cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pseudechetoxin binds to the pore turret of cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels.

Peptide toxins are invaluable tools for studying the structure and physiology of ion channels. Pseudechetoxin (PsTx) is the first known peptide toxin that targets cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) ion channels, which play a critical role in sensory transduction in the visual and olfactory systems. PsTx inhibited channel currents at low nM concentrations when applied to the extracellular face of membrane patches expressing olfactory CNGA2 subunits. Surprisingly, 500 nM PsTx did not inhibit currents through channels formed by the CNGA3 subunit from cone photoreceptors. We have exploited this difference to identify the PsTx-binding site on the extracellular face of CNG channels. Studies using chimeric channels revealed that transplantation of the pore domain from CNGA2 was sufficient to confer high affinity PsTx binding upon a CNGA3 background. To further define the binding site, reciprocal mutations were made at 10 nonidentical amino acid residues in this region. We found that two residues in CNGA2, D316 and Y321, were essential for high-affinity inhibition by PsTx. Furthermore, replacement of both residues was required to confer high-affinity PsTx inhibition upon CNGA3. Several other residues, including E325, also form favorable interactions with PsTx. In the CNGA2-E325K mutant, PsTx affinity was reduced by ∼5-fold to 120 nM. An electrostatic interaction with D316 does not appear to be the primary determinant of PsTx affinity, as modification of the D316C mutant with a negatively charged methanethiosulfonate reagent did not restore high affinity inhibition. The residues involved in PsTx binding are found within the pore turret and helix, in similar positions to residues that form the receptor for pore-blocking toxins in voltage-gated potassium channels. Furthermore, biophysical properties of PsTx block, including an unfavorable interaction with permeant ions, also suggest that it acts as a pore blocker. In summary, PsTx seems to occlude the entrance to the pore by forming high-affinity contacts with the pore turret, which may be larger than that found in the KcsA structure.
Just Plain "Ought''

Is there any sense to the idea of an ``ought''that is not relative to any particularnormative framework? This ``ought'' would not bea moral, prudential, legal, aesthetic, orreligious ``ought,'' but rather an unqualified or just plain ``ought.'' Thispaper (i) argues for the existence andusefulness of just plain ``ought''; (ii) locatesthe concept of just plain ``ought'' within amajor strand in the history of ethics (namely,the perennial attempt to demonstrate thatmorality and prudence are in harmony); and(iii) challenges David Copp's recent attempt toshow that in fact there is no such thing asjust plain ``ought.'' A theory of just plain``ought'' emerges along the way.
Analysis and Experimental Results of Load Adaptive Voltage Regulator for Battery Powered Applications

Voltage Regulators (VRs) Efficiency improvement especially at light load currents is important in many applications including those that are battery powered and has energy consumption constrains. However, maintaining good and controlled steady-state and dynamic performance should be maintained and controlled while improving efficiency. In this paper, analytical study of VR losses and voltage ripple deviation is presented and discussed, yielding to proposed control technique, namely "Pulse Sliding" (PSL) control technique, which results in improved VR conversion efficiency with low and controlled voltage ripple. PSL is compared to other control methods by both analysis and experiments. Experimental results highly agree with theoretical analysis.
Acid Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

New reagents and catalysts have unlimited potential for the future of organic synthesis. We have been interested in Lewis and Bronsted acid catalysis for a number of years. In this chapter, I am going to review on several of these acids and related catalysts from the conceptual aspect of their molecular design and engineering.
Walking in a vacuum-assisted socket shifts the stump fluid balance.

Gains in stump volume have been documented in trans-tibial amputees while walking in custom made under-sized, total surface-bearing, vacuum-assisted sockets (Board et al., 2001). These gains raised doubts as to whether the sockets were truly under-sized and concerns that using an over-sized socket with vacuum-assist could lead to swelling, resulting, in discomfort or pain. The purposes of the present study were to determine if: (a) walking in a vacuum-assisted socket causes the stump to retain or gain volume in excess of the available socket volume and (b) the resulting increase in stump volume with an over-sized socket causes discomfort, pain, and/or the skin to redden. The results of this study showed the stump retained or gained volume in excess of the available socket volume while walking in vacuum-assist ed sockets of various sizes. The stump lost less volume than predicted, or gained volume, in under-sized sockets. It also gained more volume than predicted in over-sized sockets. No discomfort, pain, or skin reddening, resulting from the volume gain was reported by any of the subjects after walking in an over-sized socket. This change in fluid balance towards a net gain supports the findings by Board et al. (2001) that vacuum-assist ensures a good fit during the day in ambulatory trans-tibial traumatic amputees with mature stumps.
A Comparison of the α2/3/5 Selective Positive Allosteric Modulators L-838,417 and TPA023 in Preclinical Models of Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain.

