cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of dynamic coupled hydro-bio-mechanical processes on response of municipal solid waste and liner system in bioreactor landfills

Abstract A two-dimensional (2-D) mathematical model is presented to predict the response of municipal solid waste (MSW) of conventional as well as bioreactor landfills undergoing coupled hydro-bio-mechanical processes. The newly developed and validated 2-D coupled mathematical modeling framework combines and simultaneously solves a two-phase flow model based on the unsaturated Richard’s equation, a plain-strain formulation of Mohr-Coulomb mechanical model and first-order decay kinetics biodegradation model. The performance of both conventional and bioreactor landfill was investigated holistically, by evaluating the mechanical settlement, extent of waste degradation with subsequent changes in geotechnical properties, landfill slope stability, and in-plane shear behavior (shear stress-displacement) of composite liner system and final cover system. It is concluded that for the given specific conditions considered, bioreactor landfill attained an overall stabilization after a continuous leachate injection of 16 years, whereas the stabilization was observed after around 50 years of post-closure in conventional landfills, with a total vertical strain of 36% and 37% for bioreactor and conventional landfills, respectively. The significant changes in landfill settlement, the extent of MSW degradation, MSW geotechnical properties, along with their influence on the in-plane shear response of composite liner and final cover system, between the conventional and bioreactor landfills, observed using the mathematical model proposed in this study, corroborates the importance of considering coupled hydro-bio-mechanical processes while designing and predicting the performance of engineered bioreactor landfills. The study underscores the importance of considering the effect of coupled processes while examining the stability and integrity of the liner and cover systems, which form the integral components of a landfill. Moreover, the spatial and temporal variations in the landfill settlement, the stability of landfill slope under pressurized leachate injection conditions and the rapid changes in the MSW properties with degradation emphasizes the complexity of the bioreactor landfill system and the need for understanding the interrelated processes to design and operate stable and effective bioreactor landfills. A detailed discussion on the results obtained from the numerical simulations along with limitations and key challenges in this study are also presented.
Murine models of Sjögren's syndrome. Evolution of the lacrimal gland inflammatory lesions.

Lacrimal gland inflammation develops in a number of autoimmune mice, including the MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr), MRL/Mp(-)+/+ (MRL/+), and NZB x NZW F1 hybrid (NZB/W) strains. The authors studied the evolution of this process, MRL/lpr mice had inflammatory lesions at 4 weeks old. The lesions had enlarged by 2 months and were fully developed by 4 to 5 months of age. In MRL/+ mice, 4-week-old mice had no lesions, although some focal inflammation was detectable at 3 months old. Significant abnormalities were present at 6 months, and persisted and increased throughout life, with all mice having extensive lesions at 18 months or older. In NZB/W mice, the authors detected no lesions until 6 months of age, and these lesions were fully developed in 9 months. Immunocytochemical profiles, of the cell types infiltrating the lacrimal gland, showed differences not only between the strains, but also in each strain as inflammation progressed. All three types of mice had L3T4+ T cells as the major lymphocyte component, although MRL/+ had significantly more Lyt 2+ T cells than the other strains. NZB/W mice had significantly more B cells than the two MRL substrains. In both NZB/W and MRL/+ mice, there was a significant increase in the B cell population, and a decrease in the percentage of L3T4+ T cells. There was a significant decline in Lyt 2+ T suppressor/cytotoxic cells in both NZB/W and MRL/lpr mice. This last finding was consistent with the more rapid development of inflammation in these strains than in the MRL/+ mice, where Lyt 2+ T suppressor/cytotoxic cells persist. Together, these results indicate that the autoimmune response in murine models of Sjogren's syndrome is a dynamic, evolving process with strain-related changes in lymphocyte subsets.
Blue light regenerates functional visual pigments in mammals through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate

The light absorbing chromophore in opsin visual pigments is the protonated Schiff base of 11-cis-retinaldehyde (11cRAL). Absorption of a photon isomerizes 11cRAL to all-trans-retinaldehyde (atRAL), briefly activating the pigment before it dissociates. Light sensitivity is restored when apo-opsin combines with another 11cRAL to form a new visual pigment. Conversion of atRAL to 11cRAL is carried out by enzyme pathways in neighboring cells. Here we show that blue (450-nm) light converts atRAL specifically to 11cRAL through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate in photoreceptor membranes. The quantum efficiency of this photoconversion is similar to rhodopsin. Photoreceptor membranes synthesize 11cRAL chromophore faster under blue light than in darkness. Live mice regenerate rhodopsin more rapidly in blue light. Finally, whole retinas and isolated cone cells show increased photosensitivity following exposure to blue light. These results indicate that light contributes to visual-pigment renewal in mammalian rods and cones through a non-enzymatic process involving retinyl-phospholipids.It is currently thought that visual pigments in vertebrate photoreceptors are regenerated exclusively through enzymatic cycles. Here the authors show that mammalian photoreceptors also regenerate opsin pigments in light through photoisomerization of N-ret-PE (N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine.
Drug-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Standardized Patient Case for Clerkship Students.

