cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GOLDENGATE: a fast and accurate bridging fault simulator under a hybrid logic/I/sub DDQ/ testing environment

In this paper we describe GOLDENGATE-a bridging fault simulator for cell-based digital VLSI circuits with the following features: 1. It targets both combinational and sequential circuits. 2. It simulates general (routing, adjacency, and intra-cell) realistic bridging faults efficiently through a table-based scheme. The pre-computed table contains accurate cell output voltage and I/sub DDQ/ values obtained through electrical-level simulations. 3. It simulates both feedback and nonfeedback bridging faults (BFs) efficiently through a cycling event-driven technique. 4. It allows mixed voltage and I/sub DDQ/ simulation to support a fully hybrid test scheme where mixed logic and I/sub DDQ/ sensings are allowed. The experimental results show that GOLDENGATE is both accurate and fast.
Value Added and Its Uses: Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit.

Abstract In this policy brief we argue that there is little debate about the statistical properties of value-added model (VAM) estimates of teacher performance, yet, despite this, there is little consensus about what the evidence about VAMs implies for their practical utility as part of high-stakes performance evaluation systems. A review of the evidence base that underlies the debate over VAM measures, followed by our subjective opinions about the value of using VAMs, illustrates how different policy conclusions can easily arise even given a high-level general agreement about an existing body of evidence. We conclude the brief by offering a few thoughts about the limits of our knowledge and what that means for those who do wish to integrate VAMs into their own teacher-evaluation strategy.
Degradation Model for Device Reliability

The model assumes that, under a constant or cyclic stress, device degradation rate is proportional to the existing degradation. The proportionality constant is a positively distributed random variable. The distribution of the amount of degradation tends to be asymptotically lognormal. The general form of the life distribution is derived. Application of this model has been made in analyzing degradation data in thermal resistance, diode leakage, and transistor gain.
Molecular filter-nanosieve

Demonstrated in this paper is a molecular sieve. The focus of this work is making a “smart” filter. This filter has electrochemical and electromechanical properties that would allow both sorting and filtering of solutions. Prior sifters and sieving structures have been at the mercy of a static material structure, whereas the convention proposed here allows dynamic control of filtering size during an assay.
Water-soluble copolymers. XXV. Ion-binding studies of N-substituted acrylamide copolymers using potentiometric and spectroscopic methods

Spectroscopic and potentiometric methods have been used to study the ionic properties of several N-substituted acrylamide copolymers that display unusual ion-binding character. The ionic groups and the amide groups (both on the same repeating unit and on adjacent acrylamide units) in the copolymers are found to chelate calcium ions. The stabilizing effect of this amide chelation is found to be dependent on copolymer composition. A model is proposed to explain the unusual binding behavior of the acrylamide polymers. This involves the formation of an intramonomer chelate or one with neighboring acrylamide units that prevent precipitation of the polymers.
High Strain Rate Tensile Testing of Silver Nanowires: Rate-Dependent Brittle-to-Ductile Transition

The characterization of nanomaterials under high strain rates is critical to understand their suitability for dynamic applications such as nanoresonators and nanoswitches. It is also of great theoretical importance to explore nanomechanics with dynamic and rate effects. Here, we report in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) tensile testing of bicrystalline silver nanowires at strain rates up to 2/s, which is 2 orders of magnitude higher than previously reported in the literature. The experiments are enabled by a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) with fast response time. It was identified that the nanowire plastic deformation has a small activation volume (<10b3), suggesting dislocation nucleation as the rate controlling mechanism. Also, a remarkable brittle-to-ductile failure mode transition was observed at a threshold strain rate of 0.2/s. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that along the nanowire, dislocation density and spatial distribution of plastic regions increase with increasin...
The Grammar of Republican Political Theory: A Critical Discussion of Arendt and Habermas

In my PhD thesis, I argue that current concepts of republicanism fail to fully incorporate a political conception of freedom as well as the dialectic relationship between politicization and depoliticization. Against this, I suggest an Arendtian conception of republicanism that relies on (1) non-domination as non-rule and a conception of active citizens, (2) plurality and the (3) equal right to common membership. In the end, I argue that Arendt’s theory should be amended by a theory of the socially aware constitutional state, derived from Habermas’ legal theory.
Postural Sway Analysis of a Teenager with Childhood Lead Intoxication - A Case Study

We had an opportunity to study a 15-year-old boy, evaluating the long-term effect of early childhood lead (Pb) poisoning on the maturation of postural balance. Postural balance (or sway) was quantified using a microprocessor-based Force Platform System along with four postural tasks specifically designed to indirectly challenge and/or minimize the effect of vision, proprioception and vestibular systems relevant for postural stability. The Pb-intoxicated patient showed increased postural sway compared to those of non-poisoned young adults and a 14-year-old boy for postural tasks requiring input from higher centers. A review of historical information and results of the physical and neurological examinations did not reveal an alternative explanation for this patient's postural sway abnormalities. These responses are also comparable to those noted in younger children with chronic Pb-exposure histories. In summary, this case study gives suggestive evidence that early excessive exposure to Pb can have long-term, detrimental neurological effects as reflected by postural stability. Measurement of postural balance appears to be a sensitive research methodology to assess subclinical neurological effects of remote lead intoxication.
Acetylcholine receptor-aggregating proteins are associated with the extracellular matrix of many tissues in Torpedo.

