cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Portals: A Review

Knowledge portals are a method to provide integrated access to users of multiple systems through a single-entry point. A large body of literature exists on knowledge portals; however, the only published literature reviews are outdated, as they only cover material prior to the 21st century. The purpose of this article is to present review on some major papers about knowledge portals that were published from 2000-2017. The review takes a holistic perspective based on systems development life cycle to critique the literature and identifies key challenges that enlighten future directions. Trends in the first decade of the 21st century include the desire to formalize and standardize a model of knowledge portals, while major challenges for the future include the need to maintain cybersecurity across users and platforms.
MONOZYGOTIC CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS: IMPORTANCE OF EARLY SURVEILLANCE

Genetic factors play an important role in the development of cardiac sarcoidosis and may determine disease pattern, severity and prognosis. It is unknown if early surveillance of monozygotic twins could help identify cardiac involvement. A 55 year-old African-American male presented with new onset
Power output comparison of side-by-side fluidic harvesters in different types of fractal grid-generated turbulence

Turbulence-induced vibration, particularly one generated by a fractal grid, has not been studied in much detail in the literature. This study focuses on the interaction of two side-by-side piezoelectric energy harvesters in fractal grid-generated turbulence. Three fractal grid patterns have been considered: “I”, square and cross. For each grid pattern, a full-factorial study of four important parameters has been considered: (i) Beam lengths and configurations, (ii) Mean flow velocity, (iii) Distance of the beams from the grids and (iv) the separation between the two beams. Experimental results show that all three fractal grids allowed for a significantly larger power output from the piezoelectric beams compared to a passive rectangular grid with a similar blockage ratio that was previously studied.
Examining the effects of proximity to rail transit on travel to non-work destinations: Evidence from Yelp data for cities in North America and Europe

Urban planners often seek to establish land use patterns around transit stations that encourage non-auto travel. However, the willingness of travelers to use different modes in the vicinity of transit remains understudied, in part because of the lack of spatially-precise data on destination and mode choices. Using transportation content extracted from Yelp, a location-based social network (LBSN), we investigate how travel mode to non-work destinations is influenced by proximity to transit. We use textual analysis to analyze travel for non-work activities in seven cities across North America and Europe. Mixed-effect and binomial logistic models show how reported travel by mode varies by distance to rail transit stations. We find that for most non-work activity purposes, reported rail use is highly sensitive to proximity to stations, but some purposes are more amenable to rail use overall. Additionally, compared to non-US cities, US cities are far more parking-dependent near rail stations. The results suggest that not all activities elicit the same levels of non-auto travel, and transit-oriented planning should account for specific activities and regional factors that may modify willingness to travel by different modes. While subject to limitations, LBSNs can illuminate local travel with greater spatial specificity than traditional surveys.
The Role of Obesity in Iatrogenic Encephaloceles of the Temporal Bone.

Objective Acquired encephaloceles of the temporal bone may be traumatic, spontaneous, or from chronic ear disease or previous surgery. Iatrogenic encephaloceles arise in the setting of previous mastoidectomy and traditionally involve both bony dehiscence and dural injury. We aim to classify and analyze the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment options for patients with iatrogenic tegmen defects and encephaloceles of the temporal bone. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Single tertiary academic center. Patients Subjects with iatrogenic tegmen defects and encephaloceles of the temporal bone were included. Intervention Patient demographics, history, symptoms, radiographic data, intraoperative findings, management, follow-up, and outcomes were recorded. Outcome measures Primary outcome measures included patient characteristics, time from primary otologic surgery to surgical repair, location of the defect, and management strategy including surgical approach, methods, and follow-up. Results Iatrogenic tegmen injuries or encephaloceles were identified in 18 patients and divided into intentional or unintentional. The latter group presented immediately, early, or late, as determined by intraoperative identification or from delayed symptoms. Eleven patients presented late with previously unrecognized encephaloceles. Compared with patients presenting with incidentally noted tegmen dehiscence during revision mastoidectomy, a significant proportion of patients with late encephaloceles had BMI ≥30 kg/m (p = 0.03). Conclusion The majority of iatrogenic encephaloceles are unintentional, unrecognized, and may present many years after primary surgery. Similar to spontaneous encephaloceles of the temporal bone, obesity is associated with iatrogenic encephaloceles, although the rate of progression and timing is unclear. We recommend primary repair of any unintentional tegmen defect encountered during mastoid surgery, especially in obese patients.
Pilot-scale open-channel raceways and flat-panel photobioreactors maintain well-mixed conditions under a wide range of mixing energy inputs.

