cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Time and Treatment on Recall of Mental State at the Time of Offense: Incompetent Defendants and Evaluation of Insanity

Evaluation of insanity is an inherently difficult task due to its retrospective nature and reliance on a defendant's recall of events. Eliciting a defendant's version of events early in the criminal justice process is advisable to guard against inaccurate or incomplete recall due to normal forgetting and changes in circumstance and mental status. However, depending on the jurisdiction of examination, postponing this inquiry may be necessary to protect a defendant's right against self-incrimination. Such circumstances often occur in the context of simultaneous court-ordered evaluations of competency to stand trial and insanity. A case example illustrates the influence of time and psychiatric treatment on a defendant's recollection of an alleged offense and provides a framework for discussion of the importance of protecting the rights of indigent defendants, even if potentially critical information is lost as a result.
Endobronchial cryotherapy in the treatment of tracheal strictures

Modern advances in ventilatory support systems have introduced a patient population requiring long term endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. The formation of tracheal strictures in such patients remains a very significant clinical problem despite new modifications in endotracheal tube design and materials. Dissatisfied with standard modalities of treatment for these lesions, we have explored the usefulness of endobronchial cryotherapy for the treatment of such stricture. Cervical tracheal strictures were produced in 11 sheep. In six animals a prototype cryosurgical probe was passed through the bronchoscope and these lesions frozen to -80 degrees C. Respiratory epithelial regeneration was complete, but significant reduction in strictures was not noted. Utilizing the cryosurgical probe in conjunction with the endobronchial resection of tracheal strictures in three animals did, however, produce significant reduction in stricture size. Healing following cryonecrosis was associated with minimal fibrosis. Endobronchial cryotherapy is easily performed and has been well tolerated by these animals.
Socio-Communicative Deficits in Young Children with Williams Syndrome: Performance on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

In this investigation, the socio-communicative skills of 29 children with Williams syndrome aged 2 ½ to 5 ½ years were examined using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Module 1. Most of the participants showed socio-communicative difficulties. Approximately half of the participants were classified by the ADOS algorithm as “autism spectrum.” Three participants were classified “autism.” Difficulties with pointing, gestures, giving, showing, and eye contact were present for more than half of the participants, with many also showing difficulties with initiation and response to joint attention and with integration of gaze with other behaviors. Expressive and receptive language abilities of the children with Williams syndrome classified “autism spectrum” were weaker than for children classified nonspectrum, but expressive and receptive language level did not account for the socio-communicative difficulties. Implications for our understanding of the socio-communicative abilities of young children...
Platform degrader analysis for the complex systems for the design and application of condition based maintenance

The US Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) is investigating the implementation of Vehicle Health Management Systems across its fleet of platforms. A vehicle degrader analysis was conducted to determine where the application of vehicle health management systems (VHMS) could potentially have the greatest impact on increasing maintainer effectiveness and operational availability. The analysis was conducted for M1 Abrams tanks and M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles using data from three sources: 1) multi-year statistical data on repairs, operating and support costs, and logistics data, 2) interviews with maintainers, service representatives and operators, and 3) questionnaires completed by the platform OEM's. The paper will describe how these alternative data and information sources were used when ideal data and information sources were not available. The statistical data provided an indication of vehicle consumable and repairable cost drivers, part replacement quantity and some indication of component failure isolation for vehicle systems. The interviews with vehicle maintainers, field service representatives and operators provided insight into platform reliability, maintainability and human factors issues. The maintainability, reliability and diagnostic coverage information from the OEM's, provided information about mission criticality and general diagnostic capability for specific vehicle sub-systems and components. The results of the degrader analysis include a list of components and sub-systems that contribute most to maintainability, reliability and vehicle operational availability issues. The degrader results, were used to develop the conceptual design of the optimum application of embedded vehicle diagnostics and prognostics for more effective and efficient HCBT platform maintenance, logistic support and platform life cycle management.
Benzodiazepine receptors in rat brain are altered by adrenalectomy.

The effects of adrenalectomy on benzodiazepine receptors in discrete regions of rat brain were examined using [3H]flunitrazepam as a binding ligand. The concentration of benzodiazepine receptors was significantly increased by 25, 50 and 71% in hippocampus, striatum and hypothalamus, respectively, after adrenalectomy. In contrast, adrenalectomy did not affect the concentration of benzodiazepine receptors in cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb and cerebellum. No significant differences in the apparent binding affinity (Kd) values were seen following adrenalectomy in any brain region examined. The adrenalectomy-induced increases [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites were completely reversed by glucocorticoid replacement with dexamethasone. These results demonstrate that adrenalectomy is capable of selectively modulating benzodiazepine receptors in brain regions presumably involved with glucocorticoid negative feedback. The data further suggest additional mechanisms by which endogenous hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hormones may affect ‘anxiety’ levels.
The impact of China’s WTO accession on patterns of world trade☆

