cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Membrane curvature underlies actin reorganization in response to nanoscale surface topography

Surface topography profoundly influences cell adhesion, differentiation, and stem cell fate control. Numerous studies using a variety of materials demonstrate that nanoscale topographies change the intracellular organization of actin cytoskeleton and therefore a broad range of cellular dynamics in live cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood, leaving why actin cytoskeleton responds to topographical features unexplained and therefore preventing researchers from predicting optimal topographic features for desired cell behavior. Here we demonstrate that topography-induced membrane curvature plays a crucial role in modulating intracellular actin organization. By inducing precisely controlled membrane curvatures using engineered vertical nanostructures as topographies, we find that actin fibers form at the sites of nanostructures in a curvature-dependent manner with an upper limit for the diameter of curvature at ∼400 nm. Nanotopography-induced actin fibers are branched actin nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex and are mediated by a curvature-sensing protein FBP17. Our study reveals that the formation of nanotopography-induced actin fibers drastically reduces the amount of stress fibers and mature focal adhesions to result in the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in the entire cell. These findings establish the membrane curvature as a key linkage between surface topography and topography-induced cell signaling and behavior.
Interrelationships Between Age and Trace Element Concentration in Horse Mane Hair and Whole Blood.

The use of hair as a sample matrix to determine the mineral status of an animal has received a lot of interest. The objective of this study was to determine if the trace element content in horse mane hair changed with age when evaluated in a group of horses representing a large age range. As a second objective, whole blood trace element content was evaluated, and its relationship to mane hair trace element content, as well as age, were tested. Therefore, mane hair and whole blood samples were obtained from 59 horses, ranging from 2 months to 26 years in age, housed on the same farm. Mane hair samples were washed, and hair and blood digested and analyzed for 11 trace elements. Weak correlations (P .05) in this study. However, the concentrations of trace elements in mane hair were higher than that of blood. Trace elements, specifically chromium and lead, that were below detection levels in the blood, were detectable in mane hair. This suggests that mane hair may be a potential means to investigate suspected exposure to excessive levels of trace minerals or heavy metals that are difficult to detect in blood.
Defining the Clinically Meaningful Outcomes for Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome at Minimum 5-Year Follow-up:

Background:Minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) have gained prominence as important variables in the o...
Event Processing over a Distributed JSON Store: Design and Performance

Web applications are increasingly built to target both desktop and mobile users. As a result, modern Web development infrastructure must be able to process large numbers of events (e.g., for location-based features) and support analytics over those events, with applications ranging from banking (e.g., fraud detection) to retail (e.g., just-in-time personalized promotions). We describe a system specifically designed for those applications, allowing high-throughput event processing along with analytics. Our main contribution is the design and implementation of an in-memory JSON store that can handle both events and analytics workloads. The store relies on the JSON model in order to serve data through a common Web API. Thanks to the flexibility of the JSON model, the store can integrate data from systems of record (e.g., customer profiles) with data transmitted between the server and a large number of clients (e.g., location-based events or transactions). The proposed store is built over a distributed, transactional, in-memory object cache for performance. Our experiments show that our implementation handles high throughput and low latency without sacrificing scalability.
The Effect of Informing Agency in Self-Directed Online Learning Environments

Choices learners make when navigating a self-directed online learning tool can impact the effectiveness of the experience. But these tools often do not afford learners the agency or the information to make decisions beneficial to their learning. We evaluated the effect of varying levels of information and agency in a self-directed environment designed to teach programming. We investigated three design alternatives: informed high-agency, informed low-agency, and less informed high-agency. To investigate the effect of these alternatives on learning, we conducted a study with 79 novice programmers. Our results indicated that increased agency and information may have translated to more motivation, but not improved learning. Qualitative results suggest this was due to the burden that agency and information placed on decision-making. We interpret our results in relation to informing the design of self-directed online tools for learner agency.
Automated apparent diffusion coefficient analysis for genotype prediction in lower grade glioma: association with the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign.

