cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enzymic and nonenzymic lipid peroxidation: inhibition by substituted phenoxazines

Abstract A series of phenoxazines was evaluated as in vitro inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. A linear relationship (r2 = 0.91, n = 10) was found for the ester, hydroxamic acid and C-1 carboxylic acid representatives suggesting that hydroxamic acid mediated iron chelation may not contribute significantly to 5-LO inhibition by these compounds.
Fluid-structure-factor measurements in 4He for 5.5<=T<=7.0 K

We report precise measurements of the structure factor $S(k)$ as a function of the momentum transfer $k$ for $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ at $T=5.5 \mathrm{and} 6.5$ K in the density range $10\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\lesssim}155$ kg/${\mathrm{m}}^{3}$. No theoretical predictions that can be tested against the data are available. The recent theoretical work by Bruch et al. at $T=7.0$ K, $\ensuremath{\rho}=69.6$ kg/${\mathrm{m}}^{3}$ is in only limited agreement with our experimental data at $T=7.0$ K, $\ensuremath{\rho}=69.0$ kg/${\mathrm{m}}^{3}$.
A Glucose-to-Gene Link

Eukaryotic cell growth demands an increase in glucose uptake and metabolism to support energetic and biosynthetic needs, accompanied by changes in gene expression that control cell lineage or fate. These gene expression patterns are determined by lineage-specific or differentiation stage–specific transcription factors, as well as by modifications of chromatin (the complex of nucleic acids and proteins that constitute chromosomes) that regulate access of transcription factors to specific DNA loci. On page [1076][1] of this issue, Wellen et al. propose a new mechanism to link glucose metabolism to chromatin modification and global transcriptional control via the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase and production of acetyl–coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) ( 1 ). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1164097
Penalized-Likelihood Reconstruction for Sparse Data Acquisitions with Unregistered Prior Images and Compressed Sensing Penalties

This paper introduces a general reconstruction technique for using unregistered prior images within model-based penalized-likelihood reconstruction. The resulting estimator is implicitly defined as the maximizer of an objective composed of a likelihood term that enforces a fit to data measurements and that incorporates the heteroscedastic statistics of the tomographic problem; and a penalty term that penalizes differences from prior image. Compressed sensing (p-norm) penalties are used to allow for differences between the reconstruction and the prior. Moreover, the penalty is parameterized with registration terms that are jointly optimized as part of the reconstruction to allow for mismatched images. We apply this novel approach to synthetic data using a digital phantom as well as tomographic data derived from a conebeam CT test bench. The test bench data includes sparse data acquisitions of a custom modifiable anthropomorphic lung phantom that can simulate lung nodule surveillance. Sparse reconstructions using this approach demonstrate the simultaneous incorporation of prior imagery and the necessary registration to utilize those priors.
The phylogenetic relationships of flies in the superfamily Empidoidea (Insecta: Diptera).

We conducted a molecular phylogenetic study of the Empidoidea, a diverse group of 10,000 species of true flies, with two major goals: to reconstruct a taxonomically complete and robustly supported phylogeny for the group and to use this information to assess several competing classifications for the clade. We amassed 3900+ nucleotides of coding data from the carbamoylphosphate synthase domain of the rudimentary locus (CAD) and 1200+ nucleotides from the large nuclear ribosomal subunit (28S) from 72 and 71 species, respectively, representing several orthorrhaphan and cyclorrhaphan families and all previously recognized empidoidean subfamilies. Independent and combined phylogenetic analyses of these data were conducted using parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian criteria. The combined matrix included 61 taxa for which both CAD and 28S sequences were obtained. Analyses of CAD first and second codon positions alone and when concatenated with 28S sequences yielded trees with similar and largely stable topologies. Analyses of 28S data alone supported many clades although resolution is limited by low sequence divergence. The following major empidoid clades were recovered with convincing support in a majority of analyses: Atelestidae, Empidoidea exclusive of Atelestidae, Hybotidae sensu lato, Dolichopodidae + Microphorinae (including Parathallassius), and Empididae sensu lato (including Brachystomatinae, Ceratomerinae, Clinocerinae, Empidinae, Hemerodromiinae, Oreogetoninae, and Trichopezinae). The branching arrangement among these four major clades was Atelestidae, Hybotidae, Dolichopodidae/Microphorinae, Empididae. Previously recognized subclades recovered with robust support included Hybotinae, Brachystomatinae, Tachydromiinae, Clinocerinae (in part), Hemerodromiinae, Empidinae, and Empidiini.
Cache-Optimal Methods for Bit-Reversals

