cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Involvement of variably-sourced fluids during the formation and later overprinting of Paleoproterozoic Au-Cu mineralization: Insights gained from a fluid inclusion assemblage approach

Abstract Au-Cu mineralized quartz veins of the Reef Deposit, Wisconsin, USA, originally formed prior to or early in the Paleoproterozoic Penokean orogeny in central North America as either the root zone of a gold-rich VMS deposit, or in an orogenic gold setting. Nearly 400 m.y. later, magmatic hydrothermal fluids associated with a continental scale anorogenic magmatic event remobilized mineralization within the veins. And still later, during the Paleozoic, remobilization and perhaps upgrading of Au and other metals occurred in response to circulation of fluids associated with Mississippi Valley-type deposits found in overlying supracrustal rocks. Fluid constraints on the formation of the Reef Deposit and later overprinting over a 1.5 b.y. timeframe are examined using the fluid inclusion assemblage (FIA) approach. Distinctive assemblages are examined on individual merit, each offering individual stories to aid in our understanding of the protracted development of the Reef Deposit. Presumably primary fluid inclusions in Au- and Cu-bearing quartz-sulfide veins that formed during the Paleoproterozoic event show H2O-CO2-CH4 ± NaCl compositions based on microthermometry and laser Raman spectroscopy. Possibly primary H2O-NaCl and secondary H2O-CO2-CH4 -NaCl FIA formed prior to regional deformation and are recognized as discrete relict and neonate clusters. The intersection of isochores from the highest density neonate inclusions of either fluid composition indicates re-equilibration at lower amphibolite conditions during regional deformation. Quartz hosted secondary fluid inclusion assemblages characterized by H2O-CH4 and CO2-CH4 compositions formed at high temperatures and have not been re-equilibrated and are interpreted to post-date regional metamorphism. These FIA occur along healed fractures with chalcopyrite mineralization. These inclusions are likely associated with fluid circulation driven by emplacement of the adjacent Wolf River Batholith (ca. 1.45 Ga), that altered pyrite to pyrrhotite and remobilized or emplaced chalcopyrite at temperatures as high as 700 °C. This reduced fluid was in equilibrium with locally observed graphitic sediments. Secondary lower temperature (
Autoantibodies to the IA-2 Extracellular Domain Refine the Definition of "A+" Subtypes of Ketosis-Prone Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Autoantibodies directed against tyrosine phosphatase IA-2 antibody (IA-2 Ab) are diagnostic for autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Conventional assays target the intracellular domain of IA-2. Among patients with ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD), characterized by presentation with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), >60% of adults lack three classic islet autoantibodies—IA-2, GAD65, and ZnT8 Abs—associated with type 1 diabetes. We aimed to determine whether apparently autoantibody-negative (“A−”) KPD patients possess occult IA-2 Ab directed against full-length IA-2 (IA-2FL) or its extracellular domain (IA-2EC). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We developed an assay that targets IA-2FL and IA-2EC and used it to analyze 288 subjects with A− KPD. RESULTS Ten A− KPD patients were positive for IA-2EC Ab (3.5%), and three were also positive for IA-2FL Ab (1.0%), similar to frequencies in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of IA-2FL Ab and IA-2EC Ab improves the accuracy of the Aβ classification of KPD patients.
Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy of doped P3HT films: distinguishing free and trapped polarons

It is generally presumed that the vast majority of carriers created by chemical doping of semiconducting polymer films are coulombically trapped by the counteranion, with only a small fraction that are free and responsible for the increased conductivity essential for organic electronic applications. At higher doping levels, it is also possible for bipolarons to form, which are expected to be less conductive than single polarons. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to distinguish free polarons, trapped polarons and bipolarons using steady-state spectroscopy. Thus, in this work, we use ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to study the dynamics of polarons in 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TNCQ)-doped films of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) as a function of dopant concentration and excitation wavelength. When exciting on the red side of the polaron P1 transition, our transient absorption spectra and kinetics match well with what is expected for free 2-D-delocalized polarons; the measurements are not consistent with a recent theory of doped conjugated polymer electronic structure that suggests that the half-filled state lies deeper in the conduction band rather than in the bandgap. As we tune the excitation wavelength to the blue, our measurements reveal an increasing amount of slower transient kinetics that are consistent with the presence of coulombically-trapped polarons rather than bipolarons. Taking advantage of their distinct ultrafast relaxation kinetics as a type of action spectroscopy, we are able to extract the steady-state absorption spectra of free and trapped polarons as a function of dopant concentration. By comparing the results to theoretical models, we determine that in F4TCNQ-doped P3HT films, trapped polarons sit ∼0.4 nm away from the anion while free polarons reside between 0.7 and 0.9 nm from the counteranion. Perhaps counterintuitively, the ratio of trapped to free polarons increases at higher doping levels, an observation that is consistent with a plateau in the concentration-dependent conductivity of F4TCNQ-doped P3HT films.
Engineering Selective Desalination Membranes via MolecularControl of Polymer Functional Groups

