cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation Characterization Summary: ACRR Central Cavity Free-Field Environment with the 32-Inch Pedestal at the Core Centerline (ACRR-FF-CC-32-cl).

This document presents the facilit y - recommended characteri zation o f the neutron, prompt gamma - ray, and delayed gamma - ray radiation fields in the Annular Core Research Reactor ( ACRR ) for the cen tral cavity free - field environment with the 32 - inch pedestal at the core centerline. The designation for this environmen t is ACRR - FF - CC - 32 - cl. The neutron, prompt gamma - ray , and delayed gamma - ray energy spectra , uncertainties, and covariance matrices are presented as well as radial and axial neutron and gamma - ray fluence profiles within the experiment area of the cavity . Recommended constants are given to facilitate the conversion of various dosimetry readings into radiation metrics desired by experimenters. Representative pulse operations are presented with conversion examples . Acknowledgements The authors wish to th ank the Annular Core Research Reactor staff and the Radiation Metrology Laboratory staff for their support of this work . Also thanks to David Ames for his assistance in running MCNP on the Sandia parallel machines.
Exercise Improves Glucose Disposal and Insulin Signaling in Pregnant Mice Fed a High Fat Diet.

Objective: Physical activity has been suggested as a non-pharmacological intervention that can be used to improve glucose homeostasis in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of voluntary exercise on glucose tolerance and body composition in pregnant high fat diet fed mice. Methods: Female mice were put on a standard diet or high fat diet for two weeks. The mice were then split into 4 groups; control standard diet fed, exercise standard diet fed, control high fat diet fed, and exercise high fat diet fed. Exercise mice had voluntary access to a running wheel in their home cage one week prior to mating, during mating, and throughout pregnancy. Glucose tolerance and body composition were measured during pregnancy. Akt levels were quantified in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue isolated from saline or insulin injected pregnant dams as a marker for insulin signaling. Results: Consumption of the high fat diet led to significantly increased body weight, fat mass, and impaired glucose tolerance in control mice. However, voluntary running in the high fat diet fed dams significantly reduced weight gain and fat mass and ultimately improved glucose tolerance compared to control high fat diet fed dams. Further, body weight, fat mass, and glucose disposal in exercise HFD dams were indistinguishable from control dams fed the standard diet. High fat diet fed exercise dams also had significantly increased insulin stimulated phosphorylated Akt expression in adipose tissue, but not skeletal muscle, compared to control dams on high fat diet. Conclusion: The use of voluntary exercise improves glucose homeostasis and body composition in pregnant female mice. Thus, future studies could investigate potential long-term health benefits in offspring born to obese exercising dams.
ESTIMATION OF THE RATE OF GLYCEROL 3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE EVOLUTION IN HIGHER VERTEBRATES.

Among proteins which have been examined for polymorphism in natural populations, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.8) is one of the least polymorphic (Ayala et al., 1974; Collier and Maclntyre, 1977, 1978; Lakovaara et al., 1977; Coyne et al., 1979; Johnson, 1979). These studies have also indicated that the enzyme, also known as aXGPDH, is evolving rather slowly. It is possible that limited polymorphism is correlated with slow rates of amino acid replacement (Skibinski and Ward, 1982); however, for most enzymes whose natural polymorphism has been well-studied there are very few amino acid sequence data. Such is the case for glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The only published sequence is for the rabbit muscle enzyme (Otto et al., 1977, 1980). The structure of the Drosophila enzyme is under study (Niesel et al., 1982). Glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a cytosolic enzyme present in most tissues of all eukaryotes. In vertebrates amounts of this enzyme are particularly high in liver and white skeletal muscle, but relatively low in heart, brain, and most neoplastic tissues (Young and Pace, 1958). This enzyme is particularly concentrated in the flight muscles of insects such as bees and flies (Crabtree and Newsholme, 1972) where the enzyme
Tar Reforming in Model Gasifier Effluents: Transition Metal/Rare Earth Oxide Catalysts

The removal of tars from syngas generated in biomass or coal/biomass gasifiers plays an important role in syngas cleanup. Rare earth oxides (REOs, e.g., Ce/LaOx) mixed with transition metals (e.g., Mn, Fe) were synthesized by various methods and in some cases supported on a thermally stable alumina. These catalysts were applied to tar removal in the temperature range <1100 K using synthetic syngas mixtures with C10H8 as a tar model compound, both with and without H2S. Some commercial Ni reforming catalyst formulations were examined comparatively. Fresh and used catalysts were characterized by XANES, XAFS, XRD, TPO, and BET. We found that the C10H8 is reformed to at least methane, although further reforming to CO and H2 is not always achieved. While CO2, H2S, and coke formation all inhibited or deactivated the catalysts at certain temperatures and to different extents, it was determined that Fe- or Mn-doped supported REOs are promising tar cleanup catalysts. They exhibited higher sulfur tolerance, less cok...
Transcription factor AP2 is required for expression of the rat transforming growth factor-α gene

