cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Heterogeneous Coarse Mesh Transport Method

Abstract A method to solve the neutron transport equation on a grid with arbitrarily large spatial coarse meshes (elements) is developed. The method, which is based on a variational principle, uses discontinuous trial functions to derive a set of integral equations. The trial functions are constructed from surface Green's functions for each unique coarse mesh (e.g., fuel assembly) in the system. The theoretical approach is validated numerically for three multigroup, slab geometry problems, with the angular dependence treated by the discrete ordinates (SN) method. In this case, the fine-mesh results are reproduced by the coarse-mesh method. #Current address: Dan Ilas, Ph.D., Nuclear Science Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Rohrer's constant, k2, as a factor for determining endotracheal tube obstruction.

The purpose of the study was to apply a method by which to measure Rohrer's constant, k2, in order to estimate endotracheal tube (ETT) resistance (RETT). The resistance drop across the ETT is expressed by the equation RETT = k1 + k2V', as Rohrer described, where k1 is the constant of laminar flow (V') and k2 is the constant of turbulent flow. In our past study we graphed RETT over inspiratory V' for ETTs with inner diameters of 6.5 to 9.0 mm [1]. This graph provided us with k1 and k2 constant values, for each ETT size.
Effects of Chip Seizure on Steady State Motion of a Machine-Tool

The steady state motion of a machine-tool is numerically predicted with interaction of the chip/tool friction boundary. The chip/tool friction boundary is modeled via a discontinuous systems theory in effort to validate the passage of motion through such a boundary. The mechanical analogy of the machine-tool is shown and the continuous systems of such a model are governed by a linear two degree of freedom set of differential equations. The domains describing the span of the continuous systems are defined such that the discontinuous systems theory can be applied to this machine-tool analogy. Specifically, the numerical prediction of eccentricity amplitude and frequency attribute the chip seizure motion to the onset or route to unstable interrupted cutting.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Image sensor readout circuitry supporting the analog computation of large vertical surrounds

A logarithmic CMOS image sensor is proposed with a readout circuit that allows the direct calculation of a weighted average of pixels in a column. The kernel weights are controlled through bias voltages in a set of variable-gain current mirrors. A detailed description of the circuit topology and design is given. The circuitry was simulated using 1.2°m CMOS technology. The simulation shows that inaccuracies in the effective kernel weights due to changes in loading as the photodiode currents for individual pixels vary result in errors of no more than 0.88% in the computed vertical averages for an example 33-pixel Gaussian kernel. The analog computation of the vertical averages eliminates the need for the buffer memory that is ordinarily required when implementing two-dimensional image filters entirely in digital hardware.
Phylogenetic Relationships and Molecular Adaptation Dynamics of Human Rhinoviruses

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are responsible for nearly 50% of all common cold infections. Ordinarily, HRV infections are mild and self-limiting; nonetheless, every year they result in significant loss of economic productivity and substantial inappropriate antibiotic use. Development of effective vaccine and antiviral prophylaxis against HRV has been hampered by the extensive antigenic diversity present among the nearly 100 serotypes. To gain new insights into the evolutionary processes that create the genetic diversity present among HRVs, we tested for recombination and selection for individual genes and the coding genome for 45 HRV serotypes using estimated phylogenetic relationships. Although the structural capsid genes and nonstructural genes recovered incongruent tree topologies, no recombination was detected using substitution methods. Therefore, the coding genome was determined to be appropriate for phylogenetic tests. Results of the Shimodaira-Hasegawa (SH) test support the hypothesis that the capsid genes recover a different evolutionary history than the nonstructural genes. Our best phylogenetic estimate based on the coding genome suggests that HRV-B is more closely related to enterovirus than to HRV-A; however, several alternative phylogenetic hypotheses were not rejected by the SH test. Positive selection was examined by using two different approaches; d N /d S rate ratio and the physicochemical phenotypes for 31 amino acid properties. Analyses using d N /d S failed to detect positive selection. However, protein phenotypic expression appears to be a more sensitive approach. There was extensive stabilizing and destabilizing positive selection in HRV-A major and HRV-B serotypes for all proteins, except in 3A in HRV-B, which overlapped with functional, structural, and to a greater extent in uncharacterized genomic regions. In contrast, the evolution of HRV-A minor serotypes appears to be driven primarily by destabilizing selection. Our results demonstrate that HRV-A major, HRV-A minor, and HRV-B serotypes have not been similarly influenced by purifying selection.
Development and operation of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer Mission

