cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domain decomposition algorithms

Domain decomposition (DD) has been widely used to design parallel efficient algorithms for solving elliptic problems. In this thesis, we focus on improving the efficiency of DD methods and applying them to more general problems. Specifically, we propose efficient variants of the vertex space DD method and minimize the complexity of general DD methods. In addition, we apply DD algorithms to coupled elliptic systems, singular Neumann boundary problems and linear algebraic systems. We successfully improve the vertex space DD method of Smith by replacing the exact edge, vertex dense matrices by approximate sparse matrices. It is extremely expensive to calculate, invert and store the exact vertex and edge Schur complement dense sub-matrices in the vertex space DD algorithm. We propose several approximations for these dense matrices, by using Fourier approximation and an algebraic probing technique. Our numerical and theoretical results show that these variants retain the fast convergence rate and greatly reduce the computational cost. We develop a simple way to reduce the overall complexity of domain decomposition methods through choosing the coarse grid size. For sub-domain solvers with different complexities, we derive the optimal coarse grid size $H\sb{opt},$ which asymptotically minimizes the total computational cost of DD methods under the sequential and parallel environments. The overall complexity of DD methods is significantly reduced by using this optimal coarse grid size. We apply the additive and multiplicative Schwarz algorithms to solving coupled elliptic systems. Using the Dryja-Widlund framework, we prove that their convergence rates are independent of both the mesh and the coupling parameters. We also construct several approximate interface sparse matrices by using Sobolev inequalities, Fourier analysis and probe technique. We further discuss the application of DD to the singular Neumann boundary value problems. We extend the general framework to these problems and show how to deal with the null space in practice. Numerical and theoretical results show that these modified DD methods still have optimal convergence rate. By using the DD methodology, we propose algebraic additive and multiplicative Schwarz methods to solve general sparse linear algebraic systems. We analyze the eigenvalue distribution of the iterative matrix of each algebraic DD method to study the convergence behavior.
Crystal structure of the Bcl-XL-Beclin 1 peptide complex: Beclin 1 is a novel BH3-only protein

Bcl-2 family proteins are key regulators of apoptosis and have recently been shown to modulate autophagy. The tumor suppressor Beclin 1 has been proposed to coordinate both apoptosis and autophagy through direct interaction with anti-apoptotic family members Bcl-2 and/or Bcl-XL. However, the molecular basis for this interaction remains enigmatic. Here we report that Beclin 1 contains a conserved BH3 domain, which is both necessary and sufficient for its interaction with Bcl-XL. We also report the crystal structure of a Beclin BH3 peptide in complex with Bcl-XL at 2.5A resolution. Reminiscent of previously determined Bcl-XL-BH3 structures, the amphipathic BH3 helix of Beclin 1 bound to a conserved hydrophobic groove of Bcl-XL. These results define Beclin 1 as a novel BH3-only protein, implying that Beclin 1 may have a direct role in initiating apoptotic signaling. We propose that this putative apoptotic function may be linked to the ability of Beclin 1 to suppress tumor formation in mammals.
Effects of fillers on wire sweep in semiconductor chip encapsulation

Epoxy molding-compounds which are used in semiconductor chip encapsulation by transfer molding are filled with high concentrations of silica particles whose dimensions are comparable to the diameter of the bonding wire. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of solid fillers on wire deformation during encapsulation. Experiments were performed to measure wire deformation due to the flow of a mixture of liquid and solid fillers. Wire deformation was determined by measuring the change in electrical resistance of the wire when it deformed and relating the change in electrical resistance to wire deformation. Next, the wire deformation was calculated based on the viscous drag force of the fluid on the wire. A theoretical estimate of the magnitude of the wire deformation due to direct particle collision was made which indicated that this is negligible compared with that due to the viscous drag force. The experimental wire deformation values were in good agreement with wire deformation values calculated based on the viscous drag force of the fluid. >
Both the polypyrimidine tract and the 3′ splice site function prior to the first step of splicing in fission yeast

