cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of cobra venom factor (CVF) activation of the complement cascade on leukocyte circadian variation in the rat

Administration of cobra venom factor (CVF) at different time periods over a 24-h-period produced a leukocytic response which varied according to the time of day the factor was given. The resulting leukocytic circadian rhythm was achieved by a marked variation and increase in the neutrophil population.
A second-generation study of 427 probands with congenital heart defects and their 837 children.

Abstract Objectives. This study attempted to answer the question, Do mothers with congenital cardiovascular defects have more affected children than fathers with cardiac anomalies? Background. In the 1950s to 1960s, concern was expressed about the safety of pregnancy in women with cardiac anomalies and the possibility of inheritance. Methods. In a prospective study over 25 years, 236 women with cardiac defects were followed through pregnancy, and their 418 offspring were examined during their 1st 3 years. A high incidence of congenital cardiac malformations was noted. Then, a retrospective study of 191 men from the same clinic group and their total family (419 children) was performed to compare the incidence of affected children between the maternal study and this subsequent paternal study. Results. Of 837 live children of these 427 probands, 14.1% (118) had a congenital heart defect (13.4% in the maternal study, 14.8% in the paternal study). There was no correlation with the surgical status of the proband. Concordance was somewhat greater among the children of affected mothers compared with those of affected fathers. Included in these studies were 31 high risk probands, 10 with genetic syndromes and 21 who had an affected sibling. Respectively, 53% and 41% of their children had cardiac anomalies, with a concordance > 50%; three fourths of these children had moderate to severe anomalies. Conclusions. The incidence of congenital heart defects in the children was not statistically different between the maternal and paternal studies. With removal of the high risk probands from the total study group, the risk of one affected parent having a child with a cardiac anomaly was 10.7%. Of the entire 837 children, only 7.5% had moderate or severe defects.
Finite element model for unified EB–PVD machine dynamics

AbstractThe present paper presents finite element models to describe machine dynamics, such as electron beam (EB) generation in an EB gun, EB scanning on the surface of an ingot, melting process of the ingot, and vaporisation and deposition on the surface of a substrate during EB–PVD process. Based on physical models, the finite element models relate the input power to the EB gun and the temperature profile of the ingot surface, the temperature profile to the shape of vapour plume, and the vapour distribution to the coating thickness. The two deposition process models have been investigated for predicting the coating thickness and compared to experiments performed for simple shaped substrates. With preliminary studies, it is found that the presented models are suitable for a cost efficient computation and can aid in assessing process parameters.
Status of Weak Interactions

The invited speakers have done an excellent job of describing the various topics within the field of weak interactions. The contributed papers have presented many fascinating results. Furthermore, what is rare these days at a physics conference, there has been plenty of discussion, which has brought out, I think, every point that was overlooked in the speeches. Evidently, there is no need for a summary. A few words about what appear to me to be the principal questions that we would like to have answered in the future are given in the following.
'El hombre misterioso' - 'el cura': el texto del segundo relato en las 'Escenas de la vida privada en la isla de Cuba' por Félix Manuel Tanco Bosmeniel

Publicacion _con estudio preliminar, notas y glosario_ de un relato o novela corta hasta ahora desconocido, procedente de la Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid. Su autor es el colombiano-cubano Felix M. Tanco, conocido por su obra "Petrona y Rosalia" o "El nino Fernando", primera parte de la trilogia titulada Escenas de la vida privada en la isla de Cuba. El relato aqui insertado es de 1838 y constituye la segunda parte, mientras continua sin encontrarse la tercera, que Tanco titulo "Francisco" o "El Lucumi".
Relative water and gas permeability for gas production from hydrate‐bearing sediments

Relative water and gas permeability equations are important for estimating gas and water production from hydrate-bearing sediments. However, experimental or numerical study to determine fitting parameters of those equations is not available in the literature. In this study, a pore-network model is developed to simulate gas expansion and calculate relative water and gas permeability. Based on the simulation results, fitting parameters for modified Stone equation are suggested for a distributed hydrate system where initial hydrate saturations range from Sh = 0.1 to 0.6. The suggested fitting parameter for relative water permeability is nw ≈ 2.4 regardless of initial hydrate saturation while the suggested fitting parameter for relative gas permeability is increased from ng = 1.8 for Sh = 0.1 to ng = 3.5 for Sh = 0.6. Results are relevant to other systems that experience gas exsolution such as pockmark formation due to sea level change, CO2 gas formation during geological CO2 sequestration, and gas bubble accumulation near the downstream of dams.
METABOLIC INTERRELATIONSHIPS AND ADAPTATIONS IN SELENIUM TOXICITY

