cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IceTop — Cosmic ray physics with IceCube

Abstract The IceCube experiment at South Pole consists of two detector components — the IceTop air shower array on the surface and the neutrino telescope at depths from 1450 to 2450 m below. Currently, 26 IceTop stations and 22 InIce strings are deployed. With the present size of the IceTop array, it is possible to measure cosmic rays with energies ranging from 0.5 to 100 PeV. Coincident events between the IceTop and the InIce detector provide useful cross-checks of the detector performance and furthermore make it possible to study the cosmic-ray composition. This paper gives an overview on the current status of IceTop.
Characterization of PLZT Films Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis

Spray pyrolysis was used to prepare films of PLZT ceramics, a class of electrooptic materials that find applications in integrated optics devices. The films were prepared by spraying an aqueous solution of mainly nitrate salts of the desired cations onto oriented silicon and magnesia substrates. After drying, the solid deposit was thermally decomposed to yield the mixture of the desired oxides. The surface morphology of the prepared thin films was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy and the presence of crystalline phases was identified by X-ray powder diffraction. Compositional homogeneity was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
Prevention of palatal groove formation in premature neonates requiring intubation.

L'evaluation realisee chez 60 tres petits prematures soumis a une intubation par voie orale, montre que l'application d'un palais en acrylique reduit significativement le sillon palatin resultant d'une intubation prolongee. Le probleme du traitement d'un sillon palatin acquis reste a examiner par un suivi a long terme
Static compression of Ca(OH)2 at room temperature - Observations of amorphization and equation of state measurements to 10.7 GPa

X-ray diffraction measurements are reported for Ca(OH)2 portlandite as it is compressed to 37.6 GPa in the diamond cell at room temperature. Between 10.7 and 15.4 GPa crystalline Ca(OH)2 transforms to a glass, and on decompression the glass recrystallizes between 3.6 and 5.1 GPa. Below pressures of 10.7 GPa the elastic compression of crystalline Ca(OH)2 was measured. A finite strain analysis of these data shows that the isothermal bulk modulus and its pressure derivative are 37.8 + or - 1.8 GPa and 5.2 + or - 0.7 at zero pressure. The change in the unit cell dimensions indicates that the linear incompressibilities of Ca(OH)2 differ by a factor of three.
Source and dispersal of reservoir sands in El Morgan field, gulf of Suez, Egypt☆

Abstract More than 1,500 samples of cuttings from 17 wells in El Morgan Field were studied for grainsize distribution, degree of roundness, and feldspar content. The sands belong to the Kareem Formation of the Miocene and could be described as arkose or subarkose with feldspar content ranging from 5–40%. Percentage maps clearly indicate a source area to the south and southwest of the field. The presence of high feldspar content and the angularity of the very coarse quartz and feldspar grains, in addition to the presence of granitic rock fragments, indicate a plutonic source for the sands. The source is believed to be the nearby Zeit Range. Minor contributions from a Nubian sandstone source from both the southwest and northeast directions may have taken place at certain intervals. The lack of feldspar alteration is attributed to rapid erosion as a result of the high relief attained by large-scale block faulting in pre-Miocene and Early Miocene times and to conditions of extreme airdity. The bottom topography of the Miocene Sea controlled the movement of water currents and determined the size, shape, and distribution of the sands.
Active rigidization of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composites for ultra-lightweight space structures

An active approach for initiating rigidization in carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) thermosets links controllable mechanical stiffening to inherent electrical resistivity. With direct applications toward the rigidization of ultra-lightweight, inflatable space structures, temperature-controlled resistive heating is used to create oncommand rigidization. As required by the on-orbit conditions in space, flexible, rigidizable structures demand stable and space-survivable materials that incorporate techniques for providing shape control and structural stiffening. Methods currently employed to achieve a mechanical hardening include many passive techniques: UV curing, sub- T g hardening, and hydro-gel evaporation. The benefits of a passive system (simplicity, energy efficiency) are offset by their inherent lack of control, which can lead to long curing times and weak spots due to uneven curing. In efforts to significantly reduce the transition time of the composite from a structurally-vulnerable state to a fully-rigidized shape and to increase control of the curing process, an active approach is taken. Specifically, temperature-controlled internal resistive heating initiates thermoset curing in a coated carbon fiber composite to form an electrically-controlled, thermally-activated material. Through controlled heating, this research examines how selective temperature control can be used to prescribe matrix consolidation and material rigidization on two different thermosetting resins, U-Nyte Set 201A and 201B. Feedback temperature control, based on a PID control algorithm, was applied to the process of resistive heating. Precise temperature tracking (less than 1.1°C RMS or ±3.3% error) was achieved for controlled sample heating. Using samples of the thermoset-coated carbon-fiber tow, composite hardening through resistive heating occurred in 24 minutes and required roughly 1 W-hr/inch of electrical energy. The rigidized material was measured to be 14-21 times stiffer in bending than the uncured material. In addition, the cure completion of the resin was measured through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Thermodynamic Study of an Unusual Chiral Separation. Propranolol Enantiomers on an Immobilized Cellulase