While it is known that several trans -acting splicing factors are highly conserved between Schizosaccharomyces pombe and mammals, the roles of cis -acting signals have received comparatively little attention. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sequences downstream from the branch point are not required prior to the first transesterification reaction, whereas in mammals the polypyrimidine tract and, in some introns, the 3' AG dinucleotide are critical for initial recognition of an intron. We have investigated the contribution of these two sequence elements to splicing in S.pombe. To determine the stage at which the polypyrimidine tract functions, we analyzed the second intron of the cdc2 gene (cdc 2-Int2), in which pyrimidines span the entire interval between the branch point and 3' splice site. Our data indicate that substitution of a polypurine tract results in accumulation of linear pre-mRNA, while expanding the polypyrimidine tract enhances splicing efficiency, as in mammals. To examine the role of the AG dinucleotide in cdc 2-Int2 splicing, we mutated the 3' splice junction in both the wild-type and pyrimidine tract variant RNAs. These changes block the first transesterification reaction, as in a subset of mammalian introns. However, in contrast to the situation in mammals, we were unable to rescue the first step of splicing in a 3' splice site mutant by expanding the polypyrimidine tract. Mutating the terminal G in the third intron of the nda 3 gene (nda 3-Int3) also blocks the first transesterification reaction, suggesting that early recognition of the 3' splice site is a general property of fission yeast introns. Counter to earlier work with an artificial intron, it is not possible to restore the first step of splicing in cdc 2-Int2 and nda 3-Int3 3' splice site mutants by introducing compensatory changes in U1 snRNA. These results highlight the diversity and probable redundancy of mechanisms for identifying the 3' ends of introns.
The feature tree: visualizing feature tracking in distributed AMR datasets

We describe a feature extraction and tracking algorithm for AMR (adaptive mesh refinement) datasets that operates within a distributed computing environment. Because features can span multiple refinement levels and multiple processors, tracking must be performed across time, across levels, and across processors. The resulting visualization is represented as a "feature tree". A feature contains multiple parts corresponding to different levels of refinements. The feature tree allows a viewer to determine that a feature splits or merges at the next refinement level, and allows a viewer to extract and isolate a multilevel isosurface and watch how that surface changes over both time and space. The algorithm is implemented within a computational steering environment, which enables the visualization routines to operate on the data in-situ (while the simulation is ongoing).
X-RAY DIFFRACTION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POTASSIUM BORATE GLASSES*

Data are presented from X-ray studies and from measurements of the physical properties of potassium borate glasses in the composition range from 0 to 40% by weight of KzO. Calculations based on the X-ray diffraction patterns show a change from three- to fourfold coordination with an increase to 22% in K2O content. The potassium ions form single-bonded oxygens and thus produce a weakening of the structures with a K2O content greater than 22%. With 20 to 25% of K2O, the coefficient of thermal expansion is a minimum, which shows that the majority of the boron atoms are in four-fold coordination. The curves of the composition versus the trans formation point, softening point, density, refractive index, and viscosity for 200° to 400°C. also show a change of slope in the composition range of 20 to 30% of K2O. The random structure picture as well as the tendency of boron atoms to assume tetrahedral coordination in alkaline borate glasses serve to explain satisfactorily the X-ray diffraction curves and the otherwise anomalous physical behavior of the potassium borate glasses.
Advances in Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. It is associated with increased risks of death and stroke; most strokes in AF patients are thought to arise from thrombi in the left atrial appendage. Surgical ablation of AF includes excision of the left atrial appendage and is an effective means of treating this arrhythmia, with the classic Maze procedure curing AF in >90% of patients and virtually eliminating the risk of late stroke. A complex but safe operation, the Maze procedure has been applied by relatively few surgeons. However, recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of AF and development of new ablation technologies enable surgeons to perform pulmonary vein ablation, create linear left atrial lesions, and remove the left atrial appendage rapidly and safely. Lesions are created under direct vision, minimizing the risk of damage to the pulmonary veins and adjacent mediastinal structures. The majority of surgical ablation procedures have been performed in conjunction with mitral valve surgery, with the combination of mitral valve repair and cure of AF enabling patients to avoid lifelong anticoagulation. Recently developed surgical instrumentation now enables thoracoscopic and keyhole approaches, facilitating extension of epicardial AF ablation and excision of the left atrial appendage to patients with isolated AF and no other indication for cardiac surgery. In addition, novel devices designed specifically for minimally invasive epicardial exclusion of the left atrial appendage will broaden the range of treatment options for patients with AF, possibly eliminating the need for anticoagulation in selected patients.
Electronic Journal Usage at Ohio State University

