cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage Clamping a Supported Bilayer

Supported bilayer has many advantages over conventional black lipid bilayer. A supported bilayer is highly stable and can be made with a large surface area. Membrane proteins can be incorporated in very large numbers without disruption of the bilayer, thereby allowing robust macroscopic recordings. A very important advantage is that incorporated proteins are immobile. This lack of mobility is essential for the study of conformational changes with single molecule fluorescence. We are interested in studying gating charge movement and conformational changes in voltage dependent membrane proteins such as a voltage dependent K+ channel. For this purpose, we have developed an essentially electrostatic voltage clamp system for a supported bilayer that allows measurement of intramembrane transient currents but not DC currents. The supported bilayer is formed by liposome fusion on top of a semiconductor substrate that serves as the reference electrode. Electrolyte solution is present above the bilayer where an Ag/AgCl electrode serves as the active electrode. The electrode pair is connected to conventional voltage clamp electronics that imposes the voltage and measures the current. We verified supported bilayer formation by the decrease of the total capacitance. Furthermore, we have verified that a voltage is imposed across the bilayer by using voltage dependent fluorescent membrane probes. The electrolyte/supported bilayer/electrode system is essentially linear across a voltage range of −300 to +300 mV. We have seen that direct incorporation of the voltage dependent protein KvAP into the supported bilayer modifies the kinetics of the transient currents as well as the voltage dependence of charge movement. This method opens the possibility for studies of simultaneous gating charge movement electrically and voltage dependent conformational change spectroscopically in purified membrane proteins. Support: NIH GM030376.
Exact relation between the thermal and electroelastic moduli of composite materials with emphasis on two-phase laminates

Exact relations are obtained between the effective thermoelectroelastic moduli of two-phase composite materials and their corresponding isothermal electroelastic moduli. The relations are a generalization of the well-known results of Levin and Rosen and Hashin to the inherently anisotropic coupling between the electric and elastic fields in thermoelectroelastic composites. The exact relations can be used to obtain the effective thermal expansion and pyroelectric coefficients of the composite when the effective electroelastic (elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric) moduli are known, either by theory or experiment. Attention is focused on two- phase thermoelectroelastic laminates which admit an exact solution for the electroelastic, and thus the thermoelectroelastic, moduli. The results also provide a means to asses the internal consistency of any approximate micromechanics model that is proposed to estimate the thermoelectroelastic moduli of two-phase composite materials.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Growth of ternary composites from the melt: Part II

Ternary alloys from the aluminum-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Ni system were unidirectionally solidified under a wide variety of growth conditions. Plane front solidification was achieved at sufficiently high thermal gradients and slow growth rates. Conditions necessary to cause planar interface breakdown in both two and three phase alloys compare well to those predicted by a simple constitutional supercooling criterion. Nonplanar microstructures obtained were cellular or dendritic and both single phase and two phase dendrites were observed. Microstructures of specimens solidified with planar and nonplanar fronts are discussed in terms of the ternary phase diagram and the solute “diffusion paths.”
Differences in heritability across groups differing in ability, revisited

Three recent studies have used twin data to explore the possibility of differential contributions of heritability and environmentality to individual differences in cognitive ability as a function of ability level (Detterman, D. K.,et al., Behav. Genet. 20:369–384; 1990; Bailey, M. J. amd Revelle, W.,Behav. Genet. 21:397–404, 1991; Cherny, S. S.,et al., Behav. Genet. 22:153–162, 1992). All arrived at different conclusions: higher heritability at the low end, higher heritability at the high end, and no differential influence, respectively. The current report involves a sample of 148 identical and 135 fraternal twin pairs from the Western Twin Project who were tested on a battery of intelligence and achievement tests to further explore the issue. The results suggest no significant differences in heritability at either the high or the low end, although a trend toward higher heritability for children of higher ability is evident. Individual differences for a composite ability/achievement score showed significantly greater influence of shared family environment at the low end than the rest of the distribution. In general, results for cognitive ability and academic achievement were highly similar.
Ambient air pollution and respiratory emergency department visits.