Bit-reversals are representative and important data reordering operations in many scientific computations. Performance degradation is mainly caused by cache conflict misses. Bit-reversals are often repeatedly used as fundamental subroutines for many scientific programs. Thus, in order to gain the best performance, cache-optimal methods and their implementations should be carefully and precisely done at the programming level. This type of performance programming for some special programs, such as the data reorderings, may significantly outperform an optimization from an automatic tool, such as a compiler. In this paper, we examine different methods using techniques of blocking, buffering, and padding for efficient implementations. We evaluate the merits and limits of each technique and their application and architecture-dependent conditions for developing cache-optimal methods. We present two contributions in this paper: (1) Our integrated blocking methods, which match cache associativity and TLB cache size and which fully use the available registers are cache-optimal and fast. (2) We show that our padding methods outperform other software oriented methods, and believe they are the fastest in terms of minimizing both CPU and memory access cycles. Since the padding methods are almost independent of hardware, they could be widely used on many uniprocessor workstations and SMP multiprocessors.
The effects of stochastic neural activity in a model predicting intensity perception with cochlear implants: low-rate stimulation

Most models of auditory nerve response to electrical stimulation are deterministic, despite significant physiological evidence for stochastic activity. Furthermore, psychophysical models and analyses of physiological data using deterministic descriptions do not accurately predict many psychophysical phenomena. Here, the authors investigate whether inclusion of stochastic activity in neural models improves such predictions. To avoid the complication of interpulse interactions and to enable the use of a simpler and faster auditory nerve model the authors restrict their investigation to single pulses and low-rate (<200 pulses/s) pulse trains. They apply signal detection theory to produce direct predictions of behavioral threshold, dynamic range and intensity difference limen. Specifically, the authors investigate threshold versus pulse duration (the strength-duration characteristics), threshold and uncomfortable loudness (and the corresponding dynamic range) versus phase duration, the effects of electrode configuration on dynamic range and on strength-duration, threshold versus number of pulses (the temporal-integration characteristics), intensity difference limen as a function of loudness, and the effects of neural survival on these measures. For all psychophysical measures investigated, the inclusion of stochastic activity in the auditory nerve model was found to produce more accurate predictions.
Health-related Quality of Life: Expanding a Conceptual Framework to Include Older Adults Who Receive Long-term Services and Supports

For older adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has emerged as a critical construct to examine because of its focus on components of well-being, which are affected by progressive changes in health status, health care, and social support. HRQoL is a health-focused quality of life (QOL) concept that encompasses aspects of QOL that affect health such as function, physical, and emotional health. Examining existing theoretical constructs and indicators of HRQoL among LTSS recipients led us to posit a revised conceptual framework for studying HRQoL among LTSS recipients. We adapted the Wilson and Cleary HRQoL model by expanding function to specifically include cognition, adding behavior and LTSS environmental characteristics in order to create a more robust HRQoL conceptual framework for older adults receiving LTSS. This refined conceptual model allows for the measurement of a mix of structural, process, and outcome measures. Continued development of a multidimensional conceptual framework with specific HRQoL measures that account for the unique characteristics of older adults receiving LTSS will contribute significantly to LTSS research, policy, and planning efforts.
Batch fabrication of high-performance planar patch-clamp devices in quartz.

The success of the patch-clamp technique has driven an effort to create wafer-based patch-clamp platforms. We develop a lithographic/electrochemical processing scheme that generates ultrasmooth, high aspect ratio pores in quartz. These devices achieve gigaohm seals in nearly 80% of trials, with the majority exhibiting seal resistances from 20-80 GΩ, competing with pipette-based patch-clamp measurements.
Developmental sequences for simulating crop phenology for water-limiting conditions

The timing, duration, and pace of developmental events, or phenology, are among the many responses of plants to limited soil water. Understanding and predicting plant responses to availability of soil water are important in improving the efficacy of management practices. However, the first steps towards gaining this understanding, summarising the complete developmental sequence of the shoot apex and correlating the timing of these events, have rarely been reported. Also, the effect of water-limiting conditions on crop phenology and shoot apex development is variable. The objective of this paper is to present the developmental sequence of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and corn (Zea mays L.) shoot apices and correlate events in these sequences with growth stages for both well-watered and water-limiting conditions. We note that phenological responses to water availability occur at 3 different scales: among crops, among cultivars of a crop, and among growth stages within a cultivar or crop. Clearly, genotype × environment interaction affects the accuracy of predicting phenology. However, the fact that plants develop in an orderly, predictable pattern allows a general foundation for synthesising the complete sequence of developmental events of the shoot apex and correlate these with growth stages when water is not limiting. These patterns and relationships are the foundation to build upon in quantifying our understanding of crop phenology under water-limiting environments.
Isolation and Characterization of Isogenic Pairs of Domed Hemolytic and Flat Nonhemolytic Colony Types of Bordetella pertussis