The thermodynamics of interaction of (R)- and (S)-propranolol between an acetic acid buffer (pH = 4.7 and 5.5) and the protein cellobiohydrolase I immobilized on silica gel was studied between 5 and 45 °C. The equilibrium data were fitted to a biLangmuir adsorption isotherm with excellent agreement. One of the two Langmuir contributions is the same for both enantiomers and accounts for the nonspecific interactions between these compounds and most sites on the surfaces (type-I, nonselective sites). It has a large saturation capacity. The second contribution accounts for the chiral selective interactions (type-II sites). It has a lower monolayer capacity than the first. The interaction enthalpy and entropy on type-I sites are −1.1 kcal/mol and +0.1 cal/(mol K), respectively. For type-II sites, they are −1.9 kcal/mol and −2.6 cal/(mol K), respectively, for (R)-propranolol and +1.6 kcal/mol and + 11.6 cal/(mol K), respectively, for (S)-propranolol at pH = 5.5. This explains why at this pH the retention time o...
Keyword querying and ranking in databases

With the proliferation of data sources exposed through web interfaces to consumers, simple ways of exploring contents of such databases are of increasing importance. Examples include users wishing to search catalogs of homes, cars, cameras, restaurants, and photographs. One approach that has been explored is to allow users to query such databases in the same ways as they explore web documents. Thus, it is desirable to be able to use the paradigm of keyword querying and automated result ranking over contents of databases. However, the rich relationships and schema information present in databases makes a direct adaptation of information retrieval techniques inappropriate. This problem has attracted much attention in research as it presents a rich set of challenges from defining semantics of such querying model to developing algorithms that ensure adequate performance. In this tutorial, we focus on the highlights of research progress in this field.
Design of a Low Power Multiply-Accumulator for 2D Convolution in Video Processing Applications

Design of a low power multiply-and-accumulator (MAC) unit for video processing systems exploiting insignificant bits in pixels values and the similarity of neighboring pixels in video streams is presented in this paper. The proposed technique reduces dynamic power consumption by analyzing the bit patterns in the input data to reduce switching activities. Special values of the pixels in the video streams such as zero, one, repeated values or repeated bit combinations are detected and data paths in the architecture design are disabled appropriately to eliminate unnecessary switching in arithmetic units and data buses. It is observed that the proposed scheme helps to reduce operations and switching activities in the MAC unit up to 30% which results in lower power consumption with low hardware overhead
The effects of fatigue on performance in simulated nursing work

Fatigue is associated with increased rates of medical errors and healthcare worker injuries, yet existing research in this sector has not considered multiple dimensions of fatigue simultaneously. This study evaluated hypothesised causal relationships between mental and physical fatigue and performance. High and low levels of mental and physical fatigue were induced in 16 participants during simulated nursing work tasks in a laboratory setting. Task-induced changes in fatigue dimensions were quantified using both subjective and objective measures, as were changes in performance on physical and mental tasks. Completing the simulated work tasks increased total fatigue, mental fatigue and physical fatigue in all experimental conditions. Higher physical fatigue adversely affected measures of physical and mental performance, whereas higher mental fatigue had a positive effect on one measure of mental performance. Overall, these results suggest causal effects between manipulated levels of mental and physical fat...
Stability of compressed gas mixtures containing low level volatile organic compounds in aluminum cylinders

Compressed gas mixtures containing up to twenty-six volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a balance of nitrogen have been prepared and analyzed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The mixtures are contained in aluminum cylinders and the hydrocarbons included are aromatic or aliphatic, both saturated and unsaturated and some containing a halogen, oxygen or nitrogen atom. The individual compounds are present at concentrations ranging from 0.1–3000 nmol/mol and the relative standard uncertainty in the concentration of each is between ±2–5%. The stability of the mixtures over various time intervals is discussed.
Barbara Jordan's keynote address: Fulfilling dual and conflicting purposes

Barbara Jordan's keynote address to the 1976 Democratic Convention was effective with both the immediate and the general audiences. One explanation for this success was the skillful handling of three sets of dual and conflicting purposes: pleasing two unlike audiences; fulfilling the role expectations imposed on keynoters, while avoiding triteness; affirming blackness and womanliness, but avoiding the unfavorable stereotypes of each.
Alcohol detoxification and social anxiety symptoms: a preliminary study of the impact of mirtazapine administration.

