cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous source consensus learning via decision propagation and negotiation

Nowadays, enormous amounts of data are continuously generated not only in massive scale, but also from different, sometimes conflicting, views. Therefore, it is important to consolidate different concepts for intelligent decision making. For example, to predict the research areas of some people, the best results are usually achieved by combining and consolidating predictions obtained from the publication network, co-authorship network and the textual content of their publications. Multiple supervised and unsupervised hypotheses can be drawn from these information sources, and negotiating their differences and consolidating decisions usually yields a much more accurate model due to the diversity and heterogeneity of these models. In this paper, we address the problem of "consensus learning" among competing hypotheses, which either rely on outside knowledge (supervised learning) or internal structure (unsupervised clustering). We argue that consensus learning is an NP-hard problem and thus propose to solve it by an efficient heuristic method. We construct a belief graph to first propagate predictions from supervised models to the unsupervised, and then negotiate and reach consensus among them. Their final decision is further consolidated by calculating each model's weight based on its degree of consistency with other models. Experiments are conducted on 20 Newsgroups data, Cora research papers, DBLP author-conference network, and Yahoo! Movies datasets, and the results show that the proposed method improves the classification accuracy and the clustering quality measure (NMI) over the best base model by up to 10%. Furthermore, it runs in time proportional to the number of instances, which is very efficient for large scale data sets.
PERFECTIONISM AND SHAME: EXPLORING THE CONNECTIONS

For almost as long as I can remember, I have been a perfectionist. In academics, professional work, hobbies, and even relationships, I have always been driven to perform as perfectly as possible. This desire for perfection has involved not only an effort to do my best in every situation, but also an intense fear of making mistakes—particularly mistakes that might be witnessed by others. To cite just one example, I remember vividly an event that occurred when I was about six years old.
Estimation of Alongwind Building Response

The differences between the values calculated for the dynamic alongwind response, the gust response factors, and the total alongwind response obtained using various current procedures may in certain cases be of the order of 100%. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of such differences. A comparison is made between alongwind deflections of typical buildings selected as case studies, calculated by both new and traditional procedures, some of which are described in various building codes. The reasons for the differences between the respective results are pointed out. The procedures were evaluated on the basis of a recently developed method which utilizes a logarithmic variation of wind speed with height above ground and a height-dependent expression for the spectrum of the longitudinal wind speed fluctuations. The method also allows for realistic cross-correlation between pressures on the windward and leeward building faces.
Rapid quantitation of uranium from mixed fission product samples

Chemical similarities between uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) create challenges for separation and quantitation of uranium isotopes from a mixed fission product sample. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate an improved chemical separation for the detection of 235U using gamma spectroscopy. The optimized method, which included extraction and anion exchange chromatography, demonstrated a consistent chemical yield of 74 ± 3 % for uranium. Using a fresh fission product sample the minimum detectable activity for 235U, 237U, and 238U was reduced by a factor of two. The chemical isolation of uranium was achieved in less than 4 h, with a separation factor of 1.41 × 105 from molybdenum.
The Analysis of Pigment Dispersion in Rubber by Means of Light Microscopy, Microradiography, and Electron Microscopy

Abstract The significance of these dispersion studies can be summarized as follows: 1) A simple but highly versatile liquid nitrogen freeze technique makes it possible to microtome pigment loaded rubber stocks into thin (0.05–0.1 microns, e.g.) cross sections for examination by means of light microscopy, microradiography or electron microscopy. All of the common elastomers including polybutadiene and silicone rubber have been successfully sectioned for each of these techniques. Thus the state of dispersion can readily be traced from coarse pigment agglomerates, a few hundred microns in size, down to the ultimate particles which can be below 20 millimicrons. 2) Through the use of one of the techniques described or by the coordinated use of all of them (“dispersion in depth”), most dispersion problems can be resolved. A very complete analysis of this type is often necessary to explain pigment effects upon reinforcement. 3) The effects of varied dispersion quality can now be studied directly using special x-...
Curative action of pamaquine naphthoate, quinacrine hydrochloride, and quinine bisulphate in Plasmodium cathemerium infections of the duck.

