cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primordial nucleosynthesis with horizon-scale curvature fluctuations.

We have used a plane-symmetric numerical relativity and hydrodynamics code to study the effect of horizon-scale inhomogeneities in the energy density and spacetime curvature on primordial nucleosynthesis. $^{2}\mathrm{H}$, $^{3}\mathrm{He}$, and $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ yields are chiefly determined by the local baryon-to-photon ratios during nucleosynthesis, whereas $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ depends on previous dynamical history which determines how many neutrons survive until nucleosynthesis. Strong ($\frac{\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\rho}}{\ensuremath{\rho}}\ensuremath{\sim}1$) inhomogeneities are allowed by the observed abundances. Inhomogeneities usually raise both $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{2}\mathrm{H}$ but in some cases a nonadiabatic curvature inhomogeneity leads to a $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ yield below the standard-model result with the same average baryon-to-photon ratio.
A mathematical formulation of a large space structure control problem

Abstract : This paper presents an abstract-mathematical formulation of a Large Space Structure Control problem. The physical apparatus consists of a softly supported antenna attached to the space shuttle by a flexible beam-like truss. The control objective is to slew the antenna on command within the given accuracy and maintaining stability. The control forces and torques are applied at the shuttle end as well as the antenna end and in addition provision is made for a small number of 2-axis proof-mass actuators along the beam. The beam motion is modelled by partial differential equations. Of the variety of Control problems possible we touch only on the time-optimal probable. (Author)
Quantum dynamics of Lorentzian spacetime foam.

A simple spacetime wormhole, which evolves classically from zero throat radius to a maximum value and recontracts, can be regarded as one possible mode of fluctuation in the microscopic ``spacetime foam'' first suggested by Wheeler. The dynamics of a particularly simple version of such a wormhole can be reduced to that of a single quantity, its throat radius; this wormhole thus provides a ``minisuperspace model'' for a mode of Lorentzian-signature foam. The classical equation of motion for the wormhole throat is obtained from the Einstein field equations and a suitable equation of state for the matter at the throat. Analysis of the quantum behavior of the hole then proceeds from an action corresponding to that equation of motion. The action obtained simply by calculating the scalar curvature of the hole spacetime yields a model with features like those of the relativistic free particle. In particular the Hamiltonian is nonlocal, and for the wormhole cannot even be given as a differential operator in closed form. Nonetheless the general solution of the Schr\"odinger equation for wormhole wave functions, i.e., the wave-function propagator, can be expressed as a path integral. Too complicated to perform exactly, this can yet be evaluated via a WKB approximation. The result indicates that the wormhole, classically stable, is quantum-mechanically unstable: A Feynman-Kac decomposition of the WKB propagator yields no spectrum of bound states. Although an initially localized wormhole wave function may oscillate for many classical expansion and recontraction periods, it must eventually leak to large radius values. The possibility of such a mode unstable against growth, combined with the observed absence of macroscopic wormholes, suggests that stability considerations may place constraints on the nature or even the existence of Planck-scale foamlike structure, at least of Lorentzian signature.
Some properties of tobacco etch virus and its alkaline degradation products

Abstract Tobacco etch virus (TEV) was purified from tobacco leaf tissue by a procedure utilizing butanol clarification, ultracentrifugation, and acid precipitation. Infectious preparations examined in the electron microscope contained flexible particles with a predominant length of 750 mμ. Preparations examined in an analytical ultracentrifuge showed a single component with a sedimentation coefficient of 154 S in 0.05 M borate, pH 8.2. Similarly, a single light-scattering zone was found after the intact virus was sedimented in sucrose gradient columns. Usually three zones, however, were found in sucrose gradient columns after centrifugation of virus which had been exposed to ethanolamine buffer, pH 10.5. Fragments of rods were found in electron micrographs of the top two zones. The bottom component apparently was nondegraded virus. All three zones contained antigens which reacted with antiserum to TEV. Protein of TEV was obtained by degradation at pH 12 in glycine buffer. The protein had an ultraviolet absorption spectrum with a maximum at 279 mμ and a minimum at 250 mμ. It reacted specifically with antiserum to TEV but no rods were found in electron micrographs.
The influence of histidine on cleavage C-terminal to acidic residues in doubly protonated tryptic peptides

