cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
48: Immunophenotyping innate lymphoid and T helper cell populations in human asthma

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease driven by T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell-driven airway inflammation, due to the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-13, IL-5 and IL-4. Many cell types in the allergic lung produce IL-13, including T cells and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). To identify the T helper cell subsets that contribute to disease, we immunophenotyped blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and induced sputum cells from asthmatic patients. Using 10–12 color flow cytometry, we characterized innate cells and T helper cell populations in two separate immunophenotyping panels, and correlated cell surface markers with intracellular cytokine production. To incorporate a larger number of parameters into a single immunophenotyping panel, we have started to use the cytometry by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CyTOF) platform as an alternative for airway biospecimens. CyTOF allows us to look at upwards of 30–40 markers on every cell in each sample, including both cell surface and intracellular markers, and will help us determine the interplay among the different cell types that contribute to allergic airway disease.
Epinephrine stimulates fluid absorption across bovine retinal pigment epithelium.

The authors used a modified capacitive probe technique to simultaneously assess the effect of apical epinephrine on fluid transport rate (Jv), transepithelial potential (TEP), and transepithelial resistance (Rt) across bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In control Ringer, the RPE absorbed fluid at a rate of 1.42 +/- 0.34 microliters/cm2.hr (mean +/- SEM; 22 tissues). Tissues with the highest TEP (8-9 mV) and Rt (160-220 omega.cm2) had maximum fluid absorption rates (3-4 microliters/cm2.hr). Apical epinephrine (100 nM) stimulated Jv by a factor of 3, from 0.70 +/- 0.18 microliter/cm2.hr to 2.17 +/- 0.24 microliters/cm2.hr and TEP from 4.6 +/- 0.4 mV to 7.0 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 6). The epinephrine-induced transport changes were inhibited by apical bumetanide (0.1 mM). The alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin (1 microM) completely blocked the epinephrine-induced stimulation of Jv and TEP. In contrast, the beta adrenergic antagonist propranolol (1 microM) had no effect on epinephrine-induced transport changes. These results, coupled with previous studies on bovine RPE, suggest that the mechanisms underlying the epinephrine-induced stimulation of fluid absorption include an apical membrane alpha-1 adrenergic receptor, a bumetanide-inhibitable apical membrane Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, and a basolateral membrane Cl conductance.
Arthroscopic Ganglionectomy in the Pediatric Population.

Background Arthroscopic dorsal wrist ganglionectomy is an established alternative to open excision in the adult population. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare outcomes of arthroscopic and open dorsal wrist ganglionectomy in the pediatric population. Methods All patients who underwent arthroscopic or open dorsal wrist ganglionectomy at a single pediatric institution between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated by chart review and telephone interview. The primary outcome variable was whether or not the cyst had recurred. Other outcome measures included the incidence of complications, and patient-rated outcome measures such as satisfaction, pain, function, and aesthetics. Results There were eight cases of arthroscopic and 19 cases of open ganglionectomy, with a mean age of 14 years. At an average follow-up of 2 years, the recurrence rate was one of eight for the arthroscopic group and two of 19 for the open group. No patients in the arthroscopic group reported functional limitations, compared with three patients in the open group. On a 10-point scar appearance scale, with 1 being not satisfied at all and 10 being highly satisfied, the median score in the arthroscopic group was 9.5, compared with 8 in the open group. No patients in the arthroscopic group had residual pain at the surgical site, compared with nine patients in the open group, a finding that was statistically significant. All patients in the arthroscopic group reported that they would undergo surgery again, whereas two patients in the open group would not undergo surgery again. Conclusion Arthroscopic dorsal wrist ganglionectomy compares favorably with open ganglionectomy in the pediatric population.
SiO2 and TiO2 Sol-Gel Blends with Tunable Optical and Electronic Properties

Sol-gel blends are created using a combination of a high refractive index (n∼2.4) TiO2 based sol-gel and a low refractive index (n∼1.5) SiO2 based sol-gel. The blends are prepared with different ratios of sol-gels and films are created using the spin coating method on silicon and ITO-on-glass substrates. The film thickness, refractive index, and dielectric constants of the resulting films are measured using profilometry, prism coupling, and LCR measurements, respectively. Results show that including more SiO2 based sol-gel in the initial mixture creates thicker films ranging from 1–7 µm, but results in lower refractive index and lower dielectric constants. This is consistent with expectations due to SiO2 having a lower refractive index and dielectric constant than titania over a range of wavelengths andfrequencies. The ability to fine tune the properties is explored.
Coexistence of Chaotic and Non-chaotic Orbits in a New Nine-Dimensional Lorenz Model

