cases are studied via standard dogbone shaped specimens subject to uniaxial tension. Spatially heterogeneous deformation is studied via the so-called Sandia Fracture Challenge (SFC) specimen, which is a standard compact tension specimen modified with three machined holes in front of a blunt notch (Boyce et al. in Int J Fract 186(1–2):5–68, 2014). We utilize the same precipitation hardened martensitic stainless steel used in the first SFC experiments, i.e. 15-5 PH with an H1075 heat treatment. We also study 15-5 PH in Condition A and with the H900 heat treatment, each of which has a different hardening behavior and ductility. We find that the ductility does not correlate with the deformation to first crack initiation in the SFC specimen. Instead, hardening rates are better correlated. Moreover, a re-examination of (Boyce et al. in Int J Fract 186(1–2):5–68, 2014) finds that an accurate calibration of the hardening rates is strongly correlated with accurate blind predictions of ductile fracture in the SFC specimens. Given that thermal softening can greatly affect hardening rates, we provided a thermographic analysis of deformation-induced heating and transient heat transfer in both the dogbone shaped samples and the SFC specimens. Transient heating in stainless steels is found to have first-order effects on the strain at the onset of necking, strain to fracture, as well as strain localization and ductile fracture in complex geometries even under so-called quasi-static loading rates.
The mysterious grooves of Volcán Bárcena: a review of the role of streamwise counter-rotating vortices during erosion by dilute pyroclastic density currents

Although erosion during high-energy passage of a pyroclastic density current (PDC) causes great damage, analyses of the effects of such erosion are sparse in scientific literature compared to observations and interpretations of depositional processes. In this paper, we review observations of surfaces where PDCs have eroded sets of grooves that provide information on the erosion process. We postulate that in some cases, the grooves were carved by streamwise vortices in the boundary layer of the PDC and review possible fluid dynamic instabilities that can give rise to such vortices. For the prominent grooves at Volcan Barcena, Mexico, we propose that a fluid dynamic instability, which we dub the “groovy instability,” occurred and caused formation of erosive counter-rotating vortices. This instability occurs when the particle concentration boundary layer thickness, δc, is larger than the velocity (shear) boundary layer thickness, δu, i.e., L=δc /δu>1. In subaqueous turbidity currents, these vortices have a typical wavelength of ~25*δc. If this relation is applied to the grooves formed on Volcan Barcena, the inferred particle concentration boundary layer is estimated to have been <1 m thick. We postulate that a transition between erosion of grooves and deposition of dunes at Volcan Barcena occurred when hydraulically supercritical flow on the upper flanks changed to subcritical flow about halfway down the mountain. We call attention to boundary layer dynamics in erosive pyroclastic density currents at a dimension that is difficult to scale quantitatively in laboratory experiments and is usually not resolved computationally and to the need for incorporating such dynamics into models of PDC dynamics.
Development of a community outreach project: An interprofessional partnership for thalassemia families guided by nursing students

Children with chronic illnesses have improved physiological and psychosocial outcomes when they are able to identify and converse with others who experience the same challenges. Support groups are one way to enhance this interaction. To facilitate this process, student nurses worked with an interprofessional healthcare team, thalassemia patients, and their families to determine their support needs. The purpose of this article is to describe the innovative development and outcomes of the Thalassemia Patient Support Project, a community engagement partnership. This partnership provided a unique educational clinical experience for nursing students where they had an opportunity to help develop a support group and a pediatric to adult transitional care program. The outcomes could be used as a guide for community nursing education, in US and international settings.
Confounding in observational studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the “gold standard” for establishing the safety and efficacy of medical treatments, such as drugs, devices, and procedures. Patients with kidney disease are often excluded from these studies (1), and it is well established that trial participants tend to be healthier than the broader kidney disease population (2). Furthermore, the number of nephrology-specific trials conducted continues to lag behind other subspecialties (3). In the absence of RCT data, nephrology practitioners may look to population-specific observational evidence to guide therapy selection. Observational studies using real-world data ( e.g. , administrative claims and electronic healthcare record data) to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments can provide highly generalizable and valuable information to clinicians (4). However, like nonrandomized prospective cohort studies, these studies may suffer from biases that limit their validity, such as confounding. In this commentary, I describe what confounding is and provide a brief overview of common types of confounding that can arise in observational studies of medical treatments. I then highlight some common strategies for addressing confounding and discuss potential sources of residual confounding. In an observational study, confounding occurs when a risk factor for the outcome also affects the exposure of interest, either directly or indirectly. The resultant bias can strengthen, weaken, or completely reverse the true exposure-outcome association. For a factor to be a confounder, it has to be associated with both the study exposure and the study outcome, and temporally precede the exposure ( i.e. , it cannot be an intermediary factor on the causal pathway between the exposure and the outcome) (5). ### Confounding by Indication and Examples of Other Types of Confounding Confounding by indication (6) is one of the most common forms of bias present in observational studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments. It occurs when the clinical indication for treatment, such as the …
The Gut Microbiota Regulates the Metabolic Benefits Mediated by Red Raspberry Polyphenols

