cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of protein extraction from Spirulina platensis to generate a potential co-product and a biofuel feedstock with reduced nitrogen content

The current work reports protein extraction from Spirulina platensis cyanobacterial biomass in order to simultaneously generate a potential co-product and a biofuel feedstock with reduced nitrogen content. S. platensis cells were subjected to cell disruption by high pressure homogenization and subsequent protein isolation by solubilisation at alkaline pH followed by precipitation at acidic pH. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the process parameters - pH, extraction (solubilisation/precipitation) time and biomass concentration for obtaining maximum protein yield. The optimized process conditions were found to be pH 11.38, solubilisation time of 35 min and biomass concentration of 3.6 % (w/w) solids for the solubilisation step, and pH 4.01 and precipitation time of 60 min for the precipitation step. At the optimized conditions, a high protein yield of 60.7 % (w/w) was obtained. The protein isolate (co-product) had a higher protein content (80.6 % (w/w)), lower ash (1.9 % (w/w)) and mineral content and was enriched in essential amino acids, the nutritious γ-lenolenic acid and other high-value unsaturated fatty acids compared to the original biomass. The residual biomass obtained after protein extraction had lower nitrogen content and higher total non-protein content than the original biomass. The loss of about 50 % of the total lipids from this fraction did not impact its composition significantly owing to the low lipid content of S.platensis (8.03 %).
Effect of Sediment Manipulation on the Biogeochemistry of Experimental Sediment Systems

Abstract Before biological or biogeochemical experimentation, sediments are often manipulated and defaunated with the use of many different approaches and only modest consideration of treatment effects on sediment biogeochemistry and fluxes. Mesocosm experiments require large quantities of sediment and no standard protocol to defaunate and equilibrate muddy sediments before initiation of experiments has been determined. Using fine-grained sediments, we examined a number of treatments: (1) intact with macroinfauna; (2) intact, macroinfauna individually removed; (3) homogenized surface sediment with macrofauna; (4) homogenized deep sediment without macroinfauna; and (5) intact deep sediment without macroinfauna. In weekly batch core flux incubations, we measured dissolved oxygen, dinitrogen gas, ammonium (NH4+), nitrate plus nitrite (NO3− + NO2−), silicate (Si), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) fluxes over a 5-week period. In addition, we determined porewater ammonium concentrations over time. Differen...
TEP/ICB Method for Neutral Particle Transport

Extensions of the transport/escape probabilities (TEP) and interface current balance (ICB) methods for neutral particle transport are presented. An evaluation of the accuracy of various assumptions made in the implementation of the methods is summarized. Comparison with Monte Carlo and an experiment in DIII-D are presented.
Stress, social support and pregnancy outcome: a reassessment based on recent research

We present an assessment of studies published in the last decade that consider the relationship of stress and social support to preterm delivery or fetal growth retardation. Included in the review are all reports on the direct effects of stressors or psychological distress; the indirect effects of stressors or distress through health behaviours such as smoking; and the direct and buffering effects of social support. Although an important stimulus for recent stress research has been the attempt to explain racial and social class differences in birth outcome, the recent data show that stressful life events during pregnancy, though more common in disadvantaged groups, do not increase the risk of preterm birth. In contrast, intimate social support from a partner or family member appears to improve fetal growth, even for women with little life stress. Questions unanswered by the research to date are whether elevated levels of depressive symptoms affect pregnancy outcome, either directly or by encouraging negative health behaviours, and whether chronic (vs. acute) stressors are harmful. Additional research is also needed to determine whether psychosocial factors interact with specific clinical conditions to promote adverse pregnancy outcomes. Focusing on intimate support and how it benefits pregnancy outcome could lead to the design of more effective interventions.
Thermal protection studies of plastic films and fibrous materials

The thermal protection properties of various film and woven materials were studied using an experimental method of radiant heating. The materials studied included aluminized and unaluminized synthetic plastic films and fibrous materials like silicon carbide and phenolic novolac. It is shown that a thin metallized coating with good reflectivity significantly enhances the heat blocking capability of a variety of insulative materials.
Gender Segregation and Gender-Typing in Adolescence

We investigated correlates of gender segregation among adolescent (15–17 yrs) boys (N = 60) and girls (N = 85) from the Mid-Atlantic United States. Seventy-two percent of peers nominated for “hanging out” were the same gender as the adolescent. Girls’ gender segregation was correlated with gender reference-group identity and believing girls are more responsive communicative partners than boys. Girls were more likely to endorse feminine, expressive traits, a cooperative activity orientation, and to believe in the greater communicative responsiveness of same- vs. other-gender peers. Boys and girls were equally likely to endorse masculine, instrumental traits, competitive activity orientations, and to identify same-gender others as a reference group. We consider implications of the developmental persistence of gender segregation for gender-typing.
Synthesis of optimal fault-tolerant supervisor for discrete event systems

