cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic current limiting control of voltage source inverters

Voltage source inverters can be used in a variety of industrial applications, such as distributed generation, wind energy conversion, electric motor drives, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Considerable research has been given to the control of three-phase voltage source inverters. However, protection of these inverters is a key issue in inverter applications, which has not been widely studied. This paper presents a dynamic current limiting control method for voltage source inverters. A simple d-q axis model of three-phase voltage source inverters is used to introduce the control schemes of voltage source inverters under normal operating conditions. A dynamic current limiting control method and the flowchart of the proposed control scheme are then given. The control strategy is tested in a model developed in Simulink and simulation results verify that this dynamic current limiting method is capable of protecting the inverter from certain over-current faults.
Mother-infant visual interaction in Japanese macaques.

Pattern of visual interaction in mother-infant dyadic behavior have been reported for human and nonhuman primates, including age and gender differences among rhesus macaques. Such findings are tested with data from two developmental periods (Weeks 1–8 and 21–36) on Japanese macaque mother-infant visual behavior. Rates for look, infanct facial-fixation, and eye contact are greater during the first period than in the second. In Weeks 1–8, infants interact visually with their mother significantly more than with any other kinship class. This pattern continues in the second period, with the exception of eye contact for female infants, and with relatively more attention to nonmatrilineal animals. In Weeks 1–8, all instances of eye contact between mothers and their female, but not male, infants are initiated by the mother. In Weeks 21–36, male, but not female, infants direct significantly more looks to their mother than they receive from her.
Light scattering in liquid helium

A quantum-mechanical formulation of light scattering in a dielectric fluid is applied to liquid helium. To lowest order in the (small) dielectric susceptibilitynα, the theory reproduces the usual expression for Brillouin scattering. Two-roton processes occur in both first and second order innα, and the relevant ground-state matrix elements are evaluated with Feynman wave functions in the convolution approximation. The resulting two-roton differential cross section is significantly smaller than Stephen's prediction, in good agreement with the experiments of Greytak and Yan. The depolarization is somewhat reduced from that of Stephen; present techniques should be able to detect this difference.
A natural language interface for performing database updates

Although natural language database interfaces have been developed for query processing, the problem of natural language updates has not generally been considered. To interpret update requests, several issues must be addressed that do not typically pose difficulties when dealing exclusively with queries. This paper examines the problems encountered, and describes an implemented system that performs simple natural language updates. Examples of the system's operation are presented, and the efficacy of the overall method is discussed.
Brush-sheathed particles diffusing at brush-coated surfaces in the thermally responsive PNIPAAm system.

Phase-contrast microscopy and particle tracking algorithms are used to study the near-surface diffusion of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) brush functionalized micron-sized silica microspheres after sedimentation from aqueous suspension onto planar substrates coated with a similar polymer brush above and below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAAm, 32 °C. A small negative charge on the wall and the particles (œ potential )- 6 mV) prevents adhesion above and below the LCST. The near-surface translational diffusion coefficient (Dsurface) is compared to the bulk-phase translational diffusion coefficient ( Dbulk), which was measured by dynamic light scattering. We find that Dsurface/Dbulk 0.6 at temperatures T 32 °C. Near-surface diffusion is expected to be slower than bulk diffusion owing to hydrodynamic coupling to the wall, implying reduced hydrodynamic coupling at the higher temperatures, perhaps mediated by enhanced electrostatic repulsion above the LCST transition.
The synthesis of semipermeable membrane microcapsules using in situ cyanoacrylate ester polymerization

A new material for the microencapsulation of biological systems was discovered and characterized with regards to the effects of reaction conditions on product yield. By using poly(cyanoacrylate ester), membrane microcapsules were produced with sufficient strength and porosity to be effective in a process environment for the immobilization and protection of encapsulated material. After synthesizing numerous monomeric cyanoacrylate esters, the n-butyl derivative was discovered to give the best results with regards to microcapsule formation. Microcapsules were prepared by a droplet technique in which an aqueous solution is sprayed into an organic solvent containing the cyanoacrylate ester monomer. By pre-treating the cyanoacrylate ester monomer with an anion exchange resin (Amberlyst A-21, Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, USA), a significant reduction in the amount of acidic impurities which can adversely affect results was achieved. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a polymerization initiator gave the best results of a variety of polymeric and non-polymeric initiators investigated. Successful encapsulations were achieved using a solvent mixture of 60% (v/v) iso-octane/40% trichloroethylene, 0.1% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone initiator, pH 6.5 aqueous encapsulation solution, and 5% (v/v) methylcyanoacrylate/A-21 treated n-butylcyanoacrylate (added separately to solvent) made to a 4% (v/v) solution in solvent. Ester monomers were synthesized and used to prepare polymer membranes.
Basigin (murine EMMPRIN) stimulates matrix metalloproteinase production by fibroblasts.

