cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomic effects of wet cupping (Al-hijamah).

Wet cupping (Al-hijamah) is a therapeutic technique practiced worldwide as a part of the Unani system of medicine. It involves bloodletting from acupoints on a patient’s skin to produce a therapeutic outcome. A thorough review of research articles on wet cupping with relevance to proteomics field that are indexed by Google Scholar, PubMed, and/or Science Direct databases was performed. Eight original research articles were summarized in this paper. Overall, wet cupping did not have a significant effect on C-reactive protein, Hsp-27, sister chromatid exchanges, and cell replication index. In contrast, wet cupping was found to produce higher oxygen saturation, eliminate lactate from subcutaneous tissues, remove blood containing higher levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and produce higher activity of myeloperoxidase. The proteomic effects of wet cupping therapy have not been adequately investigated. Thus, future studies on wet cupping that use systemic and sound protocols to avoid bias should be conducted.
Home Practice Desensitization

This lab is intended to provide an opportunity to complete the hierarchy you generated in Lab XIII at home.
Feasibility of allogeneic stem cells for heart regeneration

Abstract: Stem cell therapy for heart disease is currently one of the most exciting ideas in regenerative medicine, and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a lead candidate for cell-based therapeutics. These cells promote healing, have an excellent safety record in preclinical and clinical trials, and are readily available in large quantities. However, there is some controversy regarding their interaction with the host immune system. Allogeneic MSCs are currently in clinical trials as a cell therapy for heart disease, including one trial where the efficacy of allogeneic and autologous MSCs is directly compared. This chapter examines the current and future possibilities of using allogeneic MSCs for cardiac regeneration therapy.
Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy: Evidence from a Dynamic Simulation Model with Endogenous Resource Substitution

This paper applies an economic model of climate change that is based on endogenous substitution of energy resources to determine the effect of advances in renewable technology on aggregate and sectoral fossil fuel use and energy prices. It uses a Nordhaus type partial equilibrium model of the energy sector with four demand sectors - electricity, transportation, residential and industrial energy and three of the commercially most important exhaustible resources - oil, coal and natural gas. The findings suggest that among the major commercial fuels, oil and natural gas use are not very sensitive to changes in the cost of solar energy, while coal use is expected to reduce drastically as solar becomes more economical. These results suggest that research and development in renewable energy may play only a limited role in the short run, while creating the basis for a transition to a sustainable energy economy over the longer time horizon.
Finally “Changing Lenses”? State-Level Determinants of Restorative Justice Laws:

This article presents a mixed methods study exploring a legislative trend toward the use of restorative justice practices in correctional settings. Results indicate that the percentage of Black res...
Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation of Electrical Breakdown in Liquid Medium

During the last two decades non-thermal plasma discharges in and in contact with liquids have received significant attention in view of their wide range of application – extending from chemical analysis, medical, water treatment, fuel processing etc [1]. Despite the tremendous interest and advances attained in the experimental studies, modeling efforts providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physicochemical processes is limited. In the current work a mathematical model is developed to simulate electrical breakdown and the associated plasma formation in liquid medium. A density based compressible flow solver is coupled with electrical potential, energy and species solvers. A compact kinetics is considered which includes, electrons, positive and negative ions and associated ionization, recombination, and attachment reactions. Both electron impact ionization and field assisted emission (i.e. Zener tunneling) are taken into account. Ponderomotive [2] and electrostatic forces are considered to contribute to the body force term of the momentum conservation equation. The variation of density of the liquid medium is modeled via the Tait equation of state. Simulation is conducted for water for a pin-to-plate electrode arrangement driven by a pulsing power source having a nano-second rise time. Predictions from the model indicates that during the pre-breakdown stage the ponderomotive force cavitates the homogenous liquid by creating a pressure field that is significantly lower than the critical negative pressure of water. The cavitation sites are typically found to occur near the vicinity of the powered electrode and have a size of tens of microns. These cavitation sites act as nucleation sites during the pre-breakdown stage. Parametric studies are performed to identify the role of the different kinetics especially the field assisted ionization and the direct electron impact ionization.
Modeling Metal Surface Roughness with a Single Parameter

Conductor surface roughness loss models typically use two physical parameters to vary losses. A similar model was developed that required a single parameter so that the model could alternatively be defined to have a specific loss attributed to surface roughness.
Style Investing and Comovement of Trading Volume

Barberis and Shleifer (2003) model an economy in which some investors engage in positive feedback style investing. These investors group stocks into styles, and then form demands for stocks at style level, instead of at individual stock level. In this paper, the implications of style investing on comovement of trading volume are studied. Stocks are classified into nine styles based on their market cap and book-to-market ratio. We find that stock trading activities tend to comove within styles. Stocks in large market cap styles tend to demonstrate stronger degree of trading activity comovements than stocks in smaller market cap styles. This is consistent with the notion that stocks in large market cap styles tend to belong to major indexes like S&P 500 or Dow Jones 30, and therefore tend to attract more large passive index investors. We also find that the extent to which stock trading activities comove within a style increases with the style's previous year relative return performance. This relation is only statistically significant for medium and small market cap styles. Once again, this could be due to the fact that large market cap stocks are more likely to belong to major indexes. Since investing in these indexes is such a popular investment strategy, it is unlikely that one year of bad return can significantly shake up an investor's faith in investing in these indexes. Our third result is that, when a stock changes its style, its trading activities comove less with stocks in the old style, and comove more with stocks in the new style. All the above results are consistent with the positive-feedback style investing model. Our results cannot be explained by liquidity comovements.
Development of anatomically based customizable three-dimensional finite-element model of pelvic floor support system: POP-SIM1.0.