Objectives Red raspberry (RR) polyphenols, including ellagic acid and their gut-derived metabolites, the urolithins, reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. However, it is unknown whether the gut microbiota is responsible for these health benefits and why certain individuals do not transform ellagic acid into urolithins. Here, we determined the causative role for the microbiome in mediating the health benefits from RR polyphenols using germ-free and conventionalized mouse models of diet-induced obesity. We also tested whether Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens (G. uro), a gut microbe previously shown to metabolize ellagic acid into urolithins, could enhance metabolic benefits when administered as a synbiotic with RR polyphenols.
Can a Western high-fat diet lead to painful neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a painful and potentially crippling disorder that is common in people with diabetes and often affects people with obesity, yet the underlying reason is poorly understood. Boyd al. now reveal that a diet enriched in ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) triggers peripheral neuropathy in mice, and this effect is reversed by a diet enriched in ω-3 PUFAs. These findings may help explain the high incidence of neuropathies in people with diet-related obesity without diabetes, and may provide a potential target for the prevention and treatment of this metabolic and neurological disorder.
Solving the enigma: Mass spectrometry and small molecule probes to study sphingolipid function.

Abstract Sphingolipids are highly bioactive lipids. Sphingolipid metabolism produces key membrane components (e.g. sphingomyelin) and a variety of signaling lipids with different biological functions (e.g. ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate). The coordinated activity of tens of different enzymes maintains proper levels and localization of these lipids with key roles in cellular processes. In this review, we highlight the signaling roles of sphingolipids in cell death and survival. We discuss recent findings on the role of specific sphingolipids during these processes, enabled by the use of lipidomics to study compositional and spatial regulation of these lipids and synthetic sphingolipid probes to study subcellular localization and interaction partners of sphingolipids to understand the function of these lipids.
Dynamic Routing for Navigation in Changing Unknown Maps Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Abstract. In this work, we propose an approach for an autonomous agent that learns to navigate in an unknown map in a real-world environment. Recognizing that the real-world environment is changing overtime such as road-closure happening due to construction work, a key contribution of our paper is adopt the dynamic adaptation characteristic of the reinforcement learning approach and develop a dynamic routing ability for our agent. Our method is based on the Q-learning algorithm and modifies it into a double-critic Qlearning model (DCQN) that only uses visual input without other aids such as GPS. Our treatment of the problem enables the agent to learn the navigation policy while interacting with the environment. We demonstrate that the agent can learn navigating to the destination kilometers away from the starting point in a real world scenario and has the ability to respond to environment changes while learning to adjust the routing plan dynamically by adjusting the old knowledge. The supplementary video can be accessed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tknsxVuNwkg.
QUANTUM MODELING OF CAPACITOR ENERGY DENSITY

Energy storage is necessary to power the technologies that sustain or global society. One of the devices utilized for the creation, storage, and delivery of electrical energy are capacitors. The basic physics of capacitors is discussed. The physical parts of the device are explained, and the separator film, which is the focus of this research, is modeled. By optimizing the polarization of the molecules in the separator film through quantum modeling of the electric displacement of the molecules, the dialectic constant of the material can be optimized. The dielectric constant is directly proportional to the energy stored in the capacitor. Increasing the dielectric constant will proportionally increase the energy stored in the capacitor, and increase the energy density of the device.
Vector invariants of Sylp(GL(n,Fq)) and their Hilbert ideals

Abstract We describe the Hilbert ideal of the vector invariants of a p-Sylow subgroup of the general linear group.
Embracing Diversity through Service Learning

