cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of mouse coronavirus receptor-binding domain complexed with its murine receptor

Coronaviruses have evolved diverse mechanisms to recognize different receptors for their cross-species transmission and host-range expansion. Mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV) uses the N-terminal domain (NTD) of its spike protein as its receptor-binding domain. Here we present the crystal structure of MHV NTD complexed with its receptor murine carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a (mCEACAM1a). Unexpectedly, MHV NTD contains a core structure that has the same β-sandwich fold as human galectins (S-lectins) and additional structural motifs that bind to the N-terminal Ig-like domain of mCEACAM1a. Despite its galectin fold, MHV NTD does not bind sugars, but instead binds mCEACAM1a through exclusive protein–protein interactions. Critical contacts at the interface have been confirmed by mutagenesis, providing a structural basis for viral and host specificities of coronavirus/CEACAM1 interactions. Sugar-binding assays reveal that galectin-like NTDs of some coronaviruses such as human coronavirus OC43 and bovine coronavirus bind sugars. Structural analysis and mutagenesis localize the sugar-binding site in coronavirus NTDs to be above the β-sandwich core. We propose that coronavirus NTDs originated from a host galectin and retained sugar-binding functions in some contemporary coronaviruses, but evolved new structural features in MHV for mCEACAM1a binding.
Occupational self-selection of European emigrants: Evidence from nineteenth- century Hesse-Cassel

Self-selection mechanisms are important because they shed light on what has been relevant to those who migrate, especially in the nineteenth century. Using new micro data gathered from emigrant permit lists and census data in the homeland, I compare over 10,000 German emigrants to those who stayed at home. I find that artisans were over-represented and farmers and labourers both under-represented. The emigrant population was positively self-selected in terms of skills, but negatively self-selected in terms of financial wealth.
Design of an Optimum I-Beam Reinforcement for an API 620 Tank

The objective of this paper is to analyze an existing American Petroleum Institute (API) 620 Tank [10]. The API Tank had failed in the field. The tank is analyzed without reinforcement and with an optimum I-Beam reinforcement. The API Tank is used to store chemicals used in today’s industry. The initial over-all dimensions of the API Tank are determined from the capacity of the stored chemicals. The design function is performed using the ASME Code See VIII Div 1. The API Tank design is broken up into (a) bottom plate, (b) shell section with 9 mm thickness, (c) shell section with 8 mm thickness, (d) shell section with 7 mm thickness, (e) shell section with 6 mm thickness, (f) shell section with 5 mm thickness, (g) top head with 5mm thickness, (h) bolts, and (i) reinforcement ring. The designed dimensions are used to recalculate the stresses for the complete API Tank. The dimensioned API Tank without reinforcement is modeled first using STAAD III finite element software. The stresses from the finite element software are obtained. Next the API Tank with I-Beam reinforcement was modeled using STAAD III finite element software. Ten different I-Beams were considered for the present analysis. The main objective of this paper was to find the optimum I-Beam that resulted in safe reinforced configuration. Optimum I-Beam was considered to be the one that resulted in similar stresses for the beam as well as the tank. This assures elastic matching between the beam and the tank. The design is found to be safe for the I-Beam reinforced configuration considered.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis

We review the terminology used in the context of cutaneous vasculitis with discussion of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, its clinical approach, differential diagnosis and treatment algorithm. Cutaneous vasculitis encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions of very different severity and urgency, from limited skin disease to severe systemic life-threatening vasculitis. This review will empower the reader with tools for rapid evaluation of patients suspected of cutaneous vasculitis such as a correct interpretation of skin biopsies, an effective high yield laboratory and imaging testing approach, a simple practical evaluation procedure to ensure that severe organ involvement by a systemic vasculitis is not missed, as well as an easy diagnostic algorithm for identification of the cause of vasculitis.
Identification of Recurrent Patterns in the Activation of Brain Networks

Identifying patterns from the neuroimaging recordings of brain activity related to the unobservable psychological or mental state of an individual can be treated as a unsupervised pattern recognition problem. The main challenges, however, for such an analysis of fMRI data are: a) defining a physiologically meaningful feature-space for representing the spatial patterns across time; b) dealing with the high-dimensionality of the data; and c) robustness to the various artifacts and confounds in the fMRI time-series. In this paper, we present a network-aware feature-space to represent the states of a general network, that enables comparing and clustering such states in a manner that is a) meaningful in terms of the network connectivity structure; b) computationally efficient; c) low-dimensional; and d) relatively robust to structured and random noise artifacts. This feature-space is obtained from a spherical relaxation of the transportation distance metric which measures the cost of transporting "mass" over the network to transform one function into another. Through theoretical and empirical assessments, we demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the approximation, especially for large problems.
Effect of Tantalum Additions to a Cobalt-Chromium-Nickel Base Alloy