Analysis of basigin-null mice has shown that basigin is involved in several important physiological processes including reproductive, immune, and neural activities (Igakura et al., 1998, Dev Biol 194:152–165). However, its molecular mechanism of action in these processes has not yet been established. Our objective here is to determine whether basigin has functional properties similar to its apparent human tumor cell homolog, EMMPRIN, i.e., the ability to stimulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production in fibroblasts (Guo et al. 1997, J Biol Chem 272:24–27). Mouse cells express two major forms of basigin that differ in their degree of glycosylation (molecular weights: 45 and 58 kDa) but, in similar fashion to human EMMPRIN, mouse tumor cells express higher levels of basigin than normal cells. We have used three different methods to show that basigin stimulates MMP expression in fibroblasts. First, recombinant basigin was partially purified from transfected CHO cells by affinity chromatography. This basigin preparation stimulates production of MMPs on addition to fibroblasts in culture. Second, co-culture of basigin-transfected CHO cells with fibroblasts gives rise to increased expression of MMPs as compared to control co-cultures. Third, we employed a novel approach in which a recombinant basigin adenovirus was constructed and used to infect the target fibroblasts, so that mutual stimulation between neighboring fibroblasts would be expected to result. In this method also, basigin stimulates production of MMPs. Finally, we showed that addition of basigin or EMMPRIN antibody, respectively, to recombinant basigin or EMMPRIN adenovirus-infected cells augments stimulation of MMP synthesis, implying that cross-linking of basigin/EMMPRIN in the membrane enhances activity. We conclude that murine basigin and human EMMPRIN have similar MMP-inducing activities and are functional homologs. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reorganizing medicare for older adults with chronic illness.

A major challenge for the US health care system during coming years will be the financial viability and reorganization of Medicare—a program in which over 90% of family physicians participate. Although chronic illness constitutes a trajectory characterized by long-term patterns of health and functional states, fee-for-service Medicare is largely directed to the treatment of acute, episodic illness. Beyond the prescription drug benefit, there were several provisions in the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 that were designed to improve the quality of care and reduce costs for chronically ill beneficiaries, an important first step in the reorientation of Medicare to chronic illness care. Quality is the foundation of Medicare’s movement to a chronic care program and paying physicians for quality care is on the horizon. Family physicians will need to be actively engaged in Medicare’s reorientation by articulating and promoting a quality of care that effectively integrates evidence-based medicine with a person-centered focus.
A stream tapping protocol with partial preloading

Stream tapping-also known as patching-can reduce the bandwidth requirements of video-on-demand services by allowing new customer requests to "tap" the data streams of other requests for the same video. Previous studies have shown that stream tapping works best when the request arrival rate does not exceed ten to twenty requests per hour for a two-hour video. At higher arrival rates, it performs much worse than broadcasting protocols. To overcome this limitation, we propose a stream tapping protocol that preloads in the customer set-top box the first few minutes of all popular videos. To offset the cost of the additional buffer space, our protocol never requires the set-top box to receive data from the video server at more than twice video consumption rate. Our simulations indicate that preloading the first eight minutes of a two-hour video was enough to achieve lower bandwidth requirements than the best broadcasting protocols at any request arrival rate.
Practical applications of polymer solutions

To chemists and engineers working in industry, the most important applications of polymer solutions are the experiments leading to the measurement of molecular weight, molecular-weight distribution, and other characteristic parameters of random-coil polymers. This article extends earlier reviews by describing such practical aspects of these measurements as preferred techniques;; commercially-available equipment; analysis cost, sample size, and time; limitations of the methods; and pitfalls in the interpretation of the data. For molecular-weight measurement, commonly-used techniques include end-group analysis, cryoscropy, ebulliometry, osmometry, “vapor-pressure osmometry”, light scattering, and ultracentrifugation. Measurement of certain transport properties correlating emprirically with molecular weight, such as the intrinsic viscosity, is useful if the limitations of the techniques are recognized. Currently, the more promising and powerful methods polymer fractopmatopm are cpmsodered to be column elution and gel permeation chromatography.
The evaluation of minor cervical blunt trauma in the pediatric patient

Blunt trauma delivered directly to the neck of the pediatric patient may be associated with significant airway compromise. The external signs are not indicative of the extent or site of the trauma. A high index of suspicion is warranted in all patients with this type of injury. A patient with apparently minor direct trauma to the neck is presented to illustrate the principles of evaluation and treatment of these injuries.
Evaluation of hypothalamic gene expression in mice divergently selected for heat loss.

