cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Helper T cells down-regulate CD4 expression upon chronic stimulation giving rise to double-negative T cells.

Abstract Double-negative T (DNT) cells are αβTCR+CD3+CD4−CD8−NK1.1− cells that constitute a small but significant proportion of the αβTCR+ T cells. Their developmental pathway and pathological significance remain unclear. In the present study, we utilized chronic in vitro stimulation of CD4+ T cells to mimic immune hyper-activation of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus, conditions characterized by DNT cells accumulation. After approximately 4–5 rounds of stimulation, the CD3+CD4− population became apparent. These cells did not express CD8, NK1.1, γδTCR, or B220, exhibited a highly proliferative effector phenotype, and were dependent on T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation for survival. Moreover, CD3+CD4− cells expressed MHC class II-restricted αβTCR, indicative of their origin from a CD4+ T cell population. The results presented herein illustrate a novel method of DNT cell generation in vitro and suggest that immune hyper-activation could also be implicated in the genesis of the disease-associated DNT cells in vivo.
Bullying and school safety.

Objective To identify an association between involvement in bullying and problems in school. Study design This was a cross-sectional study of 5391 students in grades 7, 9, and 11 in an urban public school district. The main outcome measure was involvement in bullying. Secondary outcomes included attendance, grade point average, psychosocial distress, and perceived acceptability of carrying guns to school. Results Of the 5391 children surveyed, 26% were involved in bullying either as victim, bully, or both (bully-victim). All 3 groups were significantly more likely than bystanders to feel unsafe at school and sad most days. Victims and bully-victims were more likely to say they are “no good.” Victims were more likely to feel that they “do not belong” in their school. The odds of being a victim (vs a bystander) were 10% lower for every 1 point increase in grade point average. Bully-victims were more likely to say that it is “not wrong” to take a gun to school. Conclusions Associations between involvement in bullying and academic achievement, psychological distress, and the belief that it is not wrong to take a gun to school reinforce the notion that school environment is interrelated with mental health and school success.
Use of topical recombinant human platelet–derived growth factor BB in abdominal wound separation

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the topical application of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor gel influences healing after abdominal wound separation. Study design: A double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with surgical wound separation. Results: Ten patients were randomized to treatment, and 11 patients were randomized to placebo. There was no difference between groups with regard to age, initial wound volume, type of surgical procedure, incision, or body mass index. Patients in the placebo group received 47 ± 24 days of therapy. Patients in the treatment group received 29 ± 14 days of therapy ( P = .057). The wounds of the placebo group closed 54 ± 26 days after operation. Wounds in the treatment group closed in 35 ± 15 days ( P = .05). Wound closure rates were significantly different, as determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusion: Our preliminary study suggests that the topical application of 0.01% recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor gel accelerates healing of separated surgical wounds. Additional studies will be required to determine comparative efficacy and effectiveness relative to the current clinical practice of wound granulation and secondary closure. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:701-4.)
Dynamics underlying synaptic gain between pairs of cortical pyramidal neurons.

Changes in connectivity between pairs of neurons can serve as a substrate for information storage and for experience-dependent changes in neuronal circuitry. Early in development, synaptic contacts form and break, but how these dynamics influence the connectivity between pairs of neurons is not known. Here we used time-lapse imaging to examine the synaptic interactions between pairs of cultured cortical pyramidal neurons, and found that the axon–dendrite contacts between each neuronal pair were composed of both a relatively stable and a more labile population. Under basal conditions, loss and gain of contacts within this labile population was well balanced and there was little net change in connectivity. Selectively increasing the levels of activated CaMKII in the postsynaptic neuron increased connectivity between pairs of neurons by increasing the rate of gain of new contacts without affecting the probability of contact loss, or the proportion of stable and labile contacts, and this increase required Calcium/calmodulin binding to CaMKII. Our data suggest that activating CaMKII can increase synaptic connectivity through a CaM-dependent increase in contact formation, followed by stabilization of a constant fraction of new contacts. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008
Improving and Applying Destructive Gauge Capability

Traditional gauge capability is an insurance against excessive variability due to the measurement tool itself. Such variability can mask the variability due to the process itself. It can lead to tw...
Effects of In‐Tank Precipitation of Sodium Aluminosilicate on Uranium Chemistry

Abstract Experiments have been conducted to examine the fate of uranium during the formation of sodium aluminosilicate (NAS) when wastes containing high aluminate concentrations are mixed with wastes of high silicate concentration. Testing was conducted at varying degrees of uranium saturation. Testing examined typical tank conditions, e.g., stagnant, slightly elevated temperature (50°C). The results showed that under sub‐saturated conditions uranium is not removed from solution to any large extent in both simulant testing and actual tank waste testing. This aspect was not thoroughly understood prior to this work and was necessary to avoid criticality issues when actual tank wastes were aggregated. There are data supporting a small removal due to sorption of uranium on sites in the NAS. Above the solubility limit the data are clear that a reduction in uranium concentration occurs concomitant with the formation of aluminosilicate. This uranium precipitation is fairly rapid and ceases when uranium reaches i...
Complexity: An Interpretability Criterion for Multiple Comparisons