The synaptic basal lamina, a component of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the synaptic cleft at the neuromuscular junction, directs the formation of new postsynaptic specializations, including the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), during muscle regeneration in adult animals. Although the molecular basis of this phenomenon is unknown, it is mimicked by AChR-aggregating proteins in ECM-enriched fractions from muscle and the synapse-rich electric organ of the ray Torpedo californica. Molecules immunologically similar to these proteins are concentrated in the synaptic basal lamina at neuromuscular junctions of the ray and frog. Here we demonstrate that immunologically, chemically, and functionally similar AChR-aggregating proteins are also associated with the ECM of several other tissues in Torpedo. Monoclonal antibodies against the AChR-aggregating proteins from electric organ intensely stained neuromuscular junctions and the ventral surfaces of electrocytes, structures with a high density of AChRs. However, they also labeled many other structures which have basal laminae, including the extrajunctional perimeters of skeletal muscle fibers, smooth and cardiac muscle cells, Schwann cell sheaths in peripheral nerves, walls of some blood vessels, and epithelial basement membranes in the gut, skin, and heart. Some structures with basal laminae did not stain with the antibodies; e.g., the dorsal surfaces of electrocytes. Bands of similar molecular weight were detected by the antibodies on Western blots of extracts of ECM-enriched fractions from electric organ and several other tissues. Proteins from all tissues examined, enriched from these extracts by affinity chromatography with the monoclonal antibodies, aggregated AChRs on cultured myotubes. Thus, similar AChR-aggregating proteins are associated with the extracellular matrix of many Torpedo tissues. The broad distribution of these proteins suggests they have functions in addition to AChR aggregation.
Electrical neuromodulation at acupoint ST36 normalizes impaired colonic motility induced by rectal distension in dogs.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to improve impaired gastric motility and slow waves in both humans and animals. However, its effects on colonic motility have rarely been investigated. The ai...
Prediction of Drug-Induced Adverse Reactions: Skin Hypersensitivity and Liver Toxicity

Severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may lead to life-threatening conditions in some patients. Clinically, it is critical to predict the risk of idiosyncratic severe life-threatening ADRs. In the past decade, genetic risk factors have been identified for several ADRs, especially for severe skin hypersensitivity and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). In this chapter, recent progress in identifying genetic markers to predict severe skin hypersensitivity and DILI is summarized. DILIs were found to be significantly associated with both HLA class I and class II alleles, including HLA-A*33:03 for ticlopidine and HLA-DB1*15:01 for amoxicillin/clavulante, and also with drug-metabolizing enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases or cytochrome P450s. Interestingly, almost all the genetic factors significantly associated with severe skin hypersensitivity were located in the HLA class I alleles with extremely high odds ratios, such as HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*57:01 for carbamazepine- and allopurinol-related Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, respectively. Some of these are already used as biomarkers in clinical settings.
A Monte Carlo model for estimating tornado impacts

Determining the likelihood and severity of tornado disasters requires an understanding of the dynamic relationship between tornado risk and vulnerability. As population increases in the future, it is likely that tornado disaster frequency and magnitude will amplify. This study presents the Tornado Impact Monte Carlo (TorMC) model, which simulates tornado events atop a user-defined spatial domain to estimate the possible impact on people, the built-environment or other potentially vulnerable assets. Using a Monte Carlo approach, the model employs a variety of sampling techniques on observed tornado data to provide greater insight into the tornado disaster potential for a location. Simulations based on 10 000 years of significant tornado events for the relatively high-risk states of Alabama, Illinois and Oklahoma are conducted to demonstrate the model processes, and its reliability and applicability. These simulations are combined with a fine-scale (100 m), residential built-environment cost surface to illustrate the probability of housing unit impact thresholds for a contemporary year. Sample results demonstrate the ability of the model to depict successfully tornado risk, residential built-environment exposure and the probability of disaster. Additional outcomes emphasize the importance of developing versatile tools that capture better the tornado risk and vulnerability attributes in order to provide precise estimates of disaster potential. Such tools can provide emergency managers, planners, insurers and decision makers a means to advance mitigation, resilience and sustainability strategies.
Time reversal acoustic communication receivers

