cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the enzymatic superactivity in ionic reverse micelles

Abstract The anomalous characteristics of the enzymatic reactions in water-in-oil microemulsions (reverse micelles (RMs)) of ionic surfactants are sought to be explained in light of the electrical double layer theory. The characteristics investigated are (1) the enhanced activity in the reverse micellar solutions as compared to that in the bulk aqueous solution (defined as an aqueous solution whose substrate concentration equals the overall concentration [S 0 ] ov in the entire micellar system); (2) the bell-shaped dependence of the activity on the hydration ratio ( W 0 ); and (3) the shifts in the enzymatic activity vs the stock solution pH for different hydration ratios with respect to the enzymatic activity shifts in the bulk aqueous medium. The effects of the overall concentrations of the substrate and the surfactant, of the electrolyte concentration, and of the dielectric constant of solubilized water on the enzymatic activity are also investigated. The computations have been carried out for α-chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of N -glytaryl- l -phenylalanine- p -nitroanilide in reverse micelles of Aerosol OT in isooctane. The pH near the enzyme surface is found to be more basic than the pH of the stock solution. This causes an acidic shift in the pH-dependent enzymatic activity in the water pool (as compared to that in the bulk aqueous medium). The enhanced activity is due to the enhanced substrate concentration near the enzyme surface which is caused by the pushing of the substrate away from the likewise charge reverse micellar surface toward the enzyme surface, and by the higher average substrate concentration in the much smaller volume of the water pools than that defined on the basis of the entire micellar solution. The increase in the absolute value of the charge of the surface of the RM with increasing W 0 and the increased water pool width act in opposite directions. These effects together with the decrease in the average substrate concentration in the water pool as W 0 increases at constant [ S 0 ] ov are responsible for the bell-shaped dependence of the substrate concentration at the enzyme surface on W 0 which, in turn, causes the bell-shaped dependence of the activity on W 0 . However, enhanced activity is observed only at relatively small overall surfactant concentrations. At relatively high surfactant concentrations, the enzymatic activity is found to be smaller than that in the bulk aqueous medium. This is due to the fact that a greater amount of the substrate partitions into the surfactant layer and, therefore, less substrate is available for reaction in the water pool. The dielectric constant of the water pool has a significant influence on the enzymatic activity in reverse micelles and also on the position of the optimum hydration ratio. The enzymatic activity also depends on the concentration of the electrolyte in the solution, decreasing with increasing electrolyte concentration. The theoretical results obtained here have been found to agree, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the experimental results available in literature.
Interstrain crosses enhance excision of Tc1 transposable elements in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We report here an unusual activation of the Tc1 transposable element system in Caenorhabditis elegans. Germline Tc1 activity, as measured by reversion of unc-22::Tc1 alleles, is elevated 50- to 100-fold by certain crosses. For example, unc-22::Tc1 reversion is 1 × 10−3 in a mut-6 IV strain and less than 1 × 10−6 in a non-mutator strain, but in the unc-22::Tc1 progeny of a cross between mut-6 hermaphrodites and non-mutator males, reversion is 10−1. The reciprocal cross does not induce this enhancement of reversion. Results similar to those for mut-6 were obtained using a mut-5 II strain. The imitator hermaphrodite by non-imitator male cross per se is not required for the enhancement of reversion, as mut-5 hermaphrodites × mut-6/+ males also induce unc-22 revertants at an elevated frequency. This reversion enhancement appears to depend on a maternal component inherited from a mutator strain, suggesting that the regulation of Tc1 activity may be complex.
Inductive generation of combination operations for form feature recognition using convex decomposition

Abstract Form features intrinsic to the shape of solids can be recognized using a convex decomposition called Alternating Sum of Volumes with Partitioning (ASVP). The recognition process is done by successively applying combination operations to components of the ASVP decomposition, thereby converting it into a form feature decomposition. The inductive learning of new combination operations can facilitate the recognition process. In this paper, we describe how an intrinsic property of ASVP, dual decomposition, is used to extend a generic duality conversion combination operation by identifying new conditions under which this operation is valid. The process by which these conditions are generalized is described in terms of the candidate elimination algorithm. Finally, a number of successfully learned examples are given.
Fluid discrimination of poststack "bright spots" in the Columbus Basin, offshore Trinidad

Bright spot analysis of stacked seismic data has been used as an effective method of hydrocarbon exploration in many areas around the world, including Trinidad. The unconsolidated Tertiary sediments of the Columbus Basin, offshore Trinidad, create geologic conditions that are particularly favorable to the existence and detection of seismic “bright spots” associated with gas deposits. This success of the bright spot technique as a direct hydrocarbon indicator is based on the premise that gas-bearing sediments will exhibit seismic-reflection amplitudes that are anomalously higher than surrounding reflections. There are, however, several other combinations of geological conditions that can give rise to large amplitudes such as high porosity, clean sands, tuning effects, overpressured shales or anisotropy.
A Review Of Image Bandwidth Compressed Techniques