Many screening tests involving at least 6 different malarial parasites in 4 or 5 avian species were developed for the assay of suppressive or therapeutic activity. However, few procedures for curative tests in experimental malaria have been established, despite the fact that in human infections a large number of drugs possessing marked suppressive activity have been shown to have little or no curative action. Kelsey, Oldham, and Gittelson1 and Dearborn and Marshall2 have reported tests for curative
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

We carried out a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study in fourteen patients with unilateral Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. The purpose of this study was to show the process of deformation of the femoral head in this disease. In the early stage, the perichondral ring of the affected head was thicker than the unaffected hip in all cases and hypertrophy of this cartilage produced lateralization of the femoral head on plain roentgenograms.With progression of the disease, a high signal area appeared around the physis corresponding with the perichondral ring. Although this area extended proximally, the subchondral region near the sumit of the epiphysis remained as a relatively low signal area for a long time. This difference in reparative activity between the base and near the top of the epiphysis produced the typical residual deformity of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, the coxa magna and the coxa plana.We also measured the width of the hypertrophied cartilage on MRI films taken in the initial stage and discussed the relationship between the degree of width and final results. The thicker the cartilage was, the poorer the result. The measurement of articular cartilage in the early stage could predict the future of this disease.
THE EFFECT OF HIGH SPEEDS ON DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTORIZED SPINDLE SYSTEM

High-speed cutting machining quality and processing efficiency are closely related to the dynamics of a high-speed spindle system, and the rotating speed also has a significant effect on it. The paper firstly determines the impact factors of a high-speed spindle system, including the centrifugal force, gyroscopic moments and the bearing stiffness softening, etc. Then it builds the general spindle-bearing FEM considering high speeds. Taking a motorized spindle as an example, the effect of a centrifugal force, the gyroscopic effect, the radial stiffness and the coupling factors are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Finally, the research shows that the variations of bearing radial stiffness, centrifugal forces and gyroscopic moments, have significant effects on the dynamics of a spindle system in high speeds. Thusly, when modeling a high speed spindle system, above factors must be taken into consideration.
Use of fluorescence indicators in receptor ligands.

Fluorescence techniques can provide insights into the environment of fluorescence indicators incorporated within a ligand as it is bound to its receptor. Fluorescence indicators of different sizes and chemical characteristics can provide insights into the nature of the binding environment, the surrounding structures, and even into conformational changes associated with receptor activation. Methods for determining fluorescence spectral analysis, fluorescence quenching, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetimes, and red edge excitation shifts of the ligand probes are described. The applications of these techniques to the CCK1 receptor occupied by alexa(488)-CCK and aladan-CCK, as examples of probes developed (1) by derivatization of an existing peptide and (2) by incorporation during peptide synthesis, are utilized as examples. These methods represent powerful tools to expand our understanding of the structure and molecular basis of ligand activation of G protein-coupled receptors.
Impact of peptide modifications on the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation method accuracy.

In this study, the impact of amino acid modifications on the accuracy of the iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) method was evaluated. MCF-7 breast cancer cells, cultured in the presence of 17β-estradiol and tamoxifen, were used as a model system. The cells were labeled and analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and pulsed Q dissociation ion trap tandem mass spectrometry detection. Database searching was performed by using various combinations of amino acid modification allowances, i.e, Lys/Tyr/Cys and amino terminal iTRAQ labeling, Lys methylation, acetylation and carbamylation, and Cys/Met oxidation. Other than the intended Lys/amino terminal iTRAQ labeling, such modifications occur as a result of either enzymatic or sample preparation related reactions and are typically ignored in quantitation analysis to minimize the rate of false-positive peptide identifications. The study revealed that the modifications with the greatest impact on protein identification and quantit...
Regioselective competition between the formation of seven-membered and five-membered cyclometalated platinacycles preceded by Csp2Csp3 reductive elimination

Abstract A mixture of seven-membered and five-membered platinacycle complexes are eventually formed after a series of substitution, oxidative addition, and reductive elimination reactions between the platinum dimer, cis -[Pt 2 Me 4 ( μ -SMe 2 ) 2 ] and the naphthyl-derived CˆN chelate ligands, (8-XC 10 H 6 CH = N-R), X = I, Br; R = phenyl and 4-Cl-benzyl. From the tethered ligand, either an sp 2 C H bond can be activated forming a five-membered ring or an sp 3 C H bond can be activated forming a seven-membered ring. All compounds have the imine included in the platinacycle. The ratio of complexes as a function of ring size varies depending on ligand architecture of the chelate ligand and the nature of other ligands in the coordination sphere. The cyclometalated platinum complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. One complex with a seven-membered ring was characterized crystallographically. Reductive elimination reactions of isolated and/or identified cyclometalated, six-membered platinum(IV) compounds [PtMe 2 Br{C 10 H 6 CH = NCH 2 (4-ClC 6 H 4 )}L] and [PtMe 2 Br{C 10 H 6 CH = N(C 6 H 5 )}L] (L = SMe 2 ) to form C sp3 C sp2 bonds, followed by competition between C sp2 H and C sp3 H bond activation are also reported.
Quantifying Proton Fields for Midline Brain Tumors: A Benefit/Cost Analysis of Planning Objectives

