cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of human chorionic thyrotropin (hCT) from term placentas: failure to recover thyrotropic activity.

We extracted human placentas by three methods to obtain chorionic TSH (hCT). The extracts were assayed by a sensitive homologous RIA for bovine TSH with an antibody which had been used previously for assay of hCT. Based on the RIA for hCT, the yield of hCT was only 0.68 ± 0.15 (SE) mU/100 g placenta by the Bates method, 2.01 ± 0.35 mU/100 g by the Reisfeld method, and 4 mU/100 g by a Concanavalin A-Sepharose technique. Thyrotropic activity was detected by bioassay only in one Reisfeld extract; this biological activity could be attributed to hCG in this fraction. In TSH bioassays of other extracts, the responses were less than the sensitivity of the assay; some extracts were lethal to the bioassay mice. The low yield of hCT, about one-tenth to one-hundredth of that reported previously, casts doubt on the validity of the previous observations.
ω-3 Fatty Acid Intakes Are Inversely Related to Elevated Depressive Symptoms among United States Women

Evidence that depressive symptoms are inversely related to n–3 (v3) fatty acids is growing among United States adults. We assessed whether self-reported depressive symptoms were inversely associated with n–3 fatty acid intakes by using a cross-sectional study in 1746 adults (aged 30–65 y) in Baltimore City, MD (2004–2009). The 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) was used, with a CES-D score $16 suggestive of elevated depressive symptoms (EDS). By using the mean of two 24-h dietary recalls, n–3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs; $20 carbons), n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; $18 carbons), and plausible ratios with n–6 (v6) fatty acids were estimated. EDS prevalence was 18.1% among men and 25.6% among women. In women, the uppermost tertile (tertile 3) of n–3 PUFAs (compared with tertile 1) was associated with reduced odds of EDS by 49%, with a substantial sex differential. The n–3 PUFA:n–6:PUFA ratio was inversely related to EDS among women (tertile 2 vs. tertile 1, OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.41, 1.32; tertile 3 vs. tertile 1, OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.83). A similar pattern was noted for n–3 HUFA:n–6 HUFA among women. For CES-D subscales, n–3 PUFA (% of energy) was inversely related to somatic complaints, whereas positive affect was directly related to n–3 HUFA (% of energy; total population and among women), n–3 HUFA:n–6 HUFA (women), and n–3 HUFA:n–6 PUFA (total population and among women). In sum, among United States women, higher intakes of n–3 fatty acids [absolute (n–3) and relative to n–6 fatty acids (n–3:n–6)] were associated with lower risk of elevated depressive symptoms, specifically in domains of somatic complaints (mainly n–3 PUFAs) and positive affect (mainly n–3 HUFAs). J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.179119.
Accountability In Practice: Mechanisms for NGOs

Summary. — This paper examines how accountability is practiced by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Five broad mechanisms are reviewed: reports and disclosure statements, performance assessments and evaluations, participation, self-regulation, and social audits. Each mechanism, distinguished as either a ‘‘tool’’ or a ‘‘process,’’ is analyzed along three dimensions of accountability: upward–downward, internal–external, and functional–strategic. It is observed that accountability in practice has emphasized ‘‘upward’’ and ‘‘external’’ accountability to donors while ‘‘downward’’ and ‘‘internal’’ mechanisms remain comparatively underdeveloped. Moreover, NGOs and funders have focused primarily on short-term ‘‘functional’’ accountability responses at the expense of longer-term ‘‘strategic’’ processes necessary for lasting social and political change. Key policy implications for NGOs and donors are discussed. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Analysis of shearing of a rock ridge

A rock ridge carrying a major roadway through a quarry in the greater Chicago, IL area sheared along sub-vertical regional joints causing significant distress of the roadway as a result of apparently limited adjacent quarry excavation of a glory hole. The large-scale movement rendered the road unusable. This paper presents a detailed analysis of factors contributing to this response. Post-event field observations of ridge movement revealed that lateral displacements were concentrated along a horizontal thin shaley seam below the bottom of the quarry. These observations show that the sheared ridge slid along the shaley seam and moved as a single block. Three-dimensional numerical analyses of the ridge and the quarry construction activities show that as the quarry was deepened, a buildup of large horizontal stresses occurred in the rock base above the shaley seam. The excavation of the glory hole through this rock base lead to arching and an increase in longitudinal stresses and a reduction in lateral confining stresses along the ridge. The analyses show how the unique combination of large horizontal stresses, the horizontal shaley seam, and stress redistribution due to glory hole construction lead to large shear displacements along the persistent sub-vertical regional joints.
Neuropilin-1 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans cooperate in cellular uptake of nanoparticles functionalized by cationic cell-penetrating peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used to deliver nanomaterials and other types of macromolecules into mammalian cells for therapeutic and diagnostic use. Cationic CPPs that bind to heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans on the cell surface induce potent endocytosis; however, the role of other surface receptors in this process is unclear. We describe the convergence of an HS-dependent pathway with the C-end rule (CendR) mechanism that enables peptide ligation with neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a cell surface receptor known to be involved in angiogenesis and vascular permeability. NRP1 binds peptides carrying a positive residue at the carboxyl terminus, a feature that is compatible with cationic CPPs, either intact or after proteolytic processing. We used CPP and CendR peptides, as well as HS- and NRP1-binding motifs from semaphorins, to explore the commonalities and differences of the HS and NRP1 pathways. We show that the CendR-NRP1 interaction determines the ability of CPPs to induce vascular permeability. We also show at the ultrastructural level, using a novel cell entry synchronization method, that both the HS and NRP1 pathways can initiate a macropinocytosis-like process and visualize these CPP-cargo complexes going through various endosomal compartments. Our results provide new insights into how CPPs exploit multiple surface receptor pathways for intracellular delivery.
Algae scrubbers for phosphorus removal in impaired waters