An investigation by electron diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis has shown that Ta additions to a 40-30-30 Co-Cr-Ni-base alloy strengthen by ordering and by formation of coherent α-Co3Ta precipitate. However, increasing Ta content increases the proportion of the hexagonal phase and decreases ductility.
Post-tetanic potentiation involves the presynaptic binding of calcium to calmodulin

A subset of synaptic vesicles undergoes exocytosis upon Ca2+ influx into the presynaptic terminal. This group of vesicles constitutes a readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles, which is replenished from a larger reserve pool of vesicles. The RRP is thought to represent the vesicles docked to the
The Determinants and Subsequent Effect of Self-Rated Health Status on Survival among Elderly Americans

PURPOSE: The main aim of this study is to explore the patterns, determinants and subsequent mortality prediction of change in self-rated health in the elderly American population. METHODS: To achieve this purpose, we constructed logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard regression models with the complex survey dataset from the National Second Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA II) to calculate the odds ratios (OR)/ hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) of risk factors. RESULTS: Our results show that chronic disease condition and difficulty in daily activities are the main reasons for change in self-rated health status. Furthermore, change in self-rated health has significant impact on survival function in the elderly populations. When change in self-rated health status was considered, self-rated health was a stronger and more flexible predictor of mortality for elderly populations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will provide important information to establish effective strategies for prolonging lifespan by improving self-rated health status for elderly populations.
The Sky Is Falling (Again): Evaluating the Current Crisis in the Judiciary

This Article considers the current crisis in in judicial funding in a broad historical context. This larger narrative can provide a helpful perspective in the current debate. It offers a glimpse into how we came to the current system and allows us to question our assumptions regarding the way the system currently works. Historical context is an important (and under-discussed) aspect of this crisis. As the leaders of the bench and bar come together to evaluate changes to the current system, the discussion should begin with understanding how the system evolved to where it is now and with appreciating the fact that the current situation may call for solutions very different from those that worked in the past. The Article is structured around three broad themes of access to the legal system: (1) access to the courthouse; (2) access to lawyers; and (3) substantive and procedural access to justice. While the purpose of this Article is to encourage leaders in the judiciary to view the current crisis differently -- and not necessarily propose solutions -- this Article also includes some suggestions for consideration.
Further Studies on Superinfection in Experimental Cavine BrucellosisII. The Effects of Different Combinations of Brucella Species

In previous papers (Pollack et al, 1952; Kelly et al, 1953) we have reported experiments in which guinea pigs infected with Brucella abortus were superinfected after varying intervals with Brucella suis. These studies showed that the second infecting organism could be isolated with ease from animals infected with Br. suis simultaneously or at short intervals after the original infection. When the interval between infections ("infection interval") was increased to 2 weeks, however, only half the animals yielded Br. suis. In the experiment to be described the effects of different combinations of species of Brucella were tested. The infection intervals and time between the second infection and sacrifice were selected on the basis of the earlier work.
Long-term adaptation to hypoxia preserves hematopoietic stem cell function

Molecular oxygen sustains aerobic life, but it also serves as the substrate for oxidative stress, which has been associated with the pathogenesis of disease and with aging. Compared with mice housed in normoxia (21% O 2 ), reducing ambient oxygen to 10% O 2 (hypoxia) resulted in increased hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function as measured by bone marrow (BM) cell engraftment onto lethally irradiated recipients. The number of BM c-Kit + Sca-1 + Lin − (KSL) cells as well as the number of cells with other hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell markers were increased in hypoxia mice, whereas the BM cells' colony-forming capacity remained unchanged. KSL cells from hypoxia mice showed a decreased level of oxidative stress and increased expression of transcription factor Gata1 and cytokine receptor c-Mpl , consistent with the observations of increased erythropoiesis and enhanced HSC engraftment. These observations demonstrate the benefit of a hypoxic HSC niche and suggest that hypoxic conditions can be further optimized to preserve stem cell integrity in vivo.
Development of the Virtual Function Signal Generator Basing on the LabVIEW

A new kind of virtual function signal generator based on the graph programming language LabVIEW is introduced,which is developed by us.It can not only generate some common signals,such as sine wave,triangle wave,square wave and saw-tooth wave and so on,but also do arbitrary function waveform and white noise signal.Comparing the conventional signal generator,it has some advantages such as the interface to be more friendly,more widely output frequency band,parameter adjusted more conveniently,realized more easily,high reliability and so on.It can display the output signal waveform and frequency spectrum.The sample data in high speed for output signals will be stored in the local computer.It is easy for local use or remote transmit.
Analysis of anti-HCV detection results among 6783 employees in food hygiene industry and public places