Abstract Purpose: We sought to quantify the optimum number of beams by using a midline sagittal arrangement for midline brain tumors when considering the competing demands of a high degree of target conformation and maximizing reduction of nontarget brain dose. The volume of nontarget brain tissue receiving between 5 and 20 Gy (V5-V20) was selected to measure “low-dose bath” to normal brain. Materials and Methods: An exploratory model was developed with 6 midline brain targets created by using spheres of 1-, 3-, and 5-cm diameters located in superficial and deep locations. For each, five 3-dimensional proton treatment plans with uniform beam scanning were generated by using 1 to 5 fields. Dose-volume histograms were analyzed to calculate conformation number and V5-V20. A benefit/cost analysis was performed to determine the marginal gain in conformation number and the marginal cost of V5-V20 for the addition of each field and hypothesize the optimum number of treatment fields. We tested our hypothesis by r...
Neurochemical and immunocytochemical studies of serotonin in thehermissenda central nervous system

Abstract In the preceding paper (11) we showed that serotonin mimics the effects of associative conditioning on Type B photoreceptors of Hermissenda . Here we show that serotonin is present in the Hermissenda central nervous system and that it is released in a calcium-dependent manner. A large number of serotonergic cell bodies are present in the cerebropleural ganglia (CPG). Cell bodies in the CPG are located in three small, symmetrical clusters. One cluster (2–3 cells) located at the anterior end of the CPG contains a large cell that projects to the buccal ganglion. A second cluster (2–3 cells) is located posterior to the first and near the midline of the nervous system. A third cluster (1–2 cells) was located slightly more posteriorly than the second. Type B photoreceptors and the S/E optic ganglion cell project to a region of the CPG neuropil which is heavily innervated by serotonin immunoreactive fine processes. Since serotonin mimicked the effects of associative conditioning on Type B cells, and is present in an appropriate region of the CPG neuropil, serotonin may mediate some effects of associative conditioning on Type B cells. Results supporting this hypothesis are presented in an accompanying paper.
TIR-Domain-Containing Adapter-Inducing Interferon-β (TRIF) Regulates CXCR5+ T helper Cells in the Intestine.

Objective: Establishing an effective humoral immunity is an important host defense mechanism in intestinal mucosa. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a spectrum of CXCR5 expressing T helper cells that induce antigenspecific B cell differentiation. Because the differentiation of T helper cells is largely regulated by innate immunity, we addressed whether TRIF signaling regulates Tfh cell differentiation and its ability to trigger humoral immune responses in the intestine. Method: CD4+CXCR5+ T cells, B cells, and plasma cells in the Peyer’s patches (PPs) of WT and TRIF-deficient (TrifLPS2) mice were analyzed by flow cytometry at the baseline, 9 days post primary infection, and 7 days postsecondary infection with Y. enterocolitica. Y. enterocolitica-specific CD4+CXCR5+ T cells were generated in vitro by co-culturing peritoneal macrophages with splenic naive T cells in the presence of Y. enterocolitica lysate. WT and TrifLPS2 mice received CD4+CXCR5+ T cells isolated either from Y. enterocolitica-primed WT mice or generated in vitro. These mice were infected with Y. enterocolitica and followed up to 4 weeks. Y. enterocolitica-specific IgA and IgG were measured in stool and serum samples, respectively. Results: At baseline, CD4+CXCR5+ T cell proportion was higher but the proportion of B cells and plasma cells was lower in the PPs of TrifLPS2 mice compared to WT mice. After infection, the proportion of plasma cells also became higher in the PPs of TrifLPS2 mice compared to WT mice. Corresponding increase of Y. enterocolitica-specific stool IgA but not serum IgG was found in TrifLPS2 mice compared to WT mice. Both in vivo isolated and in vitro generated CD4+CXCR5+ T cells induced protective immunity against Y. enterocolitica infection. Conclusion: Our results reveal a novel role of TRIF in the regulation of humoral immunity in the intestine that can be utilized as a basis for a unique vaccine strategy.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Influence Agonist-Induced Platelet Aggregation. Preliminary Results from Comorbidity of Depression and Cardiovascular Disease Study