Transcription factor AP2 is required for expression of the rat transforming growth factor-α gene
The Choice of Main Components in Underground Mine Dump Truck Electrical System

In this article,the composition of underground mine dump truck electrical system is briefly introduced,and introduced the main component's function and the choice with emphasis The present paper have the very important reference significance in promoting the development of underground mine rainless mining in our country.
Enantiospecific Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Oximidine II Analogues

Analogues of the anticancer natural product oximidine II were prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity. One analogue of oximidine II that carries a C15 allylic amide side chain as well as two analogues with C15 vinyl sulfone side chains were found to lack cytotoxicity against the cancer cell line SK-Mel-5, thereby confirming the necessity of the C15 enamide side chain of oximidine II for cytotoxicity. Four analogues, designed by comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA), that feature a less complex macrolactone scaffold were prepared and tested. The two analogues carrying a C15 vinyl sulfone group and the two analogues with a C15 oximidine II enamide side chain showed weak cytotoxicity against the SK-Mel-5 cell line and other cell lines, indicating that the designed simplified macrocycles cannot replace the oximidine II macrocycle.
Mechanical Behavior of Materials: Fracture: Macroscopic Aspects

Introduction The separation or fragmentation of a solid body into two or more parts, under the action of stresses, is called fracture . The subject of fracture is vast and involves disciplines as diverse as solid-state physics, materials science, and continuum mechanics. Fracture of a material by cracking can occur in many ways, principally the following: Slow application of external loads. Rapid application of external loads (impact). Cyclic or repeated loading (fatigue). Time-dependent deformation (creep). Internal stresses, such as thermal stresses caused by anistropy of the thermal expansion coefficient or temperature differences in a body. Environmental effects (stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen embrittlement, liquid metal embrittlement, etc.) The process of fracture can, in most cases, be subdivided into the following categories: Damage accumulation. Nucleation of one or more cracks or voids. Growth of cracks or voids. (This may involve a coalescence of the cracks or voids.) Damage accumulation is associated with the properties of a material, such as its atomic structure, crystal lattice, grain boundaries, and prior loading history. When the local strength or ductility is exceeded, a crack (two free surfaces) is formed. On continued loading, the crack propagates through the section until complete rupture occurs. Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) applies the theory of linear elasticity to the phenomenon of fracture – mainly, the propagation of cracks. If we define the fracture toughness of a material as its resistance to crack propagation, then we can use LEFM to provide us with a quantitative measure of fracture toughness.
Collective Property and the Rise of the Confucian Patriarchy

The early history of the Vietnamese is based partly on legend and is therefore conjectural but it is very important to the Vietnamese identity. It is only through a strong sense of their own past that the Vietnamese have been able continuously to fight off foreign intervention. With this strong identity the Vietnamese were able to survive and resist assimilation during over 1000 years of Chinese rule (111 BC to 940 AD).
HIGH PRODUCTIVITY ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION WITH DENSE CELL CULTURE

ABSTRACT Fermentation has traditionally been considered a low productivity, capital intensive approach to producing organic chemicals. A variety of special fermentation techniques, however, has been used or are under development to obtain high productivities. A number of such methods applicable to anaerobic systems will be described briefly, using the ethanol fermentation with yeast as a special example for comparative purposes. Aerobic fermentations require special considerations which are beyond the scope of this review.
Phase plane analysis of isovolumic relaxation

Traditional analysis of the cyclic left ventricular (LV) pressure contour utilizes only a small amount of its total information content. For optimal quantitation of LV function maximal information extraction from the contour is desirable. To achieve this, we utilized phase plane analysis to characterize /spl tau/, the time constant of isovolumic relaxation. Exponential pressure decay in time appears as a linear relation in the phase plane (dP/dt vs. P). The cyclic LV pressure generates a limit cycle in the phase plane, whose isovolumic relaxation portion was analyzed to elucidate the pressure decay process. In 4 of 19 subjects isovolumic pressure decline could not be accurately fit using the standard exponential decay assumption. Hence, phase plane analysis provides new information about isovolumic relaxation.
Autologous (Auto) Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (SCT) As a Consolidation Therapy for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in 1st Complete Remission (CR): A Single Institution Experience

