cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal conductivity of packed beds

A correlation was developed to predict the thermal conductivity of packed beds for various conditions of pressure, temperature, and particle size. The correlation takes into account the reduction in thermal conductivity of the gas phase at lower pressures when the mean free path of the gas molecules is of the same order as the distance between particles which are effective in transferring heat. Radiation becomes significant for large particles and high temperatures. A relationship for the radiation contribution to the thermal conductivity of packed beds was developed. (auth)
Dietary and Lifestyle Approaches to Hypertension in the Population with Diabetes

Medical nutrition therapy is the cornerstone of diabetes management. The goals of medical nutrition therapy in diabetes management are to achieve or maintain blood glucose levels in the normal or close to normal range as safely as possible; a lipid and lipoprotein profile that reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease and to achieve or maintain blood pressure levels in the normal or close to normal range as safely as possible (Diabetes Care 2008;31:S61–S78). The aim of this chapter is to review the different dietary and lifestyle approaches to manage hypertension in the population with diabetes and provide practical applications.
Getting Back the Public's Money: The Anti-Favoritism Norm in American Property Law

Should Congress earmark $5 million in the federal defense budget for a contract to be awarded on a noncompetitive basis to Storyrock, Inc., a private for-profit video company, to make DVD scrapbooks of National Guard units? The "anti-favoritism norm" in American property law seeks to prevent such unfair enhancements. This article suggests that the anti-favoritism norm is an integral part of the fabric of our system of jurisprudence and that if the government does not recapture such funds or assets on its own, then private parties can assert a claim to force the government to do so.
Hemosiderin; isolation from horse spleen and characterization.

Summary1. A method is outlined for isolating hemosiderin from horse spleen by sedimentation from salt solutions of different specific gravities. 2. The iron, nitrogen, phosphorus and ash concentration varied considerably in hemosiderin samples obtained from different spleens. Fractionation of these preparations by sedimentation in organic liquids showed that fractions could be obtained which varied in their iron concentrations from about 25 to 41% iron. 3. Hemosiderin has been found to contain hexoseamine, galactose, mannose and fucose.
The Genus Hyalomyzus (Homoptera: Aphididae), with the Description of a New Species

Hyalomyzus tissoti , n. sp., is described and illustrated. A key to the known species of the genus Hyalomyzus is given and their phylogeny is discussed. Lectotypes and plesiotypes of H. sensoriatus (Mason) are described and the current assignment of species formerly placed in Hyalomyzus is given. H. collinsoniae (Pepper) is shown to be a junior synonym of H. criobotryac (Tissot) (New Synonymy).
Modeling of Cyclic Response of High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys Undergoing Viscoplastic Mechanisms

In this work we present a constitutive model for High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys (HTSMAs), where the appearence of viscoplastic mechanisms during transformation influences the cyclic response of the actuator performance. Based on previous models developed for conventional SMAs, a Gibbs free energy potential is defined and the evolution equations for forward, reverse transformation, plasticity occuring during transformation, retained martensite and viscoplasticity are properly chosen. The calibration of the model is achieved with the help of experimental tests performed on TiPdNi alloy. The transformation behavior of the material is calibrated using fast load biased thermal cycling tests at selected stress levels with fast cooling/heating rate. The viscoplastic behavior of the HTSMA is captured with creep and uniaxial tests at appropriate temperature levels. Predictions of the model are compared with load biased thermal cycling tests at slow cooling/heating rate, where viscoplastic strains are significant.© 2010 ASME
Nontraditional Pharm.D. program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The nontraditional Pharm.D. program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is described. The nontraditional program, started in 1990, includes 21 credit hours of didactic work and 12 of clerkships. In the self-paced didactic courses, videotapes, manuals, and texts are used, along with faculty consultation in person or by telephone. Clerkships can be traditional or nontraditional. Nontraditional clerkships can be completed by self-study in the student's community after an orientation period at the preceptor's site. More than 400 pharmacists have enrolled in the program and more than 80 have entered nontraditional clerkships. Thirty-nine pharmacists have received the Pharm.D. degree. The program offers an accessible alternative for pharmacists who want to earn the Pharm.D. degree while maintaining full-time employment.
Chronic lymphoid leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Abstract Chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPDs) are derived from the clonal proliferation of cytologically and immunophenotypically mature B or T cells. Although overlap is prominent, the CLPDs can generally be segregated into leukemias (predominant blood and bone marrow manifestations) and lymphomas (predominant extramedullary manifestations). This review discusses the leukemic processes, with emphasis placed on the blood and bone marrow features of these disorders. Many distinct types of B-cell and T-cell CLPDs have been described, and the classification of CLPDs requires the integration of morphologic features, immunophenotype, and clinical information; genotypic analyses might provide prognostic and biologic information. The various classification systems for the CLPDs will be presented, as well as a discussion of specific disease types, emphasizing those most commonly encountered in clinical practice.
Optical Coherence Tomography: Role in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging modality that utilizes back-reflection of near-infrared light. Superior resolution intra-coronary imaging, including assessment of plaque morphology and characteristics as well as imaging stents and post-stent complications have made OCT a powerful research tool, and more recently a clinical tool for guidance of PCI. Visualization of coronary lesions with OCT and their characterization as lipid-rich, fibrous, or fibro-calcific plaque can influence percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedural planning. OCT has contributed significantly to the understanding of culprit lesion pathophysiology in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ACS culprit lesions have been categorized by OCT features as resulting from plaque rupture, calcific nodule, or plaque erosion. Finally, OCT has proven to be an ideal imaging modality for ensuring optimal results after PCI. OCT can be used to assess for appropriate stent expansion and apposition of the stent with the vessel wall, and is an effective modality for the detection and assessment of stent-edge dissection, incomplete stent apposition, and in-stent tissue protrusion. The resolution of OCT allows for detection and assessment of in-stent neointima proliferation and neoatherosclerosis. A demonstrated safe and effective research instrument, OCT has shown great potential in this clinical role as an adjunctive imaging modality for PCI.
A scatter and randoms weighted (SRW) iterative PET reconstruction

