cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gibbsite to Boehmite Transformation in Strongly Caustic and Nitrate Environments

The transformation of gibbsite to boehmite in strongly caustic solutions was studied using quantitative X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Under hydrothermal conditions we identified two transformation mechanisms; dehydration and in-situ nucleation and dissolution and nucleation. If the reaction container was not completely sealed, dehydration of gibbsite followed by in-situ nucleation of boehmite was the preferred mechanism. Boehmite produced fibrous boehmite particles within the amorphous matrix of the decomposed gibbsite particles, which exhibited a poorly crystalline structure and smaller size than the initial gibbsite particles. In a closed environment, the preferred mechanism was the dissolution of gibbsite along (001) planes. The final boehmite particles were not morphologically related to the initial gibbsite particles and could be many times larger than the gibbsite particles.
Testing the Meaning Making Model of Coping With Loss

The meaning making model of adjusting to highly stressful events is widely accepted among stress and trauma researchers. This model posits that distress arises from discrepancies between appraised and global meaning and that individuals attempt to make meaning by reappraising their situation to reduce the discrepancy and thereby ease their distress. Little research has directly tested these assumptions. The present study tested six specific hypotheses derived from the meaning making model in a sample of 108 college students dealing with a significant loss (primarily bereavement) in the past six months. Results provided uneven support for the meaning making model across the specific hypotheses. These findings suggest that the methodology presently used by many researchers in this area should be reconsidered and that future studies of meaning making might profitably implement improved approaches to conceptualization and assessment.
Water-induced bulk Ba(NO3)2 formation from NO2 exposed thermally aged BaO/Al2O3

Abstract Phase changes in high temperature treated (>900 °C) 8 or 20 wt% BaO supported on γ-Al2O3 model lean NOx trap (LNT) catalysts, induced by NO2 and/or H2O adsorption, were investigated with powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), solid state 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and NO2 temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments. After calcination in dry air at 1000 °C, the XRD and solid state 27Al MAS NMR results confirm that stable surface BaO and bulk BaAl2O4 phases are formed for 8 and 20 wt% BaO/Al2O3, respectively. Following NO2 adsorption over these thermally treated samples, some evidence for nanosized Ba(NO3)2 particles are observed in the XRD results, although this may represent a minority phase. However, when water was added to the thermally aged samples after NO2 exposure, the formation of bulk crystalline Ba(NO3)2 particles was observed in both samples. Solid state 27Al MAS NMR is shown to be a good technique for identifying the various Al species present in the materials during the processes studied here. NO2 TPD results demonstrate a significant loss of uptake for the 20 wt% model catalysts upon thermal treatment. However, the described phase transformations upon subsequent water treatment gave rise to the partial recovery of NOx uptake, demonstrating that such a water treatment of thermally aged catalysts can provide a potential method to regenerate LNT materials.
The Ties That Bind Us, the Shadows That Separate Us Life and Death, Shadow and (Dream)Story

This is an autoethnographic account of a family‘s struggle to respond to a series of tragic losses and to fend off the encroaching shadow that descended on them in their grief. The story unfolds as a study of the redemptive power of story to penetrate the shadows of collective grief and speaks to the possibility of healing from tragedy through the fusion of dream and story into a new nexus of possibility.
Sensitized nucleus accumbens dopamine terminal responses to methylphenidate and dopamine transporter releasers after intermittent-access self-administration

Long-access methylphenidate (MPH) self-administration has been shown to produce enhanced amphetamine potency at the dopamine transporter and concomitant changes in reinforcing efficacy, suggesting that MPH abuse may change the dopamine system in a way that promotes future drug abuse. While long-access self-administration paradigms have translational validity for cocaine, it may not be as relevant a model of MPH abuse, as it has been suggested that people often take MPH intermittently. Although previous work outlined the neurochemical and behavioral consequences of long-access MPH self-administration, it was not clear whether intermittent access (6 h session; 5 min access/30 min) would result in similar changes. For cocaine, long-access self-administration resulted in tolerance to cocaine's effects on dopamine and behavior while intermittent-access resulted in sensitization. Here we assessed the neurochemical consequences of intermittent-access MPH self-administration on dopamine terminal function. We found increased maximal rates of uptake, increased stimulated release, and subsensitive D2-like autoreceptors. Consistent with previous work using extended-access MPH paradigms, the potencies of amphetamine and MPH, but not cocaine, were increased, demonstrating that unlike cocaine, MPH effects were not altered by the pattern of intake. Although the potency results suggest that MPH may share properties with releasers, dopamine release was increased following acute application of MPH, similar to cocaine, and in contrast to the release decreasing effects of amphetamine. Taken together, these data demonstrate that MPH exhibits properties of both blockers and releasers, and that the compensatory changes produced by MPH self-administration may increase the abuse liability of amphetamines, independent of the pattern of administration.
The New Ford Aerodynamic Windtunnel in Europe