E-journal, printed journal, and database usage data from campus polls conducted annually, 1998–2000, at one large research university show increased use of e-journals and decreased use of printed journals by faculty and graduate students as the number of available e-journals increased from two hundred to more than three thousand. Little or no statistical correlation between age and frequency of use was found. The majority of frequent users of all three types of resources were from departments in the sciences. Transcripts from the 1998 poll provided insights into attitudes toward replacing printed journals with e-journals. The advantages and disadvantages mentioned were consistent with previous studies.
INSPAD: a system for automatic bond pad inspection

A method of detecting probe mark defects in semiconductor bond pads is presented that uses digitized images of color Polaroid photographs from an optical microscope. INSPAD inspects the bond pads in a magnified IC circuit image taken after the electrical testing stage. These are: probe marks must not extend beyond pad boundaries such that they damage glassivation; scratches on the bond pads must not exceed 50% of the bond pad width; and the probe marks must not exceed 25% of the bond pad area. Three types of commonly used bond pad geometries have been addressed. Morphological filtering is performed on the bond pad, to isolate and identify the major probe mark regions. Inspection of each pad takes approximately 2 to 3 s on an Apollo DN-4000 workstation which makes it suitable for real-time applications. >
Anonymity and Place in Qualitative Inquiry

This article examines assumptions embedded in the routine practice of trying to make the places represented in qualitative accounts anonymous. Anonymity is usually seen as an ethical issue, but like any representational strategy, it conceals assumptions about the nature of entities in the world and our relations with them. Focusing on place anonymization, the author argues that the use of pseudonyms and the omission of identifying historical and geographical information align research accounts with certain ontological assumptions, modes of theorizing, and corporate constructions of the public sphere. The author concludes by suggesting ways that place and identification can be rethought in qualitative inquiry.
T cells with regulatory activity in hepatitis C virus infection: what we know and what we don't

The mechanism behind the apparent lack of effective antiviral immune response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is poorly understood. Although multiple levels of abnormalities have been identified in innate and adaptive immunity, it remains unclear if any of the subpopulations of T cells with regulatory capacity (Tregs) contribute to the induction and maintenance of HCV persistence. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about Tregs as they relate to HCV infection.
Elevated positive mood: a mixed blessing for abstinence.

The present study, a secondary analysis of published data (B. Hitsman et al., 1999), assessed (a) the influence of initial positive mood (PM) on smoking cessation and (b) whether smokers low in PM benefited from fluoxetine versus placebo for cessation. Euthymic adult smokers (N = 103) received 10 weeks of cessation treatment. Analyses showed a Time X PM interaction, indicating that higher baseline PM predicted decreased abstinence during treatment but increased abstinence afterward, mediated by time to dropout. Dichotomous initial PM interacted with drug, suggesting a benefit of fluoxetine for low-PM smokers. Results indicate that lower pretreatment PM may inhibit long-term cessation. Smokers with lower baseline PM may benefit from treatment that increases PM.
P01.46. Assessment of autonomic tone at rest and during meditation in a longitudinal study of an eight-week meditation intervention

Purpose Measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), which are the healthy fluctuations in heart rate that reflect autonomic influences on cardiac activity, have been proposed as indicators of physical and psychological health. Previous studies suggest that HRV increases during some meditative states, but it is not clear how autonomic tone is affected either in the short term during meditative states, nor as a long-term result of meditation practice. Here we test two hypotheses: (1) eight weeks of meditation training will improve autonomic tone, in the form of increased overall HRV and decreased low-frequency HRV to highfrequency HRV (LF/HF) ratio; and (2) RSA increases during the meditation state compared to rest.
Cross-Protective Antigens of Neisseria meningitidis Obtained from Slaterus Group Y

