cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seed Location Impacts Whole-Brain Structural Network Comparisons between Healthy Elderly and Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.

Whole-brain networks derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data require the identification of seed and target regions of interest (ROIs) to assess connectivity patterns. This study investigated how initiating tracts from gray matter (GM) or white matter (WM) seed ROIs impacts (1) structural networks constructed from DTI data from healthy elderly (control) and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and (2) between-group comparisons using these networks. DTI datasets were obtained from the Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. Deterministic tractography was used to build two whole-brain networks for each subject; one in which tracts were initiated from WM ROIs and another in which they were initiated from GM ROIs. With respect to the first goal, in both groups, WM-seeded networks had approximately 400 more connections and stronger connections (as measured by number of streamlines per connection) than GM-seeded networks, but shared 94% of the connections found in the GM-seed networks. With respect to the second goal, between-group comparisons revealed a stronger subnetwork (as measured by number of streamlines per connection) in controls compared to AD using both WM-seeded and GM-seeded networks. The comparison using WM-seeded networks produced a larger (i.e., a greater number of connections) and more significant subnetwork in controls versus AD. Global, local, and nodal efficiency were greater in controls compared to AD, and between-group comparisons of these measures using WM-seeded networks had larger effect sizes than those using GM-seeded networks. These findings affirm that seed location significantly affects the ability to detect between-group differences in structural networks.
Multidisciplinary approaches to radiation-balanced lasers (MARBLE): a MURI program by AFOSR (Conference Presentation)

An overview of the diverse research activities under the newly funded MURI project by AFOSR will be presented. The main goal is to advance the science of radiation-balanced lasers, also known as athermal lasers, in order to mitigate the thermal degradation of the high-power laser beams. The MARBLE project involves researchers from four universities and spans research activities in rare-earth doped crystals and fibers to semiconductor disc lasers.
Structural characteristics of cyclopentane-modified peptide nucleic acids from molecular dynamics simulations

A PNA molecule is a DNA strand where the sugar-phosphate backbone has been replaced by a structurally homomorphous pseudopeptide chain consisting of N (2-amino-ethyl)-glycine units. PNA binds strongly to both DNA and RNA. However, an analysis of the X-ray and NMR data show that the dihedral angles of PNA/DNA or PNA/RNA complexes are very different from those of DNA:DNA or RNA:RNA complexes. In addition, the PNA strand is very flexible. One way to improve the binding affinity of PNA for DNA/RNA is to design a more pre-organized PNA structure. An effective way to rigidify the PNA strand is to introduce ring structures into the backbone. In several experimental studies, the ethylenediamine portion of aminoethyl glycine peptide nucleic acids (aegPNA) has been replaced with one or more (S,S)-trans cyclopentyl (cpPNA) units. This substitution has met with varied success in terms of DNA/RNA recognition. In the present work, molecular modeling studies were performed to a PNA molecule. Detailed investigations on the conformational and dynamical properties of single-stranded aegPNA and cpPNA were undertaken to determine how the cyclopentane ring will improve binding and to determine the contributions of both entropy and dihedral angle preference to the observed stronger binding. The effects of single and multiple modifications of the PNA backbone were also analyzed to understand changes in conformational and dynamical properties.
The strange birth and continuing life of the US as a slaving republic: Race, unfree labor and the state:

Several recent books have re-examined the history of US slavery and its relationship to both capitalism and the American Revolution, Here I make suggestions about how viewing these works through th...
Design of Decentralized Controllers for a Class of Large-scale Nonlinear Systems

Abstract We consider the general stabilization problem of large-scale multivariable decentralized systems with bounded nonlinear interconnection terms. In this paper, we have given a simple and new method whereby we can derive the sufficient conditions for stabilizing asymptotically the overall system by local state feedback controllers. In addition, an illustrative example is given by which the design procedure of the local state feedback controllers is demonstrated in the light of the method riven in this paper.
Simulation of Taylor flow evaporation for bubble-pump applications

Abstract Single-pressure absorption systems incorporate bubble-pump generators (BPGs) for refrigerant separation and passive fluid circulation. In conventional spot-heated BPGs, heat is transferred over a small area, requiring high source temperatures. Distributed-heated BPGs receive thermal input over most of the component surface, enabling low temperature operation. In this investigation, a Volume-of-Fluid phase-change simulation formulation is developed and validated. This approach is applied to the evaporating Taylor flow pattern in distributed-heated BPGs. A 2-D axisymmetric simulation is performed, which yields detailed information about the developing heat transfer and two-phase flow phenomena. Results are used to assess predicted trends and sub-models from a 1-D segmented BPG model. Close agreement is obtained between segmented model and simulation results for bubble rise velocity (5–7% deviation), bubble and slug lengths, void fraction (3%), and hydrodynamic pressure drop (18%). Specifying average Taylor bubble lengths from the simulation as an input to the segmented model reduces hydrodynamic pressure drop deviation to 6%. Simulated flow-evaporation heat transfer coefficients are significantly higher than those predicted using analytic models from the literature. A new flow evaporation heat transfer correlation that accounts for developing slug flow effects is proposed, and yields close agreement with simulation results for heat transfer coefficient (AAD = 11%) and overall heat transfer rate (2%). Overall, this investigation provides validation for a distributed-heated BPG modeling approach, which can enable passive refrigeration for diverse applications.
Unexpected Alliance of WHIP-TRIM14-PPP6C to Combat Viruses.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Tan et al. (2017) provide novel perspectives into the regulatory role of WHIP-TRIM14-PPP6C signalosome in enhancing RIG-I-mediated viral RNA sensing pathway.
Computational polarimetric localization with a radiating metasurface

