cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effective and efficient characterization of lubrication flow over soft coatings

This work models the fluid-structure interactions associated with separating a solid from a soft elastic film in a liquid environment. One side of the soft film is permanently attached to a rigid substrate. The ensuing liquid flow and elastic deformations are derived by considering a system of partial differential equations, that govern the mechanics of the separation process. A finite element based computational scheme is developed to solve the governing equations and predict the resultant forces acting on the solid. It is shown that the resulting forces are influenced by the elasticity of the film for an initial duration and by the viscosity of the liquid at larger times. The proposed model is utilized to shed insights into the mechanics of the separation process in constrained-surface stereolithography process.
The Changing Paradigm of Head and Neck Paragangliomas: What Every Otolaryngologist Needs to Know.

Background:Recommendations regarding head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) have undergone a fundamental reorientation in the last decade as a result of increased understanding of the genetic and pat...
Inhibition of γ-secretase in adipocytes leads to altered IL-6 secretion and adipose inflammation

Adipocyte-mediated inflammatory signalling has been proposed to alter adipose physiology in obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Novel targets for alteration of inflammatory signalling are needed to improve obesity-related outcomes. The γ-secretase enzyme complex has been suggested to play a role both in adipocyte function as well as in immune regulation. We hypothesized that adipocyte-specific γ-secretase inhibition could alter the inflammatory makeup of adipose tissue. We found that genetic blockade of γ-secretase in adipocytes leads to a decrease in EMR1 (F4/80) expression, as a marker of macrophage presence, in adipose tissue without changes in expression of markers of other inflammatory cell types. To explore the mechanism by which adipocytes can alter macrophage function in vitro, fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transcription of IL6 and ccl2 (MCP1) were quantified. IL-6 expression and secretion were significantly inhibited by γ-secretase blockade, with little effect on MCP1. Preconditioned media from 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor also alters macrophage activation but did not affect macrophage translocation in vitro. Therefore, γ-secretase inhibition in fully differentiated adipocytes can alter IL-6 signalling to macrophages, consistent with our hypothesis that that γ-secretase is involved in adipocyte-initiated inflammatory signalling cascades.
School Readiness Coaching in the Pediatric Clinic: Latinx Parent Perspectives.

Abstract Background Children who enter school developmentally ready for kindergarten are more likely to succeed academically, be healthy and lead productive lives. However, low-income and minority children often enter kindergarten behind their more affluent peers. Pediatric clinics, as trusted family partners, are well positioned to provide school readiness (SR) support. Objective To explore Latinx parent perceptions of a clinic-based SR coaching intervention using qualitative methods. Intervention was a 1-hour visit with an SR coach (bilingual community health worker trained to assess child SR, role model SR skills and provide educational tools and community resources). Methods Qualitative theme analysis of Latinx parent semistructured interviews completed 6 to 9 months after SR coaching intervention (June 2016–February 2017). Parent-child pairs received the SR coaching intervention (N = 74), postintervention interviews (N = 50) were completed, audio recorded, and transcribed. Iterative team-based coding and inductive thematic analysis of interviews were conducted. Results Three domains emerged and included the SR coaching model, community SR resources, and parent SR knowledge. Subthemes included 1) Parents valued the one-to-one SR coaching intervention, were receptive to coach recommendations and believed other parents would benefit from SR coaching; 2) Parents tried new early literacy activities with their child; 3) Despite positive intervention effects, parents lacked a comprehensive understanding of SR. Conclusion A brief clinic-based SR coaching intervention with a bilingual SR coach was well received by low-income Latinx parents and increased parent SR behaviors. Expanded implementation and further quantitative evaluation using school entry child-specific data are needed to quantify effects.
Environmental Justice Risks in the Petroleum Industry

In practically all of its various forms, petroleum is potentially hazardous to the environment. As a result, virtually every activity engaged in by the petroleum industry can have profound environmental implications. For many years, environmental considerations have played a role in decisions regarding the siting of petroleum production, refining, or storage facilities. Recent case law and regulatory developments in “environmental justice,” however, assure that environmental considerations that affect minority communities will play an increasingly critical economic role in both the permitting process and, perhaps most importantly, the permit renewal process. This article discusses the recent developments, suggests preventive management techniques to deal with the new challenges, and proposes a better process of environmental justice in order to benefit minority populations living near the sites. The article will accomplish this by addressing the legal and regulatory environmental barriers to the petroleum site permitting and renewal process, reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s “environmental justice” compliance guidance, and suggesting pre-permit management techniques to educate citizens of the affected community so as to minimize the hidden contingent costs of “environmental justice” complaints.
The role of electrophysiology study in risk stratification of cardiac sarcoidosis patients: Meta-analyses and systemic review