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are a first-line treatment option for depressive illnesses, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders with a favorable risk benefit ratio and side effects. They selectively inhibit neuronal reuptake of serotonin and result in depleted serotonin stores in the dense bodies of platelets. It is hypothesized that depressive illnesses cause platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, which could be modulated by the use of SSRIs. In order to validate this hypothesis an institutional-based co morbidity of depression and cardiovascular study is undertaken. Patients with depression (n=25) and healthy control (n=25) are recruited in this study. Males and females between the ages of 20 and 65 years meeting the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder served as the inclusion criteria for the study. The exclusion criteria included patients with heart disease, diabetes, lipid disorders, history of smoking, pregnant and lactating women, psychosis, schizoaffective illnesses and presence of other Axis I diagnosis with the exception of generalized anxiety disorder. Blood samples were collected at baseline and then 4 and 8 weeks following treatment with Escitaloprim, an SSRI. Preliminary results from the agonist-induced platelet aggregation showed varying degrees of inhibition of collagen, ADP, arachidonic acid and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation as shown in the table below. While a number of patients showed an inhibition of ADP (2.5μM) and epinephrine (10μg/ml) and collagen (380μg/ml), however, other patients showed an inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. These results indicate that patients treated with SSRIs may have inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation, which may have an impact in the prevention of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. SSRIs might increase the bleeding tendency in some patients by inhibiting platelet aggregation. However, when the SSRIs are given in combination with other drugs patients may have a propensity for bleeding complications due to drug-drug interactions. Further large-scale trials are warranted to validate these results.
No Wrong Doors: Findings from a Critical Review of Behavioral Randomized Clinical Trials for Individuals with Co‐Occurring Alcohol/Drug Problems and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Prior reviews of behavioral treatments for individuals with comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders (substance use disorder SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not systematically considered whether comparison conditions are matched to target treatments on time and attention. A systematic literature search using PubMed MESH terms for alcohol and substance use disorders, PTSD, and treatment identified relevant behavioral randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated PTSD-oriented exposure-based treatments, addiction-focused treatments, and coping-based treatments that do not involve exposure to trauma memories. Information pertaining to within-subject changes over time and between-subject differences, quality of control condition, recruitment efficiency, and assessment and treatment retention was synthesized. Alcohol and drug outcomes were described separately when possible. Twenty-four behavioral RCTs were identified: 7 exposure based, 6 addiction focused, and 11 coping based. Seven studies included SUD intervention comparison conditions matched to the target intervention on time and attention. Most of the 24 studies found that participants in both the experimental and control conditions improved significantly over time on SUD and PTSD outcomes. No study found significant between-group differences in both SUD and PTSD outcomes favoring the experimental treatment. Despite greater treatment dropout, there was greater improvement in some PTSD outcomes for exposure-based interventions than the control conditions, including when the control conditions were matched for time and attention. Addiction-focused and coping-based interventions did not generally show an advantage over comparably robust controls, although some coping-based interventions yielded better drug use outcomes than control conditions. When available, interventions that integrate exposure-based PTSD treatment and behavioral SUD treatment are recommended as they are associated with better PTSD outcomes than SUD care matched for time and attention. However, the results of this critical review also suggest that people with SUD/PTSD can benefit from a variety of treatment options, including standard SUD care.
Understanding the Interactions of Peptides and Proteins that are Commonly used in Biological Media on Polystyrene Surfaces

Polystyrene(PS) is a commonly used material for designing cell culture surfaces like assay plates, petridishes, T flasks to name a few. These surfaces when used for the culture of adherent cells will modulate cell growth and function depending of the quality of adhesion provided. To enable biological activity on polystyrene, surfaces can be modified by different treatments which result in an increase in the amount of certain surface chemical species like oxygen. To understand the differences between treated and untreated polystyrene surfaces, we examine in this study the interaction between two commonly occurring biological entities in these applications i) Albumin which is a common component of cell culture media and is used to sustain the growth and activity of biological cells and ii) commonly occurring peptide motifs that are a typical part of the ECM proteins which allow the cells to interact with the surface through these binding motifs.
Electronic relaxation pathways of the biologically relevant pterin chromophore

Pterin derivatives are endogenous photosensitizers common to every biological kingdom and are involved in numerous photobiological processes for which they have received widespread attention. Despite the photobiological relevance of the pterin compounds, their excited-state dynamics have not been investigated rigorously—an undertaking that must begin with a thorough understanding of the photophysics of the common core chromophore, 2-amino-1H-pteridin-4-one (a.k.a. pterin). In this contribution, direct observation of the ultrafast excited-state dynamics of pterin in aqueous borate buffered solution at pH 10.5 are revealed using broadband transient absorption spectroscopy with femtosecond time resolution. The time-resolved experiments are complemented with ground- and excited-state calculations that are performed at the time-dependent density functional level of theory. Excitation of pterin at 350 nm initially populates the electronic 1ππ* state with excess vibrational energy. A sizable fraction of the vibrationally-excited 1ππ* state population intersystem crosses to populate a receiver 3nπ* state, while another fraction relaxes to populate the 1ππ* minimum that decays by fluorescence emission to the ground state. The population that reaches the 3nπ* state either internally converts to the 3ππ* state or abstracts a hydrogen atom from the solvent to form a semi-reduced neutral radical species, both of which decay with rates accelerated by molecular oxygen. The neutral radical can also decay through back hydrogen atom transfer to the solvent, as evidenced by the normal kinetic isotope effect observed for this process. The transient species characterized in this study are expected to participate in a wide-range of photochemical reactions that have been documented in the literature between pterin and other biological molecules.
Strategies to Improve Private-Well Water Quality: A North Carolina Perspective

