cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrosintering of iron powder compacts

The influence of a nominal external electric field E=3 to 10 kV/cm on the sintering of iron powder compacts for 30 minutes at 1140 °C in a vacuum of ∼10−6 torr was investigated. It was found that the field reduced the porosity by as much as 29 to 73 pct compared to sintering without a field, the magnitude depending on the procedure employed to measure the density of the specimen. Optical microscopy revealed that the specimen electrosintered with E=10 kV/cm had a skin of ∼0.2 mm in thickness, where the porosity was significantly less than in the interior. This was also the depth of carburization that was obtained upon carburizing the electrosintered specimens. It is proposed that the decrease in porosity produced by the field results from a decrease in the chemical potential of vacancies at or just below the charged external surface. Vacancy flux equations employed to calculate the porosity as a function of distance below the external surface showed that the porosity becomes approximately zero at a distance of x c=0.4 to 0.5 mm below the surface, which is in reasonable accord with the microscopy measurements. Similar values of x c were obtained by assuming that the entire porosity decrease given by the density measurements occurred in a ring of thickness of x c below the external surface. The difference in the density measured by two Archimedes-principle procedures and microscopy observations suggests that the cavities open to the external surface of the electrosintered specimens are smaller or narrower than those for specimens sintered without a field.
Inhibition of the Transforming Growth Factor β1 Signaling Pathway by the AML1/ETO Leukemia-associated Fusion Protein

The t(8;21) translocation, found in adult acute myelogenous leukemia, results in the formation of an AML1/ETO chimeric transcription factor. AML1/ETO expression leads to alterations in hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation, although its role in leukemic transformation is not clear. The N-terminal portion of AML1, which is retained in AML1/ETO, contains a region of homology to the FAST proteins, which cooperate with Smads to regulate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) target genes. We have demonstrated the physical association of Smad proteins with AML1 and AML1/ETO by immunoprecipitation and have mapped the region of interaction to therunt homology domain in these AML1 proteins. Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that AML1, and ETO and/or AML1/ETO, colocalize with Smads in the nucleus of t(8;21)-positive Kasumi-1 cells, in the presence but not the absence of TGF-β1. Using transient transfection assays and a reporter gene construct that contains both Smad and AML1 consensus binding sequences, we demonstrated that overexpression of AML1B cooperates with TGF-β1 in stimulating reporter gene activity, whereas AML1/ETO represses basal promoter activity and blocks the response to TGF-β1. Considering the critical role of TGF-β1 in the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, interference with TGF-β1 signaling by AML1/ETO may contribute to leukemogenesis.
Contact inhibition of what? An analytical review.

Quite a number of phenomena having to do with cells' influences upon one another's movements have come to be regarded as expressions of “contact inhibition.” However, no single, central mechanism has been shown to underlie them all. Consequently, the term “contact inhibition” should not be used without operational modifiers. Inhibitions of individual cell movements imputed to be mediated by cell-cell contacts include inhibition of overlapping (which results in monolayering), of colony expansion, of cell speed (nuclear translocation), of ruffling, of orthogonal movement (proposed to explain spontaneous parallel alignment of cells), and of neighbor exchanges. The six inhibitions listed above are operationally distinct, and only two (overlapping and colony expansion) are known to result from a common mechanism. A seventh phenomenon, so-called “contact inhibition of cell division” (more operationally termed postconfluence inhibition of cell division) is in a separate category and is not considered here. Evidence eliminating action-at-a-distance is available only for the first three, and hence only these should at present be termed contact inhibitions. Inhibition of neighbor exchanges is yet hypothetical; at its extreme, it would immobilize cells in a confluent monolayer, but such immobilization has been found not to occur. Contact inhibition of overlapping, the most studied of the six, is not displayed by invasive cells with respect to normal cells; invasive tumor cells overlap freely upon normal cells, although not necessarily upon one another. Contact inhibition of overlapping, and its loss by invasive cells, can readily be interpreted, by means of the differential adhesion hypothesis, as consequences of cell-type-specific differences in cell-cell and cell-substratum “strengths of adhesion.” These strengths of adhesion are formulated as specific interfacial free energies, which are the only parameters of cellular adhesiveness that have been rigorously shown to determine equilibrium configurations of cell populations.
Comparison of the Clearview Uterine Manipulator with the Cohen cannula in laparoscopy

Abstract The ClearView Uterine Manipulator was compared with the Cohen acorn-tipped cannula forefficacy and safety in patients undergoing laparoscopy at the University of Utah Medical Center. Fifty consecutive, patients were randomized by computer to have either the ClearView instrument or the Cohen cannula used as a uterine manibulator (25 patients each). The ClearView manipulator was statistically superior to the Cohen cannula for range of motion in the anterior and posterior sagittal plane (p
Travel time models in automated storage/retrieval systems: A critical review