The experiments discussed in this review show that the toxicity of selenium can be decreased in a number of different ways; arsenic diminishes selenium poisoning by stimulating the excretion of Se into the bile; linseed oil meal apparently lessens the effects of chronic selenosis by binding the Se in the tissues in a less toxic form; and methionine when fed in conjunction with vitamin E helps prevent liver damage due to Se, perhaps by increasing the urinary or pulmonary excretion of the element. D-Penicillamine or dithiothreitol had little beneficial value against selenium intoxication under our conditions. There is growing evidence that certain living systems can undergo an adaptive response to exposure to high levels of selenium. 43 references, 11 tables.
The genesis of ideal theory

L'A. examine les oeuvres de E. Kummer (a partir de 1844), de Dedekind (dont il soutient que la premiere version de son arithmetique en 1871 est meilleure que les suivantes), de L. Kronecker (dont il essaie de donner une explication claire et fidele des idees) dans le domaine des nombres algebriques.
Enhancement of Folate Receptor α Expression in Tumor Cells Through the Glucocorticoid Receptor: A Promising Means to Improved Tumor Detection and Targeting

The utility of the folate receptor (FR) type alpha, in a broad range of targeted therapies and as a diagnostic serum marker in cancer, is confounded by its variable tumor expression levels. FR-alpha, its mRNA and its promoter activity were coordinately up-regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist, dexamethasone. Optimal promoter activation which occurred at <50 nmol/L dexamethasone was inhibited by the GR antagonist, RU486, and was enhanced by coactivators, supporting GR mediation of the dexamethasone effect. The dexamethasone response of the FR-alpha promoter progressed even after dexamethasone was withdrawn, but this delayed effect required prior de novo protein synthesis indicating an indirect regulation. The dexamethasone effect was mediated by the G/C-rich (Sp1 binding) element in the core P4 promoter and was optimal in the proper initiator context without associated changes in the complement of major Sp family proteins. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors potentiated dexamethasone induction of FR-alpha independent of changes in GR levels. Dexamethasone/HDAC inhibitor treatment did not cause de novo FR-alpha expression in a variety of receptor-negative cells. In a murine HeLa cell tumor xenograft model, dexamethasone treatment increased both tumor-associated and serum FR-alpha. The results support the concept of increasing FR-alpha expression selectively in the receptor-positive tumors by brief treatment with a nontoxic dose of a GR agonist, alone or in combination with a well-tolerated HDAC inhibitor, to increase the efficacy of various FR-alpha-dependent therapeutic and diagnostic applications. They also offer a new paradigm for cancer diagnosis and combination therapy that includes altering a marker or a target protein expression using general transcription modulators.
An adaptive decision aid for real environments

Decision making in the real world is concerned with both deterministic models and undeterministic human expertise. However. Both current decision-making methods use either mathematical programming or heuristic rules; each approach by itself loses the other piece of information. This paper proposes a new approach to integrate these two different types of information simultaneously and adaptively. It uses fuzzy mathematical programming to quantitatively model objectives and resource constraints, and a linguistic knowledge base to qualitatively model imprecise human expertise. The coordination between these two modules and the new idea of subjective knowledge adaptation for human-in-the-loop systems are discussed in detail. >
Hypnosis and Trance Induction in the Surgeries of Brazilian Spiritist Healer-Mediums1

This chapter discusses the surgical procedures performed by Brazilian spiritist healer-mediums, during which both healer and patient enter into an altered state of consciousness. It briefly summarizes the results of studies of hypnosis and outlines an hypothesis, a model explaining how specific aspects of Brazilian culture and social structure combine to move individuals, when presented with appropriate cues in identifiable social contexts, from what may be considered their ordinary states of consciousness into altered state of consciousness (ASCs). The chapter focuses on the basic features of hypnosis and then to Brazilian culture and a hypothesized model of how it patterns trance induction. It begins with the importance of fantasy-prone subjects for hypnotic induction. Hypnotic induction then centers on the establishment of a special relationship between a person being hypnotized and a hypnotist and it works best on people who are fantasy prone and can concentrate their attention.
Neurobiological alterations associated with traumatic stress.

PURPOSE. The purpose of this article is to describe the effects of traumatic stress on brain structure and function, and the relationship of these neurobiological changes to symptoms experienced after trauma. CONCLUSIONS. Exposure to traumatic stress is associated with changes in the limbic system, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and key monoamine neurotransmitters. Different neurobiological alterations can be linked to specific symptoms of hyperarousal, dissociation/numbing, and reexperiencing of the trauma. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Understanding what is happening in the brain can inform more targeted treatment for various symptoms that the individual may be experiencing.
Homozygosity Mapping and Whole Exome Sequencing to Detect SLC45A2 and G6PC3 Mutations in a Single Patient with Oculocutaneous Albinism and Neutropenia