A novel computational technique is presented in this article for enabling the estimation of both the localization of radiating sources and their polarization states. To this end, a radiating metasurface is conceived to multiplex the polarization information received by the its aperture into a single frequency domain signal, allowing for a massive simplification of the architectures conventionally implemented.
The viability of conductive medical epoxy as an implantable electrode material

Electrodes are an important part of any medical implant for making biopotential measurements, but current designs have shortcomings. This paper shows the viability of conductive medical epoxy as an electrode material for implants. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy characterization of the electrodes suggested the feasibility with reasonable impedance results in saline solutions. After fabricating a sample electrode configuration with conductive medical epoxy, in vivo subcutaneous testing provides satisfactory electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms. Using conductive medical epoxy could provide greater flexibility during the implant design process.
Critical Theory and Transformative Learning: Rethinking the Radical Intent of Mezirow's Theory

Mezirow relies on the critical theory of Habermas to give his theory of transformative learning rigor. Yet critiques persist and focus on whether the theory has an adequate understanding of the soc...
Moisture and Heat Transport in a Stably Stratified Boundary Layer over a Water Surface

An experiment carried out at the Air-Sea wind tunnel in Marseille is described in which a stably stratified boundary layer was formed over a water surface. The density gradient was caused by both the temperature and humidity gradients. Particular attention is given to the flow conditions at the critical Richardson number where violent bursts of heat, moisture and momentum flux occurred. Mean, conditional and classified flux profiles as well as spectra and cross spectra of velocity, temperature and humidity are described for the bursting phenomenon. The results show some similarity to the bursting in the wall region of (neutral) turbulent boundary layers observed by other workers.
Collaborative Network Organizations: New Technical, Managerial and Social Infrastructures to Capture the Value of Distributed Intelligence

Arguing that distributed problem solving networks (DSPN) reconfigure information and communication flows in ways that can enhance the communicative power of networked individuals that span geographical and organizational boundaries in ways that create challenges for firms and organizations that seek to capture the value of DSPNs.Paper prepared for presentation at the EPSRC Workshop on 'Managing for Usability: Challenges and Opportunities for e-Science Project Management', at the Oxford e-Research Centre, University of Oxford, 10-11 April 2008.
Adenoma and Carcinoma, Adrenal Cortex, Mouse

Adenomas of the adrenal cortex in mice are often not visible grossly but may appear as a slightly enlarged adrenal gland when compared to the contralateral organ. Carcinomas often appear as enlarged adrenal glands of up to 5 mm or more in diameter. The affected adrenal is usually spherical or lobulated and may vary from flesh colored to dark red or brown.
Updated evaluation of shock hazards to firefighters working in proximity of PV systems

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is evaluating a variety of Photovoltaic (PV) operating conditions that have raised concern of shock hazard among firefighters and other emergency responders, including a scenario where the array might be illuminated by high power floodlights in a nighttime firefighting event. Theoretical approaches to determining the shock hazards to firefighters from PV arrays under worst-case daytime conditions are described. In order to evaluate the extend of the hazards in a nighttime fire scenario, experimental tests were conducted under full-moon illumination, specifically under a rare Super Moon event. We have monitored available power levels of a PV array power levels under realistic worst-case illumination conditions. The evaluations considered a variety of PV array sizes, proximity to high intensity flood lamps of the type used by firefighter personnel, as well as full-moon illumination. IV traces from individual modules, as well as PV modules connected in parallel and series, were recorded to determine the available power levels. All conditions tested showed that the shock hazard to firefighting personnel under these worst-case conditions is well below the hazard limits defined iec TS 60479–1.
Skluma: An Extensible Metadata Extraction Pipeline for Disorganized Data