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), a NASA Medium-Class Explorer (MIDEX) mission, has surveyed the entire sky in four bands from 3.4 to 22 microns with a sensitivity hundreds to hundreds of thousands times better than previous all-sky surveys at these wavelengths. The single WISE instrument consists of a 40 cm a focal telescope, a two-stage solid hydrogen cryostat, a scan mirror mechanism, and reimaging optics giving 6″ resolution (full-width-half-maximum). WISE was placed into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit on a Delta II 7320 launch vehicle on December 14, 2009. NASA selected WISE as a MIDEX in 2002 following a rigorous competitive selection process. To gain further confidence in WISE, NASA extended the development period one year with an option to cancel the mission if certain criteria were not met. MIDEX missions are led by the principal investigator who in this case delegated day-to-day management to the project manager. With a cost cap and relatively short development schedule, it was essential for all WISE partners to work seamlessly together. This was accomplished with an integrated management team representing all key partners and disciplines. The project was developed on budget and on schedule in spite of the need to surmount significant technical challenges. This paper describes our development experience, our management approach, key challenges, current results and future plans. 12
Gypsum usage in irrigated agriculture: A review

Gypsum is the source of calcium most commonly used to reclaim sodic soils and to improve soil water infiltration when it has been decreased by low electrolyte concentration. The electrolyte concentration of the soil water and exchangeable sodium fraction,ENa, are the two predominant chemical factors that influence soil hydraulic properties. In sodic soil reclamation with gypsum, the maximum electrolyte concentration increases with increasingENa: for soil solutions in equilibrium with both gypsum and anENa of 0 and 0.4, the concentrations are 15 and 133 mol m−3. These concentrations are generally adequate to maintain the existing hydraulic conductivity. Higher concentrations can increase the soil hydraulic conductivity and the rate of reclamation. Thus, combining calcium chloride or sulphuric acid with gypsum, can reduce both the time and amount of water required to achieve reclamation.
Adenovirus Susceptibility to Human Interferon During One-Step Replication

Susceptibility of adenovirus types 2, 7, and 12 to human interferon was measured in three human diploid cell strains during a single-cycle infection. Although the relative susceptibility of adenovirus to interferon varied in these cell strains, the final yield of each type in each cell strain decreased as the interferon dose increased. On the other hand, wide difference in interferon susceptibility of adenoviruses and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was noted, as interferon doses above 100 units profoundly inhibited VSV but not the adenoviruses.
Do Labor Market Opportunities Affect Young Women's Work and Family Decisions? Experimental Evidence from India

Do labor market opportunities for women affect marriage and fertility decisions? We provided three years of recruiting services to help young women in randomly selected rural Indian villages get jobs in the business process outsourcing industry. Because the industry was so new at the time of the study, there was almost no awareness of these jobs, allowing us in effect to exogenously increase women's labor force opportunities from the perspective of rural households. We find that young women in treatment villages were significantly less likely to get married or have children during this period, choosing instead to enter the labor market or obtain more schooling or postschool training. Women also report wanting to have fewer children and to work more steadily throughout their lifetime, consistent with increased aspirations for a career. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
The Educational Value of an Information-Rich Virtual Environment

Information-rich virtual environments consist not only of three-dimensional graphics and other spatial data but also information of an abstract or symbolic nature that is related to the space. An environment of this type can stimulate learning and comprehension, because it provides a tight coupling between symbolic and experiential information. In our virtual zoo exhibit, students can explore an accurate model of the gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta and access information related to the design of the exhibit. This paper discusses the design of the application and the interaction techniques used to obtain information. We also present the results of a formal evaluation. Although no statistically significant differences were found, results indicate that students who used the virtual environment had higher test scores than those who only attended a lecture on the material. Trends suggest that the virtual experience allowed students to learn information directly and also equipped them to better learn and understand material from a traditional lecture.
Treatment of Lymphangioma Circumscriptum Using Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Ablation

Lymphangioma circumscriptum remains a challenging entity to treat given anatomic considerations and a significant tendency for recurrence regardless of the modality selected. Surgical excision offers the greatest potential for definitive management but is often beset by procedural morbidity and suboptimal cosmetic outcomes. A range of palliative options have been reported for the treatment of lymphangioma circumscriptum, with varying degrees of associated efficacy and morbidity. This report describes the novel use of fractional carbon dioxide laser ablation for the treatment of lymphangioma circumscriptum, with promising cosmetic results and durable symptomatic relief.
Housing Cost Burden and New Lawful Immigrants in the United States

Housing in the United States constitutes the largest expenditure for many households. Increasing rents and home prices, changes in the mortgage industry, and the growing importance of immigrants in the U.S. housing market underscore the value of examining the economic hardship that housing costs pose for immigrants. As is true for the native-born, immigrants’ allocation of financial resources to housing influences the funds available for savings, investments, survival of emergencies, and the overall economic well-being of children and families. This project employs 2003 national-level data of legal permanent residents from the New Immigrant Survey to examine an outcome lacking sufficient empirical study: the proportion of household income spent on housing. The study examines whether disparities in immigrant housing cost burden by country/region of origin persist after accounting for differences in human capital, stage in the life cycle, assimilation, and other factors. The analyses disaggregate immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Europe and other areas into more nuanced categories. The results document that after controlling for a diverse array of variables, legal immigrants vary widely in housing cost burdens by country/region of origin. These disparities have implications for the future wealth accumulation and long-term financial security of immigrants in the United States.
EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE ON RADIOIODIDE UPTAKE BY THE NORMAL HUMAN THYROID