A communication system is implemented on digital signal processors (DSPs) for the underwater acoustic environment. The implemented receiver uses time reversal multi-channel combining followed by a single-channel decision feedback equalizer. Periodic channel estimation is employed to track the channel fluctuations. These techniques are used to mitigate time-varying inter-symbol interference, which is the main challenge in the underwater acoustic channel at operating frequencies greater than 10 kHz. Various optimization tasks are performed to reduce the receiver computational complexity. A fast implementation of the matching pursuit algorithm is tested on the DSP platform. Its performance, in terms of accuracy and run-time, is compared with that of the basic matching pursuit algorithm. Experimental results of the transmission and demodulation of binary phase-shift keying signals at three different symbol rates were obtained in the local Delaware Bay. The low bit error rates demonstrate the effectiveness of our implementation.
Ferromagnetic Relaxation Mechanism for M z in Yttrium Iron Garnet

A summary of the likely relaxation process of the magnetic moment component parallel to the static magnetic field in yttrium iron garnet at 2 to 30 deg K is given. The relaxation rate of the S modes for Raman processes in which, by magnetic dipolar coupling between an S mode and a thermal spin wave, the Z component of the magnetic moment changes by plus or minus 2 mu /sub B/. Through calculations, it is shown that M/sub z/ is expected to relax by magnetic dipole interaction with thermal spin waves at a rate comparable with observation. (C.J.G.)
Pear Psylla: Relationship of Early-Season Nymph Densities to Honeydew-Induced Fruit Damage on Two Pear Cultivars

The relationship of early-season densities of nymphs of Psylla pyricola Foerster to honeydew-induced fruit russet was measured on D’Anjou and Bosc pear cultivars in southern Oregon. Overall, fruit injury ratings based on percent downgrading caused by psylla honeydew indicated D’Anjou to be ca. fivefold more susceptible to damage induced by equivalent nymph densities than Bosc. An average nymph density of 1.0 per leaf resulted in ca. 2.5 and 17% downgrading on the Bosc and D’Anjou varieties, respectively. This difference was attributed to the nature of the pear cultivars, with damage being more apparent on the clear skinned D’Anjou compared with that on the normally russeted Bosc.
Nematode-trapping fungi in conventionally and organically managed corn-tomato rotations

8668 Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that nematode- trapping fungi would be more abundant in organi- cally-managed than in conventionally-managed plots (corn-tomato rotation) in the Long Term Research on Agriculture Systems Project (Yolo County, CA). The replicated plots were established in 1992, began receiving different levels of organic matter (no or- ganic amendments or incorporation of a winter le- gume crop plus composted manure) in 1993, and were sampled for fungi four times, twice near harvest
A Neural Controller for Single-Leg Substrate-Finding: A First Step Toward Agile Locomotion in Insects and Robots

Insect walking has long been a subject of investigation for neurobiologists interested in rhythmic behaviors (review: Delcomyn, 1985). To date most research on insect locomotion had focused on the problem of pattern generation, namely on how to produce appropriately phased patterns of activity in leg motor neurons so as to generate stable walking gaits. Several authors have proposed pattern generator models for the control of hexapod locomotion (Beer et al, 1992; Collins & Stewart, 1993;Dean, 1991; Muller-Wilm, 1993). Recently some investigators have begun to apply various types of pattern generator models to robot locomotion control (Brooks, 1989; Espenschied et al., 1993).
A Review of Research Done with the Mexican Fruit Fly and the Citrus Blackfly in Mexico by the Entomology Research Division

Attempts to eradicate the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), which was discovered infesting citrus in Texas in 1927 (unpublished reports), were not successful. Suspecting that the pest might be drifting in from its place of origin in Mexico, a commission of entomologists was sent to its native country where investigations could be made. An informal cooperative agreement was therefore made between the Mexican and American governments, and the Mexican Fruit Fly Laboratory (Laboratorio Entomologico) was opened in Mexico City Nov. 22, 1928. It was originally staffed by American entomologists supported by Mexican professionals and subprofessionals. When the laboratory was closed Sept. 30, 1968, much of the equipment was transferred to the Mexican College of Agriculture at Chapingo where the work with the Mexican fruit fly is being continued by entomologists of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agricolas. Throughout all the 40 years of the life of the laboratory, the informal cooperation between the Mexican Defensa Agricola (now the Sanidad Vegetal) and the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA has been the major factor in the success of the investigations of the Mexican fruit fly and in the containment of the citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, a dangerout pest present in Mexico but not the United States. The experience has also contributed greatly to mutual international respect and goodwill.
Cognitive ability is associated with suspected reporting errors on food frequency questionnaires.

