cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACTH regulation of cholesterol movement in isolated adrenal cells

Confluent bovine adrenal cell primary cultures respond to stimulation by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to produce steroids (initially predominantly cortisol and corticosterone) at about one-tenth of the output of similarly stimulated rat adrenal cells. The early events of steroidogenesis, following ACTH stimulation, have been investigated in primary cultures of bovine adrenal cortical cells. Steroidogenesis was elevated 4–6-fold within 5 min of exposure to 10−7 M ACTH and increased linearly for 12 h and declined thereafter. Cholesterol side-chain cleavage (SCC) activity was increased 2.5-fold in mitochondria isolated from cells exposed for 2 h to ACTH and 0.5 mM aminoglutethimide (AMG), even though cytochrome P-450sce only increases after 12 h. Mitochondrial-free cholesterol levels increased during the same time period (16.5–25 μg/mg of protein), but then both cholesterol levels and SCC activity declined in parallel. More prolonged exposure to ACTH prior to addition of AMG caused the elevation in mitochondrial cholesterol to more than double, possibly due to enhanced binding capacity. Early ACTH-induced effects on cellular steroidogenesis result from these changes in mitochondrial-free cholesterol. The maximum rate of cholesterol transport to mitochondria in AMG-blocked cells was consistent with the maximum rate of cellular steroidogenesis. Cycloheximide (0.2 mM) rapidly blocked (< 10min) cellular steroidogenesis, cholesterol SCC activity, and access of cholesterol to cytochrome P-450sce without affecting mitochondrial-free cholesterol. Exposure of confluent cultures to the potent environmental toxicant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) (1O−8 M), for 24 h prior to ACTH addition decreased the rates of ACTH- and cAMP-stimulated steroidogenesis but did not affect the basal rate. In both cases, the effectiveness of TCDD increased with time of exposure to the stimulant. Although cholesterol accumulated in the presence of ACTH and AMG (13–28 μg/mg), pretreatment of cells with TCDD caused a decrease in mitochondrial cholesterol (13-8 μg/mg). The effect of TCDD was produced relatively rapidly ((t12 ∼ 4 h). Since even in the absence of TCDD, the mitochondria of ACTH-stimulated cells also eventually lose cholesterol (after 2 h) TCDD pretreatment may increase the presence of a protein(s) that cause this mitochondrial-cholesterol depletion following stimulation by ACTH or cAMP. Examination of the effects of in vivo treatment of rats with ACTH and cycloheximide on isolated rat adrenal mitochondria supports the hypothesis that ACTH stimulates highly labile regulatory protein(s) that modulate transfer of cholesterol between mitochondrial membranes and possibly also the phospholipid content of the outer membrane. Studies from several laboratories suggest that SCP2 and phosphatidyl inositides may exert additional synergistic effects on cholesterol transfer to P-450sec while fatty acid binding protein and Apo E1 may be candidates for mitochondrial-cholesterol storage and removal. Bovine adrenal cells offer an excellent model to study these processes further.
Cold Ideal Equation of State for Strongly Magnetized Neutron Star Matter: Effects on Muon Production and Pion Condensation

Neutron stars with very strong surface magnetic fields have been suggested as the site for the origin of observed soft gamma repeaters (SGRs). In this paper we investigate the influence of such strong magnetic fields on the properties and internal structure of these strongly magnetized neutron stars (magnetars). We study properties of a degenerate equilibrium ideal neutron-proton-electron (npe) gas with and without the effects of the anomalous nucleon magnetic moment in a strong magnetic field. The presence of a sufficiently strong magnetic field changes the ratio of protons to neutrons as well as the neutron drip density. We also study the appearance of muons as well as pion condensation in strong magnetic fields. We discuss the possibility that boson condensation in the interior of magnetars might be a source of SGRs.
Special-interest subgroups at the ASCB: Proteoglycans and cell adhesion

Abstract The annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a large and diverse gathering. At last year's meeting * , there were over 8000 attendees, and the topics discussed covered many areas of cell biology. It would be impossible to cover the entire meeting within a trends in CELL BIOLOGY report, so instead we are focusing on an aspect of it that provided some of the most interesting and fruitful discussions. On Saturday afternoon, before the main symposia began, there were 11 special-interest subgroup meetings. The atmosphere at these meetings was informal, and they encouraged open and frank discussion of data and issues. This report provides a brief summary of the discussions at seven of the special-interest subgroup meetings.
Singular vectors and their nonlinear evolution during the January 2009 stratospheric sudden warming