This review paper discusses various image bandwidth compression techniques developed in the recent years. The article emphasizes the adaptive techniques and the techniaues that have had a multitude of applications due to superior performance of the former and the readers interest in the latter group. The nature of the discussion is heuristic to bring out the salient features of various techniques at the same time giving the readers a working knowledge of each technique and ideas on how to modify and apply to a particular application.
Continuous robust control for aeroelastic vibration control of a 2-D airfoil under unsteady flow

In this paper, a particular class of 2-D aeroelastic systems accounting for structural nonlinearities in pitching displacement and operating in an unsteady aerodynamic incompressible flowfield desc...
The kinetic cycle of cardiac troponin C: Calcium binding and dissociation at site II trigger slow conformational rearrangements

The goal of this study is to characterize the kinetic mechanism of Ca2+ activation and inactivation of cardiac troponin C (cTnC), the Ca2+ signaling protein which triggers heart muscle contraction. Previous studies have shown that IAANS covalently coupled to Cys84 of wild-type cTnC is sensitive to conformational change caused by Ca2+ binding to the regulatory site II; the present study also utilizes the C35S mutant, in which Cys84 is the lone cysteine, to ensure the specificity of IAANS labeling. Site II Ca2+ affinities for cTnC-wt, cTnC-C35S, cTnC-wt-IAANS2, and cTnC-C35S-IAANS were similar (KD = 2-5 microM at 25 degrees C; KD = 2-8 microM at 4 degrees C), indicating that neither the IAANS label nor the C35S mutation strongly perturbs site II Ca2+ affinity. To directly determine the rate of Ca2+ dissociation from site II, the Ca2+-loaded protein was rapidly mixed with a spectroscopically sensitive chelator in a stopped flow spectrometer. The resulting site II Ca2+ off-rates were k(off) = 700-800 s(-1) (4 degrees C) for both cTnC-wt and cTnC-C35S, yielding calculated macroscopic site II Ca2+ on-rates of k(on) = k(off)/KD = 2-4 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) (4 degrees C). As observed for Ca2+ affinities, neither the C35S mutation nor IAANS labeling significantly altered the Ca2+ on- and off-rates. Using IAANS fluorescence as a monitor of the protein conformational state, the intramolecular conformational changes (delta) induced by Ca2+ binding and release at site II were found to be significantly slower than the Ca2+ on- and off-rates. The conformational rate constants measured for cTnC-wt-IAANS2 and cTnC-C35S-IAANS were k(delta on) = 120-210 s(-1) and k(delta off) = 90-260 s(-1) (4 degrees C) . Both conformational events were slowed in cTnC-wt-IAANS2 relative to cTnC-C35S-IAANS, presumably due to the bulky IAANS probe coupled to Cys35. Together, the results provide a nearly complete kinetic description of the Ca2+ activation cycle of isolated cTnC, revealing rapid Ca2+ binding and release at site II accompanied by slow conformational steps that are likely to be retained by the full troponin complex during heart muscle contraction and relaxation.
Influence of Vegetation on Bat Use of Riparian Areas at Multiple Spatial Scales

Research on habitat use by bats typically occurs at a single fine spatial scale, despite recent work demonstrating the importance of considering multiple spatial scales when investigating vertebrate habitat selection. We assessed bat use of 118 stream reaches located throughout the Oregon Coast Range, USA, and measured vegetation characteristics at 3 spatial scales surrounding each of these locations. We used an information-theoretic approach to determine vegetation characteristics most closely related to bat activity and a multilevel modeling approach to evaluate variation in bat activity at different spatial scales. Characteristics of vegetation at the finest spatial scale explained more variation in bat activity than did characteristics of vegetation at broader spatial scales, suggesting that fine-scale anthropogenic or natural disturbance events that alter cover of shrubs or trees in riparian areas are likely to influence bat habitat use. The influence of vegetation on activity varied by species of bat and appeared to operate more strongly through constraints imposed by vegetation architecture than through influences on abundance of insect prey. This diversity of responses to vegetation characteristics among bat species suggests that the best strategy for biodiversity conservation over broad spatial scales is maintenance or creation of a diversity of riparian vegetation conditions. We recommend that land managers planning to manipulate riparian vegetation strive to create diversity in shrub coverage, canopy coverage, and open space above the stream channel to promote foraging habitat for all species.
Current Mode Image Sensor With Two Transistors per Pixel