Abstract This paper evaluates the impact of China’s WTO accession on patterns of world trade and economic growth by a recursive dynamic, 17-region, 25-sector computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with import embodied technology transfer based on actual market access commitments that China and Taiwan have made to date. The simulation results show that the major gains from WTO accession would accrue to China itself, but the rest of the world, especially developed countries and Asian newly industrialized economies, as well as least developed countries, would also benefit due to the expansion of world trade and improvement of their international terms of trade. Only certain developing countries with an endowment structure similar to China, like those in South America and Southeast Asia, may experience keener competition in labor-intensive exports and lower prices for their products.
Synthesis of TMV RNA at restrictive high temperatures.

Abstract The primary effect of high temperatures that restrict tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) multiplication was an immediate inhibition of synthesis and a more gradual degradation of single-stranded TMV RNA. Incorporation of radioactive precursors into doublestranded TMV RNA, replicative form (RF) and replicative intermediate (RI), was affected much less. Immediately after a step-up shift from 25 to 40°, single-stranded TMV-RNA synthesis was almost totally prevented, whereas there was little inhibition of incorporation into RF or RI. However, incorporation of 32 P into double-stranded TMV RNA rapidly declined after the synthesis of single-stranded TMV RNA had stopped. At high temperatures that were restrictive for TMV multiplication the function responsible for incorporation of 32 P into single-stranded viral RNA was uncoupled from that responsible for incorporation into viral double-stranded RNA.
Comparison of pollinator flight movements and gene dispersal patterns in Mimulus ringens

Pollinator movements and pollen-mediated gene dispersal were quantified in experimental populations of square-stemmed monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens), a wetland perennial herb with a mixed-mating system. Each population consisted of genets with unique multilocus combinations of homozygous genotypes, facilitating assignment of paternity to all sampled seeds. Replicate arrays were planted at each of three spacings spanning the range of densities typically observed in natural M. ringens populations. In all six arrays the distribution of gene dispersal distances differed significantly from the distribution of pollinator flight movements. The mean gene dispersal distance was 1.46 times as far as the mean pollinator flight distance. These differences were probably caused by pollen carryover as bumblebees visited up to 12 M. ringens plants on a single foraging trip. Although gene movements exceeded pollinator flight distances, estimates of neighbourhood size were consistently low, ranging from 1.66 to 5.53. Therefore, high levels of random local genetic differentiation are likely in this species.
Malposition of unerupted mandibular second premolar associated with agenesis of its antimere.

Aberrant tooth positions--such as infraocclusion, mesially ectopic maxillary first molar, palatally displaced canine, tooth transposition, and tooth rotation--are gaining attention as variables in a putative, genetically related pattern of dental anomalies. This study, using panoramic roentgenograms, was undertaken to measure the angular position of the unerupted mandibular second premolar (MnP2) in children. The experimental subjects were 17 children with an unerupted MnP2 and agenesis of the other MnP2, a likely indicator of site-specific genetic disturbance. An age/sex-matched control-reference group was similarly measured for comparison. The hypothesis tested was that the unerupted, developing MnP2 teeth in the experimental subjects would show measurably greater malpositions than those of the control sample. The results indicated a 10 degrees increase in distoangular inclination for the unerupted MnP2 in the agenesis sample; this was a highly significant difference statistically (P = .003), compared with the MnP2 inclinations in the control sample. These findings, associating exaggerated distoangular malposition of the unerupted MnP2 in children with agenesis of the contralateral MnP2, identify a new phenotype of dental developmental disturbance to add to the accumulated evidence supporting shared genetic mechanisms for dental anomaly patterns.
Potentiation of halomethane hepatotoxicity by chlordecone: A hypothesis for the mechanism