Subcutaneous epinephrine, 0.01 mg/kg body weight, was given to normal subjects at various times before and after intravenous radioiodide for 1- and 2-hr uptake measurement. Paired control experiments were performed. Epinephrine did not affect thyroidal uptake when it was given 30 min after radioiodide or when the 2 substances were given simultaneously. When epinephrine was given 30–60 min before dioiodide, uptake was stimulated, and at 24 hr uptake had returned to control values. An intravenous infusion of pinephrine (12.8 μg/min) from 30 to 90 min after radioiodide injection caused a significant depression in the rate of thyroidal accumulation of radioactivity during the infusion. The depression of uptake after epinephrine may be due to decreased thyroidal clearance of plasma radioiodide, to a relative decrease in the radioiodide concentration in the plasma being cleared, or to both these factors. The cause for the rebound stimulation of uptake seen 5 hr after epinephrine is unknown.
Intracavernous carotid aneurysm — An unusual cause of isolated abducens nerve palsy

We discuss the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with complaints of diplopia for five days. Physical examination disclosed an isolated complete right abducens nerve palsy. Angiography revealed a giant aneurysm from the postcavernous portion of the right internal carotid artery. This case illustrates an unusual etiology of a unilateral abducens nerve palsy.
Duplication and divergence in humans and chimpanzees

Summary It has become a truism that we humans are genetically about 99% identical to chimpanzees. The origins of this assertion are clear: among early studies of DNA sequences, nucleotide identity between humans and chimpanzees was found to average around 98.9%. (1) However, this figure is correct only with respect to regions of the genome that are shared between humans and chimpanzees. Often ignored are the many parts of their genomes that are not shared. Genomic rearrangements, including insertions, deletions, translocations and duplications, have long been recognized as potentially important sources of novel genomic material (2,3) and are known to account for major genomic differences between humans and chimpanzees. (4) Further, such changes have been implicated in a number of genetic disorders, such as DiGeorge, Angelman/Prader-Willi and Charcot-MarieTooth syndromes. (5) BioEssays 28:335–338, 2006.
Pathogenesis of chronic disease associated with persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis viral infection. I. Relationship of antibody production to disease in neonatally infected mice.

Mice infected shortly after birth with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus are not immunologically tolerant, although they carry the virus throughout life. These LCM carrier mice make anti-LCM antibody, which apparently complexes with viral antigen in the circulation and these complexes accumulate in the glomeruli. LCM carrier mice of different strains vary significantly as to concentration of detectable infectious virus in their tissue, amount and time of appearance of anti-LCM antibody, and development of an associated chronic disease. The chronic disease consists primarily of glomerulonephritis, focal hepatic necrosis, and disseminated lymphoid infiltrations. LCM carriers of the SWR/J strain contain high tissue concentrations of virus, considerable anti-LCM antibody detectable in the glomeruli by 3 wk to 2 months of age and develop chronic disease within the first 2–3 months of life. In contrast, C3H strain LCM carriers contain 1/1000 as much infectious virus, less detectable anti-LCM antibody, and have not, over a 24 month observation period, developed any detectable disease. B10D2 old and new carrier mice with intermediate amounts of virus develop chronic disease during the latter half of the first year of life. The pathogenesis of the glomerulonephritis of chronic LCM disease is apparently related to the formation of circulating virus-antibody complexes which are trapped in the glomerular filter. There is no evidence for direct glomerular injury by the virus nor for any autoimmune response by the host.
A Branch and Bound Algorithm for Optimal PLA Folding

In this paper we present a branch and bound algorithm which exhaustively searches for an optimal column and/or row folding of PLAs. For PLAs with up to 50-60 input/output lines we can obtain an optimal solution in no more than a few minutes.
Novel Mutations in PTH1R Associated with Primary Failure of Eruption and Osteoarthritis