Background:A number of emergency department studies have corroborated findings from mortality and hospital admission studies regarding an association of ambient air pollution and respiratory outcomes. More refined assessment has been limited by study size and available air quality data.Methods:Measu
How Do Varying Types of Youth Civic Engagement Relate to Perceptions of School Climate

The purpose of this study was to investigate a) the relations between different types of civic behaviors and middle school students' perceptions of school climate, and b) the compositional effects of student civic engagement on setting-level school climate perceptions. Using a sample of 4,073 students in 11 public schools from a southeastern state, multilevel regression analyses found that, in general, civic behaviors were positively associated with school climate outcomes at the individual and setting level. However, certain types of civic behavior were negatively associated with desired school climate outcomes at both levels. These findings suggest a complicated relationship between student civic engagement and school climate, and imply that schools and adult leaders may need to carefully consider the types of opportunities for civic engagement provided to students.
Bingham of the Hills: Politician and Diplomat Extraordinary

Contents: First biography of Bingham spanning his eighty-five years. Scholarly in-depth treatment of pivotal figure in nineteenth century American politics and world diplomacy.
Laboratory learning: Addressing a neglected dimension of science teacher education

Almost all teachers recognize the value of hands-on science instruction in the laboratory setting. Many will even recommend that instruction should be not only hands-on, but also cognitively challenging. Moving from recognition of the need for enhanced laboratory instruction to implementation, however, is more effective with guidance.
A Photographic Representation of Mitosis and Meiosis in the Male of Rattus norvegicus

Chromosomes of Rattus norvegicus in spermatogonial mitosis and 1st and 2nd meiosis are illustrated by a series of photomicrographs. The following observations highlight this demonstration:1. The Y chromosome remains positively heteropycnotic throughout the three division cycles while the X becomes positively heteropycnotic at the onset of the 1st meiosis and remains heteropycnotic until the end of the 2nd meiosis.2. In the mitotic and the two meiotic prophases, regions of the autosomes adjacent to the kinetochore are marked by heterochromatin. At diplotene, one chiasma, as a rule, is seen to lie near the heterochromatin.3. The X and the Y during 1st meiotic prophase are embedded in the sex vesicle. The arrangement of the X and the Y at diplotene suggests the partially homologous nature of the X and the Y. The chiasma formation between the X and the Y, however, appears to be limited to the extremely short second arms which may be euchromatic. The 1st meiotic division is reductional to the X and the Y.
On Comparing Intensities of Association between Two Binary Characteristics in Two Different Populations

Abstract Asymptotically favorable methods for testing the equality of certain measures of association in different four-fold tables are deduced from the general theory of χ2-tests as given by Neyman and generalized by Anderson, Goodman and Gold. The tests turn out to be also obtainable by an intuitive use of maximum likelihood estimates as suggested by Wald's large sample theory and include one proposed by Lancaster for testing the second order interaction in a complex contingency table. Applications in the field of drug research and health surveys are indicated.
Angiographic demonstration of hyperconstriction induced by serotonin and aggregating platelets in porcine coronary arteries with regenerated endothelium.

Abstract In isolated porcine coronary arteries, the endothelium inhibits the contractions induced by serotonin and aggregating platelets. This effect is reduced by regeneration after balloon denudation. The present study was designed to examine whether those in vitro observations could be reproduced in vivo. Sixteen male Yorkshire pigs underwent balloon removal of the endothelium from either the left anterior descending (n = 9) or left circumflex (n = 7) coronary artery. An angiographic study was performed before and 4 weeks after endothelial denudation; in the latter condition the presence of a full endothelial lining was confirmed histoiogically. Before endothelial denudation, intracoronary injection of serotonin (10 μg/kg) caused only mild constriction in both arteries. However, 4 weeks after the denudation, intracoronary serotonin repeatedly caused marked hyperconstriction in the previously denuded artery compared with the control coronary artery. Intracoronary injection of aggregating platelets stimulated by collagen caused constriction in the previously-denuded artery but not in the control artery. The hyperconstriction induced by serotonin and aggregating platelets was inhibited by intravenous injection of ketanserin (a 5-HT2-serotonergic blocker). These data indicate that 1) the normal eadoihelium blunts the coronary vasoconstriction induced by serotonin and aggregating platelets in vivo, and 2) the inhibitory effect of the endothelium is reduced after regeneration, allowing coronary hyperconstriction or vasospasin, or both.
M-T Transformation Control Synchronization Strategy for Single-Mass Nonlinear Harmonic Vibration System

Based on dynamic model of the single-mass nonlinear harmonic vibration system and the electrical characteristics of two driving motors, the state space equations of the rotate speed and phase for the two driving motors had been deduced, and the harmonic control synchronization condition for the two driving motors had been discussed also. Then, based on the M-T transformation, the control synchronization scheme for the two driving motors to realize the synchronous movement under the conditions that the nonlinear vibration system harmonic vibrated had been designed in the paper. Based on the M-T transformation control synchronization simulation model of the single-mass nonlinear harmonic vibration that established in the paper, and by the simulation experiments, the validity of the M-T transformation control synchronization strategy had been verified.
GERENCIAMENTO DE RECLAMAÇÕES DE CLIENTES EM BANCOS CHILENOS