A major toxicological issue today is the possibility of unusual toxicity due to interaction of toxic chemicals upon environmental or occupational exposures to two or more chemicals, at ordinarily harmless levels individually. While some laboratory models exist for such interactions for the simplest case of only two chemicals, progress in this area has suffered for want of a model where the two interactants are individually nontoxic. One such model is available, where prior exposure to nontoxic levels of the pesticide Kepone (chlordecone) results in a 67-fold amplication of CCl4 lethality in rats. Extensive hepatotoxicity observed in this interaction is characterized by histopathological alterations, perturbation of related biochemical parameters and is followed by complete hepatic failure. This propensity for chlordecone to potentiate hepatotoxicity of halomethanes such as CCl4, CHCl3, and BrCCl3 has been a subject of intense study to unravel the underlying mechanism. Mechanisms such as induction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 by chlordecone and greater lipid peroxidation are inadequate to explain the remarkably powerful potentiation of halomethane toxicity. Compelling experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that hepatocellular division during early time points after the administration of CCl4 is an important determinant of the progression (or repair of it) of the liver injury and consequent destruction (or restoration) of the hepatolobular architecture and function. This paper advances a hypothesis for the mechanism of hepatotoxic and lethal effect of CCl4 as being primarily related to the accelerated progression of liver injury due to suppressed hepatocellular regeneration and hepatolobular restoration. This is in contrast to the widely accepted putative mechanism, one which invokes only bioactivation followed by runaway lipid peroxidation as the events determining the course of the progressive phase of liver injury. The concept being advanced in this paper accepts bioactivation (and perhaps lipid peroxidation) as the primary initiating events of cell injury, but maintains that they are not the determinants of the progressive phase of liver injury. The biological issue of whether the cells are incapacitated from regenerating is the determinant of the progression of liver injury, and therefore, the ultimate outcome of hepatotoxicity and lethality.
Analysis of the Impact of Model Nonlinearities in Inverse Problem Solving

In this study, the relationship between nonlinear model properties and inverse problem solutions is analyzed using a numerical technique based on the inverse problem theory formulated by Mosegaard and Tarantola. According to this theory, the inverse problem and solution are defined via convolution and conjunction of probability density functions (PDFs) that represent stochastic information obtained from the model, observations, and prior knowledge in a joint multidimensional space. This theory provides an explicit analysis of the nonlinear model function, together with information about uncertainties in the model, observations, and prior knowledge through construction of the joint probability density, from which marginal solution functions can then be evaluated. The numerical analysis technique derived from the theory computes the component PDFs in discretized form via a combination of function mapping on a discrete grid in the model and observation phase space and Monte Carlo sampling from known parametric distributions. The efficacy of the numerical analysis technique is demonstrated through its application to two well-known simplified models of atmospheric physics: damped oscillations and Lorenz’s three-component model of dry cellular convection. The major findings of this study include the following: (i) Use of a nonmonotonic forward model in the inverse problem gives rise to the potential for a multimodal posterior PDF, the realization of which depends on the information content of the observations and on observation and model uncertainties. (ii) The cumulative effect of observations over time, space, or both could render the final posterior PDF unimodal, even with the nonmonotonic forward model. (iii) A greater number of independent observations are needed to constrain the solution in the case of a nonmonotonic nonlinear model than for a monotonic nonlinear or linear forward model for a given number of degrees of freedom in control parameter space. (iv) A nonlinear monotonic forward model gives rise to a skewed unimodal posterior PDF, implying a well-posed maximum likelihood inverse problem. (v) The presence of model error greatly increases the possibility of capturing multiple modes in the posterior PDF with the nonmonotonic nonlinear model. (vi) In the case of a nonlinear forward model, use of a Gaussian approximation for the prior update has a similar effect to an increase in model error, which indicates there is the potential to produce a biased mean central estimate even when observations and model are unbiased.
Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccines for Treatment of Colon Cancer

Despite advances in treatment modalities, colorectal cancer (CRC) still accounts for about half a million deaths yearly worldwide. The majority of metastatic CRC are unresectable, and of those who undergo resection, few are cured. Advances in chemotherapy and targeted therapy have improved survival, but options remain limited, making the case for incorporating novel modalities in CRC treatment paradigm. Our improved understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment had led to the development of novel immunotherapeutic agents that have been tested in clinical trials such as cancer vaccines. Cancer vaccines are designed to activate the effector immune cells in order to generate an immune response against tumors. Dendritic cell vaccines offer potential benefits for CRC patients but requires further evaluation. We reviewed the role of dendritic cells in the colorectal tumor microenvironment and dendritic cancer vaccine studies in colorectal cancer.
Iterative codes for fitting complete spectra

An iterative method for fitting spectra reported on earlier has been modified to incorporate matrix methods of error estimation. Spectra up to 8192 channels are fitted as a single cosine series with up to 512 constants plus a sum of up to 512 peaks. These begin as a curvefit involving up to 34 constants to an experimental singlet. For highest accuracy this singlet should be a large well isolated peak in the spectrum of interest. The background begins as a fast Fourier transform of the experimental data. Peaks are added and the background refitted iteratively until the maximum residual is less than a specified cutoff. Along the way the full widths at half maximum are first fitted to the theoretical curve, them constrained to lie within two standard deviations of the curve. As a result of the accurate background and width determinations it is possible to locate peaks with areas only slightly larger than the background fluctuations and to separate closely spaced doublets. In test runs two artificial peaks introduced into a spectrum of Europium with widths of 5.5 channels could be separated accurately (areas > 4σ) when separated by 3 channels and crudely (areas < 3σ) when separated by 2 channels.
Continuum strong-coupling methods in (QCD)2

