cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Winter precipitation and snow accumulation drive the methane sink or source strength of Arctic tussock tundra.

Arctic winter precipitation is projected to increase with global warming, but some areas will experience decreases in snow accumulation. Although Arctic CH4 emissions may represent a significant climate forcing feedback, long-term impacts of changes in snow accumulation on CH4 fluxes remain uncertain. We measured ecosystem CH4 fluxes and soil CH4 and CO2 concentrations and (13) C composition to investigate the metabolic pathways and transport mechanisms driving moist acidic tundra CH4 flux over the growing season (Jun-Aug) after 18 years of experimental snow depth increases and decreases. Deeper snow increased soil wetness and warming, reducing soil %O2 levels and increasing thaw depth. Soil moisture, through changes in soil %O2 saturation, determined predominance of methanotrophy or methanogenesis, with soil temperature regulating the ecosystem CH4 sink or source strength. Reduced snow (RS) increased the fraction of oxidized CH4 (Fox) by 75-120% compared to Ambient, switching the system from a small source to a net CH4 sink (21 ± 2 and -31 ± 1 mg CH4 m(-2) season(-1) at Ambient and RS). Deeper snow reduced Fox by 35-40% and 90-100% in medium- (MS) and high- (HS) snow additions relative to Ambient, contributing to increasing the CH4 source strength of moist acidic tundra (464 ± 15 and 3561 ± 97 mg CH4 m(-2) season(-1) at MS and HS). Decreases in Fox with deeper snow were partly due to increases in plant-mediated CH4 transport associated with the expansion of tall graminoids. Deeper snow enhanced CH4 production within newly thawed soils, responding mainly to soil warming rather than to increases in acetate fermentation expected from thaw-induced increases in SOC availability. Our results suggest that increased winter precipitation will increase the CH4 source strength of Arctic tundra, but the resulting positive feedback on climate change will depend on the balance between areas with more or less snow accumulation than they are currently facing.
Immunopathogenesis of Demyelination Induced by MHV-4

Mouse hepatitis virus-4 (MHV-4 or JHM) is a murine Coronavirus which causes central nervous system (CNS) demyelination in rodents (1). Experimental MHV-4 infection has been used as a model of human demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. One of the major questions relating to MHV-4 pathogenesis is the degree to which demyelination caused by this virus is due either to 1) direct viral cytopathology, especially for oligodendrocytes, the cells which produce and maintain myelin, or 2) immunological responses elicited by viral infection.
Atrial fibrillation care improvement collaborative

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly common cardiac arrhythmia. Many patients with new onset or recurrent AF present to the emergency department and are subsequently admitted to the hospital and seen by cardiology specialists for follow up. In an attempt to address this high utilization of acute health care resources, reduce costs, and improve patient care, our institution instituted a collaborative project between the departments of emergency medicine, cardiology, family medicine, and primary care internal medicine. The project team oversaw development of a new emergency department AF order set, encouraged utilization of a new oral anticoagulant (dabigatran), improved the primary care follow up connection, and deployed a multimodal education plan for primary care providers. Between 2012 and 2014, these interventions resulted in a 17% reduction in total AF per member per month (PMPM) cost, a 28% reduction in AF PMPM inpatient cost, and a 24% reduction in inpatient admissions for AF.
Humes, Samuel Belgium: Long United, Long Divided

Language is to Belgium what race and ethnicity are to the United States, a national obsession. Whereas language is often neglected in the American approach to diversity and social justice, it is a ...
Mucocutaneous Findings and Course in an Adult With Zika Virus Infection

Importance The Zika virus epidemic has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. We describe the mucocutaneous features and histologic correlation in a patient with the acute Zika virus infection. Observations We observed the presence of a diffuse papular descending eruption, petechiae on the palate, and hyperemic sclerae in a 44-year-old man returning from Puerto Rico with confirmatory testing for the Zika virus. Conclusions and Relevance A detailed awareness of mucocutaneous findings associated with Zika virus infection will support its early recognition and will facilitate elimination of Zika infection from consideration for concerned patients who present with other, more common erythematous eruptions.
157 FAMILIAL HISTORY OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA AND ALTERED LIPID PANEL IN OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Background Serum lipid levels follow familial patterns. Obesity is associated with unfavorable lipid profile and increased cardiovascular risk. Our aim was to assess the relationship of familial history of hypercholesterolemia with the lipid profile in a group of overweight children and adolescents. Methods This study included 104 children and adolescents, with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile, whose parents answered a questionnaire to address the familial history of hypercholesterolemia in first- and second-degree relatives. As part of the program, all participants received nutrition counseling and performed exercise under medical supervision over 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were drawn at the first visit and at the end of the program. T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results There were 50 females and 54 males, mean age: 11.3 years (range 7-17 years), mean BMI Z-score: 2.36 ± 0.32, Hispanic: 52%, Caucasian: 30%, African American: 16%, and other races: 2%. At entry there were 44 patients who have one or more relatives with a positive familial history (Group A) and 60 with a negative history (Group B). Comparison in the lipid panel between groups is shown in the table. Conclusions At entry, the group with a positive familial history showed significantly higher serum levels in the lipid panel than those with a negative history. At the 12th week, initial differences in lipid panel still remained; this could mean that those individuals with a positive familial history require adding to nutrition counseling and medically supervised exercise, another type of intervention to lower their abnormal serum lipid levels.
Taxonomic revision of Stigmatomma Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy region