The prognosis of lower grade glioma (LGG) patients depends (in large part) on both isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene mutation and chromosome 1p/19q codeletion status. IDH-mutant LGG without 1p/19q codeletion (IDHmut-Noncodel) often exhibit a unique imaging appearance that includes high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values not observed in other subtypes. The purpose of this study was to develop an ADC analysis-based approach that can automatically identify IDHmut-Noncodel LGG. Whole-tumor ADC metrics, including fractional tumor volume with ADC > 1.5 × 10−3mm2/s (VADC>1.5), were used to identify IDHmut-Noncodel LGG in a cohort of N = 134 patients. Optimal threshold values determined in this dataset were then validated using an external dataset containing N = 93 cases collected from The Cancer Imaging Archive. Classifications were also compared with radiologist-identified T2-FLAIR mismatch sign and evaluated concurrently to identify added value from a combined approach. VADC>1.5 classified IDHmut-Noncodel LGG in the internal cohort with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80. An optimal threshold value of 0.35 led to sensitivity/specificity = 0.57/0.93. Classification performance was similar in the validation cohort, with VADC>1.5 ≥ 0.35 achieving sensitivity/specificity = 0.57/0.91 (AUC = 0.81). Across both groups, 37 cases exhibited positive T2-FLAIR mismatch sign—all of which were IDHmut-Noncodel. Of these, 32/37 (86%) also exhibited VADC>1.5 ≥ 0.35, as did 23 additional IDHmut-Noncodel cases which were negative for T2-FLAIR mismatch sign. Tumor subregions with high ADC were a robust indicator of IDHmut-Noncodel LGG, with VADC>1.5 achieving > 90% classification specificity in both internal and validation cohorts. VADC>1.5 exhibited strong concordance with the T2-FLAIR mismatch sign and the combination of both parameters improved sensitivity in detecting IDHmut-Noncodel LGG.
Impact of the UNOS Policy Allocation Change on Waitlist Outcomes in Patients Bridged to Heart Transplantation on Impella

Purpose The 2018 UNOS heart allocation policy change was intended to prioritize sicker patients while also improving waitlist outcomes. We sought to compare competing outcomes for patients bridged to heart transplantation using Impella devices one year prior to and after the UNOS Allocation Policy change in October 2018. Methods The UNOS database was queried for all adult patients in whom an Impella device (CP/5.0) was used as a bridge to heart transplantation in the 12 month period before and after the UNOS policy change. 28 patients in the pre-policy change and 56 patients in the post-policy change were supported with Impella and underwent heart transplantation. Patients who were younger than 18 years old, lost to follow-up, or who had multi-organ transplant were excluded. Baseline characteristics were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test as appropriate. Competing outcomes analysis was performed to compare (1) death or deterioration, (2) heart transplant or recovery, or (3) continuation on waitlist at 6 months. Results There were no differences between the pre- and post-allocation change groups in regards to recipient age, donor age, gender, ethnicity, ischemic time, and serum creatinine at time of transplant, and hemodynamics. Patients in the post-policy change group had greater rates of transplantation (76.7% vs 39.3%, p Conclusion Impella devices were used more frequently in the one year after the allocation policy change. Early after the UNOS allocation policy change, patients bridged with Impella were more likely to be transplanted however with no difference in waitlist mortality. Additional analysis is needed to better understand whether these results will persist over time as more patients are transplanted with Impella support.
Zigzag domain boundaries in magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloys

A recent development in magnetic materials research on a non-Joulian magnetostriction phenomenon [H. D. Chopra and M. Wuttig, Nature 521, 340 (2015)] highlights peculiar cellular magnetic domains with zigzag boundaries in Fe-Ga alloys. The cause of zigzag boundaries of cellular domains is attributed to hypothetical charge density waves beyond classical magnetic domain theory. In this paper, we report observations in Fe-Ga alloys of zigzag boundaries that form conventional stripe domains. The responses of stripe domains to external magnetic fields are observed, and the behaviors of zigzag boundaries are examined, which are further compared with those in cellular domains. It shows that both cellular and stripe domains and the constituent zigzag boundaries in magnetostrictive Fe-Ga alloys can be explained well by classical magnetic domain theory, without resorting to theory based on hypothetical charge density waves. In particular, our findings provide convincing evidence that zigzag boundaries in Fe-Ga alloys are conventional V lines commonly observed in cubic magnetic crystals like Fe-Si alloys. The intricate cellular domain structure is shown to correlate with the simple stripe domain structure in terms of zigzag V lines and flux-closure surface domains.
The typology and content of parent-gay son communication about sexual identity: A qualitative content analysis

This study aimed to bridge the existing gap in the parent-child communications literature with a specific focus on parent-gay son communications regarding sexual identity, after coming out. Ninetee...
Beliefs, Actions, and Rationality in Strategical Decisions.

A puzzling finding from research on strategical decision making concerns the effect that predictions have on future actions. Simply stating a prediction about an opponent changes the total probability (pooled over predictions) of a player taking a future action compared to not stating any prediction. This is called an interference effect. We first review five different findings of interference effects from past empirical work using the prisoner's dilemma game. Then we report interference effects obtained from a new experiment in which 493 participants played a six-stage centipede game against a computer agent. During the first stage of the game, the total probability following prediction for cooperation was higher than making a decision alone; during later stages, the total probability following prediction for cooperation was lower than making a decision alone. These interference effects are difficult to explain using traditional economic models, and instead these results suggest turning to a quantum cognition approach to strategic decision making. Toward this end, we develop a belief-action entanglement model that provides a good account of the empirical results.
Implementing Relatedness-Supportive Teaching Strategies to Promote Learning in the College Classroom:

IntroductionRelatedness—a sense of meaningful connectedness and belonging—is one of the basic psychological needs proposed by self-determination theory.Statement of the ProblemThe current literatur...
Re-entrant transition as a bridge of broken ergodicity in confined monolayers of hexagonal prisms and cylinders.