Turbulent mixing in pilot-scale cultivation systems influences the productivity of photoautotrophic cultures. We studied turbulent mixing by applying particle image velocimetry and acoustic doppler velocimetry to pilot-scale, flat-panel photobioreactor, and open-channel raceway. Mixing energy inputs were varied from 0.1 to 2.1 W·m-3 . The experimental results were used to quantify turbulence and to validate computational fluid dynamics models, from which Lagrangian representations of the fluid motion in these reactors were derived. The results of this investigation demonstrated that differences in mixing energy input do not significantly impact the structure of turbulence and the light/dark cycling frequencies experienced by photoautotrophic cells within the reactors. The experimental and computational results of our research demonstrated that well-mixed conditions exist in pilot-scale, flat-panel photobioreactors and open-channel raceways, even for relatively low mixing energy inputs.
Histoplasmosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitors: Safe to Continue Biologics?

The advent of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor therapy has transformed inflammatory bowel disease management; however, these medications carry a boxed warning for risk of serious infections, including invasive fungal infections. We aimed to study the clinical features, severity, and outcomes of histoplasmosis in patients on TNF-α inhibitors for IBD. We performed a retrospective review of IBD patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors who developed histoplasmosis from January 1, 2001, to May 31, 2018. Patients with drug indications other than ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease were excluded. IBD was diagnosed histologically, radiographically, or endoscopically. We identified 49 patients (median age 44 years; range 19–76) with histoplasmosis on TNF-α inhibitors. Patients with disseminated disease had a median urine antigen of 10.76 ng/mL compared with pulmonary disease alone 0.375 ng/mL (p 0.05). Median length of stay was 9.5 days. Itraconazole was used for maintenance in all patients. Median follow-up was 4.7 years. Total treatment duration ranged from 3 to 15 months. TNF-α inhibitor therapy was continued in nine and resumed in ten patients after completing antifungals. Three deaths occurred (6%). Histoplasmosis outcomes were mostly favorable. Many patients were young with few comorbidities; however, those with more comorbidities experienced more severe histoplasmosis. Compared to prior studies, many of these patients resumed or continued biologic therapy. There were no histoplasmosis recurrences after resuming TNF-α inhibitor therapy. Vigilance for disseminated fungal infections in this patient population is essential.
Ultraviolet hyperspectral microscopy using chromatic-aberration-based iterative phase recovery

Ultraviolet (UV) microscopy has recently re-emerged as an important label-free, molecular imaging technique. This stems from the unique UV absorption properties of many endogenous biomolecules that play a critical role in cell structure and function. However, broadband hyperspectral imaging in this spectral region is challenging due to strong chromatic aberrations inherent in UV systems. Here we apply an intensity-based, two-stage, iterative phase-recovery algorithm that leverages the same chromatic aberrations to overcome this challenge. Importantly, knowledge of samples’ dispersion or absorption properties is not required. We demonstrate that the computationally retrieved phase can be applied to digitally refocus images across a large bandwidth. This enables hyperspectral UV imaging with a simple microscope for quantitative molecular analysis. We validate this method through simulations and through experiments with red blood cells.
A Cell-Based Target Engagement Assay for the Identification of Cereblon E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Ligands and Their Application in HDAC6 Degraders

Summary Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is a paradigm shift for small-molecule drug discovery. However, limited E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands with cellular activity are available. In vitro binding assays involve the expression and purification of a large amount of proteins and they often yield ligands that are inactive in cell-based assays due to poor cell permeability, stability, and other reasons. Herein, we report the development of a practical and efficient cell-based target engagement assay to evaluate the binding affinity of a small library of cereblon ligands to its E3 ligase in cells. Selected cell-permeable E3 ligase ligands derived from this assay are then used to construct HDAC6 degraders with cellular protein degradation activity. Because the assay does not involve any genetic engineering, it is relatively easy to transfer from one cell type to a different one.
CRISPR-ENHANCE: An enhanced nucleic acid detection platform using Cas12a

Rapid detection of nucleic acids is essential for clinical diagnosis of a wide range of infectious and non-infectious diseases. CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms are well-established for rapid and specific detection of nucleic acids but suffer from a low detection sensitivity without a target pre-amplification step. Our recently developed detection system, called CRISPR-ENHANCE, employs engineered crRNAs and optimized conditions to achieve a significantly higher sensitivity and enable femtomolar levels of nucleic acid detection even without target pre-amplification. Using the CRISPR-ENHANCE platform and following the methodology detailed in this paper, nucleic acid detection for low copy numbers can be achieved in less than an hour through either a fluorescence-based detection or a lateral flow assay. The step-by-step instructions provided, in addition to describing how to perform both assays, incorporate details on a LAMP/RT-LAMP-based target amplification step to enable detection of RNA, ssDNA and dsDNA. Furthermore, a protocol for in-house expression and purification of LbCas12a using CL7/lm7-based affinity chromatography, which has been used to achieve a high yield and purity of the enzyme in a single-step, is provided.
Green and Brown Lucas Trees