The evolution and structure of stratospheric singular vectors (SVs) during the major stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) of January 2009 are investigated. SV analyses, optimized for growth at stratospheric levels over 72 h, were examined for selected dates before and during the SSW. It was found that the initial and final SV fields have larger horizontal structures during the SSW event than before the SSW event. A high-altitude forecast model was initialized with perturbations taken from the initial time SV structures and integrated for 144 h to study growth and nonlinear changes in a highly disturbed polar vortex. When large-amplitude initial SV perturbations were forecast during the SSW, large changes occurred in the descent of the SSW event and poleward focusing of the Eliassen–Palm fluxes. Examination of the development of SV analysis suggests that stratospheric SV growth occurs through wave-action conservation as initial SV perturbations propagate into the polar vortex jet.
The design of low jitter hard limiters

Hard limiters, which are nearly identical to level crossing detectors or zero crossing detectors, are an integral part of many communications systems, of devices for characterizing precision oscillators, and of analog-to-digital converters. The purpose of a hard limiter is to divide the continuous range of an analog input signal into two regions and to provide a digital output indicating the region in which the signal is. This digital output must, by definition, have an extremely short transition time. A hard limiter is thus a slope amplifier, since a slowly varying input must produce a very rapidly varying output. Noise in the amplifiers causes the output transition to be jarred from its correct position producing jitter in the output. This paper presents the analysis and details the design of very low jitter hard limiters. Their immediate application is to the measurement of high stability signal sources and to deep space communication and ranging; the results, however, are easily adapted to many other purposes such as waveform digitization. One of the devices described has been built. Its performance agrees closely with theory and is vastly superior to that of conventional instrumentation.
The infrared optical constants of sulfuric acid at 250 K

Results are presented for measurements of the IR spectral reflectance at near-normal incidence of aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid with acid concentrations of 75% and 95.6% by weight. Kramers-Kronig analyses of the reflectance data are employed to obtain values of the optical constants n(nu) and k(nu) in the spectral range from 400 to 6000 cm to the -1 power. The optical constants of these solutions at 250 K and 300 K are compared. It is found that in spectral regions remote from strong absorption bands, the values of the n(nu) indices obtained at 250 K agree with the values given by Lorentz-Lorenz correction of the same indices at 300 K. All absorption bands observed at 300 K are found to be present at 250 K with slight shifts in frequency and with significant differences in the k(nu) indices at the band maxima. Based on these results, it is concluded that the clouds of Venus probably consist of droplets of aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid with acid concentrations of about 75% by weight.
Method for measuring the standard heat of decomposition of materials

Abstract A simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer was used to investigate the gravimetric and energetic behavior of a decomposing sample. Mathematical models were developed from the first law of thermodynamics to accurately quantify the energetic characteristics of a decomposing sample. Models were used to obtain the heat of melting, standard heat of decomposition, heat of decomposition, and heat of gasification. Materials tested in the study included aluminum alloys, chemicals, polymers and composite samples. It was determined that the heat of decomposition of a sample is different than the area difference of the apparent and sensible specific heat curves, an approach that is currently used in the literature. The standard heat of decomposition of samples was proved to be a constant quantity, irrespective of the heating rate or the initial mass of the sample. The standard heat of decomposition estimated from the model was found to be independent of the inert mass in the sample. The model was capable of determining an accurate value of standard heat of decomposition using approximate data of decomposition products. Thus, the standard heat of decomposition is proposed as a unique energetic property of a sample.
Ecological aspects of seed dormancy loss

Advances in seed biology include progress in understanding the ecological significance of seed dormancy mechanisms. This knowledge is being used to make more accurate predictions of germination timing in the field. For several wild species whose seedlings establish in spring, seed populations show relevant variation that can be correlated with habitat conditions. Populations from severe winter sites, where the major risk to seedlings is frost, tend to have long chilling requirements or to germinate very slowly at low temperatures. Populations from warmer sites, where the major risk is drought, are non-dormant and germinate very rapidly under these same conditions. Seed populations from intermediate sites exhibit variation in dormancy levels, both among and within plants, which spreads germination across a considerable time period. For grasses that undergo dry after-ripening, seed dormancy loss can be successfully modelled using hydrothermal time. Dormancy loss for a seed population is associated with a progressive downward shift in the mean base water potential, i.e., the water potential below which half of the seeds will not germinate. Other parameters (hydrothermal time requirement, base temperature and standard deviation of base water potentials) tend to be constant through time. Simulation models for predicting dormancy loss in the field can be created by combining measurements of seed zone temperatures with equations that describe changes in mean base water potential as a function of temperature. Successful validation of these and other models demonstrates that equations based on laboratory data can be used to predict dormancy loss under widely fluctuating field conditions. Future progress may allow prediction of germination timing based on knowledge of intrinsic dormancy characteristics of a seed population and long-term weather patterns in the field.
Cementing high availability in openflow with RuleBricks