We describe a scatter and randoms weighted (SRW) iterative PET reconstruction algorithm. The SRW method is based on the estimation of the trues fraction (TF) within the prompts. Once the TF is estimated, it is then incorporated into the weighting component of the system matrix, and the net result is a scatter and randoms weighting in the sensitivity image similar to the attenuation correction weighting. Although using the measured prompts in the TF estimation was demonstrated to achieve the fastest convergence at high statistics, it is not reliable at low counts situations due to the sparse and noisy nature of the measured prompts. Therefore, a mean estimation of the prompts derived from the forward-projection of the reconstructed prompts image was introduced into the TF estimation. A contrast phantom was scanned and the data were reconstructed using the standard and the SRW methods. The contrast vs noise, precision vs accuracy in contrast, absolute error vs number of iterations comparisons, and standard deviation image over different realizations of the same object were evaluated at low counts situations, and it was observed that the SRW method outperforms the standard approaches such as the scatter and randoms data pre-correction and the Ordinary Poisson methods. The image intensity (activity) outside the object can also be minimized using the SRW method. In addition, further improvement in accuracy, precision, convergence, and noise properties can be achieved by further improving the TF and the prompts estimate.
Overlooking what is underground: Root:shoot ratios and coarse root allometric equations for tropical forests

Abstract Coarse roots are a major belowground carbon (C) pool, yet we know little about the factors controlling coarse root distributions in tropical forests, the biome where belowground biomass stocks are largest. We conducted a literature survey to identify potential environmental controls on the root:shoot biomass ratio (R:S) across tropical forests worldwide. Moreover, to aid efforts to extrapolate aboveground biomass measurements to belowground C stocks, we also compiled a list of allometric equations for coarse root biomass. Across our large and geographically comprehensive dataset, we found that R:S is negatively correlated with mean annual precipitation, and positively linked with stand age. However, information on root biomass allocation is still scarce in comparison with the wealth of available data on aboveground plant biomass in tropical forests, and more data will be necessary to understand the drivers of belowground biomass allocation. Moreover, the available root allometric equations show tremendous variation in mathematical form, which is likely related to the many different methods that have been used to quantify root biomass and its distribution with depth. A better understanding of belowground dynamics in tropical forests will require systematic surveys of root biomass along gradients of soil type, climate, and stand age, along with a streamlined protocol for developing root allometric equations.
Incidence of Toxigenic and Other Molds in Green Coffee Beans

The mold flora of 944 green coffee bean samples from 31 coffee-producing countries was determined before and after surface disinfection with 5% NaOCl. Molds were detected on 99.1 % of 47,200 beans not surface-disinfected and in 47.9% of 47,200 disinfected beans. Although the percentage of differences in occurrence of mold before disinfection was minimal (93.4 to 100%) on a country-by-country basis, after disinfection the beans from Asiatic and African countries showed more internal invasion (80.5%) than those from Central and South America (49.4%). Aspergillus spp., which dominated the mold flora of 944 samples before and after disinfection, included the toxigenic A. ochraceus , A. flavus and A. versicolor as well as A. niger , A. tamarii , A. wentii and species of the A. glaucus group. The genus Penicillium , including the toxigenic P. cyclopium , P. citrinum and P. expansum , was detected regularly, although its occurrence was substantially lower than that of the aspergilli, especially after surface disinfection. The rare detection of Alternaria and Fusarium indicated that toxigenic species of these genera do not readily invade green coffee beans. A. flavus and A. tamarii were prevalent in Central and South American beans, whereas other aspergilli were prevalent in Asiatic and African beans. The penicillia were prevalent in Central and South American beans.
RNA Interference in Mammals: The Virus Strikes Back