Abstract Algae scrubbers are a developing technology used for nutrient removal from many different impaired waters, including: agricultural runoff, wastewater, and animal operation waste. Algae thrive in environments with high flow velocities, allowing treatment of large volumes of nutrient-rich water. This adaptation helps overcome space issues associated with other biological treatment systems. Although algae scrubbers have shown promise for recovering phosphorus (P), no detailed studies have been completed to research conditions for maximum total P (TP) removal. Previous studies have suggested that faster flow rates and pulsed inflow conditions are necessary for high biomass production. Studies have also theorized that the calcium-phosphorus (Ca-P) co-precipitation is the driving TP removal mechanism. As a result, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of the following operating parameters on TP removal: (1) flow rate, (2) pulsed versus constant inflow, (3) calcium addition to inflow water, (4) calcium seed addition, and (5) 24-h versus 12-h operation. Results show that 12-h operation significantly increases TP removal in algae scrubber systems from an average of 24 g/m2/y to 52 g/m2/y. The high TP removal rate can be attributed to the stabilization of Ca-P minerals during 12-h operation. Algal photosynthesis increases daytime pH values (9–9.5) driving Ca-P co-precipitation, and 12-h operation prevents these minerals from re-dissolving at night as the pH decreases back to neutral (7–7.5). The maintenance of an algal seed on the scrubbers significantly decreased the amount of time necessary between harvests, increasing algal productivity.
Professor Nicolás Cabrera Sanchez (1913–1989): A Family Perspective of His Scientific Career

The Sixth Latin American Symposium on Surface Physics is dedicated to the memory of Professor Nicolas Cabrera, a great Spanish physicist who pursued studies of surfaces throughout a rich career in the United States and Europe. He also contributed substantially to the development of his chosen field in Latin America. The following summary of his career is written from my family perspective.
Self-aware traffic route planning

One of the most ubiquitous AI applications is vehicle route planning. While state-of-the-art systems take into account current traffic conditions or historic traffic data, current planning approaches ignore the impact of their own plans on the future traffic conditions. We present a novel algorithm for self-aware route planning that uses the routes it plans for current vehicle traffic to more accurately predict future traffic conditions for subsequent cars. Our planner uses a roadmap with stochastic, time-varying traffic densities that are defined by a combination of historical data and the densities predicted by the planned routes for the cars ahead of the current traffic. We have applied our algorithm to large-scale traffic route planning, and demonstrated that our self-aware route planner can more accurately predict future traffic conditions, which results in a reduction of the travel time for those vehicles that use our algorithm.
Tapping into Technical Talent: Using Technology to Facilitate Personal, Social, and Vocational Skills in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Although participation in out-of-school activities is related to higher school functioning and psychosocial development for neurotypical youth, parents of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often report that their children often have difficulty in these activities. To address this need, we have developed a technology-based summer and after-school program that teaches youth with ASD software skills for creating 3-dimensional designs. The program involves peers with ASD who have interests in technology, family members, and supportive mentoring adults. Our preliminary results indicated that by focusing on the strengths and interests of youth with ASD, rather than on remediating deficits, we made a difference in 3 domains: increased self-esteem and confidence for youth, enhanced social engagement with peers and family members, and the acquisition of computer skills for future vocations.
Field behavior and seasonal activity of the rodent bot fly, Cuterebra tenebrosa, central Washington (Diptera: Cuterebridae)

Behavior and activity of the rodent bot fly, Cuterebra tenebrosa Coquillett, was studied at a natural aggregation site in central Washington. Daily flight activity extended from 1700 hr to 2030 hr (PDT) beginning in mid - July of 1970 and 1971. The peak of flight activity, in August, was followed by a decline in activity through September. Male flies aggregated on the vertical faces of basalt cliffs, where they awaited females. Daily activity reached a peak at temperatures of 30 – 35 C. Eggs were laid in rock crevices without regard to the proximity of Neotoma wood rat hosts. Developing fly pupae were found in litter in wood rat tunnels in basalt cliffs.
Does Labor Force Participation Reduce Informal Caregiving