Objective:To grasp the dynamic changes of anti-HCV detection results among employees in food hygiene industry and public places in Changping district from 2007 to 2009.Methods: Health examination data of employees in food hygiene industry and public places in Changping district during 2007～2009 were analyzed by statistics(χ2 test).Results: 6783 employees were examined in the 3 three years,39 cases were found anti-HCV positive(0.57%).The positive rates of anti-HCV were 0.66%,0.63% and 0.46% respectively from 2007 to 2009,and the differences had no statistical significance among the three years(χ2=2.58,P0.01);The positive rates of anti-HCV in local practitioners and outlanders showed no uptrend with the year(χ2local=0.56,P0.01;χ2outlander=2.10,P0.01) and their total positive rates were 0.48% and 0.60% in turn in the three years(χ2=0.15,P0.01).Conclusion: Health examination should be carried out in employees in food industry and public places every year,so as to find the infectious patients timely and avoid spread of infectious diseases.
Autoantibody levels in myositis patients correlate with clinical response during B cell depletion with rituximab

Objectives. To determine the longitudinal trends in serum levels of four myositis-associated autoantibodies: anti-Jo-1, -transcription intermediary factor 1 γ (TIF1-γ), -signal recognition particle (SRP) and -Mi-2, after B cell depletion with rituximab, and to determine the longitudinal association of these autoantibody levels with disease activity as measured by myositis core-set measures (CSMs). Methods. Treatment-resistant adult and pediatric myositis subjects (n = 200) received rituximab in the 44-week Rituximab in Myositis Trial. CSMs [muscle enzymes, manual muscle testing (MMT), physician and patient global disease activity, HAQ, and extramuscular disease activity] were evaluated monthly and anti-Jo-1 (n = 28), -TIF1-γ (n = 23), -SRP (n = 25) and -Mi-2 (n = 26) serum levels were measured using validated quantitative ELISAs. Temporal trends and the longitudinal relationship between myositis-associated autoantibodies levels and CSM were estimated using linear mixed models. Results. Following rituximab, anti-Jo-1 levels decreased over time (P < 0.001) and strongly correlated with all CSMs (P < 0.008). Anti-TIF1-γ levels also decreased over time (P < 0.001) and were only associated with HAQ, MMT and physician and patient global disease activity. Anti-SRP levels did not change significantly over time, but were significantly associated with serum muscle enzymes. Anti-Mi-2 levels significantly decreased over time and were associated with muscle enzymes, MMT and the physician global score. Conclusion. Anti-Jo-1, anti-TIF1-γ and anti-Mi-2 levels in myositis subjects decreased after B cell depletion and were correlated with changes in disease activity, whereas anti-SRP levels were only associated with longitudinal muscle enzyme levels. The strong association of anti-Jo-1 levels with clinical outcomes suggests that anti-Jo-1 autoantibodies may be a good biomarker for disease activity.
Loss of heterozygosity for alleles on chromosome 10 in human brain tumours.

AbstractWe analysed for loss of alleles on chromosome 10, 25 astrocytomas, 3 ependymomas, 2 medulloblastomas, 2 juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, 2 gangliogliomas, 1 subependymal giant cell astrocytoma and 1 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma. A battery of 12 DNA markers spanning chromosome 10 was employed. Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 10 was seen in 16 tumours (13 glioblastoma multiforme, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas; and 1 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma), but not in any of the low-grade astrocytomas examined. High-resolution restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis showed that the loss of alleles in a number of tumours involved two separate large regions of chromosome 10 (10p-proximal 10q and distal 10q). However, a small common region of deletion overlap could not be identified. Our data indicate that the loss of alleles on chromosome 10 is a common finding, seen in over two-thirds of malignant astrocytomas, and may be suggestive of the presence of two or more chromosome 10 tumour suppressor ...
A prodrug micellar carrier assembled from polymers with pendant farnesyl thiosalicylic acid moieties for improved delivery of paclitaxel.