Autosomal dominant mutations in PTH1R segregate with primary failure of eruption (PFE), marked by clinical eruption failure of adult teeth without mechanical obstruction. While the diagnosis of PFE conveys a poor dental prognosis, there are no reports of PFE patients who carry PTH1R mutations and exhibit any other skeletal problems. We performed polymerase chain reaction–based mutational analysis of the PTH1R gene to determine the genetic contribution of PTH1R in 10 families with PFE. Sequence analysis of the coding regions and intron-exon boundaries of the PTH1R gene in 10 families (n = 54) and 7 isolated individuals revealed 2 novel autosomal dominant mutations in PTH1R (c.996_997insC and C.572delA) that occur in the coding region and result in a truncated protein. One family showed incomplete penetrance. Of 10 families diagnosed with PFE, 8 did not reveal functional (nonsynonymous) mutations in PTH1R; furthermore, 4 families and 1 sporadic case carried synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Five PFE patients in 2 families carried PTH1R mutations and presented with osteoarthritis. We propose that the autosomal dominant mutations of PTH1R that cause PFE may also be associated with osteoarthritis; a dose-dependent model may explain isolated PFE and osteoarthritis in the absence of other known symptoms in the skeletal system.
Marine fungal diversity: a comparison of natural and created salt marshes of the north-central Gulf of Mexico

Marine fungal communities of created salt marshes of differing ages were compared with those of two reference natural salt marshes. Marine fungi occurring on the lower 30 cm of salt marsh plants Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus were inventoried with morphological and molecular methods (ITS T-RFLP analysis) to determine fungal species richness, relative frequency of occurrence and ascomata density. The resulting profiles revealed similar fungal communities in natural salt marshes and created salt marshes 3 y old and older with a 1.5 y old created marsh showing less fungal colonization. A 26 y old created salt marsh consistently exhibited the highest fungal species richness. Ascomata density of the dominant fungal species on each host was significantly higher in natural marshes than in created marshes at all three sampling dates. This study indicates marine fungal saprotroph communities are present in these manmade coastal salt marshes as early as 1 y after marsh creation. The lower regions of both plant hosts were dominated by a small number of marine ascomycete species consistent with those species previously reported from salt marshes of the East Coast of USA.
Subjectivity in Ex Ante Research Evaluation

This essay is a critique of research evaluation research. Considerable evidence exists that agricultural research conducted during the era when projects were chosen by diffuse selection systems yielded extraordinarily high returns. It is not obvious that the formalized, quantitative, and typically centralized selection models can be expected to produce higher contemporary returns than the decentralized informal mechanisms. All ex ante evaluations are intrinsically subjective, regardless of technique used to generate the evaluation. The extreme uncertainty surrounding the nonrepetitive new-knowledge production function further limits the potential of the sophisticated selection procedures. Perhaps of greatest importance, however, are the high costs imposed by these procedures in terms of scientists' time, morale, and "artistic" research tool atrophication.
Water Quality Assessment of Willow Slough Watershed by Watershed Environmental Hydrology Model Coupled with Hydro-Climate Model (WEHY-HCM)

In this study, the watershed environmental hydrology model, coupled with a hydro-climate model (WEHY-HCM), was set up over an agricultural watershed (Willow Slough watershed) in order to assess and manage the nonpoint sources from an agricultural watershed properly. Several component layers were organized and implemented in the model: a regional hydro-climate model, a watershed environmental hydrology model, an agricultural water balance model, a river channel routing model, a terrestrial process model, and an aquatic process model. Finally, the model simulation results were calibrated and validated by the fieldmonitored data at every modeling step. The results of this study indicated that the developed model can be a useful for a comprehensive assessment of an agricultural watershed.
Design sensitivity and reliability-based structural optimization by univariate decomposition

This paper presents a new univariate decomposition method for design sensitivity analysis and reliability-based design optimization of mechanical systems subject to uncertain performance functions in constraints. The method involves a novel univariate approximation of a general multivariate function in the rotated Gaussian space for reliability analysis, analytical sensitivity of failure probability with respect to design variables, and standard gradient-based optimization algorithms. In both reliability and sensitivity analyses, the proposed effort has been reduced to performing multiple one-dimensional integrations. The evaluation of these one-dimensional integrations requires calculating only conditional responses at selected deterministic input determined by sample points and Gauss–Hermite integration points. Numerical results indicate that the proposed method provides accurate and computationally efficient estimates of the sensitivity of failure probability, which leads to accurate design optimization of uncertain mechanical systems.
W-Band Active Down-Conversion Mixer in Bulk CMOS

A W-band (76-77 GHz) active down-conversion mixer has been demonstrated using low leakage (higher VT) NMOS transistors of a 65-nm digital CMOS process with 6 metal levels. It achieves conversion gain of -8 dB at 76 GHz with a local oscillation power of 4 dBm ( ~ -2 dBm after de-embedding the on-chip balun loss), and 3 dB bandwidth of 3 GHz. The SSB noise figures are 17.8-20 dB (11.3-13.5 dB after de-embedding on-chip input balun loss) between 76 and 77 GHz. IP1dB is -6.5 dBm and IIP3 is 2.5 dBm ( ~ -13 and ~ -4 dBm after de-embedding the on-chip balun loss). The mixer consumes 5 mA from a 1.2 V supply.
Integrated Multi-process Microfluidic Systems for Automating Analysis.