The necessity for continually improving fuel consumption has been one of the main reasons for construction of Ford of europe's aerodynamic windtunnel in Cologne. The paper gives details of the facility which is capable of developing both scale and full-size vehicle models at comparable Reynolds numbers through the use of removable inserts in the test section. When under test seven aerodynamic forces acting on the vehicle being evaluated can be measured simultaneously and independently. The yawing, rolling and pitching moments of the vehicle are calculated from the measured forces. To simulate sidewind conditions the balance with the vehicle and turntable can be turned within a range of -100 degrees up to +250 degrees when viewed upstream. For the covering abstract see IRRD 819832.
Reversible-polarity D-C power amplifier using magnetic-amplifier-controlled switched transistors

This paper describes, analyzes, and presents performance data on a reversible-polarity d-c power amplifier suitable for reversing drive of d-c motors in sizes up to 1 horsepower (limited only by presently available components) as well as for a wide range of additional applications including servomechanisms. Full-load and light-load efficiencies, output impedance, power gain, and other characteristics compare favorably with those of the rotating-amplifier-type motor-generator sets. The system under discussion, being completely static, can be expected to show significant advantages in reliability and ability to withstand a wide range of adverse environments. Limitations on size are practical rather than theoretical and may be expected to become less stringent as transistor technology improves and as further developments occur in areas such as switched silicon diodes.
Hybrid Forms and the Evolution of Thrifts

This article assesses the role of hybrid organizational forms in the coevolution of institutions and organizations. The hybrids the authors study combined elements of one basic plan with another; they developed because blending mechanisms between organizational forms were stronger than segregating mechanisms. The existence of hybrids allowed elements of one theory of thrift, embodied in one organizational form, to be slowly dismantled and elements of a new theory, embodied in a different organizational form, to be established gradually rather than abruptly. Thus, the presence of hybrid forms in this organizational population affected both the mode and pace of organizational and institutional coevolution.
Transfer of demyelination by intraneul injection of experimental allergic neuritis serum

EXPERIMENTAL allergic neuritis (EAN), an autoimmune demye-linating disease of peripheral nerve, and a model of human inflammatory polyneuritis (Guillain–Barre syndrome), can be produced by immunisation with peripheral nerve tissue in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)1,2. EAN, like its central nervous system counterpart, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), has been considered as the result of cell-mediated immunity2,3, which can be transferred with lymphoid cells4,5. Sera from animals with EAN or EAE induced by whole nervous tissue antigen are capable of demyelinating myelinated organotypic cultures of peripheral or central nervous system origin, respectively6,7. The demyelinating factor in EAE sera is immunoglobulin8,9. However, little evidence has been presented to suggest that the demyelinating antibodies which can be demonstrated in vitro are involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases in vivo4,10–12. EAN and EAE have not been transferred passively with serum from affected to recipient animals by systemic4,11 or intravitreous injection12. We report here the first successful transfer of demyelination with EAN serum. Antiserum was injected directly into nerve parenchyma of recipient animals to circumvent the blood–nerve barrier. The demyelination was associated with macrophages but not with lymphocytic infiltration. The ability of sera to transfer demyelination correlated with their capacity to demyelinate cultured dorsal root ganglia. Organ specificity and complement dependency strongly suggested that the reaction was antibody-dependent and complement-mediated.
A facile technique for the surface characterization of dispersed metal catalysts

Abstract The product compositions obtained from a single-turnover olefin hydrogenation process were used to determine the relative number of the different types of active sites present on a series of Pt/ CPG (Controlled Pore Glass) catalysts. It was shown that during this procedure each site reacted only once per turnover sequence so the product compositions could be related directly to the densities of the various types of sites present. The amount of alkane formed was related to the number of 3 M sites present while the extent of isomerization occurring and the amount of stable half-hydrogenated species present indicated the density of 3 MH and/or 2 M sites. The 1 M sites present were determined by subtracting from the total amount of hydrogen required to saturate the metal surface that which was present on the 3 M and 2 M sites.
Determination of Magnitudes, Directions, and Locations of Two Independent Dipoles in a Circular Conducting Region from Boundary Potential Measurements

The Gabor-Nelson equations are derived for the determination of the magnitudes, directions, and locations of two independent dipoles in a two-dimensional conducting region from boundary potential measurements. Eight equations were derived for the eight unknown quantities. The method was tested by means of two artificial dipoles in a circular dish containing electrolyte.
Achieving Moral Capitalism through Entrepreneurial Justice