This paper examines the causal impact of labor force participation on informal caregiving. To address the endogeneity of labor force participation, we exploit local business cycles and instrument for individual labor force participation with state unemployment rates. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), we find that labor force participation significantly reduces informal caregiving. Among women, working an additional 10 hours per week reduces the probability of providing informal care by 12.5 percentage points and reduces the number of care hours by 32 percent. We also find that the effect of labor force participation is stronger among women with low income and wealth, who are the most important target of many welfare policies that promote labor force participation. Our results imply that demographic trends and work-promoting policies have the unintended consequence of reducing informal caregiving in an aging society that faces rising demand for informal care.
Put Students in Charge: A Variation on the Jigsaw Discussion

Years ago I was faced with teaching a two-week MBA class that met for three hours each day. I needed something that would keep the students' attention, interest, and involvement. Ten years later I ...
Characterization of opioid receptors in intestinal muscle cells by selective radioligands and receptor protection.

Opioid receptors were characterized on muscle cells isolated separately from the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of rabbit intestine. Selective radioligands for kappa- ([3H]U69,593), delta-...
Production of urea nitrogen and creatinine in chronic azotemia and effect of hemodialysis.

Summary1. The daily rate of urea nitrogen and creatinine production was determined in 7 patients with chronic stable azotemia and 3 normal subjects, maintained on a reduced protein intake. In addition, the effect of hemodialysis on urea nitrogen and creatinine production was observed in all the azo-temic patients. 2. In 7 cases predialysis urea nitrogen production was similar to that found in normal subjects and averaged 55% of the nitrogen intake. In 2 cases urea nitrogen production was elevated, being equal to or exceeding the dietary nitrogen. The rate of creatinine production in the azotemic patients was slightly lower than that found in normal subjects. 3. Postdialysis urea nitrogen production increased significantly in 5 cases whose predialysis PUN ranged from 42 to 73 mg%, and decreased in 4 cases with predialysis PUN of 87 to 192 mg%. Creatinine production decreased in all but one case.
Coherent frequency combs and spectroscopy - from IR to XUV

I will present our effort in producing coherent frequency combs in the infrared and extreme ultraviolet and use them for novel spectroscopy with powerful applications.
Effect of Water and Iron on Slowly and Rapidly Cooled Y-1 Ba2Cu3O6+x Superconductors: An EPR/NMR Study

We present here a study of the effect of Fe doping and hydration on the NMR, EPR spectra and Tc of slowly and rapidly cooled Y-1 Ba2Cu3O6+x Superconductor. The g-values of the EPR signals are related to Cu2+ ions in six-fold coordination. Tc is suppressed 10–20°C due to changes in processing conditions and the addition of Fe. The 89Y MAS-NMR spectra show that Y is more shielded (more ionically bonded) in the slowly cooled sample than in the rapidly cooled sample and the hydrated slowly cooled sample is less shielded. The effect of hydration on 89Y chemical shift is consistent with the presence of protons near the Y.
Method for the simultaneous determination of vertical and horizontal mobilities in superlattices

A magnetoresistance method is proposed which extracts both the growth direction mobility and the planar mobility of an anisotropic thin film, such as a superlattice. A magnetic field which varies in magnitude and orientation is employed. Errors appearing in previous magnetotransport studies on superlattices are resolved. In particular, it is shown that the contact layers used to send currents through an active region do not have a negligible resistance, even if they are much more conductive than the active region. The technique is demonstrated on an InAs/GaSb-based structure where the growth axis to planar mobility anisotropy ratio is found to drop rapidly with increasing temperature.
Overview of the Self-Preserving Properties of Turbulent Jets and Plumes in Crossflow (Invited)

*The self-preserving mixing properties of steady round turbulent nonbuoyant jets and buoyant plumes in uniform crossflows were reviewed and investigated experimentally. The experiments were done in a water channel and they involved steady round nonbuoyant fresh water jet sources injected into uniform and steady fresh water crossflows for the study of jets in crossflow and salt water sources injected into fresh water crossflows for the study of plumes in crossflow. Mean concentrations of source fluid were measured over cross sections of the flow using Planar-Laser-Induced-Fluorescence (PLIF) and mean velocity fields were measured over cross sections of the flow using Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV). The selfpreserving structure properties of the flow were correlated successfully based on the scaling analysis of Fischer et al. (1979); the approach involved assumptions of no-slip convection in the cross stream direction and a self-preserving line puff (thermal) for jets in crossflow (plumes in crossflow) having a conserved source specific momentum force per unit length (source specific buoyancy flux per unit length) that moves in the streamwise direction (parallel to the direction of the initial source flow). The resulting self-preserving structure consisted of two counter-rotating vortices having their axes nearly aligned with the crossflow direction that move away from the source in the streamwise (vertical) direction. This alignment was a strong function of the source/crossflow velocity ratio, uo/v∞. Finally, the counter-rotating vortex system was responsible for substantial increases in the rate of mixing of the source fluid with the ambient fluid compared to axisymmetric round turbulent nonbuoyant jets (buoyant plumes) in still environments, e.g., transverse dimensions in the presence of the self-preserving counter-rotating vortex system were 2-3 times larger than the transverse dimensions of self-preserving axisymmetric jets (plumes) at similar streamwise distances from the source.
Convergent Asymmetric Synthesis of Two Complex TRPV1 Antagonists