To develop an anatomically based customizable finite-element (FE) model of the pelvic floor support system to simulate pelvic organ prolapse (POP): POP-SIM1.0. This new simulation platform allows f...
The Landmark Series: Randomized Trials Examining Surgical Margins for Cutaneous Melanoma

Between 1980 and 2004, six randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed to evaluate the width of surgical margin excision for primary cutaneous melanoma and its influence on recurrence and survival. These trials have led to the current recommendation of not more than a 2-cm margin excision and have allowed reduced morbidity of surgery for primary melanoma. Long-term follow-up data has been published which has led to impactful knowledge of the natural history of this disease, yet controversy remains for 1- to 2-mm thickness melanomas. Interpretation of these trials must be done in light of them enrolling patients before the use of sentinel node biopsy and contemporary immunotherapy regimens. These RCTs as well as a contemporary, actively enrolling trial are summarized and discussed in this review.
A home to which I don’t belong: geopolitics, colonialism and whiteness in the experience of Middle Eastern and North African citizens in the United States

Theories of assimilation are founded upon the assumption that through generations, immigrant communities will ‘progressively’ and ‘irreversibly’ proceed towards a white middle-class centre. In this...
Tobacco use topography and etiology: Similarities and differences among teens and emerging adults

Tobacco regulatory science seeks in part to reduce harm of new tobacco products. Part of this interest is to help chronic adult smokers switch to potentially less harmful products, while not facilitating use of these modified risk tobacco products by nonusers (particularly teens). Studies to discern a lack of interest in reduced harm products are conducted on emerging adults as a proxy for teens. The present empirical review explores the topography and etiology of tobacco use among emerging adults compared to teens to discern whether they might be a reasonable proxy for such reduced harm studies. Both teens and emerging adults view combustible and e-cigarette smoking as disapproved of by peers and are likely to process tobacco marketing information similarly. I conclude that while some differences do exist (e.g., emerging adults are in a period of escalating use and dependence, whereas teens are relatively likely to be initiating use), emerging adults may indeed be a reasonable proxy, at least for current reduced harm studies.
“Perfect epitaxy” of silicon films on silicon as seen in large-area X-ray topographs

A novel X-ray technique and its application to semiconductor thin-film problems is described. The technique is capable of recording large-area transmission topographs of crystal slices as processed in modern semiconductor device technology. The method is non-destructive, and, therefore, thin films on single crystal substrate can be examined after each processing step. In this paper, the technique is actually applied to the problems of “perfect epitaxy”. The perfection of the interfacial region is determined for silicon films on silicon, interfacial dislocations are revealed and finally, the nature of these defects is determined. Es wird eine neuartige Rontgenstrahl- Technik und deren Anwendung auf Probleme der Halbleiterschichten beschrieben. Die Technik ermoglicht die Aufzeichnung grossflachiger Durchlassigkeits- Topographien von Kristallscheiben, wie sie in der modernen Halbleiter-Technologie erzeugt werden. Diese Methode ist zerstorungsfrei, so dass dunne Schichten auf einer Einkristall-Unterlage nach jeder einzelnen Herstellungsstufe untersucht werden konnen. Der Vortrag beschreibt die Technik mit besonderer Anwendung auf die Probleme der perfekten Epitaxie. Die Vollkommenheit der Zwischenschicht wird fur den Fall von Silicium-Schichten auf Silicium bestimmt. Abschliessend werden Versetzungen festgestellt und die Art dieser Defekte ermittelt. Ce rapport donne une description d'une nouvelle technique aux rayons X et son application aux problemes des semi-conducteurs en couches minces. Cette technique permet de relever les topographies de transmission sur une grande surface pour des plaquettes de cristaux telles que celles que l'on traite dans la technologie moderne des semi-conducteurs. Cette methode n'est pas destructrice et, en consequence, les couches minces sur des substrats monocristallins peuvent etre examinees apres chaque phase de leur traitement. Dans cette communication la technique est en fait appliquee aux problemes de “l'epitaxie parfaite”. La perfection de la region interfaciale est determinee pour des couches de silicium sur du silicium. En conclusion, les dislocations interfaciales sont mises en evidence et la nature de ces defauts est expliquee.
Increased contrast enhancement of the parent vessel of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 7T MR imaging