In this study, we present a new nine-dimensional Lorenz model (9DLM) that requires a larger critical value for the Rayleigh parameter (a rc of 679.8) for the onset of chaos, as compared to a rc of 24.74 for the 3DLM, a rc of 42.9 for the 5DLM, and a rc 116.9 for the 7DLM. Major features within the 9DLM include: (1) the coexistence of chaotic and non-chaotic orbits with moderate Rayleigh parameters, and (2) the coexistence of limit cycle/torus orbits and spiral sinks with large Rayleigh parameters. Version 2 of the 9DLM, referred to as the 9DLM-V2, is derived to show that: (i) based on a linear stability analysis, two non-trivial critical points are stable for all Rayleigh parameters greater than one; (ii) under non-dissipative and linear conditions, the extended nonlinear feedback loop produces four incommensurate frequencies; and (iii) for a stable orbit, small deviations away from equilibrium (e.g., the stable critical point) do not have a significant impact on orbital stability. Based on our results, we suggest that the entirety of weather is a superset that consists of both chaotic and non-chaotic processes.
Stereoselective Syntheses of β,γ-Unsaturated Esters and γ-Lactones: 1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-(diphenylphosphoryl)-1-ethoxy-1-propene, a Protected CCH2CO2Et Synthon Equivalent

1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-(diphenylphosphoryl)-1-ethoxy-1-propene (3), prepared from N-(α-ethoxyallyl)benzotriazole (1), underwent selective Horner reactions with aldehydes to give substituted dienes. Subsequent hydrolysis of these intermediates readily produced β,γ-unsaturated esters 2a−c in good yields. Similar reactions with ketones followed by hydrolysis of 10 produced, depending on the conditions, either the corresponding γ,γ-disubstituted β,γ-unsaturated esters 11a−d or γ-lactones 9a−c and 13. A double lithiation process provided β,γ,γ-trisubstituted β,γ-unsaturated esters 15, 18, and β,γ,γ-trisubstituted γ-lactone 14.
Phenomenological versus random data augmentation for hyperspectral target detection

In this effort, random noise data augmentation is compared to phenomenologically-inspired data augmentation for a target detection task, evaluated on the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model “MegaScene” simulated hyperspectral dataset. Random data augmentation is commonly used in the machine learning literature to improve model generalization. While random perturbations of an input may work well in certain fields such as image classification, they can be unhelpful in other applications such as hyperspectral target detection. For instance, random noise augmentation may not be beneficial when the applied noise distribution does not match underlying physical signal processes or sensor noise. In the context of a low-noise sensor, augmentation mimicking material mixing and other practical spectral modulations is likely to be more effective when used to train a target detector. It is therefore important to utilize a data augmentation strategy that emulates the natural variability in observed spectra. To validate this claim, a small fully connected neural network architecture is trained using an ideal hemispheric reflectance materials dataset as a trivial baseline. That dataset is then augmented using Gaussian random noise and the model is retrained and again applied to MegaScene. Finally, augmentation is instead performed using phenomenological insight and used to retrain and reevaluate the model. In this work, the phenomenological augmentation implements only simple and commonly encountered spectral permutations, namely linear mixing and shadowing. Comparison is made between the augmented models and the baseline model in terms of low constant false alarm rate (CFAR) performance.
Cost-effectiveness of the Collaborative Care to Preserve Performance in Cancer (COPE) trial tele-rehabilitation interventions for patients with advanced cancers.

Purpose The purpose of this analysis was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a Collaborative Care Model (CCM)-based, centralized telecare approach to delivering rehabilitation services to late-stage cancer patients experiencing functional limitations. Methods Data for this analysis came from the Collaborative Care to Preserve Performance in Cancer (COPE) trial, a randomized control trial of 516 patients assigned to: (a) a control group (arm A), (b) tele-rehabilitation (arm B), and (c) tele-rehabilitation plus pharmacological pain management (arm C). Patient quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D-3L at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up. Direct intervention costs were measured from the experience of the trial. Participants' hospitalization data were obtained from their medical records, and costs associated with these encounters were estimated from unit cost data and hospital-associated utilization information found in the literature. A secondary analysis of total utilization costs was conducted for the subset of COPE trial patients for whom comprehensive cost capture was possible. Results In the intervention-only model, tele-rehabilitation (arm B) was found to be the dominant strategy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $15 494/QALY. At the $100 000 willingness-to-pay threshold, this tele-rehabilitation was the cost-effective strategy in 95.4% of simulations. It was found to be cost saving compared to enhanced usual care once the downstream hospitalization costs were taken into account. In the total cost analysis, total inpatient hospitalization costs were significantly lower in both tele-rehabilitation (arm B) and tele-rehabilitation plus pain management (arm C) compared to control (arm A), (P = .048). Conclusion The delivery of a CCM-based, centralized tele-rehabilitation intervention to patients with advanced stage cancer is highly cost-effective. Clinicians and care teams working with this vulnerable population should consider incorporating such interventions into their patient care plans.
Abstract P314: Physical Activity-Mediated Associations of Perceived Neighborhood Violence and Problems on Depressive Symptoms Among Jackson Heart Study Participants