Abstract Background The utility of an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the risk stratification of CS patients is not clear. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the utility of EPS in the risk stratification of CS patients. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases from their inception to 12/4/2020 with search terms “Cardiac sarcoidosis” And “Electrophysiological studies OR ablation”. The first and second authors reviewed all the studies. We extracted the data of positive and negative EPS, and outcomes defined as ventricular arrhythmias, implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy, death, left ventricular assist device placement, or heart transplantation. Risk of bias assessment was done by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Subgroup analysis of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >35%, and probable CS, no prior VT, and LVEF >35% were performed. Results We found 544 articles after removing duplicates. A total of 52 full articles were reviewed, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval) of EPS in predicting clinical outcomes were 0.70 (0.51–0.85) and 0.93 (0.85–0.97), respectively. Subgroup analysis of patients with LVEF >35% resulted in pooled sensitivity of 0.63 (0.29–0.88) and pooled specificity of 0.97 (0.92–0.99), and subgroup analysis of patients with probable CS, no prior VT, and LVEF >35% resulted in pooled sensitivity of 0.71 (0.33–0.93) and pooled specificity of 0.96 (0.88–0.99) in predicting clinical outcomes. Conclusions EPS is an effective risk stratification tool in patients with CS across all subgroups with high sensitivity and specificity.
A Jordanian Socio-Legal Perspective on Water Management in the Jordan River—Dead Sea Basin

The recession of the Dead Sea level is caused by the diversion of the surface water inflow into it and the excessive evaporation brought about by the industries extracting minerals from it. Sharing of the Jordan River waters was the subject of an American developed plan in collaboration with the riparian parties. The consumptive uses by the riparian parties of the Jordan River waters have denied the Dead Sea of much of its renewable water resource. This chapter addresses the history of planning for the use of the Jordan River waters and the intervention by the United States to work out a Unified Plan for the development of the Jordan Valley. The implementation of water use plans is also discussed. The concessions granted to companies to utilize Jordan River water to generate power, and to have the Hula marshes dried up are alluded to. The concessions granted for the Dead Sea works to Jewish and Arab companies is narrated. The possible alternatives to mitigate the negative impact on the Jordan River and the Dead Sea imparted by the consumptive use of the basin's water are listed and discussed.
Best Practices in Architecting Cloud Applications in the AWS Cloud

For several years, software architects have discovered and implemented several concepts and best practices to build highly scalable applications. In today’s “era of tera,” these concepts are even more applicable because of ever-growing datasets, unpredictable traffic patterns, and the demand for faster response times. This chapter will reinforce and reiterate some of these traditional concepts and discuss how they may evolve in the context of cloud computing. It will also discuss some unprecedented concepts, such as elasticity, that have emerged due to the dynamic nature of the cloud. This chapter is targeted toward cloud architects who are gearing up to move an enterprise-class application from a fixed physical environment to a virtualized cloud environment. The focus of this chapter is to highlight concepts, principles, and best practices in creating new cloud applications or migrating existing applications to the cloud.
Fetal oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and glucose uptake in a chronic sheep preparation.

Metabolic studies were carried out in 22 sheep fetuses free of operative stress. The studies included measurements of umbilical blood flow (175 ± 8 ml/min/kg), fetal oxygen consumption (5.99 ± 0.15 ml/min/kg), carbon dioxide production (5.65 ± 0.17 ml/min/kg), glucose uptake (3.06 ± 0.28 mg/min/kg), respiratory quotient (0.94 ± 0.01), and glucose/oxygen quotient·(0.41 ± 0.03). The studies demonstrated that fetal glucose uptake could be correlated with the glucose concentration difference betsveen maternal arterial and fetal umbilical arterial blood, as well as with maternal arterial glucose concentration. Umbilical arterial glucose concentration was a function of maternal arterial concentration over the concentration range studied. The study demonstrates that the fetal respiratory quotient is significantly less than one. These data suggest that the accumulation of carbon in the fetus for growth represents approximately 40% of the carbon intake in the growing fetal lamb.
International Trade, E-Collaboration and World Peace

Anthropological evidence suggests that the human species has evolved what could be called a "trading instinct" over millions of years of Darwinian adaptation, where trade acts as a social catalyst and thus as a suppressor of violent conflict among trading groups. Yet, the geographical and cultural separation between modern groups engaged in international trade makes it difficult for the trading instinct to achieve its evolutionarily adaptive goal. The trading instinct notion implies that trade has a social as well as a utilitarian purpose. The social purpose is to curb violence among trading groups. Without enough natural human interaction it is unlikely that the trading instinct will achieve its social purpose, even though it may achieve its utilitarian one, namely of economically beneficial international exchange of needed goods or services. Since the more face-to-face like a communication medium is, the higher its degree of naturalness, non-face-to-face international trade interactions may benefit the least from its potential social benefits. This is arguably a problematic state of affairs, since it appears that the greatest potential for conflict in modern society is between groups that are located in different countries. E-collaboration tools that increase the naturalness of electronic trade interactions are presented as enablers of international trade that can go some way toward solving this problem.
Corporate Political Activities and Oligopoly Welfare Loss