Introduction Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is a common yet preventable cause of acute renal failure. With the upward trend of prescription and over-the-counter medication use, it has become increasin...
Sports Cardiology: Core Curriculum for Providing Cardiovascular Care to Competitive Athletes and Highly Active People

The last few decades have seen substantial growth in the populations of competitive athletes and highly active people (CAHAP). Although vigorous physical exercise is an effective way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, CAHAP remain susceptible to inherited and acquired CV disease, and may be most at risk for adverse CV outcomes during intense physical activity. Traditionally, multidisciplinary teams comprising athletic trainers, physical therapists, primary care sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons have provided clinical care for CAHAP. However, there is increasing recognition that a care team including qualified CV specialists optimizes care delivery for CAHAP. In recognition of the increasing demand for CV specialists competent in the care of CAHAP, the American College of Cardiology has recently established a Sports and Exercise Council. An important primary objective of this council is to define the essential skills necessary to practice effective sports cardiology.
Inferring Probability Models from Data

One very useful way to draw conclusions from a dataset is to fit a probability model to that dataset. Once this is done, we can apply any of our procedures to the probability model to (for example) predict new data or estimate properties of future data. For example, you could flip a coin ten times and see five heads and five tails. To be able to estimate the probability of seeing heads on a future flip, you would need to fit a model. But once you had done so, you could also estimate the probability that five future flips would give you three heads and two tails, and so on.
Returning Adolescents to Driving after Sports-Related Concussions: What Influences Physician Decision-Making.

Objective To determine which data collected on an initial patient clinic visit for a sports-related concussion (SRC) might influence physicians to clear an adolescent to return to drive (RTD) after injury. Study design Retrospective cohort study of 189 adolescents with a SRC referred to a hospital-based concussion clinic between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Subjects were ≥16 years with a valid driver's license (median age = 16, IQR [16, 17]). Concussion evaluations included Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, modified Balance Error Scoring System, and postinjury computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT). Clearance for RTD was the main outcome. Statistical comparisons were conducted with Mann–Whitney U and χ2 tests and logistic regression. Results In multivariable analysis, odds of being fully cleared to drive were 5.9-fold greater among patients who were administered CNT. Stated symptoms of “headache” and “sensitivity to light” were statistically significantly associated with RTD clearance. For a subset of 113 individuals undergoing CNT, each additional 10-millisecond decrease in simple reaction time was associated with 9% greater odds of being cleared to drive. Each additional 10-millisecond decrease in choice reaction time was associated with 4% greater odds of being cleared to drive. Conclusions CNT and associated reaction time measures may facilitate a physician's objective decision-making. Making a RTD determination for adolescents recovering from an SRC should be a core component of a physician's assessment.
Regulation of mitophagy by the ubiquitin pathway in neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitophagy is a cellular process by which dysfunctional mitochondria are degraded via autophagy. Increasing empirical evidence proposes that this mitochondrial quality-control mechanism is defective...
Decreasing Use of Radioactive Iodine for Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer in California, 1999 to 2015.

Context Routine radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is not supported by current practice guidelines. Objective To assess recent stage-specific trends in use of RAI ablation. Design, Setting, and Patients Retrospective study of patients with DTC (1999 to 2015) identified from the California Cancer Registry. Statistical analysis included standardized differences, P values, and multivariable analyses using RAI as the predictor variable. Main Outcome Measures Trends and drivers of RAI ablation for low-risk DTC. Results Of 46,906 patients with DTC who underwent near-total or total thyroidectomy [mean age 48.2 ± 15.5 (standard deviation) years, 77% female), 25,457 (54%) received RAI. The proportion of patients with regional/distant disease who received RAI remained stable at 68%. Use of RAI for patients with localized disease (no extrathyroidal extension, lymph node, or distant metastases) decreased from 55% (1999) to 30% (2015), with the most substantial change occurring in tumors 4 cm. In multivariable analyses, patients with localized disease were less likely to receive RAI if they were >65 years old [odds ratio (OR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71 to 0.83], had tumors <1 cm (OR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.35), or were treated in an academic hospital (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.75). Conclusions The rate of RAI ablation decreased over time, mainly attributable to decreased use for localized DTCs <2 cm. Many patients with low-risk DTC still receive RAI unnecessarily.
Stable Isotopes in Microbial Ecology

Stable isotope techniques have many applications in microbial ecology and microbial biogeochemistry. Because microbes play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycling of most elements, understanding how these processes work and the factors controlling them is also important to understanding the whole earth system. Stable isotope measurements of environmental samples at natural abundance and isotope addition studies are both useful tools to understand the cycling of elements and how microorganisms are involved in these processes. New techniques that combine the use of isotope labels with organismal identity and activity have the potential to offer additional insights into microbial communities and the role of microorganisms in the environment.
Positive Patient Outcomes: More than a Degree