Abstract An ion-trap CID MS/MS spectral database of 505 doubly protonated tryptic peptides was used to investigate the influence of an internal basic residue on preferential fragmentation C-terminal to the acidic amino acid residues, aspartic acid (Asp) and glutamic acid (Glu). Because tryptic peptides, which contain C-terminal Lys or Arg, were selected for analysis, the majority of the peptides contain His as the internal basic residue. A comparison between spectra for peptides that do and do not contain an internal basic residue shows that cleavage is more prominent at Asp-Xxx bonds for peptides that do contain the internal basic residue. This result corroborates a previously published mechanism for Asp-Xxx cleavage that states that cleavage at Asp-Xxx is enhanced when protons are sequestered at basic sites, allowing the acidic hydrogen of the Asp side chain to initiate cleavage. The data suggest that in doubly-charged His-containing tryptic peptides, one proton is typically located at the C-terminal Arg or Lys while the mobility of the second proton is hindered by the His side chain’s relatively high basicity. The same investigation was performed for cleavage at Glu-Xxx amide bonds, but in this case there is only a marginal difference between peptides that do and do not contain the internal basic residue.
A stationary FE-BI formulation for 3D electromagnetic analysis

This paper deals with the time-harmonic electromagnetic analysis of a 3D inhomogeneous radiator/scatterer in free-space. A finite element-boundary integral formulation is presented, which is based on a variational principle and which yields a symmetric system matrix. Convergence results are presented to demonstrate the order of accuracy of the formulation. Results for a general scatterer are also shown.
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's Global Emergency Medicine Academy: global health elective code of conduct.

Resumen El numero de residentes y estudiantes de medicina que participan en asignaturas optativas de salud global en medicina de urgencias y emergencias (MUE) se ha incrementado exponencialmente en los ultimos anos. Las asignaturas optativas de salud global siguen siendo un instrumento fuerte de reclutamiento y pueden contribuir a la formacion de los alumnos. Sin embargo, segun crece el numero de estudiantes que llevan a cabo experiencias internacionales en el campo de la MUE global, se tiene la necesidad de desarrollar estandares aceptables de comportamiento en el escenario internacional. Los miembros de la Global Emergency Medicine Academy (GEMA) se dieron cuenta de la ausencia de recomendaciones internacionales o guias para estas experiencias.[1-3] Un grupo de miembros voluntarios de la GEMA se comprometieron con la tarea de crear un documento que pudiese usarse por los estudiantes cuando llevaran a cabo asignaturas optativas de salud global. Los autores procedian de diversas instituciones y tenian distintos niveles de formacion y experiencia internacional. En el desarrollo de este documento, se llevo a cabo una revision sistematica en la literatura de cualquier informacion en codigos de conducta/profesionalidad[4, 5] cuando se trabaja en el escenario internacional; tambien se revisaron documentos similares de numerosas instituciones[6, 7] de diferentes especialidades[8] y se busco ent la literatura gris.[9] Las referencias clave seleccionadas se muestran mas abajo. Esta informacion se combino para producir un unico documento, que se reviso usando una metodologia de consenso hasta que alcanzo un acuerdo por parte de todos los miembros del grupo. El documento resultante se muestra en la figura de mas abajo. Se anima a las instituciones comprometidas con la formacion de estudiantes a adoptar este como estandar de su formacion en salud global.
Efficient Differential Reflectivity Processing Using Logarithmic Receivers

Abstract The differential reflectivity (ZDR) measurement introduced by Seliga and Bringi has shown potential for extending cloud microphysical studies and improving rainfall rate measurement. The sensitivity of ZDR measurement requires it to be estimated with a high degree of accuracy. Our theoretical analysis and experimental observations show that the estimates of ZDR using log ratio estimators typically have twice the standard error compared to those from square law estimators. A “lookup table technique” which converts the log value to the equivalent square law value prior to integration is proposed to improve the accuracy of ZDR estimates from logarithmic receivers. The size of the lookup table dictates the accuracy of the resulting ZDR estimate. Experimental observations demonstrate that the log receiver lookup table technique estimates ZDR to an accuracy nearly the same as that from a square law receiver. We present the implementation of this technique in integer arithmetic applied to the NCAR CP-2 ...
Analysis of Tube Free Hydroforming Using an Inverse Approach With FLD-Based Adjustment of Process Parameters

This paper employs an inverse approach (IA) formulation for the analysis of tubes under free hydroforming conditions. The IA formulation is derived from that of Guo et al. established for flat sheet hydroforming analysis using constant strain triangular membrane elements. At first, an incremental analysis of free hydroforming for a hot-dip galvanized (HG/Z140) DP600 tube is performed using the finite element Marc code. The deformed geometry obtained at the last converged increment is then used as the final configuration in the inverse analysis. This comparative study allows us to assess the predicting capability of the inverse analysis. The results will be compared with the experimental values determined by Asnafi and Skogsgardh. After that, a procedure based on a forming limit diagram (FLD) is proposed to adjust the process parameters such as the axial feed and internal pressure. Finally, the adjustment process is illustrated through a re-analysis of the same tube using the inverse approach
Nitrogen Fertilization of Ponds