In an earlier work (Q. Wien et al., 2007), (2007), we introduced a framework for fault-tolerant supervisory control of discrete event systems and presented a necessary and sufficient condition for its existence. Here we propose an approach to synthesize an optimal fault-tolerant supervisory controller. Given a discrete event plant with both faulty and nonfaulty behaviors, an optimal fault-tolerant supervisor we synthesize enforces a set of behaviors in which (i) a recovery is guaranteed within a bounded delay following any fault, (ii) the enforced set of nonfaulty behaviors are maximized, and (iii) the enforced set of faulty behaviors prior to the recovery are minimized. An example is given to illustrate the approach.
The assessment of subjective well-being (issues raised by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire)

This commentary raises conceptual issues related to recent efforts to develop measures of subjective wellbeing (SWB).Specifically, Hills’ and Argyle’s (2002) article on the development of the 29-item Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), and its predecessor, the 20-item Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, Martin & Crossland, 1989).Instead of assessing the structure of subjective well-being (SWB), items of the OHQ tap into self-esteem, sense of purpose, social interest and kindness, sense of humor, and aesthetic appreciation.The item content of the OHQ fails to differentiate the assessment of SWB from the predictors, correlates, and consequences of SWB.In contrast to published SWB findings with other measures, data are presented suggesting that the OHQ has artificially inflated correlations with those constructs tapped by the OHQ: self-esteem, sense of purpose, and social interest/extraversion.The operationalization of SWB by the OHQ is not based on relevant definition and theory and appears to invite nonrandom error into the study of SWB.The article concludes with an appeal for the use of more stringent conceptual and analytic approaches. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd.All rights reserved.
The Ultraviolet sky surveys: filling the gap in our view of the Universe

The GALEX mission is performing imaging and spectroscopic surveys of the sky at Ultraviolet wavelengths, and providing unprecedented sky maps in two UV bands, far-UV and near-UV, and catalogs of UV sources. I will describe the major surveys accomplished so far, and results in investigating the nature of the UV sources. The UV surveys, linked to a multi-wavelength archive, offer great sensitivity to detect and characterize several classes of astrophysical objects, such as low-redshift QSOs, star-forming galaxies, and white dwarfs (WD) in the Milky Way. Efforts towards obtaining a significant census of WDs from GALEX imaging data are described in particular. A dedicated, deep survey of nearby galaxies provides a snapshot of their recent star formation, shedding new light on the process of star formation and its modalities in different environments and conditions. Deep GALEX data revealed young stellar populations in extreme outskirts of spiral galaxies, previously thought to be stable against star formation given their low density. UV measurements for millions of nearby and distant galaxies map the history and probe the causes of star formation in the Universe over the redshift range z=0–2.
Nonexistence, Vague Existence, Merely Possible Existence

This paper explores a new non-deflationary approach to the puzzle of nonexistence and its cousins. On this approach, we can, under a plausible assumption, express true de re propositions about certain objects that don't exist, exist indeterminately or exist merely possibly. The defense involves two steps: First, to argue that if we can actually designate what individuates a nonexistent target object with respect to possible worlds in which that object does exist, then we can express a de re proposition about "it". Second, to adapt the concept of outer truth with respect to a possible world – a concept familiar from actualist modal semantics – for use in representing the actual world.
Relationships between Brain Activation and Brain Structure in Normally Developing Children

Dynamic changes in brain structure, activation, and cognitive abilities co-occur during development, but little is known about how changes in brain structure relate to changes in cognitive function or brain activity. By using cortical pattern matching techniques to correlate cortical gray matter thickness and functional brain activity over the entire brain surface in 24 typically developing children, we integrated structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging data with cognitive test scores to identify correlates of mature performance during orthographic processing. Fast-naming individuals activated the right fronto-parietal attention network in response to novel fonts more than slow-naming individuals, and increased activation of this network was correlated with more mature brain morphology in the same fronto-parietal region. These relationships remained even after effects of age or general cognitive ability were statistically controlled. These results localized cortical regions where mature morphology corresponds to mature patterns of activation, and may suggest a role for experience in mediating brain structure–activation relationships.
Area spectrum from quasinormal modes of a Lifshitz black hole in 2+1 dimensions

In this paper, we have studied the area and mass spectrum of a Lifshitz black hole in 2+1 dimensions. This black hole is obtained for conformal gravity in 2+1 dimensions and is asymptotic to z = 0 Lifshitz spacetime. Quasinormal modes (QNM) frequencies of the conformally coupled scalar field perturbations are employed for the purpose of analyzing the area spectrum of the black hole. We have used two methods: modified Hod's conjecture and Kunsttater's method. In both methods, the area and the mass spectrum is shown to be equally spaced. We compared our results with the area spectrum of the BTZ black hole and the z = 3 black hole and made suggestions to extend this work in the future.
Decentralized dynamic power control for cellular CDMA systems