We extend the two-tree model of Eberly and Wang (2011) to incorporate climate change disaster risk. We model disaster-risk as a Poisson shock that partially destroys both trees. The probability of a disaster occurring is an increasing function of the relative size of the brown to the green tree (i.e., the larger the fraction of the economy that is green, the less likely a climate disaster is to take place). The competitive equilibrium is not Pareto efficient. The social planner would implement a higher (lower) investment rate for the green (brown) tree than the competitive equilibrium. Optimal taxation is needed to achieve the social optimum. We propose a differential capital gains tax as a way to achieve this outcome. Brown firms would face a higher capital gains tax, thereby reducing their tobin's Q, and increasing their cost of capital. As a result, they would pay more dividends and invest less than their green counterparts. Such a policy constitutes a valid alternative to carbon-price taxing to mitigate climate change.
Openmdao Framework Status

Advancing and exploring the science of Multidisciplinary Analysis & Optimization (MDAO) capabilities are high-level goals in the Fundamental Aeronautics Program s Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) project. The OpenMDAO team has made significant progress toward completing the Alpha OpenMDAO deliverable due in September 2010. Included in the presentation are: details of progress on developing the OpenMDAO framework, example usage of OpenMDAO, technology transfer plans, near term plans, progress toward establishing partnerships with external parties, and discussion of additional potential collaborations.
Aflatoxins: production of the toxins in vitro in relation to temperature.

Abstract The production or accumulation of aflatoxins in vitro by four isolates on three substrates (acid-delinted cottonseed, shelled Spanish peanut, and rough rice) was studied in relation to temperature in the range of 10 to 40 C. Within the first 10 days after inoculation, the optimal temperature range for aflatoxin production was between 20 and 35 C. Only small amounts of the toxins were produced at 10 and 40 C. Within the optimal temperature range, the time required for toxin production and for significant accumulation decreased as the temperature increased. More aflatoxin G was produced or accumulated in relation to aflatoxin B at low temperatures (within the optimal range), and the G aflatoxins were metabolized more rapidly at the higher temperatures.
Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Book reviewed in this article: The Code of Codes: Scientific and Social Issues in the Human Genome Project. Edited by Daniel J. Kevles and LeRoy Hood. Wonderwoman and Superman: The Ethics of Human Biotechnology. By John Harris.
Genetic testing for high-risk colon cancer patients.

Abstract Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States and is estimated to have affected 148,000 people in 2002. The cumulative lifetime risk for colon cancer is approximately 5%–6%, and this risk is influenced by hereditary and lifestyle factors. In fact, 20%–30% of all colon cancer cases have a potentially definable inherited cause, and 3%–5% of colon cancers occur in genetically defined high-risk colon cancer family syndromes. Although the genes responsible for the cases of moderate-risk colon cancer remain to be characterized, many of the genes responsible for the high-risk colon cancer cases have already been determined. These genetic discoveries have been translated into clinical practice and have led to improved risk assessment through the use of genetic testing. The introduction into clinical practice of genetic testing for the assessment of colon cancer risk has led to more effective management strategies for patients with potentially high-risk colon cancer and has presented new challenges to the clinician because of the unique issues involved with genetic testing. In this review, an overview of the colon cancer high-risk syndromes, with a focus on the availability and indications for genetic testing, is presented.
Murine L1210 and P388 Leukemias

L1210 and P388 leukemia models have been extensively used over the last 50 years. The models are rapid, reproducible, and relatively inexpensive (in comparison to human tumor xenograft and transgenic models). However, as with any experimental animal tumor model, there are limitations. Neither leukemia is a satisfactory model for either human cancer in general or human leukemia in particular. Despite the limitations of murine leukemia models, these models have been useful in making progress in anticancer drug development, in the development of a number of therapeutic principles, and in understanding the biologic behavior of tumor and host. These models are still useful today in conducting detailed evaluations of new candidate anticancer drugs (e.g., schedule dependency, route of administration dependency, formulation comparison, analog comparison, and combination chemotherapy). The greatest utility of murine leukemias today is derived from evaluations of drug-resistant sublines for crossresistance and collateral sensitivity. Crossresistance data, coupled with knowledge of resistance mechanisms operative in drug-resistant leukemias, may yield insights into mechanisms of action of agents. Similarly, crossresistance data, coupled with mechanisms of action of various agents, may yield insights into resistance mechanisms operative in drug-resistant leukemias. Furthermore, crossresistance data may identify potentially useful guides for patient selection for clinical trials of new antitumor drugs.
The Intergenerational Persistence of Child Labor