GABAA receptors containing α2/3 subunits are current targets in the battle to develop new pain medications, as they are expressed in the spinal cord where increasing inhibitory drive should result in analgesia. However, this approach is prone to a range of side effects including sedation, cognitive impairment, and abuse as a consequence of the widespread influence of GABA. The ability to make subtype selective low-efficacy benzodiazepine compounds, which potentiate the action of GABA at specific α subunits, has the potential to reduce this side effect profile. In this study, we have investigated the effects of the medium-efficacy positive allosteric modulator (PAM) L-838,417 and the low-efficacy PAM TPA023 in a number of preclinical inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. We conclude that either the higher level of efficacy at α2/3 or efficacy at α5 is required for compounds to have a significant analgesic effect in a range of models, and, therefore, although the side-effect profile of compounds can be reduced compared to typical benzodiazepines, it is unlikely that it can be completely eliminated.
Technological innovation and its effect on public health in the United States.

BACKGROUND Good public health ensures an efficient work force. Organizations can ensure a prominent position on the global stage by staying on the leading edge of technological development. Public health and technological innovation are vital elements of prosperous economies. It is important to understand how these elements affect each other. This research study explored and described the relationship between these two critical elements/constructs. METHODS Indicators representing technological innovation and public health were identified. Indicator data from 2000 to 2009 were collected from various US federal government sources, for the four US Census regions. The four US Census regions were then compared in terms of these indicators. Canonical correlation equations were formulated to identify combinations of the indicators that are strongly related to each other. Additionally, the cause-effect relationship between public health and technological innovation was described using the structural equation modeling technique. RESULTS The four US Census regions ranked differently in terms of both type of indicators in a statistically significant manner. The canonical correlation analysis showed that the first set of canonical variables had a fairly strong relationship, with a magnitude > 0.65 at the 95% confidence interval, for all census regions. Structural equation modeling analysis provided β 12.98, for all census regions. The threshold Student's t statistic was 1.98. Hence, it was found that the β values were significant at the 95% confidence interval, for all census regions. DISCUSSION The results of the study showed that better technological innovation indicator scores were associated with better public health indicator scores. Furthermore, the study provided preliminary evidence that technological innovation shares causal relation with public health.
Childhood Maltreatment, Altered Limbic Neurobiology, and Substance Use Relapse Severity via Trauma-Specific Reductions in Limbic Gray Matter Volume

OBJECTIVES To identify structural neural characteristics independently associated with childhood maltreatment (CM; a common type of childhood adversity), comparing a sample with SUD with a demographically comparable control sample, and to examine the relationship between CM-related structural brain changes and subsequent relapse. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Structural magnetic resonance imaging study comparing 79 treatment-engaged participants with SUD in acute remission in inpatient treatment at a community mental health center vs 98 healthy control participants at an outpatient research center at an academic medical center. Both groups included individuals with a range of CM experiences. Participants with SUD were followed up prospectively for 90 days to assess relapse and relapse severity.
Patients' Perceptions of Quality of Care for Colorectal Cancer by Race, Ethnicity, and Language

Purpose To identify opportunities for improving care, we evaluated patients' perceptions of the quality of their cancer care by race, ethnicity, and language. Patients and Methods We surveyed a population-based cohort of 1,067 patients with colorectal cancer in northern California approximately 9 months after diagnosis. Adjusting for clinical and demographic factors, mean problem scores were analyzed on a 100-point scale for six domains of care. Results Mean problem scores were highest for health information (47.8), followed by treatment information (32.3), psychosocial care (31.7), coordination of care (21.3), confidence in providers (13.1), and access to cancer care (12.7). In adjusted comparisons with white patients, African American patients reported more problems with coordination of care (difference, 9.8; P < .001), psychosocial care (difference, 7.2; P = .03), access to care (difference, 6.6; P = .03), and health information (difference, 12.5; P < .001). Asian/Pacific Islander patients reported mor...
Plasma Renin Activity: A Method for Rapid Screening by Radioimmunoassay and a Comparison of Two Commercially Available Kits

Twenty to thirty percent of patients with essential hypertension have subnormal plasma renin activity (PRA) and lower incidences of stroke and myocardial infarction. NaCl intake influences PRA, which should thus be compared with 24-h urinary sodium excretion. Because such specimens are difficult to collect accurately, we investigated the relation between PRA and sodium in casual (i.e., untimed) urine specimens and found none. However, PRA and urinary Na/creatinine ratio are inversely correlated for casual specimens. This method is useful for screening individuals whose salt intake is low. Mean PRA, measured by the Schwarz-Mann procedure, was 0.62 ± 0.12 (SD) ng/ml per hour for 59 normotensive volunteers, 35% lower by the Squibb procedure.
Kinematic Evaluation of the Modified Weaver-Dunn Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction

Background:Few reconstructive methods to treat displaced acromioclavicular separations have been evaluated using kinematic data.Hypothesis:The modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction restores intact acromioclavicular joint motion during passive scapular plane abduction.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Acromioclavicular joint motion was recorded during passive humeral elevation in 3 states: an intact shoulder, an “injured” state in which the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments were transected, and finally in a reconstructed state using a modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction. Measurements were taken with an electromagnetic motion analysis system attached to rigid pins placed in the clavicle, scapula, humerus, and sternum during passive scapular plane humeral elevation.Results:Total translatory motion of the acromioclavicular joint in the cut state was significantly greater than both the intact and reconstructed states in the medial/lateral (intact, 4.3 mm; cut, 7.9 mm; reconstructed,...
A Test Of The Validity Of The Screening Hypothesis Versus The Human Capital Theory Using The Wu-Hausman Specification Test For Endogeneity

This paper tests for the validity of the screen hypothesis. The Wu-Hausman specification test for endogeneity is conducted by estimating a Mincerian semi-log earnings equation with two different years of schooling measures included as independent variablesone exogenous, and one endogenous. It is found that the exogenous formulation of years of school helps to explain the variance of the natural logarithm of earnings, while the endogenous formulation does not. These results indicate that schooling is used as a screening device.
Problems Encountered by Agricultural Marketing Firms in Food and Agricultural Product Exporting: Analysis of Survey Results

Agricultural marketing firms encounter many problems in their exporting efforts, some of which deter value-added firms particularly from exporting; their potential contribution to reducing the U.S. trade deficit could be substantial. This paper evaluates potential problems common to agricultural exporting firms to determine major deficiencies in trade support services. A three-page survey was mailed out, and results show that start-up and financial problems were their greatest concern; export finance problems were especially troubling for smaller firms and those with fewer years' experience. A revised comprehensive export policy emphasizing financial assistance to smaller firms and designed to encourage new exporters could increase total U.S. agricultural exports and enhance competitiveness in international trade.
Analysis of the disinfection results obtained from hospitals in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing (2005-2007).

Objective To analyze the results of disinfection in hospitals of Jiulongpo district in Chongqing during 2005-2007.Methods Results of disinfection during the period of 2005 and 2007 were analyzed by sampling of these hospitals 1 to 2 times per year.Results were statistically analyzed according to the standards and regulations issued by the Ministry of Health.Results Nine hospitals were surveyed.After disinfection,3 099 samples collected from the object surface,indoor air,hands of medical staff and medical instruments were analyzed.2 545 samples(82.1%) were up to the standard.The percentage of samples up to the standard in 2006(86.1%) and in 2007(85.7%) was significantly greater than 2005(67.3%).The percentage of samples fulling the standard was:indoor air(35.2%),medical personnel's hands(78.9%),surface of objects(90.3%) and medical instruments(95.4%) after disinfection.The qualification rates of indoor air,medical personnel's hands,surface of objects,medical instruments after disinfection in different year were statistically analysed from 2005 to 2007.The qualification percentage of indoor air(53.7%) fulling the standard was greatest in 2007 and the percentage was significantly difference from 2005.The percentage of samples from medical personnel's hands(81.3%) collected in 2006 was greater than 2005(72.4%).All medical instruments were up to the standard in 2005 and the percentage was decreasing from 2005 to 2007.Conclusion The percentage of samples fulling the national standard was increasing,but the overall passing rate was not high.The program of disinfection should be strengthened.
Ruptured status discrimination performance of aspect ratio, height/width, and bottleneck factor is highly dependent on aneurysm sizing methodology

Background Numerous size and shape parameters have historically been used to describe cerebral aneurysms and to correlate rupture status. These parameters are often inconsistently defined. Objective To evaluate the impact of definition variation on rupture status detection performance. Methods Catheter rotational angiographic data sets of 134 consecutive aneurysms (60 ruptured) were automatically measured in 3 dimensions with a validated algorithm. According to the literature, aneurysm height was assessed as both maximal and orthogonal distances from dome to neck. Maximal and orthogonal widths were defined perpendicular to height definitions. Neck size was evaluated as minimum, maximum, and average diameter of the neck plane. Aspect ratio (AR; height/neck), height/width ratio (HW), and bottleneck factor (BNF; width/neck) were evaluated for alternative definitions of each size variable. Univariate statistics were used to identify significant features and to compute the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristic. Results The AR, HW, and BNF showed significant dependence on parameter definition. Statistical significance and performance varied widely, depending on alternative definitions: AR, AUC range of 0.59 to 0.75; HW, AUC range of 0.48 to 0.72; and BNF, AUC range of 0.57 to 0.72. Using maximal height, orthogonal width, and minimum neck resulted in the best AR, HW, and BNF performances. Compared with HW, AR and BNF were less sensitive to alternative definitions. Conclusion Alternative aneurysm size definitions have a significant impact on prediction performance and optimal threshold values. Adoption of standard methodology and sizing nomenclature appears critical to ensure rupture detection performance and reproducibility across studies.
Behavior Influence Assessment of Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Unrest and Popular Support Within Egypt