The control of transmit power has been recognized as an essential requirement in the design of cellular code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. Indeed, power control allows for mobile users to share radio resources equitably and efficiently in a multicell environment. Much of the work on power control for CDMA systems found in the literature assumes a quasi-static channel model, i.e., the channel gains of the users are assumed to be constant over a sufficiently long period of time for the control algorithm to converge. In this paper, the design of dynamic power control algorithms for CDMA systems is considered without the quasi-static channel restriction. The design problem is posed as a tradeoff between the desire for users to maximize their individual quality of service and the need to minimize interference to other users. The dynamic nature of the wireless channel for mobile users is incorporated in the problem definition. Based on a cost minimization framework, an optimal multiuser solution is derived. The multiuser solution is shown to decouple, and effectively converge, to a single-user solution in the large system asymptote, where the number of users and the spreading factor both go to infinity with their ratio kept constant. In a numerical study, the performance of a simple threshold policy is shown to be near that of the optimal single-user policy. This offers support to the threshold decision rules that are employed in current cellular CDMA systems.
Retrofitting legacy code for authorization policy enforcement

Researchers have argued that the best way to construct a secure system is to proactively integrate security into the design of the system. However, this tenet is rarely followed because of economic and practical considerations. Instead, security mechanisms are added as the need arises, by retrofitting legacy code. Existing techniques to do so are manual and ad hoc, and often result in security holes. We present program analysis techniques to assist the process of retrofitting legacy code for authorization policy enforcement. These techniques can be used to retrofit legacy servers, such as X window, Web, proxy, and cache servers. Because such servers manage multiple clients simultaneously, and offer shared resources to clients, they must have the ability to enforce authorization policies. A developer can use our techniques to identify security-sensitive locations in legacy servers, and place reference monitor calls to mediate these locations. We demonstrate our techniques by retrofitting the X11 server to enforce authorization policies on its X clients.
Heterodimerization of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Specificity and Functional Significance

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface receptors that mediate physiological responses to a diverse array of stimuli. GPCRs have traditionally been thought to act as monomers, but recent evidence suggests that GPCRs may form dimers (or higher-order oligomers) as part of their normal trafficking and function. In fact, certain GPCRs seem to have a strict requirement for heterodimerization to attain proper surface expression and functional activity. Even those GPCRs that do not absolutely require heterodimerization may still specifically associate with other GPCR subtypes, sometimes resulting in dramatic effects on receptor pharmacology, signaling, and/or internalization. Understanding the specificity and functional significance of GPCR heterodimerization is of tremendous clinical importance since GPCRs are the molecular targets for numerous therapeutic drugs.
Biogeochemical Redox Processes and their Impact on Contaminant Dynamics

Life and element cycling on Earth is directly related to electron transfer (or redox) reactions. An understanding of biogeochemical redox processes is crucial for predicting and protecting environmental health and can provide new opportunities for engineered remediation strategies. Energy can be released and stored by means of redox reactions via the oxidation of labile organic carbon or inorganic compounds (electron donors) by microorganisms coupled to the reduction of electron acceptors including humic substances, iron-bearing minerals, transition metals, metalloids, and actinides. Environmental redox processes play key roles in the formation and dissolution of mineral phases. Redox cycling of naturally occurring trace elements and their host minerals often controls the release or sequestration of inorganic contaminants. Redox processes control the chemical speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, and mobility of many major and trace elements including Fe, Mn, C, P, N, S, Cr, Cu, Co, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Tc, a...
Interleukin-15 Enhances Cytotoxicity, Receptor Expression, and Expansion of Neonatal Natural Killer Cells in Long-Term Culture

Newborn infants have a higher susceptibility to various pathogens due to developmental defects in their host defense system, including deficient natural killer (NK) cell function. In this study, the effects of interleukin-15 (IL-15) on neonatal NK cells was examined for up to 12 weeks in culture. The cytotoxicity of fresh neonatal mononuclear cells (MNC) as assayed by K562 cell killing is initially much less than that of adult MNC but increases more than eightfold after 2 weeks of culture with IL-15 to a level equivalent to that of adult cells. This high level of cytotoxicity was maintained for up to 12 weeks. In antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays using CEM cells coated with human immunodeficiency virus gp120 antigen, IL-15 greatly increased ADCC lysis by MNC from cord blood. IL-15 increased expression of the CD16+ CD56+ NK markers of cord MNC fivefold after 5 weeks of incubation. Cultures of neonatal MNC with IL-15 for up to 10 weeks resulted in a unique population of CD3− CD8+ CD56+ cells (more than 60%), which are not present in fresh cord MNC. These results show that IL-15 can stimulate neonatal NK cells and sustain their function for several weeks, which has implications for the clinical use of IL-15.
THE EFFECT OF RESTRICTION OF PROTEIN INTAKE ON THE SERUM PROTEIN CONCENTRATION OF THE RAT.