Many recent economic studies suggest that child labor is both a result of and a strategy to avoid household poverty. If that is the case, then child labor may be viewed not so much as a problem but as a solution to poverty’s crushing effects. This means that banning child labor may, in fact, harm the very people it attempts to help (Basu and Pham Hoang Van, 1998). This study explores whether using child labor to avoid poverty can cause it to persist through generations of families. If this is indeed the case, policy makers who hope to achieve long-term reductions in child labor are faced with the new challenge of focusing their attention not only on current child laborers, but future generations as well.
In and Out of Public Solution: The Hidden Perils of Property Transfer

Government power is often used to transfer resources between individuals and the state. On some occasions the state takes private property and places it into public solution; in others it alters the policies pertaining to the use of government lands without changing its legal ownership; and in others it disposes of public lands to private parties. Each of these three activities can be evaluated under a standard that asks whether the acquisition, use or distribution of these resources improves overall social value. Tested by that standard, the rules of acquisition are conducted under standards that typically short-change owners by ignoring the subjective value of the property or the consequential losses inflicted by government use. Changes in land use practices for public lands are politically divisive but are typically undertaken without any effective measure of whether the changes improve overall good. Distributions of public assets to private hands often involve giveaways that move resources to lower-valued uses. A sensible rendering of the just compensation component of the takings clause could protect against many of the abuses associated with the acquisition of private property for public use. A competitive bidding system could control much of the abuse on the distribution of public property for private use. But it is very difficult to come up with any administrative or constitutional scheme that affords sensible oversight over the highly important but less visible task of regulating the patterns of use of public lands.
Legal Control of Marginal Groups

The legal control of marginal groups is a central topic in social scientific and legal scholarship. Examining the most influential research produced over the past two decades, as well as a broad collection of foundational and exemplary texts, this review addresses two overarching questions: First, what does it mean to study the legal control of marginal groups in the twenty-first century? Second, what are the recent developments, lingering concerns, and future directions of this work? We identify and examine the two most prevalent discussions found in contemporary research. The first centers on the practices of legal control, and the second focuses attention on the effects of these practices on their potential targets. Throughout the article, we draw specific attention to the need for future studies to more systematically account for the agency of, and ground-level dynamics impacting, both the controllers and the controlled.
A Multiple-Hypothesis Approach to Concurrent Mapping and Localization for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

This paper describes a multiple hypothesis approach to concurrent mapping and localization (CML) for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The objective of CML is to enable a mobile robot to build a map of an unknown environment, while simultaneously using that map to navigate with bounded position error. Multiple hypothesis concurrent mapping and localization (MHCML) has potential to provide a theoretically consistent framework that incorporates navigation error, sensor noise, data association uncertainty, and physically-based sensor models. MHCML is fundamentally different from conventional multiple hypothesis tracking because multiple hypotheses are considered for both the location of the vehicle and the locations of features. New techniques for evaluation of decision dependencies and calculation of likelihoods for vehicle and feature tracks are introduced. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the viability of the approach for an AUV equipped with a forward-look sonar.
Dynamic Cognitive Tracing: Towards Unified Discovery of Student and Cognitive Models

This work describes a unified approach to two problems previously addressed separately in Intelligent Tutoring Systems: (i) Cognitive Modeling, which factorizes problem solving steps into the latent set of skills required to perform them [7]; and (ii) Student Modeling, which infers students’ learning by observing student performance [9]. The practical importance of improving understanding of how students learn is to build better intelligent tutors [8]. The expected advantages of our integrated approach include (i) more accurate prediction of a student’s future performance, and (ii) clustering items into skills automatically, without expensive manual expert knowledge annotation. We introduce a unified model, Dynamic Cognitive Tracing, to explain student learning in terms of skill mastery over time, by learning the Cognitive Model and the Student Model jointly. We formulate our approach as a graphical model, and we validate it using sixty different synthetic datasets. Dynamic Cognitive Tracing significantly outperforms single-skill Knowledge Tracing on predicting future student performance.
X-ray-absorption studies of zirconia polymorphs. III. Static distortion and thermal distortion.

Static and dynamic Debye-Waller factors for the Zr(Y)-O shell and the Zr(Y)-Zr(Y) shell have been determined for four zirconia polymorphs from 10 K to room temperature. The apparent Einstein frequencies for cation-O vibrations and the Debye frequencies for cation-cation vibrations have also been obtained from the analysis. The higher phase stability and the stabilizing effect of Y dopants are manifest in the higher apparent vibrational frequencies. For tetragonal zirconia these frequencies correlate well with Raman data, and for cubic zirconia the Y-O frequency coincides with the unique Raman frequency for fluorite-structure oxides. Similar bonding in monoclinic and cubic zirconia yields similar vibrational frequencies, while a larger bond distance generally leads to a lower frequency. Comparison of the Debye-Waller factors obtained from extended x-ray-absorption fine structure and from neutron diffraction has also revealed the different extent of atom-atom correlation in atomic thermal motion for different bonding.
Identification of a thioselenurane intermediate in the reaction between phenylaminoalkyl selenoxides and glutathione

