cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brief Report: Decreased JC Virus-Specific Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in HIV-Seropositive PML Survivors.

Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often fatal disease caused by JC virus (JCV) in severely immunocompromised patients, including HIV patients. Development of therapeutics to prevent or treat PML is an urgent medical need. While JCV-specific T cells are crucial to control JCV and recover from PML, the role played by antibodies remains unclear. Anti-JCV antibodies, including potent neutralizing antibodies, can be detected in most infected adults, yet in PML patients, JCV seems to escape from neutralization. Whether antibodies can contribute to JCV control by eliciting Fc-mediated effector functions activity has not been evaluated. Methods We measured the capacity of plasma anti-JCV VP1 antibodies to recruit Fc receptor (FcR)-bearing effector cell functions in 28 HIV patients, comparing subjects without PML with PML survivors (PML S) who were alive 1 year after disease onset or PML progressors (PML P) who succumbed within the first year. Antibody titers against JCV VP1 and HIV gp140 trimer were determined by end-point titer dilution ELISA. FcR-mediated natural killer cell degranulation and IFN-γ production were measured as surrogate for in vitro antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Results PML S had higher JCV antibody titers than PML P and patients without PML. However, anti-JCV antibodies had a higher ability to functionally engage FcR in PML P than PML S. Antibody titers and ADCC activity did not vary over time in PML S. Anti-HIV antibody titers and ADCC activity were similar among groups. Conclusions The ability of anti-JCV antibodies to stimulate FcR-bearing effector cell activity might contribute to the outcome of PML. Further studies are warranted to define Fc-mediated functions of anti-JCV antibodies and evaluate whether ADCC can contain JCV replication.
Inhibition of hedgehog signaling by stereochemically defined des-triazole itraconazole analogues

Dysregulation of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is associated with cancer occurrence and development in various malignancies. Previous structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies have provided potent Itraconazole (ITZ) analogues as Hh pathway antagonists. To further expand on our SAR for the ITZ scaffold, we synthesized and evaluated a series of compounds focused on replacing the triazole. Our results demonstrate that the triazole region is amenable to modification to a variety of different moieties; with a single methyl group representing the most favorable substituent. In addition, nonpolar substituents were more active than polar substituents. These SAR results provide valuable insight into the continued exploration of ITZ analogues as Hh pathway antagonists.
Comparison of outcomes in lung and heart transplant recipients from the same multiorgan donor

Background Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and acute cellular rejection (ACR) are important causes of early morbidity and mortality following lung and heart transplantation. While many studies have elucidated donor-related risk factors of PGD and ACR, these complications often occur even with "ideal" donors. Therefore, we investigated potential associations of PGD and ACR between bilateral lung and heart transplant recipients from the same multiorgan donor, respectively. Methods Between 2011 and 2017, 100 donors contributed 100 bilateral lung transplants and 100 heart transplants performed. Logistic regression analysis for PGD and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis for ACR were used to estimate the relationship of heart and lung transplants. Results The incidence of PGD was 33% among lung and 17% among heart transplant recipients. Similarly, the incidence of ACR grade ≥ A2 for lung recipients was 38% (30/80), and the incidence of ACR grade ≥ 2R for heart recipients was 19% (15/80). There was no association between the development of PGD and ACR in lung and heart transplant recipients from the same donor, respectively. Conclusions These findings suggest that inherent donor factors are not critical to the development of PGD and ACR after lung and heart transplantation.
Genotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Genotoxicity represents impairment to a cell’s DNA or RNA by genotoxic vehicle. Materials with at least one dimension of 100 nm or less are called nanomaterials. They vary greatly in size, composition, and structure. A phenomenal rapid growth in the use of metal nanomaterials (NPs) in various consumer products and biomedical applications resulted in increased exposure to humans and the environment. Many of the metal NPs used widely (Ag, Au, Ni, Cu, Co, Ti, Zn, and their corresponding oxides) have shown cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in various animal (mammalian/cell) models. Due to their antimicrobial activity silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are one of the most commonly used metal nanoparticles in consumer, medical, and industrial products. Interactions of metal nanomaterials with cells have shown to cause alterations in the expression of several cellular macromolecules. Overall the major adverse effects include reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated biomolecular damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins. Although it is likely that the impairment in genotoxicity and oxidative stress biomarkers is associated with Ag-NPs toxicity, it may be from the smaller particles’ proclivity to release silver ions from the surface compared to larger particles. This chapter emphasizes on genotoxicity of Ag-NPs in in vitro and in vivo models.
CRT-100.59 Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation — Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