Abstract Abstract 4505 Introduction: Patients with AML in 1st CR are frequently consolidated with an auto SCT but the role of this modality in the management of AML is still not fully defined. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent an auto SCT for AML in 1st CR at UMass Memorial Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2010. Data was analyzed as of August 2011. The study was approved by UMass Memorial Medical Center IRB. Results: 25 Patients were identified from the database. There were 13 males and 12 females. The median age was 46 years range (19–72). Cytogenetics was good risk in 6 patients, intermediate risk in 14, poor risk in 3 and unknown in 2 patients. Induction chemotherapy was standard dose Ara-C based in 13 patients and high dose Ara-C based regimen in 12 patients. Median time from diagnosis to transplant was 133 days range (107–362). Stem cell mobilization regimen consisted of Ara-C/Etoposide (E) in 21 (80%), Cyclophosphamide (Cy) in 3 (12%) and Mitoxantrone/Ara-C/E in 1 (4%). Preparative regimen included Busulfan (Bu) 4/ E in 17 (68%), Bu4/Cy in 5 (20%) and high dose Melphalan in 3 (12%). A median of 4.56 ×106 range (1.05 × 106 – 9.67 × 106 ) CD34 cells/kg were infused. 3 patients failed to engraft. Median time to neutrophil recovery was 11 days range (9 to 16) and platelet recovery was 20 days range (9 to 116). 100 day mortality was 12% (3/25). Median follow of the entire cohort is 6.5 years range (0.6 – 10.7). Total of 9 patients died. The cause of death included disease in 7, sepsis in 1 and unknown in 1 patient. Kaplan Meier estimate for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 72% and 80% at 6 months and 62% and 61% at 3 years. Conclusion: ASCT is an effective and safe intensive consolidation therapy for patients with AML in 1st CR. Download : Download high-res image (12KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (11KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Abstract B69: Disparities in receipt of rituximab in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Introduction: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most commonly occurring subtype of lymphoma in the United States. Until 2001, chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) had been the traditional standard of care for patients with DLBCL. Beginning in 2001, published randomized , controlled clinical trials demonstrated that when rituximab (an anti-CD20 antibody immunotherapy) is added to standard CHOP chemotherapy complete response (CR) rates improved from 63% (CHOP alone) to 76% (p= 0.005), and 2-year OS improved from 57% to 70% (p = .007). However, it remains unclear how these results have influenced the use of combination chemoimmunotherapy in clinical practice. We undertook this study in order to assess differences between clinical and demographic features of patients with DLBCL who receive immunotherapy and those who do not receive immunotherapy. Methods: Data on diffuse large B cell lymphoma cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2004 were selected from the National Cancer Database, a hospital-based cancer registry jointly sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons. Patient demographics, health insurance, area-level education and income, stage of diagnosis, and facility characteristics were collected. The principle outcome of this study was receipt of immunotherapy plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. To assess other potential treatment options, two ancillary outcomes were examined 1) chemotherapy treatment versus radiation only/no treatment and 2) the receipt of some type of treatment (immunotherapy, chemo or radiation) versus no treatment. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between race, insurance and treatment allocation, adjusting for other independent covariates. Results: The total analytic study population included 40,262 patients. Uninsured and Medicaid insured patients were less like likely to receive the recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy (vs. chemotherapy alone) as compared to privately insured odds ratio ([OR]=0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.92;OR =0.83, 95% CI= 0.73 to 0.95, respectively). Blacks were also less likely receive recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy (OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.85) compared to whites. Receiving treatment at a high volume facility was also associated with better odds of receipt of combined chemo-immunotherapy (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.78 to 2.27). Conclusions: Our results indicate disparities exist in the receipt of recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy for diffuse large cell lymphoma. Blacks, uninsured and Medicaid-insured patients had lower odds of receiving Rituximab with their chemotherapy.
The effect of training level on complications after free flap surgery of the head and neck

Abstract Objectives Analyze postoperative complications after free flap surgery based on PGY training level. Methods Data on free flap surgeries of the head and neck performed from 2005 to 2013 was collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Cases identifying the status of resident participation in the surgery and the PGY level were included. Results There were 582 cases with primary surgeon data available. 63 cases were performed with a junior resident, 211 were performed with the assistance of a senior resident, 279 cases were performed with a fellow, and 29 cases were performed by an attending alone without resident involvement. The overall complication rate was 55.2%. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of complications between groups (47.6%, 59.7%, 53.0%, 58.6%, p = 0.277). After controlling for all confounding variables using multivariate analysis there was no significant difference in morbidity, mortality, readmissions, and reoperation amongst the groups. Furthermore, when comparing resident versus fellow involvement using multivariate analysis there were no significant differences in morbidity (OR = 0.768[0.522–1.129]), mortality (OR = 1.489[0.341–6.499]), readmissions (OR = 1.018[0.458–2.262]), and reoperation (OR = 0.863[0.446–1.670]). Conclusion Resident and fellow participation in microvascular reconstructive cases does not appear to increase 30-day rates of medical, surgical, or overall complications.
Long-range electron transfer in metalloproteins