The convergent scale-up synthesis of two complex TRPV1 antagonists to support exploratory toxicology studies is described. Both compounds contain three chiral centers introduced by asymmetric synthesis with chiral control being critical for the success of the project. Preparation of the key cyclopropyl intermediate utilised an asymmetric cyclopropanation using thermally unstable ethyl diazoacetate. Ellman’s auxiliary was used to synthesize the chiral α-methyl benzylamine fragments. This paper highlights some of the key synthetic challenges, processing issues, and safety aspects from the scale-up of this chemistry.
A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO HANDLING THE DISTAL RADIO-ULNAR JOINT IN CASES OF MALUNITED DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES

The distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) is often the site of persistent symptoms after malunion of distal radius fractures. These malunions alter load transfer across the ulnocarpal joint, disturb DRUJ kinematics, and result in joint incongruity at the sigmoid notch. Treatment of distal radius malunions must not only correct position of the radial platform and joint incongruity but also restore anatomic relationship at the DRUJ. A systematic approach to the surgical reconstruction of these multiplanar deformities using clinical and radiographic parameters is outlined.
Mountain Waves and Downslope Winds

In an effort to enhance the reader’s physical understanding, this chapter begins with a discussion of fundamental concepts including parcel oscillations in a stable atmosphere, wave propagation, and the fluid motions associated with vertically propagating internal gravity waves. This is followed by a brief review of the theory of small-amplitude mountain waves, beginning with the case of air flowing over a series of sinusoidal ridges in a basic state with uniform wind speed and stability. The linear theory is then extended to cover isolated mountains and situations with vertical variations in the basic-state wind speed and stability.
Creating the technologically savvy K-12 teacher: poster session

The ubiquitous nature of computer science has become a dominant form of cultural pedagogy that both youth and, to a lesser degree, adults are currently engaged. computer applications, even relatively widely available ones like YouTube, have, to a large degree, changed how modern society learns. Each day, we see computers being used in ways that creatively enhance educational opportunities. For example, social networking sites are helping students connect with their peers to complete homework. Many educational institutions routinely use intranet sites and classroom management systems to share course materials. Internet tutorial videos covering nearly all high school subjects flourish on YouTube and Google Video. Innovative and creative educational computer applications abound. Yet, educational approaches harnessing these resources are relatively limited. A technologic disconnect exists between these applications and teachers who routinely do not use them. To address these issues we created a course within our Teachers on Sabbatical program that give teachers the tools and skills they need to integrate computer science into their teaching and curricula.
Ion isolation and multigenerational collision-induced dissociation using the inverse Mathieu q scan.

RATIONALE In a bid to develop a mass spectrometer using ac frequency scanning for ion isolation, ion activation, and ion ejection, we have developed scan functions for each process using the inverse Mathieu q scan. METHODS Ion isolation is accomplished by frequency hopping, that is, by skipping past the ranges of frequencies corresponding to the ions to be isolated during the frequency sweep. Multigenerational collision-induced dissociation is demonstrated by scanning the frequency of excitation from low to high so that multiple generations of product ions can be observed in the product ion mass spectra. Because the excitation frequency is scanned quickly across a large range, fragmentation of some precursor ions can be too limited. However, by first fixing the excitation frequency on the precursor ion and then scanning the frequency using the inverse Mathieu q scan, a higher abundance of product ions can be obtained. RESULTS Isolation of a single mass-to-charge (m/z) as well as nonadjacent m/z ions is demonstrated with isolation efficiency greater than 70%. Fragmentation of caffeine and noroxycodone is demonstrated, the latter of which shows multiple generations of product ions. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated here provide strong evidence that an ion trap mass spectrometer can be operated without using an rf amplitude ramp for any operation, and instead ac frequency scanning can be used for all mass-selective operations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Giving students a taste of research

When I was studying physics at the University of Cologne, Germany – admittedly a fairly long time ago – I once carried out an experiment that involved counting hundreds of pendulum oscillations. Using just a stopwatch to roughly measure the period of the oscillation we determined g, the gravitational acceleration on Earth. It was rote, tedious and only roughly accurate work. It was not an experience that inspired me to pursue a career in physics.
Believability of new diseases reported in the 2014 Surgeon General's Report on smoking: Experimental results from a national survey of US adults.