DAPT is superior to aspirin to reduce thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The recommended duration of DAPT after PCI for acute coronary syndrome is 12 months compared to 6 months after stable coronary artery disease. This analysis investigates the optimal duration of
Experimental test of a frictional contact model for shear thickening in concentrated colloidal suspensions

Rheological experiments on model and industrial colloidal dispersions that exhibit reversible shear thickening are compared to a recent model that correlates simulation results for the shear rheology of bidisperse suspensions of particles with varying levels of contact friction. Comparisons are presented with rheological results for a variety of colloidal dispersions varying from model systems to industrially relevant, commercial dispersions where both shear and first normal stress differences are available. Particle-scale measurements of particle friction coefficients are provided through a survey of the literature. The comparisons show under which conditions the model can quantitatively describe the measured rheology and how the model can be used to correlate data for systems with more complex interactions when allowances are made for effective volume fractions and adjustments in friction coefficients. Discrepancies evident in comparisons for the first normal stress differences highlight the importance of enhanced hydrodynamic friction in many systems, especially for continuous shear thickening, in qualitative agreement with recent simulations that incorporate enhanced lubrication hydrodynamics due to elastohydrodynamics or particle roughness. Finally, a literature survey of measurements of jamming volume fractions and particle friction coefficients indicates that the model overestimates the experimentally observed jamming volume fraction. The comparisons presented in this work provide quantitative information valuable for those modeling suspension processing as well as suggestions for further model improvement.
Adaptation measures in dental care for children with history of Adverse Childhood Experiences: A practical proposal

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as maltreatment, abuse, or neglect can disrupt childhood development and increase the risk of health issues, including dental health. Such a vulnerable population frequently may deny dental treatment due to fear of intimate contact in the oral cavity, resulting in a vicious cycle that further leads to detrimental oral health. It is important for dentists, particularly pediatric dentists, to not only understand how to identify potential cases of abuse or maltreatment but also how to treat these patients so that the dental treatment does not become a negative experience. The purpose of this paper is to understand the psychological and physical implications of pediatric patients who have had ACEs and to identify the best methods to manage these patients during the dental treatment.
Application of Adult Learning Theory to STEM Education in Online Learning Environment

In this work-in-progress paper, we will discuss the implications of adult learning theory (ALT) for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in fully online, distributed learning environment. Current approaches in online STEM education are grounded in a constructivist view of learning and based on the concept that students are active participants in their knowledge creation. We will re-examine these premises in the context of new findings and current developments in higher education landscape. More specifically, the increase in non-traditional and adult students using online platform to continue their education has presented a new challenge for learning activity design, development and delivery. ALT can be extended to the existing practices to help build greater process- and progress-oriented as well as individualized learning approaches. In this paper we will focus on reviewing the general ALT ideas and their potential for revamping online STEM education. The detail recommendations will be proposed in the next phase of the study.
The contributions of nanowires and nanowire-nanowire junctions in chemiresistors based on metal oxide nanowire networks

This work reports the analysis of chemiresistors based on nanowire networks, decoupling the relative contributions of elementary nanowires and nanowire-nanowire junctions in the macroscopic response of the film. The relationship between the response of microscopic elements and the macroscopic film is established on the basis of the network theory. Results indicate that the film, depending on the material and network properties, may exhibit a junction-like or a mixed junction/nanowire behavior.
Miller v. Alabama as a Watershed Procedural Rule: The Case for Retroactivity

Three years ago, in Miller v. Alabama, the Supreme Court ruled that sentencing juveniles to life without parole (LWOP) under mandatory sentencing schemes amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Over the past few years, courts have reached conflicting conclusions regarding whether the rule the Supreme Court pronounced in Miller applies retroactively to the cases of over 2,100 prisoners whose convictions were final when the case was decided. The Supreme Court granted certiorari in Montgomery v. Louisiana and is now poised to decide whether Miller must apply retroactively. The issue has primarily been framed as a question of whether the Miller rule is substantive, and therefore retroactive, or procedural, and therefore not retroactive. Ten state supreme courts have concluded that Miller is retroactive because it created a new substantive rule. The four states that have determined Miller is not retroactive have done so on the basis that its rule is procedural, rather than substantive. However, Miller’s rule is not clearly substantive or procedural.This Essay presents an alternative argument for concluding that Miller is retroactive — one that has been marginalized in the discourse thus far but was just relied upon by the Connecticut Supreme Court in Casiano v. Commissioner. I argue that even if the Supreme Court were to determine that Miller announced a new procedural rule, it should still apply retroactively because of its groundbreaking nature. The Miller decision has sparked a transformation in juvenile sentencing across the country. Directly in response to Miller, eight states have passed legislation expressly outlawing LWOP sentences for juveniles. Nine other states have created new resentencing or parole procedures that go far beyond the requirements of Miller to offer juvenile offenders more meaningful opportunities for release at younger ages. Given the widespread changes the opinion has inspired, it should be categorized as a watershed rule and should apply retroactively.
On the Niwa-Shintani theta-kernel lifting of modular forms

Modular forms of half-integral weight are of intrinsic interest: many of the functions of classical number theory transform under a matrix group with half-integral weight. The aim of this paper is to refine some results and techniques which have been introduced to study these functions and the arithmetic information which they contain.
Feeding iron-fortified premature formula during initial hospitalization to infants less than 1800 grams birth weight.