The importance of RNA interference (RNAi) as a mammalian antiviral defense mechanism has been controversial. Qiu et al. (2017) now present data suggesting that the difficulty of detecting RNAi in virus-infected mammalian cells reflects the expression of highly effective viral suppressors of RNAi.
High-resolution deep functional imaging of the whole mouse brain by photoacoustic computed tomography in vivo

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) is a non-invasive imaging technique offering high contrast, high resolution, and deep penetration in biological tissues. We report a PACT system equipped with a high frequency linear transducer array for mapping the microvascular network of a whole mouse brain with the skull intact and studying its hemodynamic activities. The linear array was scanned in the coronal plane to collect data from different angles, and full-view images were synthesized from the limited-view images in which vessels were only partially revealed. We investigated spontaneous neural activities in the deep brain by monitoring the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood vessels and observed strong interhemispherical correlations between several chosen functional regions, both in the cortical layer and in the deep regions. We also studied neural activities during an epileptic seizure and observed the epileptic wave spreading around the injection site and the wave propagating in the opposite hemisphere.
Toward a Status Anxiety Theory of Macro-level Firearm Demand:

Previous research has paid little attention to legal firearm demand, instead often focusing on illegal firearm demand. This study expands sociological research on firearms by theoretically identify...
Teaching empathic concern and altruism in the smartphone age

Numerous studies show empathic concern promotes altruistic motivation and prosocial behavior. Here, we discuss empathic concern, its relation to altruistic motivation, and how empathic concern is i...
Synthesis of Discretely Actuated Manipulator Workspaces VIA Harmonic Analysis

Discrete actuators have a finite number of states, e.g. stepper motors and bistable pneumatic cylinders. Given that the number of distinct configurations attainable by discretely actuated manipulators grows exponentially in the number of actuated degrees of freedom, i.e. K n for n actuators or actuated modules each with K states, brute force representation of discrete manipulator workspaces is not feasible in the highly actuated case. Approximating the workspaces of segments of discrete manipulators as density functions on the Euclidean group (which describes workspace positions and orientations) the whole workspace can be approximated as an n-fold convolution of these functions. A generalization of the Fourier transform (and the convolution theorem) is used in this paper to efficiently compute convolutions and to solve the inverse problem of synthesizing discrete manipulators which have prescribed workspace properties.
The Effects of Phosphonate-Based Scale Inhibitor on Brine-Biotite Interactions under Subsurface Conditions.

To explore the effects of scale inhibitors on subsurface water–mineral interactions, here batch experiments on biotite dissolution (0–96 h) were conducted in solutions containing 0–1.0 mM diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene)phosphonate (DTPMP, a model scale inhibitor), at conditions simulating subsurface environments (95 °C and 102 atm CO2). The phosphonate groups in DTPMP enhanced biotite dissolution through both aqueous and surface complexations with Fe, with more significant effects at a higher DTPMP concentration. Surface complexation made cracked biotite layers bend, and these layers detached at a later stage (≥44 h). The presence of DTPMP also promoted secondary precipitation of Fe- and Al-bearing minerals both in the solution and on the reacted biotite surfaces. With 1.0 mM DTPMP after 44 h, significant coverage of biotite surfaces by precipitates and less detachment of cracked layers blocked reactive sites and inhibited further biotite dissolution. Furthermore, adsorption of DTPMP made the reacted b...
Casuistry’s Revival in Medicine and Now, Business

The following piece explains casuistry’s restoration in clinical and medical ethics, its use in other disciplines, and its potential for use in business practice.
Small Bowel Lesions Mimicking Crohn’s Disease

Not all injuries of the terminal ileum are Crohn’s disease. It is the purpose of this review to consider the differential diagnosis of other acute and chronic ileal lesions. The recognition of a granulomatous disease of the terminal ileum, distinct from tuberculosis, dates back over 85 years and perhaps much farther, but over the past decades, many other clinical pathologic entities have been described that are neither tuberculosis nor Crohn’s eponymous regional enteritis. In recent years, the catalog of lesions mimicking Crohn’s disease of the small bowel and proposals for differential diagnosis and treatment have expanded to include newly reported appendiceal pathology, primary cancers and lymphomas of the intestine, unexpected metastases from distant organs, unusual infections, vasculitides and other ischemic conditions, Behcet’s disease, endometriosis, and drug reactions. A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease should not be a reflex action in the face of small bowel structural or inflammatory lesions without consideration of pathology in adjacent organs, primary and metastatic lesions of the small intestine, infections, vascular diseases, infiltrative diseases, drug injury, or other “idiopathic” conditions.
Combined Gabapentinoid and Opioid Use: The Consequences of Shifting Prescribing Trends