Abstract Background Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death globally. The 2014 Surgeon General's Report included new diseases linked to smoking, including liver and colon cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis. As more diseases are linked to smoking, which diseases should we communicate to the public and what message source has the most impact? Methods Data were collected through a nationally representative phone survey of US adults (N = 5014), conducted from September 2014 through May 2015. We experimentally randomized participants to a 2 (new smoking disease messages - liver and colon cancers compared to diabetes and tuberculosis) by 4 (message sources - CDC, FDA, Surgeon General, and none) experiment. The outcome was message believability. Results About half the sample was female (51.5%) and 17.8% were a current smoker. Overall, 56% of participants said the messages were very believable. Cancer messages (liver and colon cancer) were significantly more believable than messages about chronic disease (tuberculosis and diabetes), 61% vs. 52%. Smokers were less likely to report both sets of new disease messages as very believable compared to non-smokers. Significantly more smokers intending to quit (44.5%) found the messages to be very believable compared to smokers not intending to quit (22.6%). Believability did not differ by message source. Conclusion Important differences exist in believability of disease messages about new tobacco-related information. Messages emphasizing the causal link between smoking and new diseases should be considered for use in mass media campaigns.
New windows into a broken construct: A multilevel factor analysis and DIF assessment of perceived incivilities

Abstract Objectives (1) To determine whether perceived physical and social incivilities are distinguishable at the individual and/or neighborhood levels and, if so, whether there are differences in effects on fear of crime. (2) To identify, characterize, and account for differential item functioning (DIF) to understand differences in subjective perceptions of incivilities across demographic groups. Methods This study uses data from a probability sample of 1622 residents nested within 66 ecologically valid neighborhoods and employs multilevel SEM to identify factor structure, assess DIF, and examine structural relations at individual and neighborhood levels. Results Physical and social incivilities are distinguishable at the individual level but not at the neighborhood level. Three physical incivilities items exhibit DIF for race and three social incivilities items exhibit DIF for age. Residents in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of African Americans report greater levels of combined incivilities, but, within neighborhoods, African Americans perceive lower levels of physical and social incivility. Within neighborhoods, social incivilities link to fear of crime. Conclusions Demographic factors affect how individuals use response categories for gauging perceived incivilities in their locale. Discriminability of underlying separate physical and social components only at the individual level points to needed areas of theoretical elaboration in incivilities models.
Evaluation of 64Cu-Based Radiopharmaceuticals that Target Aβ Peptide Aggregates as Diagnostic Tools for Alzheimer’s Disease

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents that detect amyloid plaques containing amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide aggregates in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients have been successfully developed and recently approved by the FDA for clinical use. However, the short half-lives of the currently used radionuclides 11C (20.4 min) and 18F (109.8 min) may limit the widespread use of these imaging agents. Therefore, we have begun to evaluate novel AD diagnostic agents that can be radiolabeled with 64Cu, a radionuclide with a half-life of 12.7 h, ideal for PET imaging. Described herein are a series of bifunctional chelators (BFCs), L1–L5, that were designed to tightly bind 64Cu and shown to interact with Aβ aggregates both in vitro and in transgenic AD mouse brain sections. Importantly, biodistribution studies show that these compounds exhibit promising brain uptake and rapid clearance in wild-type mice, and initial microPET imaging studies of transgenic AD mice suggest that these compounds could ser...
Endogenous Gαq-Coupled Neuromodulator Receptors Activate Protein Kinase A

Protein kinase A (PKA) integrates inputs from G-protein-coupled neuromodulator receptors to modulate synaptic and cellular function. Gαs signaling stimulates PKA activity, whereas Gαi inhibits PKA activity. Gαq, on the other hand, signals through phospholipase C, and it remains unclear whether Gαq-coupled receptors signal to PKA in their native context. Here, using two independent optical reporters of PKA activity in acute mouse hippocampus slices, we show that endogenous Gαq-coupled muscarinic acetylcholine receptors activate PKA. Mechanistically, this effect is mediated by parallel signaling via either calcium or protein kinase C. Furthermore, multiple Gαq-coupled receptors modulate phosphorylation by PKA, a classical Gαs/Gαi effector. Thus, these results highlight PKA as a biochemical integrator of three major types of GPCRs and necessitate reconsideration of classic models used to predict neuronal signaling in response to the large family of Gαq-coupled receptors.
Summary and Remarks

The title of this symposium, “Pharmacological Intervention of Aging Process,” is bold. Intervention suggests interference or prevention, and thus the title conveys the optimistic notion that drugs may extend the natural life-span or, at the very least, make our declining years more comfortable. This idea is on the fringe of controversy, for in recent years we have been obsessed with the antithetical notion that drugs are harmful and life-shortening. But then we have always had mixed feelings about drugs. Even among those who discount the value of drugs, the nepenthe of the ancient Greeks and Ponce de Leon’s search for a fountain of youth find expression today in health spas and in special food stores with their ginseng and natural vitamins. It seems that when plants rearrange the elements of our planet, the resultant drugs are considered natural and therefore good -- apt to prolong life; when humans rearrange the same elements, the resultant drugs are synthetic and therefore suspect -- apt to shorten life.
Solving Business Questions with What-If Analysis, Goal Seek, and Solver