Mouse lines divergently selected for heat loss were evaluated for correlated responses in the hypothalamic transcriptome. High (MH) heat loss mice have ∼50% greater heat loss, ∼35% less body fat, ∼...
Shear-induced platelet receptor shedding by non-physiological high shear stress with short exposure time: glycoprotein Ibα and glycoprotein VI

Introduction The structural integrity of platelet receptors is essential for platelets to function normally in hemostasis and thrombosis in response to physiological and pathological stimuli. The aim of this study was to examine the shedding of two key platelet receptors, glycoprotein (GP) Ibα and GPVI, after exposed to the non-physiological high shear stress environment which commonly exists in blood contacting medical devices and stenotic blood vessels.
Post-partum pituitary apoplexy: a case report

E M On physical examination, the vital signs were: temperature 37.5°C (99.5°F), heart rate 87 beats/min, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, blood pressure 134/81 mmHg and oxygen saturation 100% on room air. She appeared fatigued, but non-toxic. Examination of the head and neck revealed no papilloedema and no meningismus. The heart sounds were normal and there was no appreciable murmur. The lungs were clear. The abdomen was soft and non-tender, with a well healing surgical wound, consistent with a standard Pfannesteil incision. She had notable 1+ bilateral pedal oedema, with strongly palpable distal pulses. The neurologic examination was non-focal; in particular, strength and sensation were intact. Cranial nerves II–XII were normal, including the visual acuity.
An analytical framework and implementation architecture for a reconfigurable signal classification system

We present an analytical framework for the mathematical development of signal classification systems and a closely associated implementation architecture for the instantiation of the classifier to an embedded system. The analytical framework provides a context for the development of a classification system that address those design challenges that are fundamental to the operation of the system and those that are related to its practical deployment. The implementation architecture is closely associated with this analytical framework and permits the rapid construction of efficient, accurate systems for deployment to embedded hardware. We present the results of several system development activities which have used this approach and which demonstrate the dramatic reduction in development effort resulting from the approach.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinyl amine)‐based amphiphilic comb‐like dextran glycopolymers by a two‐step method

Poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm)-based amphiphilic glycopolymers were synthesized by a two-step method, that is dextran molecules (Dex, Mw = 1500) were attached to the PVAm backbone by reacting amine groups with dextran lactone, and then, hexanoyl groups (Hex) were attached by reacting the PVAm free amine groups with N-(hexanoyloxy)succinimide. By adjustment of the feed ratios of Dex/Hex, amphiphilic comb-like glycopolymers with various hydrophilic and hydrophobic balances were prepared, and their structures were characterized by 1H NMR. Surface activity of the amphiphilic glycopolymers at the air/water interface was demonstrated by reduction in water surface tension. Adsorption of the amphiphilic glycopolymers at the solid/water interface was examined on octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-coated coverslips by water contact angle measurements. The results show that the amphiphilic glycopolymers need about 20 mol % of dextran attachment to make an effective hydrophilic coating. In comparison with the one-step reaction by addition of dextran lactone and alkyl succinimide simultaneously, the two-step approach can attach Dex on PVAm as high as possible in the first step, and offers quantitative advantages in controlling the ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains along the PVAm backbone, resulting in increased water solubility for the final amphiphilic glycopolymers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 192–199, 2006
Vocational Development: Ten Propositions in Search of a Theory

Among the problems that a vocational development theory must deal with are the problems of differential strength of influences and proper recognition of societal and psychological forces. An occupation permits an expression of the individual's public personality. The occupational persona represents the individual's choice among the masks that he would like to wear and those that society would permit him to wear. An occupational role might represent avoidance reaction and approach reaction. The importance of the work aspect of the public personality—the occupational persona—varies from being psychologically peripheral to being central. The societal limiting forces that determine the occupational persona of any individual vary from the accidental to the essential. The expression of the public personality through an occupation—the selection of an occupational persona—must be made on incomplete information. The occupational persona and the self-concept have a symbiotic relationship that moves them toward congruence. The selection of an occupational persona might express any of four relationships between the self and society.
An Interview With Saad Shah

This issue’s interview is a bit different from those in the past. Here, we interview an entrepreneur, an immigrant to the United States who founded a small information technology (IT) business over...
Adaptive variation in Pinus ponderosa from Intermountain Regions. I. Snake and Salmon River Basins

Genetic differentiation of 64 populations from central Idaho was studied in field, greenhouse and laboratory tests. Analyses of variables reflecting growth potential, phenology, morphology, cold hardiness and periodicity of shoot elongation revealed population differentiation for a variety of traits. Regression models related as much as 61 percent of the variance among populations to the elevation and geographic location of the seed source. Clinical patterns of adaptive variation provide the basis for developing seed transfer guidelines that will control maladaptation in reforestation. In central Idaho, for example, seed transfer should be limited to within 180 m of the seed source.
Orbitofrontal cortex reflects changes in response–outcome contingencies during probabilistic reversal learning