We evaluated a 32-year-old woman whose oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), bleeding diathesis, neutropenia, and history of recurrent infections prompted consideration of the diagnosis of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome type 2. This was ruled out because of the presence of platelet δ-granules and absence of AP3B1 mutations. As parental consanguinity suggested an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, we employed homozygosity mapping, followed by whole-exome sequencing, to identify two candidate disease-causing genes, SLC45A2 and G6PC3. Conventional dideoxy sequencing confirmed pathogenic mutations in SLC45A2, associated with OCA type 4 (OCA-4), and G6PC3, associated with neutropenia. The substantial reduction of SLC45A2 protein in the patient's melanocytes caused the mislocalization of tyrosinase from melanosomes to the plasma membrane and also led to the incorporation of tyrosinase into exosomes and secretion into the culture medium, explaining the hypopigmentation in OCA-4. Our patient's G6PC3 mRNA expression level was also reduced, leading to increased apoptosis of her fibroblasts under endoplasmic reticulum stress. To our knowledge, this report describes the first North American patient with OCA-4, the first culture of human OCA-4 melanocytes, and the use of homozygosity mapping, followed by whole-exome sequencing, to identify disease-causing mutations in multiple genes in a single affected individual.
PUMA-mediated apoptosis in fibroblast-like synoviocytes does not require p53

PUMA (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) is a pro-apoptotic gene that can induce rapid cell death through a p53-dependent mechanism. However, the efficacy of PUMA gene therapy to induce synovial apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis might have limited efficacy if p53 expression or function is deficient. To evaluate this issue, studies were performed to determine whether p53 is required for PUMA-mediated apoptosis in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). p53 protein was depleted or inhibited in human FLS by using p53 siRNA or a dominant-negative p53 protein. Wild-type and p53-/- murine FLS were also examined to evaluate whether p53 is required. p53-deficient or control FLS were transfected with PUMA cDNA or empty vector. p53 and p21 expression were then determined by Western blot analysis. Apoptosis was assayed by ELISA to measure histone release and caspase-3 activation, or by trypan blue dye exclusion to measure cell viability. Initial studies showed that p53 siRNA decreased p53 expression by more than 98% in human FLS. Loss of p53 increased the growth rate of cells and suppressed p21 expression. However, PUMA still induced apoptosis in control and p53-deficient FLS after PUMA cDNA transfection. Similar results were observed in p53-/- murine FLS or in human FLS transfected with a dominant-negative mutant p53 gene. These data suggest that PUMA-induced apoptosis in FLS does not require p53. Therefore, approaches to gene therapy that involve increasing PUMA expression could be an effective inducer of synoviocyte cell death in rheumatoid arthritis regardless of the p53 status in the synovium.
Maternal Zinc Deficiency Raises Plasma Prolactin Levels in Lactating Rats

There is an inverse relation between zinc (Zn) intake and plasma prolactin in men and nonpregnant women. Whether a relation exists in lactating women is unknown, despite the potential consequences of perturbations in prolactin regulation on lactation performance. We examined the effects of low Zn intake on prolactin concentration, the prolactin regulatory pathway in the pituitary gland, and lactation performance in lactating rats. Female rats were fed diets containing 7 (zinc deficient; ZD), 10 (marginally zinc deficient; MZD) or 25 mg Zn/kg (control) from 70 d preconception to lactation d 11. Rats were killed, pituitary glands dissected, and tissues and plasma collected and analyzed for prolactin concentration. Pituitary gland pituitary factor 1 (Pit-1), dopamine 2 receptor (D2R), and prolactin receptor mRNA expression were measured in the pituitary gland. Liver, mammary gland, plasma, and milk Zn were measured. Milk intake of the pups was also recorded. Plasma prolactin concentration was higher in rats fed the ZD (125.9 microg/L) diet compared with control rats (21.7 microg/L). Pituitary gland prolactin concentration was higher in rats fed the ZD diet (69.8 mg/g total protein) compared with controls (29.0 mg/g). Plasma Zn concentration was lower in rats fed the MZD and ZD diets, and mammary gland and milk Zn concentrations were lower in rats fed the ZD diet compared with control rats. Rats fed the ZD diet had lower D2R, prolactin receptor, and Pit-1 mRNA levels, whereas rats fed the MZD diet had lower prolactin receptor and Pit-1 mRNA levels compared with control rats. Milk intake was lower in pups of rats fed the MZD and ZD diets. Our results suggest that marginal Zn nutriture may compromise milk production despite increased prolactin levels. In addition, increased circulating prolactin concentration is not due to altered nursing behavior, but may be due to alterations in the prolactin regulatory pathway in the pituitary gland.
Distributed snapshots: determining global states of distributed systems