Controller applications in OpenFlow cannot be trivially augmented to support the various high availability (or failure recovery) models of server applications. Recent work on OpenFlow has largely assumed static replica configurations or has relied on controller developers to embed high availability support in their design. Instead, we present RuleBricks, a system for flexibly embedding high availability support in existing OpenFlow policies. RuleBricks introduces three key primitives: drop, insert, and reduce. We describe how these primitives can express various flow assignment and backup policies, demonstrating the one offered by the Chord protocol. We have implemented RuleBricks and the Chord assignment policy. Using simulation, we compare RuleBricks against a typical tree-based approach. We show that RuleBricks maintains linear scalability with the number of replicas on the Chord ring.
The importance of surgeon involvement in the evaluation of non-accidental trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT) is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, causing 50% of trauma-related deaths at our institution. Our purpose was to evaluate the necessity of primary surgical evaluation and admission to the trauma service for children presenting with NAT. METHODS: We reviewed all NAT patients from 2007-2011. Injury types, demographic data, and hospitalization information were collected. Comparisons to accidental trauma (AT) patients were made using Wilcoxon rank sum and Student's t tests. RESULTS: We identified 267 NAT patients presenting with 473 acute injuries. Injuries in NAT patients were more severe than in AT patients, and Injury Severity Scores, ICU admission rates, and mortality were all significantly (p12hours after hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Given the high incidence of polytrauma in NAT patients, prompt surgical evaluation is necessary to determine the scope of injury. Admission to the trauma service and a thorough tertiary survey should be considered for all patients. Language: en
Factors Predicting the Near-Final Height in Growth Hormone-Treated Children and Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease

Context: GH therapy is an accepted measure to increase adult height in young prepubertal patients suffering from growth failure related to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The impact of GH therapy on final height (FH) in CKD patients of pubertal age is unclear. Objective: This study set out to analyze near-FH in a cohort of GH-treated CKD patients. Design, Settings, and Patients: Of 240 evaluable patients in the Pfizer International Growth Database (KIGS) with CKD, 39% were prepubertal and 61% were pubertal at baseline; 45% were on conservative treatment for CKD, 28% were on dialysis, and 27% were in the period after renal transplantation. Main Outcome Measures: Near-FH, relation to pubertal stage, and factors predictive of growth response were the main outcome measures. Results: Mean height sd scores increased continuously during GH treatment until near-FH by 1.2 and 1.6 in boys and girls, respectively. Mean near-FH differed significantly from prepubertal patients showing severely delayed puberty (−3.6), la...
An experimental evaluation of domain-independent fault handling services in open multi-agent systems

A critical challenge to creating effective open multi-agent systems is allowing them to operate effectively in the face of potential failures. We present an experimental evaluation of a set of domain-independent services designed to handle the failure modes ("exceptions") that can occur in such environments, applied to the well-known "Contract Net" multi-agent system coordination protocol. We show that these services can produce substantially more effective fault handling behavior than standard existing techniques, while allowing simpler agent implementations.
Automated integration of flow-volume loop and acoustic data

Pulmonary function testing has been used as a primary tool in assessing an efficiency of the lungs operation. Within that test, maximal flow-volume curves provide clinically useful documentation of any flow limitations in a standardized fashion. Independently, acoustic sounds are used to characterize and reflect on qualitative aspects of flow and its disturbances. This project focused on the design and implementation of an automated system which merges the acoustic sound indicators with the flow-volume loops data which provide integrated and easily documented assessment of related lung functions. The graphical user interface eliminates the need for command line interface.
VOTER BEHAVIOR IN UNION CERTIFICATION ELECTIONS: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

This study assessed the relations among social pressures favoring unions, job satisfaction, perceptions of union instrumentality, and individuals'voter behavior using covariance structure analysis....
Plagiarism or ignorance? you decide

In a recent issue of IT Professional, Colin Neill and Ganesh Shanmuganthan's article ("A Web-Enabled Plagiarism Detection Tool/ IT Professional, Sept.-Oct. 2004, pp. 19-23) provided an overview of plagiarism detection products and services as an introduction to a description of their own system. The authors discussed the problem of plagiarism at all levels of academia - undergraduate, graduate, and unfortunately, even among authors of articles submitted to scholarly journals. Although scholarly authors and, to some degree, graduate students don't deserve any special consideration when it comes to plagiarism, there are other factors to consider when discussing "plagiarism" among undergraduate students.
Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of networked Au nanostructures fabricated using peptide templates

Bio-inspired-based methods represent new approaches for the fabrication and activation of nanomaterials, all under ambient and energy-neutral conditions. Recent advances have demonstrated the production of non-spherical materials of Pd and Pt; however, the production of similar Au materials remains challenging. Such fabrication routes are highly important as Au-based nanomaterials of selectable morphologies could have immediate applications in catalysis and energy storage. In this contribution, we demonstrate a peptide template-based methodology for the fabrication of Au nanoparticle networks, which are highly branched linear structures that are prepared in water at room temperature. The materials were fully characterized using UV-vis, TEM, XRD, and DLS, from which their catalytic activity was subsequently studied for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Using this approach, the materials were shown to be highly reactive as compared to comparable structures, which is likely due to their unique biological template. Together, this research represents a step forward in bio-based methodologies for the fabrication of functional and potentially sustainable materials.
Analysis of aluminum-26 labeled aluminum chlorohydrate