Rats placed on a low protein diet for 21 weeks, in spite of marked loss of body weight, showed no significant decrease of serum protein concentration aside from an initial (physiological ?) drop.
IMMUNE AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF WESTERN BLUEBIRDS AND ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS TO SOIL CONTAMINANTS

During the past two decades, a critical need has developed to determine how exposure to contaminants in the environment affects individual and population processes. In this study, the immunocompetence of Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana) and Ash- throated Flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) was studied on a landscape-soil contaminant gradient at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico during 1997-1999. A variety of contaminants (heavy metals, chemicals, insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and radioactive isotopes) range across different spatial scales and concentrations on LANL land. The two species have similar life-history traits, except that the Ash-throated Flycatcher has a faster rate of development and fledges 4-5 days earlier than the bluebird. The number of active nest boxes increased from 1997 to 1998 and 1999 for the Western Bluebird, but not for the Ash-throated Flycatcher. Survival of nestling flycatchers was lower in areas within 60 m of a potential contaminant release site, with a higher survivorship function associated with boxes farther away. The two species did not differ in their response to antigens, and there was no difference between locations for immunocompetence for either species. Flycatcher nestlings had a higher average cell-mediated response than bluebird nestlings, as predicted by the faster rate of development of the flycatchers. Phytohemag- glutinin response varied between locations for both species. The cell-mediated effects were dynamic in that, in general, the same locations showed similar patterns for each year. Hematocrits steadily increased with age for both species and varied between locations for the bluebird, but not the flycatcher.
Assessing the Current Role of Fixed Income and Risk Assets

Given the significant rally in stocks, high-yield bonds, and other “risky” assets such as REITs, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities, the memory of 2008 may be fading in investors’ minds. However, with the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program nearing its end and the potential for a rise in short-term interest rates, these investments have become increasingly vulnerable to a significant downturn. Corporations are now generally experiencing stagnating profit margins and weak growth, and high-yield bonds have risen to a point where their spread over comparable Treasury securities is hovering at historical lows. Given these conditions, investors should think about decreasing their exposure to these risky assets. But what should be purchased with the funds? We provide insight into the current conditions in the financial markets that have made risky assets vulnerable for a pullback and suggest what assets should be purchased in their place.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Therapeutic Community Treatment: A Stage 1 Trial

Objective: This trial compared Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, adapted for therapeutic community treatment (MBTC), with treatment as usual (TAU) for reducing stress and increasing retention in ...
Response to maternal separation in infant guinea pigs exposed to intrapartum meperidine.

We investigated whether opiate analgesics as commonly administered to women during labor would affect later response to maternal separation in infant guinea pigs. Meperidine hydrochloride (10–15 mg/kg i.m.) was administered to late-pregnant guinea pigs 5 min prior to labor induction with oxytocin. On Day 11 or 12 postnatal, pup distress vocalizations, locomotor activity, and plasma cortisol were measured under one of two conditions: alone (alone in a novel environment for 30 min) or mother (with the dam in the novel environment). Female pups exposed to intrapartum meperidine emitted fewer vocalizations than controls in the alone condition. Plasma cortisol was higher in meperidine females in the alone condition than in controls at the end of the separation period, but the difference was not significant. There was no drug effect on vocalizations or cortisol in males. Neither test condition nor drug affected activity level. The data suggest that intrapartum opiates may alter separation-induced distress in female guinea pig infants. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inhibition of erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity during anticipatory hypoventilation in micropigs.

Abstract Previous studies with micropigs showed that conditioned suppression of respiration preceding the onset of an avoidance task was associated with increased pCO2, decreased plasma pH, decreased hematocrit, and increased blood pressure with no change in heart rate. Voluntary hypoventilation by humans, which evoked similar effects, was found to elicit increases in plasma endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLF) and decreases in erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase. The present study investigated plasma EDLF and Na,K-ATpase activity in micropigs preceding and during avoidance sessions. Compared with levels in a controlled environment, 1 h of quiet waiting for the onset of a 30-min avoidance task was associated with hypoventilation, acidification of the plasma, and a decrease in hematocrit with progressive increases in plasma EDLF, and decreases in erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity (1.67 ± 0.35 v 2.73 ± 0.24 μmol Pi/mL er/h). Systolic blood pressure increased (126.5 ± 5.7 v 121.7 ± 4.2 mm Hg) during preavoidance periods, with no changes in heart rate (89.5 ± 3.9 v 89.4 ± 4.0 beats/min). During the avoidance sessions, plasma EDLF, systolic blood pressure (126.7 ± 4.5 mm Hg), and heart rate (107.3 ± 4.8 beats/min) were elevated above the first 10 min of preavoidance, whereas Na,K-ATPase activity returned toward control values (2.46 ± 0.83 μmol Pi/mL er/h). These findings are consistent with the view that elevation of blood pressure during behaviorally induced hypoventilation in micropigs is mediated in part by inhibition of Na,K-ATPase by increases in plasma EDLF due to expanded plasma volume. Am J Hypertens 1996;9:1126–1131
Mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene refine differential diagnostic criteria in renal cell carcinoma.