To mitigate the effects of high-velocity data expansion and to automate the organization of filesystems and data repositories, we have developed Skluma-a system that automatically processes a target filesystem or repository, extracts content-and context-based metadata, and organizes extracted metadata for subsequent use. Skluma is able to extract diverse metadata, including aggregate values derived from embedded structured data; named entities and latent topics buried within free-text documents; and content encoded in images. Skluma implements an overarching probabilistic pipeline to extract increasingly specific metadata from files. It applies machine learning methods to determine file types, dynamically prioritizes and then executes a suite of metadata extractors, and explores contextual metadata based on relationships among files. The derived metadata, represented in JSON, describes probabilistic knowledge of each file that may be subsequently used for discovery or organization. Skluma's architecture enables it to be deployed both locally and used as an on-demand, cloud-hosted service to create and execute dynamic extraction workflows on massive numbers of files. It is modular and extensible-allowing users to contribute their own specialized metadata extractors. Thus far we have tested Skluma on local filesystems, remote FTP-accessible servers, and publicly-accessible Globus endpoints. We have demonstrated its efficacy by applying it to a scientific environmental data repository of more than 500,000 files. We show that we can extract metadata from those files with modest cloud costs in a few hours.
Internal morality of medicine and physician autonomy

Robert Veatch and others have questioned whether there are internal moral rules of medicine. This paper examines the legal regulatory model for governing professions as the autonomous exercise of professional skills and asks whether there is a theoretical basis for this model. Taking John Rawls’s distinction between the justification of a practice and justification of the rules internal to the practice, this paper argues that the autonomous exercise of professional skills is justified so long as it benefits society. In opposition to Christopher Boorse, it is argued that medicine is pathocentric and that physicians exercise skills in treating pathologies. The autonomous treatment of pathologies is justified because non-interference with physicians will lead to greater treatment of pathologies and so benefit society. Finally, the analysis of medicine as the autonomous exercise of skills in treating pathologies yields the rule that physicians not be forced to cause pathologies.
Development of a Tool for Food Literacy Assessment in Children (TFLAC).

Abstract Objective Food literacy provides a framework for food-related knowledge, skills, and behaviors. The aim of this study was to develop a Tool for Food Literacy Assessment in Children (TFLAC), grades 4–5. Methods Development of the TFLAC consisted of 3 phases: (1) content validity using a 2-round modified Delphi panel (n = 16) and content validity ratios (CVR); (2) pilot-testing (n = 38); and (3) assessment of internal consistency and test-retest reliability (n = 706) using Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficients, respectively. Statistical significance was set at P Results Round 1 (CVR = 0.40) and 2 (CVR = 0.70) Delphi panel feedback and the pilot test informed modifications to the TFLAC question format, wording, and difficulty. Food literacy domain-specific Cronbach α values were acceptable (range, .80–.98) except for cooking knowledge (.63), and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.64–0.70 (P Conclusions and Implications The TFLAC meets basic psychometric standards and may serve as a foundation for nutrition education intervention design and evaluation. Further testing with a broader geographic audience may be warranted.
Cancer stem cell self-renewal as a therapeutic target in human oral cancer

Tumor recurrence following treatment remains a major clinical challenge in oral cavity cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been isolated from human oral cancers and been considered as the driving force of tumor recurrence and metastasis. However, it still remains unclear whether targeting CSCs in oral cancer is a clinically relevant strategy to combat cancer recurrence and metastasis. Here, using clinical cancer specimens and patient-derived xenografts, we show that the self-renewal regulator BMI1 is highly expressed in CSCs of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Inhibition of BMI1 decreases oral CSCs' self-renewal and tumor-initiating potential. Treatment of pre-established human oral cancer xenografts with a BMI1 inhibitor resulted in abrogation of tumor progression and reduced the frequency of CSCs in the xenografts. Remarkably, the BMI1 inhibitor has therapeutic effects in cisplatin-resistant tumors and can reduce metastases initiated by circulating CSCs. Mechanistically, BMI1-inhibition leads to oral CSC necroptotic cell death, which underlies the self-renewal impairment after inhibiting BMI1. Our data provide a pre-clinical proof-of-concept that targeting BMI1-related CSC self-renewal is a clinically relevant anti-cancer therapy in human oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.
Improved support vector machine models for work zone crash injury severity prediction and analysis

Work zones are a high priority issue in the field of road transportation because of their impacts on traffic safety. A better understanding of work zone crashes can help to identify the contributin...
The Shrinking Constitution of Settlement

Professor Sanford Levinson has famously distinguished between the "Constitution of Settlement" and the "Constitution of Conversation." The former comprises those aspects of the Constitution that are clear, well established, and resistant to creative interpretation. The latter comprises those aspects that are subject to ongoing litigation and debate. Although Americans tend to fixate on the Constitution of Conversation, Levinson argues that much of what ails our republic is attributable, at least in part, to the grossly undemocratic and "decidedly nonadaptive" Constitution of Settlement. This Article, prepared for a symposium on Levinson's coauthored book Democracy and Dysfunction, explains that the Constitution of Settlement is, in fact, becoming unsettled as growing levels of political frustration and polarization have roused a growing number of actors to seek to challenge or circumvent various pieces of it. Fundamental reform is now on the table. The Constitution of Conversation, meanwhile, is becoming ever less conversational. As these developments reflect, the distinction between Levinson's two constitutions is significantly more complicated — and fluid — than his binary implies. Ironically, Levinson is not just a leading critic of the Constitution of Settlement but also an active participant in its maintenance.
Chemical kinetics for operando electron microscopy of catalysts: 3D modeling of gas and temperature distributions during catalytic reactions