Abstract The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has generated tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over control of the Nile River in Northern Africa. However, tensions within Egypt have also been pronounced, leading up to and following the Arab Spring uprising of 2011. This study used the Behavior Influence Assessment (BIA) framework to simulate a dynamic hypothesis regarding how tensions within Egypt may evolve given the impacts of the GERD. Primarily, we addressed the interplay between four parties over an upcoming ten-year period: the Egyptian Regime, the Military-Elite, the Militant population, and the non-Militant population. The core tenant of the hypothesis is that rising food prices was a strong driver to the unrest leading up to the Arab Spring events and that this same type of economic stress could be driven by the GERD—albeit with different political undertones. Namely, the GERD offers the Regime a target for inciting nationalism, and while this may buy the regime time to fix the underlying economic impacts, ultimately there exists a tipping point beyond which exponentially increasing unrest is unavoidable without implementing strong measures, such as state militarization.
Computational Investigation of the Effects of Surface Imperfections and Excrescences on the Crossflow Instability

This paper describes a computational investigation and companion to the current work at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Flight Research Lab (FRL). The FRL is both operating an O-2A aircraft and conducting wind tunnel tests in the Klebanoff Saric Wind Tunnel (KSWT) in the investigation of surface excrescences on the transition of laminar to turbulent flow. Using a finite-element Navier-Stokes solution and a spectrally accurate boundary-layer solver, coupled with linear and nonlinear stability analyses, it is proposed to quantify the effect of surface imperfections and outer mold line (OML) non-uniformities on crossflow instabilities. The quantitative goal of the proposed research is to computationally evaluate a wide parameter space of step heights and gaps, and develop correlation models between geometry and estimated effect on transition for use by designers. The proposed computations will be validated against experiments on the physical model both in-flight and in the KSWT, and vice versa, in a tightly integrated program. This paper is a companion paper to “Effects of Step Excrescences on Swept-Wing Transition” by Duncan et al. also submitted to the 31st Applied Aerodynamics Conference.
Behavior on Transfer of Serum Stimulated Bone Marrow Colonies.

SummaryTransfer studies of developing in vitro mouse bone marrow colonies have shown that the colony stimulating factor in leukemic mouse serum is required both to trigger colony formation and for continued division of colony cells. Cross reactivity of colony stimulating activity was demonstrable between the sera of leukemic Swiss, Moloney and AKR mice and human mononucleosis serum. Transfer studies have demonstrated the feasibility of cloning developing bone marrow colony cells, the cloning efficiency varying from 19 to 47%. Cloning did not lead to the renewed formation of true colonies of the type developing de novo from stimulated bone marrow cells.
Chapter 5: Modern Comparative Law Development: National Provisions Concerning Legality around the World

This is Chapter 5 of Kenneth S. Gallant, The Principle of Legality in International and Comparative Criminal Law (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2009).Chapter 5 examines the constitutional and other legal provisions of the various states around the world to the extent that they deal with legality in criminal law. In a those states with no constitutional provision, other applicable law is considered. This chapter examines prohibitions of retroactivity of crime creation, increases in punishment, creation of new and special courts, and the individual responsibility/collective punishment issue. Three Appendices collect and analyze these provisions from nations worldwide. Appendix A indicates the existence and source of non-retroactivity provisions worldwide. Appendix B collects legality provisions current as of 1946/47, when the United Nations first studied the matter. Appendix C collects legality provisions as they exist around the world today.The chapter concludes that non-retroactivity of crime creation and increased punishment are so widespread in different domestic legal systems that they constitute general principles of law recognized by the community of nations.
Glacial lake deltas in New England record continuous, not delayed, postglacial rebound.

Deltas formed in Lake Hitchcock, a glacial lake that developed in the Connecticut River Valley, New England, between ∼18.3 and 12.5 ka. The heights of topset/foreset contacts of these deltas presently increase northward, linearly, at rate of ∼0.9 m/km. Others have interpreted this as indicating that isostatic rebound did not begin until after the lake drained, several kiloyears after glacial retreat began. However, (non-elastic) adjustment of Earth's lithosphere to changing loads is known to occur on time scales of years. Late-glacial shoreline features elsewhere in New England also increase in elevation with distance from the LGM margin at ∼0.9 m/km, suggesting that this is a result of fundamental properties of the crust and mantle, and independent of the history of glacier retreat. On the basis of a numerical model of flexure of the lithosphere beneath a circular load, we suggest that deflection of the lithosphere is remarkably linear in a zone 50–200 km wide between the retreating ice margin and a forebulge, and that initial rebound of this zone is spatially quite uniform for some kiloyears before differential rebound starts. Thus, lake shorelines, formed over a period of some centuries during deglaciation would, today, rise linearly northward.
Diagnostic evaluation of extremity vascular injuries.