Abstract This study connected secondary-education teacher candidates with diverse populations through community-based service learning activities in the first year of college. Through this experience these students learned more about themselves and most importantly about others. They expressed increased cultural competence that reinforced their desire to effectively teach all students.
A Roofline-Based Performance Estimator for Distributed Matrix-Multiply on Intel CnC

In this paper we show how to analytically model two widely used distributed matrix-multiply algorithms, Cannon's 2D and Johnson's 3D, implemented within the Intel Concurrent Collections framework for shared/distributed memory execution. Our precise analytical model proceeds by estimating the computation time and communication times, taking into account factors such as the block size, communication bandwidth, processor's peak performance, etc. It then applies a roofline-based approach to determine the running time based on communication/computation bottleneck estimation. Our models are validated by comparing the estimations to the measured run times varying the problem size and work distribution, showing only marginal differences. We conclude by using our model to perform a predictive analysis on the impact of improving the computation speed by a factor of 4×.
Management of endometriosis in the infertile patient

Infertility has a 30-40% incidence in women with endometriosis. However conservative surgical procedures can result in pregnancy for 40-90% of these patients. The pregnancy rate is influenced by 5 factors: 1) extent of the disease 2) age 3) history of previous surgery for endometriosis 4) duration of infertility before surgery and 5) length of postsurgical follow-up. The factor responsible for infertility among women with endometriosis is believed to be an inadequacy of the tubo-ovarian motility secondary to fibrosis and scarring which results in imperfect ovum acceptance by the fimbriae. Therapy encompasses 4 approaches: 1) prophylaxis 2) observation and analgesia 3) suppression of ovulation and 4) surgical treatment. Pregnancy is suggested as the optimal prophylactic treatment for endometriosis since the symptoms and signs regress during gestation and for varying periods thereafter. This regression is probably due to a combination of anovulation and amenorrhea caused by adenohypophyseal suppression. It may also be due to a transformation of functioning endometriotic tissue into decidua by increasing levels of chorionic estrogen and progesterone. If pregnancy is not desired anovulation can be secured by the administration of sex hormones. Pseudopregnancy for 6 months induced by norgestrel plus ethinyl estradiol or norethynodrel plus mestranol can lead to pregnancy in 50% of patients whose only abnormality is surface ovarian endometriosis within 1 year of cessation of therapy. Short periods of pseudopregnancy are also advocated after conservative surgery if all areas of endometriosis cannot be excised. 40-50% of these patients can expect to become pregnant within 24 months. The incidence of postoperative tubo-ovarian adhesions may be diminished by use of dexamethasone and promethazine.
Consensus Versus Incentives: A Skeptical Look at Regulatory Negotiation

The National Performance Review (NPR) Report is a wideranging document that incorporates numerous proposals to streamline government and improve its efficiency.1 A portion of the report addresses regulatory reform, and Improving Regulatory Systems, an accompanying document, focuses solely on this topic.2 Most of the regulatory reform proposals have been discussed in the administrative law and policy community for several years. The influence of the Administrative Conference and the Carnegie Commission is evident.3
Associative Illusions of Memory: False Memory Research in DRM and Related Tasks

Part I. Background. Associations and errors through history. Converging association tasks. Part II. Basic theories and data. Processes that cause false memory. Illusory recollection. Processes that reduce false memory. Additional study and test manipulations. Part III. Applications and data. Individual differences and generalizability. Development and aging. Neuropsychology and drugs. Neuroimaging and localization. Summary and conclusions.
A Comparison of Lower‐ and Higher‐Resourced Tier 2 Reading Interventions for High School Sophomores

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of peer-mediated versus teacher-directed reading intervention on the reading performance of high school sophomores. Participants (n = 57) from the lowest 25th percentile of their sophomore class in reading were assigned randomly to peer-mediated or teacher-directed intervention. Fifteen to sixteen 25-minute intervention sessions over 12 weeks included listening passage preview, retelling, and main idea questioning. Linear regression revealed statistically significant main effects of intervention on maze selection, with both treatment groups outperforming a nonequivalent control group (ES = .69–1.00). There were no statistically significant differences on oral reading fluency or maze selection between the peer-mediated and teacher-directed groups. Participating in peer-mediated intervention and receiving more minutes of instruction were significantly associated with higher performance on the district reading assessment. Implications for allocating resources to tiered intervention in secondary schools are discussed.
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON HERPESVIRUS.