This paper presents an algorithm by which a process in a distributed system determines a global state of the system during a computation. Many problems in distributed systems can be cast in terms of the problem of detecting global states. For instance, the global state detection algorithm helps to solve an important class of problems: stable property detection. A stable property is one that persists: once a stable property becomes true it remains true thereafter. Examples of stable properties are “computation has terminated,” “ the system is deadlocked” and “all tokens in a token ring have disappeared.” The stable property detection problem is that of devising algorithms to detect a given stable property. Global state detection can also be used for checkpointing.
Performance of diffusion adaptation for collaborative optimization

We derive an adaptive diffusion mechanism to optimize global cost functions in a distributed manner over a network of nodes. The cost function is assumed to consist of the sum of individual components, and diffusion adaptation is used to enable the nodes to cooperate locally through in-network processing in order to solve the desired optimization problem. We analyze the mean-square-error performance of the algorithm, including its transient and steady-state behavior. We illustrate one application in the context of least-mean-squares estimation for sparse vectors.
HIGH-PRESSURE CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY OF LISCSIO4 : AN OLIVINE WITH NEARLY ISOTROPIC COMPRESSION

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data have been obtained at several pressures to 5.6 GPa for synthetic LiScSi04 olivine. The bulk modulus is 118 :t I GPa, assuming K' = 4. This value is smaller than that of forsterite because compressibility of Li-O bonds in the M1 octahedral site is approximately twice that of the MP+-O bonds in other isomorphs. Compressibilities of a, b, and c orthorhombic axes are 2.70, 2.80, and 2.61 (all x 10-3 GPa-1), respectively. This nearly isotropic compression (axial compression ratios = 1.00: 1.04:0.97) contrasts with that offorsterite (1.00: 1.99:1.55), fayalite (1.00:2.83: 1.22), monticellite (1.00: 1.85:1.10), and chrysoberyl (1.00: 1.30:1.17). These differences arise from the distinctive distribution of cations of different valences and consequent differences in M 1-0 and M2-0 bond compressibilities. The Li M 1 octahedron displays a significant decrease in polyhedral distortions with pressure, a behavior not observed in other olivines.
Topological Determinants of Protein Domain Swapping

Protein domain swapping has been repeatedly observed in a variety of proteins and is believed to result from destabilization due to mutations or changes in environment. Based on results from our studies and others, we propose that structures of the domain-swapped proteins are mainly determined by their native topologies. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of seven different proteins, known to undergo domain swapping experimentally, under mildly denaturing conditions and found in all cases that the domain-swapped structures can be recapitulated by using protein topology in a simple protein model. Our studies further indicated that, in many cases, domain swapping occurs at positions around which the protein tends to unfold prior to complete unfolding. This, in turn, enabled prediction of protein structural elements that are responsible for domain swapping. In particular, two distinct domain-swapped dimer conformations of the focal adhesion targeting domain of focal adhesion kinase were predicted computationally and were supported experimentally by data obtained from NMR analyses.
Stem Cell Transplant for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: Parent and Patient Interest

We describe adolescents' and parents' interest in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) as a cure for sickle cell disease (SCD) and factors associated with increased interest. We administered a 40 question survey to assess the interest in HSCT in parents and adolescents with HBSS or HBSβ0 thalassemia. The survey tool assessed factors that may influence interest in HSCT including demographic data, disease severity, views on prognosis, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). All participants were given a handout on the risks and benefits of an HSCT before completing the survey. One hundred twenty-nine parents and 59 adolescents completed the survey. Forty-five percent of parents (54 of 119) would likely have their child undergo HSCT, and 35% of adolescents (19 of 55) would likely undergo HSCT if it was recommended by their hematologist. Parents of adolescents, as well as adolescent patients with better HRQOL, were more interested in HSCT. Prior exchange transfusion was associated with increased interest in HSCT (62% [23 of 37] versus 38% [29 of 76]; P = .02). The majority of parents believe their child's SCD will get better (66%; [80 of 122]), will not likely prevent their child from achieving life goals (83%; [100 of 121]), and will not shorten their child's lifespan (86%; [102 of 119]). There is strong parent and adolescent interest in HSCT as a cure for SCD. It is concerning that few parents and adolescents believe SCD will negatively impact their prognosis. Education on the potential long-term sequelae of SCD is needed when considering the role for HSCT.
Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 directly induces human vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

Although monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is best known for its ability to recruit mononuclear cells, few studies have examined the effects of this chemokine on other events in the vascular r...
Aging reduces skeletal blood flow, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and NO bioavailability in rats.