A more appropriate subtitle for this brief presentation might be: “Strong-coupling (SC) estimates by infrared (IR) extraction”, representing an application to high-energy physics of a new technique which should find uses in many other fields. This work is fairly new, having appeared in a linear combination of reprints and preprints by Francoise GUERIN, Thierry GRANDOU, Hing-Tong CHO, and myself, references 1–4. In addition, a few remarks will be made at the end of the talk concerning a new and simple way of approximating ordered exponentials (OEs), devised by M.-E. BRACHET and myself, references 5–7. This presentation will consist of a very brief overview of ideas and methods, treating the following subjects: 1. 1) Motivation (Why IR?) 2. 2) Sketch of the IR method for 3. 3) Gauge invariance 4. 4) (QED)2 estimates of /mf → 0; and an SU(N) - (QCD)2 estimate of the same quantity. 5. 5) An IR approach to gluonic (QCD)4 6. 6) Ordered exponentials in SC limits Before beginning, a few preliminary remarks may be appropriate: 1. (i) In two-dimensional QED and QCD, the coupling constant g and the fermion mass mf ≡ m both have dimensions of mass. The true, dimensionless coupling is therefore g/m; and the SC limit is then the same as the chiral limit. 2. (ii) We have focused attention on as the simplest possible gauge-invariance quantity to estimate, and its chiral limit is of interest here only as a test of the SC/IR method. There exist easier ways to calculate the chiral limit of in (QED)2! 3. (iii) Contrary to a certain lore, which has grown up around computer calculations, the quenched estimates of described here are finite; they contain no singularities, IR or UV, of any sort. The reason is that, being in the continuum, they introduce no spurious IR cutoffs (such as the inverse of a finite-volume dimension); and they present no temptation to pass to the limit of zero fermion mass before removing that IR cutoff. This is discussed in Section VII of reference 1.
Assessing environmental impacts of biofuels using lifecycle-based approaches.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inform decision makers about the data and information generated by commonly‐used, holistic environmental assessment approaches.Design/methodology/approach – Descriptions of eight types of lifecycle‐based methods are provided: Carbon/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management, Ecological Footprint, Energy Assessments, Fuel Cycle Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Risk Management (LCRM), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and Sustainability Indicators. Example assessments of bio‐based products are provided because of the current environmental and socio‐economic relevance of bio‐feedstocks.Findings – Assessment methods that focus on single impact indicators, such as air emissions (Carbon Management and Fuel Cycle Analysis) and energy, typically show biofuels in a favorable light compared to conventional gasoline (petrol). Ecological Footprint addresses land use implications; LCRM addresses possible impacts to human and ecological health due to chemical contaminant exp...
Proceedings of the 11th national conference on anticoagulant therapy

The 11th National Conference on Anticoagulant Therapy sponsored by the Anticoagulation Forum was held in Boston, MA on May 5–7, 2011. The AC Forum continues to enjoy a committed and enthusiastic membership with participation in this year’s meeting of over 800 attendees. The AC Forum’s conference provides a unique opportunity to network and learn among professional colleagues with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic disorders. The 3 day conference included an outstanding roster of international expert speakers, whose presentations are published in these proceedings. As in the past, members had an opportunity to present abstracts of original research and case reports. Over 75 abstracts were presented and are reprinted in this supplement. The Anticoagulation Forum, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, was founded by Dr. Jack Ansell in response to the need for a professional group to focus on the discipline of anticoagulation management and related therapies. The AC Forum is a multidisciplinary nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of care for patients taking antithrombotic medications. The goals of the AC Forum are to provide education and networking opportunities for health care professionals, to promote the clinical application of evidence-based practices, to facilitate research aimed at improving health outcomes, and to inform healthcare policy, regulatory agencies, and industry about best practices. Its membership is made up predominantly of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. The AC Forum has over 5,000 members and represents over 1,600 anticoagulation programs. The AC Forum has been an advocate for improved anticoagulation care through the establishment of anticoagulation clinics, the hosting of web-based education sessions, and the development of clinical guidelines. In addition, the AC Forum has served the interest of patients taking anticoagulants by promoting increased availability of self-monitoring, and by advocating for appropriate reimbursement from third-party payers. Many members of the AC Forum are actively engaged in clinical trials testing new and exciting antithrombotic drugs for the treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolism. These new drugs may have a major impact on the traditional responsibilities of anticoagulation clinics, as highlighted by presentations at this year’s conference.
Legislative Leadership Over Time