Abstract This article deals with multiple comparison methods for a set of populations which can be described in terms of testing hypotheses of homogeneity of subsets. Criteria for evaluating procedures are defined in terms of the set of outcomes of all tests, termed the pattern of decisions. In particular complexity is introduced as a new criterion based on interpretability of that pattern. The criteria are defined and discussed in a general framework and then applied to the comparison of normal means. For the cases considered, results favor an F over a range procedure, and are mixed in the comparison of the F and the range procedure with a new gap procedure.
An IBM AT based monitoring system with touchscreen input

An IBM AT monitoring system is the current version of a series of monitoring system developments at Vanderbilt University. This system and its predecessors have been used in over 800 cases to date. Within the past year, this system has been upgraded with a new serial communications board and with touchscreen input. The new communications board has allowed improved communication with serial devices in the operating room, and will allow for additional devices to be added. The most dramatic improvement in the system has come from the addition of touchscreen input. Our present use of this feature has dramatically improved a casual users ability to input data into the computer system, extensions are possible to entirely get rid of the necessity of any keyboard input of data to the system under normal operations.
Automatic control for metal rolling mills: A challenge to both theoreticians and industry engineers

The steel industry is characterized by the impressive scale of its production processes and machinery, and by ever-increasing requirements of precision and accuracy on its steel products. The drive and automation systems are amongst the most sophisticated in industry. There are two approaches to the design of these hierarchical systems. One is to structure the system as a collection of single variable subsystems. The other is to use modern multivariable control techniques to synthesize the control. The authors examine experiences with both techniques and describe their experiences using simulation to study the subsystem, the process disturbances imposed, and the interactions with other subsystems. The need for improved, shorter elapsed time and lower cost design techniques remains a continuing challenge to both theoreticians and industry engineers.
Intra-urban vulnerability to heat-related mortality in New York City, 1997–2006

The health impacts of exposure to summertime heat are a significant problem in New York City (NYC) and for many cities and are expected to increase with a warming climate. Most studies on heat-related mortality have examined risk factors at the municipal or regional scale and may have missed the intra-urban variation of vulnerability that might inform prevention strategies. We evaluated whether place-based characteristics (socioeconomic/demographic and health factors, as well as the built and biophysical environment) may be associated with greater risk of heat-related mortality for seniors during heat events in NYC. As a measure of relative vulnerability to heat, we used the natural cause mortality rate ratio among those aged 65 and over (MRR65+), comparing extremely hot days (maximum heat index 100°F+) to all warm season days, across 1997-2006 for NYC's 59 Community Districts and 42 United Hospital Fund neighborhoods. Significant positive associations were found between the MRR65+ and neighborhood-level characteristics: poverty, poor housing conditions, lower rates of access to air-conditioning, impervious land cover, surface temperatures aggregated to the area-level, and seniors' hypertension. Percent Black/African American and household poverty were strong negative predictors of seniors' air conditioning access in multivariate regression analysis.
Leadership and Decision Making: A Retrospective Application and Assessment:

This paper examines the applicability of the Vroom-Yetton model of leadership and decision making to the battlefield behavior of ten commanding generals in six major battles of the American Civil War. The purpose of the paper was twofold. The first objective was to see if it is possible to utilize official war records, autobiographies, biographies of close associates, and scholarly works to reconstruct the thinking of decision makers in the past and frame this thinking within a contemporary theory of leadership and decision making. The second objective was to illustrate the potential value of using prior events as retrospective test cases for a contemporary leadership theory.Although no attempt was made to suggest that the selection of the appropriate decision making and leadership style was the determining factor in the outcome of major battles of the Civil War, the study provided some interesting findings. The findings suggest that when the selected commanders on the field acted consistently with the pr...
Computed tomography without oral contrast solution for blunt diaphragmatic injuries in abdominal trauma