Abstract Smith, Kendall O. (Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Texas). Physical and biological observations on herpesvirus. J. Bacteriol. 86:999–1009. 1963.—The development of herpesvirus in human lung fibroblasts was studied by plaque assays and physical particle counts. Approximately 200 infectious units and 60,000 particles were produced by single cells during a single growth cycle. Production of physically recognizable particles preceded infectious virus particle production by about 5 to 6 hr, suggesting the occurrence of a maturation process during formation. Aggregation of particles in clusters and chains was observed in many cases. One of the mechanisms for this aggregation was the connection of particles by deoxyribonucleic acid strands. These strands appeared to connect some particles in a way that suggests a structural continuity between their cores.
Fuel Conversion in a Universal Reactor with Gliding Discharge in Tornado Flow

Summary form only given. Drexel Plasma Institute has developed a new type of fuel conversion reactor that utilizes a non-equilibrium gliding discharge (traditionally called "Gliding Arc" though it operates mostly in the glow discharge regime) in reverse vortex ("tornado"') flow. This reactor is universal in that it is capable of reforming both gaseous fuels and evaporated liquid fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, glycerol, etc. Gliding discharges are considered transitional discharges that combine non-equilibrium effects with relatively high power and controllable temperature to accelerate the partial oxidation chemical processes required for fuel conversion. Gliding discharge plasma is employed as a volumetric catalyst in the partial oxidation process to produce syngas (CO + H2) from hydrocarbons. Gliding discharge in tornado flow has several advantages including good mixing of fuel/oxygen and greater uniformity of treatment as recirculation in the vessel allows all of the fuel to be treated in the plasma reaction zone. Plasma energy input in the total energy balance of the process is negligible (approximately 2%) in our experiments; however it is enough to realize a significant increase in process efficacy. New design features of this system include cylindrical internal reaction vessel walls made from metal that act as a secondary electrode and an internal liquid fuel evaporator driven by system exhaust heat. The new Tornado Fuel Conversion reactor is a robust and flexible system that can operate in a variety of temperature and pressure regimes and utilize many fuel sources. A reactor of this type can ultimately be used for on-board fuel conversion and other practical plasma-chemical applications.
Limiting dilution analyses for the quantification of cellular immune responses in bovine ostertagiasis.

Abstract A sensitive limiting dilution analysis (LDA) was used to quantitate the local and systemic cellular immune response of cattle after immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and infection with Ostertagia ostertagi . The assay measures the proliferative response of bovine T-cells after in vitro stimulation with antigen. Interleukin 2 activity was supplied by supernates from mitogen-stimulated bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and accessory cell function was in the form of irradiated autologous PBL. The assay measures the response of a single cell and was most easily demonstrated in the lymph nodes draining the site of antigen inoculation. Comparison of cell frequencies and maximal responses generated in conventional proliferative assays showed several differences between the two assays. First, after antigen injection, the highest cell frequencies were seen in the draining lymph nodes within 3 days, and decreased by 10 days post-immunization. In contrast, in mass cultures maximal stimulation was not seen until 7–10 days after injection, but remained high up to 4 weeks after immunization. Second, at 17 days post-infection, a time of eruption of the parasite from the gastric glands, high frequencies of inducible cells were demonstrated by LDA in all lymphoid populations tested. In contrast, low levels of proliferation were seen in mass cultures. The reasons for these differences may include different sensitivities to suppression or more stringent requirements for specificity between the two assays. Finally, it was found that immunologically naive calves have relatively high frequencies of Ostertagia -specific cells in PBL, and that after infection these frequencies decrease. These results indicate either active suppression of the potential anti- Ostertagia response or an extra-vascularization of these cells to the site of infection.
Detection of protein carbonyls in aging liver tissue: A fluorescence-based proteomic approach.