Membrane-based desalination processes are used widely to address increasing global demand for purified water. To continue to meet increasing demand, advanced and highly selective desalination membr...
Quality Matters: Exploring the Influence of Relationship Quality on Type 2 Diabetes Outcomes

U.S. healthcare systems are struggling to cope with rising costs and demands imposed by the burden the of diabetes. In response to patients’ demand for quality, health systems have increased their ...
Investor-State Arbitration: A New Threat to Global Access to Affordable Medicine

This is an introduction to a new development in the international arena that poses a threat to the ability of countries to tailor patent and regulatory laws to promote access to medicine. Basically, certain international agreements permit foreign companies to sue a country for compensation if their “investments” are compromised and there are two companies that have done so based on IP issues. This chapter explains the domestic and international backdrop, as well as the basics of investment agreements permitting such actions. In addition, it explains the initial IP disputes brought under this system, including Eli Lilly v. Canada (patent rights allegedly compromised), and Philip Morris disputes against Australia and Uruguay (trademarks allegedly compromised).
The N-terminal domain in TRPM2 channel is a conserved nucleotide binding site.

This study by Toth et al. has defined that the N-terminal MHR1/2 domain is a conserved ADPR binding site in TRPM2 from ancient cnidarians to vertebrate, and that it is the key ligand binding site for invertebrate TRPM2 channel activation by ADPR, the same as observed in human and zebrafish TRPM2.
Iterative Participatory Design for VRET Domain Transfer: From Combat Exposure to Military Sexual Trauma

This case study describes the expansion of the BRAVEMIND virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) system from the domain of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the domain of PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). As VRET continues to demonstrate efficacy in treating PTSD across multiple trauma types and anxiety disorders, adapting existing systems and content to new domains while simultaneously maintaining clinical integrity is becoming a high priority. To develop BRAVEMIND-MST we engaged in an iterative participatory design process with psychologists, engineers, and artists. This first-person account of our collaborative development process focuses on three key areas (1) VR Environment, (2) User-Avatar State, and (3) Events, while detailing the challenges we encountered and lessons learned. This process culminated in eight design guidelines as a first-step in defining a VRET domain transfer methodology.
Comparison of nontechnical skills grading rubrics for OR in situ simulation for general surgery and Obstetrician/Gynecologist residents.

Abstract Background This study utilized the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety and the Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons grading systems to evaluate the nontechnical skills of general surgery and obstetrician/gynecologist residents to see if these grading systems were concordant. These simulations were also intended to teach about crisis resources available at our institution. Methods Nineteen teams were created consisting of either one general surgery resident or 2 Obstetrician/Gynecologist residents plus 2 Anesthesia residents and 2 to 4 nurses. Each team was given a short briefing on Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety, then performed 2 simulated operating room crises. All exercises were graded by 2 independent observers with experience in the operating room and in using the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety and Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons grading systems. Results Averaged general surgery Team Strategies and Tools To Enhance Performance and Patient Safety score increased between scenarios (14.3–17; P ≤ .01), as did obstetrician/gynecologist Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety score (14.9−19.2; P ≤ .01). Averaged general surgery Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons score increased between scenarios (10.3−12.2; P ≤ .02), as did obstetrician/gynecologist Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons score (10.2−14.3; P ≤ .01). Surgery Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety scores demonstrated a strong correlation of movement with Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons scores (r = 0.83), as did obstetrician/gynecologist (r = 0.91). On average both general surgery (11%–100%; P ≤ .01) and obstetrician/gynecologist (50%–90%; P ≤ .01) saw a statistically significant increase in their awareness of the crisis checklist. Conclusion Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance and Patient Safety scores and Nontechnical Skills for Surgeons are effective and concordant tools for gauging general surgery and obstetrician/gynecologist resident nontechnical skills. In situ simulations are an effective way to teach general surgery and obstetrician/gynecologist residents about available crisis resources.
Reducing Operations, Data Flow, and Cost: The Relationships on One Program