Abstract The entropy-driven monolayer assembly of hexagonal prisms and cylinders was studied under hard slit confinement. At the conditions investigated, the particles have two distinct and dynamically disconnected rotational states: unflipped and flipped, depending on whether their circular/hexagonal face is parallel or perpendicular to the wall plane. Importantly, these two rotational states cast distinct projection areas over the wall plane that favor either hexagonal or tetragonal packing. Monte Carlo simulations revealed a re-entrant melting transition where an intervening disordered Flipped-Unflipped (FUN) phase is sandwiched between a fourfold tetratic phase at high concentrations and a sixfold triangular solid at intermediate concentrations. The FUN phase contains a mixture of flipped and unflipped particles and is translationally and orientationally disordered. Complementary experiments were conducted with photolithographically fabricated cylindrical microparticles confined in a wedge cell. Both simulations and experiments show the formation of phases with comparable fraction of flipped particles and structure, i.e., the FUN phase, triangular solid, and tetratic phase, indicating that both approaches sample analogous basins of particle-orientation phase-space. The phase behavior of hexagonal prisms in a soft-repulsive wall model was also investigated to exemplify how tunable particle–wall interactions can provide an experimentally viable strategy to dynamically bridge the flipped and unflipped states.
School Supports for Reintegration Following a Suicide-Related Crisis: A Mixed Methods Study Informing Hospital Recommendations for Schools During Discharge.

The immediate period following psychiatric hospitalization is marked by increased risk for suicide behavior and rehospitalization. Because adolescents commonly return to school settings following hospital discharge, school-related stressors and supports are important considerations for psychiatric treatment and discharge planning. The current study aimed to inform recommendations provided by hospitals to schools to improve school reintegration practices by employing a concurrent, mixed-methods design. Specifically, we: (1) surveyed school professionals (n = 133) in schools varying in resource availability and populations in one southeastern state of the United States about supports and services provided to returning students; and (2) conducted in-depth interviews with a subset of these professionals (n = 19) regarding their perceptions of the hospital to school transition for youth recovering from suicide-related crises. Findings from survey responses indicated that, compared to schools located in urban and suburban areas, schools in rural areas were less likely to have school reintegration protocols for returning students. More generally, however, available interventions and modifications were relatively consistent across rural and urban/suburban schools, schools serving high and low poverty communities, and schools with predominantly white and predominantly ethnic and racial minoritized student bodies. Key themes across interviews signify the importance of communication between stakeholders, the type of information used to develop re-entry plans, available school-based services for returning youth, and the need to mitigate stigma associated with mental health crises. Findings inform recommendations that can be provided by hospitals to schools to support adolescent recovery as they return to school following psychiatric hospitalization.
The structure and organization of headache differential diagnoses: A Pilot Study of Subset Relationships between Differentials in ICHD3

Structured AbstractO_ST_ABSObjectiveC_ST_ABSDifferential diagnosis is fundamental to medicine. Using DiffNet, a differential diagnosis generator, as a model we studied the structure and organization of how collections of diagnose (i.e. sets of diagnoses) are related in the ICHD3. Specifically, we asked: Which sets of differential diagnoses are subsets of each other? What is the minimum number of sets of differential diagnoses that encompass all ICHD3 codes? Furthermore, we explored the clinical and theoretical implication of these answers. MethodsDiffNet is a freely distributed differential diagnosis generator for headaches using graph theoretical properties of ICHD3. For each ICHD3 diagnosis, we generated a set of differential diagnoses using DiffNet. We then determined algorithmically the set/subset relationship between these sets. We also determined the smallest list of ICHD3 diagnosis whose differential diagnoses would encompass the totality of ICHD3 diagnoses. ResultsAll ICHD3 diagnoses can be represented by a minimum of 92 differential diagnosis sets. Differential diagnosis sets for 10 of the 14 first digit subcategories of ICHD3 are represented by more than one differential diagnosis sets. Fifty-one of the 93 differential diagnosis sets contain multiple subset relationships; the remaining 42 do not enter into any set/subset relationship with other differential diagnosis sets. Finally, we included a hierarchical presentation of differential diagnosis sets in ICHD3 according to DiffNet. ConclusionWe propose a way of interpreting headache differential diagnoses as partial ordered sets (i.e. poset). For clinicians, fluency with the 93 diagnoses and their differential put forth here implies a complete description of ICHD3. On a theoretical level, interpreting ICHD3 differential diagnosis as poset, allows researchers to translate differential diagnoses sets topologically, algebraically, and categorically.
Analysis of Nonlinear Electrostatic Membranes