An extensive body of work has tried to assess changes in the relative power of Congress and the president in passing new laws. Most of this work has used the lenses provided by modernization theory and political time theory to explain shifts in the political balance of power. In this paper I provide evidence to show that the long neglected constitutional approach is at least as important as the others if we wish to understand the relative legislative power of the two branches of government over time.
Application of molecular tools for study of the phylogeny of diploid and polyploid taxa in Triticeae

In addition to morphological variation, molecular tools such as allozyme variation and variation in chloroplast DNA, 2D-protein patterns, 5S and 18-26S rRNA gene and spacer nucleotide sequences, and variation in repeated nucleotide sequences, were recently employed in phylogenetic studies in Triticeae with a variable success. The latter tool was successfully used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the diploid species in the genus Triticum L. In parallel, a technique for the investigation of the phylogeny of polyploid plants, based on the variation in repeated nucleotide sequences, was developed. An example of its use is discussed in the context of the classification of Triticeae.
How corporate reputation affects customers’ reactions to price increases

The study investigates the impact corporate reputation has on cognitive, affective and behavioural customer reactions after price increases. Specifically, it includes inferred motive, price fairness, anger and purchase intentions. On the basis of equity theory, attribution theory and the theory of cognitive dissonance, the conceptual model is developed and tested using an experimental design set in the airline industry. Partial Least Squares serves to determine direct, mediated and moderating effects. Findings confirm that the more favourable the perceived reputation, the less likely customers are to attribute negative motives for the price increase or price unfairness. A larger price increase does not diminish the impact reputation has on perceived price fairness or on purchase intentions. Reputation also has an effect on anger mediated by price fairness. Firms should consider corporate reputation in pricing strategies as analysis of reputation can assist in forecasting consumer reactions to price increases and in augmenting profitability.
Residual Stress, Adhesion and Crystallization of Ion-Sputtered and Ibed Processed NiTi Films

When conventional sputtering is used to deposit nickel-titanium thin films at temperatures below ∼623 - 723 Kelvins, the resultant structures are amorphous and the films must be annealed to form the requisite B2 parent ordering. This invites complications related to interface diffusion and chemical reaction with components of the substrate. For the present work, thin films of near-equiatomic NiTi were prepared on potassium chloride, (100) single-crystal silicon, and Si3N4 passivated silicon substrates by ion sputtering and by ion beam enhanced deposition (IBED). We have investigated residual stress levels produced by these processes, evaluated substrate adhesion levels, and explored the crystallization behavior of NiTi films grown under conditions of concurrent low-energy inert gas ion bombardment. Residual stresses of ionsputtered and IBED films were measured using profilometric techniques. Film crystallization behavior was studied by transmission electron microscopy of as-deposited films. Films produced by unassisted ion sputtering showed compressive residual stresses in the as-deposited amorphous state, which became highly tensile after annealing, leading to spontaneous cracking and delamination. Preliminary results from IBED experiments showed a reduction in the asdeposited stress, and improved adhesion. Under certain conditions, ion enhancement of the deposition process promoted film crystallization during deposition at moderate substrate temperature, producing a dispersion of extremely fine particles, indexed as Ni3Ti.
Hypoplasia of the Trapezius and History of Ipsilateral Transient Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

We present two children with hypoplasia of the left trapezius muscle and a history of ipsilateral transient neonatal brachial plexus palsy without documented trapezius weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging in these patients with unilateral left hypoplasia of the trapezius revealed decreased muscles in the left side of the neck and left supraclavicular region on coronal views, decreased muscle mass between the left splenius capitis muscle and the subcutaneous tissue at the level of the neck on axial views, and decreased size of the left paraspinal region on sagittal views. Three possibilities can explain the association of hypoplasia of the trapezius and obstetric brachial plexus palsy: increased vulnerability of the brachial plexus to stretch injury during delivery because of intrauterine trapezius weakness, a casual association of these two conditions, or an erroneous diagnosis of brachial plexus palsy in patients with trapezial weakness. Careful documentation of neck and shoulder movements can distinguish among shoulder weakness because of trapezius hypoplasia, brachial plexus palsy, or brachial plexus palsy with trapezius hypoplasia. Hence, we recommend precise documentation of neck movements in the initial description of patients with suspected neonatal brachial plexus palsy.
Experimental and Analytical Evaluations of Confinement Reinforcement in Pretensioned Concrete Beams

The AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications require that confinement reinforcement be placed around prestressing strands in the bottom bulb of pretensioned concrete beams. Although the AASHTO specifications contain prescriptive requirements for the quantity and placement of confinement reinforcement, the effect of such reinforcement on end region behavior is not well understood. To evaluate the function and effect of confinement reinforcement, 12 tests were conducted on precast pretensioned beams loaded in three-point bending at a shear span-to-depth ratio of 1.0. Variables in the test program included strand size, strand quantity, prestressing force, and the presence or lack of confinement reinforcement. In the tests, the confinement reinforcement neither prevented nor delayed strand slip but improved shear capacity and displacement ductility and prevented splitting failure. Experimental results also indicated transverse strain in the concrete above the bearing pad, which eventually led to splitting fai...
Target detection using incremental learning on single-trial evoked response