This paper presents a brief, critical review and a comparative study of some design aspects of automated storage/retrieval systems with special emphasis on travel time models. These aspects include improving throughput rate, changing retrieval sequencing rules, using order batching algorithms, applying various dwell point strategies and increasing the storage/retrieval machine capacity. Some of the results and discussions used in this paper have been adopted from available sources and the rest have been compiled and/or calculated from the recent literature as mentioned therein. A conclusion is made on the salient issues prevailing in the design of automated storage/retrieval systems.
Input and output transformations for a space robot modeled with quaternions

This paper describes a procedure for obtaining the dynamical model of a space robot in a form that is useful for simulation. The differential equations of motion of the space robot are derived using a constrained Lagrangian approach to mechanics. Quaternions are utilized to model rotation which gives rise to generalized forces that are in the direction of the quaternion elements. A transformation is presented which transforms realizable torques into these abstract forces. The form of a complete model with both realizable inputs and measurable outputs is described.
Description of a Cranial Endocast from the Fossil Mammal Vincelestes neuquenianus (Theriiformes) and its Relevance to the Evolution of Endocranial Characters in Therians

We generated a digital cranial endocast (infilling of the braincase) of Vincelestes neuquenianus, a Cretaceous theriiform mammal from Argentina, to achieve two goals. First, we described this endocast of Vincelestes to reconstruct the brain, associated soft-tissue structures, and internal osteological features. This report represents the first description of an endocast from a stem therian that is near crown group Theria (marsupials, placentals, and all descendants of that ancestor). Second, we examined 21 morphological characters related to the morphology of endocasts and endocranial osteology across 19 taxa (including Vincelestes) in the context of a current hypothesis about mammal phylogeny to identify potential synapomorphies for Theria. The digital endocast of Vincelestes is mostly complete, facilitating description in all views and allowing collection of accurate linear and volumetric measurements. However, it is unclear if the midbrain is exposed on the dorsal surface of the brain because of damage to this region of the endocast. Other portions of this specimen are extraordinarily well preserved, allowing identification of the accessory olfactory bulbs on the endocast, an ossified falx cerebri, and an osseous tentorium. The encephalization quotient (EQ) calculated for Vincelestes falls within the range of EQs of crown therians. Comparison of the endocranial characters across different mammalian taxa did not reveal any new synapomorphies for the clade Theria.
Recombination and spontaneous mutation at the major cluster of resistance genes in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

Two sets of overlapping experiments were conducted to examine recombination and spontaneous mutation events within clusters of resistance genes in lettuce. Multiple generations were screened for recombinants using PCR-based markers flanking Dm3. The Dm3 region is not highly recombinagenic, exhibiting a recombination frequency 18-fold lower than the genome average. Recombinants were identi- fied only rarely within the cluster of Dm3 homologs and no crossovers within genes were detected. Three populations were screened for spontaneous mutations in downy mildew resistance. Sixteen Dm mutants were identified corresponding to spontaneous mutation rates of 10 2 3 to 10 2 4 per generation for Dm1, Dm3, and Dm7. All mutants carried single locus, recessive mutations at the corresponding Dm locus. Eleven of the 12 Dm3 mutations were associated with large chromosome deletions. When recombination could be analyzed, deletion events were associated with exchange of flanking markers, consistent with unequal crossing over; however, although the number of Dm3 paralogs was changed, no novel chimeric genes were detected. One mutant was the result of a gene conversion event between Dm3 and a closely related homolog, generating a novel chimeric gene. In two families, spontaneous deletions were correlated with elevated levels of recombination. Therefore, the short-term evolution of the major cluster of resistance genes in lettuce involves several genetic mechanisms including unequal crossing over and gene conversion.
Cyanobacterial Transposons Tn5469 and Tn5541 Represent a Novel Noncomposite Transposon Family

A noncomposite transposon, designated Tn5541, was isolated from strain Fd33 of the filamentous cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon UTEX 481. Sequence analysis showed that Tn5541 is structurally and genetically very similar to Tn5469, which is also endogenous to F. diplosiphon. Both Tn5469 and Tn5541 encode homologous forms of an unusual composite transposase and a protein of unknown function. DNA hybridization analysis showed that like Tn5469, Tn5541 was not widely distributed among cyanobacterial genera. A similar analysis showed that Tn5469 and Tn5541 were equally limited to and present as multiple genomic copies in three of six distinct strains comprising the Tolypothrix 1 cluster of heterocyst-forming filamentous cyanobacteria. These and other distinguishing features suggest that Tn5469 and Tn5541 represent a novel noncomposite transposon family.
Video game play and copycat crime: An exploratory analysis of an inmate population.