In a continuously changing environment, in which behavioral outcomes are rarely certain, animals must be able to learn to integrate feedback from their choices over time and adapt to changing reward contingencies to maintain flexible behavior. The orbitofrontal region of prefrontal cortex (OFC) has been widely implicated as playing a role in the ability to flexibly control behavior. We used a probabilistic reversal learning task to measure rats' behavioral flexibility and its neural basis in the activity of single neurons in OFC. In this task, one lever, designated as 'correct', was rewarded at a high probability (80%) and a second, spatially distinct lever, designated as 'incorrect', was rewarded at a low probability (20%). Once rats reached a learning criterion for reliably selecting the correct lever, reward contingencies of the two levers were switched, and daily sessions were conducted until rats reliably selected the new correct lever. All rats performed the initial Acquisition and subsequent Reversal successfully, with more sessions needed to learn the Reversal. OFC neurons were recorded during five behavioral sessions spanning Acquisition and Reversal learning. The dominant pattern of neural responding in OFC, identified by principal component analysis of the population of neurons recorded, was modulated by reward outcome across behavioral sessions. Generally, activity was higher following rewarded choices than unrewarded. However, there was a correlation between reduced responses to reward following incorrect choices and the establishment of the preference for the correct lever. These results show how signaling by individual OFC neurons may participate in the flexible adaptation of behavior under changing reward contingencies.
Lithium toxicity after Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery

A 61-year-old woman with medical history significant for morbid obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and bipolar disorder, had been stable on lithium carbonate therapy for several years. She had undergone a Roux-en-Y bypass surgery and, at the time of her surgery, her lithium level was found to be 0.61 mEq/L on a maintenance dose of 600 mg orally twice per day. She was discharged 8 days postoperatively on the same lithium dose, but presented to the emergency department 12 days postoperatively with signs of lithium toxicity. Her lithium level was elevated to 1.51 mEq/L and she was treated for lithium toxicity with supportive care and, ultimately, reduction of her lithium dose. Clinicians should be aware that dramatic and poorly understood changes in drug absorption may occur after bariatric surgery.
Host and soil fumigation effects on spore population densities of species of endogonaceous mycorrhizal fungi

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of fallow, growing pepper, tomato, or the green manure crop sorghum-sudangrass on spore population densities of mycorrhizal fungi. Two crops, pepper and tomato, were grown in soil either fumigated or not with 67% methyl bromide-33% chloropicrin. Glomus macrocarpum comprised over half the total spore population. Spores of G. microcarpum, G. constrictum, and G. caledonium were next most prevalent. Spores or sporocarps of G. fasciculatum, four species of Acaulospora, two of Gigaspora, and Sclerocystis sinuosa occurred sporadically or in low numbers. Growing sorghum-sudangrass, tomato, and pepper (except in nonfumigated soil) increased total spores/kg soil, while fallow reduced them. Populations of Glomus caledonium spores increased 40-fold with sorghum-sudangrass. Populations of spores of G. macrocarpum (except in nonfumigated pepper plots) and G. microcarpum were less with fallow than with any of the crops at the end of the season. Twelve days after fumigation, spores of mycorrhizal fungi were still present but in reduced numbers. Increases in spore population densities during the growing season and measurements of viable mycorrhizal fungus propagules by the Most Probable Number technique at the end of the growing season demonstrated that either soil fumigation did not kill all propagules or the fungi were reintroduced.
In Situ Mechanical Testing of Nanostructured Bijel Fibers

Bijels are a class of soft materials with potential for application in diverse areas including healthcare, food, energy, and reaction engineering due to their unique structural, mechanical, and transport properties. To realize their potential, means to fabricate, characterize, and manipulate bijel mechanics are needed. We recently developed a method based on solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STRIPS) that enables continuous fabrication of hierarchically structured bijel fibers from a broad array of constituent fluids and nanoparticles using a microfluidic platform. Here, we introduce an in situ technique to characterize bijel fiber mechanics at initial and final stages of the formation process within a microfluidics device. By manipulation of the hydrodynamic stresses applied to the fiber, the fiber is placed under tension until it breaks into segments. Analysis of the stress field allows fracture strength to be inferred; fracture strengths can be as high as several thousand Pa, depending on nanop...
Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis and Actions in the Materno Fetoplacental Unit

Human pregnancy is associated with profound changes in the mother's steroid hormone milieu because of steroids produced by the corpus luteum of pregnancy and by the fetoplacental unit. The precise roles of these hormones in the maintenance of pregnancy, in fetal development, and in parturition have been controversial, but recent developments have clarified many of these areas.
Seismic collapse evaluation of steel moment resisting frames with superelastic viscous damper