Abstract Four different serotype strains of Bordetella pertussis, 3779BL2S4, Tohama I, 353/Z, and 2753, were plated on Bordet-Gengou agar, where they grew as domed, hemolytic (D+H+) wild-type colonies. Cloned D+H+ colony types of all four strains were passed onto modified Stainer-Scholte medium solidified with 1% Noble Agar. Colonies were selected from Stainer-Scholte agar, and these subsequently grew as flat, nonhemolytic (D−H−) colonies when transferred back onto Bordet-Gengou agar. The frequency of D−H− organisms within a population of cloned D+H+ was determined to be between 5 × 10−5 and 5 × 10−6. The D−H− colony types maintained their flat, nonhemolytic characteristics for over 80 single-colony passages on Bordet-Gengou agar. The isogenic pairs of D+H+ and D−H− colony types from the four strains were compared for hemagglutination titer, lymphocytosis-promoting activity, adenylate cyclase activity, and presence of agglutinogens by agglutination. In all cases the D−H− colony types showed reduced activities or amounts of antigen compared with their D+H+ parents. Freely diffusible antigens were markedly different between the two phenotypes as noted by double diffusion of antisera added to plates on which colonies of the variants were growing. Antigens solubilized from the two colony types by Triton X-100 were also markedly different as judged by radial immunodiffusion with antifimbrial hemagglutinin, antilymphocytosis-promoting factor, and anti-353/Z adsorbed with autoclaved 353/Z. In addition, autoradiographs of 125I-surface-labeled whole cells separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed unique banding patterns for each colony type. Since all organisms, regardless of colony type, were grown on Bordet-Gengou agar, the differences reported could not be due to medium composition. Differences between phenotypes were also independent of passage number on Bordet-Gengou agar. By analogy to previous studies, the D−H− organisms appear to fulfill the criteria for phase III or phase IV in the system of Leslie and Gardner (P. H. Leslie and A. D. Gardner, J. Hyg. 31:423-434, 1931) or phase III in the system of Kasuga et al. (T. Kasuga, Y. Nakase, K. Ukishima, and K. Takatsu, Kitasato Arch. Exp. Med. 26:121-134, 1954).
Use of Markers for the Detection and Treatment of Lung Cancer

The unacceptably high morbidity and mortality associated with the diagnosis of lung cancer mandates new approaches toward the early detection and treatment of this disease. Enhanced understanding of the molecular biology of the carcinogenic process is identifying many potential markers of risk of lung cancer occurrence as well as of poor prognosis. Identification of high risk populations who are at greatest risk of being diagnosed with and dying from lung cancer would allow delivery of more intensive screening and interventions to the individuals who are most likely to benefit from such strategies. This review examines the current status of markers of lung cancer risk, early detection, and prognosis, and their applicability to current standards of clinical care.
Internalization of IgG-Coated Targets Results in Activation and Secretion of Soluble CD40 Ligand and RANTES by Human Platelets

ABSTRACT Platelets are crucial elements for maintenance of hemostasis. Other functions attributable to platelets are now being appreciated, such as their role in inflammatory reactions and host defense. Platelets have been reported to bind immunological stimuli like IgG complexes, and for nearly 50 years it has been speculated that platelets may participate in immunological reactions. Platelets have been reported to bind and internalize various substances, similar to other leukocytes, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that human platelets can bind and internalize IgG-coated particles, similar to leukocytes. To this end, we observed that interaction with IgG-coated beads resulted in platelet activation (as measured by CD62P expression), internalization of targets, and significant soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expresses and secreted) secretion. Blocking FcγRIIA with monoclonal antibody (MAb) IV.3 or inhibiting actin remodeling with cytochalasin D inhibited platelet activation, internalization, and cytokine production. These data suggest that platelets are capable of mediating internalization of IgG-coated particles, resulting in platelet activation and release of both sCD40L and RANTES.
Deep level defects in Mg-doped GaN

Deep level defects in Mg compensated GaN grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy were investigated using photocapacitance spectroscopy measurements on Schottky barrier diodes Addition of magnesium resulted in the formation of a series of deep centers with optical threshold energies of 1.0, 1.2, 1.8, and 3.1 eV. Upon annealing the epitaxial GaN in nitrogen at 850°C the mid-gap levels disappeared and only the trapping level at 3.1 eV remained. The mid-gap levels are ascribed to Mg dopant complexes which may in part be responsible for low doping efficiency of Mg in the as-grown, doped GaN. The deep level at 3.1 eV commonly observed from all Mg-doped GaN most likely involves the Mg acceptor. The photo-excited state of the 3.1 eV level had relaxation times of the order of 103 sec at 295 K.
Explaining Processes of Institutional Opinion Leadership

When and how can institutions lead public opinion? Scholarly controversy exists over whether even a highly esteemed institution such as the Supreme Court can move mass opinion. In this study we use an experimental design embedded within a representative national survey to examine these questions in a context involving multiple institutions and multiple issues. Our findings suggest that the Court's ability to move opinion is potent and based on multiple processes of persuasive influence. Congress's ability to move opinion, while conditional, is surprisingly more potent than previously understood. Moreover, opinion change in response to institutional endorsements is mediated by substantive political thought to a greater extent than heuristic explanations have suggested.
The histogenesis of muscle in the regenerating fore limb of larval Amblystoma punctatum