Abstract In situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) is a powerful tool for observing structural modifications taking place in heterogeneous catalysts under reaction conditions. However, to strengthen the link between catalyst structure and functionality, an operando measurement must be performed in which reaction kinetics and catalyst structure are simultaneously determined. To determine chemical kinetics for gas-phase catalysis, it is necessary to develop a reliable chemical engineering model to describe catalysis as well as heat and mass transport processes within the ETEM cell. Here, we establish a finite element model to determine the gas and temperature profiles during catalysis in an open-cell operando ETEM experiment. The model is applied to a SiO2-supported Ru catalyst performing CO oxidation. Good agreement is achieved between simulated compositions and those measured experimentally across a temperature range of 25 – 350 °C. In general, for lower conversions, the simulations show that the temperature and gas are relatively homogeneous within the hot zone of the TEM holder where the catalyst is located. The uniformity of gas and temperature indicates that the ETEM reactor system behavior approximates that of a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The large degree of gas-phase uniformity also allows one to estimate the catalytic conversion of reactants in the cell to within 10% using electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Moreover, the findings indicate that for reactant conversions below 35%, one can reliably evaluate the steady-state reaction rate of catalyst nanoparticles that are imaged on the TEM grid.
Towards the Development of a Cartilage-like Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite

Articular cartilage plays an important role in synovial joint function, but this function is diminished when cartilage tissue breaks down in osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering is a promising approach for replacing failed cartilage, as cartilage is a relatively simple tissue with no blood supply and very few biological cells. To imitate the structure of natural cartilage extracellular matrix material, three components must be included: the hydrated ground substance, the charges that contribute to compressive stiffness via electrostatic repulsion, and the nanofibrous collagen network that resists tensile deformation and failure. Here, the nanofiber network is considered, with examination of its fracture behavior in an as-electrospun state and following a mild chemical crosslinking process. Mode III fracture testing was used to quantify the tear toughness of the fibrous mats, and failure behavior was qualitatively examined with scanning electron microscopy. In ongoing work, this nanofibrous structure will be combined with a charged polyelectrolyte hydrogel gel to create a biomimetic cartilage-like material. By using biomimicry to replicate what is present in native cartilage tissue, a superior material can be designed and fabricated for use in tissue repair and replacement.
CHAPTER 8 – Product Spaces

Publisher Summary The topological product is, up to a homeomorphism, a well-defined, commutative, and associative operation. The product of two spaces (or a finite number of spaces) with a certain property should also have that property. Such properties are said to be invariant under finite products. The properties of being totally bounded, complete, and of the first category are countably productive for metric spaces. The family of all sets with finite complements is a filter in an infinite set and a filter can be generated by a family of sets with the finite intersection property. For metric spaces, the following properties are invariant under finite products: (1) boundedness, (2) total boundedness, and (3) completeness. Tichonov spaces can be topologically embedded in compact Hausdorff spaces in the product space of closed intervals.
Uses, Overuses, and Problems Associated with the Implantable Defibrillator

Since the invention of the internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the 1980s, there has been a marked increase in the rate of ICD implants, as data from secondary and primary prevention trials accumulated. The increase has mostly occurred for primary prevention ICDs which account for nearly 80% of all ICD implants in the USA. Over these three decades, we have learned much from long-term follow-up of patients with ICDs. This chapter discusses the current indications and contraindications of ICDs, survival of patients receiving a primary prevention ICD in clinical practice versus clinical trials, misuses of ICDs, and complications resulting from ICD use.
The transition experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes from paediatric to adult care providers

Purpose Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for poor health outcomes as they transition from paediatric to adult healthcare providers. This is in part due to the complexities of young adult life as individuals with T1D enter the workforce, leave home or start college while learning to manage the disease on their own. We sought to identify the barriers and facilitators adolescents face during their emerging adult years with T1D. Methods Young adults, aged 24-35, who lived with T1D during their adolescent years were recruited online to complete a survey regarding their experience with care transition. Categorical data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A thematic analysis, guided by the Framework for Emerging Adults with T1D, was used to explore the free-text data. Results In total, 25 adults (84% female) with mean age of 28 ± 3.2 years participated. Themes that arose from the analysis of the paediatric to adult care transition experiences included (1) importance of support from key players, (2) challenges navigating the healthcare system, (3) mental health needs of emerging adults with T1D, (4) managing day-to-day life with T1D and (5) early independence to ease transition. Conclusion Individuals with T1D face a variety of challenges as they transition from paediatric to adult care providers. A proactive approach in educating adolescents is needed.
A modified approach to in-school victimization, authoritative school climate, and student feelings of safety