A small quantity of aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), the active ingredient in antiperspirants, was labeled with the radioisotope 26Al. This labeled drug will be used in future studies to measure the absorption of aluminum from antiperspirant use. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the technique used to make the 26Al-labeled ACH resulted in a uniformly labeled complex, and therefore any measurement of 26Al would be indicative of total aluminum. The labeled ACH was fractionated using gel filtration chromatography into 72 evenly spaced samples. The fractions were then measured for 26Al and total aluminum content using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results indicate that the ACH is uniformly labeled.
Regional economic impacts of Grand Canyon river runners

Economic impact analysis (EIA) of outdoor recreation can provide critical social information concerning the utilization of natural resources. Outdoor recreation and other non-consumptive uses of resources are viewed as environmentally friendly alternatives to extractive-type industries. While outdoor recreation can be an appropriate use of resources, it generates both beneficial and adverse socioeconomic impacts on rural communities. The authors used EIA to assess the regional economic impacts of rafting in Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon region of northern Arizona represents a rural US economy that is highly dependent upon tourism and recreational expenditures. The purpose of this research is twofold. The first is to ascertain the previously unknown regional economic impacts of Grand Canyon river runners. The second purpose is to examine attributes of these economic impacts in terms of regional multipliers, leakage, and types of employment created. Most of the literature on economic impacts of outdoor recreation has focused strictly on the positive economic impacts, failing to illuminate the coinciding adverse and constraining economic impacts. Examining the attributes of economic impacts can highlight deficiencies and constraints that limit the economic benefits of recreation and tourism. Regional expenditure information was obtained by surveying non-commercial boaters and commercial outfitters. The authors used IMPLAN input-output modeling to assess direct, indirect, and induced effects of Grand Canyon river runners. Multipliers were calculated for output, employment, and income. Over 22,000 people rafted on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in 2001, resulting in an estimated $21,100,000 of regional expenditures to the greater Grand Canyon economy. However, over 50% of all rafting-related expenditures were not captured by the regional economy and many of the jobs created by the rafting industry are lower-wage and seasonal. Policy recommendations are given for increasing the regional retention of rafting expenditures and for understanding both the beneficial and adverse impacts that accompany outdoor recreation in rural areas.
Synthesis and structure of di-μ-bromo-bis[(1,5-dimethyl-6-oxo-3-(2-pyridyl)verdazyl)copper(I)]

Reaction of the verdazyl precursor 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2,4-dimethyl-6-(2′-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3(2H)-one (pvdH3) with oxygen and copper(I) bromide in acetonitrile results in precipitation of the crystalline diradical di-μ-bromo-bis[(1,5-dimethyl-6-oxo-3-(2-pyridyl)verdazyl)copper(I)]. The solid shows a slightly anisotropic ESR spectrum and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the free radicals, consistent with the assignment as a copper(I) ion coordinated to a free radical.
Generalized wavelet transforms and the cortex transform

This paper presents a generalization of the continuous wavelet transform to higher dimensions. This generalization includes previous higher dimensional generalizations as special cases, without the loss of the elegance of the one-dimensional equations. One noteworthy special case is a transform that is closely related to the cortex transform developed by Watson (1987). This special case firmly relates the cortex transform to wavelet theory. This paper emphasizes the utility of the theory by using it to derive an implementation of the cortex transform. The generalized wavelet analysis introduced in this paper encompasses three important special cases of wavelet analysis: one-dimensional wavelet analysis, rectilinear wavelet analysis, and circular wavelet analysis. The preliminary results presented demonstrate that the wavelet-based cortex transform adequately represents an image and reconstructs it from its representation, provided some care is taken in the implementation. >
THE FLOW OF A LIQUID PAST A BARRIER IN A ROTATING SPHERICAL SHELL

Abstract The experiment reported in this paper was designed to study the effect of large mountain-barriers on zonal currents in the atmosphere. Obstacles of various sizes and shapes are moved zonally in a rotating spherical shell of liquid, and observations are made of the resulting perturbed flow. Striking differences occur, depending on the direction of relative rotation of the barrier. If the flow is westerly with respect to the obstacle (in the direction of the basic rotation), a strong anticyclonic circulation develops around it and this sets up planetary waves around the globe. The wave number is found to correspond very closely to a frequency equation derived from the vorticity equation. If the flow is easterly relative to the obstacle, a similar anticyclonic circulation arises, but is confined to the immediate vicinity of the barrier. No long waves occur but, if the motion is viewed with respect to the spherical bowls, the obstacle, moving eastward, drags a strong westerly jet with it in its latit...
Politics of Culture in Urban Indigenous Community-Based Diabetes Programs