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) had been routinely planning, operating, and downlinking 5 Gbytes of data per day for the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) spacecraft. MSX was performing 26 unique data collection events per week, with each event being planned in detail to determine what data to collect and when to do the data collection. Support of these 26 events required the use of onboard tape recorders. Managing of the tape recorders and scheduling of the playbacks was a routine part of the Planning Team’s tasks. The data was downlinked at the APL ground station, preprocessed, and written onto magnetic media for dissemination to a data user community.
Dual impedance cardiography: An inexpensive and reliable method to assess arterial stiffness.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a common measure of arterial stiffness. Non-invasive methods to measure PWV are widely used in biomedical studies of aging and cardiovascular disease, but they are rarely used in psychophysiology. Barriers to wider use include the prohibitive costs of specialized equipment and need for trained technicians (e.g., ultrasonographers). Here, we describe an impedance cardiography method to measure PWV. By this method, impedance signals are dually collected from the thorax and calf. Combined with ensemble averaging of vascular signals, this dual impedance cardiography (d-ICG) method allows for the measurement of aortic flow onset and the arrival time of peripheral pulse waveforms to compute PWV. In a community sample of adults (aged 19-78 years), PWV measured with d-ICG exhibited a strong positive correlation with age. Moreover, age-specific mean PWV values were within the normative reference intervals established by large scale studies using other techniques. PWV derived from d-ICG exhibited high test-retest reliability across several days, as well as excellent inter-rater reliability. Last, PWV exhibited expected associations with known cardiovascular disease risk factors and indicators of autonomic cardiovascular control. d-ICG is an inexpensive and reliable method to assess arterial stiffness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia has sustained effects on insomnia, fatigue, and function among people with chronic heart failure and insomnia: The HeartSleep Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Insomnia is common among adults with chronic heart failure (HF) and associated with daytime symptoms and decrements in function. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the sustained effects over one year of CBT-I (Healthy Sleep: HS) compared with HF self-management education (Healthy Hearts; attention control: HH) on insomnia severity, sleep characteristics, symptoms, and function among people with stable HF. The primary outcomes were insomnia severity, actigraph-recorded sleep efficiency, and fatigue. METHODS We randomized adults with stable HF with preserved or reduced ejection fraction who had at least mild insomnia (Insomnia severity index >7) in groups to HS or HH (4 sessions/8 weeks). We obtained wrist actigraphy and measured insomnia severity, self-reported sleep characteristics, symptoms (fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression), and six-minute walk distance at baseline, within one month of treatment, and at 6 and 12 months. We used general linear mixed models (GLMM) and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the effects. RESULTS The sample included 175 participants (M age = 63 +12.9 years; 43% women; 18% Black; 68% New York Heart Association Class II or II; 33%; LVEF < 45%) randomized to HS (n = 91) or HH (N = 84). HS had sustained effects on insomnia severity, sleep quality, self-reported sleep latency and efficiency, fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and six-minute walk distance at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS CBT-I produced sustained improvements in insomnia, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and objectively measured physical function among adults with chronic HF, compared with a robust HF self-management program that included sleep hygiene education.
Changes in bile acid subtypes and long-term successful weight-loss in response to weight-loss diets: The POUNDS lost trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Primary bile acids (BAs) are synthesized in the liver and secondary BAs result from intestinal microbial activity. Different subtypes of BAs may be involved in regulating adiposity and energy homeostasis. We examined how changes in circulating BA subtypes induced by weight-loss diets were associated with improvements in adiposity, regional fat deposition and energy metabolism among overweight and obese adults. METHODS The study included 551 subjects who participated in a 2-year weight-loss diet intervention trial. Circulating 14 BA subtypes (primary and secondary unconjugated BAs and their taurine-/glycine-conjugates) were measured at baseline and 6 months. Associations of changes in BAs with changes in weight, waist circumference, resting energy expenditure (REE), body fat composition and fat distribution were evaluated. RESULTS Greater decreases in primary BAs (cholate and chenodeoxycholate) and secondary BAs (deoxycholate and lithocholate) and their conjugates (except for glycolithocholate) were associated with more decreases in weight and waist circumference at 6 months (P-after-false-discovery-rate-correction [PFDR ] < .05). We found that changes in glycocholate and glycoursodeoxycholate were consistently associated with reductions of general and central adiposity, REE, whole-body fat and visceral adipose tissue (PFDR < .05). Further, the initial (6-month) changes in BA subtypes were differently predictive of successful weight loss over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS The decreases in primary and secondary BA subtypes after eating low-calorie weight-loss diets were significantly associated with improving adiposity, fat accumulation and energy metabolism, suggesting that specific BA subtypes would be predictive of long-term successful weight loss and individuals' response to the treatment of weight-loss diets.
Do pragmatic arguments show too much

Pragmatic arguments seek to demonstrate that you can be placed in a situation in which you will face a sure and foreseeable loss if you do not behave in accordance with some principle P. In this article I show that for every P entailed by the principle of maximizing expected utility you will not be better off from a pragmatic point of view if you accept P than if you don’t, because even if you obey the axioms of expected utility theory it is possible to place you in a situation in which you will face a certain and foreseeable loss. This shows that for a large class of Ps, there is no pragmatic difference between people who accept P and those who don’t.
Willingness to Use ADHD Self-Management: Mixed Methods Study of Perceptions by Adolescents and Parents