Abstract Background: Social anxiety disorder is fairly prevalent among alcohol abusing/dependent subjects. The objective of the present study was to investigate: (a) the incidence of social anxiety symptoms in inpatient alcoholics, (b) the effect of alcohol detoxification on these symptoms, and (c) whether a combined psychotherapeutic/mirtazapine treatment during the post-detoxification phase of alcoholism has a greater impact on the aforementioned symptoms than a non-pharmacological approach. Method: Social anxiety symptoms were assessed through the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) following a 4–5-week detoxification period in two groups: group A (n=21) that followed a detoxification protocol of cognitive–behavioral orientation and group B (n=33) that was assigned to mirtazapine in addition to the standard protocol. Concomitant psychopathology was monitored through the HARS and HDRS, and level of functioning through the GAS. Results: A marked reduction of social anxiety symptoms was evidenced in both groups. However, patients on mirtazapine improved significantly more compared to controls. Limitations: A single measure of social anxiety, i.e., the LSAS was used. Also, a longer follow-up period is needed to ascertain remission of social anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The present study found a rather high incidence of social anxiety symptoms in inpatient alcoholics which subsided following alcohol detoxification; moreover, it provides preliminary evidence that a combined psychotherapeutic/mirtazapine treatment (30–60 mg/daily) has a greater impact on the aforementioned symptoms than non-pharmacological treatment alone.
Carboxyhemoglobin levels in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatopulmonary syndrome

Background & Aims: Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes hemoglobin into bilirubin, iron, and carbon monoxide (CO), a known vasodilator. HO expression and CO production as measured by blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels increase in experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and contribute to vasodilatation. Whether CO contributes to HPS in humans is unknown. Our aim was to assess if arterial COHb levels are increased in cirrhotic patients with HPS relative to those without HPS. Methods: We collected data prospectively in stable nonsmoking outpatients with cirrhosis. Demographic and clinical data and room-air arterial blood gases were collected and analyzed. HPS was diagnosed using established criteria. Results: A total of 159 patients were studied. HPS was present in 27 (17%) patients. Mean age was 52 ± 9 years, 54% were men, and hepatitis C and/or alcohol were the most common causes (53%). Fourteen percent were Child-Pugh class A, 53% were Child-Pugh class B, and 33% were Child-Pugh class C. Demographic and clinical features were similar between HPS and non-HPS patients except for the Child-Pugh score, which was lower in patients with HPS. Arterial Pa o 2 levels were lower and the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was higher in patients with HPS ( P P o 2 ( P po 2 ( P Conclusions: COHb levels are increased in cirrhotic patients with HPS and correlate with gas exchange abnormalities. These results are consistent with findings in experimental HPS and suggest that CO may contribute to human HPS.
Evaluation of a Single-Tube Multiplex Real-Time PCR for Differentiation of Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Clinical Specimens

Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) differ in virulence attributes, drug resistance patterns, and host preferences. The rapid differentiation of these species to determine zoonotic or human sources of tuberculosis disease or to direct treatment can benefit both public health and patient management. Commercially available assays cannot differentiate these species, and published assays have not been evaluated directly on clinical specimens. A real-time PCR assay for the differentiation of M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. bovis BCG, M. africanum, M. microti, and M. canettii was developed. The presence or absence of regions of difference (RD) between the genomes of members of the MTBC allowed for the design of a single-tube five-plex real-time PCR assay to differentiate these species. This assay assesses the presence of RD1, RD4, RD9, RD12, and a region exterior to RD9 which is present in all MTBC members. To evaluate the performance of this assay, 192 clinical specimens positive for MTBC by real-time PCR were tested, resulting in a 94% correlation of the real-time PCR with the identification results obtained with cultured material. Additionally, 727 Bactec MGIT 960-positive cultures were tested, resulting in a 97% concordance between the methods. This real-time PCR is an inexpensive and rapid (2.5-h) method performed in a closed-format system and requiring minimal hands-on time that can be implemented in a clinical laboratory and used directly on clinical specimens.
COMPARTMENT SYNDROME AFTER PRESSURIZED INFUSION

We report two cases of compartment syndrome caused by extravasation of infused fluids and suggest a rationale for management and treatment based upon slit catheter monitoring of pressure in the compromised compartments.
A system design framework-driven implementation of a learning collaboratory

This paper describes a design process to support the development of a learning collaboratory, a distributed, computer-based, virtual space for learning and work. A learning collaboratory, as a distributed distance learning environment, offers great opportunities to expand the way people teach and learn and to broaden educational opportunities to an ever increasing range of learners. The challenge is to design distance learning technologies that engender meaningful learning experiences that take full advantage of the power of computer-mediated communication to support innovative learner-centered and collaborative interactions between students, teachers, subject experts, and resources. First, the paper describes the learning collaboratory design framework (LUCIDIFY), a design process that integrates methods and concepts from cognitive systems engineering, theories of learning and instruction, distributed computing, and computer-supported collaborative learning to guide the principled design of learning collaboratories. Next, the paper describes how LUCIDIFY was used in the design and implementation of the collaborative learning environment for operational systems (CLEOS), a learning collaboratory for teachers, students, and practitioners in the physical sciences. CLEOS features two virtual instrument tutorials, an asynchronous messaging system, a project-based design and management application, and a collaborative multi-user domain infrastructure.
Model-follower longitudinal control for automated guideway transit vehicles