Studies of the dependence of the rate of electron transfer (ET) on donor-acceptor separation and reaction driving force ( − †G°) in ruthenated derivatives of myoglobin (Mb) and cytochrome c (cyt c) have been performed. Measurements of MP* → Ru3+ ET (MP* is an electronically excited metalloporphyrin) at four fixed distances (His48, 81, 116, 12) in modified sperm whale Mb have defined limits for long-range heme: Ru electronic couplings. The lnkET values decrease exponentially with the donor to acceptor edge-edge distance; from a plot of InkET vs. d, a β of ∼ 0.9 A−1 is obtained. The 3ZnP* → Ru3+ and Ru2+ → ZnP+ rates in Ru(His33)Zncyt c derivatives have been analyzed in terms of λ ∼ 1.2 eV and electronic couplings of roughly 0.1 cm−1. The electronic couplings for Ru(His39)Zncyt c reactions (∼ 0.2 cm−1) are twice as large as those for Ru(His33)Zncyt c, but the experimentally derived electronic coupling in Ru(His62)Zncyt c ( ∼ 0.01 cm−1) is much smaller than the couplings in either Ru(His33)Zncyt c or Ru(His39)Zncyt c. The donor-acceptor electronic coupling order, His39 > His33 ≪ His62, accords well with the effective lengths of calculated ET pathways for these derivatives. The evidence suggests that shortcuts in ET pathways that involve hydrogen bonds lead to stronger couplings than those requiring through-space jumps.
Transient stability improvement analysis among the series fault current limiters for DFIG based wind generator

In this paper the transient stability improvement analysis of DFIG based variable speed wind generator (WG) is performed among the promising series fault current limiters (fCLs) like the solid-state fault current limiter (SSFCL), and series dynamic braking resistor (SDBR) with the proposed new parallel resonance bridge type fault current limiter (NPR-BFCL). The transient stability analysis is done among the series FCLs in terms of transient stability performances, implementation feasibility, control structure, and cost. A temporary balanced and unbalanced fault was applied in the DFIG based test system to demonstrate the transient stability performance among the series compensating devices. In this work extensive simulations were executed in Matlab/Simulink software and simulation result shows that the mentioned series devices can augment the transient stability during the fault, however, the SSFCL and the NPR-BFCL is the most effective series devices and performed well in comparison to SDBR.
DIFFEOMORPHISM GROUP REPRESENTATIONS AND NONLINEAR QUANTUM THEORIES

Quantum theories with nonlinear time-evolution equations are suggested by certain continuous unitary representations of diffeomorphism groups. Their physical interpretation is discussed in the light of nonlinear gauge transformations.
Evaluation and Simulation of a Large Scale Pilot Water Farm Project in South Florida

South Florida, U.S.A. is in the midst of enormous change driven by steady population growth. At the same time the citrus industry has been struggling to contai…
Non-Condon Effects in the Resonance Hyper-Raman Scattering of Chalcogen-Substituted Rhodamine Derivatives

Molecules with a strong two-photon response have gained significant interest because of their applications in two-photon imaging, all-optical switching, and energy up-conversion. The surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) of tetramethyl chalcogenorosamines are taken on- and off-resonance and compared to time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Specifically, changes in the SEHRS spectra are tracked as a function of structural geometry because of perturbations induced by larger chalcogen atom substitutions to the xanthene ring. Here we show that the spectral changes and non-Condon effects can be understood by tracking the vibrational normal modes and the vibrationally induced changes to the highest occupied molecular orbitals. With a system in place to explore the relationship between structural geometry and nonlinear properties, various rhodamine derivatives can be characterized as a means to optimally design a series of two-photon bright compounds.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual religiosity across the life span: Associations with group identification and identity salience

This study explores the intersection of sexual and religious identities in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals by looking at variables associated with religiosity in this community. Ordina...
Unfractionated heparin dosing requirements in the presence of inflammation during the first six months of life.

Abstract Background Critically ill neonates with inflammation secondary to SIRS or sepsis often develop an acquired pro-thrombotic state. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is commonly prescribed in this population, but these subjects often remain sub-therapeutic or require very high doses of UFH to achieve and sustain therapeutic anti-Xa activity. This is due, in part, to the unique pharmacokinetics/dynamics of this population but may also be influenced by the degree of inflammation. Objective To evaluate UFH dosing requirements in neonates and infants Subjects/methods A retrospective chart review was performed in infants Results Seventy-three subjects were included in the analysis. Twenty-three subjects (mean age = 41.2 days ± standard deviation [SD] 52.3) achieved therapeutic anti-Xa concentrations while fifty subjects (mean age = 43.4 days ± SD 53) did not. The median UFH dose needed in subjects who achieved goal anti-Xa concentrations in the absence of SIRS or sepsis criteria was 24.5 U/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] = 23.6–25.9) while the median dose of UFH in subjects who achieved goal anti-Xa level in the setting of infection, SIRS, or sepsis of any type was 36.1 U/kg/h (IQR = 34–43.5) (p Conclusions Maintenance of therapeutic UFH levels remains a challenge in infants, especially in those with concomitant inflammatory processes. Infection, SIRS, and sepsis of any type were collectively associated with a 32% increase in unfractionated heparin dose required to achieve and maintain therapeutic anti-Xa serum concentrations.
The Slippery Yet Tenacious Nature of Racism: New Developments in Critical Race Theory and Their Implications for the Study of Religion and Ethics