Selenium has a long history of association with human health and disease, and a low concentration of selenium in plasma has been identified in epidemiological studies as a risk factor for several disorders associated with oxidative stress. This association suggests that organoselenium compounds capable of propagating a selenium redox cycle might supplement natural cellular defenses against oxidants, such as peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide. While several such organoselenium compounds are under active investigation as potential therapeutic agents, chemical characterization of reaction intermediates involved in their redox cycling has been problematical. We now report evidence that the reaction between phenylaminoalkyl selenoxides and glutathione (GSH) proceeds through the intermediacy of a thioselenurane species. The results of stopped-flow kinetic experiments were consistent with a rapid and stoichiometric initial reaction of GSH with selenoxide to generate a kinetically-detectable intermediate, followed by a slower reaction of this intermediate with a second molecule of GSH to produce the final selenide and GSSG products. Flow injection ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS experiments confirmed that the reaction intermediate is indeed a thioselenurane. Final structural characterization of the thioselenurane intermediate was obtained from analysis of the daughter ions produced in flow injection ESI-MS/MS experiments. These results help to elucidate the chemical nature of the redox cycling of phenylaminoalkyl selenides, and represent, to our knowledge, the first evidence for the intermediacy of a thioselenurane species in the reaction of thiols with selenoxides.
Comparative genotoxic effects of the cooked-food-related mutagens Trp-P-2 and IQ in bacteria and cultured mammalian cells.

Abstract As part of a major study to evaluate the mutagenicity of chemicals produced during the cooking of foods, we examined the responses of bacteria and cultured Chinese hamster cells to the compounds Trp-P-2 (3-amino-1-methyl-5 H -pyrido[4,3- b ]indole) and IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-ƒ]quinoline), constituents identified in cooked beef and fish. In the Ames/Salmonella tester strain TA1538, both compounds were confirmed to be extremely potent mutagens that were active at levels below 1 ng/plate in the presence of hamster-liver S9 microsomal fraction. 50-fold higher doses of both compounds were required for mutagenicity in the uvr + tester strain TA1978. Trp-P-2 also behaved as a strong mutagen in CHO cells using the standard exogenous activation with hamster-liver S9 fraction. At concentrations below 1 μg/ml it produced dose-dependent increases in cell killing, mutations at the hprt and aprt loci, sister-chromatid exchanges, and chromosomal aberrations. An excision-repair-deficient strain was about 2-fold more sensitive than the normal CHO cells with respect to these genotoxic effects of Trp-P-2. IQ had unexpectedly weak activity for all genetic endpoints in the CHO cells, and it produced clear-cut responses only in the repair-deficient cells and only above a concentration of 10 μg/ml. The toxicity that was observed with IQ was not affected by the repair capacity of the cells and was not associated with chromosomal aberrations, indicating that damage to cellular structures other than nuclear DNA was likely the predominant pathway for cell killing. Because the culture conditions normally used for CHO cell exposure were shown to be competent in producing bacterial mutagenicity with IQ, it was concluded that the active metabolite of IQ was present in the medium but was somehow ineffective in reaching the DNA of CHO cells and/or reacting with it. These results suggest that the relative mutagenic potency of compounds in Salmonella may bear no direct relationship to relative mutagenicity in CHO cells, emphasizing precaution in attempting to extrapolate microbial data to mammalian somatic cells. This study illustrates the use and merits of a multi-endpoint assay for genetic damage in CHO cells, the utility of using CHO cells that are defective in excision repair of DNA, and the importance of comparative testing between bacterial and mammalian systems.
Autocrine production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) affects paracellular transport across epithelial cells in vitro.

Autocrine production of growth factors can have significant effects on cell activity. We report for the first time that autocrine production of insulin-like growth factor–I (IGF-I) alters paracellular transport across bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Paracellular transport was assessed by measuring phenol red transport across mammary alveolar cells–large T antigen (MAC-T cells) derived from parental mammary epithelial cells, cultured on porous membranes and compared with two different transfected MAC-T cell lines that constitutively secrete IGF-I. Phenol red transport was essentially blocked in parental cell culture after six days, while IGF-I secreting cells provided essentially no barrier. Surprisingly, neither co-culture studies between parental and IGF-I–secreting cells nor addition of exogenous IGF-I or IGF-binding protein–3 reversed the phenol red transport properties. IGF-I–secreting cells did however express lower levels of the junction components occludin and E-cadherin than parental cel...
On the smoothness constraints for four-dimensional data assimilation