Introduction: Little is known about whether links between perceived neighborhood social environment (PNSE) and depressive symptoms are mediated by physical activity (PA) levels. Hypothesis: We test...
Sequence of Tense and Simplicity

As discussed in Chapter 1, the past tense morphology of an embedded clause can have two different interpretations, as illustrated in (1) below.
Ex Vivo Radiation Leads to Opposing Neurite Growth in Whole Ganglia vs Dissociated Cultured Pelvic Neurons

Background Prostatic radiation therapy (RT) often causes erectile dysfunction (ED) and the mechanisms governing RT-induced ED are unclear with a lack of therapeutic strategies. Aim To determine the effects of ex vivo RT on major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neuron survival, and neurite growth in whole vs dissociated culture. Methods MPGs were removed and irradiated (0 or 8 Gy) from male Sprague Dawley rats. For dissociated culture, MPG neurons were digested in collagenase/dispase and cultured on coverslips. Immunofluorescent staining for beta-tubulin III (TUBB3; neuron marker), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS; nitrergic marker), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; sympathetic marker), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assessed neurite length, branching, autonomic neuron density, and apoptosis. For whole organ culture, MPGs were grown in Matrigel. Gene expression of apoptotic markers (caspase 1, 3), TUBB3, nNOS, TH, and Schwann cells (Sox10, Krox20, glial fibrillary acid protein) was measured in whole organ cultured MPGs by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Outcomes After 72 hours, neurite length, branching, autonomic neuron density, and apoptosis were assessed, and gene expression was measured. Results RT increased apoptosis in dissociated neurons measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (P Clinical translation Prostatic RT leads to increased neuronal cell death and less erectogenic nitrergic neurons contributing to ED. Strengths & limitations The advantages of dissociated neuron culture include distinct neurites which are easily measured for apoptosis, length/branching, and specific neuron types. In contrast, whole MPG culture is advantageous as it contains all the supporting cells present in vivo. Conclusion The 2 different culture methods demonstrated opposing neurite growth after RT indicating the importance of supporting cell network to promote pelvic neuron neuritogenesis and survival following RT. Randolph JT, Pak ES, Koontz BF, et al. Ex Vivo Radiation Leads to Opposing Neurite Growth in Whole Ganglia vs Dissociated Cultured Pelvic Neurons. J Sex Med 2020;XX:XXX-XXX.
Lung Ultrasound versus Chest X-Ray for the Detection of Fluid Overload in Critically Ill Children: A Systematic Review

Fluid overload is a common complication of critical illness, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary fluid status is difficult to evaluate clinically and many clinicians utilize chest X-ray (CXR) to identify fluid overload. Adult data have shown lung ultrasound (LUS) to be a more sensitive modality. Our objective was to determine the performance of LUS for detecting fluid overload, with comparison to CXR, in critically ill children. We conducted a systematic review using multiple electronic databases and included studies from inception to November 15, 2020. The sensitivity and specificity of each test were evaluated. Out of 1,209 studies screened, 4 met eligibility criteria. Overall, CXR is reported to have low sensitivity (44–58%) and moderate specificity (52–94%) to detect fluid overload, while LUS is reported to have high sensitivity (90–100%) and specificity (94–100%). Overall, the quality of evidence was moderate, and the gold standard was different in each study. Our systematic review suggests LUS is more sensitive and specific than CXR to identify pulmonary fluid overload in critically ill children. Considering the clinical burden of fluid overload and the relative ease of obtaining LUS, further evaluation of LUS to diagnose volume overload is warranted.
Parents of Global Youth: Contesting Debt and Belonging

In the United States, recently arrived migrant youth encounter competing media and institutional discourses that cast them as dependents who have been rendered ‘left behind,’ ‘on their own,’ or ‘unaccompanied’ by their parents. A corresponding narrative emerges in which young migrants’ parents are framed as abusive, neglectful, and ignorant. Combined, these portrayals may garner specialized services and contribute to success in the legal realm. At the same time, however, they fail to recognize and even imperil the intimate intergenerational networks that facilitate transnational migration. In this article, we trace the homogenizing power of public discourses on young people and their families across two diverse ethnographic contexts, that of Chinese and Guatemalan migration. Focusing in particular on narratives of debt and belonging, we argue that the pervasive pathologization of migrant youths’ parents diminishes and contorts valued relationships over time. It correspondingly demands broader efforts to historicize and to contextualize youth mobility.
T cell dysfunction in glioblastoma: a barrier and an opportunity for the development of successful immunotherapies.