This article examines community-based approaches to the prevention and management of diabetes in the indigenous urban community of Toronto. A critical perspective of the concept of cultural capital in health promotion is provided to move beyond a functional representation of culture in addressing health inequalities and the production of health. Community-based programs are contextualized within the historical, cultural, and social relations of indigenous community-building, approaches to service delivery, and regional and national bureaucratization of indigenous resources.
Management of Venous Thromboembolism Recent Advances in Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Objective: To review clinical data on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used in the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as well as practical considerations when using these products. Data Sources: Searches of PubMed and Google Scholar for VTE, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and relevant drug international nonproprietary names were conducted. Additional online searches were conducted for prescribing information. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant articles on dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban for the management of VTE compared with oral vitamin K antagonists (VKAs; published between 1966 and December 2015) were reviewed and summarized, together with information on dosing, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and drug-drug interactions. Data Synthesis: The DOACs have the potential to circumvent many of the disadvantages of VKAs. At a minimum, they greatly increase the available therapeutic options, thus providing a greater opportunity for clinicians to select a ...
Comparative performance assessment of SiC and GaN power rectifier technologies

Silicon carbide and gallium nitride based Schottky and pin junction power rectifiers offer different performance trade-offs in terms of metrics such as forward voltage drop, switching energy loss and surge current capability. The goal of this paper is to identify the application space for different rectifier technologies. An analytical comparison between the performance of different power rectifier diodes for breakdown voltages ranging from 600V to over 8 kV is presented. It is shown that although GaN SBD offers some advantage over SiC diodes due to lower losses, low surge current capability of GaN may hinder its widespread adoption in applications. (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Die elektromechanische Lenkung des VW Touran

Mit der Markteinfuhrung des Touran beschreitet die Volkswagen AG neue Wege im Fahrwerksbereich. Neben der Vierlenkerhinterachse und diversen anderen Neuheiten erhalt in Europa erstmals ein Fahrzeug im Kompakt-Van-Segment eine elektromechanische Lenkung. Der Beitrag gibt einen Einblick in die wesentlichen Funktionen der Lenkung des Touran und vermittelt einen Ausblick in die Weiterentwicklung elektrischer Lenkungen bei der Volkswagen AG.
Agricultural practices for food safety threaten pest control services for fresh produce

Summary Over the past decade, several foodborne disease outbreaks provoked widespread reforms to the fresh produce industry. Subsequent concerns about wildlife vectors and contaminated manures created pressure on growers to discontinue use of manure-based composts and remove nearby semi-natural vegetation. Despite widespread adoption, impacts of these practices on ecosystem services such as pest control have not been assessed. We used a landscape-scale field experiment to quantify associations between compost applications, semi-natural vegetation, pest control services and lettuce yields on organic farms throughout California's Central Coast, a region experiencing food safety reforms. We found that farms with surrounding semi-natural vegetation supported a diverse arthropod assemblage, whereas a herbivore-dominated assemblage occupied farms in simplified landscapes. Moreover, predatory arthropods consumed more herbivores at sites with more surrounding non-crop vegetation and reduced aphid pest infestations in lettuce. Compost improved lettuce yields by increasing soil nutrients and organic matter, but affected neither pest control nor Escherichia coli prevalence. Synthesis and applications. Food safety concerns are prompting practices that simplify farms and landscapes. Our results demonstrate that two practices – elimination of manure-based composts and removal of non-crop vegetation – are likely having negative impacts on arthropod biodiversity, pest control and soil quality. Critically, our findings and previous research suggest that compost can be applied safely and that habitat removal is likely ineffective at mitigating food safety risk. There is thus scope for co-managing fresh produce fields for food safety, ecosystem services, and biodiversity through applying appropriately treated composts and stopping habitat removal.
Endogenous Estrogen Regulates Somatostatin-Induced Rebound GH Secretion in Postmenopausal Women.

Background: Systemic concentrations of T, estradiol (E2), GH, IGF-1, and IGF binding protein-3 decline in healthy aging individuals. Conversely, T and E2 stimulate GH and IGF-1 production in hypogonadal patients. Hypothesis: Because E2 stimulates GH secretion, putatively via the nuclear estrogen receptor-α and E2 and GH fall with menopause, we postulated that diminished endogenous E2 contributes to low GH output in older women. Location: The study was conducted at the Mayo Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Study Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study in 60 healthy postmenopausal women treated with the following: 1) double placebo; 2) anastrozole, a potent inhibitor of aromatase-enzyme activity, which mediates E2 synthesis from T; and/or 3) fulvestrant, a selective estrogen receptor-α antagonist. Methods: GH pulse generation was quantified by frequent GH sampling before and after short-term iv somatostatin infusion, thought to induce hypothalamic GHRH-mediated rebound-li...
From "Culturally Deprived" to "At Risk": The Politics of Popular Expression and Educational Inequality in the United States, 1960-1985.