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of computed tomography (CT) without oral contrast for diaphragm injuries (DIs) in blunt abdominal trauma. Methods We prospectively enrolled 500 consecutive "trauma-one" patients who received CT imaging and interpretation (CT-Read1) of the abdomen within 45 minutes of their arrival from July 2000 to December 2001. All patients were imaged without oral contrast but with intravenous contrast. Computed tomographic images were reviewed within 24 hours of admission by research radiologists (CT-Read2) blinded to CT-Read1. True DIs were determined hierarchically by either laparotomy or autopsy. Results There were 9 patients with laparotomy or autopsy-proven blunt DIs; 8 of these injuries involved the left hemidiaphragm. The CT-Read1 correctly detected only 6 of 9 blunt DIs, thus missing 3 DIs. One of these involved the right hemidiaphragm, whereas the other 2 were left sided. There were no false-positive findings with CT-Read1 for blunt DI. The sensitivity and specificity of CT imaging with respect to DI were 66.7% (95% CI, 29.9%-92.5%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.2%-100%), respectively. The PPV for the test was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.65-1.00). Conclusion Although the low number of blunt DIs in this study limits its general applicability, CT imaging of the diaphragm without oral contrast appears to perform within the range of reported imaging techniques using oral contrast. Still, CT scanning appears to have an unsatisfactorily low sensitivity to be reliably used in eliminating the diagnosis of blunt DI.
Front Versus Rear Seat Placement of Children Aged 12 or Younger Within Vehicles: A Rural/Urban Comparison in North Dakota

Objective: Research has shown that rear-seated children are 36 to 40 percent safer than front-seated children. Because of the substantial differences in traffic safety culture that appear to exist in rural areas and the limited research regarding seat placement and rurality, this study seeks to contribute to the safety literature by determining at what rate children are riding in the front seat and whether differences exist between rural and urban areas in regards to child front seat placement. Methods: Current child placement frequencies within vehicles were ascertained through direct observations of morning child drop-offs at randomly selected urban and rural elementary schools in eastern North Dakota during November and December of 2009, with a focus on children aged 12 or younger. Two observers wearing orange safety vests and carrying observation sheets were stationed at each elementary school a minimum of 45 min prior to each school's designated start time. Based on the vehicles that entered the scho...
Design and Analysis of Ceramic and CMC Components for Advanced Gas Turbines

Standard design methodology used for monolithic ceramic components uses Weibull probabilistic criteria. Finite element analysis modelling is performed to determine component reliability. Other important design considerations include time dependent behavior, ceramic to metal interfaces, and ceramic to ceramic interfaces. Design methodologies for composite structures increase the complexity of the design and analysis process due to the anisotropy of the material. This allows tailoring of the material architecture to accommodate specific component requirements.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Images of God used by self-injurious burn patients

Suicide by burning and other forms of self-injurious behaviors which involve burning are sometimes considered to have religious overtones. The ritual death of widows upon their husband's funeral pyre is closely associated with Hindu beliefs. Buddhists have used self-immolation as a form of protest. The Judaeo-Christian traditions have imagery of fire as cleansing and purifying; there is also secular imagery associating fire with images of condemnation and evil. Previous studies have described religiosity as a common theme among survivors. The present study describes the ways in which persons who inflicted self-injurious behaviors through burning, including attempted suicide, imagine the Divinity and use religious language to give meaning to their experience.
Binding Constants and Stoichiometries of Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase-Tubulin Complexes

Abstract The catalytic activity of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) decreased (almost linearly) as a function of increasing concentrations of tubulin; the total loss in activity was attained at a ratio of 1.2 to 1.8 tubulin dimer to GAPDH tetramer. Based on the inhibition data, a dissociation constant for the tubulin-GAPDH complex was calculated to be about 0.73 nM. The stoichiometry and the dissociation constants of the tubulin-GAPDH complex were found to be dependent upon the ionic strength of the assay media. Qualitatively similar results were obtained (i.e., inhibition and ionic strength effect) when the GAPDH-catalyzed reaction was measured in the presence of Sepharose-immobilized tubulin. The physical interaction between these two proteins, i.e., GAPDH and tubulin, was measured by the ability of one protein (immobilized on a Sepharose matrix) to copellet the other protein. By employing this copelleting technique, we measured the dissociation constant and stoichiometry of the immobilized tubulin-GAPDH complex to be about 6.4 nM and 0.91 tubulin dimer/GAPDH tetramer, respectively. The dissociation constant and stoichiometry thus obtained were found to be remarkably similar to those obtained by the tubulin-dependent GAPDH inhibition data. In contrast to these results, (soluble) tubulin had no effect on the catalytic activity of the immobilized GAPDH, albeit the soluble tubulin copelleted with the immobilized GAPDH. The dissociation constant and stoichiometry of immobilized GAPDH-tubulin complex were calculated to be 0.76 ± 0.13 μM and 3.23 ± 0.16 tubulin dimer/GAPDH tetramer, respectively. These data suggest that there are two classes of binding sites for tubulin on a tetrameric GAPDH; high-affinity and low-affinity sites. The enzyme is inhibited when tubulin binds at the high-affinity site while the catalytic function of the enzyme is unaffected when the tubulin binds at the low-affinity site. The latter site is suggested herein to be responsible for the crosslinking (bundling) of microtubules.
In Situ Chemical Oxidation of Contaminated Groundwater by Persulfate: Decomposition by Fe(III)- and Mn(IV)-Containing Oxides and Aquifer Materials