Gomes and colleagues explore the trends and consequences of the recent and striking increase in gabapentinoid prescribing, particularly in combination with opioids. The editorialists discuss these ...
Fluoride-Induced Dynamic Surface Self-Reconstruction Produces Unexpectedly Efficient Oxygen-Evolution Catalyst

The oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) is a key process in water-splitting systems, fuel cells, and metal–air batteries, but the development of highly active and robust OER catalyst by simple methods ...
Power Computations for Polynomial Change Models in Block-Randomized Designs

AbstractEducation experiments frequently assign students to treatment or control conditions within schools. Longitudinal components added in these studies (e.g., students followed over time) allow ...
How much entanglement can be created in a closed system

In a closed system, the total number of particles is fixed. We ask how much does this conservation law restricts the amount of entanglement that can be created. We derive a tight upper bound on the bipartite entanglement entropy in closed systems, and find what a maximally entangled state looks like in such a system. Finally, we illustrate numerically on an isolated system of one-dimensional fermionic gas, that the upper bound can be reached during its unitary evolution, when starting in a pure state that emulates a thermal state with high enough temperature. These results are in accordance with current experiments measuring R\'enyi-2 entanglement entropy, all of which employ a particle-conserving Hamiltonian, where our bound acts as a loose bound, and will become especially important for bounding the amount of entanglement that can be spontaneously created, once a direct measurement of entanglement entropy becomes feasible.
Dwell time for local stability of switched affine systems with application to non-spiking neuron models

Abstract For switched systems that switch between distinct globally stable equilibria, we offer closed-form formulas that lock oscillations in the required neighborhood of the equilibria. Motivated by non-spiking neuron models, the main focus of the paper is on the case of planar switched affine systems, where we use properties of nested cylinders coming from quadratic Lyapunov functions. In particular, for the first time ever, we use the dwell-time concept in order to give an explicit condition for non-spiking of linear neuron models with periodically switching current.
Evaluation of Biofilms on Explanted Shoulder Prostheses Using Functional Biofilm Assay and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Successfully treating shoulder arthroplasty infection requires diagnosis and bacterial identification. Higher incidence of infection with low-virulence bacteria makes this challenging. This study evaluates shoulder prostheses for infection using sonication and a functional biofilm assay. Nineteen patients undergoing revision shoulder arthroplasty were followed prospectively. Periprosthetic tissue and prosthetic components were obtained during the revision and evaluated with a functional biofilm assay. Results were compared with conventional cultures and laboratory results. Hardware samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Six of the 19 cases demonstrated growth on the biofilm assay. Three of these had positive conventional culture results and met Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for infection. Two other cases met MSIS criteria but demonstrated negative assay and conventional culture results. Of the six cases with positive assay results, three demonstrated evidence of biofilm on scanning electron microscopy. The biofilm assay identifies infections not recognized by traditional culture or MSIS criteria. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(3):171-177, 2018).
Phage Therapy: Primer and Role in the Treatment of MDROs

Given increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), there is a significant interest in exploring non-antibiotic therapeutic options. We discuss basics of bacteriophage therapy (BT) and its role in the treatment of infections due to MDRO. BT employs lytic viruses to infect and lyse bacterial pathogens and is an emerging treatment strategy for treatment of infections caused by MDROs. We summarize key characteristics that make BT an attractive option against MDROs, discuss recent cases in which BT was successfully used to treat antibiotic recalcitrant infections, and discuss challenges that need to be overcome to make BT a viable clinical strategy. BT is a viable therapeutic option needing further research in order to bring it to clinical practice.
Evapotranspiration response to land cover and climate change in a Midwest U.S. watershed

In temperate humid watersheds, evapotranspiration returns more than half of the annual precipitation to the atmosphere, thereby determining the balance available to recharge groundwaters and support stream flow and lake levels. Changes in evapotranspiration rates and therefore watershed hydrology could be driven by changes in land use or climate. Here we examine the watershed water balance over the past 50 years for a watershed in southwest Michigan covered by cropland, grassland, forest, and wetlands. Over the study period about 27% of the watershed has been abandoned from row-crop agriculture to perennial vegetation and about 20% of the watershed has reverted to deciduous forest, and the climate has warmed by 1.14°C. Despite these changes, precipitation and stream discharge, and by inference evapotranspiration, have been stable over the study period. The remarkably stable rates of evapotranspirative water loss from the watershed across a period of significant land cover change indicate that rainfed annual crops and perennial vegetation have similar evapotranspiration rates, a conclusion supported by measurements of evapotranspiration from various vegetation types based on soil water monitoring. Therefore the hydrology of this humid temperate landscape has been resilient in the face of both land cover and climate change over the past 50 years.
Prediction of EEG Seizures in Critically Ill Children.