Protein carbonyls are commonly used as a marker of protein oxidation in cells and tissues. Currently, 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) is widely used (spectrophotometrically or immunologically) to quantify the global carbonyl levels in proteins and identify the specific proteins that are carbonylated. We have adapted a fluorescence-based approach using fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide (FTC), to quantify the global protein carbonyls as well as the carbonyl levels on individual proteins in the proteome. Protein carbonyls generated in vitro were quantified by labeling the oxidized proteins with FTC followed by separating the FTC-labeled protein from free probe by gel electrophoresis. The reaction of FTC with protein carbonyls was found to be specific for carbonyl groups. We measured protein carbonyl levels in the livers of young and old mice, and found a significant increase (two-fold) in the global protein carbonyl levels with age. Using 2-D gel electrophoresis, we used this assay to directly measure the changes in protein carbonyl levels in specific proteins. We identified 12 proteins showing a greater than two-fold increase in carbonyl content (pmoles of carbonyls/μg of protein) with age. Most of the 12 proteins contained transition metal binding sites, with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase containing the highest molar ratio of carbonyls in old mice. Thus, the fluorescence-based assay gives investigators the ability to identify potential target proteins that become oxidized under different pathological and physiological conditions.
Non‐avian dinosaur fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of western Liaoning, China

Over the past 10 years, numerous dinosaur specimens covering several major dinosaurian clades have been recovered from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of western Liaoning. Among ornithischians from the Jehol Group, ornithopod fossils shed new light on the evolution of this largest ornithischian group; ankylosaurian discoveries add morphological diversity relevant to the highly specialized ankylosaurian body-plan and ceratopsian occurrences offer a chance to study patterns of morphological change at the base of the Ceratopsia. The most significant discoveries are exceptionally well-preserved theropod specimens covering most major coelurosaurian groups. Most theropod taxa from the Jehol Biota are the earliest, most basal members of coelurosaurian sub-clades and provide substantial new information important for the reconstruction of coelurosaurian phylogeny and understanding the character evolution. The examination of character distributions along the coelurosaurian lineages reveals that the major structural modifications seen in birds were acquired sequentially and hierarchically early in coelurosaurian evolution. Most significantly, the Liaoning theropod discoveries advanced our understanding of two long-debated evolutionary issues: the origin and early evolution of feathers and the origin of avian flight. The known distribution of the feather-like integumentary structures and true feathers along the coelurosaurian lineages suggests that: (1) simple, filamentous integuments represent a primitive morph in feather evolution; (2) pennaceous feathers evolved early in maniraptoran evolution; and (3) feathers with aerodynamic features originated before the origin of birds. The presence of flight feathers on the metatarsus represents a new morph that is not known previously, but it has implications for understanding the origin of avian flight. The discovery of four-winged dinosaurs was suggested to provide strong evidence supporting the 'tree-down' hypothesis for the origin of avian flight, though in-depth analysis and more data are needed to confirm this. A brief analysis of the fossil preservation and faunal composition reveals several interesting characteristics: (1) Volcanic activity might have contributed to the exceptional preservation of dinosaurian skeletons and in particular their soft tissues; (2) Different from most other dinosaur faunas, the Jehol dinosaur fauna has a low ornithischian specific diversity relative to a high theropod specific diversity; and (3) the Liaoning theropods show a strong tendency toward secondary herbivory. The faunal composition suggests a complex biogeographic history for this fauna and provides negative evidence for the hypothesis that eastern Asia was isolated from the Middle Jurassic through late Early Cretaceous times. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of an inflammatory bowel disease registry

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is characterized by two major entities, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These bowel diseases have associated problems involving the eyes, joints, skin, kidneys, immunological system, hepatobiliary system, and psychiatric disturbances. A regional IBD registry encompassing 18 hospitals and IBD specialists in east/northeast Pennsylvania was established to promote awareness of the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the disease. Results of this data collection effort will be shared with patients and physicians through the use of newsletters and symposia. A Basic History (HX) form, an Operative Data (OR) form, and an Annual Follow-up (FU) form was used to collect relevant data. Participation is voluntary and all information is confidential.
Microramp Flow Control of Normal Shock/Boundary-Layer Interactions