Objective To examine potential for bias in reported total energy intake on a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) among older adults. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Subjects/setting 2,706 Community-dwelling Black and White older adults, aged 70-79 years, enrolled in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with potential errors on reported total energy intake on the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) as the outcome variable and with cognitive ability, measured by the Modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MS) as the primary independent variable. The regression model controlled for site, race, gender, age, body size, and physical activity. Separate models were fit using 3MS as a continuous variable and for multiple 3MS cutpoints. All models revealed similar findings. Results Cognitive ability was inversely associated with potential errors in reporting total energy intake, whereby a five-point increase in 3MS scores was associated with a 14% decreased likelihood of reporting errors (Odds Ratio=0.86, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.77, 0.95). Additionally, compared to White women, White men were 2 times more likely, and Black women and Black men were 3 times more likely, to have errors in reporting total energy intake. Conclusion This study provides evidence that for older adults, lower cognition scores are associated with increased potential errors in reporting total energy intake. Applications Dietary reporting from older adults may be inaccurate due to cognitive deficits. A brief assessment of cognitive function may assist clinicians in dietary evaluations and recommendation and may benefit studies using FFQ data where the measure of cognitive function could be utilized to stratify data analyses and conduct sensitivity analyses.
Metabolism and metabolic effects of 8-aza-6-thioinosine and its rearrangement product, N-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazolo[5,4-d]-pyrimidin-7-amine.

8-Aza-6-thioinosine (8-aza-MPR), synthesized as an analogue of 6-thioinosine (MPR) and expected to have improved metabolic properties, was found, as predicted, to be a substrate for adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20) but not for purine nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1). In contrast MPR is known to be converted to its nucleotide via the free base. Both 8-aza-MPR and its rearrangement product, N-β-D-ribofuranosyl[1,2,3]thiadiazolo[5,4- d ]pyrimidin-7-amine (TPR), were cytotoxic; the 50% inhibitory concentrations for H.Ep. #2 cells were 1.8 µM and 0.14 µM, respectively. Like 8-aza-MPR, TPR was a substrate for adenosine kinase but not for purine nucleoside phosphorylase. H.Ep. #2 cells grown in the presence of 8-aza-MPR contained three new nucleotides: the 59-monophosphate of 8-aza-MPR and the 59-monophosphates of the α- and β-anomers of TPR. Cells grown in the presence of TPR contained only the latter two metabolites. These nucleotides result from the phosphorylation of 8-aza-MPR and TPR, the rearrangement of 8-aza-MPR and its phosphate to TPR and TPR phosphate, and the anomerization of TPR phosphate. No di- or tri-phosphates were detected with either precursor. The total amount of nucleotides derived from TPR was of the order of 2.5 µmoles/10 9 cells, an amount 10-15 fold greater than the amount of nucleotides derived from 8-aza-MPR. There was no detectable incorporation of [ 35 S] from [ 35 S]-labeled-8-aza-MPR or TPR into polynucleotides. There was little or no desulfuration of 8-aza-MPR as determined by the absence of 8-aza-GTP, the principal soluble metabolite of 8-azainosine. Both 8-aza-MPR and TPR inhibited the synthesis of RNA and DNA but not of protein. Both reduced selectively the pools of guanine nucleotides in H.Ep. #2 cells. In addition 8-aza-MPR, like 8-azainosine, caused an accumulation of orotidine. The cytotoxicity of TPR to H.Ep. #2 cells was prevented by hypoxanthine; the cytotoxicity of 8-aza-MPR was prevented by a combination of hypoxanthine and uridine but not by either agent alone. These results indicate that a primary blockade produced by TPR was at some step of the synthesis of purine nucleotides, whereas 8-aza-MPR inhibited synthesis of both purine nucleotides (as a result of its conversion to TPR phosphates) and pyrimidine nucleotides (as a result of its conversion to 8-aza-MPR phosphate). Although both 8-aza-MPR and TPR are new biologically active nucleoside analogues, TPR is of particular interest because of its unusual structure and the evidence that it functions as an adenosine analogue despite the fact that its ribosyl moiety is attached not to a heterocyclic ring but to a primary amino group.
Shoulder Injuries in Individuals Who Participate in CrossFit Training.

Background:CrossFit, a sport and fitness program, has become increasingly popular both nationally and internationally. Researchers have recently identified significant improvements in health and wellness due to CrossFit. However, some individuals assert that CrossFit poses an inherent risk of injury, specifically to the shoulder, due to the intensity of training. Currently, there is limited evidence to support this assertion.Hypothesis:Exercises performed during CrossFit do not place the shoulder at greater risk for injury. Injury rates are comparable to other sports of similar intensity.Study Design:Descriptive survey study.Level of Evidence:Level 5.Methods:An electronic survey was developed and dispersed to approximately 980 individuals who trained in CrossFit gyms. The survey identified demographic data, training characteristics, and the prevalence of injury over a 6-month period in individuals who participated in CrossFit training.Results:A total of 187 (19.1%) individuals completed the survey. Forty-...
Dynamic group management in a software projects course