OBJECTIVE A randomized, double-blind study was conducted comparing high-iron content (15 mg/L) with low-iron content (3 mg/L) premature formula given during initial hospitalization to infants with birth weights less than 1800 g to determine the influence of these differing intakes on the iron nutritional status during the first 4 months of life. A third group of similar infants received human milk mixed with an equal volume of liquid fortifier resulting in an iron content of approximately 1.7 mg/L. PATIENTS AND METHODS Mean birth weight, gestational age, age at study entry, volume of blood removed for studies, and volume of red cells transfused were not different among the three groups. After hospitalization both formula-fed groups were given a cow milk formula with an iron content of 12 mg/L, and breast-fed infants were given an iron-containing multivitamin with a resulting iron intake of 10 mg/d. Infants were observed to 8 weeks after discharge. RESULTS There were no differences in serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or reticulocyte count among the three groups at study entry, although mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were lower in infants in the low-iron formula group. Mean plasma ferritin was significantly lower in infants receiving low-iron content premature formula at the time of hospital discharge compared with the other two groups. The incidence of anemia (hemoglobin < 9.0 g/dL) and low transferrin saturation (< 24%) was also greater in the low-iron content formula group. Eight weeks after discharge, the incidence of low plasma ferritin (< 19 ng/mL) remained greater in infants receiving low-iron content formula than in the other two groups. No adverse effects of iron intake were observed. Growth was not different among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that preterm infants with < 1800 g birth weight receiving premature infant formula benefit from formula given during initial hospitalization containing 15 mg/L iron compared with that containing 3 mg/L.
Image computing for visual information systems

The last few years have seen a remarkable growth of information in digital form due to a combination of several technological factors that include the availability of high speed electronic networks and affordable yet powerful desktop computing. This coupled with advances in scientific and consumer imaging technology-digital radiography, digital still cameras, desktop scanners, video capture boards, has created an environment where a large fraction of digital information is being created and disseminated in visual form-graphics, images, and video. This trend towards information in visual form is not surprising considering that we use vision more than any other sense to acquire and communicate information. >
Image morphological operations by neural circuits

An approach to implementing neural computing with Boolean programmable logic is presented. A technique for the implementation of image morphological operations using a neural architecture is developed. Image morphological operations, by their very nature, involve repeated computations over large data structures. Parallelism appears to be a necessary attribute of a hardware system which can efficiently perform such image analysis tasks. >
SPINAL CORD CONTUSION MODELS

Most human spinal cord injuries involve contusions of the spinal cord. Many investigators have long used weight-drop contusion animal models to study the pathophysiology and genetic responses of spinal cord injury. All spinal cord injury therapies tested to date in clinical trial were validated in such models. In recent years, the trend has been towards use of rats for spinal cord injury studies. The MASCIS Impactor is a well-standardized rat spinal cord contusion model that produces very consistent graded spinal cord damage that linearly predicts 24-h lesion volumes, 6-week white matter sparing, and locomotor recovery in rats. All aspects of the model, including anesthesia for male and female rats, age rather than body weight criteria, and arterial blood gases were empirically selected to enhance the consistency of injury.
Determination of concentration of bilirubin in serum. I. Rapid micro-method employing photoelectric colorimeter. II. Rapid micro-method employing color standards.

DURING the past few years, the measurement of the concentration of bilirubin in the serum has become very important in the pediatric field because of its value in the management of erythroblastosis fetalis and other forms of jaundice during early infancy. In previous communications, a micro modification of the standard method of Malloy and Evelyn was presented for the determination of the concentration of bilirubin in the serum of capillary blood. Although this method has proved to be very satisfactory, some have found the long waiting period for the development of the azobilirubin color a real objection. The present method overcomes this drawback by employing a dilute solution of caffein sodium benzoate as a catalyst, as first suggested by Jendrassak and Grof, and an increased strength of the diazo reagent as described by White and Duncan. It is well known that although the azobilirubin reaction continues to progress at a slower rate indefinitely, Malloy and Evelyn have shown that a 30-minute waiting period can be considered sufficient for the development of color when the ordinary diazo reagent is used. Using the 30-minute reading as the end point at which the reaction may be considered 100% completed, it can be seen (Fig. 1) that this same point is reached using caffein alone in 15 minutes, and using both caffein and a strengthened diazo reagent at 3 minutes. In the latter instance, the reaction does not change appreciably during the ensuing 26 minutes and may for all practical purposes be considered as complete at 4 minutes. [See the FIG. I. in Source pdf]
Experiment authoring for virtual driving environments