Abstract There have been multiple initiatives to demonstrate a connection between patient outcomes and increased levels of baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses in the workforce. Yet, despite increasing numbers of people with bachelor of science in nursing in the workforce, negative patient outcomes continue to escalate. This editorial proposes that other system variables, particularly leadership, are contributing factors that nursing leaders must consider if the expectation is improved in patient outcomes.
A Layered Graphical Model for Cloud Forensic Mission Attack Impact Analysis

Cyber attacks on the systems that support an enterprise’s mission can significantly impact its objectives. This chapter describes a layered graphical model designed to support forensic investigations by quantifying the mission impacts of cyber attacks. The model has three layers: (i) an upper layer that models operational tasks and their interdependencies that fulfill mission objectives; (ii) a middle layer that reconstructs attack scenarios based on the interrelationships of the available evidence; and (iii) a lower level that uses system calls executed in upper layer tasks in order to reconstruct missing attack steps when evidence is missing. The graphs constructed from the three layers are employed to compute the impacts of attacks on enterprise missions. The National Vulnerability Database – Common Vulnerability Scoring System scores and forensic investigator estimates are used to compute the mission impacts. A case study is presented to demonstrate the utility of the graphical model.
Field-based architectural traits characterisation of maize plant using time-of-flight 3D imaging

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most economically important cereal crops. Though time-consuming and labour-intensive, manually measuring phenotypic traits in the field has been the common practice for maize breeding programs. This study presents a system for automated characterisation of several important plant architectural traits of maize plants under field conditions. An algorithm was developed to extract 3D plant skeletons from point cloud data acquired by side-viewing Time-of-Flight cameras. Plants were detected as 3D lines by Hough transform of the skeleton nodes. By analysing the graph structure of the skeletons with respect to the 3D lines, the point cloud was partitioned into plant instances with the stems and the leaves separated. Furthermore, plant height, plant orientation, leaf angle, and stem diameter were extracted for each plant. The image-derived estimates of traits were compared to manual measurements at multiple growth stages. Satisfactory accuracies in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (R2) were achieved for plant height (before flowering: MAE 0.15 m, R2 0.96; after flowering: MAE 0.054 m, R2 0.83), leaf angle (MAE 2.8°, R2 0.83), and plant orientation (MAE 13°), except for stem diameter due to the limitations of the depth sensor. The results showed that the system was robust and accurate when the plants were imaged from only one side despite occlusions caused by leaves, and the method was applicable to maize plants from an early growth stage to full maturity.
Does financial development matter for innovation in renewable energy

This letter investigates a missing link in the literature – whether financial development matters for renewable energy innovation. Our analysis of 22 OECD countries between 1990 and 2014 suggests t...
Direct detection anomalies in light of G A I A data

Measurements from the GAIA satellite have greatly increased our knowledge of the dark matter velocity distributions in the Solar neighborhood. There is evidence for multiple cold structures nearby, including a high-velocity stream counterrotating relative to the Sun. This stream could significantly alter the spectrum of recoil energies and increase the annual modulation of dark matter in direct detection experiments such as DAMA/Libra. We reanalyze the experimental limits from Xenon1T, CDMSlite, PICO-60, and COSINE-100, and compare them to the results of the DAMA/Libra experiment. While we find that this new component of the dark matter velocity distribution can greatly improve the fit to the DAMA/Libra data, both spin-independent and spin-dependent interpretations of the DAMA/Libra signal with elastic and inelastic scattering continue to be ruled out by the null results of other experiments, in particular Xenon1T.
A novel technique for retrieval of a broken biopsy needle

A broken needle is a rare complication of bone biopsy. We describe an easily applied technique of retrieval of a retained biopsy needle fragment using a cannulated drill typically used for internal fixation of femoral neck fractures. This approach allows for removal under moderate conscious sedation and can be performed by a radiologist using fluoroscopic or CT-fluoroscopic guidance in the radiology suite.
A Qualitative Study of Health in All Policies at the Local Level

Health in All Policies (HiAP) encourage health-conscious policymaking in non-health sectors; however, there are no standardized measures or guides for assessing progress in HiAP implementation. The...
NMDA receptor-dependent plasticity in the nucleus accumbens connects reward-predictive cues to approach responses