A linear current mode active pixel sensor for low fixed-pattern noise imaging is presented. The photo pixel is composed of a photodiode, a reset transistor, and a transconductance amplifier transistor. The address switch transistor is placed outside the pixel. The increased linearity of the pixel current coupled with current mode difference double sampling greatly reduces spatial variations across the image sensor array. The fabricated image sensor is composed of an array of 50 × 128 pixels and consumes 5 mW at 30 fps. Column fixed pattern noise of 0.1% from the saturated current and signal to noise ratio of 43.3 dB is achieved.
Microwave Radiation: Biophysical Considerations and Standards Criteria

Biophysical principles which relate to the interaction of microwaves to biological material and man are summarized. The limitations of animal experimentation and the usefulness of biophysical considerations are indicated, and the absorption of microwaves by tissues is discussed.
Dental management of the patient with cardiac arrhythmias: an update.

Cardiac arrhythmias are present in a significant percentage of the population seeking dental treatment. Cardiac arrhythmias may be disturbances of rhythm, rate, or conduction of the heart. They may be found in healthy individuals and in those with various forms of cardiovascular disease. Some of these arrhythmias are of little concern to the patient or dentist; however, some can produce symptoms, and some can be lifethreatening, including arrhythmias that occur secondary to anxiety (eg, those associated with dental care). Therefore, patients with significant arrhythmias must be identified before undergoing dental treatment. Cardiac arrhythmias may be found in healthy individuals, in patients taking various medications, and in patients with certain cardiovascular conditions or with other systemic diseases. The most common causes are (1) primary cardiovascular disorders, (2) pulmonary disorders (eg, embolism or hypoxia), (3) autonomic disorders, (4) systemic disorders (eg, thyroid disease), (5) drug-related side effects, and (6) electrolyte imbalances. The purpose of this article was to review the types of cardiac arrhythmias and their treatment, the importance and identification of the more significant arrhythmias in the dental patient, and the dental management considerations for patients with a cardiac arrhythmia. TYPES AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ARRHYTHMIAS Arrhythmias are classified on the basis of causing ectopic beats, slowing of the heart rate, speeding of the heart rate, and arresting the heart rate. They encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from incidental arrhythmias such as premature atrial beats to lethal ones including ventricular fibrillation. Some of the more common arrhythmias include premature atrial or ventricular beats, sinus bradycardia, and sinus tachycardia.
Clinical laboratory assessment of the abuse liability of an electronic cigarette

Aims To provide an initial abuse liability assessment of an electronic cigarette (EC) in current tobacco cigarette smokers. Design The first of four within-subject sessions was an EC sampling session that involved six, 10-puff bouts (30 seconds inter-puff interval), each bout separated by 30 minutes. In the remaining three sessions participants made choices between 10 EC puffs and varying amounts of money, 10 EC puffs and a varying number of own brand cigarette (OB) puffs, or 10 OB puffs and varying amounts of money using the multiple-choice procedure (MCP). The MCP was completed six times at 30-minute intervals, and one choice was reinforced randomly at each trial. Setting Clinical laboratory. Participants Twenty current tobacco cigarette smokers. Measurements Sampling session outcome measures included plasma nicotine, cardiovascular response and subjective effects. Choice session outcome was the cross-over value on the MCP. Findings EC use resulted in significant nicotine delivery, tobacco abstinence symptom suppression and increased product acceptability ratings. On the MCP, participants chose to receive 10 EC puffs over an average of $1.06 or three OB puffs and chose 10 OB puffs over an average of $1.50 (P < 0.003). Conclusions Electronic cigarettes can deliver clinically significant amounts of nicotine and reduce cigarette abstinence symptoms and appear to have lower potential for abuse relative to traditional tobacco cigarettes, at least under certain laboratory conditions.
AFFECT DYNAMICS, BEREAVEMENT AND RESILIENCE TO LOSS

This investigation applied Zautra and colleagues’ Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA; Zautra: 2003, Emotions, Stress and Health (Oxford University Press, New York); Reich et al.: 2003, Review of General Psychology 7(1), pp. 66–83) to help understand resilience among a sample of middle-aged participants coping with the recent death of a spouse or child. We replicated and extended this model by examining interaffect correlations (individual correlations between negative and positive affect over time) in resilient versus symptomatic bereaved people. As predicted by the DMA, resilient bereaved had weaker (or less negative) interaffect correlations than symptomatic bereaved even when controlling for self-reported distress. These findings suggest that resilient individuals possess a capacity for a more complex affective experience and that this capacity serves a salutary function in the aftermath of aversive life events.
The Zapatistas and Global Civil Society: Renegotiating the Relationship