Decades of research on fear of victimization suggest individuals draw upon their perceived risk of victimization in their development of fear, in what has become known as the risk assessment framew...
Examining Gender in Heterosexual Couple Relationships Utilizing the Biobehavioral Family Model: Implications for Couple Therapy

This feminist-informed study examined the ability of the Biobehavioral Family Model (BBFM; Wood, 1993) to explain connections between heterosexual couple processes, health, and the influence of gen...
Modern Women Intellectuals and the Sandino Rebellion: Carmen Sobalvarro and Aura Rostand

Achieving global fame in 1927, Nicaragua’s General Augusto Cesar Sandino came to symbolize and unite international solidarity movements against US imperialism by cultivating a sophisticated transnational intellectual network that encompassed communications, public relations, intelligence, provisions, volunteers, and fundraising. The participation of male public intellectuals in Sandino’s strategic communications is well documented, but the roles of intellectual women in the rebellion have not been appreciably explored to date. Bringing to light new archival research on the Nicaraguan poets and journalists Carmen Sobalvarro and Aura Rostand, this article examines how their gendered writing and public personae propagated both Sandino’s war and his legacy after his 1934 assassination. As part of an informal network of women intellectuals, Sobalvarro and Rostand played integral roles in Sandino’s public relations in Nicaragua and abroad. As Sandino has once again become a contested figure in light of Nicaragua’s oppressive Ortega-Murillo government, this recuperative cultural study also bears on present-day Nicaraguan political discourse. Resumen Logrando fama global en 1927, el General Augusto Cesar Sandino de Nicaragua llego a simbolizar y unir los movimientos internacionales de solidaridad contra el imperialismo norteamericano por medio de cultivar una sofisticada red intelectual que cruzaba fronteras e incluia los medios comunicativos, las relaciones publicas, la inteligencia, las provisiones, los voluntarios y la recaudacion de fondos. La participacion de los hombres intelectuales en la lucha de Sandino se ha documentado bien, pero los papeles de las mujeres intelectuales todavia no se ha explorado suficientemente. Revelando investigaciones archivisticas nuevas sobre Carmen Sobalvarro y Aura Rostand, poetas y periodistas nicaraguenses, este articulo examina como sus escrituras e imagenes publicas propagaron tanto la guerra de Sandino como su legado despues de su asesinato en 1934. Formando parte de una red informal de mujeres intelectuales, Sobalvarro y Rostand hicieron papeles integros en las relaciones publicas sandinistas a traves de las Americas. Puesto que Sandino se ha convertido otra vez en una figura contestada con respecto al gobierno opresivo Ortega-Murillo, este estudio cultural recuperativo tambien pesa sobre el discurso politico actual en Nicaragua.
Empowering computing students with proficiency in robotics via situated learning

With the increasing employment of robots in multiple areas such as smart manufacturing and intelligent transportation, both undergraduate and graduate students from computing related majors (e.g., computer science and information technology) demonstrated strong interests in learning robotics technology to broaden their career opportunities. However, instilling computing students with robotics knowledge remains a challenge since most of them have limited pre-training in engineering subjects such as electronics and mechatronics. Therefore, robotics education for computing students demands an immersive real-world learning environment by considering both theories and intensive hands-on projects. Different from traditional textbook-directed robotics learning, in this study, a situated learning-based robotics education pedagogy is proposed for computing students to equip them with robotics expertise and foster their problem-solving skills in real-world human–robot interaction contexts. To create a realistic human–robot collaboration situation, a multi-modal collaborative robot is employed in the classroom-based learning community for the whole semester. Mini-project-based homework and team projects are designed for students to practice their critical thinking and hands-on experiences. The bidirectional-evaluation approach is utilized by the instructor and students to assess the quality of the proposed pedagogy. Practice results and student evaluations suggested that the proposed situated learning-based pedagogy and robotics curriculum provided computing students to learn robotics in an effective way, which was well recognized and accepted by students even most of them were beginners. Future work of this study is also discussed.
Protective effects of dietary curcumin and astaxanthin against heat-induced ROS production and skeletal muscle injury in male and female C57BL/6J mice.