Abstract In order to achieve enhanced and synergistic delivery of paclitaxel (PTX), a hydrophobic anticancer agent, two novel prodrug copolymers, POEG 15 - b -PFTS 6 and POEG 15 - b -PFTS 16 composed of hydrophilic poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEG) and hydrophobic farnesylthiosalicylate (FTS, a nontoxic Ras antagonist) blocks, were synthesized. Both POEG- b -PFTS polymers were able to form micelles with intrinsic antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo . Employing these micelles as a carrier to load PTX, their drug loading capacity, stability, in vivo biodistribution and tumor inhibition effect were evaluated. PTX/POEG 15 - b -PFTS 16 mixed micelles exhibited an excellent stability of 9 days at 4 °C with a PTX loading capacity of 8.2%, which was more effective than PTX/POEG 15 - b -PFTS 6 mixed micelles. In vivo biodistribution data showed that DiR-loaded POEG- b -PFTS micelles were more effectively localized in the tumor than in other organs. Moreover, both PTX/POEG- b -PFTS micelles showed significantly higher antitumor activity than Taxol in a 4T1.2 murine breast tumor model, and the tumor inhibition and animal survival followed the order of PTX/POEG 15 - b -PFTS 16 > PTX/POEG 15 - b -PFTS 6 > POEG 15 - b -PFTS 16 > Taxol ≈ POEG 15 - b -PFTS 6 . Our data suggest that POEG- b -PFTS micelles are a promising anticancer drug carrier that warrants more studies in the future. Statement of Significance Polymerization of drug-based monomer represents a facile and precise method to obtain well-defined polymeric prodrug amphiphiles. Currently, most reports largely focus on the synthesis methods and the biophysical properties. There is limited information about their anti-tumor activity and delivery function as prodrug carriers in vitro and in vivo . In this manuscript, we report the development of two novel prodrug copolymers, POEG15- b -PFTS6 and POEG15- b -PFTS16 composed of hydrophilic poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEG) and hydrophobic farnesylthiosalicylate (FTS, a nontoxic Ras antagonist) blocks. Both POEG- b -PFTS polymers were able to self-assemble into nano-sized micelles with intrinsic antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo . More importantly, POEG- b -PFTS polymers were effective in forming stable mixed micelles with various anticancer agents including PTX, DOX, docetaxel, gefitinib, and imatinib. Delivery of PTX via our new carrier led to significantly improved antitumor activity, suggesting effective PTX/FTS combination therapy. We believe that our study shall be of broad interest to the readers in the fields of biomaterials and drug delivery.
Targeted Fines & Fees Against Low Income Minorities: Civil Rights & Constitutional Implications: Testimony Before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

My testimony today will focus on issues discussed in Fighting Fines & Fees: Borrowing from Consumer Law to Combat Criminal Justice Debt Abuses, forthcoming in the Colorado Law Review. In that article, I examine whether the framework used to address debt-collection abuses in the consumer context should apply to the abusive collection and assessment of criminal justice debt. I argue that the rationale that led to the enactment of the federal FDCPA and the creation of CFPB to combat consumer collection abuses parallels the reasons that a federal statute should be adopted to help the DOJ coordinate the attack against abuses in the collection of criminal justice debt. Alternatively, if a federal statute is not adopted, the DOJ should adopt guidelines and coordinate enforcement and outreach activities with state and local authorities to address abusive criminal justice debt collection. A separate division within the DOJ could be created to coordinate and assess the efforts at reducing these abuses. Moreover, by advocating a federal approach, my intention is not to restrict state enforcement, but instead, to provide a floor for enforcement and hopefully encourage additional state and local participation. Following the adoption of the FDCPA, many states not only developed similar legislation but some also adopted greater protections for their residents. In my testimony, I will compare similarities in the growth and consequences of abuses of criminal justice debt and consumer debt, describe the federal approach used to attack consumer debt collection abuses, and recommend measures to help combat abusive criminal justice debt collection based on the framework used in the consumer context.
Distribution of surface imperviousness in small urban catchments predicts runoff peak flows and stream flashiness

Urban growth is a global phenomenon and the associated impacts on hydrology from land development are expected to increase, especially in peri-urban catchments. It is well understood that greater peak flows and higher stream flashiness are associated with increased surface imperviousness and storm location. However, the effect of the distribution of impervious areas on runoff peak flow response and stream flashiness of peri-urban catchments has not been well studied. In this study, a new geometric index, Relative Nearness of Imperviousness to the Catchment Outlet (RNICO), is defined to correlate imperviousness distribution of peri-urban catchments to runoff peak flows and stream flashiness. Study sites include 21 suburban catchments in New York representing a range of drainage area from 5 to 189 km2 and average imperviousness from 10 to 48%. Based on RNICO, all development patterns are divided into three classes: upstream, centralized, and downstream. Results showed an obvious increase in runoff peak flows and decrease in time to peak when moving from upstream to centralized and downstream urbanization classes. This indicates that RNICO is an effective tool for classifying urban development patterns and for macro-scale understanding of the hydrologic behavior of small peri-urban catchments, despite the complexity of urban drainage systems. We also found that the impact of impervious distribution on runoff peak flows and stream flashiness decreases with catchment scale. For small catchments (A 40 km2), the impact of impervious surface distribution on peak flows and stream flashiness was negligible due to the complex drainage network and great variability in travel times. This study emphasizes the need for greater monitoring of discharge in small peri-urban catchments to support flood prediction at the local scale.
Variable mode model predictive control for minimizing the thermal stress in electric drives

Control scheme based on variable mode model predictive control is proposed in this paper. By augmenting the conventional model predictive controller with a variable cutoff-frequency/order, an additional degree of the objective function allows for optimal tradeoff between the thermal stress reduction and the harmonic performance. Both the simulation and experimental results have validated the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Engineering E. coli for simultaneous glucose-xylose utilization during methyl ketone production.