In this study we present the first taxonomic revision of the ant genus Stigmatomma in the Malagasy biogeographic region, re­describe the previously known S. besucheti Baroni-Urbani, and describe seven new species to science (S. bolabola sp. n., S. irayhady sp. n., S. janovitsika sp. n., S. liebe sp. n., S. roahady sp. n., S. sakalava sp. n., and S. tsyhady sp. n.). The revision is based on the worker caste, but we provide brief descriptions of gynes and males for some species. Species descriptions, diagnosis, character discussion, identiﬁcation key, and glossary are illustrated with 360 high-quality montage and SEM images. The distribution of Stigmatomma species in Madagascar are mapped and discussed within the context of the island’s biomes and ecoregions. We also discuss how some morphometric variables describe the diﬀerences among the species in the bioregion. Open science is supported by providing access to R scripts, raw measurement data, and all specimen data used. All specimens used in this study were given unique identifies, and holotypes were imaged. Specimens and images are made accessible on AntWeb.org.
Taming of the Turkmens (1879–1881)

The Russian gains in Central Asia in 1873–1876 had “encircled” in a way the area that was inhabited by the Turkmens: Russia figured on three sides and the softer Persian sovereignty bordered the area to the south.1 An earlier Russian expedition to Geok Tappeh having been abandoned, in 1879 the Russians decided to march again on the Tekke’s traditional stronghold. In March, intelligence reports indicated that Russia had transported some 2,000 men across the Caspian Sea to Chekishler, ready to attack the town of Akhal. In April, rumors circulated that soon 30,000 additional Russian troops would be arriving in eastern Caspian in order to march on Marv and then into Afghanistan. In connection with this plan, the Russian military busily amassed provisions and recruited auxiliaries from among the nearby Persian tribes.2
Spacecraft and Launch Vehicles

The term ‘spaceport’ encompasses a broad variety of facilities (Fig. 5.1). Some spaceports are used to launch large rockets into Earth orbit, some of which carry their payloads into deep space while others carry probes and yet others ferry cargo and/or astronauts. Then there are spaceports that have been developed for launching jet-like spacecraft from runways for trips into suborbital space. And at the most basic level there are the spaceports that simply support short flights with small rockets. But one factor common to all spaceports is that each is the location where space launch vehicles and their payloads are prepared and subsequently launched. As of October 2016 there are eight commercially licensed spaceports in the United States, but the regulations that governed the application process (14 CFR Part 420) were developed at a time when most launch operators were in the business of launching orbital launch vehicles that operated from federal launch ranges. But since those regulations came into effect the launch vehicle arena has changed significantly. Perhaps the most notable change has been with the arrival of suborbital reusable launch vehicles (sRLV) and the development of private launch sites such as Blue Origin’s remote location in Van Horn, Texas. Since spaceport design is driven largely by the types of launch vehicles being launched, it is useful to know what capabilities these vehicles have and the facilities required to support their launch and recovery. To that end, what follows is a synopsis of some of the current crop of orbital and suborbital vehicles around the world.
RUDYARD KIPLING'S TACTICAL IMPRESSIONISM