Little is known about perceptions surrounding self-management for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although such interventions appear commonly used and are considered essential components of the chronic care model. Our research is part of a mixed methods study that followed students at high and low risk for ADHD over 11 years. During the final study years, area-representative samples of 148 adolescents (54.8% participation; 97 ADHD high-risk group; 51 low-risk peers) and 161 parents (59.4% participation; 108 parents of high-risk adolescent; 53 parents of low-risk peer) completed a cross-sectional survey on community-identified self-management interventions for ADHD (activity outlets, sleep regulation, dietary restriction, homework help, family rules, and prayer). Respondents also answered open-ended questions addressing undesirable self-management effects, which were analyzed using grounded theory methods. High-risk adolescents expressed significantly lower willingness towards all self-management interventions than did adult respondents, except for increased activity outlets. They also reported lower receptivity towards sleep regulation and dietary restriction than did their low-risk peer group. No gender or race differences in self-management willingness were found, except for higher receptivity to prayer in African American respondents. Cost, perceived ineffectiveness, disruptions to routines, causation of interpersonal conflicts, and reduced future self-reliance were seen as potential undesirable effects. Findings suggest that activity-based ADHD interventions appear particularly acceptable across all demographic and risk groups, unlike sleep regulation and dietary approaches. Further research on self-care effectiveness is needed to incorporate adolescents' viewpoints about ADHD self-management, as interventions may be acceptable to adults, but resisted by adolescents.
Analysis of a large single‐center experience with robot‐assisted pyeloplasty

Objectives: To report a single-center experience with robot-assisted pyeloplasty. Methods: Medical records of 100 consecutive robot-assisted pyeloplasty cases carried out between May 2004 and August 2010 were retrospectively reviewed, and major perioperative parameters were recorded. Patients underwent functional (renal scan) and/or anatomical (ultrasound or computerized tomoghraphy) imaging at 6 months. Results: The mean patient age was 39.8 years. A total of 12 patients underwent prior attempts at repair. Ureteral stents were placed in all patients except one, and closed-suction drains were placed in 59 patients. There were two intraoperative complications and two postoperative complications requiring surgical intervention. One patient with a complex prior surgical history developed a urine leak that was managed with prolonged drainage. A total of 42 patients were discharged on postoperative day 1, and 44 were discharged on postoperative day 2. Mean length of follow up was 22.8 months. The operative success rate was 96%. Conclusions: The majority of patients undergoing robot-assisted pyeloplasty can expect a short hospitalization with minimal morbidity. The operative success rate is high, even in patients with prior attempts at repair. Complication rates including urine leaks are quite low, and routine placement of a closed-suction drain is likely to be unnecessary.
The differential effects of the indazole-carboxylic acid derivative, tolnidamine, on Sertoli cell protein secretion.

The indazole-carboxylic acid derivative tolnidamine (TOL) has marked antispermatogenic activity in rats. Previous morphological and biochemical studies indicate that Sertoli cells are one of the targets of this compound. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of TOL on the in vitro secretory functions of primary Sertoli cell-enriched cultures prepared from rats of different ages by monitoring the changes of three known Sertoli cell proteins, androgen binding protein (rABP), transferrin (rTF), and testibumin (rTB). The addition of TOL at the beginning of the culture period reduced the plating efficiency of Sertoli cells; however, TOL did not induce a significant change in cell number if it was added 24 h after plating of the cells. Sertoli cell-enriched cultures prepared from testes of 10-day-old rats were highly sensitive to TOL as evidenced by a marked inhibition in secretions of rABP, rTB, and rTF in all experiments. In cultures prepared from 15- and 20-day-old rats, TOL had no apparent effect on rABP secretion, but reduced rTF and increased rTB secretion. Thus, TOL has a differential effect on the secretion of individual proteins in Sertoli cells cultured from rats between 10 and 20 days of age. This phenomenon is presumably a consequence of the progressive maturation of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium.
Circulating Succinate is Elevated in Rodent Models of Hypertension and Metabolic Disease

Background Recent evidence suggests that succinate, long known as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, may also have a role as a signaling molecule through GPR91 and that activation of this receptor results in blood pressure (BP) elevation via the renin-angiotensin system. We sought to test the hypothesis that GPR91 contributes to BP elevation in hypertension. In addition we investigated whether elevated succinate in diabetes could contribute to the increased rate of gluconeogenesis in that condition. Methods Circulating succinate concentration was measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in rodent models of hypertension and metabolic disease as well as in human hypertensives and type 2 diabetics in comparison to control subjects. Results Elevated succinate was detected in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), ob/ob mice, db/db mice, and fa/fa rats in comparison to their non-diseased controls. The changes in concentration are consistent with activation of GPR91. In contrast, neither human hypertensives nor diabetic patients had elevated succinate in comparison to controls. Conclusions These findings are consistent with a role of GPR91 signaling in rodent hypertension and diabetes models but not in the analogous human diseases.
MAINTAINING GOOD MORALE IN OLD AGE