The human neural responses associated with cognitive events, referred as event related potentials (ERPs), can provide reliable inference for target image detection. Incremental learning has been widely investigated to deal with large datasets. To solve the problem of data growing over time in cross session studies, we apply an incremental learning support vector machines (SVM) method on single-trial ERP detection for identifying targets in satellite images. We implement the incremental learning SVM by keeping only the support vectors, instead of all the data, from the previous sessions and incorporating them with the data of the current session. Thus the incremental learning dramatically reduces the computational load. The results demonstrate that the incremental learning ERP detection system performs as well as the naive method, which uses only the current training session, and the batch mode, which uses all training data. Furthermore, it is more computationally efficient, which allows it to better cope with a continuous stream of EEG data.
Molecular Characterization of Protease Activity in Serratia sp. Strain SCBI and Its Importance in Cytotoxicity and Virulence

A newly recognized Serratia species, termed South African Caenorhabditis briggsae isolate (SCBI), is both a mutualist of the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae KT0001 and a pathogen of lepidopteran insects. Serratia sp. strain SCBI displays high proteolytic activity, and because secreted proteases are known virulence factors for many pathogens, the purpose of this study was to identify genes essential for extracellular protease activity in Serratia sp. strain SCBI and to determine what role proteases play in insect pathogenesis and cytotoxicity. A bank of 2,100 transposon mutants was generated, and six SCBI mutants with defective proteolytic activity were identified. These mutants were also defective in cytotoxicity. The mutants were found defective in genes encoding the following proteins: alkaline metalloprotease secretion protein AprE, a BglB family transcriptional antiterminator, an inosine/xanthosine triphosphatase, GidA, a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, and a PIN domain protein. Gene expression analysis on these six mutants showed significant downregulation in mRNA levels of several different types of predicted protease genes. In addition, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis provided insight into how inactivation of AprE, GidA, and a PIN domain protein influences motility and virulence, as well as protease activity. Using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) to further characterize expression of predicted protease genes in wild-type Serratia sp. SCBI, the highest mRNA levels for the alkaline metalloprotease genes (termed prtA1 to prtA4) occurred following the death of an insect host, while two serine protease and two metalloprotease genes had their highest mRNA levels during active infection. Overall, these results indicate that proteolytic activity is essential for cytotoxicity in Serratia sp. SCBI and that its regulation appears to be highly complex.
A Study of the Dependence of the Structure of Σ = 3 Tilt Boundaries in Gold on the Inclination of the Boundary Plane

The atomic structure of Σ = 3 tilt boundaries with variously inclined boundary planes has been studied using the many body potentials for gold. A chain unit model, analogous to the structural unit model, describes the relationship between different boundaries. The basic units in this model are units of the (111) and (112) twin boundaries and the model corresponds to atomic level faceting into these boundaries.
High Load (21 Bar IMEP) Dual Fuel RCCI Combustion Using Dual Direct Injection

Dual-fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion has shown high thermal efficiency and superior controllability with low NOx and soot emissions. However, as in other low temperature (LTC) combustion strategies, the combustion control using low exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) or high compression ratio at high load conditions has been a challenge. The objective of this work was to examine the efficacy of using dual direct injectors for combustion phasing control of high load RCCI combustion. The present computational work demonstrates that 21bar gross indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) RCCI is achievable using dual direct injection. The simulations were done using the KIVA3V-Release 2 code with a discrete multi-component fuel evaporation model, coupled with sparse analytical Jacobian solver for describing the chemistry of the two fuels (iso-octane and n-heptane). In order to identify an optimum injection strategy a Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA II), which is a multi-objective genetic algorithm, was used. The goal of the optimization was to find injection timings and mass splits among the multiple injections that simultaneously minimize the six objectives: soot, nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (UHC), indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC), and ringing intensity. The simulations were performed for a 2.44 liter, heavy-duty engine with 15:1 compression ratio. The speed was 1800 rev/min and the intake valve closure (IVC) conditions were maintained at 3.42bar, 90°C, and 46% EGR. The resulting optimum condition has 12.6bar/deg peak pressure rise rate, 158bar maximum pressure, and 48.7% gross indicated thermal efficiency. NOx, CO, and soot emissions are very low.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Creating Socially Networked Knowledge through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