Virtual environment applications demand rich, dynamic scenarios populated with objects that exhibit realistic behaviors and interact convincingly with each other and human participants. In addition, applications require scenes that accurately model the geometry and properties real environments to fine levels of detail. In the domain of virtual driving environments, the cost of experiment authoring, the process of creating experiment-specific scenes and scenarios, is quite high. In this paper, we examine the challenge of developing scene and scenario authoring tools accessible to non-specialists and outline our approach to meet this challenge.
A neural network based testbed for modelling sensorimotor integration in robotic applications

Preliminary work toward the integration of sensorimotor interactions using the Neural Simulation Language (NSL) and the Rapid Robotics Application Development (R/sup 2/AD) environment for computing sensory information and creating motor behavior, respectively, for the purpose of visuomotor coordination in the real world is described. It is noted that, by combining these environments, one gains greater flexibility in designing neural networks to model various perceptions and behaviors in biological systems. This system also gives the computational neurobiologist a new avenue of investigation: the ability to see one's algorithms, based upon neurophysiological and behavioral data, come to life within an artificial creature. Such a capability can allow a better behavioural comparison between the real system and the artificial algorithm. As an application example, the modeling of the visual sensory modality in predator avoidance behavior found in frogs and toads is considered. >
Histological Methods to Determine Blood Flow Distribution with Fluorescent Microspheres

We evaluated several histological methods and determined their advantages and disadvantages for histological studies of tissues and organs perfused with fluorescent microspheres. Microspheres retained their fluorescence in 7-10 microm serial sections with a change in the antimedium from toluene when samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Several antimedia allowed both wax infiltration of tissue and preservation of microsphere fluorescence. Histoclear II was the best substitute for toluene. When samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in glycol methacrylate, thinner (3-5 microm) sections provided greater histological detail but had fewer microspheres per section. Air dried lung tissue followed by Vibratome sectioning provided thick sections (100 microm) that facilitated rapid survey of large volumes of tissue for microspheres but limited histological detail, and the air drying procedure was restricted to lung tissue. Samples fixed in formalin followed by Vibratome sectioning of unembedded tissue provided better histological detail of lung tissue and was also useful for other organs. These sections were more difficult to handle and to mount on slides compared to air dried tissue, whereas fixed tissue embedded in gelatin provided better tissue support for Vibratome sectioning. Rapid freezing followed by cryo-microtome sectioning resulted in frozen sections that were relatively difficult to handle compared to embedded or unembedded tissue; they also deteriorated relatively rapidly with time. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or with aqueous methyl green, although tissue autofluorescence by itself was usually sufficient to identify histological features. Methacrylate sections quenched tissue autofluorescence, and Lee's stain or Richardson's stain were used for staining sections. Toluene based mountants such as Cytoseal quenched fluorescence, particularly the red fluorescent microspheres. Aqueous based mountants such as Aquamount, Crystal/Mount, Fluoromount-G were substituted, although such preparations were not as permanent as Cytoseal mounted coverglasses and tended to cause fading of stained sections.
Cold nuclear matter at high densities

Abstract Consideration of matter at high densities shows that nuclear or neutron matter does not merge to quark matter at densities achieved in the collapse of large stars or in neutron stars. Since the quark/gluon core of the nucleon is only ~ 0.5 fm in radius, boson-exchange models are adequate for the discussion of the equation of state up to ϱ ~ 8ϱnm, where ϱnm is nuclear-matter density. Manufacturing equations of state for nuclear and neutron matter requires not only treatment of two-body interactions, but also relativistic corrections and three-body interactions. In going to high densities, it is essential to include higher-order loop corrections. For “successful” supernovae in which neutron stars are formed, the nuclear equation of state must be quite soft in the region ϱ ~ 1–3 ϱnm. The merging of nucleons into quarks at densities ϱ ~ 8ϱnm seems to be accomplished by the chiral bags in the nucleon extending throughout the volume, “squeezing out” the meson cloud. This transition should be a very smooth one.
Driving evaluation after traumatic brain injury