Learning associations between environmental cues and rewards is a fundamental adaptive function. Via such learning, reward-predictive cues come to activate approach to locations where reward is available. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is essential for cued approach behavior in trained subjects, and cue-evoked excitations in NAc neurons are critical for the expression of this behavior. Excitatory synapses within the NAc undergo synaptic plasticity that presumably contributes to cued approach acquisition, but a direct link between synaptic plasticity within the NAc and the development of cue-evoked neural activity during learning has not been established. Here we show that, with repeated cue-reward pairings, cue-evoked excitations in the NAc emerge and grow in the trials prior to the detectable expression of cued approach behavior. We demonstrate that the growth of these signals requires NMDA receptor-dependent plasticity within the NAc, revealing a neural mechanism by which the NAc participates in learning of conditioned reward-seeking behaviors.
Runtime Packet-Dropping Detection of Faulty Nodes in Network-on-Chip

Due to the impact of ongoing deep sub-micron technology, billions of transistors are crammed in an integrated circuit to combine multiple systems on a single chip. Network-on-Chip (NoC) has become the communication infrastructure among these systems’ components. On the other hand, scaling down the feature size has increased the probability of faults which could be experienced in runtime. Therefore, online fault detection is considered in the system design. This paper presents an efficient method to detect and avoid faulty nodes that silently discard packets from the network. This method deals with control faults of the NoC routers, where the packets are received but are not saved in the buffers. In this work, a high level fault model is proposed. Also, a detection technique and fault tolerant method is presented. The proposed scheme is analyzed and evaluated. The results show 3.91%, 9.97%, and 8.82% overhead in area, power, and performance, respectively, while guaranteeing packet delivery to the destination.
Using discrete choice experiments to measure preferences for hard to observe choice attributes to inform health policy decisions

Models of preferences in health services research (HSR) and Health Economics are often defined by readily available information, such as that captured in claims data and electronic health records. Yet many important questions about patient choices cannot be easily studied because of a lack of critical data elements. The objective of this review is to outline the advantages of using stated preferences (SP) data in health services research, and to outline how these methods can be used to evaluate choices that have not yet been offered or studied. This article focuses on the application of DCE’s to relevant policy and health system delivery questions currently relevant, particularly in the United States. DCE’s may be helpful to collect data from patient or consumer data that we currently do not have. The article provides examples of research questions that have been answered using SP data collected with a DCE. It outlines how to construct a DCE and how to analyze the data. It also discusses the methodological challenges and emphasizes important considerations regarding the design and estimation methods. SP data can be adopted in situations where we would like to have consumer choice data, but we currently do not. These are often hypothetical situations to analyze the decision-making process of individuals. With SP data it is possible to analyze trade-offs patients make when choosing between treatment options where these hard to measure attributes are important. This paper emphasizes that a carefully designed DCE and appropriate estimation methods can open up a new world of data regarding trade-offs patients and providers in healthcare are willing to make. It updates previous “how to” guide for DCE’s for health services researchers and health economists who are not familiar with these methods or have been unwilling to use them and updates previous description of these methods with timely examples.
Teachers, afterschool program staff, and mothers: Relationships with key adults and children’s adjustment in early elementary school

According to bioecological theory, children’s experiences in one developmental setting are meaningful for their adjustment in other settings. In the current study, the quality of children’s relatio...
The role of cap-dependent translation in aged-related changes in neuroimmunity and affective behaviors

Translation regulation in the context of aged-associated inflammation and behavioral impairments is not well characterized. Aged individuals experience lower life quality due to behavioral impairments. In this study, we used young and aged transgenic mice that are unable to activate the cap-binding protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to examine the role of protein translation control in aging, memory, depression, and anxiety. To determine how products of cap-dependent translation play a permissive role in aged-associated inflammation, we assessed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in various brain regions involved in the above-mentioned behaviors. We found that functional eIF4E is not necessary for age-related deficits in spatial and short-term memory but is important for depressive and anxiety-like behavior and this is correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines in discrete brain regions. Thus, we have begun to elucidate a role for eIF4E phosphorylation in the context of aged-related behavioral impairments and chronic low-grade inflammation that may help identify novel immune modulators for therapeutic targets and decrease the burden of self-care among the geriatric population.
Cluster mediated conversion of amorphous Al(OH)3 to γ-AlOOH

Abstract We report a synthetic pathway by which amorphous Al(OH)3 is converted to γ-AlOOH through hydrothermal reaction in the presence of water at temperature T ​= ​473 ​K. X-ray pair distribution function measurements reveal that the initially amorphous Al(OH)3 possesses a locally γ-Al(OH)3-like structure, while nanocrystalline γ-AlOOH precipitates within 1 ​h of continuous hydrothermal exposure. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements show that resonant features associated with four- and five-member Al clusters persist through 20 ​min of hydrothermal treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) spectra mark the onset of UV-induced photoluminescent features characteristic to γ-AlOOH with 10 ​min of exposure, indicating a coexistence region of γ-Al(OH)3-like and γ-AlOOH-like amorphous species. Powder x-ray diffraction measurements of desiccated powders reveal that the conversion process takes place in distinct, power law-defined stages with initial γ-AlOOH nucleation occurring within the first 20 ​min, followed by a ~ 1 ​h period of rapid grain coarsening and the subsequent onset of Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner-like coalescence.
Self-Coding of Fidelity as a Potential Active Ingredient of Consultation to Improve Clinicians' Fidelity.