Microfluidic technologies have been applied extensively in rapid sample analysis. Some current challenges for standard microfluidic systems are relatively high detection limits, and reduced resolvi...
Cluster-assembled iron-platinum nanocomposite permanent magnets

Exchange-spring nanocomposite permanent magnets have received a great deal of attention for their potential for improved the energy products. Predicted results, however, has been elusive. Optimal properties rely on a uniformly fine nanostructure. Particularly, the soft magnetic phase must be below approximately 10 nm to ensure complete exchange coupling. Inert gas condensation (IGC) is an ideal processing route to produce sub-10 nm clusters method. Two distinct nanostructures have been produced. In the first, Fe clusters were embedded in an FePt matrix by alternate deposition from two sources. Fe cluster content ranged from 0 to 30 volume percent. Post-deposition multi-step heat treatments converted the FePt from the A1 to L10 structure. An energy product of approximately 21 MGOe was achieved. Properties deteriorated rapidly at cluster concentrations above 14 volume due to uncoupled soft magnetic regions (from cluster-cluster contacts) and cooperative reversal. The second nanostructure, designed to overcome those disadvantages, involved intra-cluster structuring. Here, Fe-rich Fe-Pt clusters separated by C or SiO2 were fabricated. Phase separation into Fe3Pt and FePt and ordering was induced during post-deposition multi-step heat treatments. By confining the soft and hard phases to individual clusters, full exchange coupling was accomplished and cooperative reversal between clusters was effectively eliminated. An energy product of more than 25 MGOe was achieved, and the volume fraction of the soft phase was increased to greater than 0.5 while maintaining a coercivity of 6.5 kOe. The results provide new insight into developing high energy product nanostructured permanent magnets.
The placental transfer of water from fetus to mother following the intravenous infusion of hypertonic mannitol to the maternal rabbit.

Abstract 1. When pregnant rabbits near term were given an intravenous infusion of hypertonic mannitol solution, there was a 2 to 4 per cent loss in fetal body water concentration, indicating a movement of water from the fetus to the mother. 2. A prompt and significant increase in maternal total solute concentration occurred: this was followed by a similar but less marked rise in fetal total solute concentration. 3. Approximately 50 per cent of the increase in fetal total osmotic pressure is ascribed to the placental transfer of mannitol. 4. Under these circumstances, water is lost in equal proportions from both the intracellular and extracellular compartments of the fetus.
Evidence; The Basis of Knowledge

There are fundamentally two types of evidential situations: (1) situations in which data is used to formulate novel hypotheses and which constitute the basis for the articulation of new theories, and (2) situations in which data is used to justify the acceptance of a hypothesis or theory. These two types fall on either side of a traditional philosophical distinction between the contexts of discovery and justification.70 More generally, the two types of evidential situations involve different types of reasoning. Thus, in the context of discovery, where one is trying to generate new Information, inductive or ampliative reasoning is tolerated and sometimes even sanctioned, whereas in the contexts of justification, the ideal is deductive reasoning. The goal in this second case is to establish as solid a link as possible between evidence and hypothesis.
Unravelling the geometry of data matrices: effects of water stress regimes on winemaking

A new method is proposed for unravelling the patterns between a set of experiments and the features that characterize those experiments. The aims are to extract these patterns in the form of a coupling between the rows and columns of the corresponding data matrix and to use this geometry as a support for model testing. These aims are reached through two key steps, namely application of an iterative geometric approach to couple the metric spaces associated with the rows and columns, and use of statistical physics to generate matrices that mimic the original data while maintaining their inherent structure, thereby providing the basis for hypothesis testing and statistical inference. The power of this new method is illustrated on the study of the impact of water stress conditions on the attributes of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ Grapes, Juice, Wine and Bottled Wine from two vintages. The first step, named data mechanics, de-convolutes the intrinsic effects of grape berries and wine attributes due to the experimental irrigation conditions from the extrinsic effects of the environment. The second step provides an analysis of the associations of some attributes of the bottled wine with characteristics of either the matured grape berries or the resulting juice, thereby identifying statistically significant associations between the juice pH, yeast assimilable nitrogen, and sugar content and the bottled wine alcohol level.
Calculation of the Long-Lived Induced Activity in Soil Produced by 200-MeV Protons

Calculations have been carried out to obtain the time and spatial dependence of the long-lived induced activity in soil produced by 200-MeV protons incident on a small cylinder of graphite buried i...
How Judges, Practitioners, and Legal Writing Teachers Assess the Writing Skills of New Law Graduates: A Comparative Study