Abstract This study investigates the seismic collapse resistance of steel moment resisting frames equipped with superelastic viscous dampers (SVD) through incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). The SVD is a hybrid passive control device that strategically combines a viscoelastic device and shape memory alloy cables in parallel. The hybrid device exhibits improved re-centering and energy dissipating capabilities compared to only viscoelastic or only SMA-based devices. First, the design and mechanical behavior of SVDs are described. A nine-story steel frame building is selected for the numerical analyses. The building is first designed as a conventional special moment resisting frame (SMRF) to meet the strength and stiffness requirements of the design codes. Then, a reduced strength version of the fully code compliant frame is developed and upgraded with either SVDs or buckling restrained brace (BRB) system. Analytical models of the steel building for each configuration are developed to simulate global frame behavior by considering both geometric nonlinearities and cyclic strength and stiffness deterioration of structural steel components under dynamic loads. Incremental dynamic analysis is employed to assess the seismic resistance of steel frame structures up to collapse using 44 ground motion records. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to evaluate the influence of SVD design parameters on the seismic response of the frame. The results indicate that the steel frame designed with SVDs has the largest median collapse capacity and minimal residual drifts under various seismic hazard levels.
Jak1-STAT3 Signals Are Essential Effectors of the USP6/TRE17 Oncogene in Tumorigenesis

Bone and soft tissue tumors (BSTT) are relatively poorly understood, hampering the development of effective therapies. Here we report a role for the ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6)/TRE17 oncogene, which is overexpressed upon chromosome translocation in various human tumors, including aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), and the related benign lesion nodular fasciitis. Ectopic expression of USP6 is known to drive formation of tumors, which recapitulate key features of ABC and nodular fasciitis; however, the identity of USP6's relevant substrates has been obscure. Here we report that the Jak1-STAT3 signaling pathway serves as an essential effector of USP6 in BSTT formation. We found that USP6 directly deubiquitinated Jak1, leading to its stabilization and activation of STAT3. The tumorigenic potential of USP6 was attenuated significantly by CRISPR-mediated deletion of Jak1 or STAT3, or by administration of a Jak family inhibitor. Analysis of primary clinical samples of nodular fasciitis confirmed the activation of a Jak1-STAT3 gene signature in vivo Together, our studies highlight Jak1 as the first identified substrate for USP6, and they offer a mechanistic rationale for the clinical investigation of Jak and STAT3 inhibitors as therapeutics for the treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors along with other neoplasms driven by USP6 overexpression. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5337-47. ©2016 AACR.
Extremal Discs and the Geometry of CR Manifolds

1. Extremal Discs for Convex Domains 2. Real Manifolds in Complex Space 3. Extremal Discs and Stationary Discs 4. Coordinate Representation of Stationary Discs 5. Stationary Discs for Quadrics 6. Existence of Stationary Discs 7. Geometry of the Lifts 8. Defective Manifolds 9. Regularity of CR Mappings 10. Preservation of Lifts References
Numerical Approach to Fast Reactions in Reaction-Diffusion Systems

A numerical approach to modeling a biochemical system that includes processes with significantly different time scales has been developed within the Virtual Cell environment (J. Schaff et al., 1997, Biophys. J.73, 1135). The key features of the algorithm are time splitting of slow and fast processes and pseudo-steady approximation based on stoichiometry analysis. We apply the method to study the effect of fast calcium buffering on the properties of self-sustaining calcium waves in living cells. Numerical results for one-dimensional traveling waves in one-variable bistable models are compared with theoretical predictions. The effect of a mobile buffer on calcium waves appears to strongly depend on buffer affinity and system excitability. In systems with low excitability, the buffer can stop the traveling wave and make it move in the opposite direction, which means physiologically that the wave becomes self-extinguishing. We then consider traveling waves in a more realistic two-variable model (the Li?Rinzel model). This system exhibits a new feature: in the mode of low excitability, under certain conditions, it undergoes bifurcation with the buffer concentration as a bifurcation parameter. As a consequence, for some buffer concentrations, there exist two stable traveling waves with very different velocities. Finally, to study how a fluorescent indicator, which acts as a mobile buffer, might affect the fertilization calcium waves in eggs, we run three-dimensional simulations within the Li?Rinzel model using realistic parameters, geometry, and initial conditions. The results indicate strong interaction of a fluorescent dye with initiating calcium spikes. As a result, a fluorescent dye added to visualize calcium dynamics in a cell causes a delay in wave formation and, at sufficient concentration, can prevent a wave.
Gold Nanoparticle Monolayers from Sequential Interfacial Ligand Exchange and Migration in a Three-Phase System.