Ten years have passed since that chilly dawn in January 1994, when the world awakened to find an indigenous rebellion underway in Chiapas, Mexico. The uprising immediately generated sympathy worldwide. Since those early days the engagement of national and international civil society has grown into one of the distinctive characteristics of the Zapatista movement, crucial to its survival and with great impact on the way it developed. The Zapatistas themselves soon understood the value of this connection and actively sought to cultivate and build on it. The relation between the Zapatistas in Chiapas and their supporters worldwide has involved multiple challenges. Welcome as the support was, it was not without its problems. In response, the Zapatistas have undertaken efforts to restructure their relations with civil society and to establish greater control over the aid flowing to the indigenous communities. An important step was taken recently when the Zapatistas created new bodies, the Juntas de Buen Gobierno, through which all outside support is to be channelled and coordinated. This article examines the evolution of relations between the Zapatistas of Chiapas and their outside supporters from a particular vantage point. The authors have been part of an experience of international hermanamiento between their universities and a Zapatista autonomous municipality. The account presented draws on the dialogue they have been engaged in over the past five years about how outside support could contribute to Zapatista development efforts.
Potential energy surface for the hydroperoxy and water (HO2·H2O) radical complex

A potential energy surface for the system of a hydroperoxy radical and a water molecule is presented. The surface was sampled using constrained density functional theory optimizations performed at the B3LYP level of theory using a 6–311 ++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The data points were fitted to an analytical function based on a common 4-point model for water and a 5-point model for the peroxy radical. A weighted least-squares fit of the parameters was performed using the nearest neighbour pivot method.
Quantum Dot Enabled Molecular Sensing and Diagnostics

Since its emergence, semiconductor nanoparticles known as quantum dots (QDs) have drawn considerable attention and have quickly extended their applicability to numerous fields within the life sciences. This is largely due to their unique optical properties such as high brightness and narrow emission band as well as other advantages over traditional organic fluorophores. New molecular sensing strategies based on QDs have been developed in pursuit of high sensitivity, high throughput, and multiplexing capabilities. For traditional biological applications, QDs have already begun to replace traditional organic fluorophores to serve as simple fluorescent reporters in immunoassays, microarrays, fluorescent imaging applications, and other assay platforms. In addition, smarter, more advanced QD probes such as quantum dot fluorescence resonance energy transfer (QD-FRET) sensors, quenching sensors, and barcoding systems are paving the way for highly-sensitive genetic and epigenetic detection of diseases, multiplexed identification of infectious pathogens, and tracking of intracellular drug and gene delivery. When combined with microfluidics and confocal fluorescence spectroscopy, the detection limit is further enhanced to single molecule level. Recently, investigations have revealed that QDs participate in series of new phenomena and exhibit interesting non-photoluminescent properties. Some of these new findings are now being incorporated into novel assays for gene copy number variation (CNV) studies and DNA methylation analysis with improved quantification resolution. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on the latest developments of QD based molecular diagnostic platforms in which QD plays a versatile and essential role.
Service Process Innovation: A Case Study of BPMN in Practice

We describe the application of the Business Process Modeling Notation to the redesign of a service management process in a truck dealership in the N.E. US. After the deployment of a new service management system did not lead to the expected efficiency gains the authors were asked to analyze the as-is service process, make suggestions for improvement, and simulate the financial impact of the proposed changes. The as-is and to-be process were documented in BPMN, and a BPMN-based simulation tool was used to quantify the effects of process improvement. As an outcome of this project we developed an initial subset of BPMN constructs that were a useful starting point for modeling in a process-unaware domain with members of the surveyed organization. We found that the deliberate modification of BPMN constructs allows for the highlighting of common process weaknesses, and we show how an analytical process model changes when it is modified to serve as a simulation models.
In Support of extrinsic ordering

i. Most versions of generative phonological theory contain a provision for restricting the ordering of rules in the grammar of individual languages.1 The use of language particular, or extrinsic, ordering statements has recently been challenged by Koutsoudas, Sanders & Noll (I974). These authors propose an alternative theory whose principal claim is that the ordering of rules follows from universal principles. Within this theory, which we may term the Unordered Rules Theory, a derivation proceeds as follows:
Inertial effects on the orientation of nearly spherical particles in simple shear flow

We investigate theoretically the first effects of inertia on the orientation dynamics of a torque-free spheroidal particle in simple shear flow when the deviation from sphericity is small. The inertialess motion of any axisymmetric particle in simple shear represents a degenerate limit, the spheroidal geometry being a special case; as originally found by Jeffery (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 102, 1922, p. 161), the orientation vector moves indefinitely along any one of a single-parameter family of closed orbits centred around the vorticity axis, the distribution across orbits being determined by initial conditions. We consider both the inertia of the particle and that of the suspending fluid, characterized by the Stokes (.
Born-Infeld action in string theory