We report on the experience of creating a socially networked system, the Research-oriented Social Environment (RoSE), for representing knowledge in the form of relationships between people, documents, and groups. Developed as an intercampus, interdisciplinary project of the University of California, this work reflects on a collaboration between scholars in the humanities, software engineering, and information studies by providing an opportunity not only to synthesize different disciplinary perspectives, but also to interrogate and challenge the assumptions each brings to team-based design projects in the digital humanities. This work examines socially networked knowledge as both content and methodology for collaboration, calling for further critique and future investigation of epistemological questions in models of social networks.
Sites of Contention and Critical Thinking in the Elementary Art Classroom: A Political Cartooning Project

In this paper, the author explores the concept of childhood as a social category that impedes the perception of youngsters as critical thinkers in a visual culture. The author interrogates regularities within contemporary public schooling that work to represent the intellectual and cultural development of youngsters as the project of adult industry. Contrary to this representation, the author recounts the critical awareness and personal agency exercised by a group of 4th graders who engaged in a political cartooning exercise while examining the theme of social justice. The article includes an examination of the social construction of the concept of childhood as it intersects the discourse of Western socio-cultural superiority and the opening of sites of contention as a pedagogical strategy.
Neuropeptide Y Promoter Polymorphism Modifies Effects of a Weight-Loss Diet on 2-Year Changes of Blood Pressure The Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies Trial

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is implicated in the regulation of blood pressure (BP), and NPY pathways in the hypothalamus are sensitive to dietary fat. We evaluated the potential effect of a functional variant rs16147 located in the NPY gene promoter region on the association between 2-year diet intervention and change in multiple BP measures in the randomized Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies Trial. The NPY rs16147 was genotyped in 723 obese adults who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets differing in the target percentages of energy derived from fat, protein, and carbohydrate. The changes of 4 BP phenotypes, including systolic BP, diastolic BP, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure, during 2-year diet intervention were analyzed. In the total participants and participants with hypertension, we observed significant and consistent interactions between rs16147 genotype and dietary fat intake on changes in multiple BP phenotypes at 2 years (all P for interactions <0.05). The risk allele (C allele) was associated with a greater reduction of BP phenotypes in response to low-fat diet, whereas an opposite genetic effect was observed in response to high-fat diet. In addition, the C allele was related to greater changes in 4 BP phenotypes in hypertensive compared with nonhypertensive participants. Our data suggest that NPY rs16147 may modulate the association between dietary fat intake and changes in BP phenotypes, and the C allele exerts a long-term beneficial effect on lowering BP in response to low-fat diet in obese and hypertensive subjects.
Mathematical modeling and optimization of cellulase protein production using Trichoderma reesei RL-P37.

The enzyme cellulase, a multienzyme complex made up of several proteins, catalyzes the conversion of cellulose to glucose in an enzymatic hydrolysis-based biomass-to-ethanol process. Production of cellulase enzyme proteins in large quantities using the fungus Trichoderma reesei requires understanding the dynamics of growth and enzyme production. The method of neural network parameter function modeling, which combines the approximation capabilities of neural networks with fundamental process knowledge, is utilized to develop a mathematical model of this dynamic system. In addition, kinetic models are also developed. Laboratory data from bench-scale fermentations involving growth and protein production by T. reesei on lactose and xylose are used to estimate the parameters in these models. The relative performances of the various models and the results of optimizing these models on two different performance measures are presented. An approximately 33% lower root-mean-squared error (RMSE) in protein predictions and about 40% lower total RMSE is obtained with the neural network-based model as opposed to kinetic models. Using the neural network-based model, the RMSE in predicting optimal conditions for two performance indices, is about 67% and 40% lower, respectively, when compared with the kinetic models. Thus, both model predictions and optimization results from the neural network-based model are found to be closer to the experimental data than the kinetic models developed in this work. It is shown that the neural network parameter function modeling method can be useful as a "macromodeling" technique to rapidly develop dynamic models of a process.
In Vitro Activity of Fusidic Acid (CEM-102, Sodium Fusidate) against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients and Its Effect on the Activities of Tobramycin and Amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia

We tested the MICs of fusidic acid (CEM-102) plus other agents against 40 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from cystic fibrosis patients and the activities of fusidic acid with or without tobramycin or amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA, and Burkholderia cepacia isolates from cystic fibrosis patients in a 24-h time-kill study. Fusidic acid was potent (MICs, 0.125 to 0.5 μg/ml; a single 500-mg dose of fusidic acid at 8 h averaged 8 to 12. 5 μg/ml with 91 to 97% protein binding) against all MRSA strains. No antagonism was observed; synergy occurred for one MRSA strain treated with fusidic acid plus tobramycin.
Innovation Diffusion: Assessment of Strategies Within the DIFFUSION SIMULATION GAME