Abstract Aims This study aimed to: 1) investigate sex differences in heat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS production, and skeletal muscle injury in mice; 2) evaluate whether curcumin and astaxanthin, alone or together, would prevent those heat-induced changes. Main methods Male and female C57BL/6J mice were treated with curcumin and astaxanthin for 10 days, then exposed to 39.5 °C heat for up to 3 h. Heat-induced hyperthermia, changes in mitochondrial morphology and function, and oxidative damage to skeletal muscle were evaluated. Key findings Although female mice had a slightly higher basal core body temperature (Tc) than male mice, peak Tc during heat exposure was significantly lower in females than in males. Heat increased ROS levels in skeletal muscle in both sexes; interestingly, the increases in ROS were greater in females than in males. Despite the above-mentioned differences, heat induced similar levels of mitochondrial fragmentation and membrane potential depolarization, caspase 3/7 activation, and injury in male and female skeletal muscle. Individual treatment of curcumin or astaxanthin did not affect basal and peak Tc but prevented heat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS increases, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, a low-dose combination of curcumin and astaxanthin, which individually showed no effect, reduced the heat-induced oxidative damage to skeletal muscle. Significance Both male and female mice can develop mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle when exposed to heat stress. High doses of either curcumin or astaxanthin limit heat-induced skeletal muscle injury, but a low-dose combination of these ingredients may increase their efficacy.
A design procedure for discrete adaptive control systems.

Design synthesis of adaptive control system for linear discrete plants with time varying parameters, noisy measurements and statistical and deterministic disturbances
Forgotten But Not Lost: The Original Public Meaning of Section 4 of the Fourteenth Amendment

The conflict between Congress and the President over the federal debt ceiling during the summer of 2011 ignited a constitutional controversy regarding a relatively obscure provision in the Fourteenth Amendment: the first sentence of Section 4. It provides that “the validity of the public debt...shall not be questioned.” Several prominent constitutional scholars insist that this provision has a broad meaning that gives the President power to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally to prevent default on federal government debt. None of their arguments, however, address the original public meaning of Section 4 even though many progressive and conservative scholars agree that the original public meaning of a constitutional provision should be the starting point in constitutional interpretation. This Note will provide the first scholarly account of the original public meaning of the first sentence of Section 4 and argue that the original public meaning of the provision does not allow for the broad interpretation it has been given. The statement in the first sentence of Section 4 that “the validity of the public debt...shall not be questioned” had the original public meaning of prohibiting direct governmental debt repudiation only. This language echoes technical legal language from the 19th century that possessed a very specific meaning. The definition of “to question” from contemporary dictionaries also confirms that the first sentence has a very specific original meaning. Finally, the history surrounding Section 4 supports this understanding of the original meaning of the first sentence. This Note also provides a brief separate argument for favoring a narrow interpretation of the first sentence based on the Constitution’s assignment of borrowing power to Congress.
Hormonal and dietary regulation of changes in bone density during lactation and after weaning in women

Lactating women secrete approximately 250 mg of calcium in breast milk each day. Some of the calcium used for milk production comes from bone as women experience a transient 3-9% decrease in bone density during lactation. This loss appears to be obligatory and under hormonal regulation as lactation-induced bone loss occurs even when calcium intake is high. Bone mineral is recovered after lactation ceases or menses resume. Recovery of bone mineral appears to be complete even when pregnancies and lactations are closely spaced, and lactation does not increase future risk of osteoporotic fracture. Current data point to estrogen and parathyroid hormone-related peptide as regulating bone mobilization during lactation. The typical calcium regulatory hormones, parathyroid hormone, calcitriol and calcitonin, do not appear to stimulate bone resorption during lactation. Restoration of ovarian hormone production and decreased production of PTHrP2 are likely to result in the recovery of bone mineral after lactation has ceased.
DNA rearrangements through spatial graphs

The paper is a short overview of a recent model of homologous DNA recombination events guided by RNA templates that have been observed in certain species of ciliates. This model uses spatial graphs to describe DNA rearrangements and show how gene recombination can be modeled as topological braiding of the DNA. We show that a graph structure, which we refer to as an assembly graph, containing only 1- and 4-valent rigid vertices can provide a physical representation of the DNA at the time of recombination. With this representation, 4-valent vertices correspond to the alignment of the recombination sites, and we model the actual recombination event as smoothing of these vertices.
Metabolism of acetylcholine receptors on embryonic amphibian muscle

The functional properties of acetylcholine receptors are altered during the development of Xenopus myotomal muscle. A similar change also occurs in dissociated cell cultures of embryonic myotomal muscle. Metabolism of acetylcholine receptors was examined in order to ascertain whether the turnover rate changed at a time when the functional changes were detected. Incorporation of newly synthesized receptors occurred at a constant rate over a 24-hr period. The degradation of receptors followed first order kinetics with a half-life of 52 hr. Incorporation and degradation occurred at approximately equal rates such that 1 to 1.5% of the total receptor number was replaced every hour at equilibrium. Addition of neural tube cells to muscle cell culture, which altered the functional properties of channels, had no effect on either the incorporation or the degradation rate. We conclude that the changes in the functional properties of receptors occur independent of changes in the turnover rate of receptors.
Consumer theory based on the marginal rate of substitution function