For much of your work with Excel, you’ll probably want to manipulate the hard data you already have, as you’ve been doing so far in the book. But at other times, you’ll need to ask questions of your data—for example, by how much do you need to raise prices to boost your revenue by a certain amount, or what will happen if you cut 10 percent off your manufacturing costs?
The 4-1-1 on Lawyer Directories

How can opposing counsel, a potential client, or a job-seeker find contact information for and biographical information about a lawyer? Generations turned to the massive bound volumes of Martindale-Hubbell. But technology and a changing marketplace now present many alternative sources, including law firms' websites, bar association directories, and online versions of Martindale-Hubbell. To compare some of the online directories, I undertook a small study, drawing a sample from the Washington State Bar Association's directory and looking for information about those lawyers in martindale.com, lawyers.findlaw.com, avvo.com, and linkedin.com. The depth and breadth of coverage varies dramatically. The sample, although small, offers an interesting snapshot of the bar in terms of practice area, state of residence, and nature of practice. This small study may suggest to others further, more rigorous projects. The PDF here, in addition to the published paper, includes spreadsheets with notes from my searches, for those curious enough to want to skim them.
Potassium Channels in Rat Brain Synaptosomes: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Potassium channels appear to be the most diverse group of ion channels in biological systems (Hille, 1984; Yellen, 1987). Neuronal K channels play key roles in the control of membrane potential, action potential repolarization, repetitive firing, and higher functions such as learning and memory. However, relatively little is known about the properties of K channels in presynaptic nerve terminals because these channels are difficult to study with traditional electrophysiological methods. This is a significant gap in our knowledge because these nerve terminal K channels may play a critical role in the control of synaptic transmission.
Relational Making: Re/Imagining Theories of Child Art.

In this article, I consider the changing landscape of art education and explore potential directions for the field to situate itself within the spaces of early childhood education. I position that current understandings of child art and its use in both research and practice in the early childhood classroom are limited by a lack of connection to contemporary art practices. Working from the perspective of relational aesthetics, I examine children’s drawing practices to suggest an extension of sociocultural theories of child art. To do so, I provide descriptions of young children’s voluntary drawing events that illuminate the convivial nature of their productions, as well as nomadic processes involved in their work.
Análisis de la relación entre el sistema de información y el sistema de control de gestión, para administrar los riesgos empresariales, en una empresa de transporte de carga y de personal

El presente trabajo de investigacion esta orientado a realizar un analisis de los sistemas de informacion y sistemas de control de gestion de una empresa, de transporte de carga y personal, de la Cuarta Region, donde se verificara la relacion actual que existe entre cada una de las areas funcionales con los sistemas de informacion y control implementados por la organizacion en estudio. Corresponde a una investigacion de tipo cualitativa con un alcance comprehensivo, donde la tecnica aplicada para la recoleccion de datos fue la entrevista a dos gerentes y un Jefe de area, de una empresa de Transporte de Carga y Personal, de la ciudad de Salamanca, Cuarta Region de Chile. De los resultados obtenidos en la investigacion, se desprende la necesidad de implementar un sistema de informacion que permita integrar a todas las areas de la empresa.
Analysis of tandem rare-earth-semiconductor radiation-balanced lasers (Conference Presentation)

High Power Semiconductor Radiation Balanced Laser (RBL) is an attractive proposition, however, both theoretical and experimental research has shown that fully balanced semiconductor RBL remains an elusive goal. At the same time, rare-earth doped materials have been successfully optically cooled. In this talk we present the investigation of tandem RBL consisting of semiconductor vertically emitting laser (VECSEL) that is cooled by a rare earth doped material in thermal contact with it and show that substantial power can be obtain in the radiation balanced regime.
The Computer-Aided Rough Patterns of Christopher Alexander

This paper analyzes Christopher Alexander’s combined use of mathematical graphs and hand-made diagrams, and argues that such affinities marked the insertion of roughness into architectural computational thinking. Within the techno-scientific context of American postwar architecture, the techniques of transcription and calculation used by Alexander at the Center for Environmental Structure reveal the progressive erasure of determinacy that took place within an architecture practice with empiricist, mathematic and computational preferences. Rather than establishing an optimized and quantified standard to which architecture had to conform, Alexander’s rough diagrams and mathematical graphs serialized variation and provided room for indeterminacy and contingency within a clearly defined set of rules.
Development of a method to produce a valid and reliable foot mask for plantar pressure evaluation in children with clubfoot.