Based on a survey of 249 incarcerated adults in a county correctional facility, the association between video game play and self-reported copycat crime was examined. Inmate video game players (n 163) and nongame players (n 86) are compared on demographics, personal copycat crime histories, media use, and a set of selected attitudes. The prevalence of copycat crime was not significantly different for inmate video game players than for nonplayers. Within the inmate video game player group, video games were not found to play a substantially different role than other types of media. The typical copycat crime inmate was a male with slightly more arrests who perceived himself as criminally innovate, had fewer real-world crime models, and was more immersed in media. Despite not supporting a unique copycat crime effect from video games or finding a greater risk for committing copycat crimes from game playing, this research offers additional insight into the broader dynamics of copycat crime and the general role of media in copycat offenses. Whatever their form, the media appear to have their greatest criminogenic impact on young and novice offenders and to serve more as crime-forming catalysts than crime-causing triggers.
Analysis of hard surfaces of cylindrical structures of arbitrarily shaped cross section using asymptotic boundary conditions

The surface equivalence principle is used to formulate the problem of infinitely long cylindrical structures of arbitrary cross section and loaded with metallic strips. The strips are tilted by an angle with respect to the cross section plane. Special cases are considered when the strips are directed along or transverse to the cylinder axis. The excitation is an oblique plane wave incident with arbitrary polarization. The asymptotic strip boundary condition (ASBC) is used to simplify the problem. The surface integral equations are solved using the method of moments. The numerical solution is verified with the series solutions of the circular cylinders loaded with helical strips. Several applications of hard surfaces are presented for structures loaded with tilted strips such as the struts loaded with tilted strips to reduce the equivalent blockage width of the struts and make it polarization independent.
Design of half- and full-duplex relay systems based on the MMSE formulation

In this paper, half- and full-duplex relay processing matrices and source-destination beamforming vectors are jointly optimized based on a minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) formulation under inequality constraints on the transmit power of the source and the relays. Through BER simulations, we illustrate that the full-duplex method performs better than the half-duplex method in various signalto-noise ratio (SNR) scenarios, and it can be a promising candidate for future relay networks.
Biological modeling with variable compartmental structure

Many biological processes such as water balance and temperature regulation may be modeled by a variable-structure compartmental system of ordinary differential equations. In some cases the system is naturally bilinear, and in others the bilinear system may be a valid approximation of a complex nonlinear process. Tracer dynamics and associated methodology, which can be used to realize certain properties of the system, are analyzed. The theory is applied to tracer experiments for the development of a mammalian water-balance model.
Technical Note: In-situ quantification of aerosol sources and sinks over regional geographical scales

Abstract. In order to obtain the source/sink functions for atmospheric particulates located on the planetary surface or elevated in the atmosphere; direct aerosol emission measurements are required. For this purpose, the performance of an airborne aerosol flux measurement system with an improved 3-kilometer (km) spatial resolution is evaluated in this study. Eddy covariance method was used in flux calculations. A footprint for airborne flux sampling with the increased resolution becomes comparable in area to the footprint for tower sampling (with the footprint length being 2 to 10 km). The improvement in spatial resolution allows the quantification of emission rates from individual sources located several kilometers apart such as highway segments, city blocks, and remote and industrial areas. The advantage is a moving platform that allows scanning of aerosol emissions or depositions over regional geographic scales. Airborne flux measurements with the improved spatial resolution were conducted in various environments ranging from clean to partly polluted marine to polluted continental environment with low (
A programme of culturally tailored dance plus an intervention to reduce screen media use does not reduce BMI over 2 years compared with health education in preadolescent low-income African American girls but does reduce depressive symptoms and lipid levels.

Commentary on: TN Robinson, DM Matheson, HC Kraemer, et al.. A randomized controlled trial of culturally tailored dance and reducing screen time to prevent weight gain in low-income African American girls: Stanford GEMS.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med2010;164:995–1004.
A new shutter system for fine-tuning coupled-dual crystals

In the fabrication of a coupled-dual resonator crystal, the fine-tuning operation is used to adjust the crystal's two resonator frequencies and synchronous peak separation frequency (SPSF) to their final values. A process for precisely adjusting these frequencies to their final values is presented. The process uses a masking and shutter arrangement, called a binary shutter system, which allows the two resonator frequencies to be lowered during the resonator adjustment by selective deposition onto the resonator electrodes and which also allows the SPSF to be increased by deposition on the ground side of the crystal in the area between resonators. The process is controlled in such a way that both the resonator frequencies and SPSF can be adjusted very precisely. >
Carbon allocation in boreal black spruce forests across regions varying in soil temperature and precipitation