This paper presents an alternative structure of demand theory based on a marginal rate of substitution (MRS) function. The theory's new results include: 1) criteria are derived for goods to be normal/inferior, "ordinary"/Giffen, and substitutes/complements, for the n-goods case; 2) the total effect of a price change is decomposed into MRS and relative price (RP) effects, corresponding respectively to income and substitution effects for an own-price change but not for a cross-price change; 3) the RP effect of a cross-price increase is always positive; and 4) a good is a complement if and only if the MRS effect is negative and its absolute value is larger than the RP effect. Pedagogically, the new approach makes it possible to teach demand theory speedily and effectively because the MRS is a relatively concrete entity, the theory and its results are transparent, and the results of standard utility-based theory are derived far more easily.
Distinguishing k-defects from their canonical twins

We study $k$-defects---topological defects in theories with more than two derivatives and second-order equations of motion---and describe some striking ways in which these defects both resemble and differ from their analogues in canonical scalar field theories. We show that, for some models, the homotopy structure of the vacuum manifold is insufficient to establish the existence of $k$-defects, in contrast to the canonical case. These results also constrain certain families of Dirac-Born-Infeld instanton solutions in the 4-dimensional effective theory. We then describe a class of $k$-defect solutions, which we dub ``doppelg\"angers,'' that precisely match the field profile and energy density of their canonical scalar field theory counterparts. We give a complete characterization of Lagrangians which admit doppelg\"anger domain walls. By numerically computing the fluctuation eigenmodes about domain wall solutions, we find different spectra for doppelg\"angers and canonical walls, allowing us to distinguish between $k$-defects and the canonical walls they mimic. We search for doppelg\"angers for cosmic strings by numerically constructing solutions of Dirac-Born-Infeld and canonical scalar field theories. Despite investigating several examples, we are unable to find doppelg\"anger cosmic strings, hence the existence of doppelg\"angers for defects with codimension $g1$ remains an open question.
Measurement of pore connectivity to describe diffusion through a nonaqueous phase in unsaturated soils

Abstract Contaminant diffusion through a nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) in unsaturated soils may often be an important transport mechanism. A diffusion tube technique was used to measure the effective diffusivity through NAPL in unsaturated soils as a function of soil type (or pore size distribution), water saturation (milliliter water/milliliter void), and NAPL saturation (milliliter NAPL/milliliter void). Results indicated that the effective diffusivities depended on the `connectivity' of the NAPL. This `connectivity' increased with NAPL saturation, but was shown to have a more complex relation to the water saturation and pore size distribution of the soil. A series of mercury intrusion and extrusion experiments was also carried out to characterize the pore size distribution and pore `connectivity' of the model soils. Using this characterization of the pore size distribution, along with a previously developed diffusional resistance model, the effective diffusivity was reasonably predicted for the soils and saturations examined in this study.
Receptivity of Supersonic Boundary Layers to Acoustic Disturbances

Boundary layer receptivity to two-dimensional slow and fast acoustic waves is investigated by solving Navier-Stokes equations for Mach 4.5 flow over a flat plate with a finite-thickness leading edge. Higher order spatial and temporal schemes are employed to obtain the solution whereby the flat-plate leading edge region is resolved by providing a sufficiently refined grid. The results show that the instability waves are generated in the leading edge region and that the boundary-layer is much more receptive to slow acoustic waves (by almost a factor of 20) as compared to the fast waves. Hence, this leading-edge receptivity mechanism is expected to be more relevant in the transition process for high Mach number flows. The effect of acoustic wave incidence angle is also studied and it is found that the receptivity of the boundary layer on the windward side (with respect to the acoustic forcing) decreases by more than a factor of 4 when the incidence angle is increased from 0 to 45 deg. However, the receptivity coefficient for the leeward side is found to vary relatively weakly with the incidence angle. The effect of leading-edge thickness is also studied and bluntness is found to stabilize the boundary layer. The relative significance of fast acoustic waves is enhanced in the presence of bluntness.
Estimates of Macroinvertebrate Biomass in Lake Michigan

Abstract To obtain updated, more accurate estimates of macroinvertebrate standing stocks in Lake Michigan, benthic biomass (ash-free dry weight) was determined at 40 stations in the southern end of the lake in 1980 and 1981. Biomass generally increased as sampling depth increased from 16 to 30 m, peaked at depths of 30–40 m, and then declined at depths greater than 40 m. Mean total biomass at the 16–30 m, 31–50 m, 51–90, and > 90 m depth intervals was 4.9, 7.8, 4.2, and 1.9 g m −2 , respectively. Oligochaetes (46%) and Pontoporeia hoyi (44%) accounted for most of the biomass at depths shallower than 30 m, but P. hoyi was the dominant form (65%) at depths greater than 30 m. Differences in total biomass between years and seasons (spring, summer, fall) were not significant, but year × season interaction was significant at depths greater than 30 m. Mean biomass in the profundal of southern Lake Michigan (> 90 m) was over twice that found in the profundal of either Lakes Superior, Huron, or Ontario.
SU‐GG‐I‐112: PET Imaging of Heterogeneous Tumors: An Investigation of the Influence of Motion On Recovered Activity