Background and Objectives Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) with abundant granular cytoplasm include oncocytomas, eosinophillic variants of chromophobe RCC, papillary RCC, collecting duct carcinoma, and some conventional (clear cell) RCC. Tumors with predominantly clear cell cytoplasm include typical chromophobe RCC and conventional (clear cell) RCC. The objective of this study was to determine if mutations in the VHL gene can serve as auxiliary diagnostic criteria in refining histology based subtyping of renal epithelial neoplasia. Methods The study cohort of 67 cases included 24 conventional RCC, 14 chromophobe RCC, 14 papillary RCC, and 15 oncocytomas. Single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) was used as a screening procedure for mutations followed by automated sequencing to identify mutations. Results Thirteen of the 14 mutations identified were novel, seven of which were in the coding region. In chromophobe RCC, mutations clustered in the 5′UTR/promoter region and have not been previously reported. Exon 3 appeared to favor conventional (clear cell) RCC and correlated with a more aggressive phenotype. Mutations were absent in the papillary and oncocytoma RCC subtypes. Conclusions Exon 3 mutations permitted a morphological distinction between conventional (clear cell) RCC and chromophobe RCC with clear cells. Mutations in the VHL gene refine histologic diagnostic criteria in RCC serving as adjuncts to the present morphology based diagnosis of RCC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;80:52–60. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lasting effects of early environmental influences

As commonly used the phrase ‘early influences’ denotes the conditioning of behavior by the experiences of very early life. Early experiences however do more than conditioning behavioural patterns; they also affect profoundly and lastingly many biological characteristics of the adult. I shall show that in animals events occurring during the very first days of life determine the initial growth rate the maximum adult size the efficiency in utilization of food and the resistance to infection malnutrition and other stressful stimuli. Early influences are of course at least [as] important in human life as they are in animal life. In fact the experiments to be reported here were designed to provide experimental models for the study of socio-medical problems first recognized in human populations. (excerpt)
RB activity alters checkpoint response and chemosensitivity in lung cancer lines

Background The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB) is a key regulator of cell cycle progression and is functionally inactivated in the majority of human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The specific influence of RB on therapeutic response in NSCLC remains elusive. Materials and methods We investigated the consequence of reintroduction of RB on checkpoint response and chemosensitivity in NSCLC cell lines. RB introduction into RB-proficient (NCI-H1299) and -deficient (H1734, H2172) NSCLC cells was achieved by adenoviral infection. RB/E2F target gene expression was determined by immunoblot analysis. Cell cycle response and viability after chemotherapeutic exposure were assessed by flow cytometry and MTT viability assay. Results RB reconstitution in RB-deficient lines restored regulation of topoIIα, thymidylate synthase, and cyclin A. Similarly, RB overexpression in RB-proficient cells caused further regulation of some RB/E2F target genes including thymidylate synthase and topoIIα. In addition, RB overexpression resulted in restoration of the G1 arrest mechanism. Exposure of RB-proficient cells to cisplatin, etoposide, or 5-fluorouracil elicited arrest in various phases of the cell cycle while lines deficient for RB exhibited different checkpoint responses. However, introduction of RB restored ability to arrest following chemotherapeutic exposure. Chemotherapeutic challenge resulted in varying effects on cellular viability independent of RB status, yet restoration of RB activity conferred partial chemoresistance. Conclusions These results demonstrate that RB reconstitution into RB-deficient NSCLC lines establishes regulation of certain RB/E2F target genes and restores G1 arrest mechanisms. Furthermore, introduction of RB enhances the G1 checkpoint response to chemotherapeutics and decreases chemosensitivity. Knowledge of RB-dependent chemosensitivity may ultimately contribute to individualized therapy based on molecular characterization of tumors.
How the Marvel Cinematic Universe Represents Our Quality World: An Integration of Reality Therapy/Choice Theory and Cinema Therapy

AbstractThis article presents the integration of cinematherapy with William Glasser’s reality therapy/choice theory. This article also addresses the need to integrate reality therapy/choice theory and the therapeutic intervention known as “cinematherapy” to help students conceptualize the constructs of Glasser’s choice theory and to help novice cinema therapists address Glasser’s themes in their clients’ lives (i.e., fun, survival, power, freedom, love, and belonging). This integration will be helpful to not only students and clients, but also to the community of therapists who will intend to use cinematherapy as a therapeutic and creative intervention.
Control of a climbing robot using real-time convex optimization

Abstract This paper presents a controller for a free-climbing robot. Given a pre-planned path, a loop is closed around desired robot chassis position to generate cartesian feedback forces. A convex optimization problem is then solved in real-time to find a torque input to the robot that will achieve these feedback forces while not exceeding torque limits or violating friction constraints. The effectiveness of this controller is demonstrated both in simulation and with experimental hardware.
Recursion Method for Calculating the Spatial Distribution of Resonance Absorptions

The spatial distribution of neutrons absorbed in their first collision within a slab which has a single level BreitWigner resonance absorption cross section and a constant scattering cross section is calculated. The angular and energy distribution of neutrons is known at the slab surface. (N.W.R.)
Sexual Activity Between Minors, Prostitution, and Prosecutorial Discretion: What Difference Should Age and Sex Make?