Persulfate (S2O82–) is being used increasingly for in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) of organic contaminants in groundwater, despite an incomplete understanding of the mechanism through which it is converted into reactive species. In particular, the decomposition of persulfate by naturally occurring mineral surfaces has not been studied in detail. To gain insight into the reaction rates and mechanism of persulfate decomposition in the subsurface, and to identify possible approaches for improving its efficacy, the decomposition of persulfate was investigated in the presence of pure metal oxides, clays, and representative aquifer solids collected from field sites in the presence and absence of benzene. Under conditions typical of groundwater, Fe(III)- and Mn(IV)-oxides catalytically converted persulfate into sulfate radical (SO4•–) and hydroxyl radical (HO•) over time scales of several weeks at rates that were 2–20 times faster than those observed in metal-free systems. Amorphous ferrihydrite was the most r...
Extended chaos and disappearance of KAM trajectories

Abstract In two-dimensional area-preserving maps, KAM trajectories serve as natural boundaries between stochastic regions. As they disappear, points may leak out from one region to the next. This escape rate is defined and related to the action-generating function. Analytic and numerical results are presented to describe the behavior of the escape rate near the disappearance of a KAM trajectory.
Implementation of a new Fe–He three-body interatomic potential for molecular dynamics simulations

A recently developed interatomic potential for He–Fe interactions includes a three-body term to stabilize the interstitial He defect in the tetrahedral position in the Fe bcc matrix and provides simultaneous agreement with the forces and energies of different atomic configurations as computed by first principles. This term makes a significant contribution to the static and dynamic properties of He in Fe. The implementation of this potential for atomistic simulations using molecular dynamics (MD) presented certain challenges which are discussed here to facilitate its further use in materials research, particularly to investigate the behavior of iron-based alloys that may be employed in fusion energy systems. Detailed results of an MD study comparing the new potential and alternate He–Fe pair potentials with different iron matrix potentials have been presented elsewhere to illustrate the impact of the He–Fe potential on He diffusion, helium clustering and the dynamics of He-vacancy clusters.
Chirped and apodized silicon gratings efficiently coupled to normally incident fiber array

A silicon grating coupler containing non-monotonic chirp, apodization, and quasi-periodicity is fabricated, re-designed, and measured. Simultaneous input/output coupling from a standard fiber array at normal incidence results in a 60% coupling efficiency per grating.
Biochemistry and pharmacology of 7α-substituted androstenediones as aromatase inhibitors

Abstract The inhibition of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for converting androgens to estrogens, is therapeutically useful for the endocrine treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Research by our laboratory has focused on developing competitive and irreversible steroidal aromatase inhibitors, with an emphasis on synthesis and biochemistry of 7α-substituted androstenediones. Numerous 7α-thiosubstituted androst-4-ene-3,17-diones are potent competitive inhibitors, and several 1,4-diene analogs, such as 7α-(4′-aminophenylthio)-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (7α-APTADD), have demonstrated effective enzyme-activated irreversible inhibition of aromatase in microsomal enzyme assays. One focus of current research is to examine the effectiveness and biochemical pharmacology of 7α-APTADD in vivo. In the hormone-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary carcinoma model system, 7α-APTADD at a 50 mg/kg/day dose caused an initial decrease in mean tumor volume during the first week, and tumor volume remained unchanged throughout the remaining 5-week treatment period. This agent lowers serum estradiol levels and inhibits ovarian aromatase activity. A second research area has focused on the synthesis of more metabolically stable inhibitors by replacing the thioether linkage at the 7α position with a carbon-carbon linkage. Several 7α-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-diones were synthesized by 1,6-conjugate additions of appropriate organocuprates to a protected androst-4,6-diene or by 1,4-conjugate additions to a seco-A-ring steroid intermediate. These compounds were all potent inhibitors of aromatase with apparent Kis ranging between 13 and 19 nM. Extension of the research on these 7α-arylaliphatic androgens includes the introduction of a C1C2 double bond in the A-ring to provide enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors. The desired 7α-arylaliphatic androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-diones were obtained from their corresponding 7α-arylaliphatic androst-4-ene-3,17-diones by oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). These inhibitors demonstrated enzyme-mediated inactivation of aromatase with apparent kinacts ranging from 4.4 × 10−4 to 1.90 x 10−3 s−1. The best inactivator of the series was 7α-phenpropylandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, which exhibited a T 1 2 of 6.08 min. Aromatase inhibition was also observed in MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cell cultures and in JAr human choriocarcinoma cell cultures, exhibiting IC50 values of 64-328 nM. The 7α-arylaliphatic androgens thus demonstrate potent inhibition of aromatase in both microsomal incubations and in choriocarcinoma cell lines expressing aromatase enzymatic activity. Additionally, the results from these studies provide further evidence for the presence of a hydrophobic binding pocket existing near the 7α-position of the steroid in the active site of aromatase. The size of the 7α-substituent influences optimal binding of steroidal inhibitors to the active site and affects the extent of enzyme-mediated inactivation observed with androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione analogs.
Elastin in the Arterial ECM: Interactions With Collagen and the Mechanical Properties After Elastin Degradation