In this thesis I present applications of the Born-Infeld action to the description of D-branes, mostly in the context of type IIB string theory. First I present the Callan-Maldacena construction of a fundamental string attached to a threebrane, whereby the string is made out of the wrapped brane. This interpretation withstands a rather detailed scrutiny, including the magnitude of the static tension and of the B-I charge; and Polchinski's mixed Dirichlet/Neumann boundary conditions for small perturbations of the string. The latter arise dynamically from the full non-linear equations of motion. Also, the Born-Infeld charge is shown to produce the correct form of dipole radiation under the influence of harmonic oscillations of the string. The second part comprises of the application of these ideas to the AdS/CFT correspondence. Using the essentially non-perturbative nature of the B-I action we were able to construct in the near-horizon geometry of N D3-branes the color-singlet baryon vertex of the SU(N) gauge theory as a fivebrane wrapped on the $S^5$ sphere, with B-I strings playing the role of the quarks. Also, in the asymptotically flat background we obtain a smooth classical description of the Hanany-Witten phenomenon. In the case of non-extremal background we construct baryons of the three-dimensional non-supersymmetric theory, the low energy dynamics of which was conjectured to be equivalent to ordinary QCD. Our approach allows to exhibit confining properties of color flux tubes, i.e. the dependence of the tension of the flux tube on its color content. We do this by building an extended baryon, where a fraction $\nu$ of the total of N quarks is removed to a finite distance.
The Tensions between Confidentiality and Transparency in International Arbitration

Confidentiality is often cited as one of the main benefits of arbitration as opposed to litigation. Yet, scholars and practitioners often fail to examine exactly why confidentiality is important. We also do not carefully weigh the benefits and costs of making arbitration confidential, whether we are talking about public or private international arbitration. While confidentiality is an important aspect of international commercial arbitration, this article challenges the idea that all aspects of international arbitration must always be confidential for arbitration to be valuable. It argues that a more nuanced approach to confidentiality in arbitration may preserve the values of arbitration while at the same time enhancing the competing values to be gained by greater transparency. In particular, the article advocates the adoption of a presumption that arbitral awards should be made publicly available, unless both parties object. As will be shown herein, this presumption is justified because the benefits of greater transparency in arbitration brought about by the publication of awards often outweigh concerns for confidentiality.
Automatic creation of SQL Injection and cross-site scripting attacks

We present a technique for finding security vulnerabilities in Web applications. SQL Injection (SQLI) and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks are widespread forms of attack in which the attacker crafts the input to the application to access or modify user data and execute malicious code. In the most serious attacks (called second-order, or persistent, XSS), an attacker can corrupt a database so as to cause subsequent users to execute malicious code.
An investigation into the Curie-point pyrolysis-mass spectrometry of glycyl dipeptides

Abstract Thirty-nine dipeptides with a fixed N- or C-terminal amino acid of glycine have been investigated by Curie-point pyrolysis-mass spectrometry. The non-fixed amino acid was varied among the 20 naturally occurring amino acids. Results indicate that the formation of diketopiperazines (DKPs) occurs as a thermal cyclization prior to electron ionization. The extent of cyclization to form DKPs was dependent on the substituent of each different amino acid attached to the backbone of the dipeptide. Three amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and arginine) inhibited DKP formation. The factors affecting DKP formation, including size and the electronic nature of the substituent, are discussed.
Folate-status response to a controlled folate intake in nonpregnant, pregnant, and lactating women

Background: Folate-dose response studies in women of childbearing age who consumed a folic acid (FA)–containing multivitamin in the era of FA fortification are lacking. Objective: We sought to investigate folate-status response to a known folate dose comprising an FA-containing prenatal supplement (750 mg/d) plus natural food folate (400 mg/d) in third-trimester pregnant women, lactating women 5–15 wk postpartum, and nonpregnant women. Design: Pregnant (n = 26), lactating (n = 28), and nonpregnant (n = 21) women consumed the study folate dose under controlled intake conditions for 10–12 wk. Blood, urine, and breast milk were collected at baseline, study midpoint, and study end. Results: Study-end serum total folate concentrations averaged w30 ng/mL and did not differ by physiologic group (P = 0.876). Studyend urinary folate excretion represented w9–43% of total folate intake and ranged from 100 to 500 mg/d. Third-trimester pregnant women excreted less urinary folate than did lactating (P = 0.075) and nonpregnant (P , 0.001) women. Lactating women excreted less (P , 0.001) urinary FA than did nonpregnant women. Breastmilk total folate concentrations remained constant (P =0 .244; 61.8 ng/mL at study end), whereas breast-milk FA concentrations increased (P = 0.003) to 24.1 ng/mL at study end. Conclusions: The consumption of the study folate dose yielded a supranutritional folate status regardless of the physiologic state. Based on urinary folate excretion, folate use was greatest to least: pregnant . lactating . nonpregnant women. Breast-milk folate species were responsive to maternal folate intake, and FA made up w40% of breast-milk total folate at study end. These findings warrant revisiting prenatal supplement FA formulation in populations exposed to FA-fortification programs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01127022. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.037523.
Educational needs of the adolescent with cancer and his family.