Why is racism so tenacious? Drawing from recent methodological innovations in the study of racism, this essay explores the appeal of racism and the erotics of race within the imagination. The slippery nature of racism, and its ability to alter its manifestations with ease and hide behind various disavowals, facilitates the racialization of both religious thought and social institutions.
The Inner Lives of Doctors: Physician Emotion in the Care of the Seriously Ill

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' seminal 1969 work, On Death and Dying, opened the door to understanding individuals' emotional experiences with serious illness and dying. Patient's emotions, however, are only half the story in the patient-physician relationship. In recent years physicians' emotional reactions have gotten more attention. These sometimes-unacknowledged emotions influence how we approach our work, including life and death decisions. This article reviews some of the main emotions physicians experience when caring for seriously ill and dying patients and the challenges physicians face in regulating their emotions in a professional setting. We also discuss some of the ways that physician emotion may influence medical decision-making and contribute to conflict. Attention to the emotional level of physician experience may promote better care.
Tim-3 expression and function in natural killer cells from advanced melanoma patients.

8571 Background: The concept of CD8+ T cell exhaustion in the context of metastatic cancer has been reinforced by the recent success of immunotherapies targeting the exhaustion markers CTLA-4 and P...
Beyond Testimony: The Literary Design of Primo Levi’s If This Is a Man

Throughout his life Primo Levi insisted that If This is a Man (Survival in Auschwitz) was simply a memoir and not a work of literature. But there is considerable evidence in his narrative that invites us to challenge that claim. This essay examines such evidence. Levi the writer introduced certain motifs that suggest he was very much concerned with the structure of his work. For example, he introduces a journey motif, elaborates its significance in the chapter called “The Canto of Ulysses,” and reminds the reader at crucial moments that transports continue to arrive at Auschwitz to discharge their victims. And after the Germans leave, the reader realizes that a new journey is about to begin, though its destination and consequences are uncertain. This theme is developed in the work’s final chapter, “The Last Ten Days,” which Levi admitted was one of the first that he had written. A simple memoir does not begin at the end, at least in the writer’s imagination. As the Germans abandon the camp, Levi and his fellow inmates in quarantine are left behind, and he begins to date his entries. We are reminded that we have left the timeless landscape of atrocity and entered the world of time, as the narrative assumes the form of a diary, a clear transition to the world of literature. Of the ten sick inmates in Levi’s barrack five have died and five remain alive when Soviet troops arrive, leaving the reader in a limbo of ambiguity as life and death continue their rivalry beyond the pages of this so-called memoir. As autobiography If This is a Man offers an account of Levi’s experience in the anguished atmosphere of Auschwitz, but its literary design avoids celebrating his survival and instead carefully leads the reader toward a search for mental clarity amidst the physical chaos of the camp.
Tannic Acid Inhibits α-Synuclein Amyloid Fibril Formation via Binding to the Monomer N-terminal Domain

Abstract α-Synuclein (αS) is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that aggregates into amyloid fibrils during the progression of Parkinson’s Disease and other synucleinopathies. The N-terminal domain (residues 1-60) is now understood to play a critical role in the initial nucleation of aggregation, as well as a pivotal role in the monomer-fibril interaction underlying amyloid seeding. Here we report on the interaction between αS and the polyphenol tannic acid (TA), where a combination of solution NMR, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ThT assays have identified that TA targets the αS N-terminal domain to inhibit amyloid fibril formation in a pH dependent manner. This work highlights the importance of targeting the N-terminus of αS to arrest fibril formation, and suggests the importance of including polyphenolic moieties in future amyloid inhibitors.
Dative Direct Objects

In the data examined thus far, direct objects of clauses have determined accusative agreement. However, there are a number of predicates with which an apparent direct object may determine either accusative or dative agreement. I descriptively refer to clauses in which an apparent direct object determines dative agreement, such as (1b) and (2b), as “dative direct object” constructions. In (1a) the second person singular nominal determines accusative agreement, chi- ‘2ACC’, while in (1b) it determines dative agreement, chim- ‘2DAT’. In both, the first person singular nominal determines nominative agreement li ‘1NOM’.
Interview with Alan Schoenfeld

The following interview with Alan Schoenfeld was conducted in April 2012. Alan Schoenfeld received his doctorate in mathematics from Stanford University. Since 1985 he has been working at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is currently the Elizabeth and Edward Connor Professor of Education and an affiliated professor of mathematics.
Sex ratio variations among the offspring of women with diabetes in pregnancy

Aims It has long been hypothesized that natural selection would favour a reproductive strategy biased towards females under adverse circumstances in order to maximize the number of surviving grandchildren. An excess of daughters in women with Type 1 diabetes and a greater likelihood of gestational diabetes in women carrying male fetuses have also been reported. This study aims to compare the sex ratio across categories of maternal glycaemia.
Quantification of entrapped model protein released during electrospun nanofiber degradation