In a prospective observational study, investigators from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia devised a predictive model for capturing electrographic seizures in critically ill pediatric patients.
Digital Health Engagement in the US Population: Insights From the 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey.

Objectives. To examine prevalence and predictors of digital health engagement among the US population. Methods. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data on 7 digital health engage...
Unitary Kinematic Mixing of Electro-Weak Bosons

In the standard model, electro-weak bosons are developed as gauge-fields initially satisfying an SU(2) $\times$ U(1) local symmetry mediating interactions with a multi-component field. This symmetry gets broken when the component of the field associated with the (scalar) Higgs boson acquires a non-vanishing expectation value, generating masses for weak vector bosons (W$^+$,W$^-$,Z) as well as a massless photon (A) which couples to electric charge. Beyond an expression relating the masses of the W and Z bosons, there are few predictions concerning further relationships involving the Higgs mass or mixing angle. In this paper, kinematic relationships between unitarily mixed momentum-space spinors (supplemental to standard electro-weak modeling) will be developed. These relationships expressed in terms of kinematic invariants are shown to be consistent with current measured results.
Optic Pit Maculopathy: Clinical Features and Management Options

In this article, we review the pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging modalities, and latest management options for optic pit maculopathy (OPM). The pathogenesis of OPM remains to be unclear, but imaging tools such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography are enhancing our knowledge. Observation continues to be the best management strategy for patients with good visual acuity, and many cases have demonstrated spontaneous resolution. For more advanced, progressive vision loss, treatment options involving vitrectomy can be considered and discussed with the patient. Supplementary techniques to vitrectomy have been reported in small studies with relative success such as glial tissue peeling, inverted internal limiting membrane flap, optic pit plugging, and retinal fenestration. While there are multiple treatment options available for OPM, there is no consensus on the technique and surgical timing. Individual patient factors and the risks-benefits of treatment must be taken into account in guiding management. Larger clinical trials will further assist in decision-making for treating OPM.
Broadening learning communities during COVID-19: developing a curricular framework for telemedicine education in neurology

BACKGROUND In response to the cancellation of clinical clerkships due to COVID-19, the Johns Hopkins (JH) Neurology Education Team developed a virtual elective to enhance medical students' clinical telemedicine skills and foster community between academic institutions. METHODS This two-week clinical elective, entitled "Virtual Patient Rounds in Neurology," was administered once in April 2020 and once in May 2020. The curriculum included attending/fellow-led Virtual Rounds, Student Presentations, and Asynchronous Educational Activities. We also developed a new lecture series entitled JHNeuroChats, which consisted of live synchronous lectures presented by JH faculty and Virtual Visiting Professors. Trainees and faculty from outside institutions were invited to participate in the JHNeuroChats. Students and faculty completed pre- and post-elective surveys to assess the educational impact of the elective. Student's t-tests were used to compare scores between pre- and post-elective surveys. RESULTS Seven JH medical students enrolled in each iteration of the elective, and an additional 337 trainees and faculty, representing 14 different countries, registered for the JHNeuroChats. We hosted 48 unique JHNeuroChats, 32 (66.7%) of which were led by invited Virtual Visiting Professors. At the end of the elective, students reported increased confidence in virtually obtaining a history (P < 0.0001) and performing a telehealth neurological physical exam (P < 0.0001), compared to the start of the course. In addition, faculty members reported increased confidence in teaching clinical medicine virtually, although these findings were not statistically significant (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS Despite the constraints imposed by COVID-19, this virtual Neurology elective increased medical students' confidence in certain telemedicine skills and successfully broadened our learning community to encompass learners from around the world. As virtual medical education becomes more prevalent, it is important that we are intentional in creating opportunities for shared learning across institutions. We believe that this elective can serve as a model for these future educational collaborations.
Glomerular hemodynamics and vascular structure. The pattern and dimensions of a single rat glomerular capillary network reconstructed from Ultrathin sections.