This article discusses the results of a survey which asked members of the profession - attorneys, judges and law professors - what they thought of the writing skills of their colleagues. To quantify the responses we asked specifically about the respondents' opinions concerning elements generally acknowledged as key to good legal writing. In particular, we provided survey respondents with a checklist of elements that are commonly included in the various sections of appellate briefs and memoranda. Respondents were then asked to rank the elements in each section. This ranking gave us an idea of what each group perceived to be the best indicators of good writing. When we began this project, we anticipated that there would be wide discrepancies between the views of law professors and members of the profession generally. This turns out not to be the case, however. There was no difference among respondents as to which elements were identified. The attorneys, judges and legal writing professors all ranked clarity and concision as the two most essential elements of good writing. This suggests that legal writing professors are teaching what the bench and bar perceive to be key to good writing. The second part of the article examines possible reasons why lawyers do not write well. Some of these include:  Lawyers do not write well because they did not take a legal writing class in law school.  Lawyers do not write well because they do not get enough practice in law school.  Lawyers do not write well because of deficiencies in early education.  Lawyers do not write well because the profession offers very little continuing education on improving writing skills.  Lawyers do not write well because of their time and financial restraints.  Lawyers do not write well because of technology.  Lawyers do not write well because many do not have the opportunity to write regularly. Ultimately we concluded that the factors that contribute to poor writing by members of the profession are varied and complex. We recommend implementing more robust legal writing and skills components in all American law schools. This includes increasing the status of the professors who teach this most important skill as well as more offerings in the law school curriculum. In addition, increased access to ongoing writing instruction for current members of the profession is vital to improving the quality of writing.
Structure-activity examination of poly(glycoamidoguanidine)s: glycopolycations containing guanidine units for nucleic acid delivery.

In this study we synthesized a new series of polymers known as poly(glycoamidoguanidine)s (PGAGs). These new polymer structures were synthesized by copolymerizing a carbohydrate monomer (diester; galatarate or tartarate) with a diamine incorporating guanidine or methylguanidine as a charge center to create a polyamide backbone. These materials were strategically designed and compared to our previously studied DNA delivery vehicles, poly(glycoamidoamine)s (PGAAs), which contain secondary amines as the charge groups along the polymer backbone to examine the effect of charge center type on the cellular delivery efficiency of plasmid DNA (pDNA). The guanidine moieties within the PGAGs facilitate electrostatic binding with the negatively charged phosphate backbone of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Stable polymer–pDNA complexes (polyplexes) with sizes in the range of 60–200 nm are formed at polymer/pDNA charge ratios (N/P) of 5 and above. When the PGAGs are complexed with Cy5-labeled pDNA (Cy5-pDNA) at N/P ratios of 10 an...
Sustainable Green Hybrids of Polyolefins and Lignin Yield Major Improvements in Mechanical Properties When Prepared via Solid-State Shear Pulverization

Lignin, a byproduct of paper and pulp industries, is a sustainable, inexpensive biomaterial with potential as composite filler. Past research on polyolefin/lignin composites made by melt processing has led to modest increases in Young’s modulus and drastic reductions in tensile strength and elongation at break relative to neat polymer. Here, green hybrids of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) with 5–30 wt % lignin are made by solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP). Microscopy shows that SSSP leads to superior lignin dispersion and suppressed degradation when compared to melt-mixed composites reported in the literature. Composites made by SSSP exhibit major improvements in Young’s modulus (81% and 62% increases for 30 wt % lignin in LDPE and PP, respectively, relative to neat polymer), tensile strength equal to or better than that of neat LDPE and near that of neat PP, and much better strain at break than reported in the literature for polyolefin/lignin composites. The SSSP-produced hyb...
Chromosome Evolution in the Heteroptera (Hemiptera): Agmatoploidy versus Aneuploidy

Most accounts of chromosome evolution in the Heteroptera emphasize their holokinetic organization, with the corollary that neochromosomes may arise by fragmentation. Although instances of supernumerary or compound sex chromosomes in the Heteroptera seem to be fragmentation products, evidence for autosomal increases by dissociation is lacking. A survey of the putative cases of fragmentation reveals that most authors have assumed that agmatoploidy has occurred because of the diffuse nature of the kinetochore. Conventional modes of chromosome increase, such as nondisjunction, seem not to have been considered. When these cases are examined more critically, fusions, simple aneuploidy, and even polyploidy are more plausible and more consistent with the available evidence to explain the evolutionary changes in chromosome number that have occurred in the Heteroptera.
Age-related changes in thoracic aorta of obese Zucker rats