Background: Evidence suggests that the 44.5 million U.S. residents drawing their drinking water from private wells face higher risks of waterborne contaminant exposure than those served by regulate...
Histopathology of Primary Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common cancers among children ages 0–19 years, of which 70% of childhood tumors are infratentorial. Metastatic solid tumors in the brain are frequent in the adult population but are rare in childhood.
Prediction of frequency and pore size dependent attenuation of ultrasound in trabecular bone using Biot’s theory

Biot’s theory is applied to trabecular bone using the Johnson-Koplik-Dashen (JKD) theory of permeability and tortuosity. This may be the first instance in which the critical physical constants for bone, as determined from experiments, are used with Biot’ theory, incorporating the JKD permeability and tortuosity, to calculate velocities and attenuations and compare the results with experimentally determined velocities and attenuations. The velocities are correctly predicted by the theory and there is qualitative agreement with the experimental attenuations. The predicted magnitudes of the attenuations calculated for internal Biot losses due to relative motion of the solid and fluid phases are smaller than the experimentally measured attenuations, which include losses due to porous surface reflection at the front and back of the specimen, scattering due to macroscopic pores, as well as attenuation due to intrinsic losses in the bone and in the marrow phase, which are not directly accounted for by Biot’s theory.
Potential solid phases controlling dissolved aluminium and iron concentrations in acidic soils

Acidic soils often have high concentrations of dissolved aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) in their solutions. The objective of this study was to determine potential solid phases controlling dissolved Al and Fe concentrations in pyritic (FeS2) soils undergoing oxidation. Soil samples were extracted with distilled-deionised H2O after reacting for 14, 21 and 28 days (d) at 25±1°C. Soil water extracts were analysed for pH, Eh, total concentrations of Al and Fe as well as other cations and anions. From these, ion activities and ion activity products (IAPs) were calculated and compared with solubility products (Ksps). The importance of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) complexes of Al3+ and Fe3+ in soil extracts was also evaluated. The pH of the samples ranged from 6.6 to 2.3 and pe+pH ranged between 8.9 and 13.4. Aluminium concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 196 mg L-1 and Fe from 0.38 to 337 mg L-1. The SO2- 4 concentrations were found to be 253 to 4,924 mg L-1. As pyrite (FeS2) oxidised, pH decreased and soluble concentrations of Al3+, Fe3+ and SO2- 4 increased in soil water extracts. Chemical speciation indicated that DOC complexes of Fe3+ were significant in low pH soil water extracts. For near neutral to slightly acidic soils, the IAPs suggested saturation with respect to Al(OH)3 (gibbsite). At extreme low pH, the IAPs were in equilibrium with Al(SO4)(OH).5H2O (jurbanite). Results obtained on iron solid phases indicated that Fe(OH)3 (amorphous iron) before oxidation of FeS2, FeOOH (goethite) in slightly acidic environments, and FeSO4.7H2O (melanite) in extreme acidic environments may have potential for controlling Fe3+ concentrations.
Testing of Small-Sized Specimens

It is essential to properly evaluate the mechanical properties of industrial components and structures, because this evaluation is vitally important in performing reliable assessments of material integrity and making correct predictions of residual life. This evaluation is particularly useful when embrittlement and property degradation are suspected, due to exposure to high temperatures (typically those greater than 280 °C), aggressive environments, or neutron irradiation (such as in the case of nuclear power plant components). Under these circumstances, the actual mechanical behavior of the components or structures under investigation must be reliably characterized without being overly conservative in estimates. Reference mechanical data, which are relevant to materials in as-received or ‘virgin’ condition, are usually scarce and are often unavailable for older structures, which require more careful assessment for continued operation. On the other hand, even if reliable information was available for the as-received materials, its usefulness would be questionable, since actual service conditions and related damage mechanisms can deeply affect material behavior. As a result, it is necessary to extract data from the component itself, so that both metallurgical conditions and actual mechanical properties can be directly assessed. Economic and public safety implications are also important and must be considered when performing this type of analysis.
Biochemical Approaches for Understanding Iron-Sulfur Cluster Regeneration in Escherichia coli Lipoyl Synthase During Catalysis.