Extremity vascular injuries can result in loss of limb, serious life-long functional disability, or even death. These problems may occur in spite of prompt, correct diagnosis, but it is particularly tragic when such an unfavorable outcome can be traced back to delayed or failed recognition, or simply to incorrect or incomplete assessment, of the extent or severity of a vascular injury.
Synthesis and polymerase incorporation of 5'-amino-2',5'-dideoxy-5'-N-triphosphate nucleotides.

This unit presents synthetic procedures for the preparation of 5′-amino-2′,5′-dideoxy analogs of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and thymidine, as well as corresponding 5′-N-triphosphate nucleotides, using commercially available reagents. The modified nucleosides are prepared in high yields from naturally occurring 2′-deoxynucleosides using robust chemical reactions including tosylation, azide exchange, and the Staudinger reaction. Efficient conversion of these 5′-amino nucleosides to corresponding 5′-N-triphosphate nucleotides is achieved through a one-step reaction with trimetaphosphate in Tris-buffered aqueous solution. The 5′-amino modification renders these nucleoside and nucleotide analogs markedly increased reactivity, which is useful for a variety of biochemical, pharmaceutical, and genomic applications. Also included in this unit are protocols for polymerase incorporation of the 5′-amino nucleotides, either partially or completely replacing their naturally occurring counterparts, and subsequent sequence-specific cleavage at the modified nucleotides under mildly acidic conditions. Keywords: amine; azide; modified nucleosides; modified nucleotide triphosphates; chemical synthesis; polymerase incorporation; sequence specific DNA cleavage
ATCT-30HYPERGLYCEMIA INDUCED BY PASIREOTIDE IN PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S DISEASE OR ACROMEGALY

BACKGROUND: Cushing's disease (CD) and acromegaly are characterized by excessive hormone production by secreting pituitary tumors, resulting in comorbidities such as impaired glucose metabolism. Pasireotide is a next-generation, multireceptor-targeted somatostatin analog approved for treatment of CD (subcutaneous [SC] injection) and acromegaly (long-acting release [LAR] formulation). In clinical studies of pasireotide, hyperglycemia-related adverse events (AEs) were frequently observed. However, differences in reported rates of hyperglycemia among various trials in CD and acromegaly were noted. Here, we review the incidence and highlight differences of pasireotide-induced hyperglycemia in CD and acromegaly. METHODS: We reviewed clinical trials evaluating pasireotide in patients with CD or acromegaly. RESULTS: The frequency of hyperglycemia-related AEs was lower in patients with acromegaly treated with pasireotide LAR (57.3%–67.0%) than in patients with CD treated with pasireotide SC (73.0%). Fewer patients with acromegaly treated with pasireotide LAR discontinued due to hyperglycemia-related AEs, as reported in 2 separate trials (C2305, 3.4%; C2402, 3.8%) and an interim analysis (ACCESS, 0%), than in patients with CD treated with pasireotide SC (6.0%). Hyperglycemia-related AEs occurred in 40.0% of patients with acromegaly treated with pasireotide SC, and 10.0% discontinued treatment because of hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: In studies of pasireotide, the frequency of hyperglycemia-related AEs was lower in acromegaly trials than in the CD trial, regardless of drug formulation, suggesting that disease pathophysiology may play an important role in glucose metabolism. However, among patients with acromegaly, the SC formulation resulted in fewer hyperglycemia-related AEs, indicating that drug formulation may also affect glucose metabolism. Because the CD trial occurred before the acromegaly trials, the benefit of increased physician experience with pasireotide use should also be considered. Ongoing studies evaluating pasireotide LAR in patients with CD and management of pasireotide-induced hyperglycemia in patients with CD or acromegaly (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01374906 and NCT02060383, respectively) will address these key safety issues.
Heterogeneous Chemistry of Lipopolysaccharides with Gas-Phase Nitric Acid: Reactive Sites and Reaction Pathways

Recent studies have shown that sea spray aerosol (SSA) has a size-dependent, complex composition consisting of biomolecules and biologically derived organic compounds in addition to salts. This additional chemical complexity most likely influences the heterogeneous reactivity of SSA, as these other components will have different reactive sites and reaction pathways. In this study, we focus on the reactivity of a class of particles derived from some of the biological components of sea spray aerosol including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that undergo heterogeneous chemistry within the reactive sites of the biological molecule. Examples of these reactions and the relevant reactive sites are proposed as follows: R–COONa(s) + HNO3(g) → NaNO3 + R–COOH and R–HPO4Na(s) + HNO3(g) → NaNO3 + R–H2PO4. These reactions may be a heterogeneous pathway not only for sea spray aerosol but also for a variety of other types of atmospheric aerosol as well.
Fourier Method for Calculating Fission Chain Neutron Multiplicity Distributions

A new way of utilizing the fast Fourier transform is developed to compute the probability distribution for a fission chain to create n neutrons. We then extend this technique to compute the probabi...
Cellular Cancer Processes and Their Molecular Targets for Nutritional Preemption of Cancer