Elastin and collagen are the main structural components in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that contribute to the anisotropic and hyperelastic passive mechanical behavior of elastic arteries. It is commonly accepted that the elastin fibers support most of the load at the onset of stretching while collagen fiber recruitment and the transition to collagen bearing the load occurs at higher pressures [1]. Various diseases lead to changes in the ECM, for example in aortic aneurysm there is reduced elastin, excess aged collagen, and fragmentation of the elastic lamellae [2]. Likewise hypertension has been shown to increase arterial collagen and wall thickness with increased stiffness [3]. Improving our knowledge of how the ECM structure affects the mechanical behavior of arteries can provide insights to disease progression and better treatment methods.© 2013 ASME
Tunable multi-wavelength all-fiber Raman source using fiber Sagnac loop filter

A multi-wavelength source is demonstrated in a cascaded-Raman fiber ring laser configuration using a tunable dual-section high birefringence fiber Sagnac loop filter. Depending on the pump powers and the cavity configurations, the source operates in the different wavelength regime between the 1120 and 1580 nm via cascaded Raman Stokes generation. The source generate up to 20 wavelength channels within the different orders of Raman Stokes wave regime with 0.4 nm channel spacing. The channel separation and the absolute wavelength of the multi-wavelength output are tunable and we show a discrete wavelength spacing of multi-wavelength output from 0.4 to 3 nm and continuous wavelength tuning over the wavelength channel spacing.
Properties of plutonium in the alpha-beta transus region

Abstract The kinetics of the initiation of the alpha-to-beta transformation in plutonium metal have been determined by measurements of electrical resistivity, both unstressed and under an applied load. It was demonstrated that the speed of the transformation increases with metal purity and that an applied stress of approximately 12 000 psi did not affect the transformation kinetics. In addition, mechanical properties were measured for plutonium at 118 and 124° C.
Increasing influenza vaccination in New York City taxi drivers: A community driven approach.

Abstract The Healthy People 2020 influenza immunization goal is 80% for non-institutionalized adults 18–64. However, vaccination rates remain stubbornly low. Culturally tailored approaches to communities with poor vaccine uptake are necessary. Taxi drivers are at risk for influenza and its complications, could serve as vectors for influenza infection, and could be an effective vaccination target to enhance herd immunity of the urban population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study related to influenza vaccination among taxi drivers. The NYC Taxi Network surveyed a convenience sample of 53 taxi drivers to understand vaccination barriers. Only 17% had been vaccinated. Results informed a pilot tailored workplace intervention, which resulted in vaccinations for 44% of unvaccinated drivers. The study revealed that older drivers were more likely to be vaccinated than younger drivers, while the most common barrier to immunization was that drivers thought vaccination was ‘not necessary’.
The volatile oil from Lophantbus anisatus benth

This investigation was undertaken with the purpose of expanding the limited information available on the volatile oil of Lopbantbus anisatus Benth. or “anise hyssop.” Variations in oils obtained from plants grown and processed under different conditions were studied. The presence of the followingoil constituents was demonstrated: Methylchavicol (main constituent), d-limonene, probably α-pinene, and a monoor bicyclic sesquiterpene. Upon standing the oil formed various methylchavicol polymers from which could be isolated two dimers, isoanethole and probably “non-sublimable” metanethole, and two unidentified ethers. It is suggested that the dimers of methylchavicol might be of interest in the study of synthetic estrogenic compounds.
Interpreting D" seismic structure using synthetic waveforms computed from dynamic models

We have formulated dynamic models of processes hypothesized to give rise to observed seismological structure at the base of the mantle. One dimensional seismic models are determined from thermo-chemical convection calculations from which synthetic waveforms are computed. Of the three scenarios studied, (1) a thermal slab, (2) a thermal slab interacting with simple chemical layer, and (3) a thermal slab interacting with a phase transition, the strength of seismic phases computed from (3) best correlates with the global geography of the observed D″ triplication. Seismic structures predicted by (1) or (2) are inconsistent with the global geography and strength of the triplication. Our successful model motivates a new class of 1-D seismic models with two mild gradients and a small discontinuity. To test this hypothesis, we searched for seismic models that both contain these features and fit D″ seismic observations. Our preferred model contains a gentle positive gradient initiated 350 km above the CMB and a 1% jump in S-velocity near 200 km. A strong negative gradient begins about 100 km above the CMB, similar to previous studies representing the lower thermal boundary layer. With the reduced first-order discontinuity, the P-wave triplication becomes too small to observe and provides a simple explanation for the observed weakness of the P in proportion to the S triplication.
Simple Formulas for Direct Design of Discrete-Time Lead Compensators