Traditional aging studies have seen life's later years as a time of inevitable biological and social decline. Psychological decline might also be expected, but this is not true for most older people, according to epidemiologic studies. Thus, we must ask: Why is aging not as emotionally threatening as might be expected? Why do some older people do better than others? How should medicine address these issues? It is only possible to understand the successful emotional aging of most elders if the customary diathesis-stress model is supplemented by a developmental perspective. Expectations as well as capacities diminish with aging. This means that subjective health appears more tightly linked with morale than objective health. Some older people experience recurrence of mental disorders (for example, major depression) first present earlier in life. Others experience new disorders such as minor depression in response to biological or social losses. As geriatric medicine comes to increasingly focus on chronic disease, attention to morale is an important strategy for maximizing quality of life. Physicians will need improved skills in the detection and treatment of problems in morale if they are to provide optimum care for their older patients.
6.5kV FREEDM-Pair: Ideal high power switch capitalizing on Si and SiC

6.5kV Si IGBTs have been used widely in median voltage drives, HVDC, FACTs and traction systems. However, the large switching losses of the Si IGBT limit its switching frequency to only 100Hz to 1kHz. On the other hand, wide bandgap (WBG)power devices such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET or JFET have demonstrated their superior advantages over Si IGBT, especially in terms of significantly reduced switching losses. A major issue facing large scale adoption of SiC power devices is still the much higher cost. This paper proposes that the FREEDM-Pair, a Si/SiC hybrid switch, should be an ideal and cost effective switch for high power applications. In the proposed FREEDM-Pair, a SiC MOSFET is connected in parallel with Si IGBT to combine the advantages of IGBT and MOSFET. A 6.5 kV FREEDM-Pair is developed as an example to demonstrate its superior cost/performance. Experimental results demonstrated 70% switching loss reduction and the FREEDM-Pair cost is estimated to be only 50% higher than 6.5 kV Si IGBT.
Solvothermal synthesis and controlled self-assembly of monodisperse titanium-based perovskite colloidal nanocrystals

The rational design of monodisperse ferroelectric nanocrystals with controlled size and shape and their organization into hierarchical structures has been a critical step for understanding the polar ordering in nanoscale ferroelectrics, as well as the design of nanocrystal-based functional materials which harness the properties of individual nanoparticles and the collective interactions between them. We report here on the synthesis and self-assembly of aggregate-free, single-crystalline titanium-based perovskite nanoparticles with controlled morphology and surface composition by using a simple, easily scalable and highly versatile colloidal route. Single-crystalline, non-aggregated BaTiO3 colloidal nanocrystals, used as a model system, have been prepared under solvothermal conditions at temperatures as low as 180 °C. The shape of the nanocrystals was tuned from spheroidal to cubic upon changing the polarity of the solvent, whereas their size was varied from 16 to 30 nm for spheres and 5 to 78 nm for cubes by changing the concentration of the precursors and the reaction time, respectively. The hydrophobic, oleic acid-passivated nanoparticles exhibit very good solubility in non-polar solvents and can be rendered dispersible in polar solvents by a simple process involving the oxidative cleavage of the double bond upon treating the nanopowders with the Lemieux–von Rudloff reagent. Lattice dynamic analysis indicated that regardless of their size, BaTiO3 nanocrystals present local disorder within the perovskite unit cell, associated with the existence of polar ordering. We also demonstrate for the first time that, in addition to being used for fabricating large area, crack-free, highly uniform films, BaTiO3 nanocubes can serve as building blocks for the design of 2D and 3D mesoscale structures, such as superlattices and superparticles. Interestingly, the type of superlattice structure (simple cubic or face centered cubic) appears to be determined by the type of solvent in which the nanocrystals were dispersed. This approach provides an excellent platform for the synthesis of other titanium-based perovskite colloidal nanocrystals with controlled chemical composition, surface structure and morphology and for their assembly into complex architectures, therefore opening the door for the design of novel mesoscale functional materials/nanocomposites with potential applications in energy conversion, data storage and the biomedical field.
The Dynamic Incremental Compiler of APL\3000

Most APL implementations to date have been interpretive because of the dynamic nature of the language. APL\3000 employs a Dynamic Incremental Compiler to allow all the flexibility of change afforded by interpretation, but giving the added bonus of faster execution for programs run more than once. APL\3000 compiles code on a statement-by-statement basis as needed, saving the code and reusing it where possible. A statement is recompiled only when made necessary by changes in syntax or changes in variable bindings. The compiler produces optimized code by employing the Abrams techniques of Drag-along and Beating.
Rapid molecular conductance calculations using transfer matrix method

Abstract Landauer-based approaches to conductance calculations have met some difficulty regarding the description of the molecule-electrode interface resulting in considerable difference in comparison to experimental data. By using a fast, self-consistent, iterative transfer matrix algorithm, interface characteristics such as coupling strength and relative site energy can be varied over a wide range. We apply this method to examine recent experiments on polyanilines. By means of the above approach, the interface in the model can be calibrated to experimental and theoretical results. Through the simulation of two, three, and four ring aniline chains, we can characterize the gold–nitrogen bond. From that point, the model is ready for implementation of self-consistency and more complicated systems.
Assessing the cardiovascular safety of diabetes therapies.

