cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Differences and Interactions between the Escherichia coli Type III Secretion System Effectors NleH1 and NleH2

The human pathogens enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EHEC and EPEC), as well as the related mouse pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, utilize a type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject multiple effector proteins into host cells. The E. coli O157:H7 strain EDL933 carries two copies of non-locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded protein H, designated NleH1 and NleH2, both of which bind to the human ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3), a subunit of NF-κB transcriptional complexes. In this study, we describe significant functional differences between NleH1 and NleH2 in their ability to regulate the host NF-κB pathway. We show that the EHEC and EPEC NleH effectors are functionally equivalent in their ability to affect RPS3 nuclear translocation. NleH1, but not NleH2, inhibited NF-κB activity without altering the kinetics of IκBα phosphorylation/degradation. We also determined that the class I PSD-95/Disc Large/ZO-1 (PDZ)-binding domain of NleH was important for its activity in the NF-κB pathway. In addition to binding RPS3, we found that NleH1 and NleH2 are able to bind to each other in vitro and in vivo, suggesting an additional mechanism by which the E. coli NleH effectors may regulate the extent and duration of NF-κB activation after their T3SS-dependent translocation. We also performed mouse infection experiments and established that mouse mortality and Citrobacter colonization were reduced in mice infected with ΔnleH. Complementing ΔnleH with NleH1 restored Citrobacter virulence and colonization to wild-type levels, whereas complementing with NleH2 reduced them. Taken together, our data show that NleH1 and NleH2 have pronounced functional differences in their ability to alter host transcriptional responses to bacterial infection.
Influence of a novel two-step austempering process on the strain-hardening behavior of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI)

Abstract An investigation was carried out to examine the influence of a novel two-step austempering process on the strain-hardening behavior of austempered ductile cast iron (ADI). Strain-hardening exponent (n value) of specimens austempered by conventional single-step austempering process as well as the novel two-step process were determined over the entire plastic deformation regions of the stress–strain curves. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed to examine mechanisms of strain-hardening behavior in ADI under monotonic (tensile) loading. Test results show that this novel two-step process has resulted in improved microstructural variables in the ADI matrix, and higher hardness, yield strength and tensile strengths, but lower ductility and strain-hardening exponent values compared to the conventional single-step austempering process. Test results also indicate that strain-hardening exponent of ADI is a function of amount and morphology of microstructural constituents and interaction intensities between carbon atoms and dislocations in the matrix.
Sex, age and breed related changes in bovine testosterone and intramuscular collagen

Longissimus muscle biopsies were obtained from forty bulls and steers representing Charolais, Simmental, Angus and Hereford breeds at 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months of age to evaluate the influence of age, breed and sex on the biosynthesis of muscle collagen. Blood samples were collected from each animal at each time period. The blood serum was harvested and assayed for concentrations of testosterone. Total collagen, soluble collagen and insoluble collagen were obtained on each sample. Soluble collagen and testosterone levels were significantly influenced by breed, sex and animal age. Total collagen levels were significantly affected by sex and age. Total collagen and testosterone levels peaked at 12 months of age. Breeds were ranked identically for total collagen and testosterone levels at 12 months. These data indicate that bulls are different from steers in synthesis of intramuscular collagen at or near 12 months of age. The increased synthesis of collagen appears to be influenced by testosterone or some other event associated with puberty. The mechanism of this action remains unclear.
Role of phytochemicals in prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

This review paper focuses on the role of phytochemicals in prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Interest in the phytoestrogens goes back over 30 years in which initial research was directed at the estrogenic effects of this class of compounds; particularly in the breeding of farm animals. In order to determine the role of phytoestrogens on prostate cancer risk it is necessary to demonstrate that their addition to mens diet leads to reduction in the risk or progression through direct evaluation. With the use of cell culture approaches with the human cancer cell lines soy isoflavone genistein has shown inhibition of serum and growth factor-stimulated proliferation of cells suggesting that this phytochemical have the potential for slowing the growth of prostate cancer cells. Among animal models such phytochemical effects are demonstrated by the biomarkers and cellular mechanisms of action that involved the inhibition of serum prostate-specific antigen and induction of p21 by a py p53-independent pathway and inhibition of epidermal growth factor autophosphorylation and NF-kappa B activation. Since effects of phytochemicals depend on the matrix in which they are delivered careful examination of food materials in suitable pre-clinical models is important prior to health claims on its usefulness for prostrate cancer.
Myosin heavy chain and physiological adaptation of the rat diaphragm in elastase-induced emphysema