A common hypothesis for northern ecosystems is that low soil temperatures inhibit plant productivity. To address this hypothesis, we reviewed how separate components of ecosystem carbon (C) cycling varied along a soil temperature gradient for nine welldrained, relatively productive boreal black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. [B.S.P.]) forests in Alaska, USA, and Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. Annual soil temperature [expressed as soil summed degree days (SDD)] was positively correlated with aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), while negatively correlated with total belowground carbon flux (TBCF). The partitioning of C to ANPP at the expense of root processes represented a nearly 1:1 tradeoff across the soil temperature gradient, which implied that the amount of C cycling through these black spruce ecosystems was relatively insensitive to variation in SDD. Moreover, the rate at which C accumulated in the ecosystem since the last stand replacing fire was unrelated to SDD, but SDD was positively correlated to the ratio of spruce-biomass:forest-floor-mass. Thus, plant partitioning of C and the distribution of ecosystem C were apparently affected by soil temperature, although across regions, precipitation co-varied with soil temperature. These two factors likely correlated with one another because of precipitation’s influence on soil heat balance, suggesting that a soil temperature‐precipitation interaction could be responsible for the shifts in C allocation. Nonetheless, our results highlight that for this boreal ecosystem, ANPP and TBCF can be negatively correlated. In tropical and temperate forests, TBCF and ANPP have been reported as positively correlated, and our results may reflect the unique interactions between soil temperature, forest floor accumulation, rooting depth, and nutrient availability that characterize the black spruce forest type.
Analysis of privacy and security policies

The distributed nature of the environment in which privacy and security policies operate requires tools that help enforce consistency of policy rules across different domains. Furthermore, because changes to policy rules are required as policies evolve over time, such tools can be used by policy administrators to ensure the consistency of policy changes. In this paper, we describe a number of different policy analysis tools and techniques that we have developed over the years and present them in a unified framework in which both privacy and security policies are discussed. We cover dominance analyses of general policies, conflicts among authorizations and prohibitions, and other analyses of obligations, as well as policy similarity analysis and policy distribution.
Characterization of Structural Changes in Vimentin Bearing an Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex-like Mutation Using Site-directed Spin Labeling and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Mutations in intermediate filament protein genes are responsible for a number of inherited genetic diseases including skin blistering diseases, corneal opacities, and neurological degenerations. Mutation of the arginine (Arg) residue of the highly conserved LNDR motif has been shown to be causative in inherited disorders in at least four different intermediate filament (IF) proteins found in skin, cornea, and the central nervous system. Thus this residue appears to be broadly important to IF assembly and/or function. While the genetic basis for these diseases has been clearly defined, the inability to determine crystal structure for IFs has precluded a determination of how these mutations affect assembly/structure/function of IFs. To investigate the impact of mutation at this site in IFs, we have mutated the LNDR to LNDS in vimentin, a Type III intermediate filament protein, and have examined the impact of this change on assembly using electron paramagnetic resonance. Compared with wild type vimentin, the mutant shows normal formation of the coiled coil dimer, with a slight reduction in the stability of the dimer in rod domain 1. Probing the dimer-dimer interactions shows the formation of normal dimer centered on residue 191 but a failure of dimerization at residue 348 in rod domain 2. These data point toward a specific stage of assembly at which a common disease-causing mutation in IF proteins interrupts assembly.
Allergy for corn and its derivatives: experiments with a masked ingestion test for its diagnosis.

Abstract 1.1. A poll of allergists revealed that clinical symptoms from ingested corn were encountered in only 0.16 per cent of their 45,000 patients. This stands in marked contrast to an incidence of 16 to 30 per cent reported by Rinkel, Randolph, Rowe, and Crandall. 2.2. "Blindfold" ingestion studies associated with placebo meals were done in 25 patients with histories suggestive of corn allergy. A few instances of reaction to large feedings of the starches of corn, tapioca, and arrowroot were encountered, but no case of susceptibility for corn syrup, sugar, or oil. The symptoms of several patients were found to be psychogenic rather than due to the suspected food. 3.3. An appeal is made for the introduction of controlled, objective methods to the study of food allergy.
Depression in children and adolescents: optimizing treatment

Depression is a severe and prevalent illness among children and adolescents. Recent controversies regarding antidepressant use among pediatric patients have left healthcare providers, particularly primary-care providers, feeling uncertain of how to approach the care of depressed pediatric patients. Several large-scale studies of the treatment of pediatric depression have been completed. In addition, substantial progress has been made in our understanding of benefit versus risk in the treatment of pediatric depression. This paper presents the most updated scientific evidence in pediatric depression treatment. The review covers a wide range of treatment modalities including psychotherapy, antidepressant and alternative remedies. Recommendations based on both the scientific evidence and the most current guidelines and treatment algorithms are outlined.
Modeling soluble gas exchange in the airways and alveoli.