We determined whether aging diminishes bone blood flow and impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Femoral perfusion was lower in old animals, as well as endothelium-dependent vasodilation and NO bioavailability. These effects could contribute to old age—related bone loss and the increased risk of fracture. Introduction: Aging has been shown to diminish bone blood flow in rats and humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether blood flow to regions of the femur perfused primarily through the principal nutrient artery (PNA) are diminished with aging and whether this putative reduction in flow is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Materials and Methods: Blood flow was measured in conscious young adult (4–6 mo old) and aged (24–26 mo old) male Fischer-344 rats using radiolabeled microspheres. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the PNA was assessed in vitro using acetylcholine (ACh), whereas the contribution of the NO synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) signaling pathways to endothelium-dependent vasodilation was determined using the NOS and COX inhibitors L-NAME and indomethacin, respectively. Results: Femoral blood flow in the aged rats was 21% and 28% lower in the proximal and distal metaphyses, respectively, and 45% lower in the diaphyseal marrow. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was reduced with old age (young: 83 ± 6% maximal relaxation; aged: 62 ± 5% maximal relaxation), whereas endothelium-independent vasodilation (sodium nitroprusside) was unaffected by age. The reduction in endothelium-dependent vasodilation was mediated through impairment of the NOS signaling pathway, which resulted in lower NO bioavailability (young: 168 ± 56 nM; aged: 50 ± 7 nM). Conclusions: These data show that reductions in metaphyseal bone and diaphyseal marrow perfusion with old age are associated with diminished endothelium-dependent vasodilation through an impairment of the NOS mechanism. Such age-related changes in bone perfusion and vascular NO signaling could impact clinical bone loss, increase risk of fracture, and impair fracture healing in the elderly.
A Descriptive Analysis of Health-Related Infomercials: Implications for Health Education and Media Literacy

Abstract Media literacy education helps individuals become discriminating consumers of health information. Informed consumers are less likely to purchase useless health products if informed of misleading and deceptive advertising methods. The purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of health-related TV infomercials. An instrument specifically for health-related infomercials was developed and tested. The instrument assessed product category, health problems solved, production format, persuasive techniques, implied health benefits, implied social/emotional benefits, testimonial frequency, and product acquisition information presented in the program. Four trained observers analyzed the content of 31 health-related infomercials. Health infomercials were divided into five categories of products. Frequency of use for 21 different promotional techniques varied from 93 to 10%. Analysis demonstrated that particular types of products were far more likely to utilize selected persuasive tactics. Frequ...
Resilience, war, and austerity: The ethics of military human enhancement and the politics of data:

This article traces the rise of military psychological resilience training, focusing on the US Army’s Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program, which seeks to assess and instill resilience ...
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition Slows Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Association With a Decrease in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and an Increase in Autophagy

Previous studies by us and others have reported renal epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) are activated in models of diabetic nephropathy. In the present study, we examined the effect of treatment with erlotinib, an inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity, on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in a type 1 diabetic mouse model. Inhibition of renal EGFR activation by erlotinib was confirmed by decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and extracellular signal–related kinase 1/2. Increased albumin/creatinine ratio in diabetic mice was markedly attenuated by erlotinib treatment. Erlotinib-treated animals had less histological glomerular injury as well as decreased renal expression of connective tissue growth factor and collagens I and IV. Autophagy plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, and impaired autophagy may lead to increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent tissue injury. In diabetic mice, erlotinib-treated mice had evidence of increased renal autophagy, as indicated by altered expression and activity of ATG12, beclin, p62, and LC3A II, hallmarks of autophagy, and had decreased ER stress, as indicated by decreased expression of C/EBP homologous protein, binding immunoglobulin protein, and protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a key factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy and an inhibitor of autophagy, is inhibited by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Erlotinib-treated mice had activated AMPK and inhibition of the mTOR pathway, as evidenced by decreased phosphorylation of raptor and mTOR and the downstream targets S6 kinase and eukaryotic initiation factor 4B. Erlotinib also led to AMPK-dependent phosphorylation of Ulk1, an initiator of mammalian autophagy. These studies demonstrate that inhibition of EGFR with erlotinib attenuates the development of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes, which is mediated at least in part by inhibition of mTOR and activation of AMPK, with increased autophagy and inhibition of ER stress.
Modified extended Kalman filtering

In this paper we compare the performance of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) with that of a proposed filter called modified extended Kalman filter (MEKF), in terms of the actual state and the estimated state as a function of time and the integral-squared error as a function of noise intensity both for dynamics and measurement noise. All the simulation results indicate that the performance of the MEKF is better than EKF. For illustration, numerical examples are presented using both EKF and MEKF. >
Radion clouds around evaporating black holes

A Kaluza-Klein model, with a matter source associated with Hawking radiation from an evaporating black hole, is used to obtain a simple form for the radion effective potential. The environmental effect generally causes a matter-induced shift of the radion vacuum, resulting in the formation of a radion cloud around the hole. There is an albedo due to the radion cloud, with an energy-dependent reflection coefficient that depends upon the size of the extra dimensions and the temperature of the hole.
Structure and Dynamics of Polymers by Synchrotron Saxs