Businesses participate in political activities, suchas campaign contributions and lobbying, to influencepublic policy formulation and implementation. Usinga sample of U.S. food manufacturing industries, thisstudy measures the welfare impact of corporatepolitical activities in those industries. Empiricalanalysis shows that rent seeking was imperfect andcorporate political activities were higher in thoseindustries that were highly concentrated, large inemployee size and sales, and deeper in debt.
Avoiding Dog Ears During Upper Blepharoplasty Closure

The medial and lateral “dog ears” that may form at the ends of upper blepharoplasty can be minimized by equalizing tension across the upper eyelid incision. One way to do this is to place the medial and lateral ends of the incision on horizontal stretch. Maintaining tension across the wound produces excellent alignment of skin edges and prevents “surprise” dog ears at the ends of the incision. Careful placement of a fine hemostat (medially) and a single skin hook (laterally) enables closure of the upper blepharoplasty incision, often without the need for a surgical assistant.
A H+-Gated Urea Channel: The Link Between Helicobacter pylori Urease and Gastric Colonization

Acidic media trigger cytoplasmic urease activity of the unique human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Deletion of ureI prevents this activation of cytoplasmic urease that is essential for bacterial acid resistance. UreI is an inner membrane protein with six transmembrane segments as shown by in vitro transcription/translation and membrane separation. Expression of UreI in Xenopus oocytes results in acid-stimulated urea uptake, with a pH profile similar to activation of cytoplasmic urease. Mutation of periplasmic histidine 123 abolishes stimulation. UreI-mediated transport is urea specific, passive, nonsaturable, nonelectrogenic, and temperature independent. UreI functions as a H+-gated urea channel regulating cytoplasmic urease that is essential for gastric survival and colonization.
Insights to drug addiction derived from ultrastructural views of the mesocorticolimbic system

Drugs of abuse increase the release of dopamine from mesocorticolimbic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Thus, insights into the cytoarchitecture and the synaptic circuitry affecting the activity of dopaminergic neurons in this area are fundamental for understanding the commonalities produced by mechanistically distinct drugs of abuse. Electron microscopic immunolabeling has provided these insights and also shown the critical relationships between the dopaminergic axon terminals and their targeted neurons in the prefrontal cortex and in the both the dorsal and ventral striatum. These brain regions are among those where dopamine and associated neurotransmitters are most implicated in the transition from recreational to compulsive consumption of reinforcing drugs. Thus, the synaptic circuitry and drug-induced plasticity occurring in the ventral tegmental area and in dopamine-targeted regions are reviewed, as both are essential for understanding the long-lasting changes produced by addictive substances.
Lexical influences on competing speech perception in younger, middle-aged, and older adults

The influence of lexical characteristics of words in to-be-attended and to-be-ignored speech streams was examined in a competing speech task. Older, middle-aged, and younger adults heard pairs of low-cloze probability sentences in which the frequency or neighborhood density of words was manipulated in either the target speech stream or the masking speech stream. All participants also completed a battery of cognitive measures. As expected, for all groups, target words that occur frequently or that are from sparse lexical neighborhoods were easier to recognize than words that are infrequent or from dense neighborhoods. Compared to other groups, these neighborhood density effects were largest for older adults; the frequency effect was largest for middle-aged adults. Lexical characteristics of words in the to-be-ignored speech stream also affected recognition of to-be-attended words, but only when overall performance was relatively good (that is, when younger participants listened to the speech streams at a more advantageous signal-to-noise ratio). For these listeners, to-be-ignored masker words from sparse neighborhoods interfered with recognition of target speech more than masker words from dense neighborhoods. Amount of hearing loss and cognitive abilities relating to attentional control modulated overall performance as well as the strength of lexical influences.
Sex differences in social investigation: effects of androgen receptors, hormones and test partner.

Sexual differentiation of the nervous system occurs during critical periods of development, through an array of mechanisms, associated with the action of steroid hormones and receptors. One critical organisational period when hormones affect the brain occurs at the end of gestation and just after birth. In male mice and rats, the neonatal rise in testosterone levels (1, 2) mediates the differentiation of neural structures and pathways responsible for the expression of sex-specific (i.e. ‘male-like’ or ‘female-like’) behaviours (3). The effect of testosterone is mediated via the androgen receptor (AR) or after aromatisation to oestradiol (E2) via one of the oestrogen receptors (ER), which are expressed in neural regions that undergo sexual differentiation and regulate sexually dimorphic behaviours (4). Several studies using different animal models support a role for gonadal hormones in sex differences of social behaviour. In mice, activational E2 during adulthood appears to be sufficient for sex-specific partner preference in gonadectomised males and females (5). In addition, studies with knockout mice for ER, aromatase enzyme, α-foetoprotein and androgen receptor (AR) suggest that both neonatal oestrogens and non-aromatisable androgens are important for the masculinisation of partner preferences (5–8). Interestingly, sex differences in social behaviours involving nonvolatile cues appear to be mediated primarily by non-aromatisable androgens (5–7, 9, 10). Taken together, these findings suggest that the role of hormones in sexual differentiation of social discrimination varies according to the type of behaviour measured and the behavioural paradigm used. Previous studies in our laboratory using mice carrying the testicular feminisation mutation (XTfmY), which renders a nonfunctional AR, found that AR plays a critical role in the masculinisation of social discrimination of cues from awake stimulus mice and soiled-bedding from conspecifics, during simultaneous-choice tasks (5, 10). In the present study, we used XTfmY mice to directly assess the role of AR and activational hormones (testosterone versus E2) with respect to sex differences of the social investigation of conspecifics. We employed a habituation / dishabituation task to assess two measures of social interaction: social interest in a familiar conspecific and the ability to discriminate between a familiar and novel stimulus (social recognition). Two additional mouse models, the Four Core Genotype (FCG) and the Y*, were used to explore the contribution of sex chromosome complement in males investigating another male.
Extent of Overlap among Four Item Bias Methods