This article analyzes the role of gender stereotypes in prosecutorial and judicial decision making through the lens of two cases: Commonwealth v. Bernardo B., 453 Mass. 159 (2008), and United States v. Robinson, Cv. No. 08-10309-MLW (D. Mass. Jan. 20, 2009). The author concludes that 20 years after the "Report of the Gender Bias Study of the Court System of Massachusetts" and 10 years following the release of the "Report of the First Circuit Gender, Race and Ethnic Bias Task Forces" gender stereotypes about the appropriate behavior of girls and women are still in evidence in prosecutorial and judicial decision making.
Prevention of Sudden Death: Selection of Patients at Risk

Prevention of sudden death requires identification of patients at risk, elucidation of the pathophysiology of the lethal event, and definition of appropriate therapy. As yet, achievement of these three goals is incomplete. Patients generally do not undergo currently available testing procedures (which are at best not totally predictive) until potential risk is heralded by some clinical event. Thus, patients with clinically silent or asymptomatic electrical instability or with coronary artery/ischemic heart disease without angina pectoris may not enter the health care system before an episode of sudden death. Moreover, even if descriptors of risk are noted prospectively, the pathophysiology of sudden lethal events is incompletely understood. The nature and clinical importance of subcellular biochemical abnormalities leading to cardiac electrical instability largely are unknown, and the relationship between chronic, irreversible electrical instability and active ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease remains unclear. Finally, even when risk and likely mechanism of death both are identified in an individual patient, current pharmacological and surgical therapies offer incomplete protection against the lethal event.
Is Monte Carlo noise removal feasible

The Monte Carlo (MC) method has long been viewed as the ultimate dose distribution computational technique, due to its capability of realistically accounting for underlying physical processes and anatomical information. The inherent stochastic fluctuations (i.e., noise) in the resulting dose distributions, however, have several important effects: noise will affect estimations of all the relevant dosimetric and radiobiological indices [1]; noise degrades the resulting visualizations, e.g. isodose plots, which are used to guide treatment planning; and the noise level dictates the computation time.
Inhibition of telomerase RNA decay rescues telomerase deficiency caused by dyskerin or PARN defects

Mutations in the human telomerase RNA component (hTR), the telomerase ribonucleoprotein component dyskerin (DKC1) and the poly(A) RNase (PARN) can lead to reduced levels of hTR and to dyskeratosis congenita (DC). However, the enzymes and mechanisms responsible for hTR degradation are unknown. We demonstrate that defects in dyskerin binding lead to hTR degradation by PAPD5-mediated oligoadenylation, which promotes 3'-to-5' degradation by EXOSC10, as well as decapping and 5'-to-3' decay by the cytoplasmic DCP2 and XRN1 enzymes. PARN increased hTR levels by deadenylating hTR, thereby limiting its degradation by EXOSC10. Telomerase activity and proper hTR localization in dyskerin- or PARN-deficient cells were rescued by knockdown of DCP2 and/or EXOSC10. Prevention of hTR RNA decay also led to a rescue of localization of DC-associated hTR mutants. These results suggest that inhibition of RNA decay pathways might be a useful therapy for some telomere pathologies.
D-Lab and MIT IDEAS Global Challenge: Lessons in Mentoring, Transdisciplinarity and Real World Engineering for Sustainable Development

This paper reflects on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s D-Lab and IDEAS Global Challenge pedagogy over the past 14 years (2002–2015). The MIT IDEAS Global Challenge, a program of the MIT Public Service Center, is an annual invention and entrepreneurship competition that awards up to $10,000 per MIT team for innovations and service projects that positively impact underserved communities. IDEAS student teams work with a community partner on projects that are designed to improve the quality of life globally. Since its founding in 2002, IDEAS has awarded more than $600,000 to 132 teams. D-Lab Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Environmental Innovations for the Common Good (D-Lab WASH + ENV) is a MIT course offered for the past 10 years within a curriculum of over 20 D-Lab classes in international development. This author has mentored several hundred student teams that have entered the IDEAS Global Challenge, mostly through this course D-Lab WASH + ENV, including 26 winning teams. Eighty-one percent of these IDEAS winning teams have been led by women students. This is a model of the kind of program that can bring gender parity to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines while nurturing the “whole student.” In common with the wider family of D-Lab courses, the D-Lab-WASH + ENV course is structured around experiential learning and real-world engineering. This paper links the Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) conference themes with the D-Lab/IDEAS pedagogy in terms of key concepts: mentoring, transdisciplinarity and real world engineering. It ends with challenges and recommendations.
Programmatic Resources and the Role of Programmatic Responsiveness

