cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studying the pathophysiologic connection between cardiovascular and nervous systems using stem cells

The cardiovascular and nervous systems are deeply connected during development, health, and disease. Both systems affect and regulate the development of each other during embryogenesis and the early postnatal period. Specialized neural crest cells contribute to cardiac structures, and a number of growth factors released from the cardiac tissue (e.g., glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, neurturin, nerve growth factor, Neurotrophin-3) ensure proper maturation of the incoming parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons. Physiologically, the cardiovascular and nervous systems operate in harmony to adapt to various physical and emotional conditions to maintain homeostasis through sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Moreover, neurocardiac regulation involves a neuroaxis consisting of cortex, amygdala, and other subcortical structures, which have the ability to modify lower-level neurons in the hierarchy. Given the interconnectivity of cardiac and neural systems, when one undergoes pathological changes, the other is affected to a certain extent. In addition, there are specific neurocardiac diseases that affect both systems simultaneously, such as Huntington disease, Lewy body diseases, Friedreich ataxia, congenital heart diseases, Danon disease, and Timothy syndrome. Over the last decade, in vitro modeling of neurocardiac diseases using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has provided an invaluable opportunity to elevate our knowledge about the brain-heart connection, since previously primary cardiomyocytes and neurons had been extremely difficult to maintain long-term in vitro. Ultimately, the ability of iPSC technology to model abnormal functional phenotypes of human neurocardiac disorders, combined with the ease of therapeutic screening using this approach, will transform patient care through personalized medicine in the future. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Communication and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges for the 21st Century

This essay advocates for a significant reorientation and reconceptualization of communication studies in order to accommodate the opportunities and challenges introduced by increasingly intelligent machines, autonomous decision making systems, and smart devices. Historically the discipline of communication has accommodated new technology by transforming these innovations into a medium of human interaction and message exchange. With the computer, this transaction is particularly evident with the development of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the later half of the 20th century. In CMC, the computer is understood and investigated as a more-or-less neutral channel of message transfer and instrument of human interaction. This formalization, although not necessarily incorrect, neglects the fact that the computer, unlike previous technological advancements, also occupies the position of participant in communicative exchanges. Evidence of this is already available in the science of AI and has been explicitly described by some of the earliest writings on communication and the computer. The essay therefore 1) demonstrates that the CMC paradigm, although undeniably influential and successful, is insufficient and no longer tenable and 2) argues that communication studies needs to rework its basic framework in order to address and respond to the unique technological challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
An investigation of the key parameters for predicting PV soiling losses

One hundred and two environmental and meteorological parameters have been investigated and compared with the performance of 20 soiling stations installed in the USA, in order to determine their ability to predict the soiling losses occurring on PV systems. The results of this investigation showed that the annual average of the daily mean particulate matter values recorded by monitoring stations deployed near the PV systems are the best soiling predictors, with coefficients of determination (R2) as high as 0.82. The precipitation pattern was also found to be relevant: among the different meteorological parameters, the average length of dry periods had the best correlation with the soiling ratio. A preliminary investigation of two-variable regressions was attempted and resulted in an adjusted R2 of 0.90 when a combination of PM2.5 and a binary classification for the average length of the dry period was introduced. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of treatment site on disparities in outcome among adolescent and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma

Impact of treatment site on disparities in outcome among adolescent and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma
Modelling endothelial cells to investigate lymphocyte proliferation under inflammatory conditions

Bordetella pertussis is a gram-negative bacteria and the causative agent for whooping cough, a toxin mediated respiratory disease, which causes extensive damage to epithelium in the trachea and bronchial mucosa. In the absence of a human model to study vascular leukocyte recruitment to the respiratory system, and tissue injury repair, we propose an in vitro model of endothelial cells (ECs) derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We hypothesize that this model may be used to study the proliferation of Th17 and Treg cells during respiratory infection induced with B. pertussis antigens. Previous studies have shown that ECs constitutively express MHC II molecules allowing antigen presentation to recipient CD4 + T cells leading to a pro-inflammatory response. In addition, it has been demonstrated that human allogeneic EC induce Treg and Th17 proliferation. In this study, we differentiated mouse ESCs in vitro to endothelial cells in the presence of VEGF and bFGF. The cells were enriched for endothelial cell surface adhesion markers CD31 and CD144. Using flow cytometry, qPCR and immunofluorescence, we confirmed the expression of endothelial markers vWF and CD144 with 8% of our population double-positive for CD31 and CD144. The current model will be used to study pro-inflammatory response and T cell polarization will be assessed by activating endothelial cells with B. pertussis antigens or IFN-γ and then co-culturing with CFSE stained CD4 + T cells in polarizing conditions for 4 days. We anticipate that this study will contribute important information about endothelial regulatory response to injury and inflammation during whooping cough.
An improved correlation to estimate the minimum miscibility pressure of CO2 in crude oils for carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects

Abstract The utilization of anthropogenic CO2 for enhancing oil recovery while sequestering CO2 in depleted oil and gas fields is increasingly being viewed as an attractive economic proposition for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Typically, CO2 assisted enhanced oil recovery projects are operated at the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP), beyond which the CO2 and oil phases are completely miscible and the incremental oil recovery from CO2 displacement does not increase dramatically anymore. Thus, the MMP is a critical parameter in screening-level performance assessments of potential CO2 floods. The MMP can be measured from displacement experiments in a laboratory using a slim tube apparatus. Alternatively, it can be estimated from statistical correlations developed using reservoir temperature and detailed crude oil composition and analytical methods such as equation of state based simulations. In this paper, we describe the development and validation of an improved correlation to estimate the MMP of CO2 in crude oil based only on: (a) reservoir temperature, and (b) molecular weight of the C5+ fraction, which can also be estimated from the oil's specific gravity. A power law based predictive model for MMP has been developed through statistical analysis of data from published literature pertaining to crude oil with a wide range of temperatures and molecular weights. The resulting predictions were compared with those obtained from previously established and widely used correlations (e.g., Cronquist, 1978) and found to have a higher degree of accuracy.
Production of antibodies of monoclonal specificity without the use of hybridoma cell lines

Reproducible immunodiagnostic tests require antibodies of standardized specificity and affinity. A significant step toward this goal has been achieved with the development of the methodology of growing clonal populations of cells secreting antibodies with a defined specificity (Kohler and Milstein, 1975). In this technique an antibody-secreting plasma cell, isolated from an immunized animal, is fused with an immortal myeloma cell. The products of this fusion are called hybridoma cells and are the source of monoclonal antibodies which currently provide the most reproducible and well characterized antibodies for immunodiagnostics.
African Americans on the Great Plains: An Anthology

Review of: "African Americans on the Great Plains: An Anthology," edited by Bruce A. Glasrud and Charles A. Braithwaite.
Radiologic evaluation of fracture healing

While assessment of fracture healing is a common task for both orthopedic surgeons and radiologists, it remains challenging due to a lack of consensus on imaging and clinical criteria as well as the lack of a true gold standard. Further complicating this evaluation are the wide variations between patients, specific fracture sites, and fracture patterns. Research into the mechanical properties of bone and the process of bone healing has helped to guide the evaluation of fracture union. Development of standardized scoring systems and identification of specific radiologic signs have further clarified the radiologist's role in this process. This article reviews these scoring systems and signs with regard to the biomechanical basis of fracture healing. We present the utility and limitations of current techniques used to assess fracture union as well as newer methods and potential future directions for this field.
Antegrade Intramedullary Screw Fixation: A Novel Approach to Metacarpal Fractures

Metacarpal fractures are common upper-extremity fractures. Surgical fixation is recommended for open injuries, segmental bone loss, multiple metacarpal fractures, irreducible fractures, and unstable fracture patterns. For transverse and short oblique metacarpal shaft fracture patterns, intramedullary headless compression screws have been added most recently as a surgical option. Intramedullary headless compression screw fixation has been performed in a retrograde manner in which a guidewire and then a cannulated headless screw are placed through a skin excision, a split in the sagittal band or extensor tendon, and the dorsal central articular cartilage surface of the metacarpal head. Here, we describe a step-by-step novel approach to fixation of transverse and short oblique proximal and midshaft metacarpal fractures through an antegrade approach using intramedullary headless compression screws with a detailed 4K high-definition video demonstration and 2 clinical cases involving the middle and ring metacarpals. This surgical alternative addresses many concerns with the retrograde technique and avoids creating defects in the extensor tendon, the sagittal hood, the articular surface of the metacarpal head at the metacarpophalangeal joint, and the articulating surface of the trapezium, capitate, and hamate at the carpometacarpal articulation.
A Case of Atypical Adult Presentation of Urea Cycle Disorder.

Introduction Urea cycle disorders are metabolic disorders of nitrogenous waste substances due to either complete or partial deficiency of enzymes. Hyperammonemia associated with urea cycle disorders should be addressed immediately in the acute setting, as it can cause irreversible neurological injury or death. Case presentation We report the case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with lethargy, weakness, and altered mental status following prolonged nausea and vomiting despite an esophageal dilatation procedure 3 weeks prior. Further investigation with assistance from the genetics consult team revealed a partial enzyme deficiency associated with urea cycle disorder. Discussion Although many cases of urea cycle disorder present in neonates 24 to 48 hours following birth, a delayed presentation may be observed in female carriers with partial activity of any urea cycle enzyme leading to ammonia buildup. This is the result of stress-related events that form a catabolic state involving protein breakdown within the body that trigger increased ammonia levels. Conclusion A diagnosis of urea cycle disorder should be suspected in patients who have had a recent stressor with progressive lethargy and confusion associated with hyperammonemia, so that treatment may begin with intravenous sodium benzoate and phenylacetate initially and hemodialysis at 8 hours if ammonia levels do not decrease to avoid permanent neurologic damage.
In vitro exposure of vitellogenic rainbow trout ovarian follicles to endocrine disrupting chemicals can alter basal estradiol-17β production and responsiveness to a gonadotropin challenge