Purpose of review Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade have revolutionized cancer treatment, but current approaches have failed to improve outcomes in glioblastoma and other brain tumours. T cell dysfunction has emerged as one of the major barriers for the development of central nervous system (CNS)-directed immunotherapy. Here, we explore the unique requirements that T cells must fulfil to ensure immune surveillance in the CNS, and we analyse T cell dysfunction in glioblastoma (GBM) through the prism of CNS-resident immune responses. Recent findings Using comprehensive and unbiased techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, multiple studies have dissected the transcriptional state of CNS-resident T cells that patrol the homeostatic brain. A similar approach has revealed that in GBM, tumour-infiltrating T cells lack the hallmarks of antigen-driven exhaustion typical of melanoma and other solid tumours, suggesting the need for better presentation of tumour-derived antigens. Consistently, in a mouse model of GBM, increasing lymphatic drainage to the cervical lymph node was sufficient to promote tumour rejection. Summary For the success of future immunotherapy strategies, further work needs to explore the natural history of dysfunction in GBM tumour-infiltrating T cells, establish whether these originate from CNS-resident T cells and how they can be manipulated therapeutically.
From Excavation to Online Exhibition: A 30+ year Journey at La Mula-Sarigua

The goal of this paper is to “highlight” the results of 30+ years of research on one archaeological site (La Mula-Sarigua [LMS]) in the Gran Cocle Region of Panama. Such work has taken place in three phases: (1) major field and laboratory efforts (1983-1988 culminating in a dissertation which dealt with inequality, and a number of related issues); (2) focus on refining analyses of lithics and ceramics to interpret the nature of technologies, such as specialization (1990-2011), and (3) a digital archive initiative with an online presence (2015-present).The latter is an attempt to make the archaeological resources from LMS publicly available for future research and teaching independent of the physical objects, records and institutions.
Context, attention, and the switch between habit and goal-direction in behavior.

This article reviews recent findings from the author’s laboratory that may provide new insights into how habits are made and broken. Habits are extensively practiced behaviors that are automatically evoked by antecedent cues and performed without their goal (or reinforcer) “in mind.” Goal-directed actions, in contrast, are instrumental behaviors that are performed because their goal is remembered and valued. New results suggest that actions may transition to habit after extended practice when conditions encourage reduced attention to the behavior. Consistent with theories of attention and learning, a behavior may command less attention (and become habitual) as its reinforcer becomes well-predicted by cues in the environment; habit learning is prevented if presentation of the reinforcer is uncertain. Other results suggest that habits are not permanent, and that goal-direction can be restored by several environmental manipulations, including exposure to unexpected reinforcers or context change. Habits are more context-dependent than goal-directed actions are. Habit learning causes retroactive interference in a way that is reminiscent of extinction: It inhibits, but does not erase, goal-direction in a context-dependent way. The findings have implications for the understanding of habitual and goal-directed control of behavior as well as disordered behaviors like addictions.
Datagridflows: managing long-run processes on datagrids

This paper is an introduction to Datagridflows. Until recently, datagrids were generally considered over-hyped and the associated technologies not widely embraced in the academic community. Today, datagrids have become a reality and an important technology for managing large, unstructured data and storage resources distributed over autonomous administrative domains. The datagrids that are operating in production provide us an idea of new requirements and challenges that will be faced in future datagrid environments. One such requirement is the coordinated execution of long-run data management processes in datagrids. We term these processes as “datagridflows”. This new area provides exciting opportunities and challenges to researchers in distributed computing and distributed databases. This paper is intended to introduce these challenges to other researchers, including those new to grid computing. We provide motivation through discussion of datagridflow requirements and real production scenarios. We introduce current work on datagridflow technologies including the Datagrid Language (DGL) for describing datagridflows in datagrids.
Tunneling investigation of the gap-like feature in superconducting Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7 thin films

We have measured the conductance of Y1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7/Pb planar tunnel junctions fabricated on thin films where x equals 0, 0.2 and 0.4. When tunneling into the ab-plane, there is a weak decrease in conductance at eV approximately 2kBTc, where a superconducting gap is expected. With increasing Pr concentration, the energy where this gap-like feature appears is reduced by an amount commensurate with the reduction in Tc. The gap-like structure in the c-axis tunneling conductance becomes weaker, but displays no change in energy when YBCO is doped with Pr.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Distribution of Molecular Clouds in Spiral Galaxies

The use of millimeter wave CO emission as a tracer of molecular hydrogen in the Galaxy (Scoville and Solomon 1975) showed that most of the H2 unlike HI is concentrated in the inner part of the Galaxy in a “ring” between 4–8 kpc and in the inner 1 kpc. Subsequent surveys (Gordon and Burton 1976, Cohen and Thaddeus 1977, Solomon et al. {dy1979}) confirmed this picture with more extensive data. The molecular interstellar medium was shown to be dominated by Giant Molecular Clouds with individual masses between 105 and 3×106Mo (Solomon et al. {dy1979}, Solomon and Sanders 1980). The GMC’s confined to a layer with a half thickness of only 60 pc are an important component of the galactic disk, and the most massive objects in the galaxy. They affect the dynamics of the disk by contributing significantly to the surface density and through their individual gravitational interactions with stars.
Lightning: safety and protection [wind power plants]