We previously developed an E. coli strain that overproduces medium-chain methyl ketones for potential use as diesel fuel blending agents or as flavors and fragrances. To date, the strain’s performance has been optimized during growth with glucose. However, lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates also contain a substantial portion of hemicellulose-derived xylose, which is typically the second most abundant sugar after glucose. Commercialization of the methyl ketone-producing technology would benefit from the increased efficiency resulting from simultaneous, rather than the native sequential (diauxic), utilization of glucose and xylose. In this study, genetic manipulations were performed to alleviate carbon catabolite repression in our most efficient methyl ketone-producing strain. A strain engineered for constitutive expression of xylF and xylA (involved in xylose transport and metabolism) showed synchronized glucose and xylose consumption rates. However, this newly acquired capability came at the expense of methyl ketone titer, which decreased fivefold. Further efforts were made to improve methyl ketone production in this strain, and we found that two strategies were effective at enhancing methyl ketone titer: (1) chromosomal deletion of pgi (glucose-6-phosphate isomerase) to increase intracellular NADPH supply and (2) downregulation of CRP (cAMP receptor protein) expression by replacement of the native RBS with an RBS chosen based upon mutant library screening results. Combining these strategies resulted in the most favorable overall phenotypes for simultaneous glucose–xylose consumption without compromising methyl ketone titer at both 1 and 2% total sugar concentrations in shake flasks. This work demonstrated a strategy for engineering simultaneous utilization of C6 and C5 sugars in E. coli without sacrificing production of fatty acid-derived compounds.
Multiscale modeling of PEEK using reactive molecular dynamics modeling and micromechanics

Abstract Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance, semi-crystalline thermoplastic that is used in a wide range of engineering applications, including some structural components of aircraft. The design of new PEEK-based composite materials can be greatly facilitated with a precise understanding of the multiscale structure and behavior of semi-crystalline PEEK. Molecular Dynamics (MD) modeling can efficiently predict the response of single-phase polymers at the nanometer length scale, and micromechanics can be used to predict the bulk-level properties of multi-phase materials based on the microstructure. In this study, MD modeling was used to predict the mechanical response of the amorphous and crystalline phases of PEEK. Employing the MD simulation results as input, the hierarchical microstructure of PEEK, which combines these two phases, was modeled using NASA's micromechanics MSGMC (Multi-Scale Generalized Method of Cells) code. The predicted bulk mechanical properties of semi-crystalline PEEK agree well with the scientific literature data, thus validating the multiscale modeling approach. Thus, the proposed multiscale modeling method can be used to accurately and efficiently predict the mechanical response of other micro-structurally complex polymer systems.
SPECIFIC AND NONSPECIFIC MODULATION OF NCMC BY SERUM COMPONENTS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC), which is a polyspecific system involving an effector mechanism recognizing many antigens on target cells. Natural killer (NK) cells that mediate NCMC are capable of recognizing a variety of antigens on cell surfaces of cultured target cells producing an apparent nonselective effect. When polyspecific effector cells are tested directly on different target cells, some selectivity is observed, but for the most part, the reaction appears nonselective. The differentiation of selective from nonselective effects is the initial step in the investigation of specificity in polyspecific systems. The nonselective portion of the total reaction provides no information on specificity because it cannot be distinguished from nonspecific effects. The modulation of effector cells by incubation in serum is complex, and it is difficult to predict how NCMC or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) will be affected without previous experience with the serum. When effector cells are treated with serum, activity against target cells can be enhanced, inhibited, or unaffected, indicating the presence of other modulating factors besides interferon.
Beyond Labour Conventions: Reflections on the Wider Relevance of the ILO Experience

The more narrow focus of this study is the automatic incorporation of labour conventions in national law, but the broader scope is the interaction between international law and national law in the contemporary international community. The significance of the circumscribed examination of national implementation of ILO conventions is apparent in the light of current developments in international law. A recapitulation of these developments may help to emphasize the importance of the ILO experience.
THE DEFINITE INTEGRAL

This chapter describes the definite integral and elementary estimation of areas. Aside from the derivative, the calculus has only one other key idea: the definite integral. The definite integral of a function F on the interval [A,B] is defined to be the area under the graph of F and above the x-axis between A and B. Using the computer, this area can be numerically estimated to a high degree of accuracy. For example, if one cuts the interval [A,B] into N equal subintervals, then the sum of the areas above these little intervals must be equal to the area above the entire interval [A,B]. Each of the resulting narrow columns can then be approximated by a rectangle.
Variations in vowel intensity measurements.