Four methods of item bias detection-transformed item difficulty, item discrimination expressed as Clemans' lambda, ChiSquare, and the three-parameter item characteristic curve-were studied to determine the degree of correspondence among them in identifying biased and unbiased items in reading and math subtests of the 1978 SRA Achievement Series. Intercorrelations among the four methods were moderate at best, confirming previous research involving different item bias analysis techniques. The item discrimination method showed the least correspondence with the other three methods. The extent of overlap between the four item bias methods in identifying biased items depends on the extent of bias in the items comprising the initial pool of items. That is, except for the item discrimination method, the item bias procedures identify similar sets of most biased items.
Global Research Integrity Training

Misconduct in research remains an unresolved problem despite over 30 years of local, national, and global efforts to reduce or eliminate it. For every confirmed case of serious misbehavior or misconduct, 10 or more may exist along with many more instances of lesser unprofessional practice ( 1 , 2 ). Beneath the surface of visible cases, the underlying structure supporting the responsible conduct of research (RCR) has significant flaws ( 3 ).
Digestive proteinase activity in corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) after molting and in response to lowered redox potential.

Insect digestive proteinases are often strongly influenced by ambient physicochemical conditions, such as pH, ionic strength, and oxidation-reduction potential. Although the effects of the former two parameters are well documented, the influence of redox potential on catalytic rates of digestive enzymes is not well understood. In this study, we manipulated the midgut redox potential of a generalist caterpillar (the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea) by augmenting artificial diet with dithiothreitol, a powerful thiol reducing agent that lowers the redox potential in the lumen by 40–45 mV. Effects on total proteolytic activity, as well as on elastase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase A and B activities were measured using azocasein and nitroanilide model substrates. The profiles of proteinase activities in the epithelium and lumen were also monitored on days 1, 2, and 3 after the molt in penultimate instar larvae. Although the reducing agent strongly inhibited the activity of some proteinases in vitro, ingestion of the reducing diet failed to affect in vivo proteinase activities. There was also no effect on larval relative growth, consumption, or digestive efficiencies. We conclude that dietary reducing agents must lower midgut redox potential to below –40 mV to significantly impact digestive efficiency. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 44:151–161, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reproducibility of LV ejection fraction, volume and mass by gated SPECT perfusion imaging

Abstract Background: Gated SPECT perfusion imaging provides quantitative data on left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction [EF], end-distolic volume [EDV], end-systolic volume [ESV] and mass [LVM]. A number of factors may affect the reproducibility of these measurements. This study tested the reproducibility in 238 patients. Material and methods: Each patient had separate days stress and rest, high-dose Tc-99m tetrofosmin SPECT, with the same camera system. All patients had normal stress and rest image. Results: There were 108 men and 130 women, aged 53±13 years. The results are shown in the table. Study EF% EDV[ml] ESV[ml] LVM[gm] Post-stress 62 ± 10 88 ± 30 35 ± 20 140 ± 25 Rest 61 ± 10 91 ± 31 37 ± 22 141 ± 28 There were excellent agreements between repeated measurements for EF, r=0.72, p=0.001, Bland-Altman: mean difference = 1.0±7.7 and for LVM, r= 0.78, p Conclusion: In this large sample, we have shown that gated SPECT imaging provided reproducible information on LV EF, EDV, ESV and mass. These data are crucial for future studies to ascertain sample size and intervention effects.
Comparative Analysis of Precipitating Antibodies in White Rock and Fayoumi Hens Injected with Bovine Serum Albumin or Crude Mite Extract with Resulting Effects on Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae) Population Densities