Endogenous estrogens play major roles in many aspects of female reproductive development in fish. In order to develop a relatively high-throughput assay to determine the potential impact on reproductive development, vitellogenic rainbow trout ovarian follicles were exposed to a suite of contaminants in vitro and then assessed for the ability to produce estradiol-17β (E2) after a 500 ng/ml salmon gonadotropin (sGTH) challenge. There was a positive correlation between ovarian follicle size and E2 production, but an inverse correlation between size and responsiveness to sGTH. Significant impacts on E2 levels were observed following treatment with different endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), prochloraz, or trenbolone. EE2 was remarkably potent and significantly reduced ovarian follicle responsiveness to sGTH at concentrations as low as 0.1 nM. Of the other contaminants tested, only tamoxifen impacted E2 levels, and only at concentrations near the limits of solubility. Flutamide, fluoxetine, 4-hydroxy tamoxifen, hydroxyflutamide, and norfluoxetine had little or no impact. Quantitative PCR analyses of steroidogenesis-related genes were carried out on EE2 treated ovarian follicles, but significant transcriptional responses to EE2 were not observed. Overall, this study suggests that xenoestrogens and anti-estrogens are more likely to interfere with ovarian E2 synthesis than other classes of EDCs. This also provides a template for further testing of the effects of EDCs on ovarian function.
Active Radar Cross Section Reduction of an Object Using Microstrip Antennas

The research performed in this paper suggests that the radar cross section of an arbitrarily shaped object can be reduced by canceling the scattering from the object with the radiation from an antenna (implemented here as a microstrip antenna) placed on the surface of the object. Assuming that the direction of arrival of the incident signal is known, the radiation from the defending antenna can be adjusted in real-time to cancel the scattering from the object in order to produce a negligible total field at the distant receiver so that the object becomes invisible to a monostatic radar working in a given known frequency band. This is implemented using an analog sensor on the object to measure the time domain field on the object, which is then connected to the antenna through an amplifier and phase shifter to control the radiation from the patch antenna. The system is implemented in real time and does not require any digitization or signal processing. The radar cross section reduction can thus be achieved with a wide variety of incident signals in the prescribed frequency band.
Protocoled thrombolytic therapy for frostbite improves phalangeal salvage rates.

Background Frostbite is a cold injury that has the potential to cause considerable morbidity and long-term disability. Despite the complexity of these patients, diagnostic and treatment practices lack standardization. Thrombolytic therapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality, demonstrating impressive digit salvage rates. We review our experience with thrombolytic therapy for severe upper extremity frostbite. Methods Retrospective data on all frostbite patients evaluated at our institution from December 2017 to March 2018 was collected. A subgroup of patients with severe frostbite treated with intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy (IATT) were analysed. Results Of the 17 frostbite patients treated at our institution, 14 (82%) were male and the median age was 31 (range: 19-73). Substance misuse was involved in a majority of the cases (58.8%). Five (29.4%) patients with severe frostbite met inclusion criteria for IATT and the remaining patients were treated conservatively. Angiography demonstrated a 74.5% improvement in perfusion after tissue plasminogen activator thrombolysis. When comparing phalanges at risk on initial angiography to phalanges undergoing amputation, the phalangeal salvage rate was 83.3% and the digit salvage rate was 80%. Complications associated with IATT included groin hematoma, pseudoaneurysm and retroperitoneal hematoma. Conclusions Thrombolytic therapy has the potential to greatly improve limb salvage and functional recovery after severe frostbite when treated at an institution that can offer comprehensive, protocoled thrombolytic therapy. A multi-center prospective study is warranted to elucidate the optimal treatment strategy in severe frostbite.
The juniper tree. A conversation with Michael B. Schiffer and Randall H. McGuire

What are the circumstances through which we become archaeologists? In April 2018, Rui Gomes Coelho met with his former adviser, Randall H. McGuire, and his adviser’s adviser, Michael B. Schiffer, for a conversation about the reasons why they became interested in archaeology, about mentorship and about how they connect their experiences to broader social questions. This conversation is an affective reflection that crosses the emergence of behavioural archaeology, Marxist archaeology, the postprocessual turn and the context that shaped the origins of the archaeology of the recent past.
Disposition and metabolism of 2,2'-dimorpholinodiethyl ether in sprague dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice after oral, intravenous administration, and dermal application.