This protein release study investigated the use of poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous matrices loaded with bovine serum albumin to model protein delivery. Samples were placed in phosphate buffered saline for an eight week degradation and protein release study. Each week samples were removed, massed, and protein content quantified from the degradation solution. As expected, the PCL samples did not lose substantial mass over 8 weeks, but total protein released was approximately 5.7% by week 1, and 15% by week 8. Results from this study will be used to model the required loading of various growth factors for controlled delivery during future in vitro ligament cell culture studies.
System Level Design Methodology for System On Chips using Multi-Threaded Graphs

Multi threaded graph (MTG) models are expressive in explicitly representing the concurrency, event synchronization, data sharing and timing constraint aspects of a system. Because of their rich expressiveness and visual appeal, MTGs are also useful in conceptualizing these aspects of a system on chip (SoC), before designing them. Each intellectual property block of a system can be captured into an MTG and composed together to represent the SoC. To facilitate a design methodology based on MTGs, we have created a flow starting from capturing the control flow and data flow features of an SoC in a visual modeling framework for MTGs and translating to a formal model for verification using the UPPAAL model checker. The visual modeling front-end for MTGs is developed using the generic modeling environment (GME) tool that helps catch modeling errors at early stages of the design due to the syntactic and semantic constraints of the metamodel. The MTG representation is translated into extended timed automata (XTA) format that can be accepted by UPPAAL model checker. By translating the MTG to UPPAAL, important timing constraints, synchronization, deadlock freedom, etc can be formally verified. We have experimented with two non-trivial case studies of an FIR filter model and RISC CPU model
The effect of carbide surface structure: Different reaction pathways of cyclohexene on C/W(110) and C/W(111)

Abstract We have investigated the reactivities of clean and carbide-modified W(1 1 0) surfaces by using the dehydrogenation and decomposition of cyclohexene as probe reactions. The reaction pathways have been studied using temperature programmed desorption, Auger electron spectroscopy, and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. On the clean W(1 1 0) surface, cyclohexene molecules undergo complete decomposition to produce hydrogen and atomic carbon. On the carbide-modified W(1 1 0) surface, only a fraction of cyclohexene undergoes dehydrogenation to produce gas phase benzene while the dominant reaction pathway remains to be the complete decomposition to atomic carbon and hydrogen. Overall the reactivity and product selectivity of cyclohexene on C/W(1 1 0) are very different from our previous studies on carbide-modified W(1 1 1). The comparison clearly indicates that the chemical properties of carbide-modified surfaces depend strongly on the structure of the metal substrates.
Bandwidth and modulation techniques under study by NASA

As NASA programs demand higher data rates, the need for more bandwidth-efficient high-rate modulation schemes grows. This is of special interest to NASA if they are to reduce future users' required communication bandwidth and minimize spacecraft contact time to the ground stations. Currently, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) KSA channel operates with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying and a rate 1/2 convolutional code. One of the strongest candidates for increasing-data throughput without increasing the required bandwidth is Octal Phase Shift Keying (8PSK). Eight phase Trellis Coded Modulation using a rate 2/3 convolutional code, for example, will double the throughput without any change in the bandwidth requirements when compared to the current system. Other coding schemes can be employed for higher throughput or coding gain depending on the program requirements. In order to ensure that NASA can support high data rate programs through TDRSS, the error-rate performance of 8PSK operated through the telecommunication link at 450 Mega-bits per second (Mbps) was measured by the New Mexico State University (NMSU). Octal phase-shift keying was chosen because it has proven to be the strongest candidate for upcoming systems, exhibiting a higher information rate than QPSK for the same transition bandwidth. Channel measurements were made at the White Sands Ground Terminal (WSGT) and are summarized.
Optimal thrust characteristics of a synthetic jet actuator for application in low speed maneuvering of underwater vehicles

Compact zero-mass pulsatile jet actuators are proposed for low speed maneuvering and station keeping of small underwater vehicles. The flow field of such jets are initially dominated by vortex ring formation. Prototypes of such actuators are built and tested. The current actuator design has a mechanical plunger system to generate pulsatile jets, whose oscillation frequency is varied between zero and 40 Hz. This actuator is designed so that the cavity dimensions, exit diameter, actuation frequency, and actuation profile can be easily varied in order to find the optimal operation point of the actuator. Thrust measurement data is provided for various formation numbers while the actuation frequency in varied. The empirical thrust profiles were seen to follow the same trend as a model previously developed by our group. It is also observed that the measured thrust has a maximum value for formation numbers between 4 and 5.5, which is in agreement with our model. These optimal parameters will be used as design constraints for future actuators used in underwater propulsion.
Primary stage of feline immunodeficiency virus infection: viral dissemination and cellular targets.