A key goal for implementation science is the identification of evidence-based consultation protocols and the active ingredients within these protocols that drive clinician behavior change. The current study examined clinicians’ self-coding of fidelity as a potential active ingredient of consultation for the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) intervention. It also examined two other potential predictors of clinician fidelity in response to consultation: dosage of consultation and working alliance. Twenty-nine clinicians (97% female, 62% White, M age = 34 years) participated in a year of weekly fidelity-focused ABC consultation sessions, for which clinicians self-coded fidelity and received consultant feedback on both their coding and their fidelity. Data from the ABC fidelity measure were available for 1067 sessions coded by consultants, and clinicians’ self-coding accuracy was calculated from 1044 sessions coded by both clinicians and consultants. Alliance was measured with the Working Alliance Inventory—Trainee and Supervisor Versions. The study was observational, and fidelity and self-coding accuracy were modeled across time using hierarchical linear modeling. Clinicians’ ABC fidelity, as well as their self-coding accuracy, increased over the course of consultation. Clinicians’ self-coding accuracy predicted their initial fidelity and growth in fidelity. Working alliance was also linked to fidelity and self-coding accuracy. These results suggest that clinician self-coding should be further examined as an active ingredient of consultation. The study has important implications for the design of consultation procedures and fidelity assessments.
Root-derived inputs are major contributors to soil carbon in temperate forests, but vary by mycorrhizal type.

Roots promote the formation of slow-cycling soil carbon (C), yet we have a limited understanding of the magnitude and controls on this flux. We hypothesised arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)- and ectomycorrhizal (ECM)-associated trees would exhibit differences in root-derived C accumulation in the soil, and that much of this C would be transferred into mineral-associated pools. We installed δ13 C-enriched ingrowth cores across mycorrhizal gradients in six Eastern U.S. forests (n = 54 plots). Overall, root-derived C was 54% greater in AM versus ECM-dominated plots. This resulted in nearly twice as much root-derived C in putatively slow-cycling mineral-associated pools in AM compared to ECM plots. Given that our estimates of root-derived inputs were often equal to or greater than leaf litter inputs, our results suggest that variation in root-derived soil C accumulation due to tree mycorrhizal dominance may be a key control of soil C dynamics in forests.
The presentation of lymph nodes in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on ultrasound

Background: Comprehensive neck ultrasound (US) examination has become an essential component of preoperative workup for patients with thyroid cancer. Regional cervical lymph nodes may be involved in cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). This study seeks to examine the sonographic pattern of lymph nodes in patients with HT. Methods: This is a retrospective study looking at patients with confirmed diagnoses of HT on final surgical pathology who underwent preoperative comprehensive neck US. We compared preoperative ultrasound for patients with HT to euthyroid patients with goiter. Data collected included number, size and ultrasonographic features of cervical lymph nodes. Results: We included a total of 417 patients: 202 patients with HT in the study group, and 215 patients with goiter and euthyroid status in the control group. Patients with HT had a higher number of total cervical lymph nodes than the control group (2.00±2.35 vs. 0.76±1.36 mm; P<0.0001), most notably in cervical levels III and IV (P<0.05 for both). Conclusions: HT seems to be associated with an ultrasonographic pattern of increased number of enlarged cervical lymph nodes, particularly in levels III, and IV.
Character degree graphs and normal subgroups

We consider the degrees of those irreducible characters of a group G whose kernels do not contain a given normal subgroup N. We show that if N ⊂ G' and N is not perfect, then the common-divisor graph on this set of integers has at most two connected components. Also, if N is solvable, we obtain bounds on the diameters of the components of this graph and, in the disconnected case, we study the structure of N and of G.
Terminology Confusion: 'Negotiate' and 'Discount'

This article discusses sources of confusion in L/C practice that result from the fact that law and banking give some terms different meanings. The confusion lies in the terms “negotiate” and “discount.” The misunderstandings have nothing to do with the grand controversies over negotiation credits, but they do bear on the use of drafts and deferred payment obligations, and resolving matters explains and perhaps justifies a UK court ruling that was not well received in international trading circles. The confusion arises when a nominated bank takes an acceptance or deferred payment undertaking (DPU) arising out of a letter of credit transaction.
Estimation of surface‐based duct parameters from surface clutter using a ray trace approach

[1] This paper describes a technique to estimate, from measured surface clutter, parameters defining a surface-based duct using a simple ray trace method. The approach is novel in that it incorporates a rank correlation scheme between the observed surface clutter and the surface ray density for a given propagation path. While more sophisticated methods for duct parameter estimation have been developed with successful results, these have concentrated on using observations entirely from sea surface clutter. The technique described here looks at using land clutter also as an added source of information to adequately estimate surface-based duct parameters.
Radiative Viscous-Shock-Layer Solutions with Coupled Ablation Injection