A story titled “The Impressionists” that was published in 1897 should have something to say about art, but does it? The sixth installment in Rudyard Kipling's Stalky & Co. series, “The Impressionists” follows the antics of M'Turk, Stalky, and Beetle, three cunning boys at a dreary English military preparatory school. Suspecting these boys of cheating on their schoolwork, housemaster Mr. Prout turns them out of their private study into the main house dormitory. For revenge, and hoping to win back their room, Stalky & Co. become agents provocateurs. They start a fight in their house and manage to involve the other housemasters’ houses: “Under cover of the confusion the three escaped to the corridor, whence they called in and sent up passers-by to the fray. ‘Rescue, King's! King's! King's! Number Twelve form-room! Rescue, Prout's – Prout's! Rescue, Macrea's! Rescue, Hartopp's!’” (102). The three boys then allow Mr. Prout to overhear a conversation that makes money-lending seem common practice in the houses: “‘Where's that shillin’ you owe me?’ said Beetle suddenly. Stalky could not see Prout behind him, but returned the lead without a quaver. ‘I only owed you ninepence, you old usurer’” (103). Stalky & Co. rile up the other boys by telling ghost stories and spreading slanderous ditties; they turn the house against the prefects and undermine Mr. Prout's authority; and in the end they win back their room, but they are also found out by the headmaster, who mixes corporeal punishment with his admonishments: “There is a limit – one finds it by experience, Beetle – beyond which it is never safe to pursue private vendettas, because – don't move – sooner or later one comes – into collision with the – higher authority, who has studied the animal. Et ego – M'Turk, please – in Arcadia vixi” (117). The boys take the headmaster's attentions as a compliment, and they take his advice. Never again do they stake the school's peace in the pursuit of their own ends.
The ‘Russian’ Civil Wars 1916–1926. Ten Years That Shook the World

The upcoming centennial anniversary of the Russian revolution calls for a careful re-examination of its impact on the contemporary world. Journals are dedicating special issues to the series of eve...
Comparison of Dilution, Filtration, and Microwave Digestion Sample Pretreatments in Elemental Profiling of Wine by ICP-MS

Wine elemental composition varies by cultivar, geographic origin, viticultural and enological practices, and is often used for authenticity validation. Elemental analysis of wine by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is challenging due to the potential for non-spectral interferences and plasma instability arising from organic matrix components. Sample preparation mitigates these interferences, however, conflicting recommendations of best practices in ICP-MS analysis of wine have been reported. This study compared direct dilution, microwave-assisted acid digestion, and two filtration sample pretreatments, acidification prior to filtration and filtration followed by acidification, in elemental profiling of one white and three red table wines by ICP-MS. Of 43 monitored isotopes, 37 varied by sample preparation method, with significantly higher results of 17 isotopes in the microwave-digested samples. Both filtration treatments resulted in lower results for 11 isotopes compared to the other methods. Finally, isotope dilution determination of copper based on natural abundances and the 63Cu:65Cu instrument response ratio agreed with external calibration and confirmed a significant sample preparation effect. Overall, microwave digestion did not compare favorably, and direct dilution was found to provide the best compromise between ease of use and result accuracy and precision, although all preparation strategies were able to differentiate the wines.
Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biomarkers from thermally injured mice in situ using imaging mass spectrometry

Monitoring patients with burn wounds for infection is standard practice because failure to rapidly and specifically identify a pathogen can result in poor clinical outcomes, including death. Therefore, a method that facilitates detection and identification of pathogens in situ within minutes of biopsy would be a significant benefit to clinicians. Mass spectrometry is rapidly becoming a standard tool in clinical settings, capable of identifying specific pathogens from complex samples. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) expands the information content by enabling spatial resolution of biomarkers in tissue samples as in histology, without the need for specific stains/antibodies. Herein, a murine model of thermal injury was used to study infection of burn tissue by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is the first use of IMS to detect P. aeruginosa infection in situ from thermally injured tissue. Multiple molecular features could be spatially resolved to infected or uninfected tissue. This demonstrates the potential use of IMS in a clinical setting to aid doctors in identifying both presence and species of pathogens in tissue.
Assessment of medium voltage SiC MOSFET advantages in medium voltage drive application

This paper proposes a hypothetic silicon carbide (SiC) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) power module for the medium voltage (MV) variable frequency drive (VFD). A peer-to-peer comparison between commercial silicon (Si) insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and the proposed SiC MOSFET module results in some promising results to support the introduction of SiC power modules for the MV VFD market.
Implementation of home energy management system with optimal load scheduling based on real-time electricity pricing models

In this paper, we implement a complete Home Energy Management System (HEMS) capable of scheduling loads based on real-time electricity pricing information and user-defined priority. Real-time pricing information can provide numerous economic advantages as compared to the conventional flat rate tariffs. It can allow customers to respond to the price changes by increasing or decreasing energy consumption at different times of the day. It also provides a means for utilities to invoke price based demand response. To automate the process of scheduling, we use an embedded platform, namely Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, to firstly solve the optimization problem and consequently turn the loads on and off based on the resulting optimal schedule. In addition, we perform real-time data acquisition to compute the kWh-energy consumption of various loads to improve the accuracy of our optimization algorithm. To demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed HEMS device, we interface it with a test 5V DC bus with numerous loads attached to it.
Labor in Chains: The Shackling of Pregnant Inmates