Educators increasingly view the high level of engagement and experiential learning offered by games as a means to promote learning. However, as with any designed learning experience, player experiences should provide an accurate representation of content to be learned. In this study, the authors investigated the DIFFUSION SIMULATION GAME (DSG) to assess the consistency of strategies effective in the game with those implied to be effective by the diffusion of innovations theory on which the game is based. They analyzed records from 2,361 completed game sessions of the DSG and compared successful and unsuccessful strategies. They further compared successful gameplay strategies with strategies suggested by the diffusion of innovations theory. The data analysis indicated that four of the seven winning strategies were inconsistent with what the theory predicts. However, this conclusion is tentative, given limitations of temporal detail in available data. These limitations imply how data should be collected to better investigate strategies that result in successful DSG gameplay. In addition, the study provides a case in which objective methods were used to analyze patterns of gameplay and offers insight on how data should be collected to analyze patterns more effectively.
Phylogenetic Relationships in Ephedra (Gnetales): Evidence from Nuclear and Chloroplast DNA Sequence Data

Sequences from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region 1 (nrDNA ITS1) and the plastid rps4 gene from the genus Ephedra (Ephedraceae, Gnetales) were obtained in order to infer phylogenetic relationships, character evolution, and historical biogeography in the genus. Within Ephedra the length of the nrDNA ITS1 varied from 1,081 to 1,143 basepairs (bp), in contrast to dramatically shorter lengths in the outgroups (Gnetum, Welwitschia, and Pinus). The rps4 locus varied in length from 645 to 661 bp in the same set of taxa. Both parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of these sequences resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny that supports the monophyly of Ephedra, but not its subdivision into the traditional sections Ephedra, Asarca, and Alatae. The resulting phylogeny also indicates a derivation of the New World clade from among the Old World taxa. Among the Old World species three highly-supported monophyletic groups are recognized that are highly concordant with morphological evidence. The New World clade includes two main subclades of North and South American species that are strongly supported, while the position of two, mostly Mexican species E. pedunculata and E. compacta remains unresolved. Character reconstruction of ovulate strobilus types in Ephedra indicates that fleshy bracts are ancestral, with shifts to dry, winged bracts having occurred multiple times. Low levels of sequence divergence within the North American clade suggest either recent and rapid ecological radiation or highly conservative ribosomal DNA evolution within the clade.
Results of an Advanced Development Zero Boil-Off Cryogenic Propellant Storage Test

A zero boil-off (ZBO) cryogenic propellant storage concept was recently tested in a thermally relevant low-earth orbit environment, an important development in the effort to apply this concept to flight projects. Previous efforts documented the benefits of ZBO for launch vehicle upper stages in a low-earth orbit (LEO). Central to that analysis is a ZBO Cryogenic Analysis Tool that estimates the performance of each component and the ZBO system. This test is essential to the validation of that tool, and was the first flight representative configuration tested in a thermally representative environment. The test article was comprised of a spherical 1.4 m diameter insulated propellant tank, with a submerged mixer, a cryogenic heat pipe, flight design cryocooler, and a radiator. All were enclosed in a thermal shroud and inserted into and tested in a vacuum chamber that simulated an LEO thermal environment. Thermal and pressure control tests were performed at sub-critical LN2 temperatures and approximately 2 atmospheres pressure. The cold side of the ZBO system performed well. In particular, the heat pipe performed better than expected, which suggests that the cryocooler could be located further from the tank than anticipated, i.e. on a spacecraft bus, while maintaining the desired efficiency. Also, the mixer added less heat than expected. The tank heating rate through the insulation was higher than expected; also the temperatures on the cryocooler hot side were higher than planned. This precluded the cryocooler from eliminating the boil-off. The results show the cryocooler was successful at removing 6.8 W of heat at approximately 75 K and 150 W of input power, with a heat rejection temperature of 311 K. The data generated on the ZBO components is essential for the upgrade of the ZBO Cryogenic Analysis Tool to more accurately apply the concept to future missions.
A High-Speed Analog-Digital Computer for Simulation

This paper describes the principles of operation and logical design of an analog-digital computer capable of simulating complex physical systems in real time. Information in the machine is represented by an analog voltage pulse and a digital number. Arithmetic operations are performed in time-shared analog computing components and conventional digital logical elements. A novel floating-point arithmetic feature is provided to extend the dynamic range of the machine variables. Instructions and constants are stored on a magnetic drum before computation begins. The instructions determine the sequence of computer operations, and both the instructions and constants are arranged so that random access to the drum is not needed. The programming techniques developed for the computer are described. The inherent simplicity of these techniques should permit engineers directly concerned with simulation to program their own problems for computer solution.