Abstract Nitrogen fertilization failed to increase the production of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and plankton in small experimental ponds (0.022 to 0.066 hectare) which were also fertilized with phosphorus. In an experiment conducted in larger ponds (0.57 to 10.32 hectares), nitrogen plus phosphorus fertilization was no more effective than phosphorus-only fertilization in promoting plankton growth. However, an earlier experiment at Auburn University (1964-1965) demonstrated that the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to ponds increased bluegill production, but not largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) production, above that achieved with phosphorus-only fertilization. Nevertheless, phosphorus-only fertilization will appreciably increase production of sport fish in ponds, and because of the added cost, nitrogen fertilizers should not be used in fertilization programs for most sportfish ponds.
The influence of thermal expansion mismatch on the microstructure of Al66Cr9Ti25-base composites

Abstract Al3Ti is an attractive alternative structural material for high temperature applications. However, its tetragonal DO22 structure displays very low ductility and fracture toughness at room temperature, severely limiting its potential applications. Researchers have found that a slightly more ductile cubic Ll2 phase can be stabilized by alloying with transition metals. In order to enhance the usefulness of this material, prospective reinforcement materials (to form intermetallic matrix composites) have been examined for Al66Cr9Ti25 (a cubic stabilized alloy). Elemental powders were used to prepare composites with metallic and ceramic reinforcements by reactive hot isostatic compaction. Experiments were also conducted to determine if secondary particle additions to the matrix could be used in conjunction with reactive hot isostatic pressing to reduce the thermal mismatch strain in composites. Tungsten and Al2O3 fibers were found to be the most compatible with Al66Cr9Ti25, provided that tungsten particles were added to the matrix when tungsten fibers were used.
Uranium-234/uranium-238 ratios in sea water

Abstract The importance of radioactive disequilibrium within the natural uranium-238 series in various natural systems, since the initial contributions of Hans Pettersson, has steadily gained importance especially in geochronological and geochemical studies. Recently, Russian workers have shown that the parent member, U-238, and the daughter, U-234, in groundwaters do not exist in radioactive equilibrium concentrations. It has been postulated that while U-238 exists in crustal rocks primarily in the +4 state, as a result of the radioactive decays producing the daughter U-234, electrons are lost from the nucleus such that a part of the U-234 ends up in the +6 state. The latter form is preferentially brought into solution by weathering waters due to the formation of the strong complexes formed between uranyl and carbonate ions. Thus, the activity ratio A(U-234)/A(U-238) often exceeds one in surface waters. Experimentally determined values of the activity ratio in surface and deep sea waters from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea are uniform with a value of 1·14 ± 0·014. The error arises from the counting statistics in the radioactive assay of the alpha particles emitted by these two isotopes of uranium. This constancy in the ratio is consistent with the long residence time of uranium and relative lack of reactivity in sea waters.
Is newborn screening for cystic fibrosis a basic human right

Abstract Because it is clearly in the best interests of children with cystic fibrosis to be diagnosed early at
Broadcast training in Britain

This description of broadcast training in Great Britain is the result of an investigation conducted during 1966 while the author was on a year's sabattical in the United Kingdom. LeRoy Bannerman has been teaching in the Department of Radio and Television at Indiana University for the past nine years, and is currently associate professor
The influence of substrate bias voltages on structure, mechanical properties and anti-corrosion performance of Cr doped diamond-like carbon films deposited by steered cathodic arc evaporation

Abstract Cr-doped diamond-like carbon films (Cr-DLC) were deposited on 304 stainless steel (304SS) substrates by a steered cathodic arc plasma evaporation with various negative bias voltages (− 50 to − 550 V). The Cr layer (~ 90 nm), CrN layer (~ 400 nm), transition layer and Cr-DLC layer (~ 3.2 μm.) were deposited sequentially onto the substrate. The Raman spectra showed that the sp 3 /sp 2 ratio increased when the magnitude of bias voltage increased from 50 to 450 V and then it slightly decreased with further increase in the voltage. A dome-shaped morphology was found on the film deposited at low bias voltage due to incorporation of Cr droplets into the films and low mobility of adatoms. In addition, the crack in the conical structure and boundaries between the regular film and conical structure were also observed. The size of dome-shaped morphology and surface roughness decreased with increasing the bias voltage, which is attributed to enhanced surface mobility, increase in re-sputtering events above the droplets, and repulsion of droplets at higher bias voltages. The hardness significantly increased from 8.3 to 25.3 GPa when the bias voltage was increased from 50 to 450 V and then slightly decrease to 23.7 GPa as further increased to 550 V. The best corrosion current density of the film deposited at 450 V was 2.69 × 10 − 8 A/cm 2 , which is about 2-order of magnitude less than that of the bare 304SS plate (1.19 × 10 − 6 A/cm 2 ). The anti-corrosion properties and hardness were improved at higher substrate bias voltage due to the decrease in surface defects. The breakdown potentials of 304SS plates can be significantly improved from 0.75 V for bare samples to 1.3 V for those coated with Cr-DLC films. The passive current density of the Cr-DLC coated 304SS plate significantly decreased to around 1 × 10 − 7 A/cm 2 , because the pits did not penetrate through underlying Cr-DLC film. The optimum anti-corrosion performance and hardness was achieved for the samples deposited at a bias of − 450 V.
Stress analysis method for a clearance-fit bolt under bearing loads