Background Inflammation of the arterial wall may lead to aneurysm formation. The presence of aneurysm enhancement on high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is a marker of wall inflammation and instability. We aim to determine if there is any association between increased contrast enhancement in the aneurysmal wall and its parent artery. Methods Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) prospectively underwent 7T HR-VWI. Regions of interest were selected manually and with a semi-automated protocol based on gradient algorithms of intensity patterns. Mean signal intensities in pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences were adjusted to the enhancement of the pituitary stalk and then subtracted to objectively determine: circumferential aneurysmal wall enhancement (CAWE); parent vessel enhancement (PVE); and reference vessel enhancement (RVE). PVE was assessed over regions located 3- and 5 mm from the aneurysm’s neck. RVE was assessed in arteries located in a different vascular territory. Results Twenty-five UIAs were analyzed. There was a significant moderate correlation between CAWE and 5 mm PVE (Pearson R=0.52, P=0.008), whereas no correlation was found between CAWE and RVE (Pearson R=0.20, P=0.33). A stronger correlation was found between CAWE and 3 mm PVE (Pearson R=0.78, P Conclusion Parent arteries exhibit higher contrast enhancement in regions closer to the aneurysm’s neck, especially in aneurysms≥7 mm. A localized inflammatory/vasculopathic process in the wall of the parent artery may lead to aneurysm formation and growth.
The Regulation and Dynamics of the Transferrin Receptor

A wide variety of substances that would otherwise be excluded from cells gain entry via receptor-mediated endocytosis [1, 2], Binding of ligands to their specific plasma membrane receptors is followed by internalization involving specialized regions of the membrane termed coated pits [2, 3]. While the pathways that are traversed subsequently by diverse ligands exhibit striking similarities, there are distinctive features that separate endocytic systems into several groups. The endocytosis of low density lipoproteins (LDL) by fibroblasts [4] and of asialoglycopro-teins (ASGP) by hepatocytes [5] are representatives of systems in which ligands are catabolized in lysosomes and receptors are reutilized. Constant numbers of receptors are maintained during extended continuous endocytosis of ligand molecules. In other systems, such as those mediating uptake of insulin [6] or epidermal growth factor (EGF) [7], both the ligand and its receptor are degraded in lysosomes. These systems exhibit “down-regulation” in that ligands enhance receptor degradation. As a result of a reduction in the number of receptors, the target cells exhibit lowered responsiveness to the continued presence of these ligands.
Clearing up the Crystal Ball: Understanding Uncertainty in Future Climate Suitability Projections for Amphibians

Abstract Amphibian populations are threatened globally, and one of the hypotheses for these declines is climate change. Species distribution models are frequently used to predict changes in suitabl...
The Effect of Chronic Ethanol Exposure and Thiamine Deficiency on Myelin‐related Genes in the Cortex and the Cerebellum

BACKGROUND Long-term alcohol consumption has been linked to structural and functional brain abnormalities. Furthermore, with persistent exposure to ethanol (EtOH), nutrient deficiencies often develop. Thiamine deficiency is a key contributor to alcohol-related brain damage and is suspected to contribute to white matter pathology. The expression of genes encoding myelin proteins in several cortical brain regions is altered with EtOH exposure. However, there is limited research regarding the impact of thiamine deficiency on myelin dysfunction. METHODS A rat model was used to assess the impact of moderate chronic EtOH exposure (CET; 20% EtOH in drinking water for 1 or 6 months), pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency treatment (PTD), both conditions combined (CET-PTD), or CET with thiamine injections (CET + T) on myelin-related gene expression (Olig1, Olig2, MBP, MAG, and MOG) in the frontal and parietal cortices and the cerebellum. RESULTS The CET-PTD treatments caused the greatest suppression in myelin-related genes in the cortex. Specifically, the parietal cortex was the region that was most susceptible to PTD-CET-induced alterations in myelin-related genes. In addition, PTD treatment, with and without CET, caused minor fluctuations in the expression of several myelin-related genes in the frontal cortex. In contrast, CET alone and PTD alone suppressed several myelin-related genes in the cerebellum. Regardless of the region, there was significant recovery of myelin-related genes with extended abstinence and/or thiamine restoration. CONCLUSION Moderate chronic EtOH alone had a minor effect on the suppression of myelin-related genes in the cortex; however, when combined with thiamine deficiency, the reduction was amplified. There was a suppression of myelin-related genes following long-term EtOH and thiamine deficiency in the cerebellum. However, the suppression in the myelin-related genes mostly occurred 24 h after EtOH removal or following thiamine restoration; within 3 weeks of abstinence or thiamine recovery, gene expression rebounded.
Natural Disaster Mitigation at Ben Taub Hospital

Ben Taub Hospital has garnered respect internationally as an exceptional acute care facility earning the Beacon Award for Excellence. Natural disasters impose substantial health burdens on affected populations and the capacity of healthcare facility capabilities. Natural disasters result in 68,000 deaths and affect 218,000,000 people worldwide annually. Ben Taub Hospital’s preparedness level and disaster response efforts to Hurricane Harvey offer expertise resulting in best practices for healthcare organizations as they navigate the global disaster landscape.
Counter-Hegemonic Visions of Self-Respect in a Novel: Ramamirthammal’s Challenge to Indian Nationalism

Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement challenged the ideological hegemony of the Indian Independence struggle by demanding that equality between sexes and eradicating caste be put on an equal footing wit...
Postembedding immunocytochemical techniques for light and electron microscopy.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on postembedding immunocytochemical techniques for light and electron microscopy. It describes the embedding of tissue in one of the newer resins (LR White) that can be used for both light and electron microscopy. Postembedding immunocytochemistry takes advantage of the fact that many proteins still react with antibodies directed against them in tissue that has been chemically fixed and embedded for microscopy. The primary antibody is detected by a secondary antibody conjugated to some molecule that allows its visualization by light or electron microscopy. The postembedding techniques differ from the pre-embedding techniques, in which the antibodies are applied to tissues prior to embedment and sectioning. The resin remains with the tissue sections and only antigenic sites on the surface of the sections are available for reaction with the antibody. Resolution and tissue integrity are usually quite good but the number of sites available for antibody binding are usually low. For the postembedding techniques, tissue preservation is often sacrificed to retain adequate antigenicity—that is, the ability of the primary antibody to recognize and bind to its specific antigenic site.
Mental Health and Immigrant Status

Immigrant status in the United States includes multiple dimensions, commonly measured by nativity, age at time of immigration, length of residence, generational status, English-language proficiency, and level of acculturation. Early community studies and recent national studies in general have found that various immigrant groups have significantly lower rates of mental health problems than their US-born counterparts and/or non-Hispanic whites, but the associations between various measures of immigrant status and mental health tend to vary with different racial/ethnic groups, gender, and the age of arrival. The mental health of immigrants can be understood from positive selection, cultural buffering, negative assimilation, and cultural expressions of diseases. Finally, we suggest a few avenues for future research including collecting longitudinal data to track changes of mental health, incorporating more nuanced measures of acculturation, attending to the unique cultural and psychosocial characteristics and contexts, and more fully embracing the life course perspective. Keywords: immigration; mental health; migration
Topological darkness revisited: A four-dimensional picture

We present a complete description of “topological darkness” in a four-dimensional space regarding optical constants (i.e. n and k) of effective media, wavelengths and incident angles, which is essential for enhanced light-matter interaction in thin-films.
Philosophy, Literature, and Laughter: Notes on an Ontology of the Moment

There is an initial difficulty which merits acknowledgment at the outset of this inquiry. In philosophy, all categories are weighted toward reflection and away from spontaneity. It is hard to envision a philosophy of laughter, notwithstanding Bergson’s familiar efforts to categorize the comic, or Nietzsche’s provocations lauding caprice. Philosophical discourse has been solidly and traditionally anchored in eternal concerns far from the madding eruption of laughter — the sound of frolic signifying nothing. The characteristic philosophical disdain for, and obsession with escape from the momentary, the pleasurable, the distraction of the body and temptations of the senses, the seduction of, and abandonment to the embrace of emotion — all of this argues against any profitable inquiry into the domain of laughter.
Even valuations on convex bodies

The notion of eveiL valuation is introduced as a natural generalization of volume on cornpact convex subsets of Euclidean space. A recent characterization theorem for volume leads in turn to a connection between even valuations on compact convex sets and continuous functions on Grassmannians. This connection can be described in part using generating distributions for symmetric compact convex sets. We also explore some consequences of these characterization results in convex and integral geometry. Recent interest in volume as a valuation on compact conlvex sets stems from Hilbert's Third Problem, which is actually an ancient problem recast in modern terms. Hilbert asked if two polytopes P and Q can be each cut into a finite number of pieces P.,... , Pn and Q ,... , Qm with each Pi congruent to Qi by a rigid Euclidean motion, provided that P and Q have the same volume [18]. This question was answered in the negative by Max Dehn [2, 4, 29], who found a functionlal on polytopes that is invariant under dissections over rigid motions, while varying in value among polytopes of equal volume. In other words, the Dehn invariant is a "simple rigid motion invariant valuation" on polytopes that is not equal to volume (under any normalization). Dehn's solution left open the question of exactly what conditions oil P and Q imply equidissectability over the group of rigid motions, although this problem was solved by Hadwiger in the case where only translations (and no rotations nor reflections) are permitted (see [2, 16, 17, 26, 29]). In the course of studying this and related problems, Hadwiger discovered a characterization of Euclidean volume as a continuous rigid motion invariant simple valuation on compact convex sets, that is, a continuous rigid motion invariant valuation that vanishes on convex sets of less than full dimension. This result led in turn to a complete characterization of all continuous rigid motion inivariant valuations on compact convex sets in 1R' as consisting of a real (n 4)-dimensional vector space spanned by the intrinsic volumes (or Quermassintegrals) [16] (also [20, 21, 31]). Since many standard functionals and integral operators can be interpreted as invariant valuations (such as intrinsic volumes, mean projections, Crofton and kinematic formulas), what came to be known as Hadwiger's chtracterization theorem proved to be a valuable tool for generating quick and effortless proofs of many formulas and equations in integral geometry. Unfortunately Hadwiger's original proof was long and difficult [161 While seeking a shorter proof of Hadwiger's volume characterization, the author discovered Received by the editors June 24, 1996 and, in revised form, September 29, 1997. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 52A22, 52A38, 52A39, 52B45. Research supported in part by NSF grants #DMS 9022140 to MSRI and #DMS 9626688 to the author. ? 1999 American Mathematical Society 71 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.52 on Mon, 24 Oct 2016 04:15:57 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Modeling and simulation of multi-terminal HVDC for wind power delivery