The specialty amine catalyst 2,2′-dimorpholinodiethyl ether (DMDEE) is a high-production volume chemical used in the production of flexible foam, high-resilient molded foam, and in coatings and adh...
Tandem plasmapheresis and continuous kidney replacement treatment in pediatric patients

The objectives of the study are to describe tandem therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) patients’ outcomes in a large institution. We reviewed pediatric patients receiving tandem TPE and CKRT from 2013 to 2016. Over the study period, 63 discrete patients received tandem TPE and CKRT for a total of 378 TPE procedures on 1676 days on CKRT. Patient age ranged from newborn to 19 years old with weights ranging from 2.31 to 112.3 kg (17 patients were < 10 kg and less than 1 year old). All procedures were completed in intensive care units (ICU) as CKRT can only be done in this environment. All treatments completed successfully; majority of patients (90%) developed hypocalcemia though none were symptomatic. Case mortality rate was 40%. Disease severity scores at ICU admission were higher and time to TPE and CKRT start was longer in the deceased group. As a conclusion, though complications including hypocalcemia are common with tandem TPE and CKRT in pediatrics, patients remained asymptomatic. Such treatments have to be carefully planned with interdisciplinary teams to address indications, technicalities, and complications.
Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic-loaded mannitol-chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant-associated osteomyelitis.

Antibiotic-loaded chitosan pastes have shown advantages in treatment and coverage of complex musculoskeletal defects. We added mannitol, previously shown to increase antibiotic susceptibility of biofilm, to an injectable chitosan/polyethylene glycol paste for delivery of antibiotics. Ground sponges (0.85% acetic acid solution, 1% chitosan, 0% or 2% mannitol, 1% polyethylene glycol) were hydrated using phosphate buffered saline with 10 mg/ml amikacin and 10 mg/ml vancomycin added to form pastes. We inoculated rabbit radial defects with 105 colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus (UAMS-1) and inserted titanium pins into cortical bone. Groups compared included mannitol blend pastes, non-mannitol blends, antibiotic-loaded bone cement, vancomycin powder, and no treatment controls. We harvested tissue samples and retrieved the pins retrieved at 3 weeks. All antibiotic-loaded groups lowered bacterial growth and CFU counts in soft and bone tissue and on titanium pins in in vivo studies. Results indicate this biomaterial is capable of eluting active antibiotic at concentrations that reduce bacterial growth on biomaterials and tissue, which in turn may prevent biofilm formation. Blends of chitosan and mannitol may be useful in prevention and treatment of osteomyelitis and implant-associated infections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An In-Pipe Manipulator for Contamination-Less Rehabilitation of Water Distribution Pipes

The recent development of in-pipe robots (IPR) with locomotion and inspection functions provides a new possibility to water distribution pipe maintenance - to rehabilitate pipe defects internally. Yet only a limited number of Rehabilitation in-pipe robots (R-IPR) have been proposed. One primary concern that impedes the development of Rehabilitation in-pipe robots is the excessive amount of contamination generated during the rehabilitation process. Correspondingly, we propose a novel concept: Contamination-Less in-pipe Rehabilitation (CLR) and develop the CLR in-pipe robot as an innovative solution.The proposed robot contains three modules for pipe-surface sealing, pipe-wall cleaning, and in-pipe manipulation. This paper centers on the comprehensive design of the manipulator module. First, the manipulator features a high-DoF configuration to deploy the other two modules simultaneously. Second, the configuration adopts a nested-outer-inner architecture to ensure the seal always encloses the pipe-wall cleaning device. The holistic and detailed design process of the manipulator, including design concept, kinematics, load requirements, design for manufacturing, and simulated deployment, are presented. Eventually, the fully implemented robot accomplished the first Contamination-Less in-pipe Rehabilitation.
Accelerating GLS Simulation closure in DFT with Emulator

To keep pace with the demands of advanced complex SoC development and to close the HW /SW verification gap, Emulation is increasingly used as a scalable and reusable solution. As part of a quicker execution schedule, DFT Engineers deploy optimum methods of RTL, ATPG, MBIST verification, and even proto-type complete RTL into Emulator for faster RTL verification closure. Another integral part of DFT verification is Gate-Level Simulation of MBIST and ATPG patterns but done in small volume due to huge simulator-time requirement leading to incomplete closure. We propose vector-mode based Gate level emulation (GLE) for DFT patterns. This paper talks about 500-to-1500X performance gain when simulating MBIST and ATPG complete pattern set in Emulator over GLS. Results show that for 2 SOCs of size 36M, 55M gates, a complete stuck-at, and transition ATPG WGL format pattern set of 90k can be simulated in Emulator within hours. Manufacturing Algorithm-based MBIST WGL patterns which take weeks in the EDA simulator can be emulated in minutes. This provides closure of DFT Pre-silicon GLS Verification within a day. The verified WGL patterns can be seamlessly ported to ATE Tester program for post-silicon Bring-up, bridging the verification gap between RTL and silicon device. The paper also shows a method of debugging ATPG and MBIST pattern failures with debug logs and waveforms dumped from the Emulator program.
Transitioning STEM-focused Teacher Professional Development from f2f toOnline.