In the present, simple analysis method for bolt hole clearance stresses in mechanically fastened joints, an inverse formulation is used with a finite element analysis. Conditions along the bolt hole contact arc are specified by displacement constraint equations. The method was applied to a single fastener clearance-fit joint with typical clearance values, for the cases of a rigid, frictionless bolt and a quasi-isotropic graphite/epoxy laminate. Results indicate that the contact arc, as well as the peak stresses around the hole (and their locations), were strongly influenced by the clearance. After a minor initial nonlinearity, peak stresses varied linearly with applied load. Clearance levels are found to have only a minor influence on overall joint stiffness.
Management of Completed Strokes With Dextran 40. A Community Hospital Failure

Fifty-nine patients with onset of moderate to severe unimproving paralysis of less than 24 hours' duration were randomized into treatment (Dextran 40) and control groups, managed similarly except for the dextran. A strict effort to study a uniform cerebral process by rejecting patients with hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes, potential emboli, and pulmonary or renal disease resulted in a small sample. Most patients considered for the study had begun to improve before the initial examination. All patients had spinal tap prior to the decision to randomize. Results were evaluated independently by the three authors over a three-week interval and tabulated after three years. A greater percentage of dextran-treated patients improved with respect to consciousness and strength in upper and lower extremities, but showed less restoration of language than the untreated patients. The differences in the two groups were not significant. One of 30 patients given dextran may have had a reaction.
Muscle power: the interaction of cycle frequency and shortening velocity

Force-velocity, force-time, and force-length relations of muscle are typically evaluated with reductionist techniques in which force is measured while the variable of interest is manipulated. However, force produced during voluntary movement arises from complex interaction of these contractile characteristics. Nonetheless, neuromuscular performance for cyclical, work-producing movements can be predicted from the interaction of average muscle shortening velocity and movement frequency.
Dysmorphogenic effects of nitric oxide (NO) and NO‐synthase inhibition: Studies with intra‐amniotic injections of sodium nitroprusside and NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a chemical that is readily converted to nitric oxide (NO) in biological systems, was microinjected into the amniotic fluids of cultured whole rat conceptuses on day 10.5 of gestation and dysmorphogenic/embryotoxic effects were evaluated after a 24 hr incubation period. Injections of 217 ng/embryo (approximately 800 microM) resulted in whitened zones of dead cells in a discretely circumscribed region within the mesencephalon closely associated with the neural tube. These zones were observed with a high incidence after SNP microinjections and were referred to as "white caps" because of their microscopic appearance. At higher concentrations, the whitened zone extended into the rhombencephalon and occasionally appeared to extend the full length of the dorsal midline. The whitened zones of tissue separated readily from the apparently normal underlying tissues upon removal or disturbance of the amniotic membrane. Coinjection of ferrous hemoglobin with SNP selectively prevented the appearance of "white caps" but not other embryotoxic manifestations. Microinjections of the breakdown products of light-exposed SNP elicited generalized embryotoxicity but "white caps" were not observed. In separate experiments, we found that embryonic enzymes catalyzed significant conversion of arginine to citrulline, indicating expression of NO-synthase during organogenesis. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of NO-synthase, was microinjected (50-150 ng/embryo; approximately 200-600 microM) on day 10.5 of gestation and produced malformations that differed markedly from those elicited by SNP. Failure of anterior and posterior neural tube closure and profound underdevelopment of the hyoid arch and optic cup were observed at concentrations that produced no apparent growth deficit. These studies with SNP and L-NMMA indicated that both an excess and a deficiency of NO can be embryotoxic/dysmorphogenic and suggest important roles for optimal levels of NO and NO synthases in normal embryonic development.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Imaging and Nanospectroscopy: Sensitivity, Symmetry, and Selection Rules

The fundamental mechanisms of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) have been investigated, including the role of the plasmonic excitation of the metallic tips, the nature of the optical tip–sample coupling, and the resulting local-field enhancement and confinement responsible for ultrahigh resolution imaging down to just several nanometers. Criteria for the distinction of near-field signature from far-field imaging artifacts are addressed. TERS results of molecules are presented. With enhancement factors as high as 109, single-molecule spectroscopy is demonstrated. Spatially resolved vibrational mapping of crystalline nanostructures and determination of crystallographic orientation and domains is discussed making use of the symmetry properties of the tip scattering response and the intrinsic Raman selection rules.
Arginine Decarboxylase and Agmatinase: An Alternative Pathway for De Novo Biosynthesis of Polyamines for Development of Mammalian Conceptuses