VSC-HVDC system is adopted more and more for its flexible control capability and multi-terminal topology. Offshore wind farms are becoming a preferred solution for wind power in many countries. The integration of offshore wind farms to grid is critical for efficient power delivery, since the transmission via long distance underwater could be a problem such as high percent power loss. The Multi-Terminal VSC-HVDC system is a suitable choice to integrate the offshore wind power with grid due to its advantages, such as flexible control capability and low power loss via DC cables. The contribution of this work is twofold: (i) detailed models of DFIG wind generators and MultiTerminal VSC-HVDC system are built and tested, and (ii) both normal operations and grid side ground fault are studied, and an approach to mitigate the over-voltage during fault is proposed and tested. The models and simulations are developed and tested via Matlab/SimPowerSystem.
Sensitivity of Commuters' Demographic Characteristics to License Plate Data Collection Specifications

The demographic characteristics of commuters are significant determining factors in many transportation-related policy and planning decisions. A popular way of obtaining the demographic characteristics of roadway system commuters is through license plate studies. There is a concern, however, that data collection factors including time, day, and location of data collection can potentially affect the observed demographic characteristics of the collected samples. This study uses statistical tests to assess the sensitivity of observed demographic characteristics from license plate data collection to data collection parameters by using data collected in the I-85 high-occupancy vehicle corridor in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area.
MODEL THREE-BODY PROBLEM

Solutions are obtained for a three-dimensional model three-body problem involving a spinless $D$ particle and a spinless $n$ particle with coupling $D\ensuremath{\rightleftarrows}n+n$. $D\ensuremath{-}n$ scattering and $D\ensuremath{-}n$ bound states are studied. The model is soluble in the sense that one obtains a linear, one-dimensional Fredholm equation for each partial wave in $n\ensuremath{-}D$ scattering. We have solved the equations numerically on a high-speed computer for different values of the interaction strength and for different values of a size parameter used in the interaction form factor. In particular, we have studied the interaction-strength limit which corresponds to making the $D$ a bound state of the $n'\mathrm{s}$. In this limit there are two three-body bound $s$ states. The $n\ensuremath{-}D$ scattering phase shifts obey a Levinson's theorem and also show the expected kink at the threshold for $n+D\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3n$. The angular distribution for $n\ensuremath{-}D$ scattering has considerable variation and shows the backward peak characteristic of an exchange mechanism. When parameters are chosen in the model to make the $D$ fit the deuteron, the major features of nucleon-deuteron scattering are reproduced except at very low energies when the three-particle bound states dominate and our neglect of spin is important.
The Chlorine Isotope Composition of the Moon and Implications for an Anhydrous Mantle

Arguably, the most striking geochemical distinction between Earth and the Moon has been the virtual lack of water (hydrogen) in the latter. This conclusion was recently challenged on the basis of geochemical data from lunar materials that suggest that the Moon's water content might be far higher than previously believed. We measured the chlorine isotope composition of Apollo basalts and glasses and found that the range of isotopic values [from -1 to +24 per mil (per thousand) versus standard mean ocean chloride] is 25 times the range for Earth. The huge isotopic spread is explained by volatilization of metal halides during basalt eruption--a process that could only occur if the Moon had hydrogen concentrations lower than those of Earth by a factor of approximately 10(4) to 10(5), implying that the lunar interior is essentially anhydrous.
Three-dimensional degradable porous polymer-ceramic matrices for use in bone repair

A degradable polymer-ceramic matrix for use as a bone graft material is described. The fabrication method used produces 3-dimensional macroporous matrices which are structurally similar to cancellous bone in their porosity, mechanically similar to cancellous bone in compressive elastic modulus and chemically comparable to the mineral matrix of bone in that they contain hydroxyapatite (HA). A 50:50 copolymer of poly(lactide/ glycolide) (PLAGA) reinforced by a particulate calcium phosphate ceramic, HA, was used to create a matrix composed of polymeric microspheres. The channels between these spheres were pores approximately 100 μm in diameter. Four polymer/ceramic ratios were used in matrix fabrication: 1:0, 1:1, 2.5:1, and 5 : 1. The mechanical behavior of the material was found to vary with ceramic content. Increased levels of HA resulted in increased compressive elastic moduli. Prior to polymer degradation, moduli ranged from a high of 1459 MPa (50% HA) to a low of 293 MPa (0% HA). Degradation studies ov...
Models of shrinking clusters with applications to epidermal wound healing