Traditionally, servo engineers have designed discrete-time lead compensators by first designing a lead compensator in the w-domain, and then converted to the z-domain by using a bilinear transformation with frequency prewarping. This technical note presents two new simple formulas for determining the zero and the pole of a discrete-time lead compensator directly in the z-domain from the desired maximum phase lead and the desired frequency at which that phase lead should occur.
Finned, multibody aerodynamic interference at transonic Mach numbers

A wind tunnel experiment involving single, double, and triple combinations of mutually interfering, generic, finned aircraft stores has been conducted. Each combination of stores was tested at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20, at angles of attack from 0 to 20 deg for the single store, and from 0 to 10 deg for the double- and triplestore configurations. Extensive body and fin pressure and flow visualization data were obtained at each store location. The data indicate that finned, multibody interference (measured on the body) in the transonic region seems to be greatest at Mach numbers near 1, and subsides as the freestream Mach number increases or decreases from sonic conditions. Although somewhat dependent on fin orientation, the inboard fins seem to experience greater multibody interference at M^ = 0.60 than at Mach numbers closer to 1. An Euler solution for the doublestore configuration (x fin orientation) at A/^ = 0.95, 0 deg angle of attack was generated and compared with these data. The generally good correlation indicates that an Euler flow solver can yield accurate predictions of the location and magnitude of multibody interference on both the body and the fins, provided the viscous effects associated with these configurations remain small.
Charging a Battery-Powered Device with a Fiber-Optically Connected Photonic Power System for Achieving High-Voltage Isolation

We are developing a system to provide isolated power to the filament power supply of an X-ray tube located at a potential of several hundred kilovolts. In this design a fiber-optically connected photonic power system (PPS) is used to recharge a lithium-ion battery pack, which will subsequently supply power to the rest of the system. This paper evaluates the suitability for using the commercially available JDSU Photonic Power System for charging Li-Ion batteries. The output of the PPC converter is characterized. The technical aspects of its use for charging a variety of Li-ion batteries are discussed. Battery charge protection requirements and safety concerns are also addressed.
Spanish-Language Learners and Latinos: Two Community-Based Projects

The growing U.S. Latino dispersal is allowing for more interactions between students of Spanish and native Spanish speakers. By working with Latino community members, Spanish instructors help meet the standards for foreign language education developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. This article describes 2 projects. In the first, students of Spanish and Latinos come together. Students tutor adult Latinos in ESL, math, and GED and citizenship preparation courses, whereas Latinos help students develop their conversational skills. In the second project, students visit local Latino businesses to make cultural comparisons and learn how Latinos enrich the community.
Chronic Ethanol Treatment and Withdrawal Alter ACPD‐Evoked Calcium Signals in Developing Purkinje Neurons

Background: Alcohol exposure during human fetal development can result in fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition characterized by central nervous system dysfunction. Detailed studies in animal models of fetal alcohol syndrome show that the cerebellar region is particularly sensitive to alcohol exposure during early development; however, the cellular mechanisms underlying the alcohol sensitivity of the immature cerebellum are poorly understood. Methods: Primary neuronal cultures of cerebellar cells were prepared from embryonic day 20 rat pups. Cultures were exposed to ethanol (33 mM; 150 mg/100 ml) during the main period of morphological development of the Purkinje neurons, from 6 to 17 days in vitro. After the ethanol treatment, the response of Purkinje neurons to the selective metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD; 300 μM) was examined in parallel fura-2 Ca2+ imaging and current-clamp experiments. In an additional set of experiments, ethanol-treated cultures were allowed to withdraw from ethanol overnight before recordings were performed. Results: In Ca2+ imaging studies, the mean peak amplitude of ACPD-evoked Ca2+ signals was depressed in the dendritic region of chronic ethanol–treated Purkinje neurons compared with control neurons (p < 0.05, unpaired t test), whereas there was no apparent difference in the somatic region. In contrast, peak ACPD-evoked Ca2+ signals were enhanced in both the somatic and dendritic regions of withdrawn Purkinje neurons compared with control neurons. Parallel current-clamp studies showed no consistent effect of chronic ethanol treatment or ethanol withdrawal on the membrane response to ACPD. Conclusions: These results show that prolonged ethanol exposure and early withdrawal lead to alterations in mGluR-evoked Ca2+ signaling in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Metabotropic GluRs in the Purkinje neuron play important roles in cerebellar development and function, suggesting that alterations of mGluR signaling pathways by ethanol may play a key role in the actions of ethanol on the developing cerebellum.
Psychosocial and psychological interventions reduce the risk of postnatal depression compared with standard care.