The regeneration of muscle in larval Amblystoma punctatum is preceded by an extensive dedifferentiation of the old muscles of the limb stump. The process of muscle dedifferentiation consists in a separation of muscle nuclei, surrounded by a small amount of cytoplasm, from the injured ends of the muscle fibers. The dedifferentiation of the cut muscles of the limb stump progresses proximad as far as the origin of the muscles on the humerus and results in a complete transformation of these muscles into undifferentiated cells which appear to contribute to the formation of the regeneration blastema. Shoulder muscles, which were attached to the humerus, also undergo a partial dedifferentiation when their points of insertion on the humerus are destroyed by the degeneration of the perichondrium. These muscles never dedifferentiate, however, for more than one-fourth their original length. The process of dedifferentiation in the shoulder muscles is similar to that found in the cut muscles of the limb stump. The regeneration of the injured muscles occurs in two ways. The shoulder muscles reconstitute themselves by means of terminal and lateral sarcoplasmic buds formed near the distal regions of the muscle fibers. The muscles of the limb proper, distal to the shoulder, differentiate out of local aggregations of blastema cells. No myoblasts were observed. The regeneration blastema arose chiefly from dedifferentiated cells of muscle, nerve connective tissue sheath, perichondrium and cartilage.
“An Inconvenient Truth” Increases Knowledge, Concern, and Willingness to Reduce Greenhouse Gases:

Since May 24, 2006 millions of people have seen the movie “An Inconvenient Truth.” Several countries have even proposed using the film as an educational tool in school classrooms. However, it is no...
Artificial intelligence/expert systems: A teaching tool

It is suggested that mature technologies such as Internet and electronic mail make it possible for classroom teachers to link-up with a very specific national ES (expert system) and bring the "cutting-edge" technology directly into the educational environment at little cost. Perhaps profit-oriented AI/ES topic-specific "Internet" type clearing houses will develop. It is argued that the payoffs derived from moving ES into the classroom would be spectacular. The immediate access to such a knowledge base would stimulate tremendous advancements in the classroom, which in turn would contribute back to the expanding ES system. >
Reversal of pregnancy-mediated plasma hypotonicity in the near-term rat.

Objective: Maternal plasma hypotonicity occurs early in rat and human pregnancy with resetting of the plasma osmolality threshold for vasopressin secretion and thirst. In humans, amniotic fluid volume reaches maximum levels in the mid-third trimester and decreases thereafter. We hypothesized that a reversal of maternal plasma hypotonicity occurs near term, contributing to reduced fetal and amniotic fluid water content. Methods: Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid osmolality and sodium levels, including amniotic fluid volume, were measured at 16, 18 and 20 days of rat gestation. Additionally, maternal and fetal brains were analyzed for water and electrolyte content. Non-pregnant adult female rats represented controls. Results: Compared to non-pregnant adults, 16-day and 18-day pregnant rats had significantly lower plasma osmolality (301.0 ± 2.3 vs. 295.4 ± 2.8 and 289.7 ± 3.3 mOsm/kg, respectively) and sodium levels (140.3 ± 1.0 vs. 135.7 ± 0.8 and 133.4 ± 1.4 mEq/l, respectively). Conversely, 20-day pregna...
Pervasive diagnosis: the integration of diagnostic goals into production plans

In model-based control, a planner uses a system description to create a plan that achieves production goals (Fikes & Nilsson 1971). The same description can be used by model-based diagnosis to infer the condition of components in a system from partially informative sensors. Prior work has demonstrated that diagnosis can be used to adapt the control of a system to changes in its components. However diagnosis must either make inferences from passive observations of production, or production must be halted to take diagnostic actions. We observe that the declarative nature of model-based control allows the planner to achieve production goals in multiple ways. This exibility can be exploited with a novel paradigm we call pervasive diagnosis which produces diagnostic production plans that simultaneously achieve production goals while uncovering additional information about component health. We present an efficient heuristic search for these diagnostic production plans and show through experiments on a model of an industrial digital printing press that the theoretical increase in information can be realized on practical real-time systems. We obtain higher long-run productivity than a decoupled combination of planning and diagnosis.
Central Limit Theorems for Conditional Markov Chains

This paper studies Central Limit Theorems for real-valued functionals of Conditional Markov Chains. Using a classical result by Dobrushin (1956) for non-stationary Markov chains, a conditional Central Limit Theorem for xed sequences of observations is established. The asymptotic variance can be estimated by resampling the latent states conditional on the observations. If the conditional means themselves are asymptotically normally distributed, an unconditional Central Limit Theorem can be obtained. The methodology is used to construct a statistical hypothesis test which is applied to synthetically generated environmental data.
Estimating Major and Minor Natural Fracture Pattern in Gas Shales Using Production Data