Background: Several physiological adaptations occur in the respiratory muscles in rodent models of elastase-induced emphysema. Although the contractile properties of the diaphragm are altered in a way that suggests expression of slower isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MHC), it has been difficult to demonstrate a shift in MHCs in an animal model that corresponds to the shift toward slower MHCs seen in human emphysema. Methods: We sought to identify MHC and corresponding physiological changes in the diaphragms of rats with elastase-induced emphysema. Nine rats with emphysema and 11 control rats were studied 10 months after instillation with elastase. MHC isoform composition was determined by both reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry by using specific probes able to identify all known adult isoforms. Physiological adaptation was studied on diaphragm strips stimulated in vitro. Results: In addition to confirming that emphysematous diaphragm has a decreased fatigability, we identified a significantly longer time-to-peak-tension (63.9 ± 2.7 ms versus 53.9 ± 2.4 ms). At both the RNA (RT-PCR) and protein (immunocytochemistry) levels, we found a significant decrease in the fastest, MHC isoform (IIb) in emphysema. Conclusion: This is the first demonstration of MHC shifts and corresponding physiological changes in the diaphragm in an animal model of emphysema. It is established that rodent emphysema, like human emphysema, does result in a physiologically significant shift toward slower diaphragmatic MHC isoforms. In the rat, this occurs at the faster end of the MHC spectrum than in humans.
Treatment of acute non-anion gap metabolic acidosis

Acute non-anion gap metabolic acidosis, also termed hyperchloremic acidosis, is frequently detected in seriously ill patients. The most common mechanisms leading to this acid-base disorder include loss of large quantities of base secondary to diarrhea and administration of large quantities of chloride-containing solutions in the treatment of hypovolemia and various shock states. The resultant acidic milieu can cause cellular dysfunction and contribute to poor clinical outcomes. The associated change in the chloride concentration in the distal tubule lumen might also play a role in reducing the glomerular filtration rate. Administration of base is often recommended for the treatment of acute non-anion gap acidosis. Importantly, the blood pH and/or serum bicarbonate concentration to guide the initiation of treatment has not been established for this type of metabolic acidosis; and most clinicians use guidelines derived from studies of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Therapeutic complications resulting from base administration such as volume overload, exacerbation of hypertension and reduction in ionized calcium are likely to be as common as with high anion gap metabolic acidosis. On the other hand, exacerbation of intracellular acidosis due to the excessive generation of carbon dioxide might be less frequent than in high anion gap metabolic acidosis because of better tissue perfusion and the ability to eliminate carbon dioxide. Further basic and clinical research is needed to facilitate development of evidence-based guidelines for therapy of this important and increasingly common acid-base disorder.
(Corrected) Speed effects in gliding motility assays due to surface passivation, water isotope, and osmotic stress.

The molecular motor kinesin-1, an ATPase, and the substrate it walks along, microtubules, are vital components of eukaryotic cells. Kinesin converts chemical energy to linear motion as its two motor domains step along microtubules in a process similar to how we walk. Cells create systems of microtubules that direct the motion of kinesin. This directed motion allows kinesin to transport various cargoes inside cells.During the stepping process, the kinesin motor domains bind and unbind from their binding sites on the microtubules. Binding and unbinding rates of biomolecules are highly dependent on hydration and exclusion of water from the binding interface. Osmotic stress will likely strongly affect the binding and unbinding rates for kinesin and thus offers a tool to specifically probe those steps. We will report the effects of different osmolytes on microtubule speed and other observables in the gliding motility assay.Kinesin’s kinetic core cycle hydrolyzes ATP with the help of a water molecule. Any modification to the water molecules the kinesin is in will change how ATP hydrolyzes and will ultimately affect how kinesin moves along microtubules. We will report preliminary results showing how kinesin is affected when the solvent it is in is changed from light water to heavy water.When used in a surface assay or in devices, the kinesin and microtubule system is also dependent on substrate passivation. Kinesin motor domains do not transport microtubules in the gliding motility assay if kinesin is added to a glass microscope slide that has not been functionalized. Functionalization of the glass slides and slips is typically performed with bovine milk proteins called caseins. Bovine casein is a globular protein that can be broken up into four constituents: αs1, αs2, β, and κ. Each casein constituent affects how kinesin adheres to the glass and ultimately the speed at which microtubules are observed to glide at. Building on the work of Verma et.al., we have found that each constituent individually produces different outcomes in gliding assays. We will present these findings and discuss implications they have for the use of gliding assays to study kinesin and the use of the kinesin-microtubule system in microdevices.[1] Chaen, S, N Yamamoto, I Shirakawa, and H Sugi. 2001. Effect of deuterium oxide on actomyosin motility in vitro. _Biochimica et biophysica acta_ 1506, no. 3: 218-23.[2] Vivek Verma, William O Hancock, Jeffrey M Catchmark, "The role of casein in supporting the operation of surface bound kinesin," _J. Biol. Eng._ 2008; 2: 14.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the DTRA CB Basic Research Program under Grant No. HDTRA1-09-1-008.CORRECTIONS: At the workshop, Erik Schaffer pointed out to us that some of our speed differences (casein data) were surely due to microscope increasing in temperature. I've edited the poster to correct for this. Thanks, Erik!
High-efficiency metallic multistratum concave diffraction grating