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC1) is considered the rate-controlling enzyme for the classical de novo biosynthesis of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) in mammals. However, metabolism of arginine to agmatine via arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and conversion of agmatine to polyamines via agmatinase (AGMAT) is an alternative pathway long recognized in lower organisms, but only recently suggested for neurons and liver cells of mammals. We now provide evidence for a functional ADC/AGMAT pathway for the synthesis of polyamines in mammalian reproductive tissue for embryonic survival and development. We first investigated cellular functions of polyamines by in vivo knockdown of translation of mRNA for ODC1 in ovine conceptus trophectoderm using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (MAOs) and found that one-half of the conceptuses were morphologically and functionally either normal or abnormal. Furthermore, we found that increases in ADC/AGMAT mRNA levels and in the translation of AGMAT mRNA among conceptuses in MAO-ODC1 knockdown compensated for the loss of ODC1, supporting polyamine synthesis from arginine and accounting for the normal and abnormal phenotypes of conceptuses. We conclude that the majority of polyamine synthesis is by the conventional ODC1-dependent pathway (arginine-ornithine-putrescine) and that deficiencies in ODC1 result in increased activity of the rescue ADC/AGMAT-dependent pathway (arginine-agmatine-putrescine) for production of polyamines. The presence of an alternative ADC/AGMAT pathway for converting arginine into putrescine is functionally important for supporting survival and development of mammalian conceptuses.
Active protein and substrate flow effects in a tubular immobilized invertase reactor

Investigations of invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) immobilized inside modified nylon tubes showed that between 4% and 20% (w/w) of the protein exposed to binding sites on the tube was immobilized. An enhanced activity consistent with enzyme purification during immobilization was also evident, suggesting that, in scaled-up commercial applications, nylon tube invertase would be a more economical converter of sucrose than the free enzyme. The quantity and specific activity of the immobilized protein were not stochiometrical with the amount used in the coupling solution and, in the system studied, a concentration of 2 mg ml−1 was optimal. Km and Vmax values confirmed higher rates of immobilized invertase catalysis when the rates of substrate flow through the reactor were higher. Higher rates of substrate flow imply a shortened residence time in the reactor and would lower the fractional conversion per pass of the substrate, reducing the efficiency of the reactor in flow-through situations. Thus, these higher catalysis rates, attributable at the higher flow rates to a reduction of the diffusion barrier between enzyme and substrate, would not translate into improved economy in the commercial flow-through processes at which the reactor is aimed.
Planning with imperfect information

We describe an efficient method for planning in environments for which prior maps are plagued with uncertainty. Our approach processes the map to determine key areas whose uncertainty is crucial to the planning task. It then incorporates the uncertainty associated with these areas using the recently developed PAO algorithm to produce a fast, robust solution to the original planning task.
On the nature and stability of differential-algebraic systems

Nonlinear dynamical systems described by a class of higher index differential-algebraic equations (DAE) are considered. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of their nature and of the stability properties of their solution is presented. Using tools from geometric control theory, higher index differential-algebraic systems are shown to be inherently unstable about their solution manifold. A qualitative geometric interpretation is given, and the consequences of this instability are discussed, in particular as they relate to the numerical solution of these systems. The paper concludes with ideas and directions for future research.
The Role of Inhibitory Control in the Hospitalization of Children with Severe Psychiatric Disorders.

Objective: Inhibitory control is a heterogeneous domain involving multiple inhibitory processes at levels of behavior, attention/cognition, and emotion/motivation. Prior studies have identified an underlying role of inhibitory control in the manifestation of childhood-onset psychiatric symptoms. This study investigated the inhibitory control abilities of children within a severe, childhood psychiatric sample. Method: A medical chart review was conducted for 100 children who received a neuropsychological evaluation during a children’s psychiatric inpatient program hospitalization from 2010 to 2014. Three measures neurocognitive of inhibitory control, Stroop Color–Word Score, CPT-II Commission Errors, and WCST Failure to Maintain Set were used in the present study. The presence of externalizing behaviors at hospital admission was classified as poor behavioral/self-control. Results: Forty-eight percent of the sample displayed evidence of inhibitory control impairment on neurocognitive measures, with 40% disp...
Generational Diversity: Implications For Healthcare Leaders

Amid the multifaceted complexities of the current health care environment and today’s workforce, intergenerational issues created uncharted territory for health care leaders. As a result, healthcare institutions reveal organizational cultures of conflict due to the generational differences in core values and work related issues. In addition, driving forces also consist of the economic, political and social influences of the generational period. It is essential that healthcare leaders understand and take proactive strategies to develop synergism to span the generational gaps as integral components of healthcare organizational culture.
Salivary mucins in host defense and disease prevention.