This article examines the terms “culturally deprived” and “disadvantaged” in light of their popular use in the sixties and following decades, particularly in the ethnic and mainstream press. These ...
Shifting attention to dynamics: Self-reconfiguration of neural networks

Abstract In recent years, considerable evidence has accrued indicating that brain function can be flexibly reconfigured on the fly: many brain areas are capable of carrying out a variety of distinct functions and are able to switch between those functions in a context-sensitive, dynamic fashion. Some evidence has also emerged that ongoing brain activity, the ceaseless background brain dynamics, may be implicated in setting and controlling these flexible functions as well as attentional gain. A crucial link between them is dynamics. Here we review both the accumulating evidence as well as propose a theoretical outline of dynamical mechanisms for functional self-reconfiguration of neural networks, including reconfiguration of logic function, reconfiguration of information routing, and poising at critical points to switch dynamics.
Reading Math: A Comparison of Reading and Listening to Algebraic Problems:

Digital text is being used in elementary and secondary education for students with and without disabilities, but without much consideration as to its impact on student outcomes. This single-subject...
Areal Fractal Methods

In this chapter the basic nature of fractals is discussed and practical applications of fractal-based methods for useful characterisation of surface topography are examined. Length-scale and area-scale fractal analysis methods are examined in detail because these methods have industrial and scientific value, and are now part of ASME and ISO specification standards. The context and rationale for using fractal analysis for describing surface topography are examined first, followed by discussion of the chaotic nature of measured surface topographies. Length-scale and area-scale analysis methods, which exploit the fractal nature of topographies, are then reviewed, with an emphasis on areal methods. In addition, examples are presented of the discoveries of functional correlations, and the abilities to discriminate that are made possible by multi-scale fractal analysis.
University of Illinois System in HOO Text Correction Shared Task

In this paper, we describe the University of Illinois system that participated in Helping Our Own (HOO), a shared task in text correction. We target several common errors, such as articles, prepositions, word choice, and punctuation errors, and we describe the approaches taken to address each error type. Our system is based on a combination of classifiers, combined with adaptation techniques for article and preposition detection. We ranked first in all three evaluation metrics (Detection, Recognition and Correction) among six participating teams. We also present type-based scores on preposition and article error correction and demonstrate that our approach achieves best performance in each task.
Using the Pecha Kucha speech to analyze and train humor skills

ABSTRACTCourses: Public speaking; communication courses requiring speeches.Objective: Students will learn how to apply humor principles to speeches through a slideshow method supportive of this goal, and to become more discerning about the possibilities and pitfalls of humorous communication.
Parallel Implicit Solvers for Steady, Compressible Aerodynamics

Publisher Summary The computations of steady transonic flow are often approached through a process of semi- implicit pseudo-transient continuation: a time derivative is appended to the governing of Euler or Navier–Stokes equations and the discretized time step is chosen according to several criteria. Conventional factorizations yield sparse block triangular or block tridiagonal systems not ideally suited for large-scale parallelism. Despite the dual requirements of high-order spatial accuracy and high Reynolds numbers in aerodynamic applications, delta forms of the governing equations with low-order upwind implicit parts can be effectively preconditioned in a domain-parallel fashion and accelerated using methods of Krylov type, such as GMRES, Bi-CGSTAB, and Transpose-Free QMR. Newton-Krylov methods are potentially well suited for the implicit solution of nonlinear problems, whenever it is unreasonable to compute or store a true Jacobian. Krylov-Schwarz iterative methods are well suited for the parallel implicit solution of multidimensional systems of boundary value problems that arise in CFD. They provide good data locality so that even a high-latency workstation network can be employed as a parallel machine. The combination of these two methods is known as “Newton-Krylov-Schwarz.” Numerical experiments are discussed in this chapter based on some algorithmic and implementation aspects: the use of mixed discretization schemes in the (implicitly defined) Jacobian and its preconditioner, the selection of the differencing parameter in the formation of the action of the Jacobian, and workstation network implementation.
LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY OF LEUKEMIC BLASTS FROM PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RECEPTORS FOR IgG Fc