Falta aos bancos chilenos informacoes legitimas nas quais basear suas decisoes com relacao ao gerenciamento dos servicos de atendimento as reclamacoes de clientes. Em vista desta carencia, 25 clientes de bancos chilenos foram entrevistados sobre experiencias passadas em reclamacoes feitas a seus bancos. Resultados mostram que consumidores nao estariam preocupados com o tempo levado no atendimento de suas reclamacoes contanto que os bancos nao tomassem o tempo do cliente no processo e que os funcionarios destes bancos fossem honestos com relacao ao tempo esperado para a solucao do problema. Estes consumidores tambem nao esperavam ser compensados por nenhum dano alem do reparo de qualquer consequencia negativa do erro cometido.
The Unique Molecular Choreography of Giant Pore Formation by the Cholesterol-Dependent Cytolysins of Gram-Positive Bacteria

The mechanism by which the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) assemble their giant β-barrel pore in cholesterol-rich membranes has been the subject of intense study in the past two decades. A combination of structural, biophysical, and biochemical analyses has revealed deep insights into the series of complex and highly choreographed secondary and tertiary structural transitions that the CDCs undergo to assemble their β-barrel pore in eukaryotic membranes. Our knowledge of the molecular details of these dramatic structural changes in CDCs has transformed our understanding of how giant pore complexes are assembled and has been critical to our understanding of the mechanisms of other important classes of pore-forming toxins and proteins across the kingdoms of life. Finally, there are tantalizing hints that the CDC pore-forming mechanism is more sophisticated than previously imagined and that some CDCs are employed in pore-independent processes.
Phragmites australis management in the United States: 40 years of methods and outcomes

Studies on invasive plant management are often short in duration and limited in the methods tested, and lack an adequate description of plant communities that replace the invader following removal. Here we present a com- prehensive review of management studies on a single species, in an effort to elucidate future directions for research in invasive plant management. We reviewed the literature on Phragmites management in North America in an effort to synthesize our understanding of management efforts, identify gaps in knowledge and improve the efficacy of man- agement. Additionally, we assessed recent ecological findings concerning Phragmites mechanisms of invasion and integrated these findings into our recommendations for more effective management. Our overall goal is to examine whether or not current management approaches can be improved and whether they promote reestablishment of native plant communities. We found: (i) little information on community-level recovery of vegetation following removal of Phragmites; and (ii) most management approaches focus on the removal of Phragmites from individual stands or groups of stands over a relatively small area. With a few exceptions, recovery studies did not monitor vege- tation for substantial durations, thus limiting adequate evaluation of the recovery trajectory. We also found that none of the recovery studies were conducted in a landscape context, even though it is now well documented that land-use patterns on adjacent habitats influence the structure and function of wetlands, including the expansion of Phragmites. We suggest that Phragmites management needs to shift to watershed-scale efforts in coastal regions, or larger man- agement units inland. In addition, management efforts should focus on restoring native plant communities, rather than simply eradicating Phragmites stands. Wetlands and watersheds should be prioritized to identify ecosystems that would benefit most from Phragmites management and those where the negative impact of management would be minimal.
Self-assembly of organometallic clusters onto the surface of gold

We report the preparation and characterization of thin films generated via the solution-phase self-assembly of organometallic chalcogen-containing cluster compounds onto the surface of gold. The following anionic complexes were used as thin film precursors: wFe (CO) Ex and wHFe (CO) Ex , where EsS, Se, and Te. The films were prepared by adsorption from organic 2 yy 39 3 9 solvents (i.e. methanol, acetonitrile, acetone, and dicholoromethane ) onto evaporated gold and were characterized by ellipsometry, polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force micros- copy (AFM), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The data demonstrate that the clusters strongly attach to gold and that the films most likely exist as bilayers rather than monolayers. 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Estimating diversification rates from phylogenetic information

Patterns of species richness reflect the balance between speciation and extinction over the evolutionary history of life. These processes are influenced by the size and geographical complexity of regions, conditions of the environment, and attributes of individuals and species. Diversity within clades also depends on age and thus the time available for accumulating species. Estimating rates of diversification is key to understanding how these factors have shaped patterns of species richness. Several approaches to calculating both relative and absolute rates of speciation and extinction within clades are based on phylogenetic reconstructions of evolutionary relationships. As the size and quality of phylogenies increases, these approaches will find broader application. However, phylogeny reconstruction fosters a perceptual bias of continual increase in species richness, and the analysis of primarily large clades produces a data selection bias. Recognizing these biases will encourage the development of more realistic models of diversification and the regulation of species richness.
Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver. DNA flow cytometric analysis of eight cases.