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates tight-gas sands and shales may contain up to 460 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas in the U.S. alone - almost three times the amount of currently proven gas reserves - and that some 135 Tcf may be technically recoverable. Since natural fractures are the main source of permeability in gas shales, key to producing this vast resource is locating areas where natural fractures are abundant. By placing infill wells in such locations operators can significantly increase gas recovery. In most cases, in fields that produce from gas shales, monthly production rate is the only data that is available. This paper introduces a new strategy for estimation of major and minor natural fracture using production data. The framework includes the use of Geographic Information System as an environment to analyze the production data where the preliminary estimation of natural fracture trends is developed. Then by superimposing the results of the preliminary estimation on reservoir quality indices developed using a fuzzy pattern recognition technique, the uncertainty associated with the initial estimation is reduced. This technique is validated using a set of gas shale wells in Kentucky and West Virginia.
Quantification of Phase Change Material Energy Storage Capability Using Multiphysics Simulations

Organic phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffins or unsaturated acids use the latent heat of melting for thermal energy storage as a passive cooling mechanism for portable electronics. Researchers have suggested that a PCM’s thermal energy storage capability is linked to its thermal properties, yet this connection has not yet been quantified. This study first uses group theory and known values from literature to obtain the thermophysical properties for a variety of paraffins and unsaturated acids. Then, multiphysics-based finite element analysis (FEA) is applied to determine the influence of these thermophysical properties on the PCM latent heat storage capability for a side heating configuration. The FEA models include melting and re-solidification, natural convection, conduction, and the monitoring of input and output periodic heat fluxes. The phase change was achieved through application of temperature-dependent viscosity and heat capacity relations. The thermal energy storage efficiency is defined as one minus the ratio of integrated output heat flux to the integrated input heat flux. The FEA results are used to provide predictions of thermal energy storage for a variety of PCMs for various aspect ratios under different heating conditions. Insights are gained in relating thermal storage efficiency to the system configuration.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Importance of Activation of Antihemophilic Globulin and Proaccelerin by Traces of Thrombin in the Generation of Intrinsic Prothrombinase Activity

There are two major time-consuming steps in intrinsic clotting in vitro. The importance of the first step—the triggering of intrinsic clotting through the generation of activation product (AP) activity—has been appreciated for several years. This paper has been concerned with the delineation of the second important time-consuming step—the generation of a trace of thrombin, which by activating both anti-hemophilic globulin (AHG, factor VIII ) and proaccelerin (factor V ), shifts the intrinsic clotting process into high gear. Data have been presented which indicate that when plasma contains AP, activated AHG (AHG'), activated proaccelerin (accelerin ) and free platelet factor 3-like activity, all of the remaining reactions required to generate powerful intrinsic prothrombinase activity take place within 7 to 12 seconds after recalcification. It may well be that AHG and proaccelerin must be activated by minute traces of thrombin before they can participate effectively in the generation of intrinsic prothrombinase activity.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Beer Spoilage Bacterium Megasphaera cerevisiae Strain PAT 1T

ABSTRACT The genus Megasphaera harbors important spoilage organisms that cause beer spoilage by producing off flavors, undesirable aroma, and turbidity. Megasphaera cerevisiae is mainly found in nonpasteurized low-alcohol beer. In this study, we report the draft genome of the type strain of the genus, M. cerevisiae strain PAT 1T.
A Guide to Mongolian Stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera)

Since the early 1900s, efforts have been made to catalogue the stoneflies of Mongolia. Taxonomic work from 1960 to1980 greatly expanded basic lists of stoneflies in Mongolia, but no comprehensive survey or synthesis of this dispersedliterature has been completed. In conjunction with a modern survey of the aquatic insects of Mongolia, we collectedPlecoptera on a series of expeditions to the Selenge (north) and Altai (west) regions of Mongolia. A total of 48 speciesdistributed in 24 genera and 8 families were documented, including 3 of the 5 Mongolian endemics, 2 new species re-cords for Mongolia, and 1 species new to science. The majority of the fauna is representative of the East Palearcticregion. The 800+ specimen records were used to validate historical species lists, document species ranges with georef-erenced localities, and create identification tools to be used by Mongolian and international researchers with a broadrange of taxonomic expertise. These identification tools include a generic-level key to nymphs, species diagnoses, aswell as known species range and predicted species range maps created using Ecological Niche Modeling. These toolsare primarily intended for use by Mongolian scientists, sampling teams, and community water quality monitoringgroups, as well as general use by researchers interested in biogeography, ecology, and water quality applications ofMongolian Plecoptera. With this work, we hope to equip Mongolians with the scientific resources to protect their valuable and vulnerable water resources.
Trap-clearing Spectroscopy in Perylene Diimide Derivatives

Perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives are important components of organic circuits and photovoltaic systems, but the electron trapping mechanism(s) in higher-LUMO PDIs (−3 to −4 eV, where radical anions are expected to react with atmospheric water and oxygen) are not well characterized. Here, we examine the spatial distribution of traps in transistors made from PDIs with these higher LUMO levels and measure trap-clearing spectra in n-type organic materials using time- and wavelength-resolved frequency-modulated Kelvin probe force microscopy (FM-KPFM). We find that the rate of trap-clearing under visible light does not follow a LUMO-level trend, and we observe spectral evidence for different trapping mechanisms on bare versus HMDS-treated SiO2.
Abstract 630: Blood Pressure and Kidney Function in PRCP deficient Mice

Changes in the enzymes involved in Ang II degradation may influence disease conditions such as hypertension and kidney disease. The enzyme prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) catalyzes the conversion of Ang II to Ang(1-7) and its deficiency results in a phenotype characterized by a prothrombotic state, hypertension, and impaired wound healing. Here, we investigated kidney function and blood pressure in young mice, 10-16 weeks of age, with a subtotal PRCP deficiency (PRCP genetrap, PRCPgt). Enzyme activity based on a synthetic fluorogenic peptide was used to measure PRCP activity. The activity of recombinant PRCP was strongly pH-dependent with an optimum in the acidic range (pH 5). In keeping with this, recombinant PRCP degraded Ang II at pH 5, but not at pH 7.4 in-vitro. PRCP activity was detected in serum and in kidney of WT mice whereas PRCPgt/gt mice displayed highly diminished serum PRCP activity (about 5% of the WT). Kidney function was assessed by urinary protein/creatinine ratio and GFR. At 10 weeks of age, neither female nor male PRCPgt/gt animals showed elevations in urinary protein/creatinine-ratio (female PRCPgt/gt 19.9±1.4 vs. WT 23.5±1.9 and male PRCPgt/gt 32.4±3.5 vs. WT 34.8±1.8). At 16 weeks of age, the GFR (measured by clearance of FITC-Inulin) was not different (female PRCPgt/gt 4.10±0.32 vs. WT 4.33±0.29 and male PRCPgt/gt 4.41±0.50 vs. WT 4.28±0.31 ul/min/g). Systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in PRCPgt/gt animals as compared to the respective WT controls (female PRCPgt/gt 147.8±3.4 vs. WT 117.3±7.1 mmHg, male 138.1±8.4 vs. 120.5±3.6 mmHg, p PRCP deficient mice have normal GFR but elevated basal blood pressure. Whether PRCP deficiency causes hypertension as a result of impaired Ang II degradation or other mechanisms needs to be determined.
A Pilot Study Promoting Participation of Families with Limited Resources in Early Autism Intervention.

Abstract Background Relatively little research about autism early intervention has occurred in families of low socioeconomic status. Barriers to participation for under-resourced families (i.e., families with low incomes or limited education), pose a significant problem. The purpose of this pilot study was to apply empirically supported methods promoting participation of families with low-income and low-education levels to an established intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method Participant recruitment specifically targeted families whose income was equal to or below two times the federal poverty line and whose caregiver(s) had no more than two years of college attendance. An evidence-based intervention was modified to be more accessible to participating families. Adaptations focused on decreasing access barriers, decreasing attrition, and promoting positive change within families. Success of the program was measured quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Twenty-seven families were referred to the project, 13 of which did not meet eligibility requirements. Eight families enrolled, maintained participation for the majority of the project and provided positive qualitative feedback of their experiences. Project and treatment attrition were calculated at 62% and 12.5%, respectively. Treatment attendance was high, but length of time to complete treatment was greatly influenced by the number of session cancellations. Conclusions The exploratory project demonstrated that practical modifications to standard early intervention protocols can promote engagement in families with limited resources. Recommendations for programs seeking to implement interventions in under-resourced communities are discussed.
The psychological response to injury in student athletes: a narrative review with a focus on mental health

Background Injury is a major stressor for athletes and one that can pose significant challenges. Student athletes must handle rigorous academic as well as athletic demands that require time as well as significant physical requirements. Trying to perform and succeed in the classroom and on the playing field has become more difficult as the demands and expectations have increased. If an athlete is injured, these stressors increase. Main thesis Stress is an important antecedent to injuries and can play a role in the response to, rehabilitation and return to play after injury. The psychological response to injury can trigger and/or unmask mental health issues including depression and suicidal ideation, anxiety, disordered eating, and substance use/abuse. There are barriers to mental health treatment in athletes. They often consider seeking help as a sign of weakness, feeling that they should be able to ‘push through’ psychological obstacles as they do physical ones. Athletes may not have developed healthy coping behaviours making response to injury especially challenging. Purpose I discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the psychological response to injury and delineate resources necessary to direct the injured athlete to a mental health care provider if appropriate.
Non-Needle-like Morphology of β-Glycine Particles Formed from Water Solutions via Monodisperse Droplet Evaporation