Models of growing clusters, such as the Eden model and Diffusion Limited Aggregation (DLA), have been widely used to describe a variety of natural growth processes. In this paper, we develop models of shrinking clusters which we use to model epidermal wound healing. We present two approaches to modeling shrinking clusters. In the first approach, which is motivated by the Eden model, every point on the cluster periphery has equal chance of being healed. Noisy and noisefree versions of this model are investigated. In the second approach, DLA is employed in a unique way so that random walkers launched from infinity eventually reach the cluster and contribute to its reduction. Simulation results are presented which illustrate the evolution of the wound healing process for various wound shapes.
Development of a personal dual-phase air sampling method for phthalate diesters

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in many industrial and consumer products. Urinary biomonitoring has shown widespread human exposure to phthalates, with workers having especially high exposures. Phthalates can be present in workplace air as either aerosols or vapors depending on source materials, vapor pressure, and processing temperatures. We sought to develop a dual-phase air sampling method for 6 phthalates, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BzBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), adaptable to aerosol inlets with known particle collection characteristics. Collection media consisted of a quartz fiber filter and XAD-2 resin. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined for each phthalate. Phthalate recoveries were evaluated at 3×, 10× and 30× the LOQ, and after storage at −21 °C and 21 °C. Media were Soxhlet extracted in 10% diethyl ether in hexanes along with an extraction surrogate, di-n-pentyl phthalate-d4. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed to quantify the phthalate diesters using di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-d4 as an internal standard. Estimated LODs were 1 µg per sample (BzBP, DEHP, and DnOP), 2 µg per sample (DMP and DBP), and 5 µg per sample (DEP). Mean recoveries under static conditions were 85–104% for DBP, BzBP, DEHP, and DnOP; but <70% for DMP and DEP at 3× and 10× the LOQ. After air was pulled through spiked samples, DMP and DEP recoveries improved to 74–81%. After storage for 62 days, phthalate recovery was better at −21 °C than at 21 °C. Method accuracy was best for DBP, BzBP, DEHP, and DnOP (range 11–18%), and less so for DMP (28%) and DEP (29%).
A cervid vocal fold model suggests greater glottal efficiency in calling at high frequencies.

Male Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) produce loud and high fundamental frequency bugles during the mating season, in contrast to the male European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus) who produces loud and low fundamental frequency roaring calls. A critical step in understanding vocal communication is to relate sound complexity to anatomy and physiology in a causal manner. Experimentation at the sound source, often difficult in vivo in mammals, is simulated here by a finite element model of the larynx and a wave propagation model of the vocal tract, both based on the morphology and biomechanics of the elk. The model can produce a wide range of fundamental frequencies. Low fundamental frequencies require low vocal fold strain, but large lung pressure and large glottal flow if sound intensity level is to exceed 70 dB at 10 m distance. A high-frequency bugle requires both large muscular effort (to strain the vocal ligament) and high lung pressure (to overcome phonation threshold pressure), but at least 10 dB more intensity level can be achieved. Glottal efficiency, the ration of radiated sound power to aerodynamic power at the glottis, is higher in elk, suggesting an advantage of high-pitched signaling. This advantage is based on two aspects; first, the lower airflow required for aerodynamic power and, second, an acoustic radiation advantage at higher frequencies. Both signal types are used by the respective males during the mating season and probably serve as honest signals. The two signal types relate differently to physical qualities of the sender. The low-frequency sound (Red Deer call) relates to overall body size via a strong relationship between acoustic parameters and the size of vocal organs and body size. The high-frequency bugle may signal muscular strength and endurance, via a ‘vocalizing at the edge’ mechanism, for which efficiency is critical.
D-cycloserine improves sociability and spontaneous stereotypic behaviors in 4-week old mice.

Abstract Balb/c mice are a model of impaired sociability and social motivation relevant to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Impaired sociability of 8-week old Balb/c mice is attenuated by agonists of the glycineB site on the NMDA receptor, such as d -cycloserine. Although ASDs are often recognized in toddlerhood, there is interest in earlier identification (e.g., before 6 months) and disease-modifying interventions to improve functional outcomes. Thus, we wondered if d -cycloserine could improve sociability in 4-week old Balb/c mice, similar to its effects in 8-week old mice. d -Cycloserine improved measures of impaired sociability in 4-week old (i.e., one-week post-weanling) Balb/c mice. Moreover, because stereotypies can compete with the salience of social stimuli, we compared Balb/c and Swiss Webster mice on several spontaneous stereotypic behaviors emerging during social interaction with a social stimulus mouse. Interestingly, similar to 8-week old mice, spontaneous stereotypic behaviors during social interaction were more intense in the 4-week old Swiss Webster mice; furthermore, d -cycloserine reduced their intensity. Thus, d -cycloserine improves both sociability and stereotypic behaviors, but these effects may lack strain-selectivity. A prosocial effect of d -cycloserine was observed at a dose as low as 32.0 mg/kg in Balb/c mice. d -cycloserine has the therapeutic properties of a desired medication for ASDs; specifically, a medication should not improve stereotypic behaviors at the expense of worsening sociability and vice versa. The data suggest that targeting the NMDA receptor can have promising therapeutic effects on two prominent domains of psychopathology in ASDs: impaired sociability and spontaneous stereotypic behaviors.
Using Onboard Clustering to Summarize Remotely Sensed Imagery