Boundary-layer bleed has conventionally been used to control separation due to shock wave/boundary-layer interactions within supersonic engine inlets. However, bleed systems result in a loss of captured mass flow, incurring higher drag and, ultimately, lower propulsion system efficiency. Microramp sub-boundary-layer vortex generators arranged in a spanwise array have been proposed in the past as a form of flow-control methodology for shock wave/ boundary-layer interactions. Experiments have been conducted herein at Mach 1.4 to characterize flow details of such devices and obtain quantitative measurements of their ability to control the interaction of a normal shock with a turbulent boundary layer. The flowfield was analyzed using schlieren photography, surface oil flow visualization, pressure-sensitive paint, and particle image velocimetry. An array of three microramps, for which the height was scaled to 36% of the incoming boundary-layer thickness, was placed ahead of the normal shock interaction. It was demonstrated that the microramps did entrain higher-momentum fluid into the boundary layer, which improved boundary-layer health. Specifically, the incompressible displacement thickness, momentum thickness, and shape factor were decreased, and the skin friction coefficient was increased, for the shock wave/boundary-layer interaction with the microramp array relative to the no-array case.
MicroRNA-134 activity in somatostatin interneurons regulates H-Ras localization by repressing the palmitoylation enzyme, DHHC9

MicroRNA-134 (miR-134) serves as a widely accepted model for microRNA function in synaptic plasticity. In this model, synaptic activity stimulates miR-134 expression, which then regulates dendrite growth and spine formation. By using a ratiometric microRNA sensor, we found, unexpectedly, that miR-134 activity in cortical neurons was restricted to interneurons. Using an assay designed to trap microRNA–mRNA complexes, we determined that miR-134 interacted directly with the mRNA encoding the palmitoylation enzyme, DHHC9. This enzyme is known to palmitoylate H-Ras, a modification required for proper membrane trafficking. Treatment with bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, decreased DHHC9 expression in somatostatin-positive interneurons and membrane localization of an H-Ras reporter in a manner that depended on miR-134. Thus, although miR-134 has been proposed to affect all types of neurons, we showed that functionally active miR-134 is produced in only a selected population of neurons where it influences the expression of targets, such as DHHC9, that regulate membrane targeting of critical signaling molecules.
Novel Fluorescence Sensing Methods for High Throughput Screening

We describe two new methods of fluorescence sensing for use in high throughput screening (HTS). Modulation sensing transforms analyte-dependent intensity changes into a change in the low-frequency modulation signal. Polarization sensing transforms an intensity change into a change in polarization. Both methods are internally calibrated by using a reference film immediately adjacent to the sample, which can be readily located on the HTS plate or on a nearby optical component and provides an intensity or polarization reference. Modulation sensing and polarization sensing were both shown useful for measurements of fluorophore concentrations, pH, or calcium concentrations in the wells of HTS plates. Sensing with a reference film provides the opportunity to internally reference HTS measurements without the need for additions to the sample. This approach can provide standardization for assays performed at different times.
On the calculation of self-diffusion in vertically agitated granular beds

We present self-diffusion calculations derived from discrete element simulations of an idealized granular material under gravity, which is energized through vertical, sinusoidal oscillations of a plane rigid floor. The bed of particles is agitated to a degree so that computed steady-state profiles of granular temperature and solids fraction are consistent with kinetic theory predictions. The average self-diffusivity for the entire assembly, computed both from the velocity autocorrelation function and the mean-square displacement, is found to compare well with an analytic expression taken from kinetic theory.
Production and characterization of a three-dimensional cellular metal-filled ceramic composite

Silicon carbide in the form of a foam network was vacuum infiltrated with aluminum alloy A356 to produce a new Interpenetrating Composite material. The foam, once infiltrated with a second phase transforms into a composite where two distinct, continuous, three-dimensional network structures are formed. The advantage of this metal matrix composite is its high strength-to-weight ratio for use in lightweight applications such as electronic packaging materials. The electroless nickel coating and vacuum infiltration procedures are developed. Materials characterization of the composite is evaluated by microstructural and compositional analysis, and density, porosity, and nano-indentation measurements. Selected experimental mechanical and thermal property measurements are performed to understand its properties and compare against theoretical models. Results show the final composite to have lower density than conventional electronic base plate packaging materials with low porosity. The composite has an increased Young's modulus and flexural strength to that of the unreinforced alloy and comparable impact toughness to composites with 50–70 vol% SiC particles but with only 12 vol% SiC. The fracture surface of the matrix illustrates conventional fibrous fracture and brittle cleavage whilst the reinforcement struts show signs of layer de-bonding from their SiC layered structure.
The effect of oxygen, antioxidants, and superoxide radical on tyrosine phenoxyl radical dimerization