A concave diffraction grating for integrated optics is constructed by replacing the reflective metallic part by multiple thin elements of metal, each partially reflecting the light, arranged in elliptical fashion in order to distribute the diffraction/reflection of light and provide aberration-free focusing by combining the diffraction condition and Bragg condition of these curved reflectors. It results in increasing the reflection from 39% to 73%, as simulations show.
Quantitative assessment of damage during MCET: a parametric study in a rodent model

Myocardial cavitation-enabled therapy (MCET) has been proposed as a means to achieve minimally invasive myocardial reduction using ultrasound to produce scattered microlesions by cavitating contrast agent microbubbles. Rats were treated using burst mode focused ultrasound at 1.5 MHz center frequency and varying envelope and pressure amplitudes. Evans blue staining indicated lethal cardiomyocytic injury. A previously developed quantitative scheme, evaluating the histologic treatment results, provides an insightful analysis for MCET treatment parameters. Such include ultrasound exposure amplitude and pulse modulation, contrast agent dose, and infusion rate. The quantitative method overcomes the limitation of visual scoring and works for a large dynamic range of treatment impact. Macrolesions are generated as an accumulation of probability driven microlesion formations. Macrolesions grow radially with radii from 0.1 to 1.6 mm as the ultrasound exposure amplitude (peak negative) increases from 2 to 4 MPa. To shorten treatment time, a swept beam was investigated and found to generate an acceptable macrolesion volume of about 40 μL for a single beam position. Ultrasound parameters and administration of microbubbles directly influence lesion characteristics such as microlesion density and macrolesion dimension. For lesion generation planning, control of MCET is crucial, especially when targeting larger pre-clinical models.
Electronic components in cell phone handsets: thermal simulations and evaluation of modeling assumptions

This paper discusses the procedure and approximations used when performing thermal analysis of electronic devices inside cell phone handsets. Characterization of the flow from a theoretical perspective is covered first together with the equations to determine the effective convection coefficient. A simulation software is then used to perfom CFD and FEA models to evaluate the validity of different assumptions about the flow. The paper fmishes off with recommendations aimed at reducing the overall complexity of similar analyses without impacting the accuracy. Component and System Level Thermal Simulations The thermal performance of an electronic package is one of the critical parameters that govem the chip's temperature and hence lifetime. The advent of new wafer fabrication technologies has allowed designers to integrate more and more functions onto smaller and smaller chips. Furthermore, the drive to shrink the overall component size coupled with the need for low cost packaging solutions, has made chip scale packages (CSP) with no heat slugs the primary choice for applications such as cell phones. In addition to these factors, the overall enclosure size of the handset itself is constantly decreasing. This combination of smaller die, low cost CSPs and high packing density withim the handset has reduced the margin of error allowed when performing thermal analysis.
A Tale of a Peripatetic Professor An Interview With Craig C. Lundberg

Craig Lundberg reflects on his academic journey academic journey that began nearly 50 years ago. He begins by providing insights into his formative early life experiences and the importance of mentors; from his thesis advisor who inspired him to become a professor to the scholars that continue to inspire his research today. Lundberg's teaching, service, and research anecdotes may provide valuable lessons for us all. Perhaps most important, Lundberg shares his unabated concerns for the future of management education and offers advice for professional associations, administrators, and budding scholars. The interview is followed by comments from two of Craig's mentors: John Hennessey and Karl Weick.
Preparing for the first meeting with a statistician

Purpose. Practical statistical issues that should be considered when performing data collection and analysis are reviewed. Summary. The meeting with a statistician should take place early in the research development before any study data are collected. The process of statistical analysis involves establishing the research question, formulating a hypothesis, selecting an appropriate test, sampling correctly, collecting data, performing tests, and making decisions. Once the objectives are established, the researcher can determine the characteristics or demographics of the individuals required for the study, how to recruit volunteers, what type of data are needed to answer the research question(s), and the best methods for collecting the required information. There are two general types of statistics: descriptive and inferential. Presenting data in a more palatable format for the reader is called descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics involve making an inference or decision about a population based on results obtained from a sample of that population. In order for the results of a statistical test to be valid, the sample should be representative of the population from which it is drawn. When collecting information about volunteers, researchers should only collect information that is directly related to the study objectives. Important information that a statistician will require first is an understanding of the type of variables involved in the study and which variables can be controlled by researchers and which are beyond their control. Data can be presented in one of four different measurement scales: nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio. Hypothesis testing involves two mutually exclusive and exhaustive statements related to the research question. Statisticians should not be replaced by computer software, and they should be consulted before any research data are collected. Conclusion. When preparing to meet with a statistician, the pharmacist researcher should be familiar with the steps of statistical analysis and consider several questions related to the study to be conducted.
A multilevel analysis of the effect of Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer Pilot Scheme on school-age children’s health