Background. Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is a rare lesion seen predominantly in childhood, which is believed to be either a developmental anomaly or reactive process. Because of recent reports of specific translocations involving chromosome 19 in mesenchymal hamartomas and certain ultrastructural and histologic features suggesting a relationship between mesenchymal hamartoma and undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver, some have speculated that mesenchymal hamartoma may be a neoplastic lesion with uncertain malignant potential. Methods. Because DNA aneuploidy can be useful as a marker for neoplasia, the authors decided to assess ploidy in paraffin embedded mesenchymal hamartomas using flow cytometry. The authors retrospectively examined mesenchymal hamartomas from eight children and evaluated the clinicopathologic features and the ploidy of the lesions. Results. Boys and girls were equally affected, and the mean age at presentation was 11 months. Lesions involved predominantly the right lobe of the liver, with a range of greatest dimension of 7-25 cm, and a mean weight of 651 g (though weights for three of the largest lesions were not recorded). Flow cytometric analysis of nuclei extracted from paraffin embedded tissue revealed that six of the eight lesions were DNA diploid, whereas two were DNA aneuploid (with DNA indices of 1.13 and 1.25). All of the lesions had a low S phase fraction. Conclusions. The authors concluded that although most mesenchymal hamartomas are diploid, a subset of mesenchymal hamartomas is aneuploid. The finding of aneuploidy in mesenchymal hamartoma, in conjunction with the reported cytogenetic abnormalities, suggests that mesenchymal hamartoma may be a true neoplasm and not a developmental anomaly or reactive process.
Comparing routine versus selective use of intraoperative cerebral angiography in aneurysm surgery: a prospective study

Introduction While the use of intraoperative angiography (IA) has been shown to be a useful adjunct in aneurysm surgery, its routine use remains controversial. Objective We wished to determine if IA is required in all patients undergoing aneurysm surgery (ie, routine IA) or if intraoperative assessment can reliably predict the need for IA (ie, select IA). Methods We prospectively evaluated all patients undergoing craniotomy for aneurysm clipping. In these patients, the treating surgeons were asked to record whether they felt IA was required at two time points: (1) prior to surgery and (2) immediately after clip application but before IA. All patients underwent IA as per the institutional protocol. IA results and the need for post-IA clip adjustments were recorded. Results Of the 200 patients enrolled, 197 were included for analysis. IA was deemed necessary on preoperative assessment in 144 cases (73%) and on post-clip assessment in 116 cases (59%). Post-clip IA demonstrated 47 (24%) positive findings and post-IA clip adjustments were made in 19 of 198 cases (10%). On preoperative assessment, there were four cases where IA was deemed unnecessary, yet post-IA clip adjustment was required, resulting in a sensitivity of 79% and false negative rate of 8%. Regarding post-clip assessment, there were five cases where IA was thought to be unnecessary and clip adjustment was required, resulting in a sensitivity of 73% and false negative rate of 6%. Conclusions The accuracy of a strategy of select IA was not improved by assessing the need for IA immediately after aneurysm clipping versus prior to surgery onset. This suggests that intraoperative assessment regarding the adequacy of aneurysm clip application should be viewed with caution.
Luxury & new luxury, quality & equality

This paper describes and compares notions of luxury and new luxury as a social notion of sustainability. The context of the discourse is sustainable interaction design (SID), defined in the paper and attributed to several sources. Several research questions are posed concerning the relationship between luxury, new luxury, quality, and equality in the context of SID. We propose an informal design critical framework that embeds interaction design in terms of luxury and sustainability. Several examples of products and services are analyzed in the proposed framework according to three themes: communications, computer software, and music. The paper concludes by reflecting on the research questions with respect to the framework.
A Gap Reduction and Manufacturing Technique for Thick Oxide Mask Layers With Multiple-Size Sub- $mu$ m Openings

This paper introduces a technique for the fabrication of thick oxide hard masks on top of a substrate with adjustable opening sizes in the sub-mum regime, while the only lithography step involved has mum-scale resolution. This thick oxide mask layer with sub-mum openings is suitable for etching deep narrow trenches in silicon using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) tools. Openings of less than 100 nm are realized in a 1.5-mum-thick oxide layer, while the original lithographically defined feature sizes are larger than 1 mum in width. This method, combined with modified high aspect ratio DRIE recipes, shows a great potential for single-mask batch-fabrication of high frequency low-impedance single crystalline resonators on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates. Dry-etched trenches with aspect ratios as high as 60:1 are fabricated in silicon using the gap reduction technique to realize 200 nm opening sizes in an oxide mask layer. Various resonator structures with sub-mum capacitive gaps are also fabricated on a SOI substrate using a single-mask process. Measurement results from high-frequency and high-quality factor (Q) all single crystal silicon resonators are presented
Response to Michael Rea