Abstract The nurse is often the health care professional responsible for the knowledge deficits of the adolescent with cancer and his family. In providing education about disease, treatment, and side effects, the nurse must consider the adolescent's developmental level to provide appropriate educational interventions. In the past there has been concern centering around how much information should be given to the adolescent with cancer, his family, and his significant community. It becomes increasingly evident through the development of adolescent oncology as a subspecialty that the involved persons adjust and cope better when through, concise, and pertinent information is provided. 9 No longer is it accepted that hiding information is beneficial to the patient or family. It is our challenge and responsibility as nurses to plan and implement educational interventions to meet the needs of the adolescent with cancer as well as those of his family, friends, and community.
Planning and Engineering Considerations for the Official Map

This paper deals with two distinct yet closely interrelated problems. The first of these problems is that of how to make the official map of the city a truly useful and effective plan implementatio...
Introduction to Neurophysiology of the Primate Visual System

The visual system is the most studied sensory system. This chapter provides a brief introduction to the neurophysiology of the primate visual system, highlighting at the end some of the questions for which modeling may be useful. The information presented, while reflecting our understanding of the primate brain, comes from research in both primates (primarily Old World monkeys) and, for some processes that are likely conserved across higher taxa, other vertebrates.
Experimental Injury Biomechanics of the Pediatric Head and Brain

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States and results in over 2,500 childhood deaths, 37,000 hospitalizations, and 435,000 emergency department visits each year (Langlois et al. 2004). Computational models of the head have proven to be powerful tools to help us understand mechanisms of adult TBI and to determine load thresholds for injuries specific to adult TBI. Similar models need to be developed for children and young adults to identify age-specific mechanisms and injury tolerances appropriate for children and young adults. The reliability of these tools, however, depends heavily on the availability of pediatric tissue material property data. To date the majority of material and structural properties used in pediatric computer models have been scaled from adult human data. Studies have shown significant age-related differences in brain and skull properties (Prange and Margulies 2002; Coats and Margulies 2006a, b), indicating that the pediatric head cannot be modeled as a miniature adult head, and pediatric computer models incorporating age-specific data are necessary to accurately mimic the pediatric head response to impact or rotation. This chapter details the developmental changes of the pediatric head and summarizes human pediatric properties currently available in the literature. Because there is a paucity of human pediatric data, material properties derived from animal tissue are also presented to demonstrate possible age-related differences in the heterogeneity and rate dependence of tissue properties. The chapter is divided into three main sections: (1) brain, meninges, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF); (2) skull; and (3) scalp.
A topological and conformational stability alphabet for multipass membrane proteins

Multipass membrane proteins perform critical signal transduction and transport across membranes. How transmembrane helix (TMH) sequences encode the topology and conformational flexibility regulating these functions remains poorly understood. Here we describe a comprehensive analysis of the sequence-structure relationships at multiple interacting TMHs from all membrane proteins with structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). We found that membrane proteins can be deconstructed in interacting TMH trimer units, which mostly fold into six distinct structural classes of topologies and conformations. Each class is enriched in recurrent sequence motifs from functionally unrelated proteins, revealing unforeseen consensus and evolutionary conserved networks of stabilizing interhelical contacts. Interacting TMHs' topology and local protein conformational flexibility were remarkably well predicted in a blinded fashion from the identified binding-hotspot motifs. Our results reveal universal sequence-structure principles governing the complex anatomy and plasticity of multipass membrane proteins that may guide de novo structure prediction, design, and studies of folding and dynamics.
From school militarization to school securitization: national security finds its place in schools

This ethnography explores daily life at Milton High School, a US public school with its own specialized Homeland Security program. From ‘military grunts’ serving in distant theaters of war to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents defending the US borderlands to National Security Administration (NSA) technicians monitoring worldwide cyber communications, Milton’s Homeland Security program trained students for the multiple permutations of the global war on terror. Based on my ethnographic fieldwork conducted at Milton, this article offers an analysis of what I call ‘school securitization’. While growing critical education scholarship importantly investigates the intensification of militarized education evident in the rise of military charter schools and harsh disciplinary regimes, this ethnography documents how other actors like major defense contractors, security companies, and federal agencies contributed to the school’s remaking. Broadening the analytical framework of school militarization ...
Vasectomy for voluntary sterilization.