Lately, concerns have been raised that some antidiabetes agents may impart greater cardiovascular risk than was previously appreciated. Dr. Allison Goldfine writes that both macrovascular effects of antidiabetes agents and the optimal glycemic goals remain incompletely understood.
Distribution of CRF- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the brainstem of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract The distribution of CRF and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons was examined in the brainstem of the chicken. Very dense populations of both CRF and TH-immunoreactive (-ir) perikarya are co-extensive in separate neuronal systems throughout a large field of the rostral brainstem, encompassing locus ceruleus, the mesencephalic reticular formation, parabrachial nucleus, and the dorsal and ventral tegmental areas. They are present also in nucleus tractus solitarius, and sparsely in the ventral and lateral areas of the medulla. This co-distribution suggests that the effects of CRF upon central autonomic activity may be mediated via brainstem catecholamine systems. CRF-ir neurons alone are present also in midline nuclei, including n. centralis superior, n.annularis, n.linearis caudalis, and the raphae.
Reversible Folding of Hyperstable RNA Tetraloops Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Structured RNAs exhibit a distinct preference for loops of precisely 4 nucleotides. Approximately 70% of these “tetraloops” are comprised of just three specific loop sequences: UUCG, GCAA, or CUUG. The abundance of these sequences is thermodynamic in origin, as each motif forms a unique network of non-canonical interactions within their loops that stabilize the folded state. Modification to the Amber force field enables the de-novo folding of three hyperstable RNA tetraloops to 1-3 A RMSD from their experimentally determined structures using molecular dynamics simulations initialized in the unfolded state. To study the thermodynamics and kinetics of folding on an RNA tetraloop we simulated the (rGCAA) tetraloop with stem lengths of two (octamer), and four (dodecamer) C-G base pairs. The thermodynamics is obtained from replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations with overall sampling exceeding 300 microseconds. The kinetics of the octamer was studied in a 100 microseconds molecular dynamics simulation using the Anton supercomputer. The thermodynamics reveal that the octamer folds and unfolds reversibly. However, the dodecamer behaves glassy and adopts multiple metastable loop configurations that do not unfold in extensive REMD simulations. The ability to recapitulate the signature non-canonical interactions of the three most abundant hyperstable stem-loop motifs represents a significant step towards the accurate description of nucleic acid tertiary structures, dynamics and stability using unbiased all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
Contributions of mass spectrometry to structural immunology.

Mass spectrometry has made important contributions to the field of immunology in the past decade. A variety of mass spectrometric-based techniques have been applied to study the structures of macromolecules that play a vital role in the immune response. These include traditional molecular mass measurements to identify post-translational modifications and structural heterogeneity, mass mapping of proteolysis products, sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry and conformational analysis. Antigen-antibody and other immune complexes have been detected by mass spectrometry, providing an avenue to study macromolecular assemblies that are important to immune function. By virtue of the ability of mass spectrometry based techniques to analyze complex biological mixtures, mass spectrometry has also been employed to identify and sequence protein epitopes important in both the humoral and cellular immune responses. This has been achieved through a combination of immunoaffinity and mass spectrometric techniques, and the coupling of high-performance chromatographs to mass spectrometers. These approaches are important for the identification of pathogens and show promise for the early diagnosis of disease associated with viral and bacterial infection and malignancy. These investigations will enable the mechanisms associated with normal and impaired immune function to be elucidated. Mass spectrometry has been utilized to characterize the structure of peptide mimics, multiple antigenic peptides and other constructs in the design of synthetic immunogens. Information derived from these studies will aid in the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines.
Elastomeric behaviour of crosslinked poly(aryl ether ketone)s at elevated temperatures

A new approach to thermally stable elastomers for use between temperatures of 180°C and 275°C has been developed. Wholly aromatic poly(aryl ether ketone)s of various molecular weights have been synthesized with maleimide end groups. These structures have glass transition temperatures (Tgs) in the 150°C range, and when thermally crosslinked, they exhibited elastomeric characteristics ∼30–50°C above their Tgs (∼200°C). The moduli of the networks at 200°C were comparable to those of unreinforced poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers (1–2 MPa) and the elongations ranged from 200 to 300%. The poly(aryl ether ketone) elastomers showed exceptional thermal stability with little weight loss up to 490°C. The results from the chemorheology and stress relaxation measurements are discussed and compared to poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks.
The Vallée-Poussin problem for higher order nonlinear hyperbolic equations