Using a three-phase system, centimeter-scale monolayer gold nanoparticle (Au NP) films have been prepared that have long-range order and hydrophobic ligands. The system contains an interface between an aqueous phase containing Au NPs and an oil phase containing one of various types of amine ligands, and a water/air interface. As the Au NPs diffuse to the water/oil interface, ligand exchange takes place which temporarily traps them at the water/oil interface. The ligand-exchanged particles then spontaneously migrate to the air/water interface, where they self-assemble, forming a monolayer under certain conditions. The spontaneous formation of the NP film at the air/water interface was due to the minimization of the system Helmholtz free energy. However, the extent of surface functionalization was dictated by kinetics. This decouples interfacial ligand exchange from interfacial self-assembly, while maintaining the simplicity of a single system. The interparticle center-to-center distance was dictated by the amine ligand length. The Au NP monolayers exhibit tunable surface plasma resonance and excellent spatial homogeneity, which is useful for surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The “air/water/oil” self-assembly method developed here not only benefits the fundamental understanding of NP ligand conformations, but is also applicable to the manufacture of plasmonic nanoparticle devices with precisely designed optical properties.
Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors for Depression Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Youth: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACTMany lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) youth suffer from depression. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors for depression can inform the development of psychosocial interventions. The aim of this review is to evaluate the methodological characteristics and summarize the substantive findings of studies examining psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression among LGBQ youth. Eight bibliographic databases were searched, and 35 studies that met all inclusion criteria were included for review. Results show that prominent risk factors for depression include internalized LGBQ-related oppression, stress from hiding and managing a socially stigmatized identity, maladaptive coping, parental rejection, abuse and other traumatic events, negative interpersonal interactions, negative religious experiences, school bullying victimization, and violence victimization in community settings. Prominent protective factors include a positive LGBQ identity, self-esteem, social support from f...
Target-Set Control

Abstract To survive in the face of uncontrollable natural variations, biological organisms have developed adaptat. ion mechanisms that make them remarkably insensitive to variations in certain variables. Conversely, outside these ranges of admissible variation, biological function may change dramatically, usually in undesirable ways (e.g., the organisms die) . As a consequence, a set-theoretic control strategy seems quite appropriate for biologically-based proceses like fermentation reactors: many variables do not have to be controlled to precise setpoints, but they do have to be maintained within viable operating ranges. This paper proposes a strategy for this kind of set-theoretic control based on zonotopes, which are the images of n-dimensional cubes under affine transformations. This approach is well-suited to the control of linearized fundamental models or linear empirical models over a specified range of validity. In addition, the results presented here establish strong connections with classical linear control theory. Finally, these results are extended to positive linear systems, a class that includes many biological system models (e.g., compartmental models arising in pharmecokinetics) and that are inherently harder to control than unconstrained linear systems.
Efficiently supporting structure queries on phylogenetic trees

With phylogenetics becoming increasingly important in biomedical research, the number of phylogenetic studies is increasing rapidly and huge mount of phylogenetic data has been generated and stored in databases. How to efficiently extract information from the data has become an important research problem. In this paper, we focus on a class of important queries on phylogenetic trees: structure queries which include least common ancestor, minimal spanning clade, tree pattern match and tree projection. After analyzing the characteristics of the phylogenetic tree as well as structure queries, we propose a storage system based on labeling using RDBMS and design algorithms for query evaluation. We implement these algorithms and compare them with existing techniques. Performance studies prove the efficiency of our strategy.
Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Inflammatory Connexin43-Mimetic Peptide JM2

Connexin-based therapeutics have shown the potential for therapeutic efficacy in improving wound healing. Our previous work demonstrated that the connexin43 (Cx43) mimetic peptide juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) reduced the acute inflammatory response to a submuscular implant model by inhibiting purinergic signaling. Given the prospective application in improving tissue-engineered construct tolerance that these results indicated, we sought to determine the mechanism of action for JM2 in the present study. Using confocal microscopy, a gap-FRAP cell communication assay, and an ethidium bromide uptake assay of hemichannel function we found that the peptide reduced cell surface Cx43 levels, Cx43 gap junction (GJ) size, GJ communication, and hemichannel activity. JM2 is based on the sequence of the Cx43 microtubule binding domain, and microtubules have a confirmed role in intracellular trafficking of Cx43 vesicles. Therefore, we tested the effect of JM2 on Cx43-microtubule interaction and microtubule polymerization. We found that JM2 enhanced Cx43-microtubule interaction and that microtubule polymerization was significantly enhanced. Taken together, these data suggest that JM2 inhibits trafficking of Cx43 to the cell surface by promoting irrelevant microtubule polymerization and thereby reduces the number of hemichannels in the plasma membrane available to participate in proinflammatory purinergic signaling. Importantly, this work indicates that JM2 may have therapeutic value in the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer. We conclude that the targeted action of JM2 on Cx43 channels may improve the tolerance of implanted tissue-engineered constructs against the innate inflammatory response.
The Humanization of Lawyers