The morphology and polymorphism of crystalline glycine particles formed via monodisperse droplet evaporation are presented. The resulting glycine particles are monodisperse with characteristic sizes of ∼10 μm. The crystalline particles are found to exclusively consist of the metastable β polymorph regardless of being formed from water-ethanol solutions, water-acetone solutions, or even pure water solutions. Although the formation of β-glycine is expected in some solvent mixtures based on previous work, this work represents a unique environment to obtain β-glycine, that is, from pure water solutions, where the solution droplets only interface with air, on the micrometer scale. Morphologically, the resulting particles are solid and not hollow, which is characteristically different from many other small molecular organic particles formed via monodisperse droplet evaporation. Furthermore, the morphology within the particles shows varying degrees of plate-like crystal morphology and an absence of the typical n...
A Comparison of the Surface Composition of Solid and Liquid Alloys

The surface compositions of three In-Pb alloys (l.42a/o Pb, 3.07a/o Pb, and 5.86a/o Pb) have been obtained as a function of temperature in both solid and liquid states using a scanning Auger microprobe. All data were obtained at temperature, from equilibrated samples in a region of about fifty degrees on either side of the liquidus temperature. Lead was found to be the segregating component in all cases. From these measurements, the heat of segregation has been calculated for all alloys in both states. In each alloy the magnitude of the heat of segregation declines significantly on melting although the absolute surface compositions are found to be continuous across the two phase solid-liquid field. These results are interpreted in the light of current segregation theories. Particular attention is paid to the role of elastic effects on solute segregation to free surfaces.
Groin Pain Etiology: Spine and Back Causes

Groin pain is a common complaint in the primary care setting. The etiologies of groin pain are multifactorial and include neurological causes, fractures, malignancy, and sacroiliac joint (SI) dysfunction. Differentiating spinal and back pathologies from inguinal etiologies is challenging, but the characteristics, distribution, symptoms, signs, physical exam, and imaging help to appropriately guide the evaluation and subsequent therapy.
Study of New Rural Community Construction Based on Diverse Analysis

New Rural Community Construction is the inevitable outcome of the industrialization and urbanization. Since 2006, there are 215 trial sites in the country, but due to influence from all kinds of factors, such as, regional differences,policies uncertainty and the like. New Rural Community Construction face dilemma. This disproves the theory that the construction is purely imitative. We should make decisions in accordance with specific conditions. The construction of New Rural Community is a long-term job. This article tries to research the development direction of New Rural Community construction from the following aspects: areas characteristics, native economies and wishes of farmers.
The Influence of Croce, Gentile, and Vico on Collingwood During the Early 1920’s

In an essay published in 1921,1 Collingwood criticizes Croce for doing exactly what Collingwood himself had done in Religion and Philosophy, namely identifying history and philosophy.2 The article is ostensibly a review of Croce’s Teoria e Storia delta Storiografia,3 but it contains acute discussion of what was already one of Collingwood’s favorite subjects, the relationship between history and philosophy. As such, it is a major document in the development of Collingwood’s philosophy of culture.
Lotus Effect and Self-Cleaning

Self-cleaning surfaces are capable of repelling contaminants, including solid particles, organic liquids, and biocontaminants. The most common principle of self-cleaning is based on the Lotus effect, which involves the superhydrophobicity induced by surface roughness. The phenomenon of superhydrophobicity and its various implications have been considered in detail in the preceding chapter. The name of the Lotus effect was coined due to the observation that the leaves of Lotus (Nelumbo) can emerge clean from dirty water, making lotus a symbol of purity in many Asian cultures. Superhydrophobicity is the core property that leads to the Lotus effect-based self-cleaning, so we discuss in this chapter basic observations on superhydrophobicity in biological surfaces (including, plant leaves, insects, birds, gecko feet, etc.) as well as artificial surfaces.
The historic and paleoclimatic significance of log buildings in Southcentral Texas

Tree-ring dating has been applied to eight historic log buildings in southcentral Texas. The historic tree-ring chronologies derived from these buildings are combined with chronologies from living trees to create an improved and extended tree-ring record dating from A.D. 1649 to 1995 that is sensitive to regional and large-scale climate change. This extended chronology is significantly correlated with meteorological measurements of growing season moisture supply in Texas, and with the episodic influence of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Tree-ring dating provides insight into the history and archaeology of these buildings. Historic structures also preserve crucial paleoclimatic data that can provide unique information about environmental and cultural history. Sadly, these historic structures are rapidly vanishing from the Texas landscape.
Accuracy of rapid sequence intubation medication dosing in obese patients intubated in the ED.