Laser light scattering (LLS), small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) are complementary to one another. Together, they become unmatched among the physical techniques which can investigate the structure and dynamics of polymeric materials over a large range of time and length scales. In this lecture, the application of synchrotron x-rays to some of the problems in polymer physics is presented. The work performed by Chu and collaborators on phase transition in polymer blends, structure of ionomers, conformation of polymers and supramolecular structures in solution, epoxy polymerization and crystallization processes, as well as anisotropic scattering by a single filament are discussed.
Directional effects on the reliability of non-axisymmetric support structures for offshore wind turbines under extreme wind and wave loadings

Abstract In comparison with monopile support structures commonly used for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) in shallow water, fixed bottom support structures for deeper water such as jackets tend to lack axisymmetry and have different capacities when loaded in different directions. Design of such a structure may therefore benefit from consideration of the directional characteristics of loading. This paper focuses on a rational and efficient approach to assess the structural safety of jacket type OWTs under directionally dependent extreme environmental loads. The Incremental Wind–Wave Analysis (IWWA) framework is reviewed and used to assess capacity of jacket-type OWTs under directional environmental wind–wave conditions. The approach uses static pushover analysis of OWT jackets subject to combined wind and wave load patterns corresponding to increasing mean return periods (MRPs). The wind and wave conditions are calculated independently and assumed to occur simultaneously. The loading direction and jacket orientation are both included in the analysis. To illustrate the approach, metocean conditions at different sites along the U.S. Atlantic coast are obtained from the historical database of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Data Buoy Center. Two models are introduced for estimating the occurrence probability of wave direction, one of which directly uses the frequency of wave directions and the other uses a Gaussian kernel to represent the range of wave directions represented by given directional spectra. For each combination of wind–wave direction and structural orientation, an IWWA analysis gives the capacity in terms of the MRP conditions leading to formation of a fully developed plastic mechanism in the jacket. Those capacities, convolved with MRP models for loading intensity, yield direction-dependent structural reliabilities, and when those reliabilities are convolved with the probability density function for load direction, a total failure probability is obtained that accounts for wave directionality. Example analyses are conducted for an OWT supported by a four-leg jacket adapted from a design published as part of the European Union UpWind Project. Effects of extreme load directionality, structural orientation, structural geometry and site specification on the ultimate capacity of the jacket are carefully discussed.
Finite element formulation via the theorem of expended power: Total energy framework

A general computational procedure and developments for the numerical discretization of continuum-elastodynamics problemns directly stemming from the theorem of expended power (TEP) involving a built-in scalar function, namely, Total Energy [E (q, q) : TQ → R], is presented within the total energy framework. This is in contrast to classical Lagrangian or Hamiltonian mechanics framework, and is a viable alternative. The proposed concepts emanating from the TEP inherently involving the scalar function, namely, total energy: 1) can be shown to yield the same governing mathematical model equations of motion that are continuous in space and time together with the natural boundary conditions just as Hamilton’s principle (HP) is routinely used to derive such equations, but without resorting any variational approach such as the variational principles or the variational methods; 2) explains naturally how the Bubnov-Galerkin weighted-residual form that is customarily employed for discretization arises for both space and time, and alternately, 3) circumvent relying on traditional practices of conducting numerical discretizations starting either from the balance of linear momentum (Newton’s law) involving Cauchy’s equations of motion (governing equations) arising from continuum mechanics, and instead provides new avenues of discretization for continuum-dynamical systems. Applicability to nonlinear problems and nonholonomic-scleronomic constraints as well such as those involving contacts are also addressed. The modeling of complex structural dynamical systems, namely, Euler-Bernoulli beams and Reissner-Mindlin plates are illustrated.
Temperature-Dependent Effects on Development, Mortality, and Growth of Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Insect natural enemies selected for specific traits such as faster developmental times, higher survivorship, increased fecundity, and larger body size might be considered during production of biological control agents in certain situations. For instance, traits related to developmental rates may be selected for if genetically based variation exists within temperature-dependent responses. We compared preimaginal development, mortality, and size of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville at 4 constant temperatures (18, 22, 26, and 30°C). Total preimaginal development ranged from 51 d at 18°C to 14 d at 30°C. Developmental times were significantly different among isofemale lines of field-collected H. convergens from Oregon at all temperatures tested (18, 22, 26, and 30°C). Variation within female lines was significant only at 26°C. The lower developmental thresholds for egg, larval, and pupal stages were 9.9, 13.7, and 14.5°C, respectively. Degree-day (DD) requirements for development were 58.8, 166.7, and 52.6 for eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively. Total preimaginal development required 231 DD above a temperature threshold of 13.6°C. Degree-day requirements for 14 field-collected female lines varied from 223 to 273, whereas the lower threshold for development ranged from 13.1 to 13.8°C. Mortality decreased with increasing temperatures. At the lower temperature (18°C), higher mortality occurred during the 4th instar and pupa. Pupal and adult weights differed across temperatures. Heavier pupae and adult beetles were reared at 22°C. Also, wings were larger among beetles reared at 22°C. The development, mortality, and size measurements provide data for establishing suitable rearing conditions for future studies on the ecology of H. convergens.
Mobility of Dissolved Organic Matter from the Suwannee River (Georgia, USA) in Sand-Packed Columns