Many current and future NASA missions are capable of collecting enormous amounts of data, of which only a small portion can be transmitted to Earth. Communications are limited due to distance, visibility constraints, and competing mission downlinks. Long missions and high resolution, multispectral imaging devices easily produce data exceeding the available bandwidth. As an example, the HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter produces images of up to 16.4 Gbits in data volume but downlink bandwidth is limited to 6 Mbits per second (Mbps).
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in College Populations: Mental Health Provider Assessment of Prevalence and Need

Concern about the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury is widespread. Members of an electronic listserv for college counseling center directors nationwide were invited to participate in a Web surv...
Generation of allantoin from the oxidation of urate by cytochrome c and its possible role in Reye's syndrome.

Abstract Allantoin in the presence of calcium ions has been implicated as a potential toxic agent in Reye's syndrome. An investigation of possible alternative sources of allantoin in humans, which lack the enzyme uricase, has been initiated. Urate is a strong reducing agent which can reduce cytochrome c nonenzymatically, with the concomitant production of CO 2 and H + . The stoichiometries measured for the various reactants and products were 1 urate:2 cytochrome c :1 H + :1 CO 2 . The initial reaction rate depended on the concentrations of both urate and cytochrome c , with reaction kinetics that were first order with respect to urate and second order with respect to cytochrome c . The participation of molecular oxygen in this reaction could not be detected. The pH and ionic strength optima for this reaction were determined to be 9.5–10.5 and 10 −5 m , respectively. Based on the results reported here, the following balanced equation can be written: urate −2 + 2 cytochrome c +3 + 2 H 2 O → allantoin + 2 cytochrome c +2 + H + + HCO 3 − . We propose that allantoin can be generated from the oxidation of urate by cytochrome c +3 , and that this is a potential source of allantoin in human tissues.
Dynamic adaptivity of "smart" piezoelectric structures

Active smart" space and machine structures with adaptive dynamic characteristics have long been interested in a variety of high-performance systems, e.g., flexible robots, flexible space structures, "smart" machines, etc. In this paper, an active adaptive structure made of piezoelectric materials is proposed and evaluated. The structural adaptivity is achieved by a voltage feedback (open or closed loops) utilizing the converse piezoelectric effect. A mathematical model is proposed and the electrodynamic equations of motion and the generalized boundary conditions of a generic piezoelectric shell subjected to mechanical and electrical excitations are derived using Hamilton's principle and the linear piezoelectric theory. The dynamic adaptivity of the structure is introduced using a feedback control system. The theory is demonstrated in a case study in which the structural adaptivity (natural frequency) is investigated.
Periodic orbits for classical particles having complex energy

Abstract This Letter revisits earlier work on complex classical mechanics in which it was argued that when the energy of a classical particle in an analytic potential is real, the particle trajectories are closed and periodic, but that when the energy is complex, the classical trajectories are open. Here it is shown that there is a discrete set of eigencurves in the complex-energy plane for which the particle trajectories are closed and periodic.
Computational studies of load-dependent guest dynamics and free energies of inclusion for CO2 in low-density p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene at loadings up to 2:1.

The structure, dynamics, and free energies of absorption of CO2 by a low density structure of Calixarene p-tert-butylalix[4]arene (TBC4) at loadings up to 2:1 CO2:TBC4 have been studied using molecular dynamics simulations. From the computed radial distribution functions, we notice that the 1:1 loading peak shows a single broad peak from the caged CO2 separation. At higher temperature, the peak is only slightly broadened from the 300 K peak and the shoulder around 11 A is reduced. The radial distribution function of the 2:1 loading shows a prominent sharp peak around 3 A and a second peak around 4 A, indicating a dimer center-of-mass separation of 3 A that is smaller than that of optimized gas-phase dimer. This result suggests that dimer is sufficiently stabilized by the interaction with the TBC4. The relative angle distributions for paired CO2 molecules are flat and do not show a preference for the crossed geometry found in the vacuum dimer at 3 A. Angular distributions relative to the TBC4 symmetry axis show a preference for alignment tilted relative to the TBC4 axis closer to the plane of the phenyl rings of the TBC4 cage. Translational velocity autocorrelation calculations show a single peak under allmore » conditions studied with very little change with temperature. Rotational velocity autocorrelation calculations show relatively little structure with significant tailing to low frequencies indicating rotation is hindered in the conical TBC4 cavity in the low density structure. The free energy of inclusion for CO2 in this TBC4 structure at 300 and 450 K for various loadings show the inclusion of a single CO2 in the system is favorable at -4.2 kcal/mol at 300 K and -1.5 kcal/mol at 450 K. The fully loaded 1:1 CO2:TBC4 system is slightly less favorable at -3.6 and -1.0 kcal/mol for 300 and 450 K respectively. The first CO2 added beyond 1:1 loading shows a significant drop in absorption energy to -1.8 and +1.5 kcal/mol at 300 and 450 K. These data are consistent with experimental results showing that low-density structures of TBC4 are able to absorb CO2 at loadings greater than 1:1 but retention is lower than for 1:1 loaded systems indicating the energy of inclusion for addition of the CO2 above 1:1 is less favorable. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences program. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for DOE.« less
Bronchodilator effects of oral metaproterenol sulfate in preschool children with asthma