In the United States, incarcerated pregnant women are often shackled by correctional officers. Despite being prohibited during labor and delivery at the federal level, and in 22 states and the District of Columbia, perinatal shackling remains standard operating procedure in most correctional facilities. A number of factors contribute to the continuation of this practice even in jurisdictions where it is illegal, including poor implementation of laws banning shackling, lack of training for individual correctional officers, and perpetration of stereotypes about what makes a “good” or “bad” mother. This article reviews the history of the practice of shackling pregnant inmates, assesses the current state of affairs of this practice, examines the arguments for and against perinatal shackling, and analyzes the presumptions that allow it to continue. It then explores several alternatives to shackling along with prospects for change.
Major Resource Organisms Vertebrates

The importance of U.S. commercial finfishes in this volume is based on total weight landed of at least 100 million pounds (50,000 tons) per year. Annual landing records reported by the National Marine Fisheries Service, using a 5-year average (1977–1981), include anchovy, Atlantic herring, Gulf menhaden, salmon (pink and red), and tuna (skipjack and vellowfin).
Experiences using Discord as Platform for Online Tutoring and Building a CS Community

This lightning talk describes our experience using Discord as a platform for online tutoring at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) for the past two and a half semesters. Discord is a free online chat system that is accessible via a web browser, computer program, or mobile app. It competes with apps including Skype, Slack, and TeamSpeak. We initially pitched Discord to our students as a way to deliver online tutoring. However, once a critical mass of students joined the system they began to use it for socializing, finding study partners, and other community-building activities. Utilization has been much higher than other online communication tools we have implemented in the past. With approximately 250 majors there are currently 261 users subscribed to our server with users actively posting messages every day. Students have reported positive experiences with the platform. To further facilitate tutoring in the future we are developing a bot and web tools into the platform to make it easier to share and run snippets of code.
Nanobody-based CAR T cells that target the tumor microenvironment inhibit the growth of solid tumors in immunocompetent mice

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been successful in clinical trials against hematological cancers, but has experienced challenges in the treatment of solid tumors. One of the main difficulties lies in a paucity of tumor-specific targets that can serve as CAR recognition domains. We therefore focused on developing VHH-based, single-domain antibody (nanobody) CAR T cells that target aspects of the tumor microenvironment conserved across multiple cancer types. Many solid tumors evade immune recognition through expression of checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1, that down-regulate the immune response. We therefore targeted CAR T cells to the tumor microenvironment via the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 and observed a reduction in tumor growth, resulting in improved survival. CAR T cells that target the tumor stroma and vasculature through the EIIIB+ fibronectin splice variant, which is expressed by multiple tumor types and on neovasculature, are likewise effective in delaying tumor growth. VHH-based CAR T cells can thus function as antitumor agents for multiple targets in syngeneic, immunocompetent animal models. Our results demonstrate the flexibility of VHH-based CAR T cells and the potential of CAR T cells to target the tumor microenvironment and treat solid tumors.
Technological Workforce and Its Impact on Algorithmic Justice in Politics

The use of algorithms can be highly beneficial and efficient to make statistical decisions in settings where data are voluminous. However, there are on-going concerns about the potential long-term negative consequences of the use of algorithms due to inherent biases against certain subgroups of the population which tend to be under-represented in the society. To address this issue, we propose that it is critical to develop ways to bring the technological capabilities that underlie these advances to the broadest group of people by focusing on the nature of workforce in the tech industry. Particularly, we propose that having a diverse workforce in the tech industry and inter-disciplinary education, including principles of ethical coding, can be a starting point to resolve this issue. Politicians, regulators, and educational institutions must be prepared to address these issues in order to set a system that works equally for all people in a democratic society.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia Are Better Differentiated by Positive Symptoms Than Negative Symptoms