An approach for the design of longitudinal control systems for automated transit vehicles using the vehicle-follower control concept is presented. It is shown that the spacing policy selected for system operations generates a dynamic model for ideal vehicle response during station keeping. The longitudinal control system should force the actual vehicle response to be as close to this model response as possible. Two model-following controller designs are discussed. In one design the command from the controller is acceleration, and in the other design the command from the controller is jerk. The acceleration- and jerk-limited dynamic response of both controllers is examined by the use of describing functions and by computer simulations.
Application of the spectral index method to laser diode design

The spectral index method (SIM) is compared to the effective index method (EIM) and the beam propagation method (BPM) for the calculation of the optical mode index and mode profile in a prototypical distributed feedback (DFB) rib waveguide laser diode. Modal index is shown to be insufficient as a metric of comparison, so in addition to n/sub mode/, the quantum well filling factor /spl Gamma/ and grating coupling coefficient /spl kappa/ are included in the metric for comparison. SIM is found to yield superior results to EIM and to give results comparable to BPM almost two orders of magnitude faster. >
The Rule of the Saints in American Politics

It has been observed that in America the preachers act like politicians and the politicians talk like preachers. Recent developments in American politics have given renewed support to this observation. There are a number of possible explanations as to why the American public is so concerned, at this particular time in history, to appear as a godly people and nation. However, the question that immediately presents itself to the historian is why the American public so quickly responds to the religious motif in political life.
ATTITUDES AND EFFECTIVENESS: EXAMINING RELATIONS AT AN ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL

Recent evidence has suggested that attitudes-organizational effectiveness relations may exist. Relations between employee attitudes, organizational unit performance, customer satisfaction, and turnover were examined at the branch level for a large automobile finance company. Using data from 142 branches in 2 consecutive years, several significant relations between attitude factors and performance were observed. In addition, causal analyses conducted at the branch level suggested that customer satisfaction led to employee attitudes, rather than the opposite. Additional analyses to explain this result suggested that economic conditions and related factors might be the causal mechanism at the aggregated level. Other potential interpretations of these findings and caveats about generalizing organizational-level findings to the individual level are discussed.
Renal and cardiac effects of antihypertensive treatment with ramipril vs metoprolol in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a common complication in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This prospective randomized double-blind study was performed to compare the renal and cardiac effects of the ACE inhibitor ramipril and the beta-blocker metoprolol as first line therapy in ADPKD patients with hypertension. METHODS Forty-six hypertensive ADPKD patients were randomized to either ramipril (n = 23) or metoprolol (n = 23). Twenty-four hour (24-h) ambulatory blood pressure (BP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as calculated by the Cockcroft and Gault formula, urinary albumin excretion (albumin/creatinine ratio), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were established at baseline and at yearly intervals. The total follow-up was 3 years. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. RESULTS Mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly in both the ramipril and the metoprolol group (-8 +/- 2 and -6 +/- 2 mmHg; both P < 0.01). There was a significant decline in renal function during follow-up which was similar in patients treated with ramipril or metoprolol (-2.5 +/- 0.7 vs -2.9 +/- 0.8 ml/min/year; P = NS). After the 3 years follow-up, no differences in GFR, LVMI and urinary albumin excretion were observed between the ramipril and the metoprolol group (80.7 +/- 10.7 vs 78.0 +/- 7.6 ml/min, 102.6 +/- 6.8 vs 100.3 +/- 5.4 g/m(2); and 42.6 +/- 12.3 vs 70.3 +/- 32.5 mg/g, respectively; all P = NS). A post-hoc analysis evaluating the effects of BP control, revealed that LVMI increased in patients with standard BP control while it remained stable in patients with rigorous BP control with a significant difference in LVMI between the groups after 3 years of follow-up (110.5 +/- 6.3 vs 90.9 +/- 4.7 g/m(2); P = 0.017). Also, by the end of the study albuminuria was lower in patients with rigorous vs standard BP control (23.5 +/- 6.7 vs 94.8 +/- 35.4 mg/g; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In our study population of hypertensive ADPKD patients, no differences in renal function, urinary albumin excretion and LVMI were detected between those treated with ramipril or metoprolol, respectively, during a 3 years follow-up. Rigorous BP control prevented an increase in LVMI and reduced urinary albumin excretion, suggesting a crucial role of BP control for slowing progression of cardiac and renal organ damage in ADPKD.
Moisture Determination in Textiles by Electrical Meters: Part II:

Previous studies of the precision of various types of electrical moisture meters [8-10] are extended to include meters for sheet materials. The experimental results are analyzed in a manner similar...
An effective histological staining process to visualize bone interstitial fluid space using confocal microscopy

article Bone is a composite porous material with two functional levels of porosity: the vascular porosity that surrounds blood vessels and the lacunar-canalicular porosity that surrounds the osteocytes. Both the vascular porosity and lacunar-canalicular porosity are directly involved in interstitial fluid flow, thought to play an important role in bone's maintenance. Because of the small dimensions of the lacunar-canalicular porosity, interstitial fluid space has been difficult to visualize and quantify. We report a new staining protocol that is reliable and easily reproducible, using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as a probe visualized by confocal microscopy. Reconstructed FITC-stained cross sections enable effective visualization of bone microstructure and microporosities. This new staining process can be used to analyze interstitial fluid space, providing high-resolution quantification of the vascular pores and the lacunar-canalicular network of cortical and cancellous bone.
The orphan receptor Rev-ErbA alpha activates transcription via a novel response element.

Abstract Rev-ErbA alpha (Rev-Erb) is a nuclear hormone receptor-related protein encoded on the opposite strand of the alpha-thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene. This unusual genomic arrangement may have a regulatory role, but the conservation of human and rodent Rev-Erb amino acid sequences suggests that the protein itself has an important function, potentially as a sequence-specific transcriptional regulator. However, despite its relationship to the TR, Rev-Erb bound poorly to TR binding sites. To determine its DNA-binding specificity in an unbiased manner, Rev-Erb was synthesized in Escherichia coli, purified, and used to select specific binding-sites from libraries of random double-stranded DNA sequences. We found that Rev-Erb binds to a unique site consisting of a specific 5-bp A/T-rich sequence adjacent to a TR half-site. Rev-Erb contacts this entire asymmetric 11-bp sequence, which is the longest nonrepetitive element specifically recognized by a member of the thyroid/steroid hormone receptor superfamily, and mutations in either the A/T-rich or TR half-site regions abolished specific binding. The binding specificity of wild-type Rev-Erb was nearly identical to that of C- and N-terminally truncated forms. This binding was not enhanced by retinoid X receptor, TR, or other nuclear proteins, none of which formed heterodimers with Rev-Erb. Rev-Erb also appeared to bind to the selected site as a monomer. Furthermore, Rev-Erb activates transcription through this binding site even in the absence of exogenous ligand. Thus, Rev-Erb is a transcriptional activator whose properties differ dramatically from those of classical nuclear hormone receptors, including the TR encoded on the opposite strand of the same genomic locus.
A comprehensive collection of experimentally validated primers for Polymerase Chain Reaction quantitation of murine transcript abundance

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) is a widely applied analytical method for the accurate determination of transcript abundance. Primers for QPCR have been designed on a genomic scale but non-specific amplification of non-target genes has frequently been a problem. Although several online databases have been created for the storage and retrieval of experimentally validated primers, only a few thousand primer pairs are currently present in existing databases and the primers are not designed for use under a common PCR thermal profile. We previously reported the implementation of an algorithm to predict PCR primers for most known human and mouse genes. We now report the use of that resource to identify 17483 pairs of primers that have been experimentally verified to amplify unique sequences corresponding to distinct murine transcripts. The primer pairs have been validated by gel electrophoresis, DNA sequence analysis and thermal denaturation profile. In addition to the validation studies, we have determined the uniformity of amplification using the primers and the technical reproducibility of the QPCR reaction using the popular and inexpensive SYBR Green I detection method. We have identified an experimentally validated collection of murine primer pairs for PCR and QPCR which can be used under a common PCR thermal profile, allowing the evaluation of transcript abundance of a large number of genes in parallel. This feature is increasingly attractive for confirming and/or making more precise data trends observed from experiments performed with DNA microarrays.
Invisible Victims: Undocumented Migrants and the Aftermath of September 11*

This article examines the processes of investigation and gathering evidence about victims of the September 11 attacks to better understand the inability of state and nonstate institutions to effect...
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE INDUCES DIABETES INSIPIDUS IN CHINESE HAMSTERS

Injection of a synthetic progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA or Depo-ProveraR), a widely used contraceptive, into Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) induced a profound polyuria with daily output of dilute urine equal to about 50% body weight of the hamster. However, relatively normal ability for renal urine concentration was demonstrated by administration of exogenous vasopressin. Body weight did not increase during onset of MPA-induced polyuria or during interval of vasopressin-induced oliguria, suggesting that primary polydipsia was not etiologic. Administration of this steroid to Chinese hamsters was nontoxic, although these polyuric animals were unusually sensitive to water deprivation. This polyuria was not observed when progesterone alone was injected into Chinese hamsters or when MPA was given to other related hamster species (Armenian, Syrian, Turkish or Djzungarian). The MPA-injected Chinese hamster represents a unique model of vasopressin sensitive diabetes insipidus induced by a steroid in a species-specific fashion.
Paired-type homeodomain transcription factors are imported into the nucleus by karyopherin 13.