An extraction of the cells of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y with an aqueous solution of calcium choride (0.9 m) has been shown to solubilize a number of antigens. By immunodiffusion, this mixture of antigens has been shown to react with its group-specific antiserum and also to cross-react with a number of other group-specific antisera. The cross-reacting antigen appears to be an antigen common to a number of other serogroups of meningococci, and there is some evidence that it is protein in nature. It has been demonstrated further that the calcium chloride extract contains a strong cross-protective antigen, as shown by its ability to provide good, active immunity in mice to both the homologous and heterologous serogroups of meningococci.
Simulation environment for electronics manufacturing

This paper presents the development of an environment to simplify the creation of simulation models for high-volume electronics manufacturing systems. The simulation environment consists of a problem definer, a static analyzer and a code generator. Included in this paper is an overview of the environment, an application of the system at Chrysler Electronics, and a discussion of system advantages.
DIESEL FUEL-AQUEOUS ETHANOL MICROEMULSIONS

ABSTRACT Two-phase mixtures of diesel fuel and aqueous ethanol were microemulsified and data were collected on rheological properties, densities, water tolerance and critical solution temperatures. For the detergentless system of diesel fuel, aqueous ethanol and butanol it was found that the relative viscosity varied directly with the volume percent of the dispersed water phase and approximates Einstein's formula. With ionic systems it was found that relative viscosities varied with increasing volume percent of dispersed water by values greater than those predicted by Brinkman and Roscoe for suspensions of diverse particle size. Water tolerances for ionic systems were greater than those observed with 1-butanol. The nature of the surfactant and its concentration determine to a large degree the microemulsion's physical properties.
The impacts of Delphi communication structure on small and medium sized asynchronous groups: preliminary results

Communication structure is a way of improving the effectiveness of group communications by coordinating group members' individual efforts. This study investigates the use of Delphi, a communication structure which has been widely used to collect ideas and opinions from geographically dispersed experts. A new approach in Delphi implementation using asynchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) is developed. A 2X2 controlled experiment investigates the effect of Delphi structure on small-sized (5-6 members) and medium-sized (10-12 members) asynchronous CMC groups. The group task is to describe the potential applications and impacts of pervasive devices that can track the location of individuals. Preliminary results indicate that the Delphi structure does result in more unique ideas per person than the unstructured condition.
COVARIANCE GROUP C*-ALGEBRAS AND GALOIS CORRESPONDENCE

The main purpose of this paper is to establish a Galois correspondence for a given covariant group system, its associated C*-algebra and Hopf C*-algebra. On the way to this, we first study covariance group C*-algebras and their representations, and prove a result which is simpler but yet very similar to the C*-algebra case in the main body of the paper. We then show that there is a Galois correspondence between the lattice of normal subgroups of the given covariant group system and a corresponding lattice of certain invariant *-subalgebras of the covariant group C*-algebra; in particular, there is a natural Galois correspondence for the group C*-algebra. We further study this Galois correspondence for the Hopf C*-algebras associated with covariant group systems.
Financial effects of an influenza pandemic on US hospitals

We estimate the financial effects of an influenza pandemic on US hospitals, including the cost of deferring elective admissions and the cost of uncompensated care for uninsured patients. Using US pandemic planning assumptions and national data on health care costs and revenues, a 1918-like pandemic would cause US hospitals to absorb a net loss of $3.9 billion, or an average $784,592 per hospital. Policymakers should consider contingencies to ensure that hospitals do not become insolvent as a result of a severe pandemic.
Control of Early Blight in the San Luis Valley, Colorado

Early blight of potatoes caused by Alternaria solani is a disease that growers in Colorado often do not consider a major problem. However, past and this current research suggest that judicious use of a well-managed fungicide program can significantly reduce disease and increase yields. Additionally, wide spread use of fungicides in various rotations (azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, chlorothalonil, dithiocarbamate, mancozeb and boscalid) was shown to substantially decrease the disease levels of plants in treated versus untreated plots. Field trials evaluating fungicide rotations and application scheduling were conducted using the cultivar Russet Norkotah Selection 8. Treatments were first applied to either coincide with the dates as indicated by the early blight degree day model currently used in the San Luis Valley (~60 days after planting - DAP), or starting later in the season (~80 DAP). While significant differences (P < 0.05) in disease reduction were noted each year using fungicides, there was no corresponding yield advantage of fungicide treated versus the control (un-treated) plots. However, when data were analyzed over three years, a significant higher (P < 0.05) foliar disease control and subsequent yield increase among treatments was observed when a strobilurin product was used first in the fungicide rotation at 78 DAP. Results indicate that for a cost of $100–125/ha, growers can use fungicides with an appropriate rotation of active ingredients to control early blight and potentially increase yields.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Technological Innovation