This article focus on a significant recent transformation that has occurred in the legal profession: the growing recognition that lawyers suffer from ordinary human failings. Society and professional regulators have tended to hold lawyers to a uniquely high standard of citizenship. Lawyers have been held responsible for avoiding personal incentives, natural psychological reactions, vices, and crime to a far greater extent than private citizens and other businesspersons. This article suggests that the fiction that lawyers are, or can be regulated into being, more upstanding than laypersons has begun to break down, with significant ramifications for the bar. The humanization phenomenon has resulted in changing treatment of the bar, both in leading to a greater tolerance for lawyer vices (e.g., substance abuse) and resulting in more frequent prosecution and punishment for ordinary misconduct. This article discusses some of the other ramifications of the humanization of lawyers, including changes in the structure of law practice, the substance of lawyer regulation, the focus of bar programs, and the identities of who regulates lawyers. Identifying these changes requires regulators to reassess the behavioral incentives they provide in the rules. Recognizing the hard reality about lawyers also enables the profession to deal with its negative image in society on a more honest basis. It may result to increased regulation of the bar in the future, but it may also allow bar regulators to focus more on understanding the needs of lawyers and helping them to find the services that satisfy those needs.
Overexpression of cypin alters dendrite morphology, single neuron activity, and network properties via distinct mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effect that overexpression of cytosolic PSD-95 interactor (cypin), a regulator of synaptic PSD-95 protein localization and a core regulator of dendrite branching, exerts on the electrical activity of rat hippocampal neurons and networks. APPROACH We cultured rat hippocampal neurons and used lipid-mediated transfection and lentiviral gene transfer to achieve high levels of cypin or cypin mutant (cypinΔPDZ; PSD-95 non-binding) expression cellularly and network-wide, respectively. MAIN RESULTS Our analysis revealed that although overexpression of cypin and cypinΔPDZ increase dendrite numbers and decrease spine density, cypin and cypinΔPDZ distinctly regulate neuronal activity. At the single cell level, cypin promotes decreases in bursting activity while cypinΔPDZ reduces sEPSC frequency and further decreases bursting compared to cypin. At the network level, by using the Fano factor as a measure of spike count variability, cypin overexpression results in an increase in variability of spike count, and this effect is abolished when cypin cannot bind PSD-95. This variability is also dependent on baseline activity levels and on mean spike rate over time. Finally, our spike sorting data show that overexpression of cypin results in a more complex distribution of spike waveforms and that binding to PSD-95 is essential for this complexity. SIGNIFICANCE Our data suggest that dendrite morphology does not play a major role in cypin action on electrical activity.
Evolution of phytolith deposition in modern bryophytes, and implications for the fossil record and influence on silica cycle in early land plant evolution

Anecdotal evidence indicating substantial silica accumulation in tissues of bryophytes suggests that silica (phytolith) deposition evolved early on in embryophytes. To test this hypothesis, we conducted the first survey of phytolith content representing the major liverwort, moss and hornwort clades. We also assessed the diagnostic value of bryophyte phytoliths. Silica extracted from bryophyte material through wet-ashing was described, focusing on abundance, classifying taxa as nonproducers, light producers and higher producers; and phytolith morphotypes. Ancestral state reconstruction of these characters was performed for mosses and liverworts using published phylogenies. Phytoliths are present in multiple subclades within liverworts, mosses and hornworts, but these phyla were not ancestrally high silica-producers. Higher deposition occurs in liverworts and mosses with specialized water-conducting cells. We hypothesize that active, high silica accumulation was not ancestral for embryophytes, but became possible in clades with increased water conductance. Phytoliths of diagnostic structures (e.g. pegged rhizoids) could help track bryophyte clades or water conductance evolution in the fossil record.
Aberrations in androgen receptor ctDNA varies by race in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

247Background: Characterization of circulating free DNA (ctDNA) may aid understanding of the pathophysiology of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The goal of this study was to ...
Advancing a Viable Global Climate Stabilization Project: Degrowth versus the Green New Deal:

This paper summarizes a global Green New Deal program that can advance climate stabilization as well as rising mass living standards and an expansion of decent job opportunities. The core features ...
Long-term effects of dryland and irrigation production systems on soil Fusarium communities in wheat

Characterization and quantification of Fusarium communities and other microorganisms are crucial for understanding Fusarium ecology and management of root diseases of wheat. Fusarium communities in...
Trusted Colleagues or Incompetent Hacks? Development of the Attitudes About Abortion-Providing Physicians Scale.