A mathematical model of heat, water and soluble gas exchange in the airways and alveoli was used to predict the location of soluble gas exchange in the lung. A previously published model of heat, water and soluble gas exchange in the airways was improved by incorporating anatomical data on the airway wall to better describe the bronchial circulation and expanding the model to include a time varying description of soluble gas concentration in the alveoli. Next, the model was validated using two experimental data sets from the literature: ~1! ethanol expirograms and ~2! the uptake of seven soluble gases. Then, the model simulated the excretion of ten soluble gases whose blood:air partition coefficient (l b:a), a measure of blood solubility, ranged over 5 orders of magnitude. We found that gases with l b:a,10 exchange almost solely in the alveoli and gases with l b:a.100 exchange almost exclusively in the airways. Gases with l b:a between 10 and 100 have significant interaction with the airways and alveoli. These results suggest that the airways play a larger role in pulmonary gas exchange than previously assumed and may require a reevaluation of pulmonary tests that involve exhaled samples of gases with l b:a.10. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. @DOI: 10.1114/1.1630600#
Cell-extrinsic consequences of epithelial stress: activation of protumorigenic tissue phenotypes

Tumors are characterized by alterations in the epithelial and stromal compartments, which both contribute to tumor promotion. However, where, when, and how the tumor stroma develops is still poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that DNA damage or telomere malfunction induces an activin A-dependent epithelial stress response that activates cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic consequences in mortal, nontumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs and vHMECs). Here we show that this epithelial stress response also induces protumorigenic phenotypes in neighboring primary fibroblasts, recapitulating many of the characteristics associated with formation of the tumor stroma (for example, desmoplasia). The contribution of extrinsic and intrinsic DNA damage to acquisition of desmoplastic phenotypes was investigated in primary human mammary fibroblasts (HMFs) co-cultured with vHMECs with telomere malfunction (TRF2-vHMEC) or in HMFs directly treated with DNA-damaging agents, respectively. Fibroblast reprogramming was assessed by monitoring increases in levels of selected protumorigenic molecules with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunocytochemistry. Dependence of the induced phenotypes on activin A was evaluated by addition of exogenous activin A or activin A silencing. In vitro findings were validated in vivo, in preinvasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions by using immunohistochemistry and telomere-specific fluorescent in situ hybridization. HMFs either cocultured with TRF2-vHMEC or directly exposed to exogenous activin A or PGE2 show increased expression of cytokines and growth factors, deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and a shift toward aerobic glycolysis. In turn, these "activated" fibroblasts secrete factors that promote epithelial cell motility. Interestingly, cell-intrinsic DNA damage in HMFs induces some, but not all, of the molecules induced as a consequence of cell-extrinsic DNA damage. The response to cell-extrinsic DNA damage characterized in vitro is recapitulated in vivo in DCIS lesions, which exhibit telomere loss, heightened DNA damage response, and increased activin A and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. These lesions are surrounded by a stroma characterized by increased expression of α smooth muscle actin and endothelial and immune cell infiltration. Thus, synergy between stromal and epithelial interactions, even at the initiating stages of carcinogenesis, appears necessary for the acquisition of malignancy and provides novel insights into where, when, and how the tumor stroma develops, allowing new therapeutic strategies.
An AVHRR Multiple Cloud-Type Classification Package

Abstract Using imagery from NOAA’s Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) orbiting sensor, one of the authors (RLB) earlier developed a probabilistic neural network cloud classifier valid over the world’s maritime regions. Since then, the authors have created a database of nearly 8000 16 × 16 pixel cloud samples (from 13 Northern Hemispheric land regions) independently classified by three experts. From these samples, 1605 were of sufficient quality to represent 11 conventional cloud types (including clear). This database serves as the training and testing samples for developing a classifier valid over land. Approximately 200 features, calculated from a visible and an infrared channel, form the basis for the computer vision analysis. Using a 1–nearest neighbor classifier, meshed with a feature selection method using backward sequential selection, the authors select the fewest features that maximize classification accuracy. In a leave-one-out test, overall classification accuracies range from 86% ...
Survivor Bias In Firm Specific Longitudinal Studies: The Case Of ERP Systems

Researchers in the field of accounting and finance often use event studies to measure the impact of various business decisions on the market value of stock. They argue that market reaction to the event is predictive of the future effect on the company. Sometimes researchers would like to follow up on these initial event studies to see if the market was correct in its predictions. However, many times the original sample used for the event study does not survive intact into future time periods, which then raises the issue of survivor bias. This paper examines one such event study in which the markets react favorably to announcements that ERP systems are being implemented. However, only 55% of the firms in the original sample survive through 2009, making any followup study subject to the survivor bias argument. The study examines the circumstances related to the non-survivors and, using proxies for the missing data, concludes that the results of a follow-up study would not have been impacted by survivor bias.
Psychosocial Influences on Herpesvirus Latency