Traumatic closed head injury results in a variety of cognitive and behavioral deficits that may be difficult to assess fully. Adequately evaluating driving safety is a common and important problem for health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between standardized measures of cognitive function and measures of driving performance in patients with closed head injuries and in their age-matched relative or friend cohorts. Thirteen patients were evaluated. They had each sustained a closed head injury (followed by more than 1 h of coma) 3 to 6 months before testing. Their scores were analyzed along with those of seven cohorts. Assessments of cognitive function and behind-the-wheel driving performance were conducted by examiners blinded to subjects' group membership and medical condition. There was a significant relationship (r = 0.44) between the sum of rated scores of the Tactual Performance Test and Trail Making Test and the global pass/fail ratings of the behind-the-wheel driving test, but it was not related to the driving performance score. The difference between the verbal and performance IQs, and the difference between the block design and other performance tests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised were also not significantly related to driving performance. These results suggest that tests of cognitive function alone are not adequate to predict driving performance, and should be used along with standardized driving performance evaluations before recommendations are made.
THE VISUALIZATION OF POLYRIBOSOMAL STRUCTURE.

Polyribosomes from rabbit reticulocytes have been studied in the electron microscope using positive- and negative-staining techniques. They can be seen as extended arrays of ribosomes connected by a strand approximately 10 A in width. The most frequent structure contains five ribosomes, although some larger units have six or even seven. The distance between ribosomal centers has been measured for different types of preparations. Some of these are tightly clustered with the ribosomes almost in contact, while other preparations have ribosomes separated by a gap of 100 to 150 A. This variability is probably associated with differences in sample preparation. The relation between the length of the polyribosome and the length of the messenger RNA for hemoglobin is discussed. Some evidence concerning the sub-structure of ribosomes is also presented.
Experiments on Differential Scalar Mixing in Turbulence in a Sheared, Stratified Flow

AbstractLaboratory experiments were performed to measure differential diffusion of temperature and salinity across a sheared density interface. The eddy diffusivity of temperature KT exceeded the eddy diffusivity of salinity KS by as much as 1.5 orders of magnitude at low e/νN2, where e is the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy, ν is the kinematic viscosity, and N is the buoyancy frequency in the pycnocline. The diffusivity ratio d = KS/KT increased from about 0.05 to 1 over the range 0.1 < e/νN2 < 40. These differences made the eddy diffusivity of density depend on the density ratio. The trend of d with e/νN2 was consistent with trends found in other experiments, simulations, and theory, and the collapse of several datasets allowed the diffusivity ratio to be expressed as a function of e/νN2. However, shear decreased differential diffusion less in the experiments than predicted by theory for homogeneous turbulence subjected to constant shear and stratification. No strong effect of the densit...
Heteroaromatic moieties in Green River oil shale kerogen

Abstract Investigation of the reaction of Green River oil shale kerogen with sodium borohydride in trifluoroacetic acid by infrared spectroscopy has shown the appearance of absorptions representative of lactams. These lactams can be shown to have possible precursors that are heteroaromatic in composition and as such could demonstrate the existence in Green River kerogen of aromatic nitrogen compounds.
Measurements of specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of Utah tar sands

Abstract A constant applied heat flux method has been used to measure the specific heat and thermal conductivity of large samples of Utah (North-west Asphalt Ridge) tar sands as a function of temperature. Independent measurements of density allowed for the calculation of thermal diffusivity. Constituent analysis of the tar sand samples also permitted the calculation of bitumen and sand specific heats. Specific heat of the bitumen was found to increase with temperature from 1.85 to 3.9 kJ kg−1 K−1 for temperatures between 300 and 480 K. Specific heat of the sand matrix increased only slightly, from 0.85 to 1.0 kJ kg−1 K− for the same range of temperature. Corresponding thermal diffusivities for tar sand were found to decrease with temperature, and had a range of 5 · 10−7–9 · 10−7 m2 s−1 over the measured temperatures. It was concluded that the latent heat of both bitumen and water have a strong influence on the apparent overall specific heat of tar sand.
Fast photomechanical effects in a polymer optical fiber

We report on the demonstration of a fast photomechanical effect where a 5 ns laser pulse induces a length change in a polymer optical fiber that displaces an 8 gm mass by about 5 nm. Two equally dominant mechanisms appear to be responsible: a fast response that follows the 5 ns laser pulse and a slower response that decays with a 12 ns time constant. Accelerations of at least 6 X 108 m/s2 are observed. These effects are modeled with an electrostrictive mechanism. The calculated length change is consistent with the measured value.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Creating a realistic weather environment for motion-based piloted flight simulation