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorders that overlap in symptom presentation. The purpose of this study was to specify overlapping symptom domains and to identify symptoms that can reliably differentiate adults with ASD (n = 53), SZ (n = 39), and typical development (TD; n = 40). All participants regardless of diagnosis were administered gold-standard diagnostic assessments of ASD and SZ characteristics including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Sensitivity and specificity of the ADOS were assessed using diagnostic cut-off scores. The degree of symptom overlap on these measures between participant groups was analyzed using Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs), Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves, and Analyses of Covariance (ANCOVAs) to control for group differences in IQ and sex distributions. The ADOS reliably discriminated ASD and TD adults, but there was a high rate of "false positives" in SZ patients who did not meet the DSM-5 criteria for ASD. To identify the reasons for low specificity in the SZ sample, we categorized ASD and SZ symptoms into 'positive' (presence of atypical behaviors) and 'negative' (absence of typical behaviors) symptoms. ASD and SZ groups overlapped on negative symptoms largely related to the absence of typical social and communicative behaviors, whereas disorder-specific positive symptoms differentiated ASD and SZ. For example, those with ASD scored higher on restricted and repetitive behaviors and stereotyped language, whereas those with SZ scored higher on psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. These results suggest that, when making a differential diagnosis between ASD and SZ, clinicians may benefit from focusing on the presence or absence of positive ASD and SZ symptoms. Standardized measures to classify ASD symptoms into positive and negative symptoms have not yet been developed but represent a potentially viable clinical tool.
Activation of the cognitive control network associated with information uncertainty.

Abstract The cognitive control network (CCN) that comprises regions of the frontoparietal network, the cingulo-opercular network, and other sub-cortical regions as core structures is commonly activated by events with an increase in information uncertainty. However, it is not clear whether this CCN activation is associated with both information entropy that represents the information conveyed by the context formed by a sequence of events and the surprise that quantifies the information conveyed by a specific type of event in the context. We manipulated entropy and surprise in this functional magnetic resonance imaging study by varying the probability of occurrence of two types of events in both the visual and auditory modalities and measured brain response as a function of entropy and surprise. We found that activation in regions of the CCN increased as a function of entropy and surprise in both the visual and auditory tasks. The frontoparietal network and additional structures in the CCN mediated the relationship between these information measures and behavioral response. These results suggest that the CCN is a high-level modality-general neural entity for the control of the processing of information conveyed by both context and event.
Are Peruvians Enticed by the "China Model"? Chinese Investment and Public Opinion in Peru.

China’s economic involvement in Latin America has increased dramatically in the twenty-first century, often due to China’s demand for natural resources. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his government have actively courted Latin America to pave the way for economic interactions. Chinese leaders have been working to foster China’s “soft power” abroad. Nonetheless, we know relatively little about how Latin Americans perceive China and how Latin Americans’ experiences with Chinese firms over the past two decades have shaped their views. Have Chinese efforts at cultivating “soft power” worked? Or have the actions of Chinese mining firms damaged China’s reputation? Using the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) coupled with data on Chinese investments in Peru, I examine Peruvians’ views of China and whether Peruvians think China should be a model for their country. I find that while Peruvians generally trust the Chinese government, only a small proportion prefers China as a model for Peru. The relationship between Chinese investment and public opinion is mixed. However, Peruvians who strongly value democracy are less likely to prefer China as a model for their country. The data also suggest that China still has an opportunity to shape public opinion in Peru, despite conflicts with Peruvian communities over mining projects.
Modified borohydrides for reversible hydrogen storage

This paper reports the results in the effort to destabilize lithium borohydride for reversible hydrogen storage. A number of metals, metal hydrides, metal chlorides and complex hydrides were selected and evaluated as the destabilization agents for reducing dehydriding temperature and generating dehydriding-rehydriding reversibility. It is found that some additives are effective. The Raman spectroscopic analysis shows the change of B-H binding nature.
Flow and performance effects of talc alternatives on powder cosmetic formulations.

Objective To explore the performance effects of fumed silica and cornstarch as alternatives to talc in cosmetic powder formulations. Methods FT4 Powder Rheometer from Freeman Technology was used to test the flowability and compressibility of compact powder formulation samples containing talc, fumed silica and cornstarch at varying concentrations. The colour of the samples is evaluated by physical observation. Results The results show that the concentration of these additives influences the performance of cosmetic powder formulations. Improved compressibility is assessed as an increase in the compressibility percentage, while improved flowability is assessed by reduction in the flow energy of each sample. Talc shows improved compressibility at a minimum of 10% but would require more than 20% to impart improved flow performance. Fumed Silica shows improved compressibility from as low as 5% and this performance increases as the concentration is increased up to 20%. For the flow effects, fumed silica shows a reduction in the flow energy from as little as 5% and this effect is more drastic as the concentration is increased up to 20%. Cornstarch, however, shows a reverse effect for both compressibility and flowability with increasing flow energy and decreasing compressibility with increasing cornstarch concentration. It shows improved compressibility up to a maximum of 10% and improved flow only at concentrations lower than 5%. For a mixture of cornstarch and fumed silica at a total of 5%, both compressibility and flowability are increased as the concentration of cornstarch is reduced and that of fumed silica increased. Conclusion Fumed silica and cornstarch are suitable as alternatives to talc in cosmetic powder formulations. Of the two, Fumed silica showed better compressibility and flow effects. However, a mix of both powders had suitable effects on the compressibility, flow and colour of the formulation.
\(V H,H\rightarrow b\bar{b}\) Cross Sections and Effective Field Theory