There are convergent animal and human data implicating stress as a risk factor in the development and duration of primary herpesvirus infections (Rasmussen et al., 1957; Gross, 1972; Kasl et al., 1979). There is also evidence that more distressed individuals have more frequent recurrences of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) lesions after the primary lesion (Luborsky et al., 1976; Goldmeir and Johnson, 1982). Competency of the cellular immune response is thought to be a critical factor in limiting primary herpesvirus infections as well as in the subsequent control of latent virus (Glaser and Gotlieb-Stematsky, 1982). This chapter reviews literature on the psychosocial modulation of herpesvirus infections in conjunction with related data on the psychological mediation of cellular immune function.
Design Optimization of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Using a Genetic Algorithm and Surrogate Models

The efficiency of vertical axis wind turbines highly depends on the aerodynamic performance of wind blades. In this paper we use modern design optimization approach to improve the wind blade performance. Design parameters include the airfoil thickness and camber. The design toolbox includes a Navier-Stokes solver, a genetic algorithm, and a response surface method. The blade performance is evaluated using a Navier-Stokes solver. A sliding mesh technique is employed to handle the rotating motion of blades. The response surface (RS) methodology, kriging method, and radial basis neural network will be applied to build a surrogate model to computationally effectively explore the relationship between design variables and power performance. A real-coded genetic algorithm (GA) is carried out to obtain optimized solutions from RS function. Our preliminary results show that increasing the blade thickness can increase the blade performance.
Changes of Activity of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Nuclear Factor-κB in Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome and the Invention of Astragalus

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) nuclear factor kappa-κB(NF-κB) in children with primary nephritic syndrome(PNS) and the effect of astragalus on the activity of NF-κB.Methods Twenty-five children with PNS and 20 normal children were studied.Isolated PBMC were separated from 5 mL venous blood in asepsis condition.NF-κB stimulator,NF-κB inhabitor and astragalus were added into the different tubes of PBMC,respectively.The nuclear protein was extracted from the pellets and the optical density(A) values of nuclear protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The activity of PBMC NF-κB in PNS group was higher than that in normal group(P0.05).In the normal culture conditions,astragalus could decrease the activity of NF-κB in children with PNS(P0.05),but didn't affect that in normal children(P0.05).Astragalus could decrease the activity of PBMC NF-κB which had been stimulated by interleukin-1β(IL-1β)(P0.05);and astragalus could make the activity of NF-κB elevated which had been inhibited by N-tosyl-phenylalanine chlormethyl-ketone(TPCK)(P0.05).A significant effect of astragalus on the activity of PBMC NF-κB in children with PNS was observed compared with that of normal group(P0.05).Conclusions In children with PNS,the activity of PBMC NF-κB was up-regulated.Astragalus can decrease the activity of NF-κB in children with PNS.Regulation of NF-κB may be one of mechanisms that astragalus can treat PNS.Astragalus can regulate semaphoric approach of PBMC NF-κB bilaterally.
Machine Technology Ethics: The Theoretical and Philosophical Paradigms

At the foundational level, for computer programmers, the code that programmers build and built into, are based on instructions, and the purpose of the program it later services. But computers do not have their own discretion beyond what humans incorporate into such systems and are essentially limited only to the extent its writer chooses. However, ABET to date, does not provide assurance or require accredited colleges and universities programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology to take ethics courses or offer ethics courses nor train graduates in ethics. Yet, graduates, who then become practitioners, and ethical agents, are expected to be ethical agents. Hence, the purpose of this article is on machine ethics, specifically, on the theoretical and philosophical meaning of ethics-different types of ethics and utilitarianism. In addition to exploring the theoretical and philosophical paradigm of ethics, technology will be defined, in relations to machine ethics.
The Intersection of Agency Doctrine and Elder Law: Attorney-in-Fact Authority to Arbitrate Nursing Home Claims

With the popularity of durable powers of attorney to manage the estates and personal affairs of individuals with diminished capacity, construction of the scope of powers with which agents are acting is of increasing importance. Some acts should be seen as so inherently personal or so dramatically inconsistent with the expected role of an agent as to be simply outside the scope of agency altogether. Others, such as those involving gifts, self-dealing transactions, or constitutional rights, should be never implied but honored when located within the express terms of an agent’s authority. The remaining powers should be construed and mapped according to the language in the power of attorney instrument with reference to longstanding principles of agency law. This article critiques and explains the evolution of this branch of agency law, with a special focus on the power of agents to enter into arbitration agreements on their principals’ behalf in view of the 2015 Kentucky Supreme Court decision, Extendicare Homes, Inc. v. Whisman.
Statistically Designed Study of a Nuclear Waste Glass System