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the locomotor activity of leukemic blasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its relationship with receptors for IgG Fc. In an experiment described in the chapter, receptors for IgG Fc on leukemic blasts were determined using ox RBC coated with IgG anti-ox RBC antibody. Surface immunoglobulins were assayed by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated F(ab′) 2 antisera monospecific for heavy chain of immunoglobulins. Chemotaxis assay was performed using modified Boyden's chambers. The results of the chemotaxis in acute myeloblastic, acute myelomonocytic, and acute promyelocytic leukemia are discussed in the chapter. Patients 1–6 had few leukemic blasts with IgG receptors. Leukemic blasts from these patients either did not move or moved poorly toward both casein and EAS. No surface immunoglobulin (SIg) was found on the leukemic blasts. Patients 7 and 8 had 78% and 44% blasts that bore IgG receptors but lacked surface SIg. The leukemic blasts from both of these patients moved very well toward chemoattractants. Patient 9 had 28% leukemic blasts with IgG Fc receptors and 15% with SIgG. Patients 10 and 11 with acute myelomonocytic leukemia had few leukemic blasts with IgG Fc receptors, and they moved very poorly toward casein endotoxin activated serum.
Low Temperature Kiloatmosphere Apparatus

The development of experimental apparatus for high pressure studies at low temperatures in our laboratory can be sonne what arbitrarily divided into three parts: the generation, the transmission, and the containment of pressure. Much of the development has followed lines pioneered by Bridgman; some of the problems are peculiar to low temperatures.1
Lesions of Extravillous Trophoblast

Lesions of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) have been known for over 100 years. The first lesion that was described, “syncytial endometritis,” is a nonneoplastic lesion that is merely an exuberant proliferation of the EVT in the implantation site. It was later renamed exaggerated placental site. Another lesion of EVT was described shortly thereafter, the “syncytioma.” Other designations, such as chorioma, atypical chorionepithelioma, chorionepitheliosis, and trophoblastic pseudotumor, have also been used. It was first thought that it was also a benign, nonneoplastic proliferation of EVT, hence the designation of pseudotumor. Reports of lesions with aggressive behavior and metastasis, however, have led to its reclassification as a potentially malignant neoplasm. It is since been renamed placental site trophoblastic tumor. Much more recently, two additional lesions of EVT have been described: a benign nonneoplastic lesion called the placental site nodule, and a variant of placental site trophoblastic tumor, the epithelioid trophoblastic tumor.
Influence of Surface Heterogeneity on Thermodynamics of Adsorption. Computer Simulation Study

Two models of adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces are considered and compared to analogous models for adsorption on homogeneous surfaces. One model is one-dimensional adsorption of hard rods on a line in a random external field (comparable to the Tonks gas on a line). Another is adsorption of soft repulsive spheres on amorphous carbon, compared to the spheres on graphite. For the one-dimensional model, the distribution of the adsorption sites in energy is qualitatively the same as for a real heterogeneous surface. In both cases the variation of the differential entropy of adsorption vs. coverage on heterogeneous surfaces is shown to be considerably smaller than on homogeneous ones.
High-Speed Precision Handling Technology of Micro-Chip for Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging (FOWLP) Application

This paper proposed a high-speed precision handling technology of micro-chip using programmable laser debonding technology for fan-out wafer level packaging (FOWLP) application, and investigated the programmable capability, the speed and the accuracy with laser debonding experiments on chips down to 25umX25um. The proposed FOWLP approach has features of: (a) all steps are based on wafer-level processes by using programmable laser debonding technology to achieve the reconstituted wafer, enabling high-speed precision hanldinghandling technology for micro-chip. And, (b) two bonding interface layers, one high-strength adhesive layer for chips firmly joined to handler and the other UV-sensitive layer for easily laser debonding, can improve the die-shift issues. The successfully debonding results, including selectively debonding 200umX400um chips from handler wafer and specifically debonding 25umX25um chips forming the letters "IBM", indicates the programmable capability of this technology. The experiment results show that the debonding speed can be up to 360,000 components per hour (cph), and the debonding accuracy can be in the microns range.
Functional mapping of the E. coli translational machinery using single-molecule tracking.

The organization of the chromosomal DNA and ribosomes in living Escherichia coli is compared under two growth conditions: 'fast' (50 min doubling time) and 'slow' (147 min doubling time). Superresolution fluorescence microscopy reveals strong DNA-ribosome segregation in both cases. In both fast and slow growth, free ribosomal subunits evidently must circulate between the nucleoid (where they initiate co-transcriptional translation) and ribosome-rich regions (where most translation occurs). Single-molecule diffusive behavior dissects the ribosome copies into translating 70S polysomes and free 30S subunits, providing separate spatial distributions for each. In slow growth, ~21,000 total 30S copies/cell comprise ~65% translating 70S ribosomes and ~35% free 30S subunits. The ratio of 70S ribosomes to free 30S subunits is ~2.5 outside the nucleoid and ~0.50 inside the nucleoid. This new level of quantitative detail may motivate development of comprehensive, three-dimensional reaction-diffusion models of ribosome, DNA, mRNA and RNAP spatial distributions and dynamics within the E. coli cytoplasm.
Radio-Frequency Processing for Inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in Black Peppercorn