We report that the paired homeodomain transcription factor Pax6 is imported into the nucleus by the Karyopherin β family member Karyopherin 13 (Kap13). Pax6 was identified as a potential cargo for Kap13 by a yeast two-hybrid screen. Direct binding of Pax6 to Kap13 was subsequently confirmed by in vitro assays with recombinant proteins, and binding in vivo was shown by coimmunoprecipitation. Ran-dependent import of Pax6 by Kap13 was shown to occur by using a digitonin-permeabilized cells assay. Kap13 binds to Pax6 via a nuclear localization sequence (NLS), which is located within a segment of 80 amino acid residues that includes the homeodomain. Kap13 showed reduced binding to Pax6 when either region located at each end of the homeodomain (208 to 214 and 261 to 267) was deleted. The paired-type homeodomain transcription factor family includes more than 20 members. All members contain a region similar to the NLS found in Pax6 and are therefore likely to be imported by Kap13. We confirmed this hypothesis for Pax3 and Crx, which bind to and are imported by Kap13.
Consensus theory and religious belief

David Tukey has argued recently that the consensus theory of epistemic rhetoric reduces spiritual experience to a social construct and therefore denies the possibility of a divine reality. This essay argues that consensus theory can account for religious beliefs and spiritual experiences, and that consensus theory provides a useful framework within which to understand the rhetorical dimensions of these beliefs and experiences. Walter Rauschenbusch's classic A Theology for the Social Gospel is examined as a theology that is consistent with the basic tenets of consensus theory.
Advance Care Planning Safeguards

The Authors Reply—Drs. Ahluwalia and Gordon are correct that I identified the goal of advance care planning as promoting the autonomy of decisionally incapacitated patients when they face choices about life-sustaining treatments.1 This is the primary objective of advance care planning as regularly stated in the clinical and popular literature, both historically and currently, and even as implied in parts of their letter. Congruence between patient values and the care they receive if mentally incapacitated at the end of life has been the litmus test for the success of advance care planning. However, such authors as Fried2 and Sudore3 have proposed other advance care planning goals, particularly promotion of earlier and better discussions about life-sustaining treatments among patients, their families, and their professional care givers. Earlier communication about such matters might lead to more frequent and deeper discussion about end-of-life care, and could be relevant to patients who are decisionally competent when facing choices about life-sustaining treatments. Theoretically, advance care planning could foster a clinician–patient relationship that better attends to patients’ values, goals, and preferences, while preparing patients and families to make better decisions when actually faced with end-of-life choices. However, as summarized in my article, poor quality of communication about advance care planning is common and potentially perilous for patients, while evidence for the effectiveness of advance care planning in promoting patient autonomy near the end of life is lacking,4 so this attractive new hypothesis requires careful study. Regardless of which goals of advance care planning are featured, safeguards, as reviewed in my article and by the authors, are needed to protect patients from a host of hazards from this procedure. Without improving the quality of advance care planning discussions (e.g., assuring the provision of understandable and accurate prognostic information that addresses functional outcomes) or figuring out what kinds of discussions are appropriate through different stages of health,5 we inadvertently may be doing harm.
Excessive Bleeding with Normal Prothrombin Time, Partial Thromboplastin Time, and Platelet Count

Patients with normal coagulation function and platelets often present with increased bleeding. These disorders can be acquired or inherited with varying degrees of bleeding diatheses. While detailed history can sometimes provide clues, these patients present a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, they often undergo an expansive work-up in an attempt to accurately characterize the bleeding disorder, notwithstanding the poor diagnostic yield. In this chapter, we discuss some of the common causes of increased bleeding with normal platelets, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time and a rational approach to their diagnosis.
Addictive Number Theory

In 1996, just after Springer-Verlag published my books Additive Number Theory: The Classical Bases [34] and Additive Number Theory: Inverse Problems and the Geometry of Sumsets [35], I went into my local Barnes and Noble superstore on Route 22 in Springfield, New Jersey, and looked for them on the shelves. Suburban bookstores do not usually stock technical mathematical books, and, of course, the books were not there. As an experiment, I asked if they could be ordered. The person at the information desk typed in the titles, and told me that his computer search reported that the books did not exist. However, when I gave him the ISBN numbers, he did find them in the Barnes and Noble database. The problem was that the book titles had been cataloged incorrectly. The data entry person had written Addictive Number Theory.
Using Microscopy for Authentic Science Teaching: A Learning Sciences Perspective