1. Malignant cells are characterized by numerous alterations in multiple signaling pathways that promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, promote angiogenesis in the case of solid tumors and enable cancer cells to invade and migrate through tissues.
Development of New Ferritic/Martensitic Steels for Fusion Applications

Martensitic steels are considered for structural applications for fusion power plants, but they are limited by strength to operating temperatures below 550-600degC. For increased plant efficiency, steels for >650degC service are sought. Based on the science of precipitate strengthening, a thermomechanical treatment (TMT) was developed that respectively increased strength at 700degC of commercial nitrogen-containing steels and new steels designed for the TMT to 80 and 200% greater than for commercial steels with a conventional heat treatment. Precipitates in the steels after the TMT were up to eight-times smaller at a number density four orders of magnitude greater
Epigenetic Factors in Neuronal Differentiation

In recent years evidence has been accumulating on the concept that neuronal differentiation and growth are under the influence of both genetic and epigenetic factors. A great portion of the information available has derived from studies using the autonomic nervous system and from in vitro neural model systems. In this chapter I will review some of the observations which have contributed to the view of a pluropotential neuron. Two basic observations have prompted the reevaluation of basic developmental phenomena. One example is that portions of neural crest that normally provide sympathetic neurons may, under certain experimental conditions, provide parasympathetic neurons instead. The other observation is that neurons from a predominantly adrenergic sympathetic ganglion grown under certain tissue culture conditions form cholinergic synapses among themselves and on several types of target tissue in coculture. Finally, studies both in vivo and in vitro have shown that neuronal growth and differentiation are regulated by various epigenetic intrinsic factors such as hormones and neurohumors or substances secreted by the glial cells, the “glial factors.”
A Harmonic Analysis of Directed Graphs from Arithmetic Functions and Primes

In this paper, we study groupoid actions acting on arithmetic functions. In particular, we are interested in the cases where groupoids are generated by directed graphs. By fixing a prime p and a graph G, we establish a noncommutative free probabilistic structure embedded in the algebra of all arithmetic functions. We act the additive group \((\mathbb{R},+),\) the flow, on the free probability space dependent both on p and on G, and construct uncountable families of free probability spaces determined by the flow. We study fundamental properties of such a family.
Scaphoid Healing Required for Unrestricted Activity: A Biomechanical Cadaver Model

Purpose To determine if scaphoid fractures with bridging bone of 50% of their width treated with a centrally placed screw will restore biomechanical integrity equivalent to that of the intact scaphoid. Methods Twenty-four fresh cadaver scaphoids were used. Six were left intact to serve as the control group. Six were osteotomized 50% of their width and made up the osteotomy without screw group. Six were included in the 50% osteotomy plus compression screw group. The remaining 6 were to be treated with an osteotomy of 25% or 75% with a screw, based upon the results of the 50% osteotomy with screw group. Biomechanical testing was performed using an Instron testing machine, with a load applied to the scaphoid's distal pole. Load to failure and stiffness were measured. Results Intact scaphoids had an average load to failure of 610.0 N. The average load to failure of the 50% osteotomy group without a screw was 272.0 N and with a screw was 666.3 N. There was no significant difference in load to failure between the 50% osteotomy plus screw and the intact scaphoid. The 75% osteotomy plus screw was found to have a load to failure of 174.0 N, significantly lower than the intact scaphoid. The 50% osteotomy plus screw had a significantly higher stiffness than the intact scaphoid control. Conclusions A 50% intact scaphoid with a centrally placed screw showed similar load to failure and significantly higher stiffness than the intact scaphoid when tested in cantilever bending. Clinical relevance This study demonstrates that patients with scaphoid waist fractures who undergo surgery with a compression screw may be able to return to unrestricted activity with 50% partial healing.
Sustainability Perceptions and Emotions Related to Fast Fashion: College Student Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to understand college-aged consumers awareness of sustainability impacts related to their clothing consumption and identify the emotions they attach to fast-fashion vs. sustainable clothing consumption. The study also explored ways in which college-aged consumers may be willing to engage in more sustainable clothing consumption practices.
Dynamics and Implications of Distress Organizing

This study offers a theory-generating examination of the social construction processes through which members regularly exposed to psychological distress navigate paradoxical demands to both extend ...
Impact of solution composition on the resistance of ion exchange membranes