Vasectomy appears to be an ideal method of voluntary sterilization. It is effective, is not difficult to perform, carries a low morbidity, and is for all practical purposes without risk. It is illegal in only one state, and only three of the other 49 states have laws covering vasectomy for voluntary sterilization. In these states statutory requirements must be met in performing the procedure. With these exceptions, fear of legal consequences is groundless if proper consent is obtained.
Elastic response and phase behavior in binary liquid crystal mixtures

Utilizing density-of-states simulations, we perform a full mapping of the phase behavior and elastic responses of binary liquid crystalline mixtures represented by the multicomponent Lebwohl-Lasher model. Our techniques are able to characterize the complete phase diagram, including nematic-nematic phase separation predicted by mean-field theories, but previously not observed in simulations. Mapping this phase diagram permits detailed study of elastic properties across the miscible nematic region. Importantly, we observe for the first time local phase separation and disordering driven by the application of small linear perturbations near the transition temperature and more significantly through nonlinear stresses. These findings are of key importance in systems of blended nematics which contain particulate inclusions, or are otherwise confined.
Figures of merit for optimizing imaging systems on joint estimation/detection tasks

Previously published work on joint estimation/detection tasks has focused on the area under the Estimation Receiver Operating Characteristic (EROC) curve as a figure of merit for these tasks in imaging. A brief discussion of this concept and the corresponding ideal observer is included here, but the main focus is on three new approaches for system optimization on these joint tasks. One of these approaches is a generalization of Shannon Task Specific Information (TSI) to this setting. The form of this TSI is used to show that a system optimized for the joint task will not in general be optimized for the detection task alone. Another figure of merit for these joint tasks is the Bayesian Risk, where a cost is assigned to all detection outcomes and to the estimation errors, and then averaged over all sources of randomness in the object ensemble and the imaging system. The ideal observer in this setting, which minimizes the risk, is shown to be the same as the ideal EROC observer, which maximizes the area under the EROC curve. It is also shown that scaling the estimation cost function upwards, i.e making the estimation task more important, degrades the performance of this ideal observer on the detection component of the joint task. Finally we generalize these concepts to the idea of Estimation/Detection Information Tradeoff (EDIT) curves which can be used to quantify the tradeof between estimation performance and detection performance in system design.
Immediate and late side effects of hay fever: Physical and psychosocial problems

(1989). Immediate and late side effects of hay fever. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 183-190.
Management of High-Risk Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy in the USA, with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) constituting approximately 20 % of all NMSC. While cSCCs typically behave in an indolent fashion and can be cured with local destructive or surgical methods, a small subset metastasizes and induces significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying and aggressively treating these “high-risk” cSCCs (HRcSCCs) is thus paramount. Recent improvements in staging cSCCs appear to offer better risk stratification than earlier staging criteria. Radiologic imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsy may be beneficial in certain cases of HRcSCC, although more studies are needed before these techniques should be uniformly incorporated into management. Surgery with complete margin control, such as that offered by the Mohs micrographic technique, represents the first-line treatment for these tumors. Radiation therapy is likely most beneficial in the adjuvant setting. Chemotherapy is typically best reserved for patients with metastatic or locally advance disease that is not controllable with surgical and/or radiation therapies. Newer targeted treatments, such as EGFR inhibitors and immunotherapies may offer greater efficacy in these settings, although further evaluation is needed.
Intrapelvic Wilms' tumor simulating xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

A 2-year-old boy presented with an atypical renal mass with extension into the pyelocalyceal system and distal ureter which was diagnosed initially as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP). The final diagnosis was intrapelvic Wilms’ tumor extending into the ureter. In the literature, only three patients have been described with Wilms’ tumor extending into the ureter, none of whom had a continuous extension into the distal ureter.
The Homeland: Changing Perceptions of Blut und Boden

Most nationalist movements integrate homeland claims into their ideological message (James 1996; Ozkirimli 2000; Connor 1994; Smith 1999, 1998; Hutchinson 2001). My research suggests that genocidal states are no different in this regard, but we must ask whether these claims are manifested in a unique way. In this chapter, I seek to investigate the use of the idea of ‘homeland’ in the radicalisation process of genocidal ideology. This type of analysis will hopefully allow us to draw certain conclusions that can be applied to other cases within the greater body of literature regarding genocide studies.
Electron Spin Resonance Investigations of Tanning Development

AbstractTanning development in silver halide films involves crosslinking amino side groups of gelatin with oxidized developer. Because tanning is rapid only when the oxidized developer is generated during development, an intermediate such as semiquinone may be responsible. Support for this possibility was found using electron spin resonance by comparing the effects of lysine, arginine and gelatin on semiquinone concentration. Semiquinone is rapidly quenched by lysine’s c-amino group but is only slightly affected by arginine’s guanidino group. Comparison of the quenching rates of unmodified gelatin and phthalylated gelatin emphasize lysine’s importance in tanning.
The United Kingdom: after Thatcher, what next?