We are currently experiencing a new national effort to improve science education in K-12, one that is building on a somewhat failed effort from the mid-1990s to introduce “inquiry” into the science classroom. This new movement is build around the adoption and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards [1], which themselves represent a faithful translation of a National Research Council report that provided the basic guidebook for these new standards, entitled A Framework for K-12 Science Education [2]. In contrast to previous science education standards from the 1990, the new ones are formulated as so-called “performance expectations”; performance expectations specify what a student should be able to do or demonstrate in terms of scientific or engineering competency that can be observed or tested. The NGSS are therefore not curriculum guidelines, but the endpoint of a learning or teaching effort that is oriented towards a student outcome. How this is achieved is left to curriculum developers or teachers.
Harnessing steric hindrance to control interfacial adsorption of patchy nanoparticles onto hairy vesicles

Via the Dissipative Particle Dynamics simulation technique we investigate the interfacial adsorption of nanoparticles with a binding site onto a hairy vesicle encompassing phospholipids and lipids functionalized with oligo ethylene glycol (OEG) chain. The functionalized nanoparticles are modeled as patchy spherical particles. We examine the relation between the relative concentration and size of the OEG chains, the adsorption kinetics, life-time and post-adsorption dynamics of the nanoparticles. We also draw correspondence with experimental studies on the adsorption of proteins onto the surface of colloidal particles. Results from our investigations can elucidate the fundamental factors and mechanisms controlling the adsorption of functionalized nanoparticles onto colloidal particles.
Contextualization is complicated: A case study of contextualized worship arts in Mozambique

The enormous demographic change of Christianity worldwide is forcing a reexamination of basic questions about Christian identity and the relation of local Christian communities to other Christian groups and traditions. Christianity has been both an agent and a product of the flattening and shrinking of the world. What are the implications of globalization for contextualized worship arts? Through an ethnographic study of 12 urban churches, conducted from 2012 to 2014 in Beira, Mozambique, this article explores the challenges of globalization for developing contextualized worship arts.
A Wide Area Monitoring System Spot Test Method Based on Synchronous Simulation and Control System

Wide area monitoring system(WAMS) has a wide application in power system dynamic analysis and control.To improve the stability and reliability of WAMS,a WAMS spot test method is proposed.The content of WAMS spot test can be determined based on its structure.A synchronous phase control instrument is also developed to facilitate the synchronous simulation and control system with synchronous test control center.By conducting the single node and multi node synchronous test via the synchronous simulation and control system,the steady-state and transient performance,the application function of WAMS can be evaluated.Finally,the feasibility and practicability of the method is proved by spot test and MATLAB simulation.
Optimization Configuration for Capacity of Energy Storage System in Large-scale Wind Farm

The proportion of wind power in the grid increases rapidly as the capacity of wind farm increases.Wind power generation is not stable and cannot supply constant electrical output,which challenges the attempt to integrate large-scale wind power scheme into grids.According to one year statistical data,we put forward a design scheme and a control method for the energy storage system in a large-scale wind farm in Zhejiang province.To maintain feasible grid operation,energy supply and demand must be kept in balance at all times.Finally,we optimized the capacity of energy storage system in large scale wind farm.
Applications of Microfluidics for Molecular Diagnostics

Diagnostic assays implemented in microfluidic devices have developed rapidly over the past decade and are expected to become commonplace in the next few years. Hundreds of microfluidics-based approaches towards clinical diagnostics and pathogen detection have been reported with a general theme of rapid and customizable assays that are potentially cost-effective. This chapter reviews microfluidics in molecular diagnostics based on application areas with a concise review of microfluidics in general. Basic principles of microfabrication are briefly reviewed and the transition to polymer fabricated devices is discussed. Most current microfluidic diagnostic devices are designed to target a single disease, such as a given cancer or a variety of pathogens, and there will likely be a large market for these focused devices; however, the future of molecular diagnostics lies in highly multiplexed microfluidic devices that can screen for potentially hundreds of diseases simultaneously.
Informal sector entrepreneurship for women in China and India: building networks, gaining recognition, and obtaining support

This paper focuses on informal sector entrepreneurship in China and India, and the challenges of developing and sustaining entrepreneurship programs in a sector not often recognized or supported by policymakers. I summarize potential benefits and barriers to organizing the informal sector. Next is a discussion of possible pathways to local/national organizing, examples of organizing strategies, barriers, and outcomes in both countries, and models of transnational networking. Here I review best practices from two organizations in India (the Self-Employed Women's Association and the Scrap Collectors Union) and two organizations in China (the Xi'an Domestic Workers Union and the Chinese Working Women Network). Although a small sample, the case studies illustrate the diversity inherent to organizational form, strategies for local and transnational networking, and pathway to benefit provision. To conclude, I discuss lessons learned, and suggest additional strategies for informal entrepreneurs to gain visibilit...
The Untrustables: How Underclassmen Evolved Our Approach to Student Red-Teaming