Mucus forms a protective coating on wet epithelial surfaces throughout the body that houses the microbiota and plays a key role in host defense. Mucins, the primary structural components of mucus that creates its viscoelastic properties, are critical components of the gel layer that protect against invading pathogens. Altered mucin production has been implicated in diseases such as ulcerative colitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis, which highlights the importance of mucins in maintaining homeostasis. Different types of mucins exist throughout the body in various locations such as the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and female genital tract, but this review will focus on mucins in the oral cavity. Salivary mucin structure, localization within the oral cavity, and defense mechanisms will be discussed. These concepts will then be applied to present what is known about the protective function of mucins in oral diseases such as HIV/AIDS, oral candidiasis, and dental caries. Keywords: saliva; mucin; oral health; MUC5B; MUC7 (Published: 22 December 2015) Citation: Journal of Oral Microbiology 2015, 7: 29759 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jom.v7.29759
Intermolecular Network Theory: A General Approach for Understanding the Structural and Dynamic Properties of Liquids and Solutions

Abstract Graph theory applications within the physical sciences have a long history. However, it has never moved to the forefront of analytical techniques employed by the computational chemistry community. Though much of the earliest work leveraged percolation theory as a backdrop for understanding critical phenomena and phase transitions within statistical mechanical simulations, modern data science has much to contribute. Here, we focus on the realm of intermolecular networks, where vertices represent molecules or particles, and an edge represents an intermolecular or interparticle interaction. These interactions are widely understood to dictate many of the physical properties of soft matter, and for liquids in particular, understanding this network is essential. Consider the sheer volume of ∼70 years of literature associated with the hydrogen bond network of water, a topic that remains an active area of research even today. The aim of this work is twofold: first, to put into context prior algorithms and analyses that employed “connectedness theory” or lattice-based models to understand the intermolecular networks of chemical systems; and second to discuss a more general strategy for analyzing the multiscale structural and dynamic properties of chemical systems—intermolecular network theory. This approach encompasses foundational methods such as percolation theory, but also utilizes contemporary graph theoretical analyses that have evolved alongside the development of the World Wide Web, cloud computing, and big data. It is the realm of intermolecular network theory to determine the relationships between the essential physics of a system and the topological properties of the network and to derive new techniques in graph theory that can be related to the underlying physico-chemical or reactive properties of a system. Examples are used throughout this chapter that demonstrate applications to a wide variety of complex chemical systems, including ion association within electrolytes, mass transport and the properties of liquid–liquid phase boundaries, and multicomponent solutions.
Managing the Energy-Delay Tradeoff in Mobile Applications with Tempus

Energy-efficiency is a critical concern in continuously-running mobile applications, such as those for health and context monitoring. An attractive approach to saving energy in such applications is to defer the execution of delay-tolerant operations until a time when they would consume less energy. However, introducing delays to save power may have a detrimental impact on the user experience. To address this problem, we present Tempus, a new approach to managing the trade-off between energy savings and delay. Tempus saves power by enabling programmers to annotate power-hungry operations with states that specify when the operation can be executed to save energy. The impact of power management on timeliness is managed by associating delay budgets with objects that contain time-sensitive data. A static analysis and the run-time service ensure that power management policies will not delay an object more than its assigned budget. We demonstrate the expressive power of Tempus through a case study of optimizing two real-world applications. Furthermore, laboratory experiments show that Tempus may effectively manage the energy-delay trade-off on realistic workloads. For example, in a news application, five Tempus annotations may be used to create a policy that reduces the latency of downloading images 10 times compared to the original implementation without affecting energy consumption. Our experiments also indicate that the overhead of tracking budgets in Tempus is small.
Recognition Structures on Cells of the Innate Host Defense Mechanisms

Cells of the innate host defense mechanism must differentiate potential pathogens from nonpathogenic material as well as from self. Ilya Metchnikov demonstrated that the macrophage is the initial cell that interacts with foreign material. During the history of immunology, several mechanisms by which phagocytes recognize potential pathogens have been studied, including (1) opsonization, the enhancement of phagocytosis by serum substances; (2) physiochemical interactions between microorganisms and phagocytes; (3) lectin-mediated bridging of phagocytes and microbes; and (4) macrophage surface receptors known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Chronic Kidney Disease

Soon after the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was identified in 1989, it was recognized that the prevalence of infection in patients with ESRD far exceeded that in the general population. Infection with HCV predisposes to the hepatic complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, important extrahepatic manifestations include immune complex glomerular disease, accelerated progression of CKD, increases in cardiovascular event risk, and lymphoproliferative disorders. Advances in understanding the molecular biology of HCV have ushered in a new era in the treatment of this infection. Second generation direct-acting antiviral agents have revolutionized therapy, with sustained virologic response rates (undetectable viral load 12 weeks after completing therapy) of >90% in most patients. Studies using direct-acting antivirals in patients with CKD and those on dialysis are showing excellent safety and efficacy as well. In this context, it is imperative that nephrologists become familiar with this literature, reviewed here, so that the important decisions, including which patients should be treated and the optimal timing to initiate therapy, are vetted in association with the compounding issues of CKD, ESRD, and kidney transplantation.
Case 12-2016