This paper describes a viscous-shock-layer analysis for investigating high energy equilibrium flowfields about blunt axisymmetric bodies. The analysis includes radiation transfer, mass injection, diffusion, and visous effects. Radiation transfer is calculated with a nongray radiation model that accounts for line and continuum radiation. The analysis can treat large levels of blowing for both stagnation and downstream flow. Results are presented for selected Earth entry conditions that demonstrate the essential features of this analysis. Particular emphasis is given to the effects of mass injection on stagnation and downstream flow. Results for both specified and coupled ablation injection are presented.
Experimental spinal cord injury in rats diminishes vagally-mediated gastric responses to cholecystokinin-8s.

The CNS integration of gastric sensory and motor activity occurs within brainstem vagal circuits of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), which comprises the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) and the area postrema (AP)1. The integrative activity that occurs within the DVC nuclei is the result of inputs originating from higher central nervous system (CNS) areas 2-4, from spinosolitary inputs 5-7 as well as from neurohormonal signals from the periphery. All of these signals finely tune the coordinated emptying of nutrients from the stomach. One of the most studied peptides controlling gastric and digestive functions is cholecystokinin (CCK), which is released from the proximal small intestine in response to fat or protein content of a meal 8. CCK release has profound effects on gastrointestinal functions 9-11, its vagal mechanisms of action include a paracrine activation of vagal afferent fibers along the gut wall (reviewed in 12) as well as direct actions upon nodose ganglion 13,14, and DVC neurons 15-18. The most visible consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is the loss of sensory and motor function, however, SCI has also severe gastrointestinal (GI) consequences. Dysphagia, delayed gastrointestinal transit, gastric dilatation, nausea and emesis are in fact observed immediately after SCI19,20 and may persist for years after the initial injury 21-26. Each of these co-morbidities diminishes the long-term quality of life and nutritional status in SCI patients 27. We and others have shown recently that models of experimental high-thoracic spinal cord injury (T3-SCI) mirror the GI clinical presentation of neurotrauma patients, indeed we reported that T3-SCI animals show a diminished food intake and gastroparesis 28,29, while other groups have also shown inhibition of gastric emptying and duodenal transit of liquids 30-33. We have also shown a significant reduction in gastric motility and a diminished esophageal-gastric relaxation reflex in anesthetized T3-SCI rats 3 days after injury 28. We further demonstrated that the post-SCI dysmotility lasts as long as 6 weeks after injury and is accompanied by a delay in gastric emptying of a 13C-tagged solid meal 29. Based upon anatomical 5-7 and physiological 34 evidence of afferent input to the NTS from the spinal cord, we originally hypothesized that T3-SCI interrupted ascending spinosolitary input to brainstem vagal nuclei thereby altering the sensitivity of vagal reflex function 28. In the present work we used CCK as a model peptide with the aim to test the hypothesis that the T3-SCI induced gastroparesis is due, in part, to a direct impairment of vagally-mediated responses to gastrointestinal peptides.
Rho as a mediator of G protein-coupled receptor signaling.

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) contain α subunits that switch between an inactive GDP-bound state and an active GTP-bound state in response to agonist binding to heptahelical receptors. The low-molecular-weight or small G proteins are also GTPases that serve as molecular switches
Relative Timing Between Kappa Opioid Receptor Activation and Cocaine Determines the Impact on Reward and Dopamine Release

Negative affective states can increase the rewarding value of drugs of abuse and promote drug taking. Chronic cocaine exposure increases levels of the neuropeptide dynorphin, an endogenous ligand at kappa opioid receptors (KOR) that suppresses dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and elicits negative affective states upon drug withdrawal. However, there is evidence that the effects of KOR activation on affective state are biphasic: immediate aversive effects are followed by delayed increases in reward. The impact of KOR-induced affective states on reward-related effects of cocaine over time is not known. We hypothesize that the initial aversive effects of KOR activation increase, whereas the delayed rewarding effects decrease, the net effects of cocaine on reward and dopamine release. We treated rats with cocaine at various times (15 min to 48 h) after administration of the selective KOR agonist salvinorin A (salvA). Using intracranial self-stimulation and fast scan cyclic voltammetry, we found that cocaine-induced increases in brain stimulation reward and evoked dopamine release in the NAc core were potentiated when cocaine was administered within 1 h of salvA, but attenuated when administered 24 h after salvA. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to show that KOR and prodynorphin mRNA levels were decreased in the NAc, whereas tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter mRNA levels and tissue dopamine content were increased in the ventral tegmental area 24 h post-salvA. These findings raise the possibility that KOR activation—as occurs upon withdrawal from chronic cocaine—modulates vulnerability to cocaine in a time-dependent manner.
Effects of circadian phase on cone retinomotor movements in the Midas cichlid