Abstract Lipoyl synthase (LipA in bacteria) is a radical S -adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme that catalyzes the second step of the de novo biosynthesis of the lipoyl cofactor: the insertion of sulfur at C6 and C8 of a pendant octanoyl chain. In addition to the [4Fe 4S] cluster that is characteristic of the radical SAM (RS) enzymes, LipA contains a second [4Fe 4S] cluster that, though controversial, has been proposed to be degraded during turnover to supply the inserted sulfur atoms. A consequence of this proposed role is that the destruction of its iron–sulfur cluster renders the enzyme in an inactive state. Recently, it was shown that Escherichia coli proteins NfuA or IscU can confer catalytic properties to E. coli LipA in vitro. In this chapter, we present methods for characterizing LipA and analyzing its activity in vitro, and provide strategies to monitor the pathway for the regeneration of LipA's auxiliary cluster by E. coli iron–sulfur carrier protein NfuA.
Acquired Von Willebrand Syndrome and Blood Pump Design

The existence of acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is well documented and has been verified by numerous investigators. AVWS has not been observed to occur in pulsatile devices such as the SynCardia total artificial heart (TAH), the HeartMate XVE, and the Thoratec pulsatile ventricular assist device (PVAD) used as a single pump. AVWS can also occur in patients with aortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, mitral stenosis, and patent ductus arteriosus. It has been experimentally verified that supraphysiologic shear stress that occurs under these conditions can cleave the von Willebrand molecule, but the critical magnitude of stress and duration is unclear. Limited experimental results demonstrate that shear stresses as low as 5 Pa (50 dyne/cm2 ) can cause cleavage. Stresses in current centrifugal pumps can be as high as two orders of magnitude greater than this value. Pulsatile LVADs have stresses almost two orders of magnitude less than continuous flow LVADs. In order to improve continuous flow LVADs, the challenge for designers is to first determine the magnitude and duration of stress that is causing AVWS and then, if possible, design a pump below these stresses.
Decentering anthropocentrism: human-animal relations in Aminatta Forna’s Happiness

In this paper, I argue that Happiness focuses on interspecies relations by decentering man from a position of superiority over animals to interdependence between humans and animals. I contend that ...
Affective and effective: Military job performance as a function of work‐related emotional intelligence

The military is a highly stressful career that requires one to work closely with others. These features of the military render it plausible that skills related to emotional perception and management—or emotional intelligence—would tend to benefit performance within this setting. Hypotheses of this type were examined in a panel study that presented 152 active duty military personnel with a new scenario‐based measure that specifically focused on emotional occurrences within the workplace. As hypothesized, work‐related emotional intelligence (W‐EI) positively predicted task performance, discipline, organizational citizenship, and employees with higher W‐EI levels received a greater number of performance commendations. Additionally, these relationships tended to remain significant in discriminant multiple regressions. Altogether, the results provide important evidence for the benefits of W‐EI within an occupational context that requires a high degree of coordination as well as stress management.
Diversity in the Dismal Science: The Stanford Experience:

Efforts to diversify the economics profession have included increasing the number of African Americans and other people of color who enroll in and complete the PhD degree in economics. This article...
Amplification of Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA) Reactivity for Chlorination of Arenes and Heteroarenes via Catalytic Organic Dye Activation

Heteroarenes and arenes that contain electron-withdrawing groups are chlorinated in good to excellent yields (scalable to gram scale) using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and catalytic Brilliant Green (BG). Visible-light activation of BG serves to amplify the electrophilic nature of TCCA, providing a mild alternative approach to acid-promoted chlorination of deactivated (hetero)aromatic substrates. The utility of the TCCA/BG system is demonstrated through comparison to other chlorinating reagents and by the chlorination of pharmaceuticals including caffeine, lidocaine, and phenazone.
Ratio Extension Technique for Ladder-/ Dickson- Based Multiple-Output Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Converters

This paper presents a conversion ratio extension technique for both step-up and step-down Ladder- / Dickson- based multiple-output switched-capacitor (MOSC) DC-DC converters. The proposed ratio-extension cells double / quadruple the number of conversion ratios of all outputs in a MOSC DC-DC converter, and thus significantly improve power efficiency of the converter over a wide input voltage range in Lithium-Ion battery-input applications. A Dickson-based tripleoutput step-down switched-capacitor (TOSC) DC-DC converter with the proposed ratio-quadrupler cell (RQC) was designed and simulated in a 130nm CMOS process. The proposed converter can simultaneously provide three regulated outputs of 0.8V, 1.6V and 2.5V. With 8 conversion ratios per output, the converter power efficiency over the input voltage range of 2.7 - 4.5 V is improved by a maximum of 17.5% compared to the 2- ratio traditional counterpart.
Involvement of five catalytically active Arabidopsis β‐amylases in leaf starch metabolism and plant growth