Group projects are widely used in software engineering courses. With group projects come issues of group management and individual student assessment. At the University of Mary Washington, a different approach to group composition and management was used in a semester-long undergraduate software engineering course. In this approach, the student composition of each group changes at each phase of the software lifecycle. This approach offered several advantages including increased fairness in group composition, more honest peer assessments, and lower risk of group failure. In addition, this approach modeled the software development environment seen in the real-world. The details of the software engineering course and dynamic group element are described in this paper along with reactions from students and the instructor.
ATP controls the crowd

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the canonical energy carrier that powers cellular machines, drives metabolic reactions, and serves as a precursor to nucleic acids. On page 753 of this issue, Patel et al. ( 1 ) propose a previously unknown function for ATP in maintaining protein solubility and preventing macromolecular aggregation. They show that at physiologic concentrations (2 to 8 mM), the physical properties of ATP alone enable it to dissolve liquid-liquid phase-separated droplets and amyloid fibers. These findings suggest an additional way for cells to use ATP to maintain proteostasis in the crowded cytoplasm and also fine-tune the material properties of nonmembrane-bound organelles and the cell interior in general.
Combined Cycle-Driven Efficiency in Nuclear Power Plant

A number of technologies are being investigated for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant that will produce heated fluids at significantly higher temperatures than current generation power plants. The higher temperatures offer the opportunity to significantly improve the thermodynamic efficiency of the energy conversion cycle. One of the concepts currently under study is the Molten Salt Reactor. The coolant from the Molten Salt Reactor may be available at temperatures as high as 800–1000 °C. At these temperatures, an open Brayton cycle combined with and Rankine bottoming cycle appears to have some strong advantages. Thermodynamic efficiencies approaching 50% appear possible. Requirements for circulating cooling water will be significantly reduced. However, to realistically estimate the efficiencies achievable it is essential to have good models for the heat exchangers involved as well as the appropriate turbo-machinery. This study has concentrated on modeling all power conversion equipment from the fluid exiting the reactor to the energy releases to the environment.
Odd mean labeling for two star graph

In this paper further result on odd mean labeling is discussed. We prove that the two star G=K1,m∧K1,n is an odd mean graph if and only if |m−n|≤3. The condition for a graph to be odd mean is that p≤q+1, where p and q stands for the number of the vertices and edges in the graph respectively.
Resolution of Closely-Spaced Machining-Damage-Induced Surface Cracks in Ceramics

Machining damage to structural ceramics is complex; a single machining crack consists of a series of continuous and overlapping semielliptical surface flaws between about 10 and 100 μm deep, as shown schematically in Fig, 1a. The mouths of these flaws are held closed by a layer of compressive residual stresses induced by the irreversible plastic deformations and material removal occuring during machining. Beneath the compressive layer is a zone of weak tension which separates the subsurface portions of the flaw faces. These residual stress fields permit stable crack growth to about 4.5 times the initial flaw depth prior to fracture, and are responsible for as much as a 40% reduction in material strength. Figure lb shows a series of closely-spaced machining cracks, such as might be produced during multipoint grinding. In the absence of significant internal flaws prior to shaping, these surface cracks assume a strength-controlling role [1]. To successfully predict the failure strength of a ceramic part then, we need to determine the depth of the deepest machining flaw.
Abstract 082: Chronic Angiotensin-(1-7) Attenuates the Development of Obesity in Mice by Enhancing Energy Expenditure

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and in particular angiotensin (Ang) II, is observed in obese patients and closely correlates with insulin resistance. Obesity is also associated with deficiency of Ang-(1-7), a vasodilatory peptide that mitigates Ang II actions. Accumulating evidence suggests that Ang-(1-7) has direct positive metabolic effects including reducing adiposity and reversing whole-body glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in animal models of cardiometabolic syndrome. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic Ang-(1-7) administration would prevent high fat diet-induced obesity in mice, and determined potential mechanisms underlying this effect. To test this hypothesis, adult male C57BL/6J mice received a 12-week systemic infusion of Ang-(1-7) (400 ng/kg/min; n=7) or saline (n=6) via subcutaneous osmotic mini-pumps. Immediately following mini-pump implantation, mice were placed on a 60% high fat diet, with body mass measured weekly. Body composition (mq10 nuclear magnetic resonance analyzer), food and water intake, and energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry) were measured during the last week of treatment. Ang-(1-7) attenuated high fat diet-induced weight gain [39.7±1.3 Ang-(1-7) vs. 43.9±0.7 g saline at 12 weeks; p=0.023) and adiposity [32±1 Ang-(1-7) vs. 29±1% saline; p=0.050). The reduced gain in body weight following Ang-(1-7) was associated with increased average energy expenditure [0.55±0.02 Ang-(1-7) vs. 0.42±0.06 kcal/hour saline, p=0.038] and oxygen consumption [1.84±0.07 Ang-(1-7) vs. 1.39±0.23 ml/min saline, p=0.049] during the dark cycle, with no effect on locomotor activity. A similar trend for Ang-(1-7) to increase energy expenditure and oxygen consumption was observed during the light cycle. There were no significant differences in food or water intake following chronic Ang-(1-7) versus saline infusion. These findings suggest that targeting of Ang-(1-7) may be a novel strategy to prevent the development of obesity by enhancing energy expenditure, and further highlight the importance of the renin-angiotensin system in metabolic regulation.
Vertebrate Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle

The use of hydrostatic pressure as an experimental probe for studying muscle contraction has had a rich history dating back to the beginning of this century. Most notably, the early, careful work of the American physiologists, McKeen Cattell, Dayton Edwards and Dugald Brown, provided a remarkably complete description of pressure-dependent phenomena in intact vertebrate striated muscle. As knowledge of the cellular and molecular bases for muscle contraction has advanced, it has again become profitable to employ hydrostatic pressure to further characterize individual cellular components of this system and, perhaps more importantly, to use pressure as a means for delineating interactions between these components. In this chapter, we will first survey the actions of elevated hydrostatic pressure on skeletal muscle, and then, relate these findings to our present understanding of cellular mechanisms of muscle contraction, with special emphasis given to recent discoveries regarding the actions of pressure on specific functional elements of the muscle cell. We will then extend this analysis to cardiac muscle, and to an additional mechanism unique to this tissue.
Intermediate Duration Organic Mental Disorder Among Polydrug Abusing Patients

From the evidence gathered, demonstrable functional cognitive impairment appears to be a significant factor in the clinical syndrome of polydrug abuse. In one group, drug-related organicity resolved gradually over several months as a corollary of reduced drug taking. Persistent cerebral deficit appeared to be seen in subjects with long-standing neurologic problems that predated drug abuse.
Eutocius’ Anthology of Cube Duplications

In the proof of Sphere and Cylinder II 1, Archimedes assumes the finding of two lines that are mean proportionals between two given lines. This sets the occasion within Eutocius’ commentary on this proposition for a long digression on the solution of the assumed problem.
Endogenous Opioids and Stress Reactivity in the Development of Essential Hypertension

The mechanistic bases of individual differences in cardiovascular stress reactivity are not fully understood. Variations in blood pressure and heart rate reactivity are believed to correspond to autonomic nervous system activity, but the precise neuroendocrine origins of these response differences have not been characterized. Equally deficient is an appreciation of the clinical significance of these individual differences in reactivity. This chapter will highlight a series of experiments designed to investigate the neuroendocrine origin and possible clinical significance of individual differences in cardiovascular reactivity during behavioral stress.
High-Speed Plasma Streams and Magnetic Sectors

We have already found (III.2) that the “quiet” interplanetary conditions indicative of a structureless coronal expansion are rarely observed in the real solar wind. Mere inspection of solar wind data reveals large variations on a time scale of several days, comparable to the basic scale time of the overall coronal expansion (and thus indicative of phenomena in Class 2 of the classification scheme developed in Chapter II). Autocorrelation analysis of solar wind speed measurements confirms this conclusion. Prominent among these variations is the pattern associated with the high-speed plasma streams (II.3) first identified in the Mariner 2 data of 1962. The apparent recurrence of the streams during the period of Mariner 2 observations suggested that they were long-lived, spatial features that retained their basic identity for longer than a solar rotation. The variations observed in interplanetary space would then result from rotation of this spatial structure past the observer. The polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field has also been found to be organized into unipolar regions with a similar scale size (or time), that are related to the high-speed streams. We will now review the observed physical features of the streams and magnetic regions and discuss models of their solar origin and interplanetary evolution. The influence of high-speed plasma streams on solar wind properties inferred from long-term statistical analysis of observations as well as the role of these streams in the overall transport of mass and energy from the corona will be discussed. Finally, the relationship of the streams to solar activity and the hypothetical “M-regions” will be considered.
Comments on Consilience Efforts

In questioning the usefulness of Gangestad’s concept of evoked culture as an explanation for major shifts in family and fertility behavior, I offer an alternative way to conceptualize the role of biological predispositions and potential that focuses on the human brain. Brain evolution, brain development, and brain functioning are the keys to understanding broad sweeps of family change and variation. More specifically, I develop a very broad conception of schema that locates them both “in the mind” and “in the world”; that is, schema can be codified in the brain’s neural circuits, and they can also be widely shared by a community of interacting individuals. At the macro-level schemas also can be embodied in materials – tangible aspects of our culture. The schemas “in the mind” and “in the world” produce Sewell’s (1992, 2005) “duality of structure” that can account for continuity as well as the dramatic, pervasive, and rapid change that are observed in aspects of family/fertility behavior.
Cholinergic Modulation of CA1 Pyramidal Cells via M1 Muscarinic Receptor Activation: A Computational Study at Physiological and Supraphysiological Levels