Dimerization of tyrosine phenoxyl radical yields bityrosine (BT) which can easily be monitored by its characteristic fluorescence at 400 nm. The reactivity of tyrosine phenoxyl radical with O{sub 2} was examined by a variety of techniques. BT fluorescence was measured as a function of O{sub 2} concentration. Over a range of pH values (4-12) there was no effect of oxygen on BT production ((O{sub 2}) less than or equal to 0.72 mM). In addition, oxygen uptake by the phenoxyl radical was measured directly with an oxygen electrode. It was determined by this technique that oxygen does not react with the phenoxyl radical with a rate constant greater than 10(3) M-1 s-1. Tyrosine phenoxyl radical repair by superoxide and physiological antioxidants was examined by BT fluorescence quenching as well as pulse radiolysis. Implications of these results as to the fate of tyrosine phenoxyl radicals produced in biological systems is discussed.
Distance Education Is a Strategy: What Is the Objective?

Abstract The tools and techniques associated with distance education can be used to meet a number of social, political, or business goals and their accompanying educational or training objectives. Strategic planning is a means for developing and verifying the fit between distance education and its sponsoring goals. This paper reviews a number of strategic plans and the goals and objectives normally assigned to distance education and distinguishes the terms used in strategic thinking about distance education. This essay examines assumptions about adopting distance delivery of education and training by looking at distance education, not as an objective, but as a strategy that can potentially serve many educational objectives.
Method for Determination of Aspirin and Salicylic Acid in Rat Whole Blood by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Abstract A method has been developed to simultaneously determine aspirin and salicylic acid in rat whole blood. Aspirin and salicylic acid are extracted from acidified whole blood into a 50/50 v/v ethylacetate/butylchloride organic solvent system containing internal standard (meta-anisic acid). Following controlled evaporation of the organic extract under partial vacuum, the dried residue is reconstituted with mobile phase. Chromatography is ion suppression reverse phase on a 5 μm octyldecasiland column with detection by UV absorbance at 280 nm. In this method, the procedure of blood centrifugation for plasma preparation is eliminated. Therefore, the blood volume required is decreased and the sensitivity of analysis is considerably increased. Concentrations of aspirin as low as 0.5 mcg/ml and salicyclic acid as low as 1.5 mcg/ml can be quantitated in as little as 100 μl of whole blood. Aspirin is one of the most extensively used drugs. A method of high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the analysi...
Brain distribution of nitric oxide synthase in neuronal or endothelial nitric oxide synthase mutant mice using [3H]l-NG-nitro-arginine autoradiography

Abstract The regional distribution of nitric oxide synthase in the central nervous system was assessed by quantitative autoradiography using [ 3 H] l - N G -nitro-arginine binding in wild-type mice (SV-129 and C57black/6) and in mice lacking expression of the neuronal (type 1) and endothelial (type 3) nitric oxide synthase gene. The distribution of nitric oxide synthase binding sites in wild-type mice was similar to that described for rat brain by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase staining and immunohistochemistry, and as determined by quantitative autoradiography. In the wild-type mice, the densest labelling was observed in the granular layer of the olfactory bulb, tenia tecta, rhinal fissure, amygdaloid complex and molecular layer of cerebellum. The islands of Calleja, the hippocampal CAI and CA3 subfields, dentate gyrus, cortical layers I-II, the superficial gray layer of superior colliculus and the granule layer of cerebellum displayed intermediate binding. Cortical layers III-VI, the striatum and the thalamus were only weakly labelled. Binding was saturable and of high affinity, and was displaced by 7-nitroindazole (100 μM), a potent and selective inhibitor of type 1 nitric oxide synthase, and by unlabelled l - N G -nitro-arginine (10 μM). The density of [ 3 H] l - N G -nitro-arginine binding was dramatically reduced in all brain regions in type 1 mutant mice, whereas there were no detectable binding differences between wild-type and type 3 nitric oxide synthase mutant mice. Hence, type 1 nitric oxide synthase is the major source of [ 3 H] l - N G -nitro-arginine binding in the mouse brain. [ 3 H] l - N G -Nitro-arginine autoradiography may be a useful tool to quantify nitric oxide synthase in different brain areas after pharmacological or physiological manipulations.