Measurements were made of the intensities of vowels produced in isolation and in CVC syllables by three adult speakers. It was found that the predicted direct relationship with vowel opening did not apply to vowel intensity measures obtained. Similar results were found for both level recorder and voltmeter measurements. The lack of predicted relationship did not appear to be due to any effect of consonant environment. Increasing vocal effort did tend to increase the intensity of open vowels more than that of close vowels. It is suggested that reversals in the predicted relationship between vowel intensity and vowel opening may be due to variations in vocal effort and in voice quality.
Rudder: An agent-based infrastructure for autonomic composition of grid applications

This paper describes Rudder, a decentralized agent-based infrastructure for supporting the autonomic composition of Grid applications. Rudder provides agents and protocols for discovering, selecting, and composing elements. It also implements agent interaction and negotiation protocols to enable appropriate application behaviors to be dynamically negotiated and enacted. The defined protocols and agent activities are supported by Comet, a scalable decentralized shared-space based coordination substrate. The implementation, operation and experimental evaluation of the system are presented.
Quantitative analysis of mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (BSH) is an important agent in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of various cancers. A simple and rapid analytical method for the measurement of mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate in aqueous solution and in urine by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been developed. A thin-pathlength sampling apparatus was used to minimize the strong absorption of water. The subtraction of water absorbance from sample spectra resolved a B-H band at 2493 cm−1. The quantitative measurement of BSH concentration was carried out by integrating the B-H band above baseline in the range of 2534-2440 cm−1. The lower limit of measuring the concentration of sodium BSH (Na2B12H11SH) in our experiment was 10 µg/ml (about 5 ppm of boron). This method measures the hydroborate (B-H) concentration instead of total boron and, thus, may be utilized to measure the BSH concentration in in vivo samples for metabolic studies.
Four Dimensional Hybrid Constellations for Dual-Polarized Wireless Communications

This paper considers the design of signal constellations for a 2 x 2 MIMO digital communication system with dual-polarized transmit and receive antennas. Specifically, it proposes four-dimensional ``hybrid'' constellations formed as the direct product of an absolute amplitude/phase state and a polarization state. We begin by imposing a constant symbol power constraint and combining phase shift keying (PSK) with polarization shift keying (PolSK) to produce hybrid constellations referred to as PSK+PolSK. As a motivating example, uncoded 8PSK+8PolSK is shown to enjoy a 1.1 dB gain over more conventional 8PSK+8PSK at a symbol error rate of $10^{-4}$ in additive white Gaussian noise. When the power constraint is removed to form QAM+PolSK an APSK+PolSK constellations, the resulting performance suffers relative to comparable QAM+QAM and APSK+APSK constellations due to the polarization state's sensitivity to symbol power. Capacity calculations provide insight into the viability of coded modulation based on hybrid signaling. Particular hybrid constellations based on QAM+PolSK and APSK+PolSK were shown to provide a capacity advantage over comparable QAM+QAM constellations over a range of rates of practical value.
Lung Contusion Management: Invasive and Noninvasive

Lung contusion (or pulmonary contusion) is common in patients who have sustained blunt chest trauma. Lung contusion consists of pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities related to pulmonary tissue injury resulting in hemorrhage, edema, and inflammation. Diagnosis is confirmed by chest radiograph and thoracic CT scan imaging. The sequelae of the lung contusion pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities include pneumonia, acute respiratory insufficiency and failure with hypoxemia and/or hypercarbia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment of lung contusion is initially supportive care, adequate pain control, fluid restrictive strategy, and pulmonary toilet with optimization of oxygenation and ventilation. Management of the complications associated with lung contusion may include drainage of associated hemothorax, noninvasive vs. invasive mechanical ventilation, VATS, and rib fracture fixation. For ARDS due to lung contusion, all advanced ARDS treatment strategies (low tidal volume ventilation, restrictive fluid strategy, neuromuscular blockade, prone position, inhaled nitric oxide, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) will be considered.
A Haunting Strain: An Interpretation of Petrus Lotichius’ Elegy 2:4: On the Siege of Magdeburg

This paper offers a new interpretation of the famous elegy written by the Neo-Latin poet Petrus Lotichius on the siege of Magdeburg in 1550–1551, one of the major episodes in the armed conflict bet...
Robotic Thin Layer Chromatography Instrument for Synthetic Chemistry

We have constructed a second generation instrument for performing automated thin layer chromatography (TLC). The TLC instrument consists of four dedicated stations for 1) plate dispensing, 2) sample application, 3) plate development, and 4) densitometry. A robot is used to move TLC plates among stations. The TLC instrument functions either as a stand-alone unit or as one analytical module in a robotic workstation for synthetic chemistry. An integrated hardware and software architecture enables automatic TLC analysis of samples produced concurrently from synthetic reactions in progress on the workstation. The combination of fixed automation and robotics gives a throughput of 12 TLC samples per hour. From these results a blueprint has emerged for an advanced automated TLC instrument with far greater throughput and analytical capabilities.
Left Behind: Presidential Cycles and Partisan Gap in Stock Market Participation

Using longitudinal U.S. household data, I document that Democrats are less likely than Republicans to participate in the stock market. More importantly, the partisan gap in stock market participation widens sharply under Democratic presidencies, precisely when the stock market returns are substantially higher. This dynamic pattern accounts for more than 40 percent of the discrepancy in wealth accumulation between Democrats and Republicans over presidential cycles. Overall, these findings underscore the interplay between individual ideology, household portfolio choice, and changing economic and political landscape.
Patient-Provider Communication