Abstract Precipitating antibody concentration responses to crude northern fowl mite extract (CME) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) injections were compared in White Rock and Fayoumi hens with two-dimensional Immunoelectrophoresis and rocket electrophoresis. The effect of CME injections on northern fowl mite population development was also determined. White Rock and Fayoumi hens developed similar antibody concentrations in response to intramuscular injections of BSA according to serum samples analyzed with two-dimensional Immunoelectrophoresis. Rocket electrophoresis analyses of pooled serum samples showed significant differences between slopes of White Rock and Fayoumi pools for CME and BSA injections, suggesting differences in antibody-antigen interactions. Fayoumi hens injected with CME, 78, 50, and 14 days prior to experimental infestation with 2,000 northern fowl mites/bird supported significantly fewer mites than BSA-injected hens, although mite populations were low on both treatment groups. Injections of CME had no effect on mite population development on White Rock hens, even though CME-specific antibodies were detected. Although White Rock hens supported significantly greater mite numbers than Fayoumi hens, the difference was not attributed to anti-CME antibody activity alone.
Common value auctions with insider information

Bidding is studied in first-price common value auctions where an insider is better informed than other bidders (outsiders) about the value of the item. With inexperienced bidders, having an insider does not materially reduce the severity of the winner's curse compared to auctions with a symmetric information structure (SIS). In contrast, super-experienced bidders, who have largely overcome the winner's curse, satisfy the comparative static predictions of equilibrium bidding theory: (i) average seller's revenue is larger with an insider than in SIS auctions, (ii) insiders make substantially greater profits, conditional on winning, than outsiders, and (iii) insiders increase their bids in response to more rivals. Further, changes in insiders' bids are consistent with directional learning theory (Selten and Buchta (1994)).
Retail involvement in direct marketing

Abstract Using the structural contigency model as a framework, retail involvement in direct marketing is analyzed. A basic premise of the structural contigency model is the importance of considering context, or situational contingencies to understand organizational behavior. In the present study, retail involvement in direct marketing is considered within the managerial and interpretive contexts of the larger macroenvironment. Notable differences between companies were observed in relation to both contexts. Retailers involved in direct marketing emphasized quality standards and return on investment strategies. They were also more likely to see direct marketing from an opportunistic organizational viewpoint. Results from the study are discussed from a historical perspective taking into consideration the evolutionary differences between store based retailing and direct marketing.
Chemical etching of nanocomposite metal-semiconductor films monitored by Raman spectroscopy and surface probe microscopy

The complementary tools of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy are used to extract information on the microstructural properties of nanocomposite n-doped Si (n-Si) and Ag/n-Si films deposited on Si(111) substrates at 400 °C and 550 °C. AFM measurements indicated that Ag/n-Si films had grain sizes and roughness values one order of magnitude higher than n-doped Si films. The onset of metal-mediated crystallization of a-Si in Ag/n-Si films at ~ 400 °C is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Spectral Raman red-shifts of the transverse optical phonon region compared to monocrystalline silicon originate from the interplay of phonon confinement and higher defect density caused by n-type doping. Two protocols using the etchants ammonium fluoride - HF (2%::4% ) and ammonium citrate- acetic acid-hydrogen peroxide (2.5%::2.5%::2%) solutions were investigated. A comparison between non-etched and etched films showed little variability in roughness indicating retention of the microstructure.
Smart Grid: The Electric Energy System of the Future [Scanning the Issue]

Provides an overview of the technical articles and features presented in this issue on swarming in natural and engineered systems.
Activation of stainless steel for CO hydrogenation

An unusual CO hydrogenation catalyst was formed by prolonged contact between 316 stainless steel and a supported tine oxide at temperatures of 623 to 723 K. Neither the stainless steel nor the supported ZnO alone were active for CO hydrogenation. The activation occurred only after migration of Zn from the support to the steel surface. The resulting catalyst converted syngas to C1-C4, hydrocarbons at pressures between 3400 and 6200 kN/m2 and temperatures between 623-723 K. The catalyst may be suitable for use in tube-wall-type reactors.
“Active monomer” polymerization of δ‐benzyl L‐α‐aminoadipate

The N-carboxyanhydride of δ-benzyl L-α-aminoadipate polymerizes when initiated by strong base through an “active monomer” mechanism. This is shown by the isolation of 6-oxo-L-pipecolic acid from the product mixture, since this byproduct could only arise from an “active monomer” pathway. This study also specifies conditions for preparing high molecular weight poly(δ-benzyl L-α-aminoadipate) in high yield.
Fluid forcing, wake modes, and transitions for a cylinder undergoing controlled oscillations