Chez les enfants d'âge prescolaire asthmatiques, le sulfate de metaproterenol provoque une augmentation de 20 a 25% de la conductance respiratoire totale moyenne a tous les dosages. Cette action vasodilatatrice dure au moins 3 heures
FEMALE RED THROAT COLORATION IN TWO POPULATIONS OF THREESPINE STICKLEBACK

In a population of stream-resident stickleback from British Columbia, females frequently have orange-red throats which are conspicuous to the human eye and, according to two straightforward physical measures of coloration, are more intensely red than the throats of anadromous females. Stream and anadromous males from these populations, however, do not differ for a reflectance-based index of red chroma. This suggests that exceptional female red coloration in the stream population has not evolved as a byproduct of the evolution of exceptional coloration in males. In contrast to results for female lateral barring in another threespine stickleback population, red is not strongly associated with reproductive readiness and unlikely to function strictly as a signal of readiness to mate. Larger stream females have more intensely red throats though this pattern was significant only in one year and according to one technique. With these findings and the extensive literature already available for this species, the threespine stickleback becomes a promising model system for studying the evolution of female secondary sexual characters in species with conventional sexual dimorphism.
A new nitro to carbonyl conversion

Abstract Nitro compounds are converted into the corresponding carbonyl compounds by treatment with base and MoO5·Pyr·HMPA.
Biomarkers of disease: cerebrospinal fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1 levels in patients with neoplastic meningitis (NM) due to breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma.

Background Breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma metastasize to the meninges in 5–15% of patients. The identification of specific biomarkers of disease may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Preclinical evidence suggests the possible relevance of SDF-1 and VEGF in the homing and neoangiogenesis of metastases. We chose to measure these molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of melanoma, breast, and lung cancer patients being evaluated for neoplastic meningitis (NM). Materials and Methods We collected CSF from patients with these cancers who were being evaluated for possible NM. CSF was assayed for SDF-1 and VEGF levels using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) assays. Results CSF samples from 89 patients met criteria for analysis, including 41 with breast cancer, 35 with lung cancer and 13 with melanoma. Twenty-five percent (22/89) of all samples were positive for malignant cells; 8/41 (20%) from breast cancer, 10/35 (29%) from lung cancer and 4/13 (31%) from melanoma. CSF VEGF levels were available from 83 patients, and were elevated (>20 pg/ml) in 15/22 (68%) of patients with positive CSF cytology and normal ( 950 pg/ml) in 11/18 (61%) of patients with positive CSF cytology and normal (<950 pg/ml) in 57/63 (90%) of patients with negative CSF cytology. Conclusions Elevated CSF levels of VEGF are sensitive and highly specific for the diagnosis of NM from breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma, and may serve as a useful biomarker of NM in high risk patients. CSF SDF-1 levels add little to the diagnostic information provided by CSF VEGF. Evaluation of CSF VEGF levels as a trigger for early treatment in high risk breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma patients at risk for NM, is warranted.
Channel specificity in antiarrhythmic drug action. Mechanism of potassium channel block and its role in suppressing and aggravating cardiac arrhythmias.

Although work on class III antiarrhythmics remains at an early stage, these agents still appear to possess greater efficacy and less proarrhythmia than conventional class I agents in those experimental arrhythmia models considered to be most representative of the clinical situation. Although prolongation of repolarization carries with its own tendency for pause-dependent arrhythmogenesis (i.e., torsade de pointes), available data suggest that this may be a function of nonspecificity in potassium channel block rather than a general characteristic of class III activity. The availability of new and more selective blockers of specific cardiac potassium channels under development as class III agents have already helped to clarify basic questions about the ionic mechanism of repolarization in the heart, and one hopes that a growing clinical data base will eventually determine the relative safety and efficacy of these agents in preventing symptomatic and life-threatening arrhythmias.
Quark-antiquark charge distributions and confinement

Abstract A simulation method for the direct analysis of the distribution of quarks inside a hadron is proposed. As an illustrative example, this method is applied to two-dimensional QCD.