An algorithm for determination of the weights of smoothness penalty constraints for the four-dimensional variational data assimilation technique is proposed and evaluated. To study the nature of smoothness penalty constraints, a simple nonlinear harmonic oscillator problem is first considered. Penalizing smoothness constraints is found to make the modified Hessian matrix of the cost function more positive definite, akin to the idea behind the modified line search Newton's methods. However, the use of the derivative smoothness constraints with a fixed coefficient does not warrant uniform imposition of these constraints at every iteration. A remedy is to control the ratio of the smoothness penalty function over the cost function, which can dramatically increase the positive definite area. On the other hand, the large smoothness coefficients obtained from this approach can deteriorate the convergence property of the minimization problem. Based on these observations, an algorithm for tuning the weights of smoothness constraints is proposed to overcome the aforementioned problems. The algorithm is first applied to a simple dynamic problem. It is then tested on the retrieval of microscale turbulent structures in a simulated convective boundary layer. This method is further evaluated on the retrieval of a strong meso-scale thunderstorm outflow from Doppler radar data. The results show that the algorithm yields efficient retrieval.
Sonochemistry in Environmental Remediation. 1. Combinative and Hybrid Sonophotochemical Oxidation Processes for the Treatment of Pollutants in Water

Sonoprocessing is the utilization of sonic and ultrasonic waves in chemical synthesis and processes. It is a new and rapidly growing research field with broad applications in environmental engineering, green chemical synthesis, and processing. The application of this environmentally benign technique in environmental remediation is currently under active research and development. Sonochemical oxidation is effective in treating toxic effluents and reducing toxicity. However, the ultrasonic treatment is highly energy intensive since sonication is relatively inefficient with respect to total input energy and is therefore not economically attractive or feasible alone. Hence, sonochemistry has not yet received much attention as an alternative for industrial and large-scale chemical and environmental processes. One of the most interesting topics in the recent advances in sonochemistry is the possibility of double or more excitations with ultrasound and other types of energy. The coupling of ultrasound with other...
Bubble coalescence in rhyolitic melts during decompression from high pressure

Abstract When bubbly magma becomes permeable, its eruptive behavior is altered and gases are released that may be detected for monitoring. Permeability is produced by bubbles interacting and coalescing, but can be changed if the magmatic foam deforms. This study investigates how decompression rate and viscosity influence bubble coalescence through a series of hydrothermal experiments, in which bubble-bearing rhyolite is decompressed at temperatures ranging from 725° to 875 °C, producing viscosities of ∼ 10 5 –10 7 Pa s. Most decompressions are at steady rates of 0.0064 to 0.025 MPa s − 1 , but a few are at rates that increase as pressure decreases; all are slow enough to maintain equilibrium as pressure drops. Bubble interaction and coalescence is recorded by variations in bubble sizes and bubble number density ( N B ), and is found to be influenced strongly by melt viscosity, with more time needed for bubbles to coalesce as viscosity increases, yet the extent of coalescence appears limited by the distance between bubbles. The extent of coalescence is also influenced by decompression rate, with bubble interactions in lower viscosity melts being suppressed at decompression rates comparable to those expected for Plinian eruptions. In contrast, rates equivalent to lava dome extrusions are too slow to hinder bubble interactions from extensively altering the bubble population in lower viscosity melts. Deformation of coalescing permeable foam was observed when N B is on order of ∼ 10 5 cm − 3 , but not when it was on order of ∼ 10 7 cm − 3 , suggesting that magma degassing could be influenced by how many bubbles nucleate in the first place.
Single pass streaming BLAST on FPGAs

Approximate string matching is fundamental to bioinformatics and has been the subject of numerous FPGA acceleration studies. We address issues with respect to FPGA implementations of both BLAST- and dynamic-programming- (DP) based methods. Our primary contribution is a new algorithm for emulating the seeding and extension phases of BLAST. This operates in a single pass through a database at streaming rate, and with no preprocessing other than loading the query string. Moreover, it emulates parameters turned to maximum possible sensitivity with no slowdown. While current DP-based methods also operate at streaming rate, generating results can be cumbersome. We address this with a new structure for data extraction. We present results from several implementations showing order of magnitude acceleration over serial reference code. A simple extension assures compatibility with NCBI BLAST.
Adolescent girls’ race/ethnic status, identities, and drive for thinness

Abstract Using data from 7272 adolescent US girls, we explore how girls’ race/ethnic group status affects their bodyweight, perceptions of overweight, and weight control practices. We hypothesize that a girl’s race/ethnic status influences her basic identity which in turn prompts her to adopt or reject a “drive for thinness.” After controlling for family and peer support, school engagement, family SES, maturation, and family structure, we find that girls’ race/ethnic status influences their susceptibility to the thinness ideals of mainstream culture. African American girls weigh more than Asian, Hispanic, or White girls, but at any given weight they perceive themselves as overweight and attempt to control their weight less. Asian American and White girls invest most in thinness dynamics. Some evidence also suggests girls from lower SES families are less driven to be thin. Our results affirm the utility of viewing material bodies as “situations” that are experienced and interpreted in accord with identity group relations and dynamics.
Stripping analysis into the 21st century: faster, smaller, cheaper, simpler and better