An 8-year-old boy presented with a mass in the right breast that had been present for 18 months and had enlarged during the previous 6 months. On examination, a firm, mobile mass (2 cm by 2 cm) was present under the right areola. Diagnostic procedures were performed.
Practical Teaching Reform of Green Food

Green food is a very practical course.In order to improve the quality of practical teaching,this paper explores the practical teaching reform of Green Food from the teaching concepts,teaching methods,teaching contents and curriculum assessment methods,so that students put theoretical knowledge of green food into practice,learn to rationally develop and utilize green food,become green food professionals,promote the healthy and orderly development of green food industry.
A Performance-based Faculty Training and Development Model

Faculty training and development in distance education does not happen in a vacuum.It is often inter- wined with effort to increase adoption of distance education programs,as well as effort to increase the effectiveness for those who have adopted.Simply training faculty might not work.The paper presents a new faculty training mod- el based on a more systematic performance analysis scheme.Several alternatives to traditional training have been proposed including performance support,knowledge sharing,communities of practice and formative evaluation.
Assessing natural direct and indirect effects for a continuous exposure and a dichotomous outcome.

ABSTRACTRecent advances in the literature on mediation have extended from a traditional linear structural equation modeling approach to causal mediation analysis using potential outcomes framework. Pearl proposed a mediation formula to calculate expected potential outcomes used in the natural direct and indirect effects definition under the key sequential ignorability assumptions. Current methods mainly focused on binary exposure variables, and in this article, this approach is further extended to settings in which continuous exposures may be of interest. Focusing on a dichotomous outcome, we give precise definitions of the natural direct and indirect effects on both the risk difference and odds ratio scales utilizing the empirical joint distribution of the exposure and baseline covariates from the whole sample analysis population. A mediation-formula-based approach is proposed to estimate the corresponding causal quantities. Simulation study is conducted to assess the statistical properties of the propos...
Thermally driven microfluidic pumping via reversible shape memory polymers

The need exists for autonomous microfluidic pumping systems that utilize environmental cues to transport fluid within a network of channels for such purposes as heat distribution, self-healing, or optical reconfiguration. Here, we report on reversible thermally driven microfluidic pumping enabled by two-way shape memory polymers. After developing a suitable shape memory polymer (SMP) through variation in the crosslink density, thin and flexible microfluidic devices were constructed by lamination of plastic films with channels defined by laser-cutting of double-sided adhesive film. SMP blisters integrated into the devices provide thermally driven pumping, while opposing elastic blisters are used to generate backpressure for reversible operation. Thermal cycling of the device was found to drive reversible fluid flow: upon heating to 60 °C, the SMP rapidly contracted to fill the surface channels with a transparent fluid, and upon cooling to 8 °C the flow reversed and the channel re-filled with black ink. Combined with a metallized backing layer, this device results in refection of incident light at high temperatures and absorption of light (at the portions covered with channels) at low temperatures. We discuss power-free, autonomous applications ranging from thermal regulation of structures to thermal indication via color change.
Aerobic exercise increases resistance to oxidative stress in sedentary older middle-aged adults. A pilot study.

Older individuals who exercise regularly exhibit greater resistance to oxidative stress than their sedentary peers, suggesting that exercise can modify age-associated loss of resistance to oxidative stress. However, we recently demonstrated that a single bout of exercise confers protection against a subsequent oxidative challenge in young, but not older adults. We therefore hypothesized that repeated bouts of exercise would be needed to increase resistance to an oxidative challenge in sedentary older middle-aged adults. Sedentary older middle-aged men and women (50–63 years, n = 11) participated in an 8-week exercise intervention. Maximal oxygen consumption was measured before and after the intervention. The exercise intervention consisted of three sessions per week, for 45 min at an intensity corresponding to 70–85 % maximal heart rate (HRmax). Resistance to oxidative stress was measured by F2-isoprostane response to a forearm ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) trial. Each participant underwent the I/R trial before and after the exercise intervention. The intervention elicited a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (P < 0.0001). Baseline levels of F2-isoprostanes pre- and post-intervention did not differ, but the F2-isoprostane response to the I/R trial was significantly lower following the exercise intervention (time-by-trial interaction, P = 0.043). Individual improvements in aerobic fitness were associated with greater improvements in the F2-isoprostane response (r = −0.761, P = 0.011), further supporting the role of aerobic fitness in resistance to oxidative stress. These data demonstrate that regular exercise with improved fitness leads to increased resistance to oxidative stress in older middle-aged adults and that this measure is modifiable in previously sedentary individuals.
Abstract B56: Inactivation of LKB1-AMPK pathway is mediated by inflammation in pancreatic cancer