Studies were performed on the ontogeny of arterial blood pressure and functional properties of the thoracic aorta in lean (L) and obese (O) male Zucker rats at ages of 6-36 wk. Body weight was larger in the O than the L at all ages, with differences reaching values of 200-250 g at ages over 24 wk (at 33-36 wk: L = 510 +/- 9 and O = 730 +/- 15 g). Systolic blood pressure was lower in young O compared with L (6-15 wk) but increased with age at a rate seven times greater in O than in L. For ages of 33-36 wk, systolic pressure was significantly higher in O compared with L (O = 132 +/- 2 vs. L = 122 +/- 2 mmHg). Total serum cholesterol (at 36 wk: L = 278 +/- 31 and O = 354 +/- 12 mg/dl) and triglycerides (at 36 wk: L = 493 +/- 71 and O = 1,618 +/- 220 mg/dl), as well as glucose levels, increased with age in both groups and were significantly higher in O at all ages. Serum levels of thyroxine but not triiodothyronine were significantly lower in O at all ages. No differences were found in passive mechanics at any age. Values of maximum active stress with smooth muscle activation by 75 mM K+ plus 10 microM norepinephrine were significantly higher at 24 and 36 wk in O (at 36 wk: L = 573 +/- 42 and O = 821 +/- 89 x 10(3) dyn/m2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The siderophilic cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. strain JSC-1 acclimates to iron starvation by expressing multiple isiA-family genes.

In the evolution of different cyanobacteria performing oxygenic photosynthesis, the core complexes of the two photosystems were highly conserved. However, cyanobacteria exhibit significant diversification in their light-harvesting complexes and have flexible regulatory mechanisms to acclimate to changes in their growth environments. In the siderophilic, filamentous cyanobacterium, Leptolyngbya sp. strain JSC-1, five different isiA-family genes occur in two gene clusters. During acclimation to Fe limitation, relative transcript levels for more than 600 genes increased more than twofold. Relative transcript levels were ~250 to 300 times higher for the isiA1 gene cluster (isiA1-isiB-isiC), and ~440- to 540-fold for the isiA2-isiA3-isiA4-cpcG2-isiA5 gene cluster after 48 h of iron starvation. Chl-protein complexes were isolated and further purified from cells grown under Fe-replete and Fe-depleted conditions. A single class of particles, trimeric PSI, was identified by image analysis of electron micrographs of negatively stained PSI complexes from Fe-replete cells. However, three major classes of particles were observed for the Chl-protein supercomplexes from cells grown under iron starvation conditions. Based on LC–MS–MS analyses, the five IsiA-family proteins were found in the largest supercomplexes together with core components of the two photosystems; however, IsiA5 was not present in complexes in which only the core subunits of PSI were detected. IsiA5 belongs to the same clade as PcbC proteins in a phylogenetic classification, and it is proposed that IsiA5 is most likely involved in supercomplexes containing PSII dimers. IsiA4, which is a fusion of an IsiA domain and a C-terminal PsaL domain, was found together with IsiA1, IsiA2, and IsiA3 in complexes with monomeric PSI. The data indicate that horizontal gene transfer, gene duplication, and divergence have played important roles in the adaptive evolution of this cyanobacterium to iron starvation conditions.
The Application of PROFIBUS in Engine Assembly Line

This paper takes an engine assembly line of one auto company for example, exoatiates briefly on the PROFIBUS DP network and shows the basic architecture of the PROFIBUS DP,analyses some PROFIBUS problem and solutions during the practical production application. For the purpose to help the new project design,normal running,equipments maintance and retooling.
P09.40 Prevalence of curable sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries from 2010–2015: a systematic review

Introduction Globally nearly 17,000 children under 5 years of age die each day. Preterm delivery is the number one cause of under-5 year mortality. Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women, specifically syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Chlamydia trachomatis , and Trichomonas vaginalis , have been shown to cause preterm delivery through premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, chorioamnionitis and congenital infection. There is a strong likely causal association between antenatal STIs and preterm delivery. Treating curable STIs may decrease under-5 year mortality. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and summarise curable STI prevalence estimates among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. Methods PubMed was searched for studies reporting prevalence statistics for syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Chlamydia trachomatis , and Trichomonas vaginalis infections among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. Studies published between 1/1/2010–3/1/2015 were included. Abstracts of all search results and the full text of all potentially eligible articles were reviewed. Results 376 potentially relevant reports were identified. 76 studies met inclusion criteria, providing 116 point prevalence estimates for curable STIs in pregnant women, including a total of 3,594,777 women. The median value (range) of the estimates for each STI were as follows: syphilis, 1.9% (0–41.7%); N. gonorrhoeae , 1.6% (0–19.0%); C. trachomatis , 9.8% (0.1–41.3%); and T. vaginalis , 11.2% (1.0–32.3%). The median prevalence value of any STI was found to be 23.9% (10.3–33.7%). Conclusion Prevalence rates of curable STIs in pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries range from low to high and vary by country. Median prevalence values, however, are high and suggest a large population-level burden of untreated curable infections in pregnant women. Interventions to screen and treat pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries to reduce preterm delivery and subsequent under-5 years of age mortality need urgent evaluation. Disclosure of interest statement We have no disclosures to make.
CHAPTER 6 – Inventory Systems Models: Shaping Dynamic Response