As I have tried to show throughout the previous chapters, each of the novice teachers I worked with accessed a constellation of programmatic resources made available to them by their particular teacher preparation pathway. In Chap. 4, I noted how Genesis accessed resources from her coursework at Partner University, including her Special Education course and her Methods course. She sought out colleagues in her building, like Hendrick, to observe and to be observed by. For Sam, the moment of transformation in terms of her relationship with her students was catalyzed by watching a video of herself teach, a core programmatic pillar in the residency program.
An Examination of Tor Technology Based Anonymous Internet

The concept of Anonymous Internet is getting traction in the wake of recent privacy related NSA (National Security Agency) privacy allegations. Based on our initial findings, Tor appears to be a solution for this and taking control of the Internet and the User’s privacy. Our study reveals that Tor’s power and future ability to thrive revolves around its expansion. Tor needs to grow in size specifically in nodes as well as in software (Torrenting). With the increase in servers and relays in the system as well as few tweaks including a constant shuffling of servers, the more protected a user would be. We plan to put further research and development efforts in Tor to ensure that Tor becomes a viable source for anonymous Internet as well as popular mainstream browser.
Introduction to Special Issue: We March Lest We Forget

On Sunday, March 8, 2015, the two of us joined over 40,000 people as we marched over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a name tha...
Regulation of axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury in the lamprey

Lampreys with rostral spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibited greater axonal regeneration of descending brain neurons and more rapid recovery of locomotor muscle activity below the lesion site compared ...
Approche atypique avec Les Muses de Montréal: radicaliser la place des artistes handicapés au Québec

Les Muses est une ecole situee a Montreal offrant l’un des seuls programmes de formation professionnelle au Canada pour les artistes ayant un handicap intellectuel. Durant l'hiver et le printemps 2015, j'ai travaille avec Les Muses pour explorer la complexite de leur formation creative, en particulier comment les differences cognitives et physiques sont prises en charge et valorisees dans la salle de classe. Mon interet pour ce processus etait double: a) comprendre de quelles manieres le handicap etait presente comme etant esthetiquement productif, et b) le genre de legs artistiques que les etudiants de Les Muses laissent dans le monde des arts de la scene quebecois. En utilisant mon travail sur le terrain, cet article porte sut l’«approche atypique » soit la maniere dont Les Muses utilise le handicap comme un outil creatif et significatif dans la classe pour s'assurer que tous les eleves participent au maximum et de la maniere artistique la plus stimulante possible. J’ai choisi le mot «atypique» pour refleter le mouvement actuel au Quebec qui reconnait la valeur artistique importante des artistes non conventionnels que sont ceux et celles qui ont des differences cognitives et physiques. Les Muses, located in Montreal, Quebec, is one of Canada's only professional performance training programs for developmentally disabled artists. During the winter and spring of 2015, I worked with Les Muses to explore the complexities of their creative training, in particular how different cognitive styles and physicalities are supported and valued in the classroom. My interest in this process was two fold: a) to understand in what ways disability was being presented as aesthetically productive, and b) the kind of artistic legacies students from Les Muses are leaving in the Quebec performance industry. Using parts of my fieldwork, this article discusses in what ways Les Muses uses disability as a creatively meaningful tool in the classroom-- something of which I will deem the "atypique approah"--to ensure all students are participating in the fullest and most artistically engaging way possible. I choose the word "atypique" to reflect the current movement in Quebec that is calling forth the important artistic value of cognitively and physically unconventional artists.
What certifications are important in the hospitality industry

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to explore the need for certification in hospitality; and specifically to see if professional certifications are valued when earned at the college level and br...
Postoperative Radiculopathy Caused by a Retained Fractured Pedicle Cannulation Probe and Its Mechanism of Extraction

Background Spine surgery relies heavily on technology and surgical instrumentation. Improperly used instrumentation can be detrimental to the patient. Despite multiple checkpoints to ensure that foreign bodies are not retained in surgery, numerous case reports have described retained foreign bodies; however, none of these cases involve retained instrumentation after open spine surgery. Of the retained objects, 4 were sponges and one was a Jamshidi needle fragment. Although smaller objects are more commonly the culprits, surgical instruments can break off, remain stuck, and cause clinical sequelae. Case Description This case presents a retained fractured pedicle finder as the cause of right L5 radiculopathy. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe an instrumentation-associated postoperative radiculopathy. Because of the strength with which the object was impacted, its extraction proved difficult. Conclusions The technique of removal using a mallet and osteotome in 4 directions to loosen its hold in the vertebral body. Attempts and eventual successful removal are described.
Femoral Neck Stress in Older Adults During Stair Ascent and Descent