Abstract As we approach the 21st century we have been reassessing the way we conduct electrochemical stripping measurements of trace metals. Such rethinking has led to the replacement of conventional stripping protocols and systems with remotely deployed submersible (`lab-on-cable') stripping probes, easy-to-use microfabricated metal-sensor strips or micromachined hand-held total stripping analyzers. Such developments allow one to move the measurements of trace metals to the field, and to perform them more rapidly, reliably and inexpensively. These advances bring significant changes to the monitoring of toxic metals, and allow stripping analysis to retain its place as one of the most powerful tools for trace analysis.
Estimation of laser beam pointing parameters in the presence of atmospheric turbulence

The problem of estimating mechanical boresight and jitter performance of a laser pointing system in the presence of atmospheric turbulence is considered. A novel estimator based on maximizing an average probability density function (pdf) of the received signal is presented. The proposed estimator uses a Gaussian far-field mean irradiance profile, and the irradiance pdf is assumed to be lognormal. The estimates are obtained using a sequence of return signal values from the intended target. Alternatively, one can think of the estimates being made by a cooperative target using the received signal samples directly. The estimator does not require sample-to-sample atmospheric turbulence parameter information. The approach is evaluated using wave optics simulation for both weak and strong turbulence conditions. Our results show that very good boresight and jitter estimation performance can be obtained under the weak turbulence regime. We also propose a novel technique to include the effect of very low received intensity values that cannot be measured well by the receiving device. The proposed technique provides significant improvement over a conventional approach where such samples are simply ignored. Since our method is derived from the lognormal irradiance pdf, the performance under strong turbulence is degraded. However, the ideas can be extended with appropriate pdf models to obtain more accurate results under strong turbulence conditions.
Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PACAP type 1 receptor in the rat gastric and colonic myenteric neurons

Abstract Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is known to regulate gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility. In the present study, the pattern of distribution of PACAP and PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1) immunoreactivities were examined in the rat stomach and distal colon using a specific polyclonal antibody raised against rat/human PAC1. Western blot of the membrane preparations of NIH/3T3 cells transfected with the human PAC1 obtained by using rabbit polyclonal anti-PAC1 antibody showed a protein band with a molecular mass of ∼50 kDa. NIH/3T3 cells transfected with the human PAC1 and incubated with the anti-PAC1 antibody displayed surface cell-type immunoreactivity, which was internalized following ligand exposure. In gastric or colonic longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus (LMMP) whole mount preparations as well as cryostat sections, PACAP immunoreactivity was observed in cell bodies within the myenteric ganglia and nerve fibers in the muscle layers and mucosa. PAC1 immunoreactivity was confined mainly on the surface of the nerve cells. PACAP and PAC1 immunoreactivities showed a similar pattern of distribution in gastric and colonic tissues. Adjacent sections or LMMP whole mount preparations labeled with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) revealed the neuronal identity of myenteric cells bearing PAC1. The neuronal localization of PACAP and PAC1 receptors supports their role in the neural regulation of gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motor function.
Differential Utilization of ShcA Tyrosine Residues and Functional Domains in the Transduction of Epidermal Growth Factor-induced Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activation in 293T Cells and Nerve Growth Factor-induced Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW Grb2·Sos1 BINDING SITE

By transient expression of both truncated forms of p52(SHCA) and those with point mutations in 293T cells, it has been shown that, in addition to Tyr-317, Tyr-239/240 is a major site of phosphorylation that serves as a docking site for Grb2.Sos1 complexes. In addition, analysis of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in 293T cells showed that the overexpression Shc SH2 or phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains of ShcA alone has a more potent negative effect than the overexpression of the forms of ShcA lacking Tyr-317 or Tyr 239/240 or both. In transiently transfected PC12 cells, the ShcA PTB domain and tyrosine phosphorylation in the CH1 domain, especially on Tyr-239/240, are crucial for mediating nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that the EGF and NGF (TrkA) receptor can utilize Shc in different ways to promote their activity. For EGF-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in 293T cells, both Shc PTB and SH2 domains are essential for optimal activation, indicating that a mechanism independent of Grb2 engagement with Shc may exist. For NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, Shc PTB plays an essential role, and phosphorylation on Tyr-239/240, but not on Tyr-317, is required.
Spatial structure of media noise in film disks