Abstract Adam Smith argued that capitalism was best achieved when individuals temper their economic self-interests with ethically grounded motivations. Unfortunately, Smith stopped short of articulating precisely how individuals might manage these seemingly competing interests in a way that is practical for actors in modern day organizations. We believe that a set of effective principles of justice can be found in the writings of political philosopher John Rawls. We argue that due to the empirical realities of entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial context is aligned with Rawls' original position. We consider how Rawls' principles might inform founders of new organizations with regard to their interaction with organizational stakeholders.
Considerations in measurement of marginal fit

The terminology describing "fit" and the techniques used for measuring fit vary considerably in the literature. Although fit can be most easily defined in terms of "misfit," there are many different locations between a tooth and a restoration where the measurements can be made. In this work, the measurements of misfit at different locations are geometrically related to each other and defined as internal gap, marginal gap, vertical marginal discrepancy, horizontal marginal discrepancy, overextended margin, underextended margin, absolute marginal discrepancy, and seating discrepancy. The significance and difference in magnitude of different locations are presented. The best alternative is perhaps the absolute marginal discrepancy, which would always be the largest measurement of error at the margin and would reflect the total misfit at that point.
Antimicrobial therapy and resistance in dermatologic pathogens of the elderly

Dermatologic infections are treated to improve the elderly patient's quality of life and prevent disability and death. Pharmacokinetic changes, social issues, and the risk for adverse effects and drug interactions, however, increase the challenge to achieve successful treatment of those over age 65 as compared with younger patients. This challenge grows ever larger when coupled with the increasing trends of resistance among bacteria and fungi. The clinician can effectively face this challenge through careful consideration of diagnosis, patient risk factors, antimicrobial pharmacology, and resistance patterns.
Cell line-dependent variability in HIV activation employing DNMT inhibitors

Long-lived reservoirs of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) latently infected cells present the main barrier to a cure for HIV infection. Much interest has focused on identifying strategies to activate HIV, which would be used together with antiretrovirals to attack reservoirs. Several HIV activating agents, including Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) and other agents that activate via NF-kB are not fully effective in all latent infection models due to epigenetic restrictions, such as DNA methylation and the state of histone acetylation. DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibitors like 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (Aza-CdR) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors like Trichostatin A (TSA) have been proposed as agents to enhance reactivation and have shown activity in model systems. However, it is not clear how the activities of DNMT and HDAC inhibitors range across different latently infected cell lines, potential models for the many different latently infected cells within an HIV patient. We determined HIV activation following treatment with TNFα, TSA and Aza-CdR across a range of well known latently infected cell lines. We assessed the activity of these compounds in four different Jurkat T cell-derived J-Lat cell lines (6.3, 8.4, 9.2 and 10.6), which have a latent HIV provirus in which GFP replaces Nef coding sequence, and ACH-2 and J1.1 (T cell-derived), and U1 (promonocyte-derived) cell lines with full-length provirus. We found that Aza-CdR plus TNFα activated HIV at least twice as well as TNFα alone for almost all J-Lat cells, as previously described, but not for J-Lat 10.6, in which TNFα plus Aza-CdR moderately decreased activation compared to TNFα alone. Surprisingly, a much greater reduction of TNFα-stimulated activation with Aza-CdR was detected for ACH-2, J1.1 and U1 cells. Reaching the highest reduction in U1 cells with a 75% reduction. Interestingly, Aza-CdR not only decreased TNFα induction of HIV expression in certain cell lines, but also decreased activation by TSA. Since DNMT inhibitors reduce the activity of provirus activators in some HIV latently infected cell lines the use of epigenetic modifying agents may need to be carefully optimized if they are to find clinical utility in therapies aimed at attacking latent HIV reservoirs.
Diversification under sexual selection: the relative roles of mate preference strength and the degree of divergence in mate preferences

The contribution of sexual selection to diversification remains poorly understood after decades of research. This may be in part because studies have focused predominantly on the strength of sexual selection, which offers an incomplete view of selection regimes. By contrast, students of natural selection focus on environmental differences that help compare selection regimes across populations. To ask how this disparity in focus may affect the conclusions of evolutionary research, we relate the amount of diversification in mating displays to quantitative descriptions of the strength and the amount of divergence in mate preferences across a diverse set of case studies of mate choice. We find that display diversification is better explained by preference divergence rather than preference strength; the effect of the latter is more subtle, and is best revealed as an interaction with the former. Our findings cast the action of sexual selection (and selection in general) in a novel light: the strength of selection influences the rate of evolution, and how divergent selection is determines how much diversification can occur. Adopting this view will enhance tests of the relative role of natural and sexual selection in processes such as speciation.
Anesthesia for liver transplant surgery