Starch degradation in chloroplasts requires β-amylase (BAM) activity, but in Arabidopsis, there are nine BAM proteins, five of which are thought to be catalytic. Although single-gene knockouts revealed the necessity of BAM3 for starch degradation, contributions of other BAMs are poorly understood. Moreover, it is not possible to detect the contribution of individual BAMs in plants containing multiple active BAMs. Therefore, we constructed a set of five quadruple mutants each expressing only one catalytically active BAM, and a quintuple mutant missing all of these BAMs (B-Null). Using these mutants, we assessed the influence of each individual BAM on plant growth and on leaf starch degradation. Both BAM1 and BAM3 alone support wild-type (WT) levels of growth. BAM3 alone is sufficient to degrade leaf starch completely whereas BAM1 alone can only partially degrade leaf starch. In contrast, BAM2, BAM5, and BAM6 have no detectable effect on starch degradation or plant growth, being comparable with the B-Null plants. B-Null plant extracts contained no measurable amylase activity, whereas BAM3 and BAM1 contributed about 70% and 14% of the WT activity, respectively. BAM2 activity was low but detectable and BAM6 contributed no measurable activity. Interestingly, activity of BAM1 and BAM3 in the mutants varied little developmentally or diurnally, and did not increase appreciably in response to osmotic or cold stress. With these genetic lines, we now have new opportunities to investigate members of this diverse gene family.
Daisaku Ikeda and the Soka movement for global citizenship

This article examines contributions to the ethic and practice of cosmopolitanism by Japanese educators Makiguchi Tsunesaburo, Toda Josei and, most significantly, Ikeda Daisaku. Collectively, they a...
Analysis of therapeutic effect of percutaneous device closure to atrial septal defect via right internal jugular vein under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography in children

Objective To evaluate the effect of percutaneous device closure guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on atrial septal defect(ASD) via right internal jugular vein(RIJV) in children. Methods A total of 8 cases with secundum ASD were recruited as candidates to receive percutaneous device closure via RIJV between July 22 and November 5, 2015 in Heart Center, Dalian Children′s Hospital.In this group, 5 boys and 3 girls who were 5 months to 10 years old were included.The youngest patient was a 30 weeks premature infant of 5 months old, with 3-month correction gestational age.All patients were clearly diagnosed as ASD by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) before operation.Five patients had single central type ASD which were 5-8 mm in diameter, and 3 patients had multiple(1 biforate and 2 cribriform) ASD which were 10-12 mm in shunt range.New type Fustar curve adjustable sheath was delivered after RIJV accessed.By passing through the ASD by adjusting the depth and bending of the tips of sheath, then the device was delivered and released to close the ASD.The procedures were always guided and monitored by TEE.After the devices were released, the position of device, residual shunt, and the effect of valves were assessed by TEE or TTE. Results All patients were tested with TEE and TTE after procedure, devices were stable and well shaped, and the defects were closured well without any residual shunt.All the patients were followed up more than 6 months.No hydropericardium, thrombogenesis, tachyarrhythmia, complete atrioventricular block or other complications were found. Conclusions To close ASD with new type curve adjustable sheaths via RIJV may have wide indications, short operation path, well curative effect, minimal invasion and fast recovery in pediatrics, especially fit for the small age children with a big ASD who are difficult to treat via femoral vein. Key words: Atrial septal defect; Intervention therapy; Echocardiography, transesophageal
Back to the Future: The Autonomous Indigenous Communities of Petén, Guatemala

James C. Scott’s (1976) classic work on the Chayanovian logics of peasant economy argued that less important than the amount taken was how little might be left. A similar awareness about the paucit...
Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Recipients Have Suppressed Airway Interferon Responses during Pseudomonas Infection

Lung transplantation can be lifesaving in end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF), but long-term survival is limited by chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Persistent upper airway Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) colonization can seed the allograft. While de novo PsA infection is associated with CLAD in non-CF recipients, this association is less clear for CF recipients experiencing PsA recolonization. Here, we evaluate host and pathogen contributions to this phenomenon. In the context of PsA infection, brushings from the airways of CF recipients demonstrate type 1 interferon gene suppression. Airway epithelial cell (AEC) cultures demonstrate similar findings in the absence of pathogens or immune cells, contrasting with the pre-transplant CF AEC phenotype. Type 1 interferon promoters are relatively hypermethylated in CF AECs. CF subjects in this cohort have more mucoid PsA, while non-CF PsA subjects have decreased microbiome α diversity. Peri-transplant protocols may benefit from consideration of this host and microbiome equilibrium.
Maximum Pao 2 in the First 72 Hours of Intensive Care Is Associated With Risk-Adjusted Mortality in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation

A relationship between Pao2 and mortality has previously been observed in single-center studies. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the Pediatric Health Information System plus database including patients less than or equal to 21 years old admitted to a medical or cardiac ICU who received invasive ventilation within 72 hours of admission. We trained and validated a multivariable logistic regression mortality prediction model with very good discrimination (C-statistic, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.92; area under the precision-recall curve, 0.39) and acceptable calibration (standardized mortality ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.75-1.23; calibration belt p = 0.07). Maximum Pao2 measurements demonstrated a parabolic ("U-shaped") relationship with PICU mortality (Box-Tidwell p < 0.01). Maximum Pao2 was a statistically significant predictor of risk-adjusted mortality (standardized odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.23-1.32; p < 0.001). This analysis is the first multicenter pediatric study to identify a relationship between the extremes in Pao2 values and PICU mortality. Clinicians should remain judicious in the use of oxygen when caring for children.
Optimal aggregation of uncertain Preferences

A paradigmatic problem in social choice theory deals with the aggregation of subjective preferences of individuals — represented as rankings of alternatives — into a social ranking. We are interested in settings where individuals are uncertain about their own preferences, and represent their uncertainty as distributions over rankings. Under the classic objective of minimizing the (expected) sum of Kendall tau distances between the input rankings and the output ranking, we establish that preference elicitation is surprisingly straightforward and near-optimal solutions can be obtained in polynomial time. We show, both in theory and using real data, that ignoring uncertainty altogether can lead to suboptimal outcomes.
Pharmacological Dissection of Multiple Types of Ca2+ Channel Currents in Rat Cerebellar Granule Neurons

The diversity of Ca2+ channel types in rat cerebellar granule neurons was investigated with whole-cell recordings (5 mM external Ba2+). Contributions of five different high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel current components were distinguished pharmacologically. Nimodipine-sensitive L-type current and omega-CTx-GVIA-sensitive N-type current contributed 15 and 20% of the total current, respectively. The bulk of the remaining current (46%) was inhibited by omega-Aga-IVA. The current blocked by this toxin was further subdivided into two components, P-type and Q-type, on the basis of differences in their inactivation kinetics and sensitivity to omega-Aga-IVA. P-Type current was noninactivating during 0.1 sec depolarizations, half-blocked at about 1-3 nM omega-Aga-IVA, and contributed approximately 11% of the total current; Q-type current was prominently inactivating, half-blocked at approximately 90 nM omega-Aga-IVA, and comprised 35% of the total current. Both P- and Q-type currents were potently inhibited by the Conus magus toxin omega-CTx-MVIIC. A current component resistant to all of the aforementioned blockers (R-type) displayed more rapid inactivation than the other components and constituted 19% of the total current. The Q-type current, the largest of the current components in the granule neurons, resembles currents that can be generated in Xenopus oocytes by expression of cloned alpha 1A subunits.
Earthquake probability in engineering—Part 2: Earthquake recurrence and limitations of Gutenberg-Richter b-values for the engineering of critical structures: The third Richard H. Jahns distinguished lecture in engineering geology

Abstract Ellis L. Krinitzsky, 1993. Earthquake probability in engineering—Part 2: Earthquake recurrence and limitations of Gutenberg-Richter b-values for the engineering of critical structuresEng. Geol., 36: 000-000. Gutenberg-Richter b-values are dysfunctional for site-specific applications in the engineering of critical structures. Their dysfunction results from differences in the mechanism of faulting and nonuniformity in the occurrences of earthquakes over time and space. The mechanisms of faulting include stick slip, various categories of controlled slip, and a multitude of thermodynamic slip processes which range from rock melting to stress releases by hydrothermal and other fluids at or near lithostatic pressures. These processes cause accelerated fault movements and chaotic earthquake occurrences, while asperities and barriers along faults contribute to temporary clustering effects that develop characteristic earthquakes but do not give them continuity through time. B-line projections must incorporate these complexities, but they can do so only when they are inclusive for large, seismically active areas such as southern California, the Aleutian arc, etc. Within the relatively small earthquake source areas that determine damaging earthquake ground motions at individual engineering sites, b-values become dysfunctional atM ≥ 5.0. Because b-values are the determinants of probabilistic seismic hazard analyses, there are severe restraints on the usefulness of probabilistic methods to assign earthquake ground motions for the engineering of critical structures. The latter include major dams, nuclear power plants, liquefied petroleum gas installations, repositories for dangerous wastes, military command centers, sensitive industrial and defense installations, fire stations, schools, and hospitals.
Preparation of Basement Membrane Components from EHS Tumors

This unit describes methods for passaging and harvesting the basement membrane matrix-producing EHS tumor and for the subsequent isolation of a crude mixture of basement membrane components termed Matrigel, which promotes the differentiation of a variety of epithelial, endothelial, and neuronal cells. Procedures for the isolation of the adhesive glycoprotein laminin-1 and of type IV collagen are also included. Support protocols cover the maintenance and harvesting of EHS tumors in mice and maintenance of mice on a lathrogenic diet.