Objective The primary goal was to examine whether Malawi Social Cash Transfer Pilot Scheme, initially implemented in a rural district in central Malawi, improved health outcomes for children aged 6–17. Secondary goals were to examine the effects of individual child- (orphan status and gender) and household-level factors (number of working-age adults and sick adults) on health outcomes. Another secondary goal was to examine whether orphan status modified the cash transfer effect on health outcomes. Methods This multilevel study used panel data collected in 2007–08 from a randomized controlled evaluation study of phase one of the programme. The analyses included 1197 children aged 6–17 in 486 households. The four outcomes of interest were: illness in the past month, illness that stopped normal activities in the past month, missing school due to illness or injury in the past month and health care use for worst illness in the past year. Findings Approximately two-thirds of children in cash transfer eligible households were orphans. Compared with children in non-beneficiary households, those in beneficiary households had a 37% lower odds of child illness (P < 0.05), 42% lower odds of illness that stopped normal activities (P < 0.01) and substantially higher odds of utilizing health services for a serious illness (odds ratio = 10.98; P < 0.01). An increase in the household number of working-age adults was associated with 34% lower odds of child illness (P < 0.01). An increase in the household number of sick adults increased the odds of child illness by 97% (P < 0.01) and serious illness by 49% (P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed by orphan status and child’s gender. Consistent differential programme effects by orphan status were not observed. Conclusion Unconditional cash transfer programmes to poor households have the potential to improve health outcomes for all vulnerable children aged 6–17.
Additional considerations for 'Harnessing the cloud of patient experience'.

We were pleased to read the recent article by Greaves et al 1 outlining new methodological techniques to analyse patients’ online ratings of care. We agree with the authors that social media websites not only represent a wealth of first-hand patient experiences with health and health care but also have largely remained untapped by biomedical researchers, especially to gain new insights into how to improve clinical care. We concur that ‘big data’ techniques, such as machine learning and natural language processing, can be extremely powerful to synthesise the large amount of textual data on these sites. However, …
Neuregulin-Induced ErbB3 Downregulation Is Mediated by a Protein Stability Cascade Involving the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Nrdp1

The molecular mechanisms underlying epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor tyrosine kinase down-regulation in response to growth factor binding are coming into focus and involve cbl-mediated receptor ubiquitination followed by lysosomal degradation. However, mechanisms underlying the ligand-stimulated degradation of the related receptor tyrosine kinases of the ErbB family do not involve cbl and remain unexplored. Previous studies have demonstrated that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nrdp1 contributes to the maintenance of steady-state ErbB3 levels by mediating its growth factor-independent degradation. Here we demonstrate that treatment of cells with the ErbB3 ligand neuregulin-1 (NRG1) stabilizes the deubiquitinating enzyme USP8, which in turn stabilizes Nrdp1. The catalytic activity of USP8 is required for NRG1-induced Nrdp1 stabilization. We provide evidence that Akt-mediated phosphorylation of USP8 threonine residue T907 contributes to USP8 stability. Finally, we demonstrate that Nrdp1 or USP8 knockdown suppresses NRG1-induced ErbB3 ubiquitination and degradation in MCF7 breast cancer cells. We conclude that an NRG1-induced protein stability cascade involving USP8 and Nrdp1 mediates the down-regulation of ErbB3. Our observations raise the possibility that the ligand-induced augmentation of pathways involved in the maintenance of basal levels of receptor tyrosine kinases can contribute to ligand-stimulated down-regulation.
Public health and components of particulate matter: The changing assessment of black carbon

In 2012, the WHO classified diesel emissions as carcinogenic, and its European branch suggested creating a public health standard for airborne black carbon (BC). In 2011, EU researchers found that ...
Critical Power Function and Decision Making

Abstract It is generally recognized that when deciding on a significance level for a test, its power must also be taken into account. Determination of the optimal significance level, however, is not a straightforward task. It is pointed out here that by use of critical significance level and power we can achieve the usual objective of making a reject-or-accept decision without explicitly determining the optimal significance level.
The impact of children's static versus dynamic conceptions of people on stereotype formation