Abstract Objective There are limited data regarding appropriateness of sedative and paralytic dosing of obese patients undergoing rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergency department. The goal of this study was to compare rates of appropriate succinylcholine and etomidate doses in obese and nonobese patients. Methods Retrospective review using a database of endotracheally intubated patients using RSI in an urban, tertiary care academic emergency department, from November 2009 to June 2011. Dosing for succinylcholine and etomidate was calculated as milligrams per kilogram of total body weight (TBW) for each patient, defining appropriate dosing as succinylcholine 1-1.5 mg/kg TBW and etomidate 0.2-0.4 mg/kg TBW. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between appropriate dosing and World Health Organization body mass index classification. Results A total of 440 patients were included in the study, 311 (70.7%) classified as nonobese and 129 (29.3%) as obese. two hundred thirty-three (56%) received an inappropriate succinylcholine dose and 107 (24%) received an inappropriate etomidate dose. Obese patients were more likely to be underdosed with succinylcholine (odds ratio [OR], 63.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 17.8-228.1) and etomidate (OR, 178.3; 95% CI, 37.6-844.7). Nonobese patients were more likely to be overdosed with succinylcholine (OR, 62.5; 95% CI, 17.9-250) and etomidate (OR, 166.7; 95% CI, 37.0-1000). Conclusion Obese patients were more likely to be underdosed during RSI compared with nonobese patients, whereas nonobese patients were more likely to be overdosed with RSI medications. Most obese and nonobese patients were inappropriately dosed with RSI medications, suggesting that physicians are not dosing these medications based on weight.
The origin of DCs and capacity for immunologic tolerance in central and peripheral tissues.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized immune sentinels that play key role in maintaining immune homeostasis by efficiently regulating the delicate balance between protective immunity and tolerance to self. Although DCs respond to maturation signals present in the surrounding milieu, multiple layers of suppression also co-exist that reduce the infringement of tolerance against self-antigens. These tolerance inducing properties of DCs are governed by their origin and a range of other factors including distribution, cytokines, growth factors, and transcriptional programing, that collectively impart suppressive functions to these cells. DCs directing tolerance secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines and induce naive T cells or B cells to differentiate into regulatory T cells (Tregs) or B cells. In this review, we provide a detailed outlook on the molecular mechanisms that induce functional specialization to govern central or peripheral tolerance. The tolerance-inducing nature of DCs can be exploited to overcome autoimmunity and rejection in graft transplantation.
Deliberate Creativity and Formulaic Language Use

The paper examines the relationship of formulaic language use and linguistic creativity in the first and second language. It argues that creativity in language use means more than just combining words and meaning-units in a syntax-affecting way. In fact, the proper use of formulaic language is one of the conditions for linguistic creativity which is a discourse level rather than just a sentence level phenomenon (Kecskes 2013). In this sense linguistic creativity refers to the online ability of combining prefabricated units with novel items (ad hoc generated items) in a syntax-affecting way to express communicative intention and goals and create new meaning. Linguistic creativity is a subconscious and mostly automatic process that relies on existing knowledge and the actual situational need and intention of the speaker. It is a graded phenomenon ranging from the more conventional and predictable to the less conventional and unpredictable.
Intrinsic air stability mechanisms of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide surfaces: basal versus edge oxidation

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are being considered as a promising alternative channel material in ultra-thin and low power nanoelectronics, due to the significant tunability of their electronic properties via mechanisms such as mechanical strain, control of the material thickness, application of an external field, impurities, doping, alloying, or altering the substrate nature. Initially, monolayer TMDs as counterparts to graphene captured the attention of the scientific community owing to their semiconductor nature with sizable band gaps. However, certain physical and chemical properties of TMDs, such as their oxygen reactivity and stability in air need to be more completely understood in order to crystallize the promising superior performance of TMD-based electronic devices. Here, a comparative analysis of the stability of various TMDs (MX2: , W; , Se) in air is performed using density-functional theory (DFT) as well as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We find that the surface chemistry of the basal plane of sulfides and selenides is relatively stable in air although for completely different reasons, which can be explained by investigating oxygen dissociative adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics. On the contrary, the edge of MX2 nanoribbons shows strong driving forces towards O2 dissociation and chemisorption. Our combined theoretical and experimental investigation reveals that the air stability of TMDs should not be placed in the same footing that other 2D materials, like graphene. Thus, this work highlights the importance of having controlled oxygen environment during crystal exfoliation/growth and defect passivation in order to provide high quality uniform materials for TMD-based device fabrication.
UV properties of = 8 supergravity

We discuss here the recent developments in = 8 supergravity. In particular, we propose to use the light-cone superspace with an unconstrained chiral scalar superfield for the studies of the UV structure of the perturbative = 8 supergravity. For this purpose we construct the generating functional for the light-cone momentum space superfield amplitudes. We prove an = 8 equivalence theorem for the light-cone and covariant on-shell amplitudes. We point out an interesting relation between our light-cone formalism and Nair' s construction and supertwistors. We also point out the importance of the non-linearly realized E(7,7), symmetry for these studies and argue that this symmetry may be anomaly-free.