Liver transplantation offers patients with liver disease an optimal chance for long-term survival. Current indications, preoperative assessment, patient selection, intraoperative anesthetic management and outcomes are described. The management of special situations, including retransplantation, pediatric transplantation, and fulminant hepatic failure are also reviewed. The success of liver transplantation has led to increased demand. This demand, coupled with a nonexpanding supply of deceased donor organs, has resulted in a shortage of grafts and prolonged waiting times. Novel solutions using segmental liver grafts from living donors, and the challenges associated with this approach, are discussed.
Variable flushing mechanisms and landscape structure control stream DOC export during snowmelt in a set of nested catchments

Stream DOC dynamics during snowmelt have been the focus of much research, and numerous DOC mobilization and delivery mechanisms from riparian and upland areas have been proposed. However, landscape structure controls on DOC export from riparian and upland landscape elements remains poorly understood. We investigated stream and groundwater DOC dynamics across three transects and seven adjacent but diverse catchments with a range of landscape characteristics during snowmelt (April 15–July 15) in the northern Rocky Mountains, Montana. We observed a range of DOC export dynamics across riparian and upland landscape settings and varying degrees of hydrologic connectivity between the stream, riparian, and upland zones. DOC export from riparian zones required a hydrologic connection across the riparian–stream interface, and occurred at landscape positions with a wide range of upslope accumulated area (UAA) and wetness status. In contrast, mobilization of DOC from the uplands appeared restricted to areas with a hydrologic connection across the entire upland–riparian–stream continuum, which generally occurred only at areas with high UAA, and/or at times of high wetness. Further, the relative extent of DOC-rich riparian and wetland zones strongly influenced catchment DOC export. Cumulative stream DOC export was highest from catchments with a large proportion of riparian to upland area, and ranged from 6.3 to 12.4 kg ha−1 across the study period. This research suggests that the spatial/temporal intersection of hydrologic connectivity and DOC source areas drives stream DOC export.
The "Which Blair Project": a quick visual method for evaluating perceptual color maps

We have developed a fast, perceptual method for selecting color scales for data visualization that takes advantage of our sensitivity to luminance variations in human faces. To do so, we conducted experiments in which we mapped various color scales onto the intensitiy values of a digitized photograph of a face and asked observers to rate each image. We found a very strong correlation between the perceived naturalness of the images and the degree to which the underlying color scales increased monotonically in luminance. Color scales that did not include a monotonically-increasing luminance component produced no positive rating scores. Since color scales with monotonic luminance profiles are widely recommended for visualizing continuous scalar data, a purely visual technique for identifying such color scales could be very useful, especially in situations where color calibration is not integrated into the visualization environment, such as over the Internet.
Inpatient Group Therapy in a Managed Health Care Environment: Application to Clinical Nursing Practice

Abstract This article applies Gunderson's (1978) conceptual framework of the therapeutic milieu and Yalom's (1985) therapeutic factors in group therapy to the inpatient time-limited therapy group in the managed health care environment. Case examples demonstrate how Gunderson's therapeutic processes (containment, support, structure, involvement, validation) serve as a foundation to support Yalom's therapeutic factors. The combination of these two frameworks can serve as a model for a plan of care that promotes successful inpatient group therapy sessions in the time constraints of managed care. Constructive inpatient group therapy can be the catalyst for patients to continue with treatment after discharge.
Forest Succession in an Oak-Hickory Dominated Stand During a 40-Year Period at the Ross Biological Reserve, Indiana

Abstract Deciduous forests in the eastern United States have been dynamic over both geological and historical time scales, particularly since humans have modified the landscape. Historically, the central hardwood forest has been subject to considerable human disturbance, especially fire, and these anthropogenic disturbances have contributed to the dominance of shade-intolerant oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species within the central hardwood region. Current research indicates that many of these forests are changing to dominance by shade-tolerant species, mainly sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). This change has been attributed to a lack of disturbance. The objective of this study was to document long-term changes in structure and composition of a mature oak-hickory stand at the Ross Biological Reserve in Indiana. There has been little disturbance at the Ross Biological Reserve in the past 55 years, and a similar trend of increased shade-tolerant species was expected. Results of decadal tree censuses...
Near homogeneity of PR2-bias fingerprints in the human genome and their implications in phylogenetic analyses.

Genes of a multicellular organism are heterogeneous in the G+C content, which is particularly true in the third codon position. The extent of deviation from intra-strand equality rule of A = T and G = C (Parity Rule 2, or PR2) is specific for individual amino acids and has been expressed as the PR2-bias fingerprint. Previous results suggested that the PR2-bias fingerprints tend to be similar among the genes of an organism, and the fingerprint of the organism is specific for different taxa, reflecting phylogenetic relationships of organisms. In this study, using coding sequences of a large number of human genes, we examined the intragenomic heterogeneity of their PR2-bias fingerprints in relation to the G+C content of the third codon position (P 3 ). Result shows that the PR2-bias fingerprint is similar in the wide range of the G+C content at the third codon position (0.30–0.80). This range covers approximately 89% of the genes, and further analysis of the high G+C range (0.80–1.00), where genes with normal PR2-bias fingerprints and those with anomalous fingerprints are mixed, shows that the total of 95% of genes have the similar finger prints. The result indicates that the PR2-bias fingerprint is a unique property of an organism and represents the overall characteristics of the genome. Combined with the previous results that the evolutionary change of the PR2-bias fingerprint is a slow process, PR2-bias fingerprints may be used for the phylogenetic analyses to supplement and augment the conventional methods that use the differences of the sequences of orthologous proteins and nucleic acids. Potential advantages and disadvantages of the PR2-bias fingerprint analysis are discussed.
RESULTS OF SOME SHOP TESTS ON REBOILING