We give a concise treatment of the interaction of a nonlinear elastic membrane with an electrostatic field. The focus is on the generation of reduced dimension model equations for continuum electrodynamics based on the methodology used by (2007) in the purely mechanical context. We formulate the background theory for reduced dimension models pertaining to continuum electrostatics and implement the resulting equations numerically for an example problem of practical interest.
Molecular Mechanisms of Myocardial Remodeling

Myocardial dysfunction is a progressive condition. Early after an insult to the myocardium (e.g., myocardial infarction) there may be little or no immediate reduction in overall pump function, particularly if the damage has been mild. However, with time there is a relentless deterioration in both the structure and function of the ventricle by a process referred to as “remodeling” (1). The specific features of the remodeling process depend, to a large extent, on the nature of the underlying stimulus.
Binding of fluorescent-labeled phosphatidylcholine to rat liver nonspecific lipid transfer protein.

The fluorescent-labeled phospholipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-[12-[(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]dodecan oyl] phosphatidylcholine (P-C12-NBD-PC), is highly self-quenched when contained as a high mole percent in phospholipid vesicles. The addition of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP), which is identical to sterol carrier protein2, to P-C12-NBD-PC self-quenching vesicles results in a large increase in the fluorescence yield. Evidence is presented that demonstrates that this fluorescence increase results from the binding of P-C12-NBD-PC to one or more low dielectric sites on the nsLTP molecule and that the P-C12-NBD-PC.nsLTP complex can exist free in aqueous solution. The binding is inhibited in the presence of mersalyl, a thiol reagent, and can be reversed with excess cysteine. Transfer of the nsLTP-bound P-C12-NBD-PC to phospholipid vesicles is also demonstrated. The half-times for loading and unloading the P-C12-NBD-PC.nsLTP complex are both 3 orders of magnitude faster than the spontaneous P-C12-NBD-PC transfer between vesicles. These data demonstrate that nsLTP has the necessary properties to bind and carry lipids between membranes.
Applying nonlinear manifold learning to hyperspectral data for land cover classification

The shortest path k-nearest neighbor classifier (SkNN), that utilizes nonlinear manifold learning, is proposed for analysis of hyperspectral data. In contrast to classifiers that deal with the high dimensional feature space directly, this approach uses the pairwise distance matrix over a nonlinear manifold to classify novel observations. Because manifold learning preserves the local pairwise distances and updates distances of a sample to samples beyond the user-defined neighborhood along the shortest path on the manifold, similar samples are moved into closer proximity. High classification accuracies are achieved by using the simple k-nearest neighbor (kNN) classifier. SkNN was applied to hyperspectral data collected by the Hyperion sensor on the EO1 satellite over the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Classification accuracies and generalization capability are compared to those achieved by the best basis binary hierarchical classifier, the hierarchical support vector machine classifier, and the k-nearest neighbor classifier on both the original data and a subset of its principal components.
What the euro means for the dollar and the international Monetary system

This article begins by analyzing the hirtorical importance of the introduction of the euro, the convergence criteria for membership in the European Monetary Union, the merits and defects of the euro as an international rival to the dollar, and the characteristics that have made past international currencies great. It goes on to consider the institutional gap in the world system arising from the absence of an official world currency and the threat to stability that arises in transition periods when a new international reserve asset or currency is phased in. It is argued that the introduction of the euro will involve diversification from the dollar that will require multilateral attention to the dollar-euro exchange rate.
Magnetically actuated peel test for thin films

Abstract Delamination along thin film interfaces is a prevalent failure mechanism in microelectronic, photonic, microelectromechanical systems, and other engineering applications. Current interfacial fracture test techniques specific to thin films are limited by either sophisticated mechanical fixturing, physical contact near the crack tip, or complicated stress fields. Moreover, these techniques are generally not suitable for investigating fatigue crack propagation under cyclical loading. Thus, a fixtureless and noncontact experimental test technique with potential for fatigue loading is proposed and implemented to study interfacial fracture toughness for thin film systems. The proposed test incorporates permanent magnets surface mounted onto micro-fabricated released thin film structures. An applied external magnetic field induces noncontact loading to initiate delamination along the interface between the thin film and underlying substrate. Characterization of the critical peel force and peel angle is accomplished through in situ deflection measurements, from which the fracture toughness can be inferred. The test method was used to obtain interfacial fracture strength of 0.8-1.9 J/m 2 for 1.5-1.7 μm electroplated copper on natively oxidized silicon substrates.
Effects of sodium on cell surface and intracellular 3H-naloxone binding sites