Abstract In retinas of the Midas cichlid (Cichlasoma citrinellum), cone myoid lengths change in response to both light and circadian signals. Cone myoids are short in day (or in the light), and long at night (or in darkness). During the normal light/dark cycle, cone myoids elongate to 58 μm after light offset at dusk, and remain long until just before dawn, at which time they begin to contract before the time of expected light onset and eventually (after light onset) assume daytime lengths of 5 μm. In continuous light, cone myoids remain fully contracted regardless of the time in the cycle. In continuous darkness, cone myoids undergo circadian movements; they elongate fully at night and contract partly during expected day to 23 μm (65% of the contraction seen at dawn in a normal light/dark cycle). To clarify further the regulation of these retinomotor movements, we have investigated the effects of circadian phase on cone movements induced by light or dark onset. Circadian phase had no significant effect on either the initial rate or the final extent of light-induced cone myoid contraction: at mid-dark cones began to contract immediately after light onset and contracted fully at 3·0±0·5 μm min−1; at mid-night cones contracted immediately and fully at 4·0±0·2 μm min−1. At all of the relatively high intensities of light tested (30–5000 lx) cones contracted at similar rates and to similar final extents. In contrast, circadian phase did affect dark-induced cone myoid elongation: both the delay before initiation and the final extent of cone elongation were strongly influenced by circadian phase. At dusk, elongation began immediately after dark onset and plateaued at 58 μm, while at dawn, elongation was delayed by 50 min and plateaued at 30 μm. At mid-day, elongation began 30 min after dark onset and plateaued at 25 μm. Our observations indicate that circadian phase has significant effects on the time of initiation and the final extent of dark-induced cone elongation, but has little or no effect on light-induced cone contraction at light intensities between 30 and 5000 lx.
Understanding Innovation: A Study of Perspectives and Perceptions in Engineering

Well developed innovation processes are essential components for continued success of product and systems design throughout industry. Such processes build upon research advancements in innovation techniques and methods. To create such techniques and methods, studies are needed to examine the current state-of-the-art, as well as the corresponding teaching of such innovation processes in higher education. This paper contributes to this effort by studying a specific group of innovation researchers, teachers, and practitioners. The study was created to probe this group of leaders in the engineering design domain using technical, demographic, and short answer questions. Various analysis methods are used to obtain a fundamental view of the answers to these questions with respect to the demographics of the participant group. Two deductive analysis methods are used, in addition to an inductive approach, consisting of a correlation analysis to compare responses to questions and understand trends across the participants. Results from the analyses emphasize the current perceptions of innovation by the participants and opportunities to refine research in improving innovation practices.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Blood-brain barrier transport of non-viral gene and RNAi therapeutics.

The development of gene- and RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics represents a challenge for the drug delivery field. The global brain distribution of DNA genes, as well as the targeting of specific regions of the brain, is even more complicated because conventional delivery systems, i.e. viruses, have poor diffusion in brain when injected in situ and do not cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which is only permeable to lipophilic molecules of less than 400 Da. Recent advances in the “Trojan Horse Liposome” (THL) technology applied to the transvascular non-viral gene therapy of brain disorders presents a promising solution to the DNA/RNAi delivery obstacle. The THL is comprised of immunoliposomes carrying either a gene for protein replacement or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids for RNAi effect, respectively. The THL is engineered with known lipids containing polyethyleneglycol (PEG), which stabilizes its structure in vivo in circulation. The tissue target specificity of THL is given by conjugation of ∼1% of the PEG residues to peptidomimetic monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that bind to specific endogenous receptors (i.e. insulin and transferrin receptors) located on both the BBB and the brain cellular membranes, respectively. These MAbs mediate (a) receptor-mediated transcytosis of the THL complex through the BBB, (b) endocytosis into brain cells and (c) transport to the brain cell nuclear compartment. The present review presents an overview of the THL technology and its current application to gene therapy and RNAi, including experimental models of Parkinson’s disease and brain tumors.
Excitation-calcium release uncoupling in aged single human skeletal muscle fibers