The purposes of this article are to describe common masking inaccuracies, provide a standard methodology for correcting inaccuracies, and report intra/interclinician reliability when novice and experts mask foot pressures for children with clubfoot. Foot pressures from 26 children (ages 2.6-12.9 years) with unilateral clubfoot were utilized. Three raters were used for intra/interclinician reliability: one expert masker with 8 years of experience and two novice maskers. For children with unilateral clubfoot, automated masking was inaccurate in 4% of trials on the unaffected side and 24% of trails on the affected side. Novice and expert maskers report good-excellent reliability (interclass correlation coefficient range 0.61-1.0) when identifying and correcting inaccurate masks. To obtain accurate and reliable foot pressure data, it is recommended to first utilize an automasking technique and apply manual editing. This is the first study to present a standard methodology for foot pressure mask editing, the first to present the incidence of mask inaccuracies and the first to present foot pressure masking reliability in children with clubfoot.
Cannabis Use among Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers: Lighting up an Emerging Issue for Clinical Gerontologists

Objectives: Our goal is to illuminate cannabis use among persons with dementia (PwD) and their informal caregivers relative to the use of evidence-based as well as other complementary and alternative care practices. Methods: We analyzed focus group (FG) narratives provided by 26 caregivers of PwD and identified five themes concerning the provision of cannabis to PwD and caregivers' self-use. Results: Three of the 26 caregivers provided PwD cannabis and also used themselves, another 3 of the 26 used themselves only, and all but two of the remaining FG participants indicated they would consider providing cannabis to PwD or using for themselves. These caregivers expressed a desire to obtain more empirically-based information about cannabis and to discuss options with their clinical care providers. Conclusions: A small but significant proportion of caregivers are providing cannabis to PwD as a possible treatment for agitation, sleep disturbances and other problematic secondary symptoms and using for themselves as way to relieve stress. Many other caregivers may start using cannabis upon receiving information and guidance from a credible source. Clinical Implications: Notwithstanding the need for more research, clinical gerontologists and other dementia care specialists are being looked upon to provide information and guidance about the benefits and harms of cannabis use among PwD and their caregivers.
Loaded forced-marching shifts mechanical contributions proximally and disrupts stride-to-stride joint work modulation in recruit aged women

Abstract Background Military personnel in combat roles often perform gait tasks with additional load, which can affect the contributions of joint mechanical work (positive and negative). Furthermore, different locomotion patterns can also affect joint specific work contributions. While mean behavior of joint work is important to understanding gait, changes in joint kinetic modulation, or the regulation/control of stride-to-stride joint work variability is necessary to elucidate locomotor system function. Suboptimal modulation exhibited as a stochastic time-series (large fluctuation followed by an opposite smaller fluctuation) could potentially affect locomotion efficiency and portend injury risk. It remains unclear how the locomotor system responds to a combination of load perturbations and varying locomotion patterns. Research question What are the interactive effects of load magnitude and locomotion pattern on joint positive/negative work and joint work modulation in healthy, active, recruit-aged women? Methods Eleven healthy, active, recruit-aged (18–33 years) women ran and forced-marched (walking at a velocity an individual would typically jog) in bodyweight (BW), an additional 25 % of BW (+25 %BW) and an additional 45 % of BW (+45 %BW) conditions at a velocity above their gait transition velocity. Joint work was calculated as the time integral of joint power. Joint work modulation was assessed with detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) on consecutive joint work time-series. Results Joint work contributions shifted proximally for forced-marching demonstrated by lesser (p Significance Employing forced-marching gait while under loads of 25 and 45 % of BW reduces the ability of the plantar-flexors and knee extensors to optimally contribute to energy absorption and propulsion in recruit-aged women, potentially reducing metabolic efficiency and increasing injury risk.
Integrative analysis of multi-omics reveals gene regulatory networks across brain regions from risk variants to phenotypes of Alzheimer’s disease and Covid-19