Recent cognitive-developmental research has contributed much to our understanding of children's stereotyping. The present research identified another factor influencing stereotyping — children's theories about the malleability of human attributes. In two studies, 122 sixth graders learned about several different students' behaviors in unknown schools. In Study 1, they judged a school characterized by mostly negative behaviors, and in Study 2 they judged two schools (characterized by either mostly negative or positive behaviors). Across studies, children with a fixed view of personality (relative to those with a more malleable view of personality) made more extreme trait ratings of both the “positive” and “negative” schools, generalized their trait judgments to an unknown student, perceived greater within-school similarity and between-school differences, and showed less desire to interact with students in the “negative” school. Ways in which examining these theories may broaden our understanding of the origins of stereotyping and how to lessen it are discussed.
Fast Radiosity Solutions For Environments With High Average Reflectance

In radiosity algorithms the average radiance of n Lambertian patches is approximated by solving a linear system with n unknowns. When n is small (i.e. fewer than thousands of patches), general matrix methods like Gauss-Siedel can be used where the explicit n × n matrix can be precomputed and stored [5]. When n is large, progressive techniques are used where the matrix rows or elements are recomputed as needed [4]. When n is very large (i.e. hundreds of thousands of patches), stochastic techniques can avoid computing or storing the n2 elements of the matrix [10].
The Impact of Promotion and Advertising: A Latent Class Approach

Typically, marketers define market segments by their demographic characteristics, assuming that these segments represent consumers with relatively homogeneous buying patterns. A more managerially useful definition, however, groups consumers of similar behavior directly and then seeks to find demographic comrnonalities among them. This study uses a latent class analysis technique to segment consumers based on their responsiveness to a set of marketing variables, finding that a multiple-segment model provides a better fit to the data, and that these segments differ significantly in their responsiveness. By targeting marketing activities to their most responsive segments, the efficiency of commodity promotion can be dramatically improved.
Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Human Papilloma Virus-Related Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Patient With Leukemia: A Case Report.

Introduction: Close clinical inspection for intraoral lesions in patients with leukemia that develop chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is critical. Additionally, neoplasias developing in bone marrow transplant patients after treatment for leukemia represent a significant obstacle for long-term patient survival, necessitating lifetime follow-up by health care providers. This case report describes the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a patient with leukemia who was treated previously with a stem cell transplant and referred for routine periodontal care.Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male was referred to the Department of Periodontics for an assessment of tooth #10 with 2+ mobility and associated cross-bite occlusion. The patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 39 years, received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and later developed cGVHD followed by human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. During the periodontal eva...
Evaluation and continuous improvement in a multidisciplinary S-STEM program focusing on professional skills, goals & mentoring

Four years of student feedback from participants in a sponsored scholarship program is evaluated to assess perceived benefit of program activities that go beyond awarding scholarships. The program is structured to help students develop professional skills such as communication, teamwork, job readiness, and goal setting in a context that allows for formal and informal mentoring. Annual themes often related to current issues affecting society provide a setting to motivate these skills. Results show that students value skills and experiences outside of their major requirements. This work describes the program and its process for continuous improvement and provides insights into student willingness to participate in personal and professional activities on top of rigorous STEM major requirements.
Rapid Evolution of Simple Microbial Communities in the Laboratory

Classical models predict that asexual populations evolve in simple unstructured environments by clonal replacement, yet laboratory evolutionary studies have uncovered persistent polymorphism, driven either by frequency-dependent selection or mutualistic interactions. We have studied the evolution of microbes in simple unstructured environments as a way to illuminate the evolution of biodiversity. We sought to understand how complexity arises in an Escherichia coli population founded by a single clone and propagated under glucose limitation for >770 generations. When coevolved clones are cultured separately, their transcriptional profiles differ from their common ancestor in ways that are consistent with our understanding of how E. coli adapts to glucose limitation. A majority of the 180 differentially expressed genes shared between coevolved clones is controlled by the global regulators RpoS, Crp, and CpxR. Clone-specific expression differences include upregulation of genes whose products scavenge overflow metabolites such as acetate, enabling cross-feeding. Unexpectedly, we find that when coevolved clones are cultured together, the community expression profile more closely resembles that of minority clones cultured in isolation rather than that of the majority clone cultured in isolation. We attribute this to habitat modification and regulatory feedback arising from consumption of overflow metabolites by niche specialists. Targeted and whole-genome sequencing reveal acs, glpR, and rpoS mutations in the founder that likely predispose evolution of niche specialists. Several mutations bringing about specialization are compensatory rather than gain-of-function. Biocomplexity can therefore arise on a single limiting resource if consumption of that resource results in the creation of others that are differentially accessible to adaptive mutants. These observations highlight the interplay of founder genotype, biotic environment, regulatory mutations, and compensatory changes in the adaptive evolution of asexual species and somatic cells.
Ward relations for gravity