Purpose: As multi‐day PET studies become part of targeted therapy planning and treatment assessment, it is important to characterize how positioning errors affect observed tumor heterogeneity. We have characterized the uncertainty in recovered‐activity in PET‐imaging of heterogeneous tumors as a function of axial position. Method and Materials: Recovery coefficient (RC) is ratio of maximum activity‐concentration to the true specific activity in an object. The uncertainty in RC was quantified by RCerror: the quotient ( RC max − RC min )/ RC mean . We measured RCerrors for a GE Discovery LS PET/CT scanner with an axial detector width of 4.25mm. A Heterogeneous‐tumor phantom, containing three 18 F ‐ filled spheres (15mm, 10mm, 5mm diameter), was scanned as the phantom was moved axially in 1mm intervals. RCerror of the spheres were determined in imagesreconstructed by iterative ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) and filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms. The clinical effect was investigated using head and neck cancer (HN) patients imaged on this scanner.18FLT‐PET images of patients were thresholded into three levels of relative uptake, and segmented into connected sub‐regions. We simulated multi‐scan studies and calculated the changes in SUV that result from repositioning the patient. Results: OSEM reconstruction provided more accurate recovery of activity in the spheres when compared to FBP. However, uncertainty of these OSEM values was larger, as RCerrors were 27%, 8% and 4% for the 5mm, 10mm and 15mm spheres respectively. In contrast, RCerrors were 10%, 8% and 3% for FBP. The effects of RCerrors were examined in clinical images; a positioning error of 5‐degree tilt caused 23% decrease in correlation within the tumor region of patient 1 and 12% in patient 2. Conclusion: Uncertainty in the RC depends on object diameter, reconstruction algorithm, and axial‐displacement. However, heterogeneities in FBP images of consecutive PET studies would be less susceptible to errors related to the axial positioning of tumors.
Numerical simulation of a dual-source supersonic plasma jet expansion process: continuum approach

Expanding thermal plasma (ETP) is a versatile technology for thin film deposition process with directional plasma flux and high deposition rates. This process involves expansion of supersonic plasma jets through a steep pressure ratio into a chamber maintained at near vacuum. Usually the plasma jets deviate from chemical and thermal equilibrium and the continuum approach is insufficient to describe the phenomena. In the current work, the continuum approach based Navier?Stokes equations have been implemented to study and understand the jet expansion process in a typical dual-arc plasma deposition reactor. The numerical predictions have been compared against in-house experimental data obtained by thermocouple measurements. For the range of back pressures (6?200?Pa) considered, it was observed that the jet core is supersonic and transitions to a subsonic zone downstream without the formation of any Mach disc for the prevalent operating parameters. Indications of thick and smeared barrel shocks were however observed in the computed flow-thermal fields. The modelled fluid was assumed to be a perfect gas with temperature dependent specific heats, thermal conductivity and viscosity coefficients, with constant Prandtl number of order unity. The radial spreads of the jets increase with increasing pressure ratio thus leading to enhanced interactions within reduced distances downstream of the nozzle exit. The jet core Mach number also increases, but moderately, with decreasing backpressure. It is concluded that within reasonable accuracy, continuum approach based calculations are able to capture most of the important phenomena involved in compressible, high-temperature, supersonic jet expansion processes which are essential in designing chambers relevant to the mentioned processes.
Transequatorial Effects of Sea-Surface Temperature Anomalies in a Global General Circulation Model

The global response of the atmosphere to a persistent anomalous pool of warm sea surface temperatures in the extratropical Pacific Ocean is examined in terms of the meridional pole-to-pole profile of the zonally-averaged 600 mb surface for periods up to 90 days. Following an initial hydrostatic inflation of the isobaric surface in the latitude of the warm pool, effects spread poleward within the hemisphere, then begin to appear after about two to three weeks in high latitudes of the opposite hemisphere, but with little or no response in the tropics. The same sea temperature anomaly field generates a stronger response in winter than in summer, and a very different reaction when located in the Southern Hemisphere than when in the Northern Hemisphere.
Salience as a Dimension of Individual and Group Risk Taking

Summary Two components of the salience of hypothetical dilemmas, relevance and cost, were examined in their effects upon reported willingness of groups and their individual members to make risky decisions. Forty-eight undergraduates read and discussed hypothetical dilemmas, set in either familiar or unfamiliar settings at two levels of cost. Individuals and groups indicated the highest level of risk acceptable before making the risky choice. The combination of relevance and low cost produced greatest risk, together with a risky shift from initial individual responses to group consensus. The results suggested that the two factors are jointly important in decisions involving risk.