Abstract This paper presents a quantitative study of a model of a rat glomerulus reconstructed from electron micrographs of subserial ultrathin sections. The entire capillary network is graphed, and the diameters and lengths of the capillary segments of the network are recorded, along with the computed resistance of each capillary segment to blood flow. These observations in turn are interpreted in relation to the theory of hydrodynamic flow through cylinders with permeable walls: Bounds are calculated for the pressure drops between the nodes of the network and the efferent arteriole, given the afferent and efferent blood flow. When recently published estimates of single-nephron afferent and efferent plasma flow of the Munich-Wistar rat were used in these calculations, a minimum pressure drop between afferent and efferent arteriole of 2.92 mm Hg was computed. This corroborates studies which suggest that filtration equilibrium is attained in the Munich-Wistar rat.
Communication in Palliative Nursing by Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles, Joy Goldsmith, Betty Ferrell, & Sandra L. Ragan

Communication in Palliative Nursing. Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles, Joy Goldsmith, Betty Ferrell, & Sandra L. Ragan. Oxford University Press, 2013. 312 pp., $39.95 (hardcover).Palliative care settings pr...
l-Asparaginase from Erwinia carotovora PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE NATIVE AND SUCCINYLATED ENZYME

Abstract The physicochemical properties of the antileukemic l-asparaginase from Erwinia carotovora have been studied and compared with those of the corresponding clinically effective enzyme from Escherichia coli B. Although both enzymes are tetramers with similar molecular weight, the amino acid compositions are distinctly different and the Erwinia enzyme is more basic as judged by polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Of the 48 to 50 tyrosyl residues in native Erwinia asparaginase, only about 10% ionize with a normal pK, while 30% of these residues in the E. coli enzyme titrate normally. The native tetramer (s20,w = 7.2) is considerably more stable than the corresponding tetramer from E. coli. Asparaginase from Erwinia is only partially dissociated in 8 m urea, whereas the E. coli enzyme is completely converted to the 1.7 S monomer under the same conditions. Guanidinium chloride at concentrations of 3.5 m completely dissociates Erwinia asparaginase. Dissociation is accompanied by the appearance of an ultraviolet difference spectrum with a maximum at 288 nm. The rate of dissociation is markedly increased by the addition of alcohols to the denaturant. Dissociation in the presence of alcohols occurs in two distinct steps whose rates increase as the length of the alkyl side chain of the alcohol increases. Succinylation of the lysyl residues results in marked increases in mobility of the modified enzyme on polyacrylamide gels, but does not affect the state of aggregation of the tetramer or its catalytic activity. In addition succinylation does not affect either the rate of dissociation in guanidinium chloride or the extent of reconstitution to the active enzyme. The presence of five bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of hybrids prepared from the native and succinylated enzyme indicates that Erwinia carotovora asparaginase is composed of four identical subunits.
Using technologies to support reminiscence

This paper is about the evolution of a system prototype called Pensieve whose goal is to support people's reminiscing practices. A number of technologies exist to manage memory-related content; however, these technologies tend to take a model of memory as information that leads to a focus on capture and access. Pensieve is instead based on reusing memory-laden content people already create in social media services. This idea is supported by theories of autobiographical memory, insights from interviews with eight subjects, and experiences with two prototypes deployed to ten users. These interviews and experiences suggest that people value even simple tools that support reminiscence, as well as providing both design goals and research questions around the design of tools that support people in reminiscing.
Comparison of monounsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates for reducing raised levels of plasma cholesterol in man

To compare monounsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates for actions on lipid and lipoprotein levels from solid-food diets, 10 men were studied on three diets. One diet was high in saturated fatty acids and very high in cholesterol (High Sat + Chol), a second was high in monounsaturates but low in cholesterol (High Mono), and a third was low in fat, high in carbohydrates, and low in cholesterol (Low Fat). All diets were consumed for 6 wk. Compared with the High Sat + Chol diet, the High Mono and Low Fat diets significantly and similarly reduced plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. In contrast, the Low Fat diet significantly lowered HDL cholesterol whereas the High Mono diet did not. Therefore, a solid-food diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids is equivalent to a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet for cholesterol lowering but does not reduce the HDL-cholesterol level.
EFFECTS OF CRACK MORPHOLOGY AND CLOSURE ON ULTRASONIC RESPONSE

Progress is reported on the development of tools for the study of the influence of crack morphology and closure on ultrasonic inspection response. An in‐situ phased array sector scan is described for the monitoring of crack responses under load, and results are presented showing the anticipated dependence of signal amplitude on crack closure. Acoustic microscopy mapping of actual crack morphology is outlined. A measurement model is presented for prediction of responses using the measured crack morphology as input. Results are shown demonstrating the reduction in inspection signal amplitude arising from the deviation of measured crack morphology from the ideal planar geometry.
“Know What to Do If You Encounter a Flash Flood”: Mental Models Analysis for Improving Flash Flood Risk Communication and Public Decision Making