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify cellular and organ targets of acute feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in vivo. Tissues of FIV-infected cats were studied at eight time points during the first 3 months after experimental infection. FIV nucleic acids were first detected by in situ hybridization 21 days after infection, approximately 1.5 weeks after lymph node enlargement was first observed and 3 weeks before the primary acute flu-like illness. The majority of FIV-infected cells were present in lymphoid organs, though low numbers of infected cells were noted in nonlymphoid organs as well. Germinal centers harbored many of the FIV-infected cells within lymphoid tissues. The thymic cortex was also a major site of early infection. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that T lymphocytes were the primary target of early FIV infection in tissues of cats before the onset of clinical signs of acute illness. An unidentified population of mononuclear cells and a few macrophages were also infected. During the ensuing acute flu-like illness, the proportion of FIV-infected macrophages in tissues increased dramatically. This early shift in the predominant cellular localization of FIV from T lymphocytes to macrophages may be important for establishing viral persistence.
A co-doping approach towards enhanced ionic conductivity in fluorite-based electrolytes

Abstract A co-dopant strategy is used to investigate the effect that the elastic strain in the lattice has on the grain ionic conductivity of doped ceria electrolytes. Based on critical dopant ionic radius ( r c ), different compositions in the Lu x Nd y Ce 1− x − y O 2− δ ( x + y = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) system are studied. Dopants are added such that the weighted average dopant ionic radius matches r c for all the compositions. Dense ceramic discs are prepared using conventional solid oxide route and sintering methods. Precise lattice parameter measurements are used to calculate the lattice strain. The ionic conductivity of the samples is measured in the temperature range of 250 °C to 700 °C using two-probe electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The elastic strain present in Lu x Nd y Ce 1− x − y O 2− δ system is found to be negligible when compared to Lu x Ce 1− x O 2− δ (negative) and Nd x Ce 1− x O 2− δ (positive) systems. Grain ionic conductivity of Lu x Nd y Ce 1− x − y O 2− δ (where x + y = 0.05) at 500 °C is observed to be 1.9 × 10 − 3 S/cm which is twice as high as that of Lu 0.05 Ce 0.95 O 2− δ . These results extend the validity of the r c concept as a strategy for co-doping ceria electrolytes and open new designing avenues for solid oxide electrolytes with enhanced ionic conductivity.
Lack of Effect of Oral 4-Phenylbutyrate on Serum Alpha-1-Antitrypsin in Patients with α-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency: A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACTObjective:In homozygotes with ZZ genotype alpha-1-antitrypsin (α1AT) deficiency, mutant α1ATZ protein (α1ATZ) accumulates in hepatocytes, rather than being secreted into the blood. Homozygous individuals experience emphysema as a result of reduced levels of circulating α1AT in the lung with
Standards for protection of personnel against nonionizing radiation.

Rapid development and increase in sources of non-ionizing radiant energies (NIR) has resulted in growing interest on the part of Government, the scientific community, and public as evidenced by legislation to control excessive exposure to NIR. Such legislation has, in turn, stimulated further interests in the examination of biological effects, hazards, and safety standards. Although there is considerable agreement among scientists concerning the biologic effects and potential hazards of NIR, there are areas of disagreement, especially in relation to radiofrequency and microwaves. Research into the biologic effects of NIR should be fostered and advanced to avoid overly restrictive and unrealistic standards. It is important to maintain a proper perspective, and assess realistically the biomedical effects of NIR so that the worker or general public will not be unduly exposed nor will research, development and beneficial utilization of these energies be hampered or restricted.
Photophysics of 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde in durene single crystals

Abstract The Stark splitting as a function of applied electric field was measured for each component of the doublet phosphorescence origin of 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (TMB) in a durene host. The doublet structure originates from two configurations or sites for the TMB molecule in the durene lattice. The magnitude of the dipole moment difference vector for each site was found to be the same, but the orientation of this vector was different for each site. Different phosphorescence lifetimes, 10.4 and 8.0 ms, also were measured for the two sites. These differences between the two crystal sites can be understood in terms of a mixing of states by the crystal field. Selective excitation experiments showed that the relative ordering in energy of the two sites is the same for the T 1 and T 2 states but is reversed from this for the S 1 state. This correlation of site energies is similar to the correlation of the directions of the dipole moment difference vectors, and both correlations can be understood in terms of the orbital configurations of the excited states. Studies of the emission intensity from the different sites following selective excitation did not reveal evidence for photochemical site interconversion or for intersite energy transfer at concentrations of TMB up to 0.4 mole percent.
A Convergent Total Synthesis of Ustiloxin D via an Unprecedented Copper-Catalyzed Ethynyl Aziridine Ring-Opening by Phenol Derivatives

The ustiloxins are a family of heterodetic cyclopeptides that have been isolated from the water extracts of false smut balls on the panicles of rice plants caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. A concise total synthesis of ustiloxin D has been achieved via an unprecedented ethynyl aziridine ring-opening of phenol derivatives. The longest linear sequence of the synthesis is 15 steps from commercially available compounds.
Identification of elastases associated with purified plasma membranes isolated from human monocytes and lymphocytes.