The binding of the opiate antagonist 3H-naloxone was examined in rat whole brain homogenates and in crude subcellular fractions of these homogenates (nuclear, synaptosomal, and mitochondrial fractions) using buffers that approximated intra- (low sodium concentration) and extracellular (high sodium concentration) fluids. Saturation studies showed a two-fold decrease in the dissociation constant (Kd) in all subcellular fractions examined in extracellular buffer compared to intracellular buffer. In contrast, there was no significant effect of the buffers on the Bmax. Thus, 3H-naloxone did not distinguish between binding sites present on cell surface and intracellular tissues in these two buffers. These results show that the “sodium effect” of opiate antagonist binding is probably not a function of altered selection of intra- and extracellular binding sites.
Detection of small lunar secondary craters in circular polarization ratio radar images

[1] The identification of small (D < a few kilometers) secondary craters and their global distributions are of critical importance to improving our knowledge of surface ages in the solar system. We investigate a technique by which small, distal secondary craters can be discerned from the surrounding primary population of equivalent size based on asymmetries in their ejecta blankets. The asymmetric ejecta blankets are visible in radar circular polarization ratio (CPR) but not as optical albedo features. Measurements with our new technique reveal 94 secondary craters on the Newton and Newton-A crater floors near the lunar south pole. These regions are not in an obvious optical ray, but the orientation of asymmetric secondary ejecta blankets suggests that they represent an extension of the Tycho crater ray that crosses Clavius crater. Including the secondary craters at Newton and Newton-A skews the terrain age inferred by crater counts. It is reduced by few percentages by their removal, from 3.8 to 3.75 Gyr at Newton-A. Because “hidden rays” like that identified here may also occur beyond the edges of other optically bright lunar crater rays, we assess the effect that similar but hypothetical populations would have on lunar terrains of various ages. The average secondary crater density measured at 1 km diameter is equivalent to the crater density at 1 km on a 3.4 Gyr surface [Neukum et al., 2001]. Younger surfaces (i.e., younger crater ejecta blankets) would be dominated by secondary craters below 1 km if superposed by a hidden ray.
Immunity to Pasteurella multocida in Protein-Deficient Chickens

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein restriction on the humoral immunity (HI) and cell-mediated immunity (CMT) of chickens. New Hampshire chickens were separated into two dietaiy treatment groups: basal, containing 3,200 kcal/kg and 21% protein; or protein restricted (PR), containing 3,200 kcal/kg and 7% protein. In studies involving HI, half of the birds in each dietary treatment were vaccinated against fowl cholera at 4 and 8 wk of age. Blood samples were collected weekly beginning at 4 wk of age. Overall, unvaccinated birds had lower titers than vaccinated birds and PR groups generally showed lower titers than basal groups. All birds were challenged by palatine cleft inoculation of live, virulent Strain X-73 of Pasteurella multocida. The vaccinated PR group survived live challenge as well as the vaccinated basal group, but all unvaccinated birds died as a result of the challenge, regardless of antibody titer. In studies involving CMI, half of the birds in each dietary treatment were vaccinated at 5 wk of age. At 2 to 3 wk postvaccination, representative birds from each treatment were bled for total and differential blood counts. Also, birds were sacrificed and spleen cells collected. Cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium with phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA-M), sonicated P. multocida (X-73), or RPMI only. The PR birds had significantly decreased numbers of lymphocytes, as well as an overall decrease in total white blood cell counts. Within dietary treatments, vaccinated birds tended to have higher numbers of white blood cells, but (he differences were only significant for the PR groups in Experiment 4. The PR diet suppressed proliferation of splenic cells stimulated with PHA-M, and vaccination significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation in response to sonicated P. multocida, Strain X-73.
Upper Mantle Imaging with Array Recordings of Converted and Scattered Teleseismic Waves

This paper provides a review of array-based imaging techniques that use converted and scattered teleseismic waves. It addresses various aspects of the imaging process, from the preprocessing of the data to the application of the imaging algorithms. The reviewed techniques form a continuum with respect to the level of complexity adopted in the treatment of the scattering problem. On one end of the spectrum, images may be produced by simple stacking of normalized P-to-S conversion records (i.e., receiver functions), which are binned according to station or common conversion points (CCP) and mapped to depth. Finer resolution can be achieved through the stacking of singly scattered wavefields along diffraction hyperbolae to recover relative scattering intensity/potential at individual points through a 2-D or 3-D model space. Moving to higher levels of complexity, we find methods that involve inversion/backprojection of scattered teleseismic wavefield to recover estimates of localized material property perturbations with respect to an a priori background model.
Telomeres and Immunological Diseases of Aging