Our student red-team includes students from all years in our program. This has presented a significant challenge in helping underclassmen develop key skills that can be used to contribute to Red Team activities. Forming and building the Red Team at the university has been a continual learning process. The team is now in part managed by upperclassmen who teach train and help their underclassmen. Although it can be difficult to maintain flow when recruiting younger students who lack many fundamentals this approach has led to a deeper and more robust educational environment for all participants. These changes have led to a need for structure, a way in which the students and the faculty can measure progress and continual learning. We have formed a new ranking system for the Red Team with the goal of providing students with a method of self-evaluating their progress in between formal pass-offs with the team advisor. The structure allows students to take initiative in their learning and ranking process rather than waiting on the instruction from professors or more experienced students. Through this process it is easier to gauge the progress of the younger students and obtain an accurate representation of their current projects and struggles. This method facilitates more peer mentoring among students and accelerates the cybersecurity learning process making for a more functional student-run Red Team.
Scalable cryptographic authentication for high performance computing

High performance computing (HPC) uses supercomputers and computing clusters to solve large computational problems. Frequently HPC resources are shared systems and access to restricted data sets or resources must be authenticated. These authentication needs can take multiple forms, both internal and external to the HPC cluster. A computational stack that uses web services among nodes in the HPC may need to perform authentication between nodes of the same job or a job may need to reach out to data sources outside the HPC.
Biracial Identity Development: A Case of Black-Korean Biracial Individuals in Korea.

This study examines two cases of Black-Korean biracial individuals and 4 Black-Korean biracial public figures who were playing influential roles in South Korea (Yoon Mi-Rae, Hines Ward, Insooni, and Moon Taejong). The purpose of this study was to understand how Black-Korean biracial individuals construct their identities, how they navigate various identity options, and how they understand experiences they have in South Korea that are significant to their identity development. This study raises a number of issues in the Korean context where the ideology of a “pureblood” Korean race still prevails, and biracial Koreans continue to face implications of racism and colorism.
The role of ascending aortic size in outcomes of patients with uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection

Abstract Objective Recent studies demonstrate that uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (uATBAD) patients with enlarged descending thoracic aortic diameters are at high risk for development of complications. This study aimed to determine the association of maximum ascending aortic diameter and area and outcomes in patients with uATBAD. Methods All patients admitted with uATBAD from June 2000 to January 2015 were reviewed, and those with available imaging were included. All measurements were obtained by a specialized cardiovascular radiologist, including the maximum ascending aortic diameter and area. Outcomes, including the need for intervention and mortality, were tracked over time. Data were analyzed by stratified Kaplan-Meier and multiple Cox regression analyses using SAS 9.4 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results During the study period, 298 patients with uATBAD were admitted, with 238 having available computed tomography and 131 having computed tomography angiography imaging and adequate follow-up available for analysis. The cohort had an average age of 60.96 ± 13.4 years (60% male, 53% white). Ascending aortic area >12.1 cm2 and ascending aortic diameter >40.8 mm were associated with subsequent arch and proximal progression necessitating open ascending aortic repair (P 40.8 mm predicted lower intervention-free survival (P = .01). However, it failed to predict overall survival (P = .12). Ascending aortic area >12.1 cm2 predicted lower intervention-free survival (P = .005). However, this was not predictive of mortality (P = .08). Maximum aortic diameter along the length of the aorta >44 mm persisted as a risk factor for mortality (P 40.8 mm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-2.83; P = .85) nor area >12.1 cm2 (HR, 0.992; 95% CI, 0.38-2.61; P = .99) significantly predicted mortality when controlling for maximum aortic diameter along the length of the aorta >44 mm (HR, 7.34; 95% CI, 2.3-23.41; P 40.8 mm (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.03-3.95; P = .04) and maximum ascending aortic area >12.1 cm2 (HR, 1.988; 95% CI, 1.02-3.87; P = .04) on admission persisted as predictors of decreased intervention-free survival after controlling for maximum aortic diameter along the length of the aorta >44 mm (HR, 3.142; 95% CI, 1.47-6.83; P Conclusions uATBAD patients with ascending aortic area >12.1 cm2 or maximum ascending aortic diameter >40.8 mm are at high risk for development of subsequent arch and proximal progression and may require closer follow-up or earlier intervention. Ascending aortic size (diameter and area) is predictive of decreased intervention-free survival in patients with uATBAD.