Commentary on: Dennis CL, Dowswell T. Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;2:CD001134.[OpenUrl][1][PubMed][2] Postpartum depression is a significant mental health problem that impacts not only women, but also their children and families. It is prevalent, affecting up to 19% of women (7% major depression alone) in the first 3 months after delivery.1 A number of efficacious interventions have been developed to treat postpartum depression.2 Despite the availability of effective interventions, women experience considerable suffering prior to the onset … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCochrane%2BDatabase%2BSyst%2BRev%26rft.volume%253D2%26rft.spage%253DCD001134%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23450532%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=23450532&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F17%2F2%2F38.atom
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase: The Story of A Misguided DNA Polymerase

Nearly every DNA polymerase characterized to date exclusively catalyzes the incorporation of mononucleotides into a growing primer using a DNA or RNA template as a guide to direct each incorporation event. There is, however, one unique DNA polymerase designated terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase that performs DNA synthesis using only single-stranded DNA as the nucleic acid substrate. In this chapter, we review the biological role of this enigmatic DNA polymerase and the biochemical mechanism for its ability to perform DNA synthesis in the absence of a templating strand. We compare and contrast the molecular events for template-independent DNA synthesis catalyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase with other well-characterized DNA polymerases that perform template-dependent synthesis. This includes a quantitative inspection of how terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase binds DNA and dNTP substrates, the possible involvement of a conformational change that precedes phosphoryl transfer, and kinetic steps that are associated with the release of products. These enzymatic steps are discussed within the context of the available structures of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in the presence of DNA or nucleotide substrate. In addition, we discuss the ability of proteins involved in replication and recombination to regulate the activity of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Finally, the biomedical role of this specialized DNA polymerase is discussed focusing on its involvement in cancer development and its use in biomedical applications such as labeling DNA for detecting apoptosis.
THE RACES THAT CONSTITUTE THE GROUP OF COMMON FIBROBLASTS : III. DIFFERENCES DETERMINED BY ORIGIN OF EXPLANT AND AGE OF DONOR.

1. Races of fibroblasts that are functionally distinct have been isolated from the various tissues and organs of a single chick embryo. 2. Functionally distinct races of fibroblasts have also been isolated from corresponding parts of embryos of different ages. 3. Under the conditions of the experiments, and for the particular races of fibroblasts that have been studied, it has not been possible to demonstrate a gradual decrease, or a gradual increase, in the rate of multiplication of fibroblasts obtained from corresponding parts of embryos of gradually increasing ages. 4. Experiments made on strains of fibroblasts derived from the mesonephros and metanephros of a 16 day chick embryo have indicated that the rate of multiplication of these cells in a given medium reflects the physiological state, at the moment of isolation, of the particular part of the embryo from which they are obtained. 5. The rate of multiplication of a given race of fibroblasts in a particular medium does not serve, necessarily, as an index of the age of the individual from which the race is derived. 6. The functional differences that distinguish the various races of fibroblasts are permanent; they are retained by the cells from passage to passage indefinitely, despite such attempts as have thus far been made to change them.
Foker process for the correction of long gap esophageal atresia: Primary treatment versus secondary treatment after prior esophageal surgery

Abstract Purpose The Foker process (FP) uses tension-induced growth for primary esophageal reconstruction in patients with long gap esophageal atresia (LGEA). It has been less well described in LGEA patients who have undergone prior esophageal reconstruction attempts. Methods All cases of LGEA treated at our institution from January 2005 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who initially had esophageal surgery elsewhere were considered secondary FP cases. Demographics, esophageal evaluations, and complications were collected. Median time to esophageal anastomosis and full oral nutrition was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox-proportional hazards regression identified potential risk factors. Results Fifty-two patients were identified, including 27 primary versus 25 secondary FP patients. Median time to anastomosis was 14 days for primary and 35 days for secondary cases (p Conclusions The FP has been successful in repairing infants with primary LGEA, but the secondary LGEA patients proved to be more challenging to achieve a primary esophageal anastomosis. Early referral to a multidisciplinary esophageal center and a flexible approach to establish continuity in secondary patients is recommended. Given their complexity, larger studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and discern optimal strategies for reconstruction.
Origin and Evolution of Lunettes on the High Plains of Texas and New Mexico