Understanding how people view flash flood risks can help improve risk communication, ultimately improving outcomes. This article analyzes data from 26 mental models interviews about flash floods with members of the public in Boulder, Colorado, to understand their perspectives on flash flood risks and mitigation. The analysis includes a comparison between public and professional perspectives by referencing a companion mental models study of Boulder-area professionals. A mental models approach can help to diagnose what people already know about flash flood risks and responses, as well as any critical gaps in their knowledge that might be addressed through improved risk communication. A few public interviewees mentioned most of the key concepts discussed by professionals as important for flash flood warning decision making. However, most interviewees exhibited some incomplete understandings and misconceptions about aspects of flash flood development and exposure, effects, or mitigation that may lead to ineffective warning decisions when a flash flood threatens. These include important misunderstandings about the rapid evolution of flash floods, the speed of water in flash floods, the locations and times that pose the greatest flash flood risk in Boulder, the value of situational awareness and environmental cues, and the most appropriate responses when a flash flood threatens. The findings point to recommendations for ways to improve risk communication, over the long term and when an event threatens, to help people quickly recognize and understand threats, obtain needed information, and make informed decisions in complex, rapidly evolving extreme weather events such as flash floods.
Magnetism of the heavy 5f elements

Abstract Magnetic properties of the trivalent lanthanide ions have been classically used to demonstrate the applicability of L-S coupling and Hund's rule to the 4f element series. An examination of similar behavior for the more spatially extended orbitals of the 5f element series has, until the last few years, been limited to lighter members (actinium through americium). Characterization of magnetic properties of heavier ions (curium, berkelium, californium and einsteinium) has recently led to a comparison with the 4f ion homologues of the actinides and to an extension of the test of L-S coupling to a new region of the periodic table. Investigations of the magnetic properties of heavy element compounds and metals have additionally led to some unexpected results which suggest a rich structure of low temperature magnetic ordering. The increasing degree of spatial localization of the heavy actinide orbitals thereby provides another vehicle for studying the theory of magnetic ordering via the conduction electrons.
Intergranular cavitation during creep in astroloy

Intergranular cavitation during creep in low carbon Astroloy, a typical nickel-base superalloy with a γ-γ' microstructure, was studied in a temperature range of 0.60–0.65 Tm. Because the grain boundary carbides could be distributed quite uniformly on all grain boundaries regardless of their structure, cavitation which results from them was also very uniform. The cavity nucleation rate was found to be directly proportional to the average creep rate. Throughout their growth the cavities retained a spherical-caps shape and their overall growth rate correlated best with a model of unconstrained growth.
Measurement Properties of the Short Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES

This study evaluated the five-factor measurement model of the abbreviated Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES), originally proposed by Pruchno, Kleban, and Resch in 1988. Modifications of the five-factor model were examined and evaluated with regard to their practical significance. A confirmatory second-order factor analysis was performed to examine whether the correlations among the first-order factors were adequately accounted for by a global dysfunction factor. Findings indicated that the proposed measurement model was replicated adequately. Although post hoc modifications resulted in significant improvements in overall model fit, the minor parameters had only a trivial influence on the major parameters of the baseline model. Results from the second-order factor analysis showed that a global dysfunc tion factor accounted adequately for the intercorrelations among the first-order factors.
Effect of Excess Moisture on an Oxygen Reduction Reaction Mechanism in the Yttria Stabilized Zirconia and Strontium-Doped Lanthanum Manganite SOFC Composite Cathode

Air-Independent solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are primarily used in naval applications. In this study a decomposed hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) stream is used as the oxidant. The fully decomposed diluted H2 O2 oxidant stream contains 20% O2 and 80% H2 O, and this water content is the basis for the studies performed. A computational model has been developed that couples local gas and charge transport with a detailed oxygen reduction mechanism and considers surface coverages in the presence of excess moisture. The model is used to study the detailed reaction mechanism and the performance of the cathode in the presence of a high water content oxidant stream.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A genotype 2b NS5B polymerase with novel substitutions supports replication of a chimeric HCV 1b:2b replicon containing a genotype 1b NS3-5A background.

Abstract HCV diversity suggests that evaluation of HCV inhibitors for broad genotypic efficacy is warrented. The replicon system enables cell-culture compound efficacy evaluation against an active replication complex, and a functional replicon dependent upon a genotype 2b polymerase would augment existing cell-culture efficacy studies that are presently limited to genotype 1a, 1b, and 2a replicons. We made a chimeric Neor 1b:2b replicon where genotype 2b NS5B was inserted into a genotype 1b NS3-5A background and transfected replicon RNA to generate Neor cell lines. All cell lines contained novel substitutions within NS5B which were subsequently engineered into the parental 1b:2b replicon and shown to enhance replication to various degrees. A single NS5B M31I substitution enhanced replication to levels sufficiently robust to quantify sensitivity to HCV inhibitors in a transient replication assay. The M31I 1b:2b replicon was similarly sensitive to an active-site nucleoside inhibitor of NS5B as genotype 1b replicons, but was insensitive to two non-nucleoside inhibitors which were otherwise efficacious against the genotype 1b replicons. This work describes a novel HCV replicon sustained by a genotype 2b polymerase that is sufficiently robust for quantifiable analysis in a transient replication assay, and demonstrates its utility in characterizing anti-HCV compounds for cross-genotypic efficacy.
An Explicit Finite Difference Wide Angle Beam Propagation Method