Communication between providers and patients is a very aspect important of health services and patient care. When such communication is patient-centered, it can contribute to fostering healing relationships, enabling patient self-management, and making shared health decisions. Patient-provider communication is affected by several factors such as the patients’ health and background, clinicians’ personality and orientation, the health system or even the health system factors. Understanding the importance of communication and potential communication barriers helps in identifying new methods for improving communication and potentially improving the overall health outcomes.
Low-chloride- versus high-chloride-containing hypertonic solution for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage–related complications: The ACETatE (A low ChloriE hyperTonic solution for brain Edema) randomized trial

Recent reports have demonstrated that among patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) treated with hypertonic NaCl, resultant hyperchloremia has been associated with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). We report a trial comparing the effect of two hypertonic solutions with different chloride contents on the resultant serum chloride concentrations in SAH patients, with a primary outcome aimed at limiting chloride elevation. A low ChloridE hyperTonic solution for brain Edema (ACETatE) trial is a single-center, double-blinded, double-dummy, randomized pilot trial comparing bolus infusions of 23.4% NaCl and 16.4% NaCl/Na-acetate for the treatment of cerebral edema in patients with SAH. Randomization occurred when patients developed hyperchloremia (serum Cl− ≥ 109 mmol/L) and required hyperosmolar treatment. We enrolled 59 patients, of which 32 developed hyperchloremia and required hyperosmolar treatment. 15 patients were randomized to the 23.4% NaCl group, and 17 patients were randomized to the 16.4% NaCl/Na-acetate group. Although serum chloride levels increased similarly in both groups, the NaCl/Acetate group showed a significantly lower Cl− load at the end of the study period (978mEq vs. 2,464mEq, p < 0.01). Secondary outcome analysis revealed a reduced rate of AKI in the Na-acetate group (53.3% in the NaCl group vs. 11.8% in the Na-acetate group, p = 0.01). Both solutions had similar effects on ICP reduction, but NaCl/Acetate treatment had a more prominent effect on immediate post-infusion Na+ concentrations (increase of 2.2 ± 2.8 vs. 1.4 ± 2.6, (p < 0.01)). Proximal tubule renal biomarkers differed in concentration between the two groups. Our pilot trial showed the feasibility and safety of replacing 23.4% NaCl infusions with 16.4% NaCl/Na-acetate infusions to treat cerebral edema in patients with SAH. The degree of hyperchloremia was similar in the two groups. 16.4% NaCl/Na-acetate infusions led to lower Cl− load and AKI rates than 23.4% NaCl infusions. Further multi-center studies are needed to corroborate these results. clinicaltrials.gov # NCT03204955 , registered on 6/28/2017
Substituent effects in iniferter photopolymerization: can bond homolysis be enhanced by electronics?

Photoinduced-RAFT polymerization is a technique of increasing interest due to the combination of control over polymerization that RAFT processes afford with the mild reaction conditions and spatial and temporal control of photochemical processes. Iniferter RAFT polymerization is an interesting subclass of photoinduced-RAFT that eliminates the need for an added photocatalyst, as the RAFT agent is directly excited by the photon source. Iniferter RAFT is a photochemical process leading to carbon–sulfur bond homolysis. In this work we find a surprising effect of substituents on the dithiobenzoate moiety of the chain transfer agent (CTA). Donating groups dramatically accelerate the iniferter process, while withdrawing groups retard the reaction substantially. This is interpreted though electrochemistry, since homolysis of the carbon–sulfur bond is associated with a formal oxidation of the thiocarbonylthio groups and reduction of the carbon to a radical. Through this study, the unique efficiency of 2-cyano-2-propyl 4-methoxydithiobenzoate (CPMODB) as an iniferter was uncovered, as this polymerization was found to progress at a drastically enhanced rate, even when compared to similar tris[2-phenylpyridinato-C2,N]iridium(III) photocatalyzed polymerizations using an unsubstituted dithiobenzoate RAFT agent.
An Adaptive Stable Space-Time FE Method for the Shallow Water Equations.

We consider the finite element (FE) approximation of the shallow water equations (SWE) by considering discretizations in which both space and time are established using an unconditionally stable FE method. Particularly, we consider the automatic variationally stable FE (AVS-FE) method, a type of discontinuous Petrov-Galerkin (DPG) method. The philosophy of the DPG method allows us to break the test space and achieve unconditionally stable FE approximations as well as accurate a posteriori error estimators upon solution of a saddle point system of equations. The resulting error indicators allow us to employ mesh adaptive strategies and perform space-time mesh refinements, i.e., local time stepping. We derive a priori error estimates for the AVS-FE method and linearized SWE and perform numerical verifications to confirm corresponding asymptotic convergence behavior. In an effort to keep the computational cost low, we consider an alternative space-time approach in which the space-time domain is partitioned into finite sized space-time slices. Hence, we can perform adaptivity on each individual slice to preset error tolerances as needed for a particular application. Numerical verifications comparing the two alternatives indicate the space-time slices are superior for simulations over long times, whereas the solutions are indistinguishable for short times. Multiple numerical verifications show the adaptive mesh refinement capabilities of the AVS-FE method, as well the application of the method to commonly applied benchmarks for the SWE.
Monument Lab: Creative speculations for Philadelphia, edited by Paul M. Farber and Ken Lum: Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Press, 2020