Abstract Background Genome-wide association studies have found many genetic risk variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, how these risk variants affect deeper phenotypes such as disease progression and immune response remains elusive. Also, our understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms from disease risk variants to various phenotypes is still limited. To address these problems, we performed integrative multi-omics analysis from genotype, transcriptomics, and epigenomics for revealing gene regulatory mechanisms from disease variants to AD phenotypes. Method First, we cluster gene co-expression networks and identify gene modules for various AD phenotypes given population gene expression data. Next, we predict the transcription factors (TFs) that significantly regulate the genes in each module and the AD risk variants (e.g., SNPs) interrupting the TF binding sites on the regulatory elements. Finally, we construct a full gene regulatory network linking SNPs, interrupted TFs, and regulatory elements to target genes for each phenotype. This network thus provides mechanistic insights of gene regulation from disease risk variants to AD phenotypes. Results We applied our analysis to predict the gene regulatory networks in three major AD-relevant regions: hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and lateral temporal lobe (LTL). These region networks provide a comprehensive functional genomic map linking AD SNPs to TFs and regulatory elements to target genes for various AD phenotypes. Comparative analyses further revealed cross-region-conserved and region-specific regulatory networks. For instance, AD SNPs rs13404184 and rs61068452 disrupt the bindings of TF SPI1 that regulates AD gene INPP5D in the hippocampus and lateral temporal lobe. However, SNP rs117863556 interrupts the bindings of TF REST to regulate GAB2 in the DLPFC only. Furthermore, driven by recent discoveries between AD and Covid-19, we found that many genes from our networks regulating Covid-19 pathways are also significantly differentially expressed in severe Covid patients (ICU), suggesting potential regulatory connections between AD and Covid. Thus, we used the machine learning models to predict severe Covid and prioritized highly predictive genes as AD-Covid genes. We also used Decision Curve Analysis to show that our AD-Covid genes outperform known Covid-19 genes for predicting Covid severity and deciding to send patients to ICU or not. In short, our results provide a deeper understanding of the interplay among multi-omics, brain regions, and AD phenotypes, including disease progression and Covid response. Our analysis is open-source available at https://github.com/daifengwanglab/ADSNPheno.
The Impact of Fairness on Performance in Congestion Networks

How do incentives that are designed to improve system performance affect fairness among users? Operators of traffic systems are typically concerned with a spectrum of performance metrics including aggregate congestion levels, fairness, and monetary expenditures. In this work, we focus on the design of taxation mechanisms to optimize both aggregate congestion levels as well as fairness, where fairness is defined as a measure of the difference between the quality of service of similar users in the system. Specifically, we derive the explicit trade-off between the performance guarantee and worst-case unfairness when designing a tolling scheme, showing that improved performance guarantees cause increased unfairness. Additionally, we find this relationship in the settings where the toll designer is informed and uninformed on the populations price sensitivities; by comparing the two, one can observe the value of this information when designing fair and good performing tolls.
A "Humanitarian" Approach to Individual Injury

Individual injury law was once an important arena for the definition of shared values. It has increasingly become the domain of various species of systems analysts who measure legal results against external norms defined by such disciplines as economics. Although legal scholars continue to use the expectations and beliefs of ordinary men and women in fashioning rules for the redress of constitutional injuries, common-law scholars have become less willing to ground legal principles in moral consensus. There are notable exceptions.' Among these is Professor Marshall Shapo, who, in two recent works, attempts to develop a legal analysis of injury that "requires a substantial component of moral judgment" (Duty, p. xiii), "an analysis centered on humanitarian elements and considerations of fairness" (Duty, p. xv). Professor Shapo's search for a moral content to law leads him to conclude that power and dependence are the sources of legal obligation. From this conclusion Shapo constructs a model which, he suggests, can support an analysis of injury law in general. In A Nation of Guinea Pigs, Shapo looks primarily at questions of administrative law. He argues that those with the power to control scientific enterprises should exercise that power to avoid any risk of injury to the unsuspecting citizens who rely on their expertise. In The Duty To Act, Shapo turns to the tort law question of the scope of the duty to render aid, and proposes that the law adopt a greatly expanded the-
Chemical Shift Anisotropy and Asymmetry: Relationships to Crystal Structure

The anisotropic character of the chemical shift can be measured by experiments that provide shift tensor values. In powders, shielding in the three orthogonal directions is given by tensor principal components, δ11 ≥ δ22 ⩾ δ33. These components are usually more sensitive to structure than the isotropic shift (i.e., [δ11 + δ22 + δ33]/3). Moreover, interactions with the local lattice environment influence only certain tensor components at a given molecular site. Accordingly, tensor data reflect crystallographic information such as the presence of hydrogen-bonding partners or the proximity of charged atomic sites. The unusually high sensitivity of tensor data allows some crystal structures established from other methods to be further refined using tensor data. Presently, structures derived from powder and fiber diffraction have been improved by comparing tensor principal components (13C and 29Si) with computed tensors from model structures. Single-crystal diffraction data, including some neutron, can also be refined at the hydrogen positions when tensor data is considered. Tensor components can also provide full crystal structures when combined with theoretical crystal structure prediction methods. This approach currently produces a family of probable structures with the correct structure always included among the proposed candidates. Keywords: NMR; tensor principal components; crystallography; powder diffraction; solid state
Observation of Low Bond Number Two-Phase Flow Regime Transition From Slug to Annular Wavy Flow in a Microchannel

An understanding the physics behind the flow transition when capillary forces are important is critical to the development of many technologies; both for terrestrial- and space-based applications. The flow transition of greatest concern is that between slug, or plug, flow and core-annular flow. The transition of plug flow to core-annular flow in a low-Bond number configuration is experimentally observed in a novel capillary configuration. The effect of variations in mass flow rate of each phase (gas and liquid) on the overall system dynamics is discussed for both flow regimes.Copyright © 2003 by ASME