Lunettes—isolated dunes on the lee side of playa basins—are common landforms on the Southern High Plains of northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico. The dunes contain calcareous (15–40% CaCO3) sandy loam or loamy sand, with minor amounts of sepiolite, deposited 25,000–800014C yr B.P. and derived by deflation of lacustrine carbonate in the basins. The dunes also contain low carbonate (0–15% CaCO3) sand or loamy sand that was deposited 25,000–15,000 yr B.P. and 8000–5000 yr B.P. and was derived by deflation that created the basins or deflated from sand deposited in the basins. Buried soils are common in the lunettes: A-Bk profiles characterize soils formed in the calcareous sandy loam; the sandy low-carbonate sediments contain A-Bt profiles in the oldest sand of some dunes, and A-Bw, A-Bt, or A-Btk in the early and middle Holocene sand. The dune stratigraphy, combined with carbon isotope data (derived from dated A-horizons in lunettes), suggests the following scenario for the Southern High Plains. The lunettes began forming as low-carbonate sand dunes in the late Pleistocene as playa basins were formed or deepened by wind erosion. The erosion repeatedly alternated with stability. The environment probably was cool and dry, but one or more cool and wet intervals 25,000–15,000 yr B.P. resulted in a rise in the water table and deposition of lacustrine carbonate in the deepest basins. There may have been short departures toward warmer (and probably toward drier) conditions throughout this time. Episodically dry conditions 15,000–8,000 yr B.P. resulted in deflation of the carbonate and further dune construction by repeated accretion of calcareous sandy loam or loamy sand. The low carbonate sand was deposited during widespread drought and deflation 8000–5000 yr B.P. The dunes have been largely stable in the late Holocene.
Equation of motion coupled cluster methods for electron attachment and ionization potential in polyacenes

Abstract Polyacenes have attracted considerable attention due to their various applications in organic optoelectronic materials. This study focuses on linear polyacenes and their electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) properties. We have employed our recent implementation of EA/IP equation of motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EA/IP-EOMCCSD) methods which are accurate, computationally efficient and are capable of treating large systems employing reasonable basis sets size. The EA/IP results obtained for naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene, pentacene, hexacene and heptacene are in a good agreement with experiment. Comparison between quality of excitation energies obtained from IP-EOMCCSD and EE-EOMCCSD formalisms were also studied.
Shape-shifting liquid crystals

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) contain tens of thousands of pixels filled with a birefringent fluid known as a liquid crystal, in which molecular orientations fluctuate (like a liquid) but still have an average alignment (like a crystal). The moving images we see on a display are created by controlling the net orientation of the molecules, which changes the optical polarization of the liquid so that it either blocks or transmits light. But what if instead of producing an image on a flat screen, your LCD television could transform into different three-dimensional (3D) objects, and then back to a flat screen? Is it possible for soft materials to reproduce shapes instead of images? On page 982 of this issue, Ware et al. ( 1 ) demonstrate this possibility with liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs).
Displacement of fluid droplets from solid surfaces in low-Reynolds-number shear flows

The yield conditions for the displacement of fluid droplets from solid boundaries are studied through a series of numerical computations. The study includes gravitational and interfacial forces, but is restricted to two-dimensional droplets and low-Reynolds-number flow. A comprehensive study is conducted, covering a wide range of viscosity ratio λ, Bond number Bd, capillary number Ca and contact angles θA and θR. The yield conditions for drop displacement are calculated and the critical shear rates are presented as functions Ca(λ, Bd, θA, Δθ) where Δθ=θA−θR is the contact angle hysteresis. The numerical solutions are based on the spectral boundary element method, incorporating a novel implementation of Newton's method for the determination of equilibrium free surface profiles. The numerical results are compared with asymptotic theories (Dussan 1987) based on the lubrication approximation. While excellent agreement is found in the joint asymptotic limits Δθ[Lt ]θA[Lt ]1, the useful range of the lubrication models proves to be extremely limited. The critical shear rate is found to be sensitive to viscosity ratio with qualitatively different results for viscous and inviscid droplets. Gravitational forces normal to the solid boundary have a significant effect on the displacement process, reducing the critical shear rate for viscous drops and increasing the rate for inviscid droplets. The low-viscosity limit λ→0 is shown to be a singular limit in the lubrication theory, and the proper scaling for Ca at small λ is identified.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Welfare-Homicide Relationship Testing Two (Nonreductionist) Macro-Level Theories

Drawing on the social altruism and social threat hypotheses, the present investigation challenges prior macro-level studies that assume that there is a nonrecursive relationship between welfare transfers and the aggregate level of homicide. The bivariate auto-regressive integrated moving average analyses of the number of individuals receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC)benefits and total and disaggregated counts of homicide reveal no evidence of simultaneity bias. However, as predicted by social altruism theory, the results support the conclusion that prior research is probably tainted by offense aggregation bias. That is, the number of AFDC recipients is, as predicted, negatively associated with the level of familial homicides but is not associated with either the level of nonfamily, felony-related, nonfelony-related, or total homicides. The implications of these findings for the welfare-crime relationship are discussed.