LHC Run-1 and Run-2 were mainly devoted to probing the SM predictions on the Higgs processes with signal strength measurements that exploit at best the experimental sensitivity, as in the \(VH(H \rightarrow b\bar{b})\) analysis discussed in Chap. 7. On the other hand, as the experimental measurements have become more precise, phenomenological searches for deviations from the SM predictions have been enabled. This kind of measurement requires the definition of a common framework where these deviations can be computed precisely and in a fashion that is as independent of the theory as possible [1].
The Effects of Platelets and Their Concentration on ACL Healing

Platelets are a critical cell component of wound healing. They are the early activators of the wound healing cascade of processes that lead to connective tissue healing. As such, they are of great interest in regenerative medicine, particularly for healing of musculoskeletal tissues. Platelets can be isolated from the peripheral blood using simple centrifugation techniques and, once isolated, can be activated for use in stimulating wound healing. Recent studies have documented the effectiveness of using platelets to stimulate healing for various injuries, including the ACL, if the appropriate concentrations and carrier are used. When using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), it is important to consider platelet concentrations. The current literature commends the use of low PRP concentrations, in the range of one- to two-fold the concentration of the peripheral blood, to optimize PRP effects and avoid adverse reactions. For use of PRP inside the joint, the use of a carrier to stabilize the PRP and prevent its premature dissolution is of key importance. Finally, as we will read in the next chapter, the inclusion of red blood cells and white blood cells in conjunction with the platelets may be of great benefit for challenging wound environments.
Characterizing the Chemical Stability of High Temperature Materials for Application in Extreme Environments

The chemical stability of high temperature materials must be known for use in the extreme environments of combustion applications. The characterization techniques available at NASA Glenn Research Center vary from fundamental thermodynamic property determination to material durability testing in actual engine environments. In this paper some of the unique techniques and facilities available at NASA Glenn will be reviewed. Multiple cell Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry is used to determine thermodynamic data by sampling gas species formed by reaction or equilibration in a Knudsen cell held in a vacuum. The transpiration technique can also be used to determine thermodynamic data of volatile species but at atmospheric pressures. Thermodynamic data in the Si-O-H(g) system were determined with this technique. Free Jet Sampling Mass Spectrometry can be used to study gas-solid interactions at a pressure of one atmosphere. Volatile Si(OH)4(g) was identified by this mass spectrometry technique. A High Pressure Burner Rig is used to expose high temperature materials in hydrocarbon-fueled combustion environments. Silicon carbide (SiC) volatility rates were measured in the burner rig as a function of total pressure, gas velocity and temperature. Finally, the Research Combustion Lab Rocket Test Cell is used to expose high temperature materials in hydrogen/oxygen rocket engine environments to assess material durability. SiC recession due to rocket engine exposures was measured as a function of oxidant/fuel ratio, temperature, and total pressure. The emphasis of the discussion for all techniques will be placed on experimental factors that must be controlled for accurate acquisition of results and reliable prediction of high temperature material chemical stability.
Palmityl-acyl carrier protein as acyl donor for complex lipid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli.

Abstract An Escherichia coli membrane preparation catalyzes the formation of monopalmitin from glycerol 3-phosphate and palmityl acyl carrier protein. This preparation also catalyzes the formation of lysophosphatidic and phosphatidic acids from glycerol 3-phosphate and palmityl coenzyme A.
Characterization of the Large Picornaviral Polypeptides Produced in the Presence of Zinc Ion

Zinc ion inhibits the posttranslational cleavages of human rhinovirus-1A, encephalomyocarditis virus, and poliovirus polypeptides. Each virus displayed a different susceptibility to zinc. However, in each case the cleavages of the capsid precursor and the cleavages analogous to the C --> D --> E conversion in encephalomyocarditis virus were most sensitive to zinc. Higher concentrations of zinc resulted in the buildup of even larger precursor polypeptides of a size between 106,000 and 214,000 daltons. The sizes of these polypeptides and the relative position of their gene loci on the viral RNA were determined. These data were used to place these polypeptides in the over-all scheme of viral protein processing.
Computing Upper and Lower Bounds on Textile Nesting Problems