The biological mechanisms underlying decline in muscle power and fatigue with age are not completely understood. The contribution of alterations in the excitation-calcium release coupling in single muscle fibers was explored in this work. Single muscle fibers were voltage-clamped using the double Vaseline gap technique. The samples were obtained by needle biopsy of the vastus lateralis (quadriceps) from 9 young (25–35 years; 25.9 ± 9.1; 5 female and 4 male) and 11 old subjects (65–75 years; 70.5 ± 2.3; 6 f, 5 m). Data were obtained from 36 and 39 fibers from young and old subjects, respectively. Subjects included in this study had similar physical activity. Denervated and slow-twitch muscle fibers were excluded from this study. A significant reduction of maximum charge movement (Qmax) and DHP-sensitive Ca current were recorded in muscle fibers from the 65–75 group. Qmax values were 7.6 ± 0.9 and 3.2 ± 0.3 nC/μF for young and old muscle fibers, respectively (P < 0.01). No evidences of charge inactivation or interconversion (charge 1 to charge 2) were found. The peak Ca current was (−)4.7 ± 0.08 and (−)2.15 ± 0.11 μA/μF for young and old fibers, respectively (P < 0.01). The peak calcium transient studied with mag-fura-2 (400 μm) was 6.3 ± 0.4 μm and 4.2 ± 0.3 μm for young and old muscle fibers, respectively. Caffeine (0.5 mm) induced potentiation of the peak calcium transient in both groups. The decrease in the voltage-/ Ca-dependent Ca release ratio in old fibers (0.18 ± 0.02) compared to young fibers (0.47 ± 0.03) (P < 0.01), was recorded in the absence of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium depletion. These data support a significant reduction of the amount of Ca available for triggering mechanical responses in aged skeletal muscle and, the reduction of Ca release is due to DHPR-ryanodine receptor uncoupling in fast-twitch fibers. These alterations can account, at least partially for the skeletal muscle function impairment associated with aging.
Transient disruption of M1 during response planning impairs subsequent offline consolidation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to probe the involvement of the left primary motor cortex (M1) in the consolidation of a sequencing skill. In particular we asked: (1) if M1 is involved in consolidation of planning processes prior to response execution (2) whether movement preparation and movement execution can undergo consolidation independently and (3) whether sequence consolidation can occur in a stimulus specific manner. TMS was applied to left M1 while subjects prepared left hand sequential finger responses for three different movement sequences, presented in an interleaved fashion. Subjects also trained on three control sequences, where no TMS was applied. Disruption of subsequent consolidation was observed, but only for sequences where subjects had been exposed to TMS during training. Further, reduced consolidation was only observed for movement preparation, not movement execution. We conclude that left M1 is causally involved in the consolidation of effective response planning for left hand movements prior to response execution, and mediates consolidation in a sequence specific manner. These results provide important new insights into the role of M1 in sequential memory consolidation and sequence response planning.
Improving students' professional communication skills through an integrated learning system

This paper presents an approach to technical communication pedagogy that considers the student's learning environment as a system consisting of multiple learning opportunities - including both digital and human resources. In this system, in-class instructions, short video descriptions, a writing center, and relevant exercises function as scaffolded steps in the learning process to pique the students' interests and motivate them to engage in the lessons, while industry professionals emphasize the importance of communication in the workplace. This paper situates the design of the learning system in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University, where it is being developed. It provides an overview of the system of learning opportunities, describes the instructional design process and the just-in-time online self-learning tutorials, and discusses the design rationale based on the recent findings in learning sciences.
Autophagy, redox signaling, and ventricular remodeling.

Abstract Autophagy is a catabolic process through which damaged or long-lived proteins, macromolecules, or organelles are recycled by using lysosomal degradation machinery. Although the occurrence of autophagy in several cardiac diseases including ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, hypertrophy, and during ischemia/reperfusion injury have been reported, the exact role of autophagy in these diseases is not known. Emerging studies indicate that oxidative stress in cellular system could induce autophagy, and oxidatively modified macromolecules and organelles can be selectively removed by autophagy. Mild oxidative stress–induced autophagy could provide the first line of protection against major damage like apoptosis and necrosis. Cardiac-specific loss of Atg5, an autophagic gene involved in the formation of autophagosome, causes cardiac hypertrophy, left ventricular dilation, and contractile dysfunction. Recently, it was revealed that Atg4, another autophagic gene involved in the formation of a...
A comparison of vascular effects from complex and individual air pollutants indicates a role for monoxide gases and volatile hydrocarbons.

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that the systemic vasculature may be a target of inhaled pollutants of vehicular origin. We have identified several murine markers of vascular toxicity that app...
Possible deep fault slip preceding the 2004 Parkfield earthquake, inferred from detailed observations of tectonic tremor

[1] Earthquake predictability depends, in part, on the degree to which sudden slip is preceded by slow aseismic slip. Recently, observations of deep tremor have enabled inferences of deep slow slip even when detection by other means is not possible, but these data are limited to certain areas and mostly the last decade. The region near Parkfield, California, provides a unique convergence of several years of high-quality tremor data bracketing a moderate earthquake, the 2004 magnitude 6.0 event. Here, I present detailed observations of tectonic tremor from mid-2001 through 2008 that indicate deep fault slip both before and after the Parkfield earthquake that cannot be detected with surface geodetic instruments. While there is no obvious short-term precursor, I find unidirectional tremor migration accompanied by elevated tremor rates in the 3 months prior to the earthquake, which suggests accelerated creep on the fault ∼16 km beneath the eventual earthquake hypocenter.