Lightning to tall structures, such as wind turbine towers, power poles, etc., results in relatively high transient voltages. These lightning generated voltages can cause insulation failures and generate safety problems for humans and animals in the vicinity of the strike. This paper addresses the issues relative to these phenomena and describes a model for predicting lightning effects on a wind turbine/generator tower.
Circadian Rhythmic Plaque-Forming Cell Response of Spleens from Mice Immunized with SRBC

Studies under controlled conditions of lighting and temperature revealed clear evidence of circadian periodicity with respect to the number of PFC present in the spleens of BALB/c mice 3 or 4 days after immunization with SRBC. Striking differences in proliferative responses of spleen lymphocytes to PHA or Con A were also observed at two different circadian times. Large proliferative responses occurred at the time when injection of antigen and/or sampling for PFC yielded a low PFC formation (early in the daily dark span) and small proliferative responses occurred at the time when antigen injection and sampling yielded high formation of PFC (early in the daily light span). These findings indicate that care should be taken to control the circadian timing of stimulation and sampling in studies of immune responses, and that rhythmically varying aspects constitute a new dimension of immunologic processes awaiting further analysis in both the circadian and weekly spectral regions.
A 0.18/spl mu/m RF CMOS ultra wide band transmitter front end RFIC

This paper presents a 0.18/spl mu/m RF CMOS ultra wide band (UWB) transmitter front end RFIC for wireless sensor network applications. The proposed UWB transmitter is designed to generate a bandwidth (-10dB) of more than 1 GHz at center frequencies of 4 GHz or 8 GHz, in the form of 1ns gated wideband pulses with DBPSK/BPSK modulation. Two single-band prototype transmitters are designed and fabricated as part of multi-band UWB transmitter under development. Wideband phase-locked loops (PLL) are integrated into the transmitter design targeting a single chip solution. A novel pulse generator control circuit has been demonstrated to generate the desired 1ns pulses. The 4 GHz integrated transmitter chip generates an output power of -6.5dBm from its buffered VCO output and consumes a current of 14mA.
Marijuana Use as a Sex-Drug is Associated with HIV Risk Among Black MSM and Their Network

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) are highest risk for HIV seroconversion in the United States. Little attention has been paid to marijuana use among BMSM and potential for HIV risk. A sample of 202 BMSM was generated through respondent driven sampling. The relationship between differential marijuana use and both HIV risk behavior and social network factors were examined using weighted logistic regression. Of the BMSM in this sample 60.4 % use marijuana in general and 20.8 % use marijuana as sex-drug. General marijuana use was significantly associated with participation in group sex (AOR 3.50; 95 % CI 1.10-11.10) while marijuana use as a sex drug was significantly associated with both participation in condomless sex (AOR 2.86; 95% CI 1.07-7.67) and group sex (AOR 3.39; 95% CI 1.03-11.22). Respondents with a moderate or high perception of network members who use marijuana were more likely to use marijuana both in general and as a sex-drug. Network member marijuana use, while not associated with risk behaviors, is associated with individual marijuana use and individual marijuana use in the context of sex is associated with risk practices. Targeting interventions towards individuals and their respective networks that use marijuana as a sex drug may reduce HIV risk.
Fluxes of charged and neutral particles from tokamaks

Abstract The performance of present tokamak devices is significantly influenced by neutral atom and impurity ion populations originating at the wall or aperture limiter. Plasma instability and diffusion mechanisms cannot be identified until these surface-related processes are accurately described. Central neutral densities in the Oak Ridge tokamak vary from 2 × 108 cm−3 to 2 × 109 cm−3 and agree well with values predicted by our theoretical model. We extrapolate this model to the larger, denser and hotter plasmas foreseen in the next generation of experiments and beyond. We calculate the rate of impurity generation by charge exchange bombardment. Impurities will influence scientific feasibility experiments which burn D-T by raising ignition temperatures. In a version of our code which incorporates alpha heating, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron and line radiation we calculate the effects of small admixtures of high Z ions on the injection power required to reach ignition and on the required pulse duration. We give the wall energy fluxes to the expected and the relative fractions of energy conduction and radiation.
Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and the Potential Risk of Subtle Neurological Dysfunction: Commentary on the article by Soorani-Lunsing et al. on page 701

Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and the Potential Risk of Subtle Neurological Dysfunction: Commentary on the article by Soorani-Lunsing et al . on page 701
Enhancing Endothelial Cell Retention on ePTFE Constructs by siRNA-Mediated SHP-1 Gene Silencing