For several years now, Michael Rea has been working to foster a fruitful discussion between theologians and analytic philosophers, and his article review nicely exemplifies those efforts. Rea recognises that he and I agree on several key points, the most important of which is that ‘cataphatic theology can be done without idolatry or violence’. He wonders, though, whether Theology without Metaphysics succeeds in providing a model for such theology, since he thinks it is liable to several objections. By addressing them, I hope to demonstrate that my model is indeed viable, though I would be surprised if this were sufficient to persuade Professor Rea to adopt it. As I see it, more than one model, including Professor Rea’s, may do justice to the relevant phenomena; here I want to argue, against Rea's criticisms, that mine does too.
Progress on simulating the initiation of vacuum insulator flashover

Vacuum insulators are critical components in many pulsed power systems. The insulators separate the vacuum and non-vacuum regions, often under great stress due to high electric fields. The insulators will often flashover at the dielectric vacuum interface for electric field values much lower than for the bulk breakdown through the material. Better predictive models and computational tools are needed to enable insulator designs in a timely and inexpensive manner for advanced pulsed power systems. In this article we will discuss physics models that have been implemented in a PIC code to better understand the initiation of flashover. The PIC code VORPAL [1] has been ran on the Linux cluster Hera at LLNL. Some of the important physics modules that have been implemented to this point will be discussed for simple angled insulators. These physics modules include field distortion due to the dielectric, field emission, secondary electron emission, insulator charging, and the effects of magnetic fields. In the future we will incorporate physics modules to investigate the effects of photoemission, electron stimulated desorption, and gas ionization. This work will lead to an improved understanding of flashover initiation and better computational tools for advanced insulator design.
Distribution and behavior of the Ah receptor in murine T lymphocytes.

Abstract Exposure of C57Bl/6 mice to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) causes suppression of both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. Studies with mice congenic at the Ah locus have demonstrated that this suppression is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The Ah receptor is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that has been well-studied in hepatocytes; however, the mechanism of TCDD-mediated immunotoxicity remains unknown. Lack of mechanistic understanding is due, in part, to difficulty demonstrating a direct effect of TCDD on immune function in vitro. In this study, we have investigated the behavior of the murine AhR in T cells using isolated spleen T lymphocytes and T cell clones (10.5.17, F4, and F1.A.2) derived from Ah-responsive mouse strains. The presence of the AhR in whole cell extracts of resting and activated splenic lymphocytes and T cell clones was examined by Western blotting. Increased 7-ethoxyresorufin- o -deethylase (EROD) activity was observed in T cell clones and spleen cells; however, the level of EROD induction by TCDD was ∼100-fold less than the level induced in hepa cells. The behavior of the murine T cell AhR was examined by assessing TCDD-induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding. The intracellular distribution of the AhR was studied by subcellular fractionation of both resting and activated T cells in the presence and absence of TCDD. DNA binding was measured using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The AhR was detected in all cell types examined, but the AhR translocated to the nucleus only in activated, TCDD-treated T cells. While AhR derived from TCDD-treated wild-type hepa cells bound specifically to a DRE, no binding was detected when an identical amount of AhR obtained from activated T cells was used. Our inability to detect binding of the T cell nuclear AhR complex to a consensus response element, combined with the observation that it is difficult to reproduce the in vivo immunotoxic effects of TCDD in vitro, suggests that T cells may lack a factor(s) required for AhR binding to a DRE, or may contain a suppressor factor which inhibits AhR binding to DNA. Based on these data, TCDD appears to affect T cell function via an indirect mechanism.
Electrophysiologic Monitoring in Acute Brain Injury

To determine the optimal use and indications of electroencephalography (EEG) in critical care management of acute brain injury (ABI). An electronic literature search was conducted for articles in English describing electrophysiological monitoring in ABI from January 1990 to August 2013. A total of 165 studies were included. EEG is a useful monitor for seizure and ischemia detection. There is a well-described role for EEG in convulsive status epilepticus and cardiac arrest (CA). Data suggest EEG should be considered in all patients with ABI and unexplained and persistent altered consciousness and in comatose intensive care unit (ICU) patients without an acute primary brain condition who have an unexplained impairment of mental status. There remain uncertainties about certain technical details, e.g., the minimum duration of EEG studies, the montage, and electrodes. Data obtained from both EEG and EP studies may help estimate prognosis in ABI patients, particularly following CA and traumatic brain injury. Data supporting these recommendations is sparse, and high quality studies are needed. EEG is used to monitor and detect seizures and ischemia in ICU patients and indications for EEG are clear for certain disease states, however, uncertainty remains on other applications.
Mechanisms to conserve glucose in lactating women during a 42-h fast.