Abstract In this study, we make extensive measurements of the fluid forces on a cylinder that is controlled to oscillate transverse to a free stream at Re = 4000 . These measurements are used to create very high resolution contour plots (considerably higher than in any previous study) of the magnitude of fluid forcing, and its phase relative to the cylinder motion (as well as other fluid forcing quantities) in the plane of normalized amplitude and wavelength. Previous contours of force have been assumed to be continuous in the amplitude–wavelength plane, despite the fact that jumps in the fluid forcing and vortex formation modes were known to occur in other studies, including free vibration. In this investigation, we find clear discontinuities in the force contours, and we are thus able to identify boundaries separating different fluid forcing regimes. These appear remarkably similar to boundaries separating different vortex shedding modes in the regime map of Williamson and Roshko [1988. Vortex formation in the wake of an oscillating cylinder. Journal of Fluids and Structures 2, 355–381]. Measurements of vorticity fields confirm the modes of vortex formation in each regime; we find the 2S, 2P, and P + S modes, as well as a regime where the vortex formation is not synchronized with the cylinder oscillation. A new characteristic, which is only observable with very high-resolution data, is the existence of a region where two vortex formation regimes overlap. In the overlap region, we identify a distinct mode of vortex formation where two pairs of vortices are shed per cycle of oscillation (similar to the 2P mode) but the secondary vortex is much weaker, which we have termed ‘ 2 P OVERLAP ’, or simply the ‘ 2 P O ’ mode. The wake can switch intermittently between the 2P and 2 P O modes, even as the cylinder is oscillating with constant amplitude and frequency. The highest amplitude yielding positive fluid excitation lies inside the overlap region, therefore a study of the vortex dynamics in this region is essential to understanding the behavior of a free vibration system at peak amplitude response.
Osmotic adjustment in tissues of tall fescue in response to water deficit

Abstract Understanding plant response to drought is important in evaluating mechanisms of drought tolerance. Osmotic adjustment was measured in various structures in the temperate grass tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cv. Kentucky 31) to characterize whole-plant response to water stress and to determine tissues most responsive to intermittent water deficit. A replicated greenhouse trial was conducted in which soil-grown tall fescue was watered or subjected to a series of drying cycles. Daily temperatures usually ranged from 20 to 32°C. Tissues sampled were youngest, fully expanded leaf blade, its sheath, emerged portion of expanding (immature) leaf blade, unemerged portion of same leaf blade, and all remaining basal tissue below the ligule inside the whorl. Plants osmotically adjusted (P
Gene therapy for sarcoma utilizing adenoviral transfer of the β-glucuronidase and bax genes and an anthracyline prodrug

Abstract Background When acted on by β-glucuronidase (BG), HMR1826 is metabolized to doxorubicin. Use of this prodrug with adenoviral transfer of β-glucuronidase (AdBG) is limited by the drug‘s inability to enter cells and intracellular retention of BG after transduction. We evaluated a system combining AdBG, transfer of the proapoptotic gene bax (AdBax) at a low multiplicity of infection, and HMR1826 administration. Materials and methods Fibrosarcoma cells were treated with AdBG alone, AdBG plus HMR1826, AdBG followed by β-galactosidase (AdLacZ) plus HMR1826, and AdBG followed by AdBax with no prodrug. In the experimental group, cells were transfected with AdBG, followed by AdBax plus HMR1826. Viability was measured 24 h after transfection and prodrug administration. Western blots for BG were performed on cell lysates and supernatants. Results Minimal cellular killing was noted in the AdBG alone, AdBG plus HMR 1826, or AdBG:AdLacZ plus HMR 1826 groups, and Western blot did not demonstrate BG in the supernatant even though all AdBG-transfected cell lysates were positive. Cell killing was noted in the AdBG:AdBax group, but less than in the AdBG:AdBax plus HMR 1826 group (without prodrug versus with prodrug: 1:1 to 55.5% versus 75.9%, 5:1 to 10.0% versus 75.9%, 10:1 7.6% versus 49.0%, 20:1 4.6% versus 24.9%, P = 0.037). Western blot demonstrated BG in the supernatant of the AdBG:AdBax groups. Conclusions We have devised a novel enzyme prodrug method of killing tumor cells and engendering a bystander effect. AdBax leads to BG release from dying cells after AdBG transduction and conversion of HMR1826 to an active anthracycline.
DISCOVERING TRANSTHYRETIN AMYLOID FIBRIL INHIBITORS BY LIMITED SCREENING

Insoluble protein fibrils, resulting from the self-assembly of a conformational intermediate are implicated to be the causative agent in several human amyloid diseases including familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA). These diseases are associated with transthyretin (TTR) amyloid fibrils, which appear to form in the acidic partial denaturing environment of a lysosome or endosome. Here we identify several structural classes of small molecules that are capable of inhibiting the TTR conformational changes facilitating amyloid fibril formation. A small molecule inhibitor that stabilizes the normal conformation of a protein is desirable as a promising approach to treat amyloid diseases and to rigorously test the amyloid hypothesis, the apparent causative role of amyloid fibrils in amyloid disease.
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND THE BELGIAN CONGO IN THE 1950S

(1995). U.S. Foreign Policy and the Belgian Congo in the 1950s. The Historian: Vol. 58, No. 2, pp. 315-328.
Effect of interfacial reaction rate on the morphogenesis of nanostructured coatings in a simulated electrodeposition process