Goal: The goal of this project is to determine if there is link between cancer cell metabolism and inflammation. LKB1is a known serine/threonine kinase tumor suppressor gene and it functions by sensing changes in cellular energy homeostasis and modulates anabolic and catabolic processes by activating its downstream kinase, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It is associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, as well as various cancers including pancreatic cancer. Thus; it is a unique link between cell metabolism and inflammation. Hypothesis: Our hypothesis is that LKB1-AMK succumbs to inactivation processes because of increased NF-κB expression in pancreatic cancer cells and is associated with increased pancreatic cancer growth. Results: We tested five pancreatic cancer cells that express constitutive active NF-κB (pp65) and LKB1proteins by western blot analysis. In these cancer cells there was loss of active AMPK, phospho AMK (pAMPK) protein and its substrate pACC protein, suggesting a negative correlation between inflammation and loss of active AMPK. To strengthen this observation, we treated macrophage with LPS/IFNγ to create inflammatory environment and examined the protein levels of pp65, NF-κB regulated inflammatory gene (COX-2), pAMPK and pACC. We found that induction of pp65 and COX-2 are negatively correlated with pAMPK and pACC. To further support this observation we treated the pancreatic cancer cells with Metformin, a known activator of AMPK and our results clearly indicates that Metformin inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in a time-dependent manner. Metformin activates AMPK and ACC in pancreatic cancer cells. These data indicate that, compounds that activates LKB1-AMPK pathway can be beneficial in pancreatic cancer treatment. Citation Format: Sita Aggarwal, Qingxia Wang, Shailendra Giri, William Hansel. Inactivation of LKB1-AMPK pathway is mediated by inflammation in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr B56.
Field-emission characteristics of carbon nanotubes and their applications in photonic devices

Based upon the field-emission investigation of carbon nanotubes, several prototype devices have been suggested that operate with low swing voltages with sufficiently high current densities. Characteristics that allow improved current stability and long operating lifetime as electrical and opto-electronic devices are presented. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the useful characteristics of carbon nanotubes and their possible applications.
The Moderating Effect of Risk Exposure on an Efficacious Intervention for Maltreated Children

The current study extends research on the impact of the Fostering Healthy Futures program (Taussig & Culhane, 2010), a 9-month mentoring and skills group preventive intervention for maltreated children, by examining whether the effect of Fostering Healthy Futures is moderated by children’s baseline risk exposure (i.e., number of adverse childhood experiences). Participants included 156 racially and ethnically diverse children (ages 9–11, 50.7% female) recently placed in foster care due to maltreatment who were randomized to intervention or control conditions. Baseline and 6-month postintervention measures included a multi-informant index of mental health functioning and youth-reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, dissociation, coping skills, social-acceptance, global self-worth, social support, and quality of life. A previously published, empirically derived risk index was used to assess level of exposure to 6 adverse childhood experiences (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, removal from a single pa...
Three-Year Impacts Of The Affordable Care Act: Improved Medical Care And Health Among Low-Income Adults

Major policy uncertainty continues to surround the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at both the state and federal levels. We assessed changes in health care use and self-reported health after three years of the ACA’s coverage expansion, using survey data collected from low-income adults through the end of 2016 in three states: Kentucky, which expanded Medicaid; Arkansas, which expanded private insurance to low-income adults using the federal Marketplace; and Texas, which did not expand coverage. We used a difference-in-differences model with a control group and an instrumental variables model to provide individual-level estimates of the effects of gaining insurance. By the end of 2016 the uninsurance rate in the two expansion states had dropped by more than 20 percentage points relative to the nonexpansion state. For uninsured people gaining coverage, this change was associated with a 41-percentage-point increase in having a usual source of care, a $337 reduction in annual out-of-pocket spending, significant inc...
Single-Bundle Augmentation for a Partial Tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Given the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in young athletes, it is essential to elucidate and illustrate surgical interventions that return the most favorable outcomes. Although most ACL injuries are full-thickness tears, occasionally either the anteromedial (AM) or posterolateral (PL) bundle is torn in isolation, allowing consideration of an ACL reconstruction or augmentation. Because the ACL-deficient knee has been shown to exhibit less proprioceptive feedback, the preservation of the intact bundle may offer an inherent component of stability. After arthroscopy has confirmed a partial ACL tear, the decision to augment the intact bundle can be made. The technique is adapted from principles of the double-bundle reconstruction such that the graft follows the path of either the native AM bundle or the native PL bundle, depending on the location of the partial tear. We present our surgical technique for ACL AM bundle augmentation with PL bundle reconstruction using a semitendinosus tendon autograft.
Baroque, Breakout, and Education Without Organs

The present assemblage (agencement) is derived from Deleuze’s ideas and affect theory. It is comprised of concepts and affects fueled by art to point toward an education without organs and with the...