Several Salmonella outbreaks linked to black pepper call for effective inactivation processes, because current decontamination methods result in quality deterioration. Radio-frequency (RF) heating provides a rapid heating rate and volumetric heating, resulting in a shorter come-up time. This allows for choosing a high-temperature and short-time combination to achieve the desired inactivation with minimal quality deterioration. The objectives of this study were to evaluate RF heating for inactivation of Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium in black peppercorn and evaluate quality changes of RF-treated black peppercorn. Black peppercorns were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of Salmonella or E. faecium to attain initial population levels of 6.8 and 7.3 log CFU/g, respectively, and were then adjusted to a moisture content of 12.7% (wet basis) and a water activity of 0.60 at room temperature. A stability test was performed to quantify the microbial reduction during inoculation and equilibration before RF heating inactivation. During RF heating, the cold spot was determined to be at the center on the top surface of the treated sample. In addition to inoculating the entire sample, an inoculated packed sample was placed at the cold spot of the tray. An RF heating time of 2.5 min provided a 5.31- and 5.26-log CFU/g reduction in the entire sample contained in the tray for Salmonella and E. faecium, respectively. Color parameters (L*, a*, b*), piperine content, total phenolics, scavenging activity, and most of the volatile compounds of 2.5-min RF-treated samples were not significantly different from those of the control samples. These data suggest that RF heating is a promising thermal inactivation treatment for Salmonella without significant quality deterioration, and E. faecium seems to be a suitable surrogate for Salmonella to validate the efficacy of RF heating of black peppercorn.
Verifying Integrity of Big Data in Cloud Databases

While the user-base of cloud computing is growing rapidly, data owners worry about security of the data they store on clouds. Lack of appropriate control over the data might cause security violations. Therefore, all sensitive data stored in cloud databases must be protected at all times. This research paper outlines how data owners can keep their data secure and trustworthy, and how they can verify integrity of data in a cloud computing environment. The proposed model uses data partitioning to reach this goal. We have carried out performance analyses of the model through simulation and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the model.
Metabolite quantitative trait loci provide functional link between FADS2 and lung obstruction in asthmatics

Rationale: FADS2 encodes a crucial rate limiting enzyme within omega-3/6 fatty acid pathways, and has been linked to asthma. Metabolomics is ideally suited to explore the downstream implications of FADS2 variants on the asthmatic phenotype. Methods: Blood collected at recruitment in the Childhood Asthma Management Program was submitted for metabolomic and genome-wide profiling. Metabolite Quantitative Trait Loci (mQTL) analysis was used to identify metabolites associated with 72 SNPs in FADS2. Mediation analysis was conducted to determine if the genetic burden of airway obstruction was mediated through alterations in these metabolites. Results: 495 asthmatic children, including 59 with airway obstruction (%predicted FEV1/FVC Conclusions: We leveraged integrative-omic data to demonstrate mQTLs near FADS2 may drive differential abundance of key inflammatory metabolites influencing asthma. The balance of omega-3/6 fatty acid conversion regulated by FADS2 is crucial for the resolution of inflammation and dampening of airway hyper-responsiveness. However, FADS2 likely exerts its influence through other metabolomic pathways.
Transport across a bathymetric interface in quasi-two-dimensional flow

In many geophysical situations, variable bathymetry can affect surface transport and mixing. Experiments show that the effect of bathymetry is to produce a porous transport barrier leading to asymmetric transport. These results may help to explain the dynamics of phenomena such as ocean dead zones.
Finite elements in optimal structural design

The optimization of a structure modeled by finite elements can proceed in two diametrically opposed directions. The first direction is that of interfacing a finite element software package with an optimization package where both packages are treated primarily as black boxes. The second direction is the intimate integration of the finite element analysis and optimization processes. Many research structural optimization programs followed the second path for reasons of efficiency and convenience to the researchers who wrote these programs. However, in production codes the tendency is to follow the more modular first direction. The integrated approach is probably justified only when it reflects algorithmic integration of the analysis and optimization processes. This type of integration is presently at the research stage.
Employing Service-Learning to Reinforce Effective Program Theory in the Arts

Nonprofit arts organizations not only struggle to apply traditional program design and evaluation techniques to artistic outcomes but also have limited capacity in carrying out such practices that are essential to sound programs and organizational learning. This research positions graduate-level service-learning programs both as a solution for arts organizations with limited capacity in program design and as a robust pedagogical tool for students studying program theory in the nonprofit context. Framed by the complexities facing nonprofit arts organizations in employing traditional management techniques, I describe a graduate-level service-learning project that offers evidence of impact for increased organizational and student learning. Additionally, the research provides lessons learned for equivalent experiential learning settings, specifically in the nonprofit arts context. Subscribe to JNEL