The reboiling problem was studied in the plant from three viewpoints, as follows: (1) ground coat, type of milling conditions and application; (2) processes, metal cleaning and ground-coat drying and firing: and (3) enameling iron, source and gage.
Access region cache: a multi-porting solution for future wide-issue processors

Wide-issue processors issuing tens of instructions per cycle, put heavy stress on the memory system, including data caches. For wide-issue architecture, data cache needs to be heavily multi-ported with extremely wide data-paths. The paper studies a scalable solution to achieve multi-porting with short data-paths and less hardware complexity at higher clock-rates. Our approach divides memory streams into multiple independent sub-streams with the help of a prediction mechanism before they enter the reservation stations. Partitioned memory-reference instructions are then fed into separate memory pipelines, each of which is connected to a small data-cache, called the access region cache. The separation of independent memory references, in an ideal situation, facilitates the use of multiple caches with smaller number of ports and thus increases the data-bandwidth. We describe and evaluate a wide-issue processor with distinct memory pipelines, driven by a prediction mechanism. The potential performance of the proposed design is measured by comparing it with existing multi-porting solution as well as an ideal multi-ported data cache.
Uncertainty and Dimensional Calibrations

The calculation of uncertainty for a measurement is an effort to set reasonable bounds for the measurement result according to standardized rules. Since every measurement produces only an estimate of the answer, the primary requisite of an uncertainty statement is to inform the reader of how sure the writer is that the answer is in a certain range. This report explains how we have implemented these rules for dimensional calibrations of nine different types of gages: gage blocks, gage wires, ring gages, gage balls, roundness standards, optical flats indexing tables, angle blocks, and sieves.
Developmental Regulation of VDJ Recombination By the Core Fragment of the T Cell Receptor α Enhancer

The role of T cell receptor alpha enhancer (E alpha) cis-acting elements in the developmental regulation of VDJ recombination at the TCR alpha/delta locus was examined in transgenic mice containing variants of a minilocus VDJ recombination substrate. We demonstrate that the 116-bp T alpha 1,2 core enhancer fragment of the 1.4-kb E alpha is sufficient to activate the enhancer-dependent step of minilocus rearrangement, and that within T alpha 1,2, intact binding sites for TCF/LEF and Ets family transcription factors are essential. Although minilocus rearrangement under the control of the 1.4-kb E alpha initiates at fetal day 16.5 and is strictly limited to alpha beta T cells, we find that rearrangement under the control of T alpha 1,2 initiates slightly earlier during ontogeny and occurs in both gamma delta and alpha beta T cells. We conclude that the core fragment of E alpha can establish accessibility to the recombinase in developing thymocytes in vivo in a fashion that is dependent on the binding of TCF/LEF and Ets family transcription factors, but that these and other factors that bind to the E alpha core cannot account for the precise developmental onset of accessibility that is provided by the intact E alpha. Rather, our data suggests a critical role for factors that bind E alpha outside of the core T alpha 1,2 region in establishing the precise developmental onset of TCR alpha rearrangement in vivo.
Three-Hour and Twenty-Four-Hour Rainstorm Ratios across the Southern United States

Atlases of extreme rainfall were produced over the past 50 years both nationally and regionally, for various applications. Quantile estimates—rainfall amounts for a given duration and return period—are often used in stormwater drainage and impoundment design, flood control, agricultural engineering, as well as in many other applications. The foundation for these atlases rests upon daily rainfall data. Past researchers determined relationships between daily rainfall frequency/magnitude relationships and 24-hour storm frequency/magnitude relationships, and then used ratios of 24-hour to shorter n-hour durations to determine storm magnitudes for durations of less than 24 hours. However, these ratios can vary geographically and the application of one averaged ratio over a large region may produce significant error into the quantile estimate maps. This research examines 14 hourly rainfall sites across the southern United States, thereby forming a transect from San Diego, to Jacksonville, Fla. Results show that the ratios between 3-hour and 24-hour rainstorms vary considerably from one climatic regime to another.
Analysis of microRNA knockouts in mice