A defining feature of the eukaryotic genome is the presence of linear chromosomes. This arrangement, however, poses several challenges with regard to chromosomal replication and maintenance. To prevent the loss of coding sequences and to suppress gross chromosomal rearrangements, linear chromosomes are capped by repetitive nucleoprotein structures, called telomeres. Each cell division results in a progressive shortening of telomeres that, below a certain threshold, promotes genome instability, senescence, and apoptosis. Telomeric erosion, maintenance, and repair take center stage in determining cell fate. Cells of the immune system are under enormous proliferative demand, stressing telomeric intactness. Lymphocytes are capable of upregulating telomerase, an enzyme that can elongate telomeric sequences and, thus, prolong cellular lifespan. Therefore, telomere dynamics are critical in preserving immune function and have become a focus for studies of immunosenescence and autoimmunity. In this review, we describe the role of telomeric nucleoproteins in shaping telomere architecture and in suppressing DNA damage responses. We summarize new insights into the regulation of telomerase activity, hereditary disorders associated with telomere dysfunction, the role of telomere loss in immune aging, and the impact of telomere dysfunction in chronic inflammatory disease.
Transplantable pancreatic acinar carcinoma.

Fragments of the nafenopin-induced pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma of rat have been examined in vitro for patterns of intracellular protein transport and carbamylcholine-induced protein discharge. Continuous incubation of the fragments with (3H)-leucine for 60 minutes resulted in labeling of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi cisternae, and mature zymogen granules, revealed by electron microscope autoradiography. This result indicates transport of newly synthesized protein from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to mature zymogen granules in approximately 60 minutes. The secretagogue carbamylcholine induced the discharge of radioactive protein by carcinoma fragments pulse-chase labeled with (3H)-leucine. A maximal effective carbamylcholine concentration of 10(-5) M was determined. The acinar carcinoma resembles normal exocrine pancreas in the observed rate of intracellular protein transport and effective secretagogue concentration. However, the acinar carcinoma fragments demonstrated an apparent low rate of carbamylcholine-induced radioactive protein discharge as compared with normal pancreatic lobules or acinar cells. It is suggested that the apparent low rate of radioactive protein discharge reflects functional immaturity of the acinar carcinoma. Possible relationships of functional differentiation to the heterogeneous cytodifferentiation of the pancreatic acinar carcinoma are discussed.
Structural Analyses of Two Historic Covered Wooden Bridges

Structural analyses were conducted of two covered wooden bridges still in use in the Summer of 2002. The Pine Grove Bridge and Brown Bridge represent the 19th century truss forms of the Burr-arch truss and the Town-lattice truss, respectively. In the Burr-arch truss, the arch is shown to be dominant in carrying the dead load of the bridge, while the truss, following simple beam behavior, primarily provides resistance against concentrated live loads. The use of camber and a common retrofit of steel ties are found to have varied effects. The Town-lattice truss is found to follow simple beam behavior with stress concentrations at the supports. Studies are conducted to highlight the sizing and placement of the chords, the behavior and advantages of bolster beams, and the sizing and placement of the lattice members. It is hoped that this study may aid those wishing to better understand these bridges’ historic significance and demonstrate how modern engineering analysis may aid our understanding of historic bri...
The Slave Trade Act of 1819: A New Look at Colonization and the Politics of Slavery

Abstract Few topics have garnered more scholarly attention lately than the African colonization movement. Now more than ever, researchers appreciate colonization's enduring role in the politics of slavery. Yet most of them continue to portray colonization as quixotic fantasy that inevitably failed as a public policy. In truth, the movement scored a number of triumphs. None was more important than the establishment of Liberia. This essay examines the first and arguably most significant obstacle that impeded the Liberian enterprise – securing government funding. Prior to 1816, colonization schemes abounded, but none came close to securing state support. However, in January 1817, the newly established American Colonization Society (ACS) asked Congress to create a colony for free blacks, and the House Slave Trade committee issued a largely favorable report, thus bringing colonizationists to the threshold of the government vaults. But as conflicts over slavery grew worse, the vaults' doors began swinging shut....
Effect of Risk Aversion on Single Sample Attribute Inspection Plans

The impact of a decision maker's risk aversion on the choice of an optimal sampling plan is empirically examined for various batch sizes and prior distributions of the process quality level. These plans are compared to those of the classical linear cost model. The comparisons show that substantial differences in the characteristics of an optimal sampling plan i.e., probability of acceptance, optimal sample size and expected total cost occur when risk aversion is considered. A discussion of the optimization characteristics involved in the selection of a sampling plan is also presented. An optimization algorithm which obtains an optimal sampling plan based on the criterion of maximizing expected utility is proposed and evaluated.
Magnetic (eddy-current) electroventilation in the dog