The hippocampus receives extensive cholinergic modulation from the basal forebrain, which has been shown to have a prominent role in attention, learning, and synaptic plasticity. Disruptions of this modulation have been linked to a variety of neural disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of the hippocampus express several cholinergic receptor types in different locations throughout the cells’ morphology. Developing a computational model of these cells and their modulation provides a unique opportunity to explore how each receptor type alters the overall computational role of the cell. To this end we implemented a kinetic model of the most widely distributed receptor type, the M1 muscarinic receptor and examined its role on excitation of a compartmental model of a CA1 pyramidal cell. We demonstrate that the proposed model replicates the increased pyramidal cell excitability seen in experimental results. We then used the model to replicate the effect of organophosphates, a class of pesticides and chemical weapons, whose effects consist in inhibiting the hydrolysis of acetylcholine; we demonstrated the effect of increasing concentrations of acetylcholine on the pyramidal cell’s excitability. The cell model we implemented and its associated modulation constitute a basis for exploring the effects of cholinergic modulation in a large scale network model of the hippocampus both under physiological and supraphysiological levels.
CLINICAL, HISTOPATHOLOGICAL, AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF CARVAJAL SYNDROME WITH ORAL MANIFESTATIONS

Introduction Carvajal syndrome is characterized by woolly hair, striated palmoplantar keratoderma and left-sided ventricular cardiomyopathy. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder due to a homozygous mutation in the gene coding for desmoplakin, which truncates the C-terminal of the protein and maps to chromosome 6p24. Signs and symptoms of Carvajal syndrome include: woolly hair that is present from birth, palmoplantar keratoderma that develops after infancy, follicular keratoses on elbows, knees, face, abdomen and lower limbs, clubbing of fingers and rarely mucosal lesions. The desmoplakin (DSP) abnormality can result in arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy. Clinical Presentation A 2 month old male of Ecuadorian descent presented with oral ulcerations and poor feeding as reported by his mother. The oral lesions were noted at 2 weeks of age. Bilateral dorsal tongue and palatal erosions with sloughing were noted on oral examination. Skin excoriations were noted at sites of electrocardiogram leads. It was also noted that the child had sparse woolly hair that extended on to the forehead and had a hoarse cry. Intervention and Outcome Biopsies of the anterior dorsal tongue, lingual epiglottis, and duodenal, gastric, esophageal and rectosigmoid mucosa were performed. The tongue and epiglottis surface epithelium consisted of discohesive squamous epithelial cells with interspersed inflammation and bacterial colonies. Esophageal biopsy showed suprabasilar separation from underlying lamina propria. Direct immunofluorescence studies were negative. Whole Exome Sequence Analysis revealed patient was compound heterozygous for the c.7623delT and c.7623delG pathogenic variants in the DSP gene. Conclusion The mucosal lesions of this syndrome can present intraorally, and have a rather unique histopathology characterized by dyskeratosis and discohesion. Patients with this syndrome require regular cardiac evaluations as the cardiac issues are of paramount importance.
'A Thousand and One Reasons to Hope': A D’Var Torah on Parshat Emor

I originally presented a version of this talk at a gathering in the city of Sighet, Maramures County, in Transylvania, Romania. Sighet once had a large and vibrant Jewish community, making up almost half the population of the city. In May 1944, the Jews of Sighet were deported to Auschwitz, where most were gassed on arrival. Elie Wiesel was also born in Sighet. He survived the death camps and insisted that the world never forget. Jewish tradition has long tried to suppress the sort of “cult of the dead” found in other cultures. Indeed, Parshat Emor emphasizes that the kohanim, the religious functionaries of pre-Rabbinic times, were ritually excluded from involvement with the rituals of death. There is one momentous exception, however, to this Jewish diffidence about death. That exception is collective tragedy. The horrors that have too often blasted their way into Jewish history have all powerfully and poignantly shaped Jewish religious life, ceremony, and liturgy. Yet there is something remarkable about the Jewish rituals of collective tragedy. They are never left to marinate in their own bitterness. The tradition consistently juxtaposes them against expressions of hope or even redemption. These juxtapositions are profoundly mysterious. Our expressions of hope do not negate our tragedies. They do not elevate them. Nothing can perfume over the stink of death. We must not fall into the heresy of claiming that tragedy and horror and suffering are somehow redemptive. But Jewish tradition does demand that we attach them, however hard and paradoxical it is, into a larger story of redemption. In exploring this theme, my talk engaged with Elie Wiesel’s insistence that, even in our despair over the Holocaust, we “must invent a thousand and one reasons to hope.” It also called on important insights from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the Czech Christian theologian Tomas Halik, and the American philosopher Josiah Royce.
Energy optimization in binary star systems: explanation for equal mass members in close orbits

Observations indicate that members of close stellar binaries often have mass ratios close to unity, while longer period systems exhibit a more uniform mass-ratio distribution. This paper provides a theoretical explanation for this finding by determining the tidal equilibrium states for binary star systems – subject to the constraints of conservation of angular momentum and constant total mass. This work generalizes previous treatments by including the mass fraction as a variable in the optimization problem. The results show that the lowest energy state accessible to the system corresponds to equal mass stars on a circular orbit, where the stellar spin angular velocities are both synchronized and aligned with the orbit. These features are roughly consistent with observed properties of close binary systems. We also find the conditions required for this minimum energy state to exist: (1) the total angular momentum must exceed a critical value, (2) the orbital angular momentum must be three times greater than the total spin angular momentum, and (3) the semimajor axis is bounded from above. The last condition implies that sufficiently wide binaries are not optimized with equal mass stars, where the limiting binary separation occurs near a₀ ≈ 16R*.
NETs: a new biomarker of traffic-related air pollution exposure: are they ready to catch fish?