Little is known about how lactating women accommodate for their increased glucose demands during fasting to avoid maternal hypoglycemia. The objective of this study was to determine whether lactati...
The link between poor quality nutrition and childhood antisocial behavior: A genetically informative analysis

Abstract Purpose The current study explores whether the association between poor quality nutrition and child antisocial behavior is robust to shared environmental and genetic influences. Method Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort are employed, which includes a large, nationally representative sample of twin pairs. DeFries–Fulker (DF) analysis is used to test the current hypothesis. Results The results suggest that poor quality nutrition during preschool increases the extent of antisocial behavior during elementary school after the influence of genes and the shared environment are taken into account. Conclusions The relationship between poor quality nutrition and subsequent behavioral problems is robust to shared environmental and genetic influences, with variation in eating behaviors between twins predicting their relative likelihood of exhibiting antisocial behaviors.
Intelligent Multi-agent System for Smart Grid Power Management

This book chapter addresses the design of intelligent agent systems for smart grid power management. The objective is for these agents to anticipate and respond to system disturbances. Specifically, the agents developed are for fault location, reconfiguration, and restoration. The agents are designed using simulation software tools, and then implemented in two laboratory hardware prototypes.
TNF-α upregulates Giα and Gqα protein expression and function in human airway smooth muscle cells

Chronic inflammation is a characteristic feature of asthma. Multiple inflammatory mediators are released within the asthmatic lung, some of which may have detrimental effects on signal transduction...
Efficient parallel communication schemes for explicit solvers of NPARC codes

A scheme for improving the efficiency of communications for the parallel computation of Euler equations is presented. PARC code is employed as an example for analyzing the flow through a supersonic inlet. The flowfield is divided into subregions called 'blocks'. The parallel computation of the problem normally requires communication between each block after each time-step of an explicit Runge-Kutta integration scheme. In the developed procedure, the boundary conditions are frozen for k = 10-20 time steps and blocks are integrated in time without communicating with each other during this period. When the boundary conditions are updated, an oscillatory error is introduced into the solution with a fundamental period of 4k time-steps, which is then filtered in time. As a result, the communication cost of parallel computing is significantly reduced. Examples for steady and unsteady flows are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the developed procedure. (Author)
Blood Pressure Changes Correlated with Time, Length and Type of Intestinal Strangulation in Dogs.

ConclusionsThere appears to be a direct correlation between the iall in blood pressure and the time, length, and type of vascullar occlusions. In general, the longer the time and the longer the loop, the greater the fall in blood pressure. The type of obstruction, however, is of even greater importance than the time and length of the occlusion. In those instances in which the veins were ligated and in the encirclement strangulations (Group I), in which the arteries were not entirely occluded, the fall1 in pressure was much more rapid than in those instances (Group III), in which the arteries were absolutely occluded regardless of the condition of the veins.
Application of virtual reality technology in the control theory experiment

The control theory laboratory with virtual reality technology,experiment content and the effect of the application are introduced.With the characteristic of academic vocational education,an attempt is made at developing new experimental methods,enhancing the understanding of the students to the theory and realizing the guidance of the theory to the practice.
Immunologic Memory Of Phytohemagglutinin-Stimulated Lymphocytes

Using the technic of bacterial adherence, in which circumferential adhesion of microorganism to the lymphocyte surface indicates antibody production by this cell, phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes reacted differently towards E.coli, a natural, lifelong immunogen, and towards Salmonella, one which is acquired and overtly given when the need arises. Bacterial adherence after cell culture was markedly augmented in terms of numbers of participating organisms and cells when PHA-provoked lymphoblasts, rather than small, unchanged lymphocytes, were incubated with E.coli. In contrast, this type of response either did not occur at all or only in a limited, transient fashion when Salmonella was substituted as the laboratory antigen despite the fact that the PHA-exposed lymphocytes were obtained from donors immunized with Salmonella and had reacted actively with E.coli. This differential antigenic recognition by PHA-induced lymphoblasts in bacterial adherence supports the theory that PHA, under the experimental conditions outlined, acts on cellular organelles which govern the permanency of immunity and reflects differences between the natural and acquired immune state.
Another Path to Belonging: A Case Study of Middle School Students’ Perspectives

This qualitative study explored students’ experiences in a small, early-college secondary school in the United States that intentionally aims to create a culture promoting accelerated academic achievement, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Past research in the fields of both educational and developmental psychology has suggested that students’ sense of belonging plays a significant role in their social and academic functioning. Few studies, however, have explored how students’ sense of belonging is supported in settings that emphasise accelerated academic performance. The present study focused on students’ own understanding of the factors that contribute to their sense of belonging in this academically rigorous environment and extends current accounts of belonging, most of which have been quantitative in nature. The results of the present study highlight a distinction between social and academic belonging. Social belonging originated from students’ descriptions of their relationships with teachers and friends, alongside a noted lack of bullying behaviour, and an open and accepting social environment. Academic belonging originated from students’ accounts of meeting rigorous expectations, participating in a range of educational opportunities, receiving academic support from teachers, and sharing similar academic interests with peers. Some students reported experiencing one type of belonging without the other, suggesting that social and academic belonging are distinct aspects of students’ overall sense of school belonging. Future research should examine whether academic belonging provides an alternative pathway to the sense of school belonging in academic environments beyond the context examined in the present study.
Scarless Latissimus Dorsi Flap for Full Muscle Coverage in Device-Based Immediate Breast Reconstruction