Brownian dynamics simulations (BDSs) are performed to investigate the influence of interfacial electrochemical reaction rate on the evolution of coating morphology on circular fibres. The boundary condition for the fluid phase concentration, representing the balance between the rates of interfacial reaction and transport of ions by bulk diffusion, is incorporated into the BDS by using a reaction probability, Ps. Different modes of growth, ranging from diffusion limited () to reaction controlled , are studied. It is found that, consistent with experimental observations, two distinct morphological regimes exist, with a dense and uniform structure for (reaction limited deposition (RLD)) and an open and porous one as (diffusion limited deposition (DLD)). An analysis of the fractal dimension indicates that this morphological transition occurs at Ps≈0.3. Long-time power-law scalings for the evolution of thickness and roughness (ξ) of the coating exist, i.e. with 0.86≤α≤0.91 and 0.56≤β≤0.93 for 0.01≤Ps≤1. These values are different from those reported for sequential, pseudo-time lattice simulations on planar surfaces, signifying the importance of multiparticle dynamics and surface curvature. The internal structure and porosity of the coating are characterized quantitatively by the radial density profile, pair correlation function, two-point probability function, void distribution function and pore area distribution. For RLD the radial density, ρn, remains nearly constant, while for DLD ρn follows a power law, . The coating exhibits short ranged order in the RLD regime while a long range order is created by DLD. The void distribution function becomes broader with increasing Ps, indicating that in the RLD regime the coating consists of small and spherical pores, while in the DLD regime large and elongated pores are obtained. The pore area distribution shows narrower distributions in DLD for small pores, while the area of the largest pore increases by nearly three orders of magnitude as one moves from the RLD to the DLD regime. Such morphological diversity could be potentially exploited for applications such as percolation, catalysis and surface protection.
Transcriptome analysis of endothelial cell gene expression induced by growth on matrigel matrices: identification and characterization of MAGP-2 and lumican as novel regulators of angiogenesis

Remodeling of vascular microenvironments during normal and tumor-induced angiogenesis is an important, yet poorly understood mechanism by which endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to the activation or resolution of angiogenesis. We used microarray analyses to monitor changes in the transcriptome of ECs undergoing angiogenesis when cultured onto Matrigel matrices. This strategy identified 308 genes whose expression in ECs was altered at least 3-fold by angiogenesis, of which 63 genes were found to encode for secretory proteins. In vitro assays that modeled key steps in the angiogenic process showed that several identified genes possessed pro- or anti-angiogenic activities (e.g., SMOC-2, secreted modular calcium-binding protein-2; CRELD-2, cysteine-rich with EGF-like domains-1; MAGP-2, microfibril-associated glycoprotein-2; lumican; and ECM-1, extracellular matrix protein-1). In particular, MAGP-2 expression potentiated EC proliferation and p38 MAPK activation stimulated by the pro-angiogenic factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); it also stimulated EC invasion and angiogenic sprouting, and more importantly, promoted the development and infiltration of vessels into Matrigel plugs implanted into genetically normal mice. Conversely, lumican inhibited EC activation of p38 MAPK, as well as their invasion, angiogenic sprouting, and vessel formation in mice. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into how EC stromal remodeling regulates angiogenesis activation and resolution, as well as identify two novel EC-secreted stromal proteins that modulate angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
Algebraic properties of operator roots of polynomials

Abstract Properties of m-selfadjoint and m-isometric operators have been investigated by several researchers. Particularly interesting to us are algebraic properties of nilpotent perturbations of such operators. McCullough and Rodman showed in the nineties that if Q n = 0 and A is a selfadjoint operator commuting with Q then the sum A + Q is a ( 2 n − 1 ) -selfadjoint operator. Very recently, Bermudez, Martinon, and Noda proved a similar result for nilpotent perturbations of isometries. Via a new approach, we obtain simple proofs of these results and other generalizations to operator roots of polynomials.
Impact of DNAPL contact on the structure of smectitic clay materials

Abstract Smectitic clays have a flexible structure that may be impacted by contact with dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) present at hazardous waste sites. Measurements of the basal spacing of air-dry clays contacted with pure chlorinated solvents and chlorinated DNAPL wastes showed that the intraparticle spacing is similar to that in air. Basal spacings of water-saturated clays contacted with pure chlorinated solvents are similar to those in contact with water, even after extended equilibration times (300 d). In contrast, contact with chlorinated DNAPL wastes reduced the basal spacing of water-saturated sodium smectites in a relatively short time frame, resulting in cracks that were as large as 1 mm in aperture. The penetration of these wastes into the intraparticle spacing of clay and the resultant cracking may contribute to the accumulation of chlorinated compounds in clay layers observed in the field and the extended remediation times associated with this mass storage.
The Emergence of Mature Gestural Patterns Is Not Uniform: Evidence From an Acoustic Study

Previous studies investigating the organization of articulatory gestures present conflicting accounts of age-related differences in the execution of the articulatory gestures themselves and in the ...
Valley-Hall Kink and Edge States in Multilayer Graphene