Polymeric vascular grafts hold great promise for vascular reconstruction, but the lack of endothelial cells renders these grafts susceptible to intimal hyperplasia and restenosis, precluding widespread clinical applications. The purpose of this study is to establish a stable endothelium on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced suppression of the cell adhesion inhibitor SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with scrambled siRNA as a control or SHP-1 specific siRNA. Treated cells were seeded onto fibronectin-coated ePTFE scaffolds and exposed to a physiological range of pulsatile fluid shear stresses for 1 h in a variable-width parallel plate flow chamber. Retention of cells was measured and compared between various shear stress levels and between groups treated with scrambled siRNA and SHP-1 specific siRNA. HUVECs seeded on ePTFE membrane exhibited shear stress-dependent retention. Exposure to physiological shear stress (10 dyn/cm 2 ) induced a reduction in the retention of scrambled siRNA treated cells from 100% to 85% at 1 h. Increased shear stress (20 dyn/cm 2 ) further reduced retention of scrambled siRNA treated cells to 55% at 1 h. SHP-1 knockdown mediated by siRNA enhanced endothelial cell retention from approximately 60% to 85% after 1 h of exposure to average shear stresses in the range of 15―30 dyn/cm 2 . This study demonstrates that siRNA-mediated gene silencing may be an effective strategy for improving the retention of endothelial cells within vascular grafts.
Collisionless ion drag force on a spherical grain

The ion drag force on a spherical grain situated in a flowing collisionless plasma is obtained from the specialized coordinate electrostatic particle and thermals in cell simulation code (SCEPTIC) (Hutchinson 2002 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 44 1953, Hutchinson 2003 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 45 1477, Hutchinson 2005 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 47 71) and compared with recent analytic approximate treatments in the interesting and relevant case when the Debye length is only moderately larger than the sphere radius. There is a substantial complex structure in the results for transonic flows, which is explained in terms of the details of ion orbits. Naturally the prior analytic approximations miss this structure, and as a result they seriously underestimate the drag for speeds near the sound speed. An easy-to-evaluate expression for force is provided that fits the comprehensive results of the code. This expression, with minor modification, also fits the results even for Debye length much smaller than the sphere radius.
Algorithm and operational concept for resolving short-range conflicts:

The article describes an algorithm for computing horizontal resolution trajectories with a limit on bank angle. If loss of separation can be avoided, the algorithm generates a set of manoeuvres that achieves or exceeds the specified minimum separation. The manoeuvres consist of turns to a specified heading followed by straight-line flight. Both single aircraft and cooperative manoeuvres are generated. In cooperative manoeuvres, both conflict aircraft simul- taneously execute resolution manoeuvres, which expedite the resolution process compared to single aircraft manoeuvres. If loss of separation is unavoidable for a specified bank angle limit, the method chooses the manoeuvre that maximizes the minimum separation during the turns. The characteristics of the resolution trajectories have been analysed in a parameter space com- prising initial positions, encounter angle, airspeed, predicted minimum separation, and bank angle. Analysis of resolutions for sets of initial conditions provided a road map for the design of an algorithm. The conceptual design of a system is described that resolves close-in conflicts automatically by uplinking resolution advisories to aircraft. Controllers have the option to assign detected conflicts to be resolved by the system. The system also has the authority to uplink res- olution advisories to the aircraft without prior controller approval if time to loss of separation falls below a threshold value. The Mode S Specific Services data link is well suited for uplinking resolution advisories to the conflict aircraft. Deployment of the system could be an initial step in building the next-generation air traffic control system.
A model for bipolar current leakage in cell stacks with separate electrolyte loops

A model predicting leakage current in a bipolar battery stack is presented. This model applies current balance and potential balance equations to a stack and treats the electrolyte, manifold and membrane separator as resistance elements in an electric circuit analog. This results in a set of linear difference equations with constant coefficients. Leakage currents in stacks made up of different numbers of cells are predicted and the effect of each resistance component on stack performance is investigated.
A theory of catharsis

Abstract This paper first discusses the history of the idea of catharsis, suggesting that the differences between the advocates of catharsis and its critics may be reconcilable. A definition of emotion is proposed which involves interactions between biological, psychological, and social systems. This definition gives rise to a theory of catharsis which seems to reconcile the claims of the advocates of catharsis with the criticisms that have been made of their claims. The discussion of the theory also suggests methods of testing it. As a preliminary example of one such test, the results of a pilot study of the effects of laughter on tension levels are presented.
When Incentives And Professionalism Collide

As Jin Ma and colleagues observe, an unfettered market approach in China has reduced access to care, increased patients’ financial burden, and reduced emphasis on prevention and may have caused declines in quality and outcomes. A major driving force was that perverse incentives altered physicians’ behavior toward self-interest at the expense of patients, even where professional ethics dictated otherwise. Other nations, including India, are grappling with the profit motive and its consequences. Chinese leaders are attempting to deal with these problems by expanding public investment and reducing perverse incentives. However, profit motives remain a powerful, potentially offsetting feature of a reformed system.
Plastic deformation of CVD textured tungsten—I. Constitutive response