The scarless latissimus dorsi flap is an important reconstructive option, for patients with a low body mass index without adequate subcutaneous tissue for completely autologous reconstruction and for any patient who prefers not to have autologous tissue transfer from the abdomen or another location. In addition, it may be that the scarless latissimus dorsi flap avoids the untoward effects seen with acellular dermal matrix. The scarless latissimus approach provides stable, well-vascularized coverage when paired with the pectoralis major muscle, which allows for precise contouring of the expander pocket, excellent reassembly of the lateral aesthetic line of the breast, a protective muscular and vascularized layer for the implant, reduced occurrence of significant postoperative capsular contracture, and long-term stabilization of the implant in the pocket.
Thermo Scientific Ozone Analyzer Instrument Handbook

The primary measurement output from the Thermo Scientific Ozone Analyzer is the concentration of the analyte (O3) reported at 1-s resolution in units of ppbv in ambient air. Note that because of internal pneumatic switching limitations the instrument only makes an independent measurement every 4 seconds. Thus, the same concentration number is repeated roughly 4 times at the uniform, monotonic 1-s time base used in the AOS systems. Accompanying instrument outputs include sample temperatures, flows, chamber pressure, lamp intensities and a multiplicity of housekeeping information. There is also a field for operator comments made at any time while data is being collected.
Decoding and disrupting left midfusiform gyrus activity during word reading

The nature of the visual representation for words has been fiercely debated for over 150 y. We used direct brain stimulation, pre- and postsurgical behavioral measures, and intracranial electroencephalography to provide support for, and elaborate upon, the visual word form hypothesis. This hypothesis states that activity in the left midfusiform gyrus (lmFG) reflects visually organized information about words and word parts. In patients with electrodes placed directly in their lmFG, we found that disrupting lmFG activity through stimulation, and later surgical resection in one of the patients, led to impaired perception of whole words and letters. Furthermore, using machine-learning methods to analyze the electrophysiological data from these electrodes, we found that information contained in early lmFG activity was consistent with an orthographic similarity space. Finally, the lmFG contributed to at least two distinguishable stages of word processing, an early stage that reflects gist-level visual representation sensitive to orthographic statistics, and a later stage that reflects more precise representation sufficient for the individuation of orthographic word forms. These results provide strong support for the visual word form hypothesis and demonstrate that across time the lmFG is involved in multiple stages of orthographic representation.
Automated identification of an aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease cohort.

Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by 3 clinical features: asthma, nasal polyposis, and respiratory reactions to cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Electronic health records (EHRs) contain information on each feature of this triad. Objective We sought to determine whether an informatics algorithm applied to the EHR could electronically identify patients with AERD. Methods We developed an informatics algorithm to search the EHRs of patients aged 18 years and older from the Partners Healthcare system over a 10-year period (2004-2014). Charts with search terms for asthma, nasal polyps, and record of respiratory (cohort A) or unspecified (cohort B) reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were identified as "possible AERD." Two clinical experts reviewed all charts to confirm a diagnosis of "clinical AERD" and classify cases as "diagnosed AERD" or "undiagnosed AERD" on the basis of physician-documented AERD-specific terms in patient notes. Results Our algorithm identified 731 "possible AERD" cases, of which 638 were not in our AERD patient registry. Chart review of cohorts A (n = 511) and B (n = 127) demonstrated a positive predictive value of 78.4% for "clinical AERD," which rose to 88.7% when unspecified reactions were excluded. Of those with clinical AERD, 12.4% had no mention of AERD by any treating caregiver and were classified as "undiagnosed AERD." "Undiagnosed AERD" cases were less likely than "diagnosed AERD" cases to have been seen by an allergist/immunologist (38.7% vs 93.2%; P Conclusions An informatics algorithm can successfully identify both known and previously undiagnosed cases of AERD with a high positive predictive value. Involvement of an allergist/immunologist significantly increases the likelihood of an AERD diagnosis.
Genetically Engineered Cytochrome B559 Mutants of the Cyanobacterium, Synechocystis 6803

Cartridge mutagenesis procedures were used to create insertion and deletion mutations in the psbE and psbF genes encoding the cytochrome b559 protein of the photosystem II complex in the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis 6803. The PSII complexes of the mutants are inactive. However, the chlorophyll-binding CP47 and CP43 proteins are present in a deletion mutant, indicating that they are stably integrated in thylakoid membranes lacking cyt b559.
The Medieval Inchinata Procession at Tivoli: Ritual Construction of Civic Identity in the Age of the Commune