Most commercial glasses and glasses subjected to scientific study contain fewer than eight oxide components. Glasses for the immobilization of nuclear waste are much more complex, usually containing between 15 and 40 components. The wide variety of nuclear waste compositions necessitates development of a similar variety of glass additive compositions, each tailored to immobilize a specific waste. In the past, nuclear waste glasses were developed in an iterative manner, adjusting the composition in successive steps for optimization of desirable processing and immobilization properties. Only limited attempts have been made to understand property behavior over relatively narrow compositional fields.
Estimate of H dibaryon production through {Lambda}{Lambda} coalescence in p+A collisions

We estimate the production cross section of H dibaryons in proton-nucleus collisions, modeling the H formation as the coalescence of two {Lambda} particles. We survey coalescence calculations made in this and other contexts, and comment on the assumptions inherent in estimates such as ours. The results depend on the unknown H wave function, which we attempt to incorporate via a parametrization of its momentum scale. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Integrating expert knowledge in a GIS to optimize siting decisions for small-scale healthy food retail interventions

The availability of healthy foods in a neighborhood remains a key determinant of diet and diet-related disease in disadvantaged communities. Innovative solutions to the ‘food desert’ problem include the deployment of mobile markets and healthy corner store initiatives. Such initiatives, however, do not always capitalize on the principles guiding retail development and the possibilities of GIS-based data. Simultaneously, community partners are not always engaged effectively in the planning for such interventions, which limits acceptability and suitability of such work. This paper highlights the results of a participatory mapping exercise to optimize the siting of a planned healthy food retail intervention in Flint, Michigan. Potential sites are chosen by engaging experts in a three-stage mapping process that includes the analytic hierarchy process and point allocation of five key variables (including food access, socioeconomic distress, population density, access to transit, and proximity to neighborhood centers), as well as direct mapping of suitable sites. Results suggest a discrete set of areas—primarily in the northwestern quadrant of the city—where small-scale healthy food retail interventions might be most strategically located. Areas with the most consistent overlap between directly mapped sites and very high levels of suitability align well with neighborhoods which are distant from existing grocery stores. As a community-based strategy, this increases the opportunity for effectively improving neighborhood access to healthy foods by optimizing the potential sites for healthy food interventions. Community partners have already been active in using these results in project planning for just such an intervention.
Preliminary investigation into the effects of two dietary fatty acids, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, on mortality of juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria during the approach to winter

Changes in the molar percentage of two omega-3 fatty acids, 20:5n-3 (EPA) and 22:6n-3 (DHA), occur in juvenile northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria, as descending autumn temperatures approach winter lows in the temperate zone. Incorporation of these highly unsaturated fatty acids compensates for the effect of low temperature on cell membrane viscosity by lowering the phase transition of membrane phospholipids. Prior studies have demonstrated that the ability of bivalve mollusks, like M. mercenaria, to manufacture these compounds de novo does not exist or may be limited at best. Insufficient exogenous supply of EPA and DHA, therefore, may restrict their ability to overcome the inhibiting effect of high viscosity on cell membrane phospholipids during this interval. In the present study, a matrix of cultured algae containing various quantities of these compounds was administered to four groups of juvenile M. mercenaria as they adapted to low temperature. Each group displayed a unique response to diet in relative fatty acid profile and mortality. The group receiving abundant EPA adapted well during the early-phase temperature decline, and the one receiving abundant DHA adapted well to the late-phase temperature decline. The group receiving abundant DHA also enjoyed best overall survival following a severe 5-day drop in temperature. The strain native to the local region suffered between 31 and 117 % higher mortality than the notata strain during the 72-day period of temperature decline from 18 to 6 °C.
Amyloid β oligomers elicit mitochondrial transport defects and fragmentation in a time-dependent and pathway-specific manner

Small oligomeric forms of amyloid-β (Aβ) are believed to be the culprit for declined brain functions in AD in part through their impairment of neuronal trafficking and synaptic functions. However, the precise cellular actions of Aβ oligomers and underlying mechanisms in neurons remain to be fully defined. Previous studies have identified mitochondria as a major target of Aβ toxicity contributing to early cognitive decline and memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we report that Aβ oligomers acutely elicit distinct effects on the transport and integrity of mitochondria. We found that acute exposure of hippocampal neurons to Aβ oligomers from either synthetic peptides or AD brain homogenates selectively impaired fast transport of mitochondria without affecting the movement of late endosomes and lysosomes. Extended exposure of hipoocampal neurons to Aβ oligomers was found to result in mitochondrial fragmentation. While both mitochondrial effects induced by Aβ oligomers can be abolished by the inhibition of GSK3β, they appear to be independent from each other. Aβ oligomers impaired mitochondrial transport through HDAC6 activation whereas the fragmentation involved the GTPase Drp-1. These results show that Aβ oligomers can acutely disrupt mitochondrial transport and integrity in a time-dependent and pathway-specific manner. These findings thus provide new insights into Aβ-induced mitochondrial defects that may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and AD pathogenesis.
Seizures, Pyridoxine, and Hyperprolinemia Type II