For higher order nonlinear hyperbolic equations nonclassical boundary value problems of Vallee-Poussin type are studied, and unimprovable in a sense sufficient conditions of solvability, unique solvability and well-posedness are established.
Update on home visiting for pregnant women and parents of young children

D n the last 10 years, the number of home visiting programs for parents of young children in the United States has grown substantially. According to a recent report from the Packard Foundation, thousands of home visiting programs nbw exist, and over 500,000 children are enrolled in such programs nationwide. 1 Interest in home visiting has deepened with increased recognition that brain development is most rapid in the first 3 years of life and that opportunities to influence the course of children's lives are greatest during that time. 2 Support for such services intensified when findings from a program of prenatal and infancy home visitation by nurses showed positive effects on pregnancy outcomes, child abuse and neglect, and maternal life course among low-income, unmarried women and their children. 3-5 Although home visiting programs have a wide variety of goals and service elements, they all emphasize the importance of parental behavior in influencing the lives of children and the importance of the home as an opportune place for providing services. In principle, home visitors can observe family dynamics and the environments in which children and families live,
62.2: Mechanical Reliability of LCD Panels under Dynamic Loading

An important aspect of mechanical reliability of LCD panels is to understand and quantify their response to impact loading. This paper studies the behavior of 17″ modules impacted by a spherical ball traveling at a speed of up to ∼1 m/sec. At this velocity, the deformation response of the module system is significantly different from that during quasi-static loading. In view of much shorter duration of impact test, the LCD panels can sustain relatively large loads without any measurable slow crack growth. The test data show that the dynamic strength of these panels, estimated from fracture mirror, is significantly higher than their quasi-static strength. With higher strength and immeasurable slow crack growth the LCD panels should not experience cumulative damage during multiple impact loading implying that their mechanical reliability under such loading is excellent.
TH‐C‐BRB‐01: Characterization of Optically‐Stimulated Luminescent Detectors (OSLDs) in Photon & Proton Beams

Purpose: To investigate characteristics of optically‐stimulated luminescent detectors (OSLDs) to protons thus allowing comparison to thermoluminescent detectors and implementation into a quality assurance program. Methods & Materials: The OSLDs used were aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanodots (Landauer Inc. Glenwood IL) measuring 10×10×2 mm3. A 20(L)×20(W)×0.5(H) cm3 volume of solid water was fabricated with pockets to allow OSLDs and TLDs to be irradiated simultaneously and perpendicular to the beam. Irradiations were performed at a 5 cm depth for photons and in the center of a 10 cm SOBP for a 200 MeV proton beam. Additionally the Radiological Physics Center's (RPC) anthropomorphic pelvic phantom was used to test the angular dependence of OSLDs for photons and protons. A cylindrical insert in the phantom allows the dosimeters to be rotated to any angle with a fixed gantry angle. OSLDs were irradiated at 8 angles between 0 and 360 degrees. OSLDs were read out with a Landauer Microstar reader. Results:Dose response measurements indicate for photons that at angles where the dosimeter is near parallel with the radiation beam response is slightly reduced. Results in protons do not seem to show significant angular dependence. OSLDs and TLDs are comparable within 3% for both photons and protons during perpendicular measurements. Conclusion: OSLDs and TLDs are comparable dosimeters in 6 MV photon and 200 MeV protons beams in a perpendicular irradiation. Preliminary results show that OSLDs might have some angular dependence to photons but not protons. With angular dependence characteristics defined OSLDs can be implemented into multiple‐field treatment plans in photons and protons and used in the RPC's quality assurance program.
High-resolution alignment of action potential waveforms using cubic spline interpolation

A cubic spline interpolation technique is applied to the problem of aligning action potential waveforms. Interpolation is an attractive alternative to sampling at many times the Nyquist rate in order to reduce errors caused by asynchronous sampling of rapidly changing waveforms. Alignment is achieved by locating the peak of the interpolated waveform, which can be found by solving a quadratic equation. The waveform is then reconstructed for comparison with existing templates. The technique was tested using simulated noisy, randomly arriving waveforms, the interpolated signal and alignment time errors being computed as functions of the signal/noise ratio. The spline technique is superior in accuracy to sampling at eight-times the Nyquist rate and is comparable to a Fourier-transform-based interpolation algorithm. It is computationally efficient, requiring approximately five multiplications per sample point. The interpolation concept is extended to the principal component technique for separation of action potential waveforms. The energy function is interpolated and used to align the waveforms, after which the interpolated coefficients can be used for high speed classification. The technique shows an improvement in both alignment error and effective signal/noise ratio in comparison with sampling or interpolation to a voltage peak.
Accelerator based mass spectrometry of semiconductor materials