A detailed understanding of the hip loading environment is needed to help prevent hip fractures, minimize hip pain, rehabilitate hip injuries, and design osteogenic exercises for the hip. The purpose of this study was to compare femoral neck stress during stair ascent and descent and to identify the contribution of muscles and reaction forces to the stress environment in mature adult subjects (n = 17; age: 50–65 y). Motion analysis and inverse dynamics were combined with musculoskeletal modeling and optimization, then used as input to an elliptical femoral neck cross-sectional model to estimate femoral neck stress. Peak stress values at the 2 peaks of the bimodal stress curves (stress vs time plot) were compared between stair ascent and descent. Stair ascent had greater compressive stress than descent during the first peak at the anterior (ascent: −18.0 [7.9] MPa, descent: −12.9 [5.4] MPa, P < .001) and posterior (ascent: −34.4 [10.9] MPa, descent: −27.8 [10.1] MPa, P < .001) aspects of the femoral neck c...
A Little Fiber Goes a Long Way

In this issue of Immunity, Trompette et al. (2018) show that dietary fiber and short chain fatty acids reduce influenza A virus-associated immunopathology by enhancing CD8+ T cell effector function and by promoting the differentiation of alternatively activated macrophages.
Extramedulläre Implantate bei dia- und metaphysären Infektpseudarthrosen

In der Abteilung Unfallchirurgie der Charite wurden von 1983–1987 88 Pseudarthrosen, davon 55 Defektpseudarthrosen, durch Plattenosteosynthese oder mit dem Fixateur externe stabilisiert. 53 der 88 Pseudarthrosen waren infiziert (Tabelle 1).
HREM of Edge-on Interfaces and Defects

The latest generation of intermediate-voltage high-resolution electron microscopes (HREMs) offer the exciting prospect of resolution limits of 2A or better [1,2]. Moreover, under certain well-defined conditions, it is even possible to deduce useful structural details down to small fractions of this limit [3–5], and some limited chemical information can also be extracted. In this paper, the potentialities and limitations of the high-resolution technique will be considered, with particular reference to edge-on interfaces and defects in various elemental and compound semiconductors. Specific examples described include: i the identification of crystal polarity in -orientated sphalerite materials; ii intensity variations across GaAs/Ga1-xAlxAs interfaces; iii stacking fault symmetry and dislocations; iv refinement of the diamond platelet defect; v distinguishing shuffle and glide models for the Si 30° partial dislocation. Prospects and practical problems associated with the HREM technique, as it applies to imaging semiconductors, are briefly discussed.
Some effects of environmental pollutants on endocrine regulatory mechanisms

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the effects of environmental pollutants on endocrine regulatory mechanisms. The most common cytotoxic effects of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides on mammalian adrenocortical tissues involve the structural changes in the mitochondria of zona fasciculata cells. The structural disintegration is associated with a loss of responsiveness to corticotropin, and the activities of some of the mitochondrial enzyme systems involved in steroidogenesis are severely disrupted. In particular, the steps involving the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone and the 11β-hydroxylation of cortisol and corticosterone precursors are affected most seriously. Compounds such as organophosphate, phosphothioate and carbamate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, aromatic amines, and anatoxins also seem to directly impair the synthesis of adrenal steroid hormones. Although some of these compounds may affect different stages in the steroidogenic pathway, the overall pattern of response involves a severe reduction in corticotropin responsiveness. The primary site of action of these compounds also seems to be the cells of the zona fasciculata, leading to a decrease in the production of glucocorticoids. Results from some recent studies have suggested that the inhibitory effects of the compounds derived from the ingested crude oils reflect a failure of the adrenal cortex to respond adequately to corticotropic stimulation.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation and Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program.

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly recommended after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but it is underused. We sought to evaluate CR participation variation after PCI and its association with mortality among veterans. Methods and Results Patients undergoing PCI between 2007 and 2011 were identified in the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking database and followed up until January 25, 2017. We excluded patients who died within 30 days of PCI and calculated the percentage participating in ≥1 outpatient CR visits within 12 months after PCI. We constructed multivariable hierarchical logistic regression models for CR participation, clustered by facility. We estimated propensity scores for CR participation, matched participants and nonparticipants by propensity score, calculated mortality rates, and estimated the association with mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. Participation in CR after PCI was 6.9% (2986/43 319) and varied significantly by PCI facility (range, 0%-36%). After 6.1 years median follow-up, CR participants had a 33% lower mortality rate than all nonparticipants (3.8 versus 5.7 deaths/100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.75; P<0.001) and a 26% lower mortality rate than 2986 propensity-matched nonparticipants (3.8 versus 5.1 deaths/100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.84; P<0.001). Participants attending ≥36 sessions had the lowest mortality rate (2.4 deaths/100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.60; P<0.001). Conclusions CR participation after PCI among veterans is low overall, with significant facility-level variation. CR participation is associated with lower mortality rates in veterans. Additional efforts are needed to promote CR participation after PCI among veterans.