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that act as potent regulators of gene expression. The discovery of miRNAs with specific temporal and spatial expression patterns revealed a hidden layer of post-transcriptional gene regulation. Furthermore, differential expression of miRNAs during disease progression identified miRNAs as relevant candidate genes in human pathologies. Currently the exact roles of miRNAs in human development and disease progression remain largely unknown. There have been recent efforts to study the loss of these genes in vivo and this review will discuss published miRNA knockout mouse models, highlighting their potential mechanisms of action in vivo.
Internal Coordinate Molecular Dynamics Based on the Spectroscopic B-Matrix

Internal coordinate molecular dynamics (ICMD) has been used in the past in simulations for large molecules as an alternative way of increasing step size with a reduced operational dimension that is not achievable by MD in Cartesian coordinates. A new MD formalism in nonredundant generalized (internal and external) coordinates for flexible molecular systems is presented, which is based on the spectroscopic B-matrix rather than the A-matrix of previous methods. The proposed formalism does not require a direct inversion of a large matrix as in the recursive formulations based on robot dynamics, and takes advantage of the sparsity of the spectroscopic B-matrix, ensuring computational efficiency for flexible molecules. Each molecule’s external rotations about an arbitrary atom center, which may differ from its center of mass, are parameterized by the SU(2) Euler representation, giving singularity free parameterization. Based on the clear separability in the generalized coordinates between fast varying degrees of freedom and slowly varying ones, a multiple time step algorithm is introduced that avoids the nontrivial interaction distance classification inherent in the method in Cartesian coordinates.
Distributed discrete-time systems with synchronization errors: models and stability

The problem addressed in this brief originates from the use of nonidentical clocks in distributed systems, i.e., clocks with slightly different frequencies. At first, we introduce an event driven state space model for asynchronous system equations. Then, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for stability and show that unlike in the case of synchronous operations, the slightest mismatch in clock frequencies can destabilize the system, even if the synchronously operating system has a large margin of stability. New light is shed on the importance of the degree of synchronization and its connection to stability.
Chaos, Hubbub, and Order Scale and Health Risk Behaviors in Adolescents in Los Angeles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between household chaos and substance use, sexual activity, and violence-related risk behaviors in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed cross-sectional data among 929 high-school students in Los Angeles who completed a 90-minute interview that assessed health behaviors and household chaos with the 14-question Chaos, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS). Using the generalized estimating equation and adjusting for personal, parental, and family covariates, we examined associations of CHAOS score with substance use, sexual activity, and violent behavior outcome variables. We also examined the role of depression and school engagement as mediators. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of the 929 students was 16.4 (1.3) years, 516 (55%) were female, and 780 (84%) were Latino. After adjustment, compared with students with CHAOS score 0, those students with the greatest scores (5-14) had ORs of 3.1 (95% CI 1.1-8.7) for smoking, 2.6 (95% CI 1.6-4.4) for drinking, 6.1 (95% CI 1.8-21) for substance use at school, and 1.9 (95% CI 1.1-3.3) for fighting in the past 12 months. Associations between CHAOS score and sexual risk and other violent behaviors were not significant. Depression and school engagement attenuated the associations. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of adolescents, greatest CHAOS score was associated with increased odds of risky health behaviors, with depression and school engagement as potential mediators. In the future, CHAOS score could be measured to assess risk for such behaviors or be a target for intervention to reduce chances of engaging in these behaviors. Language: en
Environmentally responsible fabrication of efficient perovskite solar cells from recycled car batteries

Organolead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show great promise as a new large-scale and cost-competitive photovoltaic technology. Power conversion efficiencies over 15% to 19% have been achieved within 18 to 24 months of development, and thus perovskite materials have attracted great attention in photovoltaic research. However, the manufacture of PSCs raises environmental concerns regarding the over-production of raw lead ore, which has harmful health and ecological effects. Herein, we report an environmentally responsible process to fabricate efficient PSCs by reusing car batteries to simultaneously avoid the disposal of toxic battery materials and provide alternative, readily available lead sources for PSCs. Perovskite films, assembled using materials sourced from either recycled battery materials or high-purity commercial reagents, show the same material characteristics (i.e., crystallinity, morphology, optical absorption, and photoluminescence properties) and identical photovoltaic performance (i.e., photovoltaic parameters and resistances of electron recombination), indicating the practical feasibility of recycling car batteries for lead-based PSCs.
Bond-Slip Model for Detailed Finite-Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures

A new interface model to simulate the bond-slip behavior of reinforcing bars is presented. The model adopts a semiempirical law to predict the bond stress-versus-slip relations of bars, accounting for the bond deterioration caused by cyclic slip reversals, the tensile yielding of the bars, and the splitting of concrete. The wedging action of the ribs is represented by assuming that the normal stress of the interface is proportional to the bond stress. The model has been implemented in a finite-element analysis program and has been validated with laboratory experiments that include monotonic and cyclic bond-slip and anchorage tests of bars with different embedment lengths and a test on an RC column subjected to cyclic lateral loading. The model is easy to calibrate and computationally efficient, and it accurately predicts the bond-slip behavior of bars embedded in well-confined concrete. It also simulates bond failure attributable to the splitting of concrete in an approximate manner.
An Atomic View of Surface Diffusion on Metals

Atomic migration in crystals is obscured by the crystal itself, and it has therefore taken ingenious indirect methods to study the diffusion process. In contrast, diffusion at surfaces is amenable to fairly direct examination, on the atomic level, through the use of the field-ion microscope. By combining measurements of the mean-square displacement with determinations of the distance distribution function, considerable detail about atomic jumps in diffusion can be obtained. Here we will briefly review results obtained by field-ion microscopic examination of single metal atoms and metal clusters diffusing on metal crystals. What is noteworthy in the diffusion of single metal atoms is the variety of behavior which is dictated by the nature of the substrate, and the occasional complexity of the diffusion process. Examples of substrate-specific effects in atomic migration will be given for both fcc and bcc metals. Another surprising aspect of diffusion on metal surfaces is the role of clusters. These are stable at relatively high temperatures, and often diffuse at rates comparable to those of single atoms. The status of such cluster studies will be briefly examined, not only for their significance in surface transport, but also for their interest in understanding cohesion at metal surfaces.
New correlation identities for periodic sequences

Identities are established which relate certain crosscorrelation parameters for periodic real-valued sequences to their autocorrelation functions. Applications to multiple-access communication systems and to the design of uncorrelated sequences are discussed.
Culture, Conflict, and Cost: Perspectives on Brain Death in Japan

Japanese surgeons have performed only one heart transplant in the quarter century since the procedure was developed. Possessing the requisite training and technology, transplant surgeons have been stymied by several factors that elude professional and political solution. Most critically, the lack of a brain death standard limits the availability of transplantable organs. Mistrust of the medical profession, traditional outlooks on death, and the primacy placed on consensual decision making have fueled debate about brain death and transplantation. Volatile and value laden, these issues have overwhelmed the discussion of health care resources, equal access to high-technology medical procedures, and insurance coverage for transplantation.
A Comparison of Methods to Determine Amino Acid Digestibility of Feed Ingredients for Chickens

Two experiments were conducted to compare standardized ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility in 7- and 21-d-old chicks and true AA digestibility as determined by the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay for several ingredients used in poultry feeds. Diets were formulated to contain soybean meal, cottonseed meal, poultry by-product meal, and fish meal in experiment 1 and corn, wheat, soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, feather meal, and fish meal in experiment 2 as the sole sources of protein. Celite, used as an indigestible marker, was added at 1.5% of the diet. The test diets were fed ad libitum to broiler chicks from 0 to 7 d of age in experiment 1 and from 4 to 7 and 17 to 21 d of age in experiment 2. Ileal digesta samples were collected after euthanizing the birds at 7 d of age in experiment 1 and at 7 and 21 d of age in experiment 2. Additionally, cecectomized, Single-Comb White Leghorn roosters were used for crop intubation of the test diets for determination of true AA digestibility. In experiment 1, AA digestibility of all ingredients tested was significantly lower at 7 d of age than when determined by the rooster assay. In experiment 2, no differences were detected between AA digestibility at 7 or 21 d of age in the chick assay for the majority of the indispensable AA. However, the AA digestibility coefficients obtained by the chick assay at 7 d and, in some cases, at 21 d of age, were significantly lower than those obtained by the rooster assay. In conclusion, there were differences in the AA digestibility coefficients obtained through the chick and the rooster assays. Such discrepancies could be associated with an age effect or the methodological differences between both methods.
Inhibitors of Histone Deacetylase and DNA Methyltransferase Synergistically Activate the Methylated Metallothionein I Promoter by Activating the Transcription Factor MTF-1 and Forming an Open Chromatin Structure

Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) synergistically activate the methylated metallothionein I gene (MT-I) promoter in mouse lymphosarcoma cells. The cooperative effect of these two classes of inhibitors on MT-I promoter activity was robust following demethylation of only a few CpG dinucleotides by brief exposure to 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) but persisted even after prolonged treatment with the nucleoside analog. HDAC inhibitors (trichostatin A [TSA] and depsipeptide) either alone or in combination with 5-AzaC did not facilitate demethylation of the MT-I promoter. Treatment of cells with HDAC inhibitors increased accumulation of multiply acetylated forms of H3 and H4 histones that remained unaffected after treatment with 5-AzaC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed increased association of acetylated histone H4 and lysine 9 (K9)-acetyl H3 with the MT-I promoter after treatment with TSA, which was not affected following treatment with 5-AzaC. In contrast, the association of K9-methyl histone H3 with the MT-I promoter decreased significantly after treatment with 5-AzaC and TSA. ChIP assay with antibodies specific for methyl-CpG binding proteins (MBDs) demonstrated that only methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was associated with the MT-I promoter, which was significantly enhanced after TSA treatment. Association of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) with the promoter decreased after treatment with TSA or 5-AzaC and was abolished after treatment with both inhibitors. Among the DNA methyltransferases, both Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a were associated with the MT-I promoter in the lymphosarcoma cells, and association of Dnmt1 decreased with time after treatment with 5-AzaC. Treatment of these cells with HDAC inhibitors also increased expression of the MTF-1 (metal transcription factor-1) gene as well as its DNA binding activity. In vivo genomic footprinting studies demonstrated increased occupancy of MTF-1 to metal response elements of the MT-I promoter after treatment with both inhibitors. Analysis of the promoter by mapping with restriction enzymes in vivo showed that the MT-I promoter attained a more open chromatin structure after combined treatment with 5-AzaC and TSA as opposed to treatment with either agent alone. These results implicate involvement of multifarious factors including modified histones, MBDs, and Dnmts in silencing the methylated MT-I promoter in lymphosarcoma cells. The synergistic activation of this promoter by these two types of inhibitors is due to demethylation of the promoter and altered association of different factors that leads to reorganization of the chromatin and the resultant increase in accessibility of the promoter to the activated transcription factor MTF-1.
Mouse breast cancer model-dependent changes in metabolic syndrome-associated phenotypes caused by maternal dioxin exposure and dietary fat.

Diets high in fat are associated with increased susceptibility to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Increased adipose tissue that is caused by high-fat diets (HFD) results in altered storage of lipop...
Adsorption of tethered polyelectrolytes onto oppositely charged solid-liquid interfaces

We consider an equilibrium structure of a monolayer formed by weakly charged polyelectrolyte chains tethered to the oppositely charged interface. The interface is characterized by an immobile charge spatially distributed in a sublayer of finite thickness submerging tethered polyions. The Coulomb attraction of tethered polyions to the surface induces their adsorption. Three complementary theoretical approaches (scaling, analytical self-consistent-field approach, and numerical self-consistent-field model) are put to the problem in order to provide a complete description of the behavior of this complex charged interface. Both the value of the charge immobilized at the surface and the ionic strength of the solution influence the conformations of grafted polyelectrolytes in a significant way. It is shown that the height of sufficiently densely grafted polyelectrolyte monolayers (“polyelectrolyte brushes”) can depend nonmonotonically on the value of the ionic strength of the solution. The relevance of the syste...
Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptor in Cardiac Fibroblast Contributes to Cardiac Hypertrophy: A New Therapeutic Target for Heart Failure?

See related article, pages 113–123 Cardiac hypertrophy is often accompanied by cardiac remodeling characterized by loss of cardiac myocytes, interstitial fibroblasts, and collagen deposition, leading to decreased ventricular compliance and an increased risk for heart failure. The mortality for patients with heart failure is still high, although some improvements have been demonstrated in patients with systolic heart failure.1–3 To improve the therapeutic strategy for patients with heart failure, especially diastolic heart failure, further research and investigations to better understand the molecular and biochemical mechanism are needed. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) affects many physiological functions through the interaction with specific G-coupled membrane receptors, 5-HT receptors. There are 4 classes of 5-HT receptors (5-HT1/5, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, and 5-HT4/6/7).4 Serotonin, via the 5-HT2B receptor, regulates cardiac development and function.5 Transgenic mice with a 5-HT2B receptor gene ablation show embryonic and neonatal death caused by lack of trabeculae in the heart.6 5-HT2B receptors are essential for isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy, which involves the regulation of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokine production by cardiac fibroblasts.7 The 5-HT2B receptor has been shown functionally coupled to reactive oxygen species synthesis through NAD(P)H oxidase stimulation in neuronal cells8 and in angiotensin II and isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy.9 Recently, 5-HT2B receptor blockade has been shown to prevent the cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II or isoproterenol infusion.9 …
Mobile Face Capture for Virtual Face Videos

Minimally obtrusive face capture is essential for applications in tele-conferencing, collaborative work, and mobile applications. Acquiring and coding video for such applications is a challenging problem, particularly for a mobile user. A pilot head-mounted display system (HMD) is shown that captures two side views of the face and generates in real-time a quality frontal video of the wearer. The face is captured with little obstruction of the users field of view. The frontal views are generated by warping and blending the side views after a calibration step. In tests of a bench prototype, the generated virtual videos compared well with real video based on both objective and qualitative criteria. With success of the pilot work, we are continuing development of the mobile HMD system.