The public art project titled Monument Lab took place in Philadelphia from September 16–November 19, 2017. Installing temporary “monument” models, 20 projects created by artists or artistic teams w...
Data Visualization: Charts, Maps, and Interactive Graphics. Robert Grant.: Boca Raton, FL: Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, 2018, xxvi + 222 pp., $31.95(P), ISBN: 978-1-13-870760-3.

Data Visualization: Charts, Maps, and Interactive Graphics, by Robert Grant, overviews a broad range of techniques and challenges encountered in visualizing quantitative information. This well-writ...
A high-throughput fluorescence lifetime-based assay to detect binding of myosin-binding protein C to F-actin

Binding properties of actin-binding proteins are typically evaluated by cosedimentation assays. However, this method is time-consuming, involves multiple steps, and has a limited throughput. These shortcomings preclude its use in screening for drugs that modulate actin-binding proteins relevant to human disease. To develop a simple, quantitative, and scalable F-actin-binding assay, we attached fluorescent probes to actin's Cys-374 and assessed changes in fluorescence lifetime upon binding to the N-terminal region (domains C0-C2) of human cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C). The lifetime of all five probes tested decreased upon incubation with cMyBP-C C0-C2, as measured by time-resolved fluorescence (TR-F), with IAEDANS being the most sensitive probe that yielded the smallest errors. The TR-F assay was compared with cosedimentation to evaluate in vitro changes in binding to actin and actin-tropomyosin arising from cMyBP-C mutations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and tropomyosin binding. Lifetime changes of labeled actin with added C0-C2 were consistent with cosedimentation results. The HCM mutation L352P was confirmed to enhance actin binding, whereas PKA phosphorylation reduced binding. The HCM mutation R282W, predicted to disrupt a PKA recognition sequence, led to deficits in C0-C2 phosphorylation and altered binding. Lastly, C0-C2 binding was found to be enhanced by tropomyosin and binding capacity to be altered by mutations in a tropomyosin-binding region. These findings suggest that the TR-F assay is suitable for rapidly and accurately determining quantitative binding and for screening physiological conditions and compounds that affect cMyBP-C binding to F-actin for therapeutic discovery.
Merkel cell carcinoma: treatment and outcomes over a 10-year period at a high-volume academic center.

BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy which lacks high-level evidence-based treatment guidelines. METHODS To determine outcomes of MCC patients and assess the role of radiation in treatment, we performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated for MCC between 2006 and 2016 at a single high-volume academic medical center. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) for the entire population and for those populations receiving specific therapies. RESULTS Forty-two patients were evaluable. OS for all patients was not reached since most remain alive at time of analysis. OS for the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I was not reached. OS for stages II, III, and IV was 37.3 months (6.8, -), 49.5 months (14.2, 49.5), and 14.5 months (10.8, -), respectively. OS could not be reached in the high radiotherapy (RT) dose group (biologically equivalent dose [BED] ≥ 60) and was 49.5 months (10.8, -) in the low-dose group (BED < 60). For surgical margin status, OS was 14.9158 months (6.8008, -) for positive margins and 37.3 months (10.8, -) for negative margins. CONCLUSIONS No conclusive findings for OS were identified; however, trends for improved OS were associated with lower AJCC staging, negative surgical margins, and high RT doses.
Electrical Resistivity of Metals and Alloys at Cryogenic Temperatures: A Review

To find the electrical resistivity of a metallic wire, one begins by measuring the potential difference V across a length of the wire L, when a current I is passed through it. According to Ohm’s Law, the ratio V/I is the electrical resistance R of the wire. In the general case, R is a tensor--that is, its value depends upon the direction of the current flow. However, most metals have cubic crystal structures for which R is isotropic, and non-cubic metals usually have simple enough crystal structures that the resistance tensor has only two or three independent terms.
A variable-structure control law for brushless DC motors supplied by six-transistor inverter drives

A variable-structure strategy (VSS) for the control of brushless DC motors (BLDCMs) for servo applications is described. A VSS control method is proposed and examined whose variable structure nature is commensurable with the inherent characteristics of the inverter. Also presented is a control law whose formulation is based on the conventional design procedure associated with VSSs. Using computer simulations, a comparison between the two methods is presented. Compared with the conventional VSS design, the proposed approach eliminated the trail-error procedure of proper gain selection. The simulation results also show that this controller provides good robustness against parameter error and external torque disturbance. The simulation results suggest that, in the step input case, the proposed VSS is better than the conventional VSS when driving a nonlinear load. >