This paper compares two cases of a Teacher Professional Development (TPD) focused on astronomy education: the San Antonio Teacher Training Astronomy Academy (SATTAA). The central question here is: How do in-service teachers' perceptions of the logistics and key benefits of SATTAA compare across two cases: the 2019 fully face-to-face (f2f) iteration in 2019, and the fully online iteration in 2020. Participants in both iterations equally indicated that they thought of their experiences as valuable and the program effective with two exceptions: (1) field trips that took place f2f were ranked higher than virtual options; and (2) technology was highlighted as benefit in the 2020 online iteration, but not in the 2019 f2f program.
Factors Associated with Ocular Injury in Orbital Fracture Patients: Who Requires Urgent Ophthalmic Evaluation?

Importance: Create validated criteria to identify orbital fracture patients at higher risk for significant ocular injuries. Objective: Determine history and physical examination findings in orbital...
Monte Carlo Investigation of High-Speed GaAs Schottky Barrier Photodiode

The progress in sub-picosecond laser pulse techniques has opened a new horizon in high-speed optical communication and logic circuits. Consequently the development of high-speed photodetectors such as Schottky barrier photodiodes capable of providing the link from these ultrashort optical signals to electrical signals has intensified in recent years. The speed of response of these devices depends on how fast the photoexcited carriers are swept outside the high field region and the diffusion of the minority carriers generated outside the depletion region. The transit time is usually estimated by representing the transport of the electrons and holes by two sheets of charges drifting at the saturated velocity in a constant electric field. Although this approach provides some qualitative understanding of the shape of the impulse response, considerable discrepancy exists between the calculated transit time and the experimentally measured values. Besides, in picosecond applications the electric field distribution inside the device is determined by both the built-in field and the self-consistent corrections due to the distribution of the photoexcited carriers, whose density can exceed the background. carrier density. Because the highly excited electron-hole plasmas are generated on very short time scales the field is not modified instantaneously due to the fact that the space charges of electrons and holes are initially neutralized by their equal densities. The space charge develops as the electrons and holes drift apart in the field resulting in regions of unequal density. During this period, the carrier-carrier interaction might influence the response of the device.
The Cellular Form of Human Prostatic Acid Phosphatase May Function as a Phosphotyrosyl Protein Phosphatase in Cells

Prostate cancer, next to lung cancer, has the highest incidence of any form of cancer affecting men in this country. About 100,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, accounting for more than 17% of all cancer in males. It has been proposed that steroid hormones, chemical carcinogens, viral oncogenes, and immunodeficiency of the aging may play roles in the development of the cancer. However, there is no conclusive causal correlation between these factors and prostate cancer (1,2).
Belief, Re-identification and Fineness of Grain

The so-called ‘re-identification condition’ (Kelly 2011) has played an important role in the most prominent argument for nonconceptualism, the argument from fineness of grain. A number of authors have recently argued that the condition should be modified or discarded altogether, with devastating implications for the nonconceptualist (see, e.g., Brewer 2005, Chuard 2006). The aim of this paper is to show that the situation is even more dire for nonconceptualists, for even if the re-identification condition remains in its original form, the argument from fineness of grain still fails to make the case for nonconceptualism. The paper's central case rests on two claims: according to the first, if the re-identification condition holds, then some beliefs will represent some properties nonconceptually; and according to the second, if some beliefs represent some properties nonconceptually, the argument from fineness of grain fails to make the case for nonconceptualism in any relevant sense. It follows that if the re-identification condition holds, the argument from fineness of grain fails to make the case for nonconceptualism.
Retrograde migration of the site of functional block: a mechanism underlying resolution of functional retrograde bundle branch block during AV reentrant tachycardia.

Retrograde Migration of Functional Block. Introduction: Functional bundle branch blocks during supraventricular tachycardia have been described, and their sustainment has been attributed to concealed conduction. Such blocks frequently resolve spontaneously, but the electrophysiologic mechanism of resolution bas not been well described. This report describes the resolution of functional bundle branch block through proximal migration of the site of block. Methods and Results: During electrophysiologic study of a patient with reentrant antidromic tachycardia via an atriofascicular accessory pathway, functional retrograde right bundle branch block could be readily induced following tachycardia initiation with right ventricular apical pacing. Resolution of this block was associated with shortening of the tachycardia cycle length. Electrogram recordings along the right bundle branch during tachycardia determined that resolution of the functional retrograde right bundle branch block was associated with migration of the site of block from the distal to the proximal right bundle. When the site of block was directly at the recording site, both anterograde and retrograde activation of the right bundle was demonstrated. Conclusion: Migration of the site of block is a mechanism of resolution for functional conduction blocks maintained by concealed conduction.
PSLC datashop: a data analysis service for the learning science community

The Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center's DataShop is an open data repository and set of associated visualization and analysis tools DataShop has data from thousands of students deriving from interactions with on-line course materials and intelligent tutoring systems The data is fine-grained, with student actions recorded roughly every 20 seconds, and it is longitudinal, spanning semester or yearlong courses Currently over 188 datasets are stored including over 42 million student actions and over 150,000 student hours of data Most student actions are “coded” meaning they are not only graded as correct or incorrect, but are categorized in terms of the hypothesized competencies or knowledge components needed to perform that action.
Liquid Sloshing Dynamics: Weakly nonlinear lateral sloshing

Introduction The linear theory of liquid sloshing is adequate for determining the natural frequencies and wave height of the free surface. Under translational excitation, the linear theory is also useful for predicting the liquid hydrodynamic pressure, forces, and moments as long as the free surface maintains a planar shape with a nodal diameter that remains perpendicular to the line of excitation. However, it does not take into account the important vertical displacement of the center of gravity of the liquid for large amplitudes of free-surface motion. It also fails to predict complex surface phenomena observed experimentally near resonance. These phenomena include nonplanar unstable motion of the free surface associated with rotation of the nodal diameter (rotary sloshing) and chaotic sloshing. These phenomena can be uncovered using the theory of weakly nonlinear oscillations for quantitative analysis and the modern theory of nonlinear dynamics for stability analysis. The main sources of nonlinearity in the fluid field equations appear in the free-surface boundary conditions. The early work of nonlinear lateral sloshing is based on asymptotic expansion techniques. For example, Penney and Price (1952) carried out a successive approximation approach where the potential function is expressed as a Fourier series in space with coefficients that are functions of time. These coefficients are approximated by Fourier time series using the method of perturbation. The resulting solution is expressed in terms of a double Fourier series in space and time. This method was applied by Skalak and Yarymovich (1962) and Dodge, et al . (1965).
Structure/function relationships in hexokinase. Site-directed mutational analyses and characterization of overexpressed fragments implicate different functions for the N- and C-terminal halves of the enzyme.

Hexokinases are comprised of two highly homologous approximately 50-kDa halves and are product-inhibited by glucose-6-P. Four amino acid residues, Ser603, Asp657, Glu708, and Glu742, located in the C-terminal half of the tumor mitochondrial enzyme have been shown to be essential for enzyme function (Arora, K. K., Filburn, C. R., and Pedersen, P. L. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 5359-5362). Here we have assessed also the role of the N-terminal half of the same enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues predicted to interact with glucose in the N-terminal half, i.e. Ser155, Asp209, and Glu260, to Ala, have no effect on hexokinase activity. In addition, inhibition by hexose mono- and bisphosphates is unchanged for each of the mutant enzymes. Significantly, the overexpressed N-terminal polypeptide is devoid of catalytic activity but does have the capacity to bind ATP-agarose and be released with ATP and glucose-6-P. In contrast, the overexpressed C-terminal polypeptide is catalytically active and shows the same product inhibition pattern as the complete 100-kDa parent enzyme. These results emphasize that the N-terminal half of tumor hexokinase is essential neither for catalysis nor product modulation. Rather, the N-terminal half may play another role, perhaps in modulation of the ATP/glucose-6-P-dependent binding of the enzyme to tumor mitochondria or by acting as a spacer between the outer mitochondrial membrane and the C-terminal catalytic unit.
Power electronics for propulsion

Power electronic systems are being applied to an increasing variety of propulsion systems for terrestrial vehicles. Particularly important are the applications to electric cars, trains, and maglev. The author discusses design methodology, identifies important issues, and explores design alternatives. He also describes existing propulsion systems and ideas for future improvements, with a particular emphasis on cost reduction for systems in the range from 20 kVA to 20 MVA. It is concluded that new devices and better ways of using existing devices will probably have the most dramatic impact. A sustained effort on relevant basic research would is recommended. >
Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis in the mouse

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T cell-dependent antibody-mediated autoimmune neuromuscular disease. Antibodies to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) destroy the AChR, thus leading to defective neuromuscular transmission of electrical impulse and to muscle weakness. This unit is a practical guide to the induction and evaluation of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in the mouse, the animal model for MG. Protocols are provided for the extraction and purification of AChR from the electric organs of Torpedo californica, or the electric ray. The purified receptor is used as an immunogen to induce autoimmunity to AChR, thus causing EAMG. The defect in neuromuscular transmission can also be measured quantitatively by electromyography. In addition, EAMG is frequently characterized by the presence of serum antibodies to AChR, which are measured by radioimmunoassay and by a marked antibody-mediated reduction in the number of muscle AChRs. AChR extracted from mouse muscle is used in measuring serum antibody levels and for quantifying muscle AChR content. Another hallmark of the disease is complement and IgG deposits located at the neuromuscular junction, which can be visualized by immunofluorescence techniques.
RCT of web-based personalized normative feedback for college drinking prevention: are typical student norms good enough?