In close analogy to electrodynamics, we extend the well-known relations of Ward and Takahashi to gravity, which we describe by Gupta's formulation of Einstein's theory.
Model-Based Reasoning for Aviation Safety Risk Assessments

This paper presents a probabilistic approach for using the model-based reasoning of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) to perform risk assessments of new aviation safety products. Sponsored by NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program [1], the author is leading a research team at Rutgers University in the creation of aircraft accident models in order to assess the projected relative risk reductions of an aeronautics technology portfolio. The modeling approach uses elements from a case study architecture, inductive reasoning and analytic generalization. Aspects of the modeling approach, including knowledge capture and sensitivity analyses are emphasized and preliminary results discussed.
Context as mediator: teaching residents’ opportunity and learning in high-need urban schools

This article presents findings from an exploratory empirical study of teaching residents’ opportunities and learning within the overlapping contexts of English as a Second Language (ESL)/special education classrooms and high-need urban schools. Utilizing documentation from the first year of a teacher residency program, our findings illustrate the central role that mentor teachers play in determining the kinds of opportunities afforded to teaching residents and the ways in which factors unique to these clinical contexts shape learning. Implications center on the preparation of mentor teachers and the work of teacher education programs in the US.
Alpha- and beta-adrenergic control of pancreatic polypeptide and insulin secretion in adult chickens.

AbstractAdult, unanesthetized but restrained chickens were cannulated via appropriate femoral arteries and veins to assess alpha, beta-adrenergic regulation of pancreatic secretion of insulin (IRI) and pancreatic polypeptide (APP) during glucose infusions alone or with simultaneous infusion of either phentolamine (alpha blocker) or propranolol (beta blocker). Plasma samples were obtained over 30 or 60 min and assayed for glucose, insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide. Glucose (0.88 g/kg, bolus or infusion—30 min) provoked an immediate rise in IRI even when plasma glucose levels peaked at 350 mg/dl in contrast with results of previous in vitro studies. Sustained glucose infusion was necessary to decrease APP levels from normal fed levels of 8-10 to 4-5 ng/ml within 3-5 min; bolus injection was without effect on APP levels even though plasma glucose levels reached 730 mg/dl. Neither phentolamine nor propranolol altered basal IRI, APP, or glucose levels. Phentolamine also was without effect on the glucose-indu...
Ion Irradiation Effects of Yttria-stabilized Zirconia Conductivity

The performance of solid oxide fuel cells is limited largely by ion transport in the electrolyte. Thin film electrolytes of yttria-stabilized zirconia were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. The electrolyte material was subjected to heavy ion irradiation and heat treatment and the effects on conductivity were measured using electrical impedance spectroscopy. Following irradiation there is a drop in conductivity by a factor of 3-4. After heat treatment at 800°C, the conductivity recovers to the as-deposited value.
Oxidized regenerated cellulose resembling vaginal cuff abscess.

Introduction: Application of oxidized regenerated cellulose is commonly performed in laparoscopy to achieve hemostasis during surgery. The appearance of an abscess resembles oxidized regenerated cellulose, causing imaging studies to be difficult to interpret. Case Description: We describe the cases of 3 patients who underwent oxidized regenerated cellulose placement during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. They subsequently presented with signs and symptoms resembling an abscess. Computed tomographic imaging can be challenging to interpret in such cases; radiologic findings can be used to differentiate between the characteristics of oxidized regenerated cellulose and those of abscess formation on the vaginal cuff. Discussion: Oxidized regenerated cellulose has an appearance that often mimics postsurgical abscess formation. There are distinct characteristics that distinguish both findings. It is essential that patients’ records accurately describe the presence and location of regenerated oxidized cellulose when placed intraoperatively, and this information must be relayed to the interpreting radiologist to facilitate medical diagnosis and guide clinical management.
Comparison of On-load Voltage Methods in Artificial Contamination Test for Insulators