Abstract We have investigated the possibility of using accelerator based mass spectrometry for the study of semiconductor materials, especially Si and GaAs. Several impurities have been examined, including B, Be, Si, Nb, Sb and Te. For most of these impurities, the count rates from high background levels in the ion source totally dominated the signals from the samples. For Nb, however, the background levels were quite low, and detection limits of ∼0.1 parts-per-billion have been demonstrated. The results discussed here suggest that the technique is applicable to most impurity-substrate combinations, but the development of a clean ion source is necessary for routine use of this method.
Patterning of Protein/Quantum Dot Hybrid Bionanostructures

Here we demonstrate patterning of protein/quantum dot hybrid bionanostructures via electrostatic assembly of engineered negatively charged fluorescent protein with positively charged CdSe/ZnS QD patterns formed through e-beam lithography and post-patterning modification with cationic ligands.
Transformation of N-, O-, and S- heterocycles (NOSHs) in estuarine sediments: Effects of redox potential and sediment particle size

The transformation of 19 N-, O-, and S- heterocycles (NOSHs) was examined in estuarine sediment-water microcosms. The effects of redox potential (Eh) and sediment particle size on compound transformation rates were evaluated, and stable products were identified. Results from stirred, controlled Eh/pH microcosms (CEPMs) showed that most of the NOSHs were significantly transformed under oxidized and reduced conditions over 15 week incubations, and the resulting product distributions were similar. In general, the rates and extent of transformation were greater in oxidized sediments of low surface area vs. those with high particle surface area and reduced redox conditions. Further experiments in sealed, unstirred microcosms also showed that NOSH transformation proceeded more slowly and on fewer compounds in fine vs. coarser grained sediments under oxidized conditions. Unlike the stirred systems, however, NOSH transformation rates were similar or greater under reduced vs. oxidized conditions. Thus, reduced, methanogenic clay of high surface area displayed some of the fastest rates of NOSH transformation. Data from liquid-liquid partitioning experiments suggested that this effect was related to the formation of NOSH complexes with iron and perhaps other redox-active metals in sediments.
Brown, Black, and Yellow: Desegregation in a Multi‐Ethnic Context

The Brown decisions have become part of our collective American memory. Students know that the 1954 decision ended legalized segregation in elementary and secondary schools and righdy understand it as a benchmark in educational history. However, when pressed for information on the decisions, few have ever read the original court documents and even fewer realize there were two separate decisions, that four states and the District of Columbia were involved, and that the South fought aggressively for years to nullify their effect on school attendance. To teach Brown is to deconstruct simple notions of Civil Rights Movement triumphs and visions of a country eager to right historical wrongs. I incorporate Brown into three of my courses, but for the purposes of this piece I will focus on my Education for Liberation class since I believe that its comparative approach to Brownas well as the entire class syllabus-teaches the worth of looking at educational reform through a variety of lenses. Education for Liberation uses a comparative approach to constructing educational history and is cross-listed in departments outside the School of Education including History, Feminist Studies, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and Afro-American Studies. It draws both undergraduates and graduate students from a variety of disciplines across campus. The primary purpose of the class is to trace and understand the location of education in the struggle for equal rights and liberation. We examine how different groups (ethnic, gender, religious) have defined "liberation" and "proper education" over time and attempt to understand overlap and divergence in their conceptualizations. Also, we endeavor to understand how these fights for educational access, quality, and equality have influenced the nature of education for all American youth. In order to accomplish this task, we examine shifts in what were considered progressive, conciliatory, radical, and proper forms of education throughout history. Using different communities as lenses, we examine questions such as: How should we educate Joy Ann Williamson is an Assistant Professor of the History of Education at Stanford University. Her research investigates the intersection of social movements and institutions of higher education.
Clinical Assessment of Left Ventricular Relaxation

Ventricular relaxation is altered in a number of cardiac disorders affecting domestic animals. Clinical determination of the ventricular relaxation rate can provide useful information regarding disease severity and response to therapy. We believe that the current gold standard for assessing left ventricular relaxation requires measurement of ventricular luminal pressure at end-expiration using a high-fidelity catheter. Ventricular pressure should be digitized at > or = 200 Hz for the period of pressure fall between the minimum rate of change of ventricular pressure and 10 mm Hg above left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of the preceding beat. The rate of relaxation then should be determined from the digitized data by Marquardt nonlinear least squares parameter estimation using an exponential decay model with nonzero asymptote. The major disadvantage in using an invasive method for evaluating left ventricular relaxation is that it requires general anesthesia in animals that frequently are categorized as high-risk anesthetic patients. Noninvasive estimates of ventricular relaxation using echocardiographic parameters such as isovolumic relaxation time, peak early filling rate, and time from end-systole to peak filling rate provide a crude and nonspecific assessment of ventricular relaxation that can be obtained from conscious animals. Determinations of these echocardiographic indices are of limited usefulness in assessing changes in ventricular relaxation associated with disease progression or therapeutic intervention, unless concurrent estimates of left atrial pressure, mitral valve characteristics, and left ventricular compliance are available.