The constitutive response of CVD textured tungsten in 〈001〉, 〈011〉 and random orientations under uniaxial compression subjected to a range of strain rates is investigated. Both 〈001〉 and 〈011〉 textured specimens revealed a strong strain rate sensitivity. The 〈001〉 specimens showed large ductility at all strain rates and significant strain softening during high strain rate deformation. The 〈011〉 texture undergoes homogenous deformation under quasi-static loading but failed prematurely due to extensive grain boundary cracking during high strain rate loading. The random orientation specimens exhibited brittle failure. The temperature rise during high strain rate deformation was measured using high speed infrared detectors. A physically based crystal plasticity model motivated by dislocation reactions in b.c.c. metals is outlined. The model predicts the dependence of constitutive response on the texture in tungsten polycrystals and suggests that the transverse tensile stresses which develop in 〈011〉 orientation due to the crystallographic asymmetry could be responsible for observed grain boundary cracking.
Energy dependence of the fundamental parameters of the K 0 − K ¯ 0 system. II. Theoretical formalism

We present a detailed analysis of the previously reported anomalous energy dependence of the fundamental K/sup 0/-K-bar/sup 0/ parameters ..delta..m = m/sub L/-m/sub S/, tau/sub S/, Vertical Bareta/sub +/-Vertical Bar, and tanphi/sub +/-. Such variations with energy can arise from the interaction of the kaons with an external field or medium. A phenomenological formalism is introduced to describe such energy-dependent influences on the K/sup 0/-K-bar/sup 0/ system. Using this formalism we demonstrate that effects of the type suggested by the data cannot be ascribed to an interaction of the kaons with an electromagnetic, hypercharge, or gravitational field, or to the scattering of the kaons from stray charges or cosmological neutrinos. The data are, however, compatible with an interaction which is even under charge conjugation, and models of such an interaction are discussed. We also consider the possibility that such effects may arise from a fundamental violation of Lorentz invariance. All of the mechanisms which appear capable of describing the data also suggest that similar effects could arise in neutrino oscillations, and some of the consequences of such a possibility are outlined.
Mixing and chemical reaction in sheared and nonsheared homogeneous turbulence

Direct numerical simulations were made to examine the local structure of the reaction zone for a moderately fast reaction between unmixed species in decaying, homogeneous turbulence and in a homogeneous turbulent shear flow. Pseudospectral techniques were used in domains of 643 and higher wavenumbers. A finite-rate, single step reaction between non-premixed reactants was considered, and in one case temperature-dependent Arrhenius kinetics was assumed. Locally intense reaction rates that tend to persist throughout the simulations occur in locations where the reactant concentration gradients are large and are amplified by the local rate of strain. The reaction zones are more organized in the case of a uniform mean shear than in isotropic turbulence, and regions of intense reaction rate appear to be associated with vortex structures such as horseshoe vortices and fingers seen in mixing layers. Concentration gradients tend to align with the direction of the most compressive principal strain rate, more so in the isotropic case.
How can oral health care providers determine if patients have dry mouth

ABSTRACT Background. Dentists recognize the importance of saliva in maintaining oral health and often are familiar with the clinical effects an insufficient salivary flow can have on oral tissues. A variety of medical conditions and medications can alter salivary secretion and composition. Typically, diagnosis of hyposalivation is made only after damage has occurred to the oral tissues. Overview. The author describes a series of clinical steps that, if followed properly, may help in the early detection of salivary gland hypofunction and prevention of its severe complications. This four-step approach includes identifying a patient's chief complaint and the symptoms and duration of illness that brought the patient to the dentist, as well as any approaches the patient took to relieve symptoms; obtaining a medical history that includes a review of the body systems; performing a clinical evaluation that notes the patient's overall condition in addition to the health and functioning of the salivary glands and oral soft and hard tissues; and, when needed, conducting further diagnostic evaluations. Conclusions and Clinical Implications. Oral health care providers will continue to face the challenges of treating new and recurrent carious lesions if the profession's approach to salivary hypofunction remains reactive rather than proactive. The recommendations in this article may enhance clinicians' awareness of the objective methods used to identify patients with salivary gland hypofunction or those at risk of developing it. It is hoped that early identification of asymptomatic patients at risk of developing hyposalivation, as well as symptomatic patients will lower the incidence and prevalence of dental caries and fungal infections in this population and ultimately enhance their quality of life.
Nuclear Spin Relaxation by Translational Diffusion. III. Spin-Spin Relaxation

Theory relating spin-lattice relaxation times to diffusion rates has been extended to include the relation of spin-spin relaxation times to diffusion rates. Certain tables presented earlier have been corrected to bring them into agreement with presently accepted theory.
An Institutional Economist Goes to City Hall: A Sociological Study of the Legislative Process

The Instititutionalist tradition has a long and proud history of involvement with public policy. Reading the history of the Progressive Era one cannot help but be impressed with the degree of success economists of that era had in achieving their desired policy goals. Drawing upon the written experiences of these earlier policy makers within the Institutionalist tradition this work relates the experiences of the author as an elected official to a city legislature. In this paper, three specific policy actions are considered from a sociological perspective. These case studies reaffirm some tenets of institutional economics and suggest others.
COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF HIGH-SPEED PLASMA FLOW IMPINGING ON AN ENTHALPY PROBE