A flight simulation environment is being enhanced to facilitate experiments that evaluate research prototypes of advanced onboard weather radar, hazard / integrity monitoring (HIM), and integrated alerting and notification (IAN) concepts in adverse weather conditions. The simulation environment uses weather data based on real weather events to support operational scenarios in a terminal area. A simulated atmospheric environment was realized by using numerical weather data sets. These were produced from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model hosted and run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To align with the planned flight simulation experiment requirements, several HRRR data sets were acquired courtesy of NOAA. These data sets coincided with severe weather events at the Memphis International Airport (MEM) in Memphis, TN. In addition, representative flight tracks for approaches and departures at MEM were generated and used to develop and test simulations of (1) what onboard sensors such as the weather radar would observe; (2) what datalinks of weather information would provide; and (3) what atmospheric conditions the aircraft would experience (e.g. turbulence, winds, and icing). The simulation includes a weather radar display that provides weather and turbulence modes, derived from the modeled weather along the flight track. The radar capabilities and the pilots controls simulate current-generation commercial weather radar systems. Appropriate data-linked weather advisories (e.g., SIGMET) were derived from the HRRR weather models and provided to the pilot consistent with NextGen concepts of use for Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) and Meteorological (MET) data link products. The net result of this simulation development was the creation of an environment that supports investigations of new flight deck information systems, methods for incorporation of better weather information, and pilot interface and operational improvements for better aviation safety. This research is part of a larger effort at NASA to study the impact of the growing complexity of operations, information, and systems on crew decision-making and response effectiveness; and then to recommend methods for improving future designs.
Spatial composition variation in sputtered TiW films

Abstract We compare experimentally measured and simulated spatial composition variation in a TiW film sputtered into trenches on a patterned silicon wafer. Composition as a function of position down sidewalls of partially filled features of various aspect ratios were determined using Auger electron spectroscopy by analyzing selected points down exposed sidewalls. The atomic fraction of Ti increases as a function of distance into the trenches. The atomic fraction of Ti at the bases of trenches is significantly lower than on their sidewalls near the base. We test the effects of different sticking factors and flux distributions for Ti and W by comparing experimental composition profiles with those predicted using a physically based deposition process simulator, EVOLVE. We conclude that Ti has a lower effective sticking factor than W, which is assumed to be one. The effective sticking factor is the ratio of atoms permanently incorporated into the film, to the flux of incoming atoms for a given species. Although the difference in sticking factors seems to be one of the most significant causes of the spatial composition variation, different distribution functions from the source may also play a role.
Wisdom from Korean Reentry Counseling Professionals: A Phenomenological Study of the Reentry Process

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the common experience of Korean counseling professionals who returned to South Korea after obtaining their doctoral degrees in the United States. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten Korean counseling professionals to understand their cross-cultural experience. The data were analyzed by phenomenological methods of inquiry. Seven themes emerged from the analyses: Reminiscence, Differences and Comparisons,Benefits, Challenges, Coping, Applicationand Modification, and Meaning. The findings suggested how the setting and context in which the reentry process occurred contributed to the participants’ experience as well as the essence of the reentry process. Implications of the results are discussed in the light of cross-cultural counseling and for future research and practice.
Vibrational Assignments of Organosilanetriols. I. Vinylsilanetriol and Vinylsilanetriol-D3 in Aqueous Solutions:

Infrared and laser Raman spectra of vinylsilanetriol and vinylsilanetriol-d3 in H2O and D2O, respectively, are reported. Complete band assignments of the silanetriol group are discussed. In addition, band assignments of the vinyl group are reexamined. Most of the related bands to silanol are very broad or weak in intensity except for the SiO stretching modes which are potentially of use for structural analysis of silane coupling agents in the presence of glass surfaces.
Nitrogen Fertilization of Cotton Cultivars of Differing Maturity

Management of N nutrition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most critical aspects of successful cotton production, but growth and yield responses of individual cotton cultivars to N fertilization is relatively unknown. The objective of this research was to evaluate the responses of three cotton cultivars (Arkot 518, Stoneville 453, and Deltapine 90) to soil-applied N fertilization rates. The study was conducted for 3 yr on a Hebert silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Aeric Ochraqualf). Few significant (α = 0.05) cultivar × N rate interaction differences were found, although main effects of the N treatments and the cultivars were evident. The most pronounced responses of the cotton were found as an effect of the N-fertilization treatments [...]
Infection not associated with use of human musculoskeletal tissue allografts.