Abstract Resistance to ion transport in ion exchange membranes (IEMs) is detrimental to the performance of IEM-based processes. In this work we measured the resistance of representative IEMs, i.e. one cation (CEM) and one anion (AEM) exchange membrane, in 15 single-salt solutions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Resistance was sensitive to solute identity only in the case of the CEM for which it depended on the counter-ion identity; the resistance of the CEM was mostly insensitive to the co-ion identity, and the resistance of the AEM was mostly insensitive to both the counter-ion and co-ion identity. For all solutes, membrane resistance decreased sharply with increasing solution concentration below 0.1 M, and remained approximately constant above 0.1 M. An empirical mathematical model comprising a concentration-dependent term and a concentration-independent term successfully described membrane resistance as a function of solution concentration. The model builds on that previously proposed by Galama et al. (JMS 467 (2014), 279–291). We found that for both membranes, the concentration-dependent and concentration-independent terms of the resistance increased with increasing counter-ion hydration free energy. This was rationalized as the energy barrier to counter-ions having to shed/reorient water molecules of hydration, due to steric effects, when permeating the membranes. Also for both membranes, the concentration-dependent term of the resistance generally had a non-linear relationship with salt concentration. This result suggests that the concentration-dependent term is not attributable to bulk solution, and that there is a degree of randomness to the interconnectedness between the different membrane regions that contribute to ionic resistance. Our findings improve the understanding of the relationships between electrolyte properties and IEM resistance, and provide tools for assessing IEM resistance. This improved understanding is critical to establishing a complete IEM resistance theory and to evaluating new applications for IEMs.
COLLISIONS AND FLUCTUATIONS FOR GRANULAR MATERIALS

We describe two sets of experiments, one to characterize energy dissipation phenomena and one to characterize fluctuations in 3D slowly sheared granular material. The first experiment consists of a collider in which spheres roll down a slope and collide on a smooth flat surface. We analyze high speed video from these experiments to obtain collision rates, energies, etc. The second experiment consists of spheres confined in an annular geometry which are subject to slow shearing. Data for the stress show strong fluctuations in time. These fluctuations show a kind of rate invariance, and have distributions which are approximately exponential for large stresses.
The Implications of the Modified Right to Self-Determination1

In the previous chapter, I defended the modified right to self-determination, which establishes a norm for the just treatment of national groups. Pragmatism indicates, however, that if the modified right is to regulate the relations among state-endowed and stateless national groups, it has to have the capacity to become a legal norm with universal application within the present international legal system. I have already demonstrated that the modified right does not contradict the principle of territorial integrity, which is fundamental to this system.
Vestibular Rehabilitation for Dizziness and Imbalance Following Concussion: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Question: What is the efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation for treating imbalance and self-reported dizziness in patients experiencing prolonged symptoms of concussion? Clinical Bottom Li...
Writing and Reporting News You Can Use

Writing and Reporting News You Can Use instructs students on how to produce news that is informative, interesting, educational, and most importantly, compelling. It addresses roadblocks to student interest in writing news, using illustrative examples and exercises to help them understand how to write news that is interesting and accurate. Trujillo’s hands-on approach is based on real-world strategies that deal with audience and market characteristics. Students are writing from the very beginning while also getting the ethical and legal grounding necessary to understand the field. This textbook is a complete resource for students learning broadcast news, including how to get a job after leaving the classroom.
Orientation Relaxation Dynamics in Cellulose Nanocrystal Dispersions in the Chiral Liquid Crystalline Phase

A Landau-de Gennes formulation was implemented in dynamic finite element simulations to compare with postshear relaxation experiments that were conducted on cholesteric cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) dispersions. Our study focused on the microstructural reassembly of CNCs in lyotropic dispersions as parameters such as chiral strength and gap confinement were varied. Our simulation results show that homeotropic and/or more complicated three-dimensional helical configurations are possible, depending on the choice of these parameters. We also observed how dynamic banding patterns develop into the hierarchical microstructures that are characterized by an equilibrium pitch length in both the experiments and simulations. This work has immediate relevance for cellulose nanocrystal dispersion processing and provides new insight into fluid phase ordering for tailorable optical properties.
Predictive models for early lactation diseases in transition dairy cattle at dry-off

During the transition period, dairy cattle undergo tremendous metabolic and physiological changes to prepare for milk synthesis and secretion. Failure to sufficiently regulate these changes may lead to metabolic stress, which increases risk of transition diseases. Metabolic stress is defined as a physiological state consisting of 3 components: aberrant nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Current monitoring methods to detect cows experiencing metabolic stress involve measuring biomarkers for nutrient metabolism. However, these biomarkers, including non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and calcium are typically measured a few weeks before to a few days after calving. This is a retroactive approach, because there is little time to integrate interventions that remediate metabolic stress in the current cohort. Our objective was to determine if biomarkers of metabolic stress measured at dry-off are predictive of transition disease risk. We designed a prospective cohort study carried out on 5 Michigan dairy farms (N = 277 cows). We followed cows from dry-off to 30 days post-calving. Diseases and adverse outcomes were grouped in an aggregate outcome that included mastitis, metritis, retained placenta, ketosis, lameness, pneumonia, milk fever, displaced abomasum, abortion, and death of the calf or the cow. We used best subsets selection to select candidate models for four different sets of models: one set for each component of metabolic stress (nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation), and a combined model that included all 3 components. We used model averaging to obtain averaged predicted probabilities across each model set. We hypothesized that the averaged predictions from the combined model set with all 3 components of metabolic stress would be more effective at predicting disease than each individual component model set. The area under the curve estimated using receiver operator characteristic curves for the combined model set (0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90-0.96) was significantly higher compared with averaged predictions from the inflammation (0.87; 95% CI = 0.83-0.91), oxidative stress (0.78; 95% CI = 0.72-0.84), and nutrient metabolism (0.73; 95% CI = 0.67-0.79) model sets (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that it may be possible to detect cattle at risk for some transition diseases as early as dry-off. This has important implications for disease prevention, as earlier identification of cows at risk of health disorders will allow for earlier implementation of intervention strategies. A limitation of the current study is that we did not perform external validation. Future validation studies are needed to confirm our findings.
PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF LEFT ATRIAL DYSFUNCTION AND ESTIMATION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FILLING PRESSURE ON HEART FAILURE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DEATH IN NON VALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: THE ENGAGE-AF TIMI ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC SUB-STUDY