To compare the influences of rise-voltage method and up-and-down method on results of artificial contamination test for insulators,and to enrich content of researches on insulators' external insulation,multiple insulator tests were performed in natural high altitude(2 100 m) area.Test specimen insulators include three large tonnage porcelain insulators with different types,XWP-300kN and XHP2-300 for AC system,XZP-300 for DC system and two long-string composite insulators with different shed configurations,and artificial contamination tests were performed under both AC and DC voltage using the two methods,respectively.Test results indicate that the pollution flashover voltage obtained by rise-voltage method is generally higher than that of up-and-down method under both AC and DC voltage;under AC voltage,the difference is around 11% for porcelain insulators,but for composite insulators,the relationship between flashover voltage and salt density is also influenced by the insulator shed configuration.For DC tests on composite insulators,no regular differences exist between the flashover voltages,so the correction between them is unsuited.Further analyses show that the differences in results between these two methods are mainly due to the differences of surface condition of the test insulators during the test process.This work can provide experimental support and references for the comparison of test results from different researchers and establishment of artificial contamination test standard for composite insulators.
Photoelectrochemical study of p-GaP(100)|ZnO|AuNP devices: strategies for enhanced electron transfer and aqueous catalysis

We report a photocathode device consisting of GaP, a metal oxide (Al2O3 or ZnO), a phosphonate-C12-thiol monolayer, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPs enhance electron transfer: in non-aqueous electrochemistry (EtV(2+) in MeCN), p-GaP|Al2O3|O3PC12S|AuNP and …ZnO|…|AuNP rescued the photocurrent (24%, 59% of Jmax-etch). Aqueous experiments (CO2 saturated KCl) using the optimized ZnO-functionalized device exhibited H(+) → H2 (FY = 66%) and CO2 → CO (FY = 6%).
A Study of the New Mode of Creative Talents Training in Higher Education:Network Education

Under the background of economic globalization,the traditional mode of higher education has been faced with serious challenges.This paper suggested that the developmental pattern of higher education be widened combined with modern information and network characteristics.It should attach importance to creative talents training and construction of new mode and new ideas about creative talents training of higher education.This paper mainly focused on the meanings,characteristics,and effects of internet education,and on how to utilize internet education for creative talents training.It was concluded that internet education was an effective approach for creative talents training and achievement of social study.
Discrete sliding controller design with robustness to implementation imprecisions via online uncertainty prediction

Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) is one of the main sources of controller implementation imprecisions due to sampling and quantization. In this paper, a new control approach is developed to mitigate the ADC imprecisions by (i) identifying the ADC imprecisions in the early stages of a controller design cycle, (ii) developing a mechanism for real-time prediction of uncertainties due to ADC, and (iii) incorporating the predicted uncertainties into the controller design. To this end, a generic online technique is developed to predict sampling and quantization uncertainties on measured signals. Then a discrete sliding mode controller (DSMC) is designed for incorporation of ADC uncertainties. Inclusion of predicted imprecisions into the DSMC requires the knowledge of propagated uncertainties on control signals. An experimental approach is proposed for a general class of nonlinear systems to estimate the propagated ADC uncertainties on control inputs. The proposed control approach is illustrated on an automotive engine control problem. The designed controller is tested in real-time in a processor-in-the-loop (PIL) setup using an actual electronic control unit (ECU). The results show that the proposed control approach significantly improves the robustness of the controllers to ADC imprecisions. This provides up to 90% improvement in the performance of the controller under ADC imprecisions compared to a baseline sliding controller.
Unraveling the diversity in arc volcanic eruption styles: Examples from the Aleutian volcanic arc, Alaska

Abstract The magmatic systems feeding arc volcanoes are complex, leading to a rich diversity in eruptive products and eruption styles. This review focuses on examples from the Aleutian subduction zone, encompassed within the state of Alaska, USA because it exhibits a rich diversity in arc structure and tectonics, sediment and volatile influx feeding primary magma generation, crustal magma differentiation processes, with the resulting outcome the production of a complete range in eruption styles from its diverse volcanic centers. Recent and ongoing investigations along the arc reveal controls on magma production that result in diversity of eruptive products, from crystal-rich intermediate andesites to phenocryst-poor, melt-rich silicic and mafic magmas and a spectrum in between. Thus, deep to shallow crustal “processing” of arc magmas likely greatly influences the physical and chemical character of the magmas as they accumulate in the shallow crust, the flow physics of the magmas as they rise in the conduit, and eruption style through differences in degassing kinetics of the bubbly magmas. The broad spectrum of resulting eruption styles thus depends on the bulk magma composition, melt phase composition, and the bubble and crystal content (phenocrysts and/or microlites) of the magma. Those fundamental magma characteristics are in turn largely determined by the crustal differentiation pathway traversed by the magma as a function of tectonic location in the arc, and/or the water content and composition of the primary magmas. The physical and chemical character of the magma, set by the arc differentiation pathway, as it ascends towards eruption determines the kinetic efficiency of degassing versus the increasing internal gas bubble overpressure. The balance between degassing rate and the rate at which gas bubble overpressure builds then determines the conditions of fragmentation, and ultimately eruption intensity.
A hybrid hardware and software approach for cancelling stimulus artifacts during same-electrode neural stimulation and recording