The deaths of otherwise healthy patients that are attributable to contaminated allografts have heightened concerns about the screening, processing, and use of such tissues. We present one tertiary care institution’s experience with musculoskeletal allografts and determine the frequency of postoperative Clostridium infection. We used an institutional microbiology database to identify all records of culture-confirmed Clostridium infection from January 1990 through July 2006. A comprehensive musculoskeletal database was cross-referenced to include all possible allograft samples surgically collected or implanted from January 1990 through July 2004 to determine the frequency of Clostridium infection associated with use of allograft musculoskeletal tissue. Musculoskeletal allografts were implanted in 16,314 patients during the study period. After a minimum follow-up of 2 years, no patient had development of a definite Clostridium infection that was attributable to the use of musculoskeletal allograft tissue. These outcomes can be achieved with established screening and processing techniques for donor tissue.
Abscisic acid signaling through cyclic ADP-ribose in plants

Abscisic acid (ABA) is the primary hormone that mediates plant responses to stresses such as cold, drought, and salinity. Single-cell microinjection experiments in tomato were used to identify possible intermediates involved in ABA signal transduction. Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) was identified as a signaling molecule in the ABA response and was shown to exert its effects by way of calcium. Bioassay experiments showed that the amounts of cADPR in Arabidopsis thaliana plants increased in response to ABA treatment and before ABA-induced gene expression.
God Diagnosed with Bipolar I

The ancient Scriptures of the Judeo-Christian tradition portray a God whose behavior is erratic, unstable, and often cruelly violent. The attempt to understand, and even come to worship, this God has often required a sacrifice of the intellect. This article explores the behavior of this God in light of the diagnosis of Bipolar I in the Bible, exploring the characteristics, causes, course, consequences, and curability of Bipolar I through God’s purported activity. The value of the treatment is heuristic in that it provides an opportunity for a sustained engagement with a description of Bipolar I that will be accessible to those from the Judeo-Christian tradition. At the same time, it playfully makes space for alternative images of God that move away from the cruelty and violence often implicated within the tradition.
Names as Devices of Explicit Co-reference

This essay examines the syntax of names. It argues that names are a syntactically and not just semantically distinctive class of expressions. Its central claim is that names are a distinguished type of anaphoric device—devices of explicit co-reference. Finally it argues that appreciating the true syntactic distinctiveness of names is the key to resolving certain long-standing philosophical puzzles that have long been thought to be of a semantic nature.
A double-acceptor as a superior organic dye design for p-type DSSCs: high photocurrents and the observed light soaking effect.

Herein, we report three novel single donor double acceptor dyes, BH2, 4, and 6, for use in p-type dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). BH4 yields one of the highest photocurrents, 7.4 mA cm−2, to date. The high performance is achieved via a shorter synthetic route and no exotic materials or cell-building techniques. We suggest a structural principle when building dyes whereby one adopts a double acceptor/single anchor when a triphenylamine moiety is incorporated into a dye for p-type DSSCs. This strategy increases the molar extinction coefficient while simultaneously reducing the number of synthetic steps. The molar extinction coefficients (99 980 M−1 cm−1) reported herein are among the highest reported. Finally, we report the first-ever-observed light soaking effect in p-type DSSCs.
Estimation of heat and chemical fluxes from a seafloor hydrothermal vent field using radon measurements

The circulation of seawater through newly formed ocean crust at mid-ocean ridge spreading centres is important in the oceanic heat and chemical budgets. The heat transfer in submarine hydrothermal systems accounts for ˜25% of the total global heat loss1. The transfer of mass resulting from basaltic alteration affects the geochemistry of seawater2 and is responsible for the formation of ore deposits on and beneath the seafloor3. Various geophysical techniques have been employed in efforts to determine the heat output from hydrothermal vent fields4–9; however, the magnitudes of the heat and chemical fluxes through these systems remain uncertain. Here we introduce a geochemical approach for estimating the flux from a vent field based on radon (222Rn) measurements in the overlying effluent plume. This method was applied successfully in September 1986 during a 23-day expedition to an active vent field on the 170-km Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge (Fig. la). We estimate the heat flux from this site to be l–5×l09 W.
Phase defects and spatiotemporal disorder in traveling-wave convection patterns

Spatiotemporal disorder is studied in traveling-wave convection in ethanol-water mixtures. Spectral measures of disorder, linear correlation functions, and mutual information are used to characterize the patterns, and are found to give a weak indication of the level of disorder. The calculation of the complex order parameter for experimental patterns is described. It is found that the ordering of the patterns is accompanied by a dramatic change in the topological structure of the order parameter. Specific arrangements of defects are found to be associated with the elements of traveling-wave patterns, and the net charge and total number of defects is introduced as a measure of disorder in the patterns. The coarsening of the patterns is marked by an accumulation of net charge and a dramatic decrease in the number of defects. The physical significance of the defects is discussed, and it is shown that the phase velocity of the waves is lower in the vicinity of the defects. The defect-defect correlation functions are calculated for the convection patterns. It is shown that the ordering of the patterns is closely related to the apparent defect-defect interactions. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Curved Anaerobic Bacteria in Bacterial (Nonspecific) Vaginosis and Their Response to Antimicrobial Therapy