OBJECTIVES: Personalized normative feedback (PNF) interventions are generally effective at correcting normative misperceptions and reducing risky alcohol consumption among college students. However, research has yet to establish what level of reference group specificity is most efficacious in delivering PNF. This study compared the efficacy of a web-based PNF intervention using 8 increasingly specific reference groups against a Web-BASICS intervention and a repeated-assessment control in reducing risky drinking and associated consequences. METHOD: Participants were 1,663 heavy-drinking Caucasian and Asian undergraduates at 2 universities. The referent for web-based PNF was either the typical same-campus student or a same-campus student at 1 (either gender, race, or Greek affiliation), or a combination of 2 (e.g., gender and race), or all 3 levels of specificity (i.e., gender, race, and Greek affiliation). Hypotheses were tested using quasi-Poisson generalized linear models fit by generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: The PNF intervention participants showed modest reductions in all 4 outcomes (average total drinks, peak drinking, drinking days, and drinking consequences) compared with control participants. No significant differences in drinking outcomes were found between the PNF group as a whole and the Web-BASICS group. Among the 8 PNF conditions, participants receiving typical student PNF demonstrated greater reductions in all 4 outcomes compared with those receiving PNF for more specific reference groups. Perceived drinking norms and discrepancies between individual behavior and actual norms mediated the efficacy of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a web-based PNF intervention using the typical student referent offers a parsimonious approach to reducing problematic alcohol use outcomes among college students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
RAPID DETECTION OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN FOOD SAMPLES USING A BIENZYME ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR WITH FLOW INJECTION

A bienzyme (tyrosinase and horseradish peroxidase) electrochemical biosensor was developed for detection of Salmonella typhimurium, and evaluated for application in a flow injection system coupled with immunomagnetic separation for food samples. Parameters for immunomagnetic separation, enzymatic reaction, flow injection and electrochemical detection were determined using pure culture samples. The selectivity was tested in the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni and E. coli 0157:H7. The results showed a linear relationship for logarithmic values between peak current ratio and the cell number of S. typhimurium in the range of 103 105 cfu/mL, with R2= 0.99. The detection limit of this method was 1.09 × 103 cfu/mL for S. typhimurium and the detection time was 2.5 h. Samples of chicken carcass wash water and ground beef were used to evaluate the biosensor. The results demonstrated that this biosensor has a potential for rapid detection of different pathogens in various food samples.
Energy and momentum spectral function of coherent bremsstrahlung radiation

We calculate nonperturbatively and for small $Q$ the cross section $\ensuremath{\sigma}(Q)$ for a scattering process to occur with loss of four-momentum $Q$ to unobserved photons, a quantity which may be measured by observing the net recoil to all other particles. The calculation proceeds by means of a threshold theorem which asserts that for small $Q$, $\ensuremath{\sigma}(Q)\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}P(Q)$, where ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}$ is independent of $Q$, and $P(Q)$ is the spectral of the coherent state $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ of bremsstrahlung photons defined by ${a}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}(k)\ensuremath{\Psi}=i{(2\ensuremath{\pi})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}}\ensuremath{\Sigma}{a}^{}{u}_{a}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}{({u}_{a}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}k)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{\Psi}$, where ${a}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}(k)$ is the annihilation operator for a photon of four-momentum $k$, and ${e}_{a}$ and ${u}_{a}$ are the charges and four-velocities of the scattered charged particles. Although $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ is not in the Fock space, the evaluation of $P(Q)=〈\ensuremath{\Psi},{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{4}(Q\ensuremath{-}{P}_{\mathrm{op}})\ensuremath{\Psi}〉$, where ${P}_{\mathrm{op}}$ is the operator of total electromagnetic four-momentum, is straightforward. The resulting function $P(Q)$ simplifies if $Q$ is near the light cone, where the bulk of the probability is in fact located, $P(Q)\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\theta}({Q}^{0})\ensuremath{\theta}({Q}^{2}){[\ensuremath{\Gamma}(1+B)]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}B{(\frac{{Q}^{2}}{2})}^{B\ensuremath{-}1}{I}_{0}(Q)\mathrm{exp}[F(Q)]$, where ${I}_{0}(Q)=\ensuremath{-}{(2\ensuremath{\pi})}^{\ensuremath{-}3}{[\ensuremath{\Sigma}{a}^{}{e}_{a}{u}_{a}{({u}_{a}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}Q)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}]}^{2}g0$, $B=\ensuremath{\int}d\stackrel{^}{k} {I}_{0}({Q}^{0}=1, \stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Q}=\stackrel{^}{k})$, and $F(Q)$ is given explicitly in the text, satisfies $F(\ensuremath{\lambda}Q)=F(Q)\ensuremath{-}B \mathrm{ln}\ensuremath{\lambda}$, and is a smooth function as the light cone is approached. The spectral function exhibits two scaling laws, one governing the approach to the origin along a ray ${\mathrm{lim}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{4\ensuremath{-}B}\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\lambda}Q)={\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}P(Q)$, the other governing the approach to the light cone at fixed energy ${Q}^{0}=E$ and angle $\stackrel{^}{k}{\mathrm{lim}}_{|Q|\ensuremath{\rightarrow}E}[{(E\ensuremath{-}|\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Q}|)}^{1\ensuremath{-}B}P(E,\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Q})]=\mathrm{const}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{[\ensuremath{\Gamma}(1+B)]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}B{E}^{B\ensuremath{-}1}{I}_{0}(k)\mathrm{exp}[F(k)]$, where $k=(E,E\stackrel{^}{k})$. For ${e}^{+}\ensuremath{-}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation at 3 on 3 Gev, $\mathrm{exp}[F(k)]={E}^{\ensuremath{-}B}\mathrm{exp}[F(\stackrel{^}{k})]$ produces a 30% angular modulation.
Cervical sympathectomy regulates expression of key angiogenic factors in the rat choroid.