Recovering neural responses from electrode recordings is fundamental for understanding the dynamics of neural networks. This effort is often obscured by stimulus artifacts in the recordings, which result from stimuli injected into the electrode-tissue interface. Stimulus artifacts, which can be orders of magnitude larger than the neural responses of interest, can mask short-latency evoked responses. Furthermore, simultaneous neural stimulation and recording on the same electrode generates artifacts with larger amplitudes compared to a separate electrode setup, which inevitably overwhelm the amplifier operation and cause unrecoverable neural signal loss. This paper proposes an end-to-end system combining hardware and software techniques for actively cancelling stimulus artifacts, avoiding amplifier saturation, and recovering neural responses during current-controlled in-vivo neural stimulation and recording. The proposed system is tested in-vitro under various stimulation settings by stimulating and recording on the same electrode with a superimposed pre-recorded neural signal. Experimental results show that neural responses can be recovered with minimal distortion even during stimulus artifacts that are several orders greater in magnitude.
Identification of Objects-of-Interest in X-Ray Images

The objective of this research is to automatically detect and locate devices-of-interest (DOI) in x-ray images, even if partially obscured by devices of no interest, using a new ALISA Component Module. This preliminary study was performed using a single DOI, a 9mm Colt Beretta, but the solution method can easily accommodate other DOIs. Results obtained in real-time (a few seconds) revealed a robust and accurate classifier that could easily assist security personnel at the defined venue: carry-on luggage x-ray machines in airports. This research project was funded by the defense threat reduction agency (DTRA).
Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Childhood Onset Epilepsy

The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) among 519 patients with epilepsy, and the clinical characteristics of patients with both pathologies were analyzed retrospectively at Saga University, Japan.
Monitoring early response to chemoradiotherapy with 18F-FMISO dynamic PET in head and neck cancer.

Purpose There is growing recognition that biologic features of the tumor microenvironment affect the response to cancer therapies and the outcome of cancer patients. In head and neck cancer (HNC) one such feature is hypoxia. We investigated the utility of 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) dynamic positron emission tomography (dPET) for monitoring the early microenvironmental response to chemoradiotherapy in HNC.
Confining Metal–Organic Framework Nanocrystals within Mesoporous Materials: A General Approach via “Solid-State” Synthesis

Here we report the selective growth of well-dispersed metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals within mesoporous materials via novel “solid-state” synthesis. The ability to control and direct the growth of MOFs on confined surfaces (pores) paves the way for new prospective applications of such hybrid systems and could unlock the full potential of these materials. As confirmed by a combination of different characterization techniques, an outstanding high loading of mesoporous cavities (≤40 wt %) by the smallest MOF crystals yet reported (4.5 ± 1 nm) leads to several improved properties, including diffusion, attrition resistance, and handling.
Three-Dimensional Super-resolution Imaging of Single Nanoparticles Delivered by Pipettes

Controlled three-dimensional positioning of nanoparticles is achieved by delivering single fluorescent nanoparticles from a nanopipette and capturing them at well-defined regions of an electrified substrate. To control the position of single nanoparticles, the force of the pressure-driven flow from the pipette is balanced by the attractive electrostatic force at the substrate, providing a strategy by which nanoparticle trajectories can be manipulated in real time. To visualize nanoparticle motion, a resistive-pulse electrochemical setup is coupled with an optical microscope, and nanoparticle trajectories are tracked in three dimensions using super-resolution fluorescence imaging to obtain positional information with precision in the tens of nanometers. As the particles approach the substrate, the diffusion kinetics are analyzed and reveal either subdiffusive (hindered) or superdiffusive (directed) motion depending on the electric field at the substrate and the pressure-driven flow from the pipette. By bal...
Community-Based Water Systems: Preserving Livelihood, Ecology, and Community

In the high desert region of the southwestern United States, historical Spanish colonial and native Pueblo settlements long relied upon community-based water collection and distribution systems for irrigation and domestic use. This paper adopts a community-based planning approach to examine the ways in which the community water and irrigation systems—the acequias—today contribute to the maintenance of the cultural landscape and ecological balance in the face of development pressures on traditional land use and natural resources. The formal authority of the acequias—associations of irrigators maintaining and operating irrigation channels—as political subdivisions of the state provide a means for coordinated regional resource planning in concert with state and local government, although challenged by powerful economic and political interests.
Symphony of the regulators: How do plants control complex responses to environmental signals?

There are several models we use to conceptualize how plants respond to environmental signals through transcriptional regulation. In perhaps the best-understood model, the perception of some environmental signal flows through one or several mechanisms to a master regulator, often a transcription