Abstract Background Many physicians who provide abortion care report feeling marginalized within medicine. Because abortion care can require consultation with many types of physicians, physician opinions of providers may have implications for quality of care. However, no measure of physicians’ attitudes about abortion-providing colleagues currently exists. Methods We developed a 24-item pool to measure perceptions of the motivations, competence, and standing within the medical profession of physicians who provide abortion care. We administered the survey to a sample of 1,640 faculty physicians at a Midwestern teaching hospital. We used Stata SE/14.0 for all analyses. Results Our response rate was 34% (n = 560), comparable with other studies of physicians. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three-factor solution: opinion, motivations, and competence. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency. Attitudes were largely favorable: 84% of participants agreed that abortion providers provide necessary care for women and 81% felt that abortion providers contribute positively to society. Compared with those who felt abortion should be illegal in all circumstances, attitudes were more favorable among those who felt that abortion should be legal. We observed an inverse relationship between religious attendance and attitudes. Participants with children held more favorable attitudes compared with those without children. Conclusions The Attitudes About Abortion-Providing Physicians Scale captures physicians' perceptions of their abortion-providing colleagues along three important dimensions: opinion, motivations, and competence. This sample of physicians held generally favorable views of their colleagues who provide abortion care.
Failure of the $$L^1$$ L 1 pointwise ergodic theorem for $$\mathrm {PSL}_2(\mathbb {R})$$ PSL 2 ( R )

Amos Nevo established the pointwise ergodic theorem in $$L^p$$ for measure-preserving actions of $$\mathrm {PSL}_2(\mathbb {R})$$ on probability spaces with respect to ball averages and every $$p>1$$ . This paper shows by explicit example that Nevo’s Theorem cannot be extended to $$p=1$$ .
Effect of hardening law and process parameters on finite element simulation of single point incremental forming (SPIF) of 7075 aluminum alloy sheet

In the last two decades, the advances of using computers in sheet metal forming processes have introduced a novel adjustable process known as incremental sheet forming (ISF) as an optimal method for fast prototyping and low numbers of production. Formability and deformation behavior of ISF process are highly affected by the selected process parameters, such as the toolpath, step size, tool diameter, feed rate, and lubrication. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of these process parameters as well as hardening law on single point incremental forming (SPIF) process. For this work, a truncated-cone geometry was considered as a target shape with 7075-O aluminum alloy sheets. The simulations were conducted with different process parameters, i.e., toolpath type, step size, tool size, feed rate, friction coefficient, and wall angle with respect to the tool force and moment, effective plastic strain distribution and thickness of the part. In addition, three types of hardening laws i.e., isotropic extended Voce type hardening law, combined isotropic-kinematic Chaboche type hardening laws with single and double back-stress terms were applied in the finite element simulation of SPIF process. A detailed comparison of these hardening laws' predictions was made with respect to the tool force and moment, effective plastic strain distribution and thickness of the part.
Abstract TMP106: Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatments After Stroke: The OASIS Project

Introduction: Surrogate decision makers are commonly asked to make critical decisions after stroke, though there has been little formal study of stroke surrogates. We report initial results on surr...
Relating Corrosion of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Reinforcements with Fluid Conductivity of Backfill Soils

AbstractThe service life of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls depends on the rate of corrosion of the metallic reinforcements used in their construction. A methodology was designed to monit...
Influence of drying methods on the nutrients, protein content and vitamin profile of basil leaves

Abstract In this study, basil leaves were dried using natural, microwave-, and convective-drying methods from an initial moisture content of 90.90 ± 0.1 % to a final one of 8.21 ± 0.12 %. The natural drying was done in a controlled room at a temperature of 25 ± 1 °C and relative humidity of 60 ± 5 %. The microwave-drying processes were performed using 100, 300, 500, 700, and 900 W microwave output powers, while 50 °C was used in convective-drying. The drying periods of different drying methods lasted between 16.5 and 1620 min. Consequently, the best drying method regarding drying period, energy consumption, protein amount, macronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and B), micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and B), water-soluble vitamins (ascorbic acid, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6), fat-soluble vitamins (beta-carotene, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K), color parameters (L, a, b, C and α) and chlorophyll concentration was determined to be microwave-drying at 700 W.
Detailed characterization of physiological EMG activations and directional tuning of upper-limb and trunk muscles in point-to-point reaching movements

Abstract In recent years, several studies have investigated upper-limb motion in a variety of scenarios including motor control, physiology, rehabilitation and industry. Such applications assess people’s kinematics and muscular performances, focusing on typical movements that simulate daily-life tasks. However, often only a limited interpretation of the EMG patterns is provided. In fact, rarely the assessments separate phasic (movement-related) and tonic (postural) EMG components, as well as the EMG in the acceleration and deceleration phases. With this paper, we provide a comprehensive and detailed characterization of the activity of upper-limb and trunk muscles in healthy people point-to-point upper limb movements. Our analysis includes in-depth muscle activation magnitude assessment, separation of phasic (movement-related) and tonic (postural) EMG activations, directional tuning, distinction between activations in the acceleration and deceleration phases. Results from our study highlight a predominant postural activity with respect to movement related muscular activity. The analysis based on the acceleration phase sheds light on finer motor control strategies, highlighting the role of each muscle in the acceleration and deceleration phase. The results of this study are applicable to several research fields, including physiology, rehabilitation, design of robots and assistive solutions, exoskeletons.