Introduction After a rocky start to its membership in the European Union, the United Kingdom has gradually moved up from being the fourth largest economy in the European Union to being the second largest by 2004. Throughout its erratic relationships with the European continent since the end of World War II, the United Kingdom has had a different perspective on economic policies from the majority consensus within the European Union. While taking the lead in organizing a European response to the Marshall Plan initiative in 1948, it was a reluctant participant in the European Payments Union in 1950 and abstained entirely from the European Coal and Steel Community. When the European Economic Community was formed in 1958 it was the United Kingdom that took the initiative to form an alternative group, the European Free Trade Association. This comprised seven countries around the borders of the six founding countries, and was seen as a viable alternative to the future of European trade relations during the 1960s. (Now it has only Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland as members.) When the United Kingdom finally abandoned the EFTA group and joined the EEC in 1973 the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates had finally collapsed, and then the oil shocks of the coming decade started in October 1973. During the successive oil shocks of the 1970s the United Kingdom gambled on developing its own petroleum resources in the hazardous North Sea area, while the Continental countries attempted to strike long-term contracts with various exporting countries within the OPEC cartel.
Developing a Quality Improvement Program

Developing a quality improvement program is a multifaceted process that requires the identification and empowerment of a diverse team to identify and implement change in an existing process. The quality improvement process is initiated by targeting those areas which are important for the organization to improve. This can be done through a number of internal processes, comparison to external standards or external analyses. Data needs to be collected in a meaningful and reproducible way for analysis regarding current processes. Once the data collection has been completed and analyzed, the team can develop solutions for change that are then implemented on an organizational wide basis. After the recommended changes have been implemented, it is important to monitor results to ensure that the changes have resulted in improvement and that this is maintained over time. Quality improvement plans will play an important role in the future of imaging as we move from volume based to value based payment methodologies.
A Framework for Defining Contextual Features of Training and Coaching Practices

ABSTRACTTraining and coaching are cited frequently to achieve different goals, by different people, across different fields. Who provides training and coaching and where and how they are provided may influence the effectiveness of the training and coaching efforts, making the clear identification of these contextual features of paramount importance to successful implementation and dissemination of training and coaching programs. First, we propose a framework for elucidating these contextual features, and then we apply this framework to a circumscribed review of the literature on parent training and coaching in early intervention services to assess its utility. We discuss the extent to which contextual features have been described in this body of research, offer additional considerations for applying the framework based on this review, and propose possible implications of our findings for implementation, dissemination, and future research efforts.
Amplification and Lasing of Plasmonic Modes

Plasmonic modes provide the potential for routing information with optical speeds and bandwidth at the nanoscale. The inherent tradeoff between modal energy confinement and energy dissipation, however, makes realizing this potential an extreme challenge. For decades, researchers have investigated compensating losses in plasmonic systems with active gain media. In recent years, progress has increased dramatically, as nanoscale plasmonic amplifiers and lasers have emerged. We review this progress and offer our prospective on the challenges ahead.
Antiretroviral Medication Adherence and Disease Management in Pediatric Populations

Accounting for 26% of all new HIV infections in the US each year, adolescents and young adults remain highly vulnerable to HIV. Current guidelines recommend starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as individuals are diagnosed with HIV, yet adherence to HIV medications remains suboptimal, especially among youth. Further, there are significant disparities in ART adherence across various sociodemographic groups with research indicating lower rates of adherence among racial/ethnic minorities, individuals from lower socioeconomic status, older adolescents, and female youth. Considering the detrimental consequences of untreated and/or poorly managed HIV, understanding factors that contribute to poor adherence among youth is critical. This chapter provides an overview of psychosocial, structural, and treatment-related barriers and facilitators to HIV medication adherence among children and adolescents/young adults with behaviorally or perinatally acquired HIV infection (BaHIV, PaHIV). Best practices for measuring adherence in youth, including self-report, pill counts and refills, electronic monitoring, and viral load/CD4 count, are reviewed as well as published adherence interventions in clinic and home/community settings, and interventions incorporating the use of technology. We also discuss the importance of considering multicultural factors in adherence interventions and provide suggested future directions for research and practice with pediatric populations.
Computational Methods for Dynamic Crack Propagation

Several methods for dynamic computational fracture mechanics are reviewed, and their performance in some benchmark problems is reviewed. The methods considered include element deletion, interelement unzipping models and the extended finite element method. Element deletion consists of simply deleting the element when a material criterion is met. The inter-element crack models are of the type proposed by Xu and Needleman, and by Ortiz and Pandolfi. The extended finite element method permits arbitrary crack propagation within the mesh. Advancement of the crack by several criteria is studied. Among the results that are compared are the crack paths, the speed of the crack and the energy dissipated by the fracture process.