A girl aged 20 months with hyperprolinemia type II, presenting with three convulsions within 15 hours precipitated by pneumonia, was evaluated at Southampton General Hospital, UK.
PILOT STUDY OF A MEDICATION CHANGE TEACHING TOOL AND PHARMACIST DISCHARGE RECONCILIATION ON LIMITING MEDICATION ERRORS FOR HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Background Hospital discharge frequently leads to medication changes for patients. The lack of standard methods to teach patients to make medication changes at home may contribute to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services statistic that one in five patients discharged from the hospital suffers an adverse event, 72% of which are medication-related. Objectives The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of a standardized pharmacist-led discharge medication reconciliation (MR) program and a home “Make Your Medication Changes” education tool on 30-day readmission rates due to preventable medication misadventures and HCAPS communication about medications scores. Methods A lean rapid improvement event identified non-standardized methods for discharge MR. A 5-month prospective, single center pilot study was designed to evaluate the impact of standardized pharmacist led MR and discharge education tool compared with a retrospective cohort of readmitted heart failure (HF) patients using both pre- and post- and process control analyses. A picture education tool “Make Your Medication Changes” (figure 1), was developed and tested. Results A significant reduction in 30-day readmissions related to preventable medication misadventures from 40% to 3% (p=0.0076) was observed. Process control analysis of readmissions due to preventable medication misadventures and HCAPS communication about medications scores suggests a pattern of improved outcomes over time (figure 2). Conclusions Based on this pilot further study of standard methods for MR including a pharmacist role and medication change teaching tool are warranted for the potential to durably impact outcomes for HF patients at hospital discharge.
Suicide Risk Among BDSM Practitioners: The Role of Acquired Capability for Suicide.

Objective Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (BDSM) practitioners are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We hypothesized the association between (a) lifetime frequency of BDSM-related sexual behaviors and (b) BDSM identification and suicide attempt status would be mediated by acquired capability components (i.e., fearlessness about death and pain tolerance). Gender differences were examined. Method Participants were 576 BDSM practitioners (meanage = 28.71; 66.7% male) recruited from online BDSM-related groups, cross-sectionally. Results Among males, the total indirect effect of acquired capability components in the relation between BDSM-related sexual behaviors and suicide attempt status was significant. The specific indirect effect of perceived pain tolerance in the relation between both BDSM-related sexual behaviors and BDSM identification and suicide attempt status was significant. There were no significant effects for females. Additionally, 12% reported a suicide attempt history. Conclusion Among males, BDSM-related sexual behaviors and BDSM identification were associated with increased acquired capability components, which were positively associated with suicide attempt status.
Structural and functional human retinal imaging with a fiber-based visible light OCT ophthalmoscope (Conference Presentation)

Visible light is absorbed by intrinsic chromophores such as photopigment, melanin, and hemoglobin, and scattered by subcellular structures, all of which are potential retinal disease biomarkers. Recently, high-resolution quantitative measurement and mapping of hemoglobin concentrations was demonstrated using visible light Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Yet, most high-resolution visible light OCT systems adopt free-space, or bulk, optical setups, which could limit clinical applications. Here, the construction of a multi-functional fiber-optic OCT system for human retinal imaging with <2.5 micron axial resolution is described. A detailed noise characterization of two supercontinuum light sources with differing pulse repetition rates is presented. The higher repetition rate, lower noise, source is found to enable a sensitivity of 87 dB with 0.1 mW incident power at the cornea and a 98 microsecond exposure time. Using a broadband, asymmetric, fused single-mode fiber coupler designed for visible wavelengths, the sample arm is integrated into an ophthalmoscope platform, rendering it portable and suitable for clinical use. In vivo anatomical, Doppler, and spectroscopic imaging of the human retina is further demonstrated using a single oversampled B-scan. For spectroscopic fitting of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) content in the retinal vessels, a noise bias-corrected absorbance spectrum is estimated using a sliding short-time Fourier transform of the complex OCT signal and fit using a model of light absorption and scattering. This yielded path length (L) times molar concentration, LCHbO2 and LCHb. Based on these results, we conclude that high-resolution visible light OCT has potential for depth-resolved functional imaging of the eye.