In recent years, significant improvements in the beam propagation method(BPM) have taken place mostly to be able to design and analyze various photonic integrated circuits(PIC). The efficiency of the scalar paraxial BPM has been improved through finite difference algorithms. The vector nature of the wave propagation in PICs has been studied using the paraxial vector BPM. In addition, several wide angle beam propagation algorithms have been developed using a higher order expansion of a Helmholtz propagation operator[l] with the operator splitting or using a recursive Pade formula[2][3]. All the reported algorithms are implicit schemes which require the solution of linear matrix equation[2][3] or that in combination with the fast Fourier transform[l]. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a simple explicit finite difference wide angle BPM. This wide angle propagation technique is compared with the paraxial BPM through numerical examples which are a tilted propagation in a dielectric waveguide and the diffraction of a focused gaussian beam in homogeneous media.
PERK (eIF2α kinase) is required to activate the stress-activated MAPKs and induce the expression of immediate-early genes upon disruption of ER calcium homoeostasis

The eIF2alpha (eukaryotic initiation factor-2alpha) kinase PERK (doublestranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase) is essential for the normal function of highly secretory cells in the pancreas and skeletal system, as well as the UPR (unfolded protein response) in mammalian cells. To delineate the regulatory machinery underlying PERK-dependent stress-responses, gene profiling was employed to assess global changes in gene expression in PERK-deficient MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts). Several IE (immediate-early) genes, including c-myc, c-jun, egr-1 (early growth response factor-1), and fra-1 (fos-related antigen-1), displayed PERK-dependent expression in MEFs upon disruption of calcium homoeostasis by inhibiting the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) transmembrane SERCA (sarcoplasmic/ER Ca2+-ATPase) calcium pump. Induction of c-myc and egr-1 by other reagents that elicit the UPR, however, showed variable dependence upon PERK. Induction of c-myc expression by thapsigargin was shown to be linked to key signalling enzymes including PLC (phospholipase C), PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). Analysis of the phosphorylated status of major components in MAPK signalling pathways indicated that thapsigargin and DTT (dithiothreitol) but not tunicamycin could trigger the PERK-dependent activation of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and p38 MAPK. However, activation of JNK and p38 MAPK by non-ER stress stimuli including UV irradiation, anisomycin, and TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha) was found to be independent of PERK. PERK plays a particularly important role in mediating the global cellular response to ER stress that is elicited by the depletion of calcium from the ER. We suggest that this specificity of PERK function in the UPR is an extension of the normal physiological function of PERK to act as a calcium sensor in the ER.
Hierarchical composite grid method for global-local analysis of laminated composite shells

Abstract A hierarchical version of the composite grid method (denoted as HFAC), which exploits the solution of the shell model in studying local effects via a 3D solid model, is developed. Convergence studies on a beam/2D model problem indicate that the spectral radius of the point iteration matrix for the HFAC method is O(1) and O(( L H ) 2 ) with exact and approximate auxiliary coarse grid solutions, respectively, where L and H are the span and the thickness of the beam, respectively. Numerical experiments in multidimensions confirm these findings.
GC-rich murine adenosine deaminase gene promoter supports diverse tissue-specific gene expression.

The murine adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene has a GC-rich promoter that is structurally typical of many mammalian “housekeeping” gene promoters. The ability of theADA gene promoter to support diverse tissue-specific gene expression was investigated EndogenousADA gene expression in different mouse tissues was found to vary over a >3000-fold range in a highly complex pattern. This range of expression was also observed in cultured human cell lines derived from different tissues. The ADA levels in all tissues and cell lines examined correlated closely with steady-state ADA mRNA levels. Several of the mouse tissues examined also showed stage-specific variation during postnatal development. In order to determine whether tissue-specificADA expression was controlled by cis-acting sequences upstream of the coding region, constructs containing a reporter gene regulated by the ADA gene's 5′ flanking sequences were used to generate transgenic mice. All transgene-expressing mice obtained showed diverse reporter gene expression in the tissues analyzed. Our results demonstrate that both in vivo and in the context of an integrated transgene this GC-rich promoter can support highly diverse gene expression in all tissues of the animal.