Abstract Transport of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the Suwannee River and of synthetic polystyrene sulfonates (PSSs) was investigated in columns packed with naturally Fe/Al-oxide-coated sands from Oyster, Virginia. Surface-water samples were collected in May 2012 and processed by XAD-8 (humic substances; HPOA), XAD-4 (transphilic acids [TPIAs]), and reverse osmosis (broad range of components; NOM). Median transport time (Ro) of PSSs increased with molecular weight (MW) from 1,000 to 8,000 Da but decreased for the largest PSS (18,000 Da), which is consistent with previous observations of MW effects on DOM adsorption and transport. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) of HPOAs and NOM were similar whereas TPIA transport was distinct; although all DOM samples had similar Ro values, BTC asymmetry and dispersivity were greater for TPIAs. All samples exhibited power-law tailing that is characteristic of heterogeneous sorbent/sorbate interactions, potentially including kinetic effects. The one-dimensional advection...
Adjusting China's Oil and Gas Resource Tax Rates in Terms of Experience in Mineral Royalty

Most of oil-producing countries abroad generally levy mineral royalty and determine their mineral royalty rates which are suitable for their own situation of oil and gas resources.Resource tax that our country levies is equivalent to mineral royalty.Compared with mineral royalty,there are many problems in resource tax rates.The main problems are as follows: it is unreasonable to levy resource tax by quantity;less consideration is given to the differences between oil and gas resources;tax rates on natural gas are higher,and it is difficult to connect resource tax rates to mineral royalty rates in China.The writers suggest that the government should adjust the rates of resource tax on the basis of experience in mineral royalty.
Effect of voltage-dependent anion channel on apoptosis of cell lines carrying mitochondrial DNA A4263G mutation

AIM: To study the effect of voltage-dependent anion channel(VDAC) on apoptosis of cell lines carrying mitochondrial DNA A4263G mutation.METHODS: We established lymphoblastoid cell lines from three symptomatic and one asymptomatic individual in a family carrying A4263G mutation and we compared this with three control cell lines.Mitochondrial potential was detected by flow cytometry,and the combination of VDAC and Bax was evaluated by confocal images.RESULTS: Expression of VDAC and Bax in individuals carrying mtDNA A4263G mutation increased compared with those in the control group,whereas no changes were found in the expression of small conductance calcium-dependant potassium(sKCa).Flow cytometry showed that mitochondrial potential(ΔΨm) of individuals carrying mtDNA A4263G mutation decreased 32% compared with the control group(P0.05) and this difference was attenuated by cyclosporin A(CsA),a blocker of VDAC.Confocal images showed that VDAC was associated with Bax in individuals carrying mtDNA A4263G mutation,whereas the combination was not seen in the control group.CONCLUSION: Abnormality of mitochondrial VDAC leads to the significant increase of apoptosis of cell lines carrying mtDNA A4263G mutations.
CSF and endocrine studies of premenstrual syndrome

Eight women with prospectively documented premenstrual syndrome (PMS) underwent multiple samplings for estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, cortisol, and plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) during an asymptomatic midcycle (late follicular) and a symptomatic premenstrual (late luteal) phase of the menstrual cycle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for analysis of MHPG, norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), homovanillic acid (HVA), tyrosine, tryptophan, beta-endorphin, prostaglandins, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and arginine vasopressin (AVP). In subsequent months, a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test were performed during midcycle and premenstrual phases. Significant results included increased CSF concentrations of MHPG in the premenstrual, as compared with the midcycle, phase of the cycle, and increased plasma cortisol concentrations during the midcycle phase. The DST showed a 62% overall rate of nonsuppression, irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. Though there were no abnormalities of thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) after TRH stimulation, the mean delta maximum prolactin values after TRH stimulation were higher than reported normal values both at midcycle and premenstrually. These pilot data suggest hormonal axes that might be worthy of further systematic investigation in future studies of PMS.
Safety Risk Management Principles from the Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implements a safety management system (SMS) that provides the nation with the safest airspace in the world. SMS is built on four pillars: safety policy, safety risk management (SRM), safety assurance (SA), and safety promotion. This article discusses SRM including the basic steps and tools for conducting SRM. The SRM process consists of describing the system, identifying hazards, analyzing the risk, assessing the risk, and treating the hazard. SRM tools that aid in the SRM process are the 5 M model, Bowtie model, functional analysis, and preliminary hazard list. The goal of the SRM process is to identify risks introduced by the new system and classify them as high, medium, or low risks. Risk classification is a combination of severity and likelihood of the hazard. High risks must be mitigated prior to implementation. Mitigation is recommended for medium risks. Low risks may be implemented without mitigation.
Dynamic peptides of human TPP1 fulfill diverse functions in telomere maintenance