Measurements of the spatial structure of media noise across the track direction are made using new techniques involving computer processing of digitized transient read signal waveforms. Images of media noise having spatial resolution much finer than available head widths are obtained, and are used to study the scaling of media noise with read head width. Results are presented for two types of metal film disks and a particulate disk. Uniformly DC erased media noise is found to decrease less rapidly with decreasing head width for the metal film disks than for the particulate disk, in which it scales approximately as the square root of head width. A strip of excess noise is found at the edges of written tracks on the metal film disks but not the particulate disk.
Pulsed-laser induced shock wave in fused silica for thin film interfacial testing

Pulsed-laser induced shock wave development in fused silica is analyzed using nonlinear wave mechanics and applied to thin-film spallation experiments. Due to the negative nonlinear elasticity of fused silica, a laser-induced Gaussian stress pulse evolves into a shock after travelling a certain distance in a fused silica substrate. Experimental observations confirm theoretical predictions of shock development. A decompression shock forms and greatly enhances interfacial failure of a thin film deposited on the substrate. The effectiveness of this wave mechanism is further demonstrated by the successful application in testing ultra-thin low dielectric film/Si substrate interfaces.
Giemsa banding of meiotic chromosomes

Applying a Giemsa staining technique to the meiotic chromosomes of Anemone blanda demonstrates that Giemsa bands similar to those seen in the mitotic chromosomes are discernible at all the principal stages of meiosis. The bands are not a product of the Giemsa procedure since they can be seen in unstained preparations using phase-contrast optics as chromocentres in interphase nuclei and as condensed regions in prophase chromosomes. That the bands seem to be permanent features of the nucleus, whether it is dividing or otherwise is an important consideration for understanding their nature and function. Bands and chiasmata do not coincide indicating on the one hand that chiasmata are not responsible for differences in banding patterns and on the other hand that the conservation of bands is an indication that they are either inert regions or specialised regions with considerable adaptive significance. These alternatives can only be resolved by genetical studies of the banding phenomena.
Pre-cult: Casablanca, radio adaptation, and transmedia in the 1940s

In cult film studies, there is a tendency to perceive a ‘disconnect’ between the period in which a film is first released and that which marks its cult ascendancy. In this paper, I reconsider this notion, by examining what I call the ‘pre-cult’ phase of a film's life cycle and the nature of its continuities with cult formation. For my case study, I turn to Casablanca, one of the oldest and most influential classical cult films, and to its star, Humphrey Bogart; both film and star became cult in the 1950s when repertory houses began to screen Bogart retrospectives. Putting radio and sound studies into conversation with cult film studies, I argue that the film's frequent adaptation on radio and Bogart's radio presence in the 1940s produced a soundscape of transmediated voices and dialogue that influenced the practice of audience quotation a decade later and that remains today a hallmark of Casablanca's cult identity.
Abnormal Erythrocyte Sodium Transport in Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas

Extract: Sodium content and various components of sodium outflux were measured in erythro-cytes from 26 normal subjects, 25 patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas (CFP), and 20 parents of patients with CFP. Ouabain-insensitive, ethacrynic acid-sensitive fractional sodium outflux was diminished in erythrocytes from males with CFP (0.027 versus 0.051 for normal males) and from postpubertal females with CFP (0.012 versus 0.023 for normal adult females). This same component was normal in erythrocytes from prepubertal females with CFP (0.052 versus 0.046 for normal prepubertal females). Fractional sodium outflux in erythrocytes from obligate heterozygotes of either sex did not differ significantly from that of their normal counterparts. Speculation: None of the components of sodium outflux reported here can be used as a genetic marker for CFP. The abnormalities of sodium outflux in patients with CFP are not related directly to the basic defect but instead represent a secondary feature of the disease.
Optimal Regularity in Rooftop-Like Obstacle Problem

We study the solutions of the obstacle problem when the obstacle is smooth on each side of a certain hyperplane but only Lipschitz across. We prove that the optimal regularity of these solutions is on each side of the hyperplane. The proof uses a modification of Almgren's frequency formula.
Magneto-optical nanoparticles for cyclic magnetomotive photoacoustic imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging has emerged as a highly promising tool to visualize molecular events with deep tissue penetration. Like most other modalities, however, image contrast under in vivo conditions is far from optimal due to background signals from tissue. Using iron oxide–gold core–shell nanoparticles, we have previously demonstrated the concept of magnetomotive photoacoustic (mmPA) imaging, which is capable of dramatically reducing the influence of background signals and producing high-contrast molecular images. Here, we report two significant advances toward clinical translation of this technology. First, we introduce a new class of compact, uniform, magneto-optically coupled core–shell nanoparticles, prepared through localized copolymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) on an iron oxide nanoparticle surface. The resulting iron oxide–PPy nanoparticles feature high colloidal stability and solve the photoinstability and small-scale synthesis problems previously encountered by the gold coating approach. In para...