There are many challenges in interpretation of novel assays for health effects in human challenge studieshttps://bit.ly/3bdF5me
Impact of dietary intake of resistant starch on obesity and associated metabolic profiles in human: a systematic review of the literature

As a global public health issue with an increasing prevalence, obesity is related to several metabolic disorders, but is largely preventable. Resistant starch (RS), the indigestible portion of starch, has been studied for its potential effects on reducing obesity. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity development and related metabolic profiles in human, including body weight and composition, energy intake and satiety, lipid profiles, blood glucose and insulin, and other blood biomarkers. Eleven peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2000 and 2019 were identified after screening using CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus. Based on the results, RS intake had no direct effect on body weight and body composition. Evidence for its effect on reducing energy intake and increasing satiety, as well as improving lipid profiles was inconsistent. Beneficial effects of RS intake on several blood biomarkers were supported, indicating its regulatory roles in blood glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and gut hormone concentrations. Specifically, five out of the eight articles measuring blood glucose reported a decrease in either fasting or postprandial glucose levels; two out of the three articles measuring insulin sensitivity indicated a significant improvement after RS supplementation; studies measuring gut hormone concentrations including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) also showed significant improvements after RS interventions. In conclusion, the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity and its related metabolic complications was not conclusive. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer duration is warranted.
Analysis of prescription errors made by outpatient electronic prescription system

Errors in prescriptions are common phenomena in prescriptions produced by clinicians. With development and application of information technology in medical fields, electronic prescription system has been regarded as the best resolution for effective prevention of errors in prescriptions. A retrospective study of the prescriptions made by the electronic prescription system of the hospital studied over one year showed that this system could reduce errors easily made in manual prescriptions significantly, but it failed to reduce the errors related to dosages. Those dosage-related errors were mainly caused by change of physician prescribing behavior and defective man-machine interaction. Electronic prescription system, though functions basically, can not avoid prescription errors effectively, which poses a potential threat to safe use of medicines in patients. It is urgent at the moment to perfect the functions of electronic prescription system, promote a friendly man-machine interaction and reduce errors made by system errors. Key words: Hospital Information System; Electronic prescription system; Prescription errors; Children
Some Practical Aspects of Nonlinear Mitigation via Multi-Subcarrier Modulation

We report the influence of carrier phase recovery on the subcarrier baud that minimizes Kerr-related nonlinear noise.
Improving spring-mass parameter estimation in running using nonlinear regression methods.

ABSTRACT Runners are commonly modeled as spring–mass systems, but the traditional calculations of these models rely on discrete observations during the gait cycle (e.g. maximal vertical force) and simplifying assumptions (e.g. leg length), challenging the predicative capacity and generalizability of observations. We present a method to model runners as spring–mass systems using nonlinear regression (NLR) and the full vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) time series without additional inputs and fewer traditional parameter assumptions. We derived and validated a time-dependent vGRF function characterized by four spring–mass parameters – stiffness, touchdown angle, leg length and contact time – using a sinusoidal approximation. Next, we compared the NLR-estimated spring–mass parameters with traditional calculations in runners. The mixed-effect NLR method (ME NLR) modeled the observed vGRF best (RMSE:155 N) compared with a conventional sinusoid approximation (RMSE: 230 N). Against the conventional methods, its estimations provided similar stiffness approximations (−0.2±0.6 kN m−1) with moderately steeper angles (1.2±0.7 deg), longer legs (+4.2±2.3 cm) and shorter effective contact times (−12±4 ms). Together, these vGRF-driven system parameters more closely approximated the observed vertical impulses (observed: 214.8 N s; ME NLR: 209.0 N s; traditional: 223.6 N s). Finally, we generated spring–mass simulations from traditional and ME NLR parameter estimates to assess the predicative capacity of each method to model stable running systems. In 6/7 subjects, ME NLR parameters generated models that ran with equal or greater stability than traditional estimates. ME NLR modeling of the vGRF in running is therefore a useful tool to assess runners holistically as spring–mass systems with fewer measurement sources or anthropometric assumptions. Furthermore, its utility as statistical framework lends itself to more complex mixed-effects modeling to explore research questions in running.