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein complexes that comprise the ends of linear chromosomes. Human telomeres end in a short, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) overhang that is recognized and bound by two telomere proteins, POT1 and TPP1. Whereas POT1 binds directly to telomere ssDNA, its interaction with TPP1 is essential for localization of POT1 to the telomere. TPP1 also provides enhanced binding and sequence discrimination that regulates POT1-TPP1 interactions exclusively with telomere ssDNA. Finally, TPP1 recruits telomerase, the enzyme responsible for synthesis of telomere DNA, to the telomere. While the oligosaccharide-oligonucleotide-binding (OB)-fold domain of TPP1 has been solved by X-ray crystallography, the molecular interactions within the POT1-TPP1-ssDNA ternary complex and the conformational changes that contribute to its diverse functions remain ambiguous. We employed hydrogen/deuterium exchange combined with mass spectrometry to identify three peptides, all residing within the OB-fold of TPP1, that exhibit altered exchange rates upon complex formation or ssDNA binding. Mutation of these regions combined with functional assays revealed the diverse contributions of each moiety in protein-protein interactions, regulating telomerase activity or DNA-binding. Together, these functional data combined with biophysical analyses and homology modeling provide a molecular understanding of the diverse contributions of TPP1 in telomere maintenance.
Metastable excitons in Z n S e / Z n 1 − x Fe x Se quantum wells

We present an optical (reflectance and photoluminescence) study of metastable excitons in ${\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{e}/\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}\mathrm{Se}$ quantum-well structures. These states are associated with the type-II $(\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2},\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2})$ ground-state exciton of the system. The metastable excitons are formed because the Coulomb attraction of the ${m}_{j}=\ensuremath{-}$$\frac{1}{2}$ electron tends to localize the ${m}_{j}=\ensuremath{-}$$\frac{3}{2}$ hole in the vicinity of the electron. This complex breaks apart as the temperature increases, and the system returns to its ground state in which the ${m}_{j}=\ensuremath{-}$$\frac{1}{2}$ electron and the ${m}_{j}=\ensuremath{-}$$\frac{3}{2}$ hole are segregated.
Psychological stress‐induced colonic barrier dysfunction: Role of immune‐mediated mechanisms

Background Evidence suggests that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) exhibit increases in gut permeability and alterations in tight junction (TJ) protein expression. Although psychological stress worsens IBS symptoms, the mechanisms by which stress enhances gut permeability and affects TJ protein expression remain to be determined. Here, we test the hypothesis that chronic intermittent psychological stress activates the release of proinflammatory cytokines to alter TJ proteins and promotes increased gut permeability. Methods Male Fischer-344 rats were subjected to 1 hour of water avoidance stress (WAS) or SHAM stress per day for 7 days. Following the stress protocol, colonic permeability was measured via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and macromolecular flux of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In tissue isolated from rats exposed to the WAS or SHAM stress, TJ proteins claudin-2, junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) were measured via Western blotting, histological appearance of the colonic segments was assessed via hematoxylin and eosin staining, and an inflammatory cytokine panel was quantified via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Key Results Repetitive daily exposure to WAS decreased the TEER, increased the macromolecular flux of HRP, and altered the expression of claudin-2, JAM-A and ZO-1 proteins within colonic tissue compared to SHAM controls. In the absence of a histologically defined inflammation, the cytokine profiles of WAS-treated animals revealed an increase in interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Subsequent analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TNF-α and expression of TJ protein claudin-2. Conclusions & Inferences Our findings suggest that chronic stress increases colonic permeability via sub-inflammatory cytokine-mediated remodeling of TJ protein expression.
Caregiver hope and child outcomes following pediatric weight management programs

ABSTRACTThe current study examined whether caregiver hope was related to child outcomes (change in weight or health behaviors, treatment sessions attended) and caregiver outcomes (weight change, willingness to make behavioral changes) in a culturally diverse sample of 202 youth with overweight and obesity and their families participating in one of three weight management programs for children 2–18 years old. Within this treatment-seeking sample, dispositional caregiver hope did not predict willingness to make behavioral changes, number of treatment sessions attended, or treatment outcomes. These findings suggest specific efforts to foster caregiver hope within such interventions may not improve outcomes and investigation of other, potentially more modifiable caregiver and child factors may be more beneficial.