We consider an industrial cutting problem in textile manufacturing and report on heuristics for computing cutting images and lower bounds on waste for this problem. For the upper bounds we use greedy strategies based on hodographs and global optimization based on simulated annealing. For the lower bounds we use branch-and-bound methods for computing optimal solutions of placement subproblems that determine the performance of the overall subproblem. The upper bounds are computed in less than an hour on a common-day workstation and are competitive in quality with results obtained by human nesters. The lower bounds take a few hours to compute and are within 0.4% of the upper bound for certain types of clothing (e.g., for pants).
Models for on-the-fly compensation of measurement overhead in parallel performance profiling

Performance profiling generates measurement overhead during parallel program execution. Measurement overhead, in turn, introduces intrusion in a program's runtime performance behavior. Intrusion can be mitigated by controlling instrumentation degree, allowing a tradeoff of accuracy for detail. Alternatively, the accuracy in profile results can be improved by reducing the intrusion error due to measurement overhead. Models for compensation of measurement overhead in parallel performance profiling are described. An approach based on rational reconstruction is used to understand properties of compensation solutions for different parallel scenarios. From this analysis, a general algorithm for on-the-fly overhead assessment and compensation is derived.
Proprietary vs. Open Two-Sided Platforms and Social Efficiency

This paper identifies a fundamental economic welfare trade off between two-sided open platforms and two-sided proprietary (closed) platforms connecting consumers and producers. Proprietary platforms create two-sided dead weight losses through monopoly pricing but at the same time, precisely because they set prices in order to maximize profits, they partially internalize two-sided positive indirect network effects and direct competitive effects on the producer side. We show that this can sometimes make proprietary platforms more socially desirable than open platforms, which runs against the common intuition that open platforms are more effcient. By the same token, inter-platform competition may also turn out to be socially undesirable because it may prevent platforms from suffciently internalizing indirect externalities and direct intra-platform competitive effects.
Model-based analysis of optically mapped epicardial activation patterns and conduction velocity.

A novel parametric model-based method was developed to quantify epicardial conduction patterns and velocity in an isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart. The method incorporated geometric and anatomical features of the left and right ventricles into the analysis. Optical images of propagation were obtained using the voltage-sensitive dye DI-4-ANEPPS, and a high-speed digital camera. Activation maps were extracted from these images and interpolated onto a three-dimensional finite-element model of epicardial geometry and fiber structure. Activation time was expressed as a function of local parametric coordinates, and a conduction velocity vector field was computed from the gradient of the scalar field. Activation times measured using bipolar electrodes did not differ significantly from times measured using the optical mapping technique. The method was able to detect a 34% decrease in average fiber velocity and a 28% decrease in average cross-fiber velocity following the addition of 0.5 mM heptanol into the perfusate. The combination of optical mapping with a three-dimensional geometric model of the ventricles provides a new tool to quantify wave-front propagation relative to anatomy at a relatively high spatial resolution. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 8719Nn, 8719Hh, 8719Ff, 8762+n, 8710+e
The University of Michigan neutron time-of-flight facility

Abstract The details of the neutron time-of-flight instrumentation associated with The University of Michigan 83″ cyclotron are described and examples of capabilities of the instrument are given.
The Curriculum Planning Process for Undergraduate Game Degree Programs in the United Kingdom and United States

Digital games are marketed, mass-produced, and consumed by an increasing number of people and the game industry is only expected to grow. In response, postsecondary institutions in the UK and the U.S. have started to create game degree programs. Though curriculum theorists provide insight into the process of creating a new program, no formal research contextualizes curriculum planning for game degree programs. The purpose of this research was to explore these processes when planning undergraduate game degree programs. The research methodology included an explanatory mixed-methods approach, using a quantitative survey of participants in the UK and the U.S., followed by interviews with several participants selected on the basis of their institution’s demographics. Results indicate that five external factors influence the development of game programs (government, industry, other universities, society, and trade associations) and eight internal factors influence curriculum planning (facilities, faculty, institution, interdisciplinary collaboration, learners, learning time and space, originating department, and backgrounds of the planners). Results also indicate that while some differences exist in the game degree programs across countries, the vast majority of curriculum planning processes and influencing factors are the same. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for educators, trade associations, and the games industry to improve game degree programs.
Toward the design of cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonists and neutral antagonists

The cannabinoid CB1 receptor belongs to Class A of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. The high constitutive activity of CB1 facilitates inverse agonism at this receptor, and CB1 inverse agonists/antagonists have recently been considered for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. GPCRs are assumed to have a common topology and to share a common molecular activation mechanism involving their intracellular domains. However, each individual receptor will also have a molecular switch within the ligand binding pocket that is a noncovalent intramolecular interaction in the basal state of the GPCR that must be disrupted to achieve an active state or stabilized to maintain the inactive state. Knowledge of the molecular switch within the ligand binding pocket can greatly facilitate the rational design of inverse agonists and neutral antagonists. This review begins with a brief review on the CB1 receptor and its ligands. The review then focuses on the experimental literature on GPCR structure and activation in Class A receptors. The identification of the molecular switch region in the ligand binding pocket of CB1 (F3.36/W6.48) is discussed and the combined mutation and modeling studies that have led to the identification of interactions key to the inverse agonism of SR141716A are presented. Finally, the development of the first CB1 neutral antagonists based on these modeling/mutation results is discussed. Drug Dev Res 70:585–600, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 ameliorates ischemic brain injury in wild-type mice but not in mice with deletion of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene.