Studies were carried out to understand the pathogenesis of amyloid formation and to localize the elastase-like enzymes postulated to be associated with the surface of human peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes. These enzymes are known to degrade serum amyloid A and amyloid A proteins. Pure plasma membrane preparations were obtained by allowing cells to attach to polyacrylamide beads, followed by their disruption. The purity of the membranes was monitored by electron microscopy and enzyme determinations. The extracted membrane enzymes which have molecular weights of 56000 and 30000, respectively, were inhibited by DFP, MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-CH2Cl, Ac-Pro-Phe-Arg-CH2Cl . HCl, and elastinal but were not inhibited by EDTA or epsilon-amino caproic acid, thus exhibiting the properties of elastases. These enzymes cleave serum amyloid A to amyloid protein A. In some individuals, cleavage stops at this point, while in others a second step occurs, resulting in complete protein degradation. This activity was comparable whether monocyte or lymphocyte plasma membranes were employed. Since lymphocyte dependent cytotoxicity has also been attributed to surface proteases, it is likely that a spectrum of membrane associated enzymes mediate important physiologic function of these mononuclear leukocytes.
Multimedia Broadcast Authentication Based on Batch Signature [Advances in Mobile Multimedia]

Conventional block-based broadcast authentication protocols overlook the heterogeneity of receivers in mobile computing by letting the sender choose the block size, divide a broadcast stream into blocks, associate each block with a signature, and spread the effect of the signature across all the packets in the block through hash or coding algorithms. They suffer from some drawbacks. First, they require that the entire block with its signature be collected before authenticating every packet in the block. This authentication latency can lead to the jitter effect on real-time applications at receivers. Second, the block-based approach is vulnerable to packet loss in mobile computing in the sense that the loss of some packets makes the other packets unable to be authenticated, especially when the block signature is lost. Third, they are also vulnerable to DoS attacks caused by the injection of forged packets. In this article we propose a novel broadcast authentication protocol based on an efficient cryptographic primitive called a batch signature. Our protocol supports the verification of the authenticity of any number of packets simultaneously and avoids the shortcomings of the block-based approach.
Anesthetic management of parturients with pre-existing paraplegia or tetraplegia: a case series

With improvements in management and rehabilitation, more women with spinal cord injury are conceiving children. Physiologic manifestations of spinal cord injury can complicate anesthetic management during labor and delivery. Patients who delivered at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between January 1, 2001 and May 31, 2012 with a history of traumatic spinal cord injury were identified via electronic record search of all parturients. Eight patients undergoing nine deliveries were identified. Six deliveries (67%) among five patients (63%) involved a trial of labor. Among these deliveries, three (50%) occurred vaginally, all with successful epidural analgesia. Trial of labor failed in the remaining three patients, and required cesarean delivery facilitated via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1) and general anesthesia (n=1). Three patients (33%) underwent scheduled cesarean delivery via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1), and general anesthesia (n=1). Four patients having five deliveries had a history of autonomic hyperreflexia before pregnancy. One patient had symptoms during pregnancy, two patients had episodes during labor and delivery, and three patients described symptoms in the immediate postpartum period. These symptoms were not reported by any patient without a history of autonomic hyperreflexia. Neuraxial labor analgesia may have a higher failure rate in patients with spinal cord injury, possibly related to the presence of Harrington rods. Postpartum exacerbations of autonomic hyperreflexia are common in patients with a history of the disorder.
Emic, etic, and andragogy: The contributions of Nobleza Asunción-Lande to intercultural communication

Abstract Nobleza C. Asuncion-Lande (d. February 13, 2010) devoted her career to communication studies, specializing in intercultural communication and linguistics. A faculty member in Communication Studies at the University of Kansas for more than forty years, she was a pioneer and builder in intercultural communication, helping to conceptualize its theory and pedagogy. Her scholarship and leadership are notable in the areas of language, ethics, conflict, and gender studies. Born in Manila, she adopted the world as her sphere for intercultural scholarship and practice with a global perspective, and her endless pursuit of intercultural opportunities took her around the world, literally, as a scholar, visiting professor and conferee. She published more than fifty articles on a variety of topics, and presented at more than seventy conferences. She was a pioneer in the International and Intercultural Division of NCA, SIETAR International, ICA, the Pacific and Asian Communication Association where she served as president, and the Central States Communication Association. Her editorial role in professional journals included Human Communication and the Howard Journal of Communications. She was also a mentor, guide, role model, and consummate encourager for her students at the University of Kansas. Whether consciously or unconsciously, Asuncion-Lande consistently operationalized an etic and emic approach to intercultural communication scholarship.
Two questions concerning the boundary control of certain elastic systems

Abstract We present two questions connected with the stabilization of certain hyperbolic partial differential equations which are controlled on their boundaries. The uncontrolled versions of these systems are conservative and therefore represent only approximate realizations of the physical phenomena. The first question concerns the qualitative behavior of a given stabilizing feedback for such a system vis a vis that of an appropriately damped realization using the same feedback. The second question concerns the robustness of both the original system and a damped version when time delays occur in a given feedback stabilization scheme.