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 55. In addition to an increased risk of vision loss due to macular degeneration, aging results in a substantial loss of sympathetic nerve activity. We have previously shown that loss of sympathetic nerve activity to the eye causes significant remodeling of the choroidal vasculature. The hypothesis of the present study was that the choroidal remodeling noted after sympathectomy was due to alterations in key angiogenic growth factors. To test this hypothesis, female Sprague–Dawley rats underwent superior cervical ganglionectomy, which eliminates all sympathetic innervation to the eye. Six weeks after surgery, eyes were removed, and the choroidal tissue was processed for real-time PCR to measure gene expression and western blot analysis to assess protein expression. Gene and protein expression were significantly increased for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelial-derived growth factor (PEDF) in the sympathectomized eye, as compared to the contralateral eye ( P
Quantitative analyses of retinal vascular area and density after different methods to reduce VEGF in a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose. Targeted inhibition of Muller cell (MC)–produced VEGF or broad inhibition of VEGF with an intravitreal anti-VEGF antibody reduces intravitreal neovascularization in a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In this study, we compared the effects of these two approaches on retinal vascular development and capillary density in the inner and deep plexi in the rat ROP model.
Fixing two eigenvalues by a minimal perturbation

Abstract The optimal perturbation, Δ M , to a matrix, M , such that M − Δ M has a given eigenvalue λ 0 is given by the Eckart–Young theorem. This perturbation is optimal in the sense that ∥Δ M ∥ 2 is minimal. In this article, we present a generalization, finding ∥Δ M ∥ 2 optimal perturbations of M such that M − Δ M has two of given eigenvalues. This result also generalizes recent work by Malyshev.
Expression and Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the Phosphatidylcholine-Preferring Phospholipase C of Bacillus cereus: Probing the Role of the Active Site Glu146†

A series of site-specific mutants of the phosphatidylcholine-preferring phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus (PLCBc) was prepared in which the glutamic acid residue at position 146 was replaced with glutamine, aspartic acid, histidine, and leucine to elucidate what role Glu146 might play in catalysis. An expression system for the native enzyme in Escherichia coli was first developed to provide PLCBc that was fused via an intervening factor Xa protease recognition sequence at its N-terminus to maltose binding protein (MBP). This MBP-PLCBc fusion protein was isolated at levels of 50-70 mg/L of culture; selective trypsin digestion of the MBP-PLCBc fusion protein followed by chromatographic purification yielded recombinant PLCBc at levels of ca. 10 mg/L. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mutagenesis on the PLCBc gene (plc) was then used to replace the Glu146 codon with those for glutamine (E146Q), aspartic acid (E146D), histidine (E146H), and leucine (E146L). The catalytic efficiency of the E146Q mutant was 1.6% that of native PLCBc, while the other mutants each possessed activities of 0.2-0.3% of the wild type. The kcat/Km vs pH profiles for both E146Q and native PLCBc have ascending acidic limbs, suggesting that Glu146 does not serve as the general base in the hydrolysis reaction. As measured by circular dichroism, all of the mutant proteins contained less helical structure and underwent denaturation at lower temperatures than the wild type in the order: wild type > E146Q > E146D approximately E146H approximately E146L. Atomic absorption analyses indicated that the mutant proteins also exhibited lower Zn2+ content than the wild type. Thus, the Glu146 residue in PLCBc stabilizes the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme and serves as a critical ligand for Zn2, but it does not appear to have any specific catalytic role.