Enthalpy probe measurements in supersonic plasma flows are subject to various sources of error which are difficult to quantify experimentally v. The relative importance of several such errors has been assessed by means of detailed two-dimensional numerical simulations of high-speed plasma flow impinging on an enthalpy probe. The simulations show that moderate uncertainties in upstream pressure and composition (i.e., degree of ionization) can lead to significant errors in the velocity and temperature inferred from the measurements. These errors tend to be larger in velocity than temperature A second potential source of error is that enthalpy probe data are generally interepreted by means of simplified analytical relations which neglect the effects of finite-rate ionization, internal electronic excitation, thermal radiation, probe cooling, and probe sampling. The importance of these effects was also assessed, and the resulting errors were not ,significant under the conditions examined. We conclude that enthalpy probe measurements in supersonic plasma flows are use f d in situations where the upstream pressure and degree of ionization are known to reasonable accucary.
Identification and functional characterization of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutations in thyroid cancer

Mutations in the genes for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) have been recently identified in glioblastoma. In the present study, we investigated IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), with the latter, like glioblastoma, having a rapidly aggressive and lethal clinical course. By direct genomic DNA sequencing, we analyzed exon 4 of the IDH1 and IDH2 genes that harbored the mutation hot spots codon 132 and 172 of the two genes in glioblastoma, respectively, in 12 thyroid cancer cell lines, 20 FTC, and 18 ATC tumor samples. A novel homozygous G367A IDH1 mutation, resulting in a G123R amino acid change in codon 123, was identified in a case of ATC. A previously described IDH1 V71I mutation was found in a case of FTC and a case of ATC and no mutations were found in the cell lines. The overall prevalence of mutations was thus 1/20 (5%) in FTC and 2/18 (11%) in ATC. We did not find mutation in the IDH2 gene in these thyroid cancer cell lines and tumor samples. Sequence alignment analysis of 16 species revealed that the novel IDH1 G123R mutation was located in a highly conserved region, raising the possibility of a serious functional consequence as could also be predicted by the occurrence of a positively charged amino acid from this mutation. To test this, we created a G123R mutant by site-directed mutagenesis and demonstrated a decreased enzymatic activity of IDH1, similar to the expected reduction in the enzymatic activity of the previously described R132H IDH1 mutant measured as a control. Thus, functionally relevant IDH1 mutations can also occur in thyroid cancer, particularly ATC, suggesting a potential tumorigenic role of the IDH1 system that could represent a new therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.
Porous lanthanide-organic frameworks: synthesis, characterization, and unprecedented gas adsorption properties.

The reactions of Ln(NO3)3 (Ln = La, Er) with 1,4-phenylendiacetic acid (H2PDA) under hydrothermal conditions produce isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with the empirical formula [Ln2(PDA)3(H2O)]·2H2O. The extended structure of [Ln2(PDA)3(H2O)]·2H2O consists of Ln-COO triple helixes cross-linked through the −CH2C6H4CH2− spacers of the PDA anions, showing 1D open channels along the crystallographic c axis that accommodate the guest and coordinated water molecules. Evacuation of [Er2(PDA)3(H2O)]·2H2O at room temperature and at 200 °C, respectively, generates [Er2(PDA)3(H2O)] and [Er2(PDA)3], both of which give powder X-ray diffraction patterns consistent with that of [Er2(PDA)3(H2O)]·2H2O. The porosity of [Er2(PDA)3(H2O)] and [Er2(PDA)3] is further demonstrated by their ability to adsorb water vapor to form [Er2(PDA)3(H2O)]·2H2O quantitatively. Thermogravimetric analyses show that [Er2(PDA)3] remains stable up to 450 °C. The effective pore window size in [Er2(PDA)3] is estimated at 3.4 A. Gas ad...
The p-sized partitioning algorithm for fast computation of factorials of numbers

Computing products of large numbers has always been a challenging task in the field of computing. One such example would be the factorial function. Several methods have been implemented to compute this function including naive product, recursive product, Boiten split, and prime factorization, and linear difference. The method presented here is unique in the sense that it exploits finite order differences to reduce the number of multiplications necessary to compute the factorial. The differences generated are regrouped into a new sequence of numbers, which have at most half as many elements of the original sequence. When the terms of this new sequence are multiplied together, the factorial value is obtained. The cardinality of the new sequence can further be reduced by partitioning. The sequence is computed by using several difference tables that assist in establishing the pattern that determines the sequence. An analysis of the algorithm is presented. The analysis shows that the execution time can be reduced significantly by the algorithm presented.
Faecal fistula as the result of thermal injury to the abdominal wall

A 23-year-old male with an 87 per cent body surface area burn from a motor vehicle accident developed a left lower quadrant abdominal wall faecal fistula. This fistula presumably resulted from thermal injury to the level of the peritoneum. This case report describes the course and management of this unusual occurrence.