This chapter describes the inventory systems models. The modeling of inventory systems is one of the major focuses of Operations Research. Inventory levels are controlled for the purpose of cost containment. In this chapter, a series of seven inventory systems models is synthesized, with emphasis on the shaping of dynamic response. To initiate the series of models, analysis is focused on accumulation of a single inventory item by its manufacturer. A manufacturer has ceased production of a repair part. Initially, the inventory of this part is to be depleted as rapidly as possible to relieve warehouse congestion as a new product is phased in.
Pharmacodynamic Relationships between Duration of Action of JDTic-like Kappa-Opioid Receptor Antagonists and Their Brain and Plasma Pharmacokinetics in Rats

JDTic is a potent and selective κ-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist that reverses U50,488-induced diuresis in rats. It partitions into brain with a duration of action lasting for weeks. In a search for KOR antagonists that do not accumulate in the brain, we compared single doses of five methylated JDTic analogs (RTI-97, -194, -212, -240, and -241) for reversal of U50,488 diuresis and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. All six compounds showed potent and selective KOR antagonism in a [35S]GTPγS binding assay. Plasma half-lives ranged from 24 to 41 h and brain half-lives from 24 to 76 h. JDTic and RTI-194 showed increasing brain to plasma ratios over time, indicating increasing partitioning into brain and a longer duration of action for reversal of diuresis than did RTI-97. RTI-240 did not show significant brain accumulation. RTI-212 showed no substantive difference between brain and plasma levels and was inactive against diuresis. RTI-241, with a lower brain to plasma ratio than JDTic and RTI-194, formed JDTi...
The interplay between interpersonal communication and instructional communication

Do we study too much interpersonal communication and not enough of other topics in the instructional communication literature? The answer to that question is both yes and no. As communication educa...
Influenza-binding antibodies immobilise influenza viruses in fresh human airway mucus.

Airway mucus is thought to serve as a dynamic filter that can trap respiratory viruses in the dense mucin network [1], and quickly eliminate them along with airway mucus from the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, viruses must penetrate airway mucus to infect the airway epithelium, and we and others have found that various viruses can readily penetrate physiological mucus gels [2–4]. We were particularly interested in whether airway mucus can serve as a barrier against influenza viruses, due to the prevalence and health burden of seasonal outbreaks. It has been suggested that airway mucus protects against influenza by presenting sialylated “decoys” on mucins that bind to influenza haemagglutinin and trap the virions in mucus. Alternatively, we have shown that antibodies in cervicovaginal mucus can trap viruses via multiple low-affinity Fc–mucin bonds between antibodies on the virus surface and mucins, akin to a Velcro patch [4]. To gain insight into how airway mucus might serve as a barrier against influenza, we characterised the mobility of influenza virions and virus-like particles (VLPs) in human airway mucus using real-time high-resolution multiple particle tracking. Common influenza viruses are immobilised in fresh human airway mucus, probably by influenza-binding antibodies We thank Christina Parker (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA) for technical assistance. Reagents were kindly provided by Suryaram Gummuluru (Boston University, Boston, MA, USA), Julie Nelson (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) and Peter Palese (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA).
Solithromycin: A novel ketolide antibiotic

Purpose The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, antimicrobial activity, clinical safety, and current regulatory status of solithromycin are reviewed. Summary Solithromycin is a novel ketolide antibiotic developed for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Its pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties provide activity against a broad range of intracellular organisms, including retained activity against pathogens displaying various mechanisms of macrolide resistance. Phase III clinical trials of solithromycin demonstrated noninferiority of both oral and i.v.-to-oral regimens of 5–7 days’ duration compared with moxifloxacin for patients with moderately severe CABP. Nearly one third of patients receiving i.v. solithromycin experienced infusion-site reactions. Although no liver-related adverse events were reported in patients receiving oral solithromycin, more patients receiving i.v.-to-oral solithromycin experienced asymptomatic, transient transaminitis, with alanine transaminase levels of >3 to >5 times the upper limit, compared with those treated with moxifloxacin. These results led the Food and Drug Administration to conclude that the solithromycin new drug application was not approvable as filed, adding that the risk of hepatotoxicity had not yet been adequately characterized. The agency further recommended a comparative study of patients with CABP to include approximately 9,000 patients exposed to solithromycin in order to exclude drug-induced liver injury events occurring at a rate of 1 in 3,000 with 95% probability. Conclusion Solithromycin is a novel ketolide antibiotic with activity against a broad spectrum of intracellular organisms, including those displaying macrolide resistance. While demonstrating noninferiority to a current first-line agent in the treatment of CABP, concerns for drug-induced liver injury and infusion-site reactions have placed its regulatory future in doubt.