We report on a theoretical study of one-dimensional (1D) states localized at few-layer graphene system ribbon edges and at interfaces between few-layer graphene systems with different valley-Hall conductivities. These 1D states are topologically protected when valley mixing is neglected. We address the influence on their properties of stacking arrangement, interface structure, and external electric field perpendicular to the layers. We find that 1D states are generally absent at multilayer ribbon armchair direction edges, but present irrespective of crystallographic orientation at any internal valley-Hall interface of an ABC-stacked multilayer.
Survival attributable to an exposure

In the survival analysis context, when an intervention either reduces a harmful exposure or introduces a beneficial treatment, it seems useful to quantify the gain in survival attributable to the intervention as an alternative to the reduction in risk. To accomplish this we introduce two new concepts, the attributable survival and attributable survival time, and study their properties. Our analysis includes comparison with the attributable risk function as well as hazard-based alternatives. We also extend the setting to the case where the intervention takes place at discrete points in time, and may either eliminate exposure or introduce a beneficial treatment in only a proportion of the available group. This generalization accommodates the more realistic situation where the treatment or exposure is dynamic. We apply these methods to assess the effect of introducing highly active antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of clinical AIDS at the population level.
Evaluation of Silicone as an Endovascular Stent Membrane: In Vivo Canine Studies

Purpose: Comparative evaluation of the biological effects of a silicone-covered stent versus a bare-metal stent, in an animal model.
Bipolar aggregation using the Uninorms

In bipolar aggregation the total score depends not just on previous score and the value of additional argument but on distribution of all other arguments as well. In addition the process of bipolar aggregation is not Markovian, i.e. aggregation is not associative. To model bipolar aggregation was introduced general $${R_{G}^\ast}$$ aggregation based on uninorms. By discarding associativity we built a variation of the uninorm using generating functions that can be applied as an intuitively appealing bipolar aggregation operator. This modified uninorm operator will allow us to control the aggregation depending on distribution of the arguments above and below the neutral element: the closer proportion of arguments below the neutral value to 1 or to 0 the closer bipolar aggregation is to some t-norm or t-conorm with desirable properties.
From CKM Matrix to MNS Matrix: A Model Based on SUSY SO(10) × U(2)F Symmetry

We construct a realistic model based on SUSY SO(10) with U(2) flavor symmetry. A set of symmetric mass textures give rise to very good predictions; 15 masses and 6 mixing angles are predicted by 11 parameters. Both the vacuum oscillation and LOW solutions are favored for the solar neutrino problem.
Superconducting axisymmetric finite elements based on a gauged potential variational principle—II. Solution and numerical results

This paper discusses an incremental-iterative nonlinear solution technique for solving the nonlinear finite element equations of the superconducting state of a superconductor. The untreated equations are highly ill-conditioned and are impossible to solve within the typical 16-place double precision supplied by most computers. A combination of matrix scaling and mesh grading techniques is used to reduce the condition number of the tangent stiffness matrix and increase the accuracy of the current carrying boundary layer representation. Numerical results for a one-dimensional model of a time-independent superconductor treated by the Ginzburg-Landau model are presented and discussed. The computed solutions clearly display the Meissner effect of magnetic field expulsion from the central region of the superconductor. These results are compared to the physics of a low-viscosity fluid problem. From this analogy, a physical argument is advanced about the macroscopic behavior of superconductors.
The politics of representation in the US national statistical system: origins of minority population interest group participation

Abstract The United States is an “interest group society” and federal statistical policy, like all other aspects of contemporary American political life, is dominated by well-organized interest groups. The public review to revise the “Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity,” formerly known as “Statistical Policy Directive 15,” was notable for the significant presence of minority population interest groups. The politics of representation in the national statistical system during the 1970s is the subject of this article. The first part of the article summarizes the role that interest groups played in the recent debates on revising Statistical Policy Directive 15. The second part of the article discusses the origins of national statistics on minorities and their efforts during the 1970s to achieve inclusion in the body politic through representation in the federal statistical and administrative reporting systems.
Biochemical and biological comparison of HIV-1 NEF and ras gene products.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) NEF protein has been reported to share certain biochemical and structural properties with known oncoproteins like src or ras . To determine whether this is a general property of NEF from various HIV isolates, three different NEF proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli using a thermoinducible expression system previously exploited to overproduce functionally active p21 ras proteins. ras and NEF proteins expressed in this manner were evaluated in parallel to compare their biochemical and biological properties. In contrast to ras , our NEF protein preparations had no detectable GTP binding but showed autophosphorylation activity when incubated in the presence of either GTP or ATP. This putative autokinase activity was higher in NEF proteins containing threonine at position 15 than in those carrying alanine at that position. Two different NEF genes also failed to induce oncogenic transformation of permanently transfected NIH 3T3 cells under conditions that led to oncogenic transformation using activated ras genes. Also, unlike ras , the NEF gene products failed to induce meiotic maturation when injected into fully grown Xenopus oocytes.