Vaginal fluid samples from normal college students, college students with bacterial (nonspecific) vaginosis, and sexually transmitted disease clinic patients with bacterial vaginosis, before and after therapy with metronidazole, ampicillin, or amoxicillin, were evaluated by direct Gram stain and culture for the predominant anaerobic and facultative flora. Curved rods were detected by direct Gram stain of vaginal fluid from 31 (51%) of 61 women with bacterial vaginosis and none of 42 normal student controls (P less than 0.001). Curved, gram-variable to gram-negative organisms were recovered from six of these 31 women, seven other women with bacterial vaginosis, and no controls. All 13 isolates were anaerobic, motile, and oxidase-negative, produced succinic acid as their major metabolic product, and hydrolyzed starch. After treatment with ampicillin or amoxicillin (n = 10) or greater than or equal to 2 g of metronidazole (n = 9), no curved motile rods were detected by Gram stain or culture, although the minimal inhibitory concentration of metronidazole was greater than or equal 8 micrograms/ml for 11 of the 13 isolates tested.
Cardiac Dynamics In-Silico: Pharmacological Targeting of Long QT3 Syndrome

The treatment of cardiac arrhythmia is largely empirical due to incomplete understanding of antiarrhythmic drug-receptor dynamics. However, our laboratory has recently determined that drug receptor interactions of commonly prescribed local anesthetics (LAs) can be described using theoretical models based on a limited number of experimentally determined parameters. Here, we use experimental function data from cardiac Na+ channels harboring disease-linked mutations to build models that simulate measured properties of drug interactions with mutant channels. We developed computational models of 3 closely linked LQT3 mutants: deltaKPQ, D1790G, and Y1795C that account for 1) mutant-specific biophysical channel gating characteristics including mean open time and persistent Na+ current; 2) drug partitioning that underlies situation-dependent blockade; and 3) drug sensitivity to LAs that matches experimental data for steady-state inactivation (SSI), tonic block (TB), concentration and frequency dependence of use-dependent block (UDB), and recovery from UDB. Experimental 30υM flecainide block of D1790G induces a 5.5 ± 1.4mV hyperpolarizing shift in SSI, similar to our simulations (6.25mV). Experimental fits to TB reveal an IC50 of 48υM (simulations: 53.5υM), and for UDB, an IC50 of 1.7υM (simulations: 2υM). Frequency dependence of UDB is in excellent agreement with experimental data over a broad range of pacing frequencies (1 - 10Hz). We have built similarly predictive models of LA interactions for deltaKPQ and Y1795C. The in-silico platform that we have developed to predict drug-receptor interactions can be used to predict how subtle alterations to gating resulting from the mutations, as well as differential sensitivities to LAs, predispose patients to under- or overly-effective therapy with commonly prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs.
Dielectric Force Calculation for a Cylindrical Fiber of Finite Length by the Energy Displacement Method

ABSTRACT A dielectric mobility separator has been used to collect size-separated fibers for toxicity studies of inhaled airborne aerosols. To improve the resolution of fiber length separation inside the dielectric mobility separator, the dielectric force on a fiber must be obtained. Because of the lack of analytical and numerical solutions specific to cylinders, cylindrical fibers are usually approximated by prolate spheroids in such calculations. The objective of this study was to obtain the dielectric force on a cylindrical fiber of finite length using a numerical method and to compare it with numerical and analytical calculations of the dielectric force on a prolate spheroid having the same dimensions and physical properties. First, the electrical potential around a cylindrical fiber in a nonuniform field was calculated by the finite element method. The dielectric force was obtained by displacing the fiber against the field gradient by a small distance and computing the corresponding energy changes (en...
Slow potential changes recorded from human brain during learning of a temporal interval

The contingent negative variation (CNV), a cerebral DC shift in man, has been linked in the literature to the psychological concept “expectancy.” In a study of the relationship between developing accuracy of interval estimation and CNV amplitude, absolute error of interval estimation was found to decrease exponentially while CNV amplitude could best be described by a quadratic (inverted-U) function. It was concluded that the relationship between CNV amplitude and “expectancy” is not one-to-one, and that these data, with those from a number of other investigations, support the hypothesis that the various portions of the brain act differentially and at various times during learning.
Weak ∊-efficiency conditions for multiobjective fractional programming

A general framework for a class of (@r,@h,@q)-invex functions is developed and then applied to establish some parametric sufficient efficiency conditions for multiobjective fractional programming toward achieving weakly @e-efficient solutions to multiobjective fractional programming problems. The obtained results are general in nature to the sense of a wider generality and applications to other results on multiobjective fractional programming.