The authors investigated the role of the prostaglandin-synthesizing enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the mechanisms of focal cerebral ischemia and its interaction with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in mice. Infarct volume was measured 96 hours later by computer-assisted planimetry in thionin-stained brain sections. The highly selective COX-2 inhibitor NS398 (20 mg/kg; intraperitoneally), administered twice a day starting 6 hours after MCA occlusion, reduced total infarct volume in C57BL/6 (-23%) and 129/SVeV mice (-21%), and ameliorated the motor deficits produced by MCA occlusion (P .05). In contrast, the neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-NI (50 mg/kg; intraperitoneally), administered once 5 minutes after MCA occlusion, reduced neocortical infarct volume by 20% in iNOS -/- mice (P .05). The data suggest that COX-2 reaction products, in mouse as in rat, contribute to ischemic brain injury. However, the failure of NS398 to reduce infarct volume in iNOS null mice suggests that iNOS-derived NO is required for the deleterious effects of COX-2 to occur. Thus, COX-2 reaction products may be another mechanism by which iNOS-derived NO contributes to ischemic brain injury.
A Human-Inspired Hybrid Control Approach to Bipedal Robotic Walking

Abstract A human-inspired method for achieving bipedal robotic walking is proposed in which a hybrid model of a human is used in conjunction with experimental walking data to obtain a multi-domain hybrid system. Walking data were collected for nine test subjects; these data are analyzed in terms of the kinematics of walking. In bipedal walking, certain points on the body are constrained for various intervals throughout the gait; this phenomenon is used to formally break the gait into walking phases. The results indicate that all of the nine subjects had the same breakdown with similar times spent in each phase; in other words, this specific breakdown likely represents a canonical human model. Using this canonical breakdown, a controller is designed for a robotic model which mimics human kinematics behaviors by tracking functions of the kinematics—this controller is applied in simulation, resulting in stable walking which is remarkably humanlike in nature.
Solidification process in a Glauber Salt Mixture

Abstract An investigation on the phase-change process of solidification in a Glauber Salt mixture has been conducted. Results on the visual observations of the solidification process, measurement of its rate and its dependence on the temperature are reported. Based on experimental investigation, it is concluded that the solidification is strongly affected by rate of heat transfer and weakly influenced by concentration of the anhydrous salt. Comparison of experimental results with theoretical predictions based on a simple model developed, using improved boundary layer integral method, gives good agreements.
Reproductive development in the hermaphroditic freshwater snail Physa monitored with complementing albino lines

We estimated age and size at onset of functional outcross- and self-fertility in three isofemale lines of Physa heterostropha carrying the recessive, non-allelic genes, alb1 and alb2 . 9Experimental’ snails of these lines were reared from 2 weeks of age to adulthood and periodically introduced to mature, complementing 9challenge’ snails. The three lines differed significantly in the size at which they matured, but not the age, under our culture conditions. Male reproductive maturity was reached at a mean of 5.7 weeks and female reproductive maturity at 7.3 weeks ( n = 50). These ages correspond to mean shell lengths of 5.3—6.2 mm as male and 6.9—7.6 mm as female. Over all three lines, first production of viable offspring by self-fertilization occurred at a mean age of 22 weeks ( n = 113). Again a significant line effect on size at reproduction was detected, with mean size at onset of self-fertilization ranging from 8.1 mm to 8.7 mm. Autosterility in the three lines ranged from negligible to 44 %. Among autofertile snails, we identified cases of outcross male-sterility, outcross female-sterility, and outcross double-sterility. Of 46 individuals demonstrating male function before female, two passed through brief periods of self-fertilization before outcrossing as females. We also identified three individuals maturing simultaneously in both capacities and one individual that matured as female before male. So, although the situation is complex, we suggest that ‘simultaneous hermaphroditism’ provides the best description of the reproductive biology of Physa . The great diversity of reproductive allocation described here implies considerable potential for life-history evolution in these snails.