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the nascent independent communes of central Italy expressed a new sense of civic identity through the staging of elaborate public liturgical processions that shaped and were shaped by local mythology and idiomatic urban landscapes. The Medieval Inchinata Procession at Tivoli: Ritual Construction of Civic Identity in the Age of the Commune examines Tivoli9s Inchinata procession, which continues to circle the city every year on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption. Reconstructing the route and performance of the medieval Inchinata through textual, topographical, and archaeological data, Rebekah Perry argues that the procession evolved as an adaptation of “official” liturgical rites introduced by Tivoli9s rival Rome to a native apotropaic ritual and local narratives embedded in the city9s topography. Through the cosmographical choreography of the procession, the young municipality may have used this amalgamation to invoke the New Jerusalem as an appeal to divine authority for the right to self-rule.
Selection of Natural Peptide Ligands for Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Catalysis.

The copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is a powerful tool for making connections in both organic reactions and biological systems. However, the use of this ligation process in living cells is limited by the toxicity associated with unbound copper ions. As an initial attempt to create peptide-based accelerating ligands capable of cellular expression, we performed synthesis and selection for such species on solid-phase synthesis beads bearing both candidate ligand and alkyne substrate. A simple histidine-containing motif (HXXH) was identified, and found after solution-phase optimization to produce single-turnover systems showing moderate rate acceleration over the ligand-free reaction. CuAAC reaction rates and yields for different alkynes were found to respond to the peptide ligands, demonstrating a substrate scope beyond what was used for the selection steps, but also illustrating the potential difficulty in evolving a general CuAAC catalyst.
ExxonMobil SENT test method and application to Strain-Based Design

Abstract Strain-Based Design (SBD) is used to complement conventional allowable stress design for pipelines operated in environments with potentially large ground movements such as those found in permafrost and seismically active regions. Large ground movements may impose significant longitudinal strains to the pipelines. One of the key elements of the SBD approach is a Tensile Strain Capacity (TSC) prediction model for pipelines, which is usually provided in the form of an equation based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). ExxonMobil's TSC prediction model has been validated against more than 100 full-scale tests. A key input to the prediction model is the tearing resistance of pipe and weld materials in terms of a Crack Tip Opening Displacement Resistance (CTOD-R) curve. Therefore, a test methodology is needed to appropriately characterize the ductile tearing resistance of pipes and girth welds. To this purpose, in recent years, ExxonMobil has developed a Single Edge Notched Tensile (SENT) test method, which has been shown to provide a level of crack tip constraint close to what is observed for defects in pipeline girth welds. In addition to providing input to TSC prediction, SENT testing is an integral part of Strain-Based Engineering Critical Assessment (SBECA) for pipelines. This paper describes the details of the ExxonMobil SENT test procedure and its application to carry out TSC predictions for SBD. Particularly, the paper covers the following aspects: (1) test procedure including analysis and interpretation of results; (2) validation of selected specimen geometry through comparison with data from pipe Full-Scale Tests (FST); (3) use of the CTOD-R curve as input to the ExxonMobil TSC prediction model; (4) finally, recent challenges related to crack path deviation are discussed with potential ways to address this issue.
Toward Precision Radiotherapy for Use with Immune Checkpoint Blockers.

The first evidence that radiation therapy (RT) enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) was obtained a dozen years ago in a mouse model of metastatic carcinoma refractory to anti-CTLA-4 treatment. At the time, ICBs had just entered clinical testing, an endeavor that culminated in 2011 with the approval of the first anti-CTLA-4 antibody for use in metastatic melanoma patients (ipilimumab). Thereafter, some patients progressing on ipilimumab showed systemic responses only upon receiving radiation to one lesion, confirming clinically the pro-immunogenic effects of radiation. Preclinical data demonstrate that multiple immunomodulators synergize with RT to cause the regression of irradiated tumors and, less often, non-irradiated metastases. However, the impact of dose and fractionation on the immunostimulatory potential of RT has not been thoroughly investigated. This issue is extremely relevant given the growing number of clinical trials testing the ability of RT to increase the efficacy of ICBs. Recent data demonstrate that the recruitment of dendritic cells to neoplastic lesions (and hence the priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells) is highly dependent on RT dose and fractionation through a mechanism that involves the accumulation of double stranded DNA in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and consequent type I interferon release. The molecular links between the cellular response to RT and type I interferon secretion are just being uncovered. Here, we discuss the rationale for an optimized use of RT, as well as candidate biomarkers that may predict clinical responses to RT combined with ICBs.