Left Atrial (LA) dysfunction and left ventricular (LV) filling pressure are known predictors of cardiovascular (CV) outcome. However their prognostic relevance to predict CV events in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) population is not completely understood In a prospective echocardiographic substudy (971
Chapter 11 – Polyphosphazenes

Polyphosphazenes consist of an inorganic backbone of alternating phosphorous and nitrogen atoms form a unique class of synthetic materials with vast potential for biomedical applications. Through studies conducted by our group and other researchers, one can effectively control polymer properties by modulating the side group chemistry. This approach has enabled the generation of a biomaterial library detailing tunable physical, chemical, and biological properties. Biodegradable polyphosphazenes undergo controlled degradation producing nontoxic and neutral pH degradation products. These polymers have excellent buffering capacity due to the simultaneous production of phosphates and ammonia during polyphosphazene degradation. This chapter focuses on the synthesis of biodegradable polyphosphazenes, their degradation characteristics, their biocompatibility, and their application for tissue regeneration and as drug delivery matrices.
Visualizing effects of protein fouling on capture profiles in the Planova BioEX and 20N virus filters

Abstract One of the challenges in applying virus filtration in bioprocessing is the high level of membrane fouling seen with many process streams. A number of previous studies have examined the nature of the resulting flux decline, but much less is known about the effect of protein fouling on the virus retention characteristics. The objective of this work was to use confocal and electron microscopy to evaluate changes in the capture of 20 nm nanoparticles, comparable in size to small parvovirus, within the depth of PlanovaTM 20N and BioEX hollow fiber virus filters after fouling with serum IgG. Confocal images of fluorescently-labeled IgG showed protein capture throughout the virus filter, with the greatest intensity seen more than half-way through the depth of the filter. IgG fouling of the PlanovaTM 20N led to clustering in nanoparticle capture, likely due to changes in the flow distribution through the filter. This effect was not seen with the BioEX membrane. Instead, IgG fouling shifted the location of the captured nanoparticles towards the inlet (lumen) surface of the filter. These results provide important insights into the effects of protein fouling on the flow and virus capture behaviour of these important hollow fiber virus filters.
Truth, Virtue and Beauty: Art in the Post-Cultural Revolution (1977–1984)

As art of the Cultural Revolution generated momentum for artists to bounce back towards a humanistic direction, the art of Post-Cultural Revolution tended to recover truth, virtue and beauty, all of which had been neglected, denied, or repudiated in the revolution. At the same time, vanguard art had begun to sprout.
Federal Regulation, Job Creation, and the Moderating Effect of State Economic Freedom: Evidence From the United States

Regulation has been shown to hinder employment and entrepreneurship, but regional variation is rarely explored. Engaging the theory of market-preserving federalism, we argue that regional economic freedom attenuates the negative influence of national regulation on net job creation. Using U.S. data, we find that regulation destroys jobs on net, but regional economic freedom moderates this effect. In regions with average economic freedom, a one percent increase in regulation results in 14 net jobs destroyed. However, a standard deviation increase in economic freedom attenuates this relationship by four fewer jobs destroyed. This moderation accrues strictly to older firms; regulation usually harms young firm job creation, and economic freedom does not attenuate this relationship.
Preoperative Preparation and Perioperative Considerations for Gender-Affirming Genital Surgery

Gender-affirming genital surgeries are major surgeries with profound impact on a person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Patients need extensive preparation, including medical and mental health evaluation, as well as an assessment of their social support network and ability to plan for their recovery. Care providers also need preparation to care for people seeking gender-affirming surgery; everyone working in a practice that will provide gender-affirming care needs prior training. Many patients have experienced trauma, including traumatic experiences in healthcare; a trauma-informed care model is critical.
The critic as a novelist: migrating between writing genres, execution, executing, and self-determination in Eustace Palmer’s A Hanging is Announced

Eustace Palmer was an established African literary critic for three decades before publishing his first novel. Using Palmer’s views about the qualities that define good fiction, this essay evaluate...