Magnetic (eddy-current) stimulation of the inspiratory motor nerves in the neck of the anesthetized dog was achieved. Using a 10-turn coil wound around the base of the neck and a train of pulses (25/s), inspiration was produced by tetanic contraction of the inspiratory muscles. The volume of air inspired increased with an increase in the voltage applied to the capacitor that was discharged repetitively into the coil. In this 10-dog study, the maximum inspired volume was in excess of the spontaneous tidal volume. In a second study, breathing was captured by repeating the stimulus trains at a rate in excess of the spontaneous breathing rate. Oxygen consumption was measured during spontaneous breathing and with captured breathing. The oxygen uptake with magnetic electroventilation was, on the average, 75% higher than with spontaneous breathing. However body temperature did not increase. Although the neck coil was not critical in placement, its field of stimulation was larger than needed to stimulate the phrenic and accessory motor nerves.
Metabolic and toxicological considerations of the opioid replacement therapy and analgesic drugs: methadone and buprenorphine

Introduction: Methadone and buprenorphine are maintenance replacement therapies for opioid dependence; they are also used for pain management. Methadone and buprenorphine (to a lesser extent) have seen sharp increases in mortality associated with their use. They have distinct routes of metabolism (mostly cytochrome P450 dependent), and distinct pharmacologic activity of metabolites. As such, metabolism may play a role in differences in their toxicity. Areas covered: This article reviews peer-reviewed literature obtained from PubMed searches and literature referenced within. The review considers first an overview of drug use and mortality over the past decade. It then provides extensive detail on the in vitro and in vivo human metabolism of methadone and buprenorphine. Using both human and experimental animal studies it then presents the pharmacodynamic activity of parent drug and metabolites at the mu-opioid receptor, as P-glycoprotein substrates and plasma/brain concentration ratios, and activity at the ...
Non-covalent self assembly controls the relaxivity of magnetically active guests.

The relaxivity of a magnetically responsive Gd complex can be controlled by non-covalent molecular recognition with a water-soluble deep cavitand. Lowered relaxivity is conferred by a self-assembled micellar “off state”, and the contrast can be regenerated by addition of a superior guest.
The Syndrome of Dextroversion of the Heart

On the basis of 3 personal cases and 119 additional cases collected from the literature the difference between dextroversion and mirror-image dextrocardia is outlined. It is concluded that dextroversion is a part of an exceedingly primitive arrest in development that frequently includes other thoracic and abdominal organs as well as intracardiac structures. The defect is altogether different in embryogenesis and anatomic findings from mirror-image dextrocardia.
Model reduction of a coupled numerical model using proper orthogonal decomposition

Summary Numerical models for variable-density flow and solute transport (VDFST) are widely used to simulate seawater intrusion and related problems. The mathematical model for VDFST is a coupled nonlinear dynamical system, so the numerical discretizations in time and space are usually required to be as fine as possible. As a result, fine-scale transient models require large computational time, which is a disadvantage for state estimation, forward prediction or model inversion. The purpose of this research is to develop mathematical and numerical methods to simulate VDFST via a model order reduction technique called Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) designed for nonlinear dynamical systems. POD was applied to extract leading “model features” (basis functions) through singular value decomposition (SVD) from observational data or simulations (snapshots) of high-dimensional systems. These basis functions were then used in the Galerkin projection procedure that yielded low-dimensional (reduced-order) models. The original full numerical models were also discretized by the Galerkin Finite-Element Method (GFEM). The implementation of the POD reduced-order method was straightforward when applied to the full order model to the complex model. The developed GFEM-POD model was applied to solve two classic VDFST cases, the Henry problem and the Elder problem, in order to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the POD model reduction method. Once the snapshots from full model results are obtained, the reduced-order model can reproduce the full model results with acceptable accuracy but with less computational cost in comparison with the full model, which is useful for model calibration and data assimilation problems. We found that the accuracy and efficiency of the POD reduced-order model is mainly determined by the optimal selection of snapshots and POD bases. Validation and verification experiments confirmed our POD model reduction procedure.
Transverse dynamics of a phase-conjugate resonator. II: fast nonlinear medium

We investigate the transverse dynamics of a high-diffraction phase-conjugate resonator in which the phase-conjugate mirror is a diffusive Kerr medium with instantaneous response time and operates in the Raman–Nath scattering regime. A period-doubling scenario from regular behavior to low-dimensional chaos is found and the route to high-dimensional chaotic-attractors is analyzed by means of the spectrum of the Lyapunov exponents. We also compute both the Lyapunov dimension and the correlation dimension for a specific attractor and find different values.
Field comparison of survival and growth of hatchery-reared versus wild blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun

The efficacy of restocking as a fisheries management tool depends upon the ability of hatchery-reared juveniles to survive, grow and reproduce in the wild following release. However, hatchery-reared animals may be maladapted to the natural environment as a result of morphological, physiological, or behavioral deficiencies acquired during the hatchery phase. To assess the competency of hatchery-reared blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, a species under consideration for restocking in Chesapeake Bay, we compared survival and growth of hatchery-reared and wild juveniles using complementary field tethering experiments and small-scale field releases in shallow blue crab nursery habitats of the upper Chesapeake Bay. We observed no difference in the survival rates of hatchery-reared and wild crabs in either tethering experiments or paired field releases. Hatchery-reared and wild juveniles also exhibited similar growth rates and levels of growth variability. The results indicate that hatchery-reared juveniles are competent and likely not disadvantaged relative to wild conspecifics, and that poor performance of hatchery-reared individuals following release is not a significant barrier to restocking for this species in Chesapeake Bay. Further, our study highlights the potential utility of release experiments with hatchery-reared animals to provide key biological data for stock assessments and fishery management.
The Effect of Geometry on the Aerodynamics of a Prototype Gas Turbine Combustor

The method of admission of the swirling flow to the combustion chamber has a strong influence on the flow field structure in Gas Turbine Combustors (GTC). Two different exit configurations are studied. The first configuration is that of a swirl cup that ends only with a splash plate such that there is a sudden unguided expansion as the flow emanates from the swirl cup. The second is a swirl cup that ends with a splash plate and an asymmetric combustion dome. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) measurements are conducted in the horizontal plane (X-Y), for both configurations, 5mm from the flare exit. Also, LDV measurements are conducted in two vertical planes passing by the combustor centerline (X-Z and Y-Z). The results reveal a significant difference in the flow structure for both configurations. The combustion dome appears to reduce the turbulence activities close to the exit of the swirl cup. In addition, the presence of the combustion dome eliminates the corner recirculation zone and the low velocity region close to the combustor walls. It is interesting to see that the asymmetry of the combustion dome (9° difference in the expansion angle on both sides) results in a significant asymmetry in the velocity magnitude as well as the turbulence activities. Moreover, the asymmetry in the combustion dome results in a tilting of the CRZ toward the surface with the higher expansion angle. The results highlight the importance of the proper and careful design of the GTC front section. The experiments are conducted in a dump combustor (rectangular cross section). To study the effect of the chamber geometry on the flow field, the base configuration is installed in an annular combustor sector and LDV measurements are conducted in the axial radial plane (X-Z). The flow field as well as the shape of the CRZ are significantly different in both cases. The CRZ height reduced by 40% with the swirl cup installed to the SAC sector. The results emphasize the strong influence of the confinement on the flow structure.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Surgical bypass versus endoscopic stenting for malignant gastroduodenal obstruction : A decision analysis

The treatment options for palliating malignant gastroduodenal obstruction include open gastrojejunostomy (OGJ), laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ), and endoscopic stenting (ES). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and costs among ES, OGJ, and LGJ in patients who present with gastroduodenal obstruction from advanced upper gastrointestinal tract cancer. We designed a model for patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. We analyzed success rates, complication rates and costs of the three treatment modalities: ES, OGJ, and LGJ. Baseline outcomes and costs were based on published reports. Success was defined as no major procedure-related and long-term complications over a 1-month period. Failure of therapy was defined as recurrent symptoms or death due to a procedural complication. Sensitivity analyses and cost-effectiveness analyses for the various strategies were performed. ES resulted in the lowest mortality rate and the lowest cost of the three treatment options analyzed. Mortality in the OGJ group was 2.1 times that in the ES cohort and 1.8 times that in the LGJ cohort. Sensitivity analyses confirmed ES as the dominant strategy. In conclusion, ES is the preferred treatment for palliation of duodenal obstruction due to advanced upper gastrointestinal tract cancer.
Temperature and concentration dependences of acoustic velocity and damping in Rb1-x(ND4)xD2AsO4 mixed crystals by Brillouin backscattering.

The LA[100] (a-axis) Brillouin backscattering phonon spectra have been measured as a function of temperature (20--370 K) in the mixed ferroelectric (FE)--antiferroelectric (AFE) system ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$(${\mathrm{ND}}_{4}$${)}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$${\mathrm{AsO}}_{4}$ (DRADA-x) for ammonium concentrations x=0, 0.10, and 0.28. The Brillouin frequency shift with decreasing temperature shows hardening (positive coupling) whose steepness decreases with higher ${\mathrm{ND}}_{4}$ content. For ${\mathrm{RbD}}_{2}$${\mathrm{AsO}}_{4}$ (DRDA), a Landau-Khalatnikov-like maximum (which persists in weaker form for x=0.10) was observed and the polarization relaxation time is estimated to be \ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\sim}3.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}12}$/(${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$-T) s, where ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is the ferroelectric transition temperature. For both x=0.10 and 0.28, a broad damping peak anomaly which is stronger in x=0.28 was observed and can be connected with the dynamic order parameter fluctuations. Taking into account earlier NMR and dielectric results, we conclude that the local structure competition between FE ordering and AFE ordering is the origin of these broad damping anomalies.