In this study we investigate whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives contribute to corporate innovation success. We hypothesize that CSR enhances innovation because CSR initiatives help foster a culture for employees to be creative, enhance firms’ access to external financing, and form an enthusiastic and effective workforce. Using patents and citations to measure innovation outcomes, we find that a firm’s overall social performance is associated with more and better quality innovation after controlling for time-varying firm and industry characteristics, year fixed effects, industry fixed effects, potential omitted variables, and endogeneity of CSR decision. We also find that CSR strengths and concerns affect innovation asymmetrically — only strengths matter for innovation outcomes. Although distinct constructs, all individual dimensions of CSR are found to influence innovation success in one way or another. Our analyses further indicate that culture, access to financing, and effective workforce are the underlying sources for CSR to promote innovation.
Branzburg v. Hayes and the Media's Confidentiality Privileges

In Branzburg v. Hayes, the Supreme Court refused to grant journalists an absolute First Amendment privilege to refuse disclosure of confidential sources to a grand jury investigating criminal behavior. The Court did not find that this lack of privilege would impose significant newsgathering burdens on the press. But since Branzburg, lower courts have recognized a certain qualified privilege of confidentiality.
Mechanical Evaluation of Four Internal Fixation Constructs for Scaphoid Fractures

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the mechanical performance of 4 different constructs for fixation of oblique scaphoid fractures. Methods: Twenty-eight synthetic scaphoids underwent an oblique osteotomy along the dorsal sulcus. Each was randomly assigned to fixation by 1 of 4 methods: two 1.5-mm headless compression screws, one 2.2-mm screw, one 3-mm screw, or a 1.5-mm volar variable-angle plate. After fixation, scaphoids were potted at a 45° angle and loaded at the distal pole by a hydraulically driven mechanical testing system plunger until the fixation failed. Excursion and load were measured with a differential transformer and load cell, respectively. From these data, the stiffness, load-to-failure, and maximum displacement of each construct were calculated. Results: The 2.2-mm screw demonstrated the highest stiffness and the two 1.5-mm screws had the lowest. However, there were no significant differences among the fixation methods in terms of stiffness. Both 2.2- and 3-mm screw ...
Dark-field Observations on Lymphocytes Exposed to X-Rays and Injurious Agents.

SummaryIncubation of lymphocytes in suspension at 37° C produced primary and secondary vacuoles visible on dark-field examination. Preliminary irradiation of the suspensions greatly accelerated this process. The addition of distilled water to lymphocytes produced enlargement and vacuolization of the nuclei. The hypothesis is proposed that irradiation caused the absorption of water into one or more foci in the nucleus.
The Single Crystal Spectrum of Hexakis(imidazole)nickel(II)Nitrate.

The crystal spectrum of hexakis(imidazole)nickel(II)nitrate from 7000 cm-1 to 30,000 cm-1 at liquid nitrogen temperature has been measured. Three spin-allowed and three spin-forbidden bands in this spectrum were assigned on the basis of octahedral ligand field symmetry. These assignments are compared with those made in several related materials. Important differences and similarities in spectral detail and their bearing on assignments in other strong field nickel(II) complexes, are discussed.
Effective Concentration of Mobile Oxygen-Vacancies in Heavily Doped Cubic Zirconia: Results from Combined Electrochemical Impedance and NMR Spectroscopies

The effective concentration of mobile oxygen vacancies in heavily doped solid electrolytes (SE) used in electrochemical applications such as oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and gas sensors has lon...
Strategy and mission: ASHP’s focus on the future

As I conclude my presidential year, I want you to know what a great honor it has been to serve the Society. I especially want to acknowledge and thank all of you in this House of Delegates for your involvement and commitment to our organization and profession. As I look back over my term in office
On Certain Applications of the Differential and Integral Calculus in Actuarial Science

(1926). On Certain Applications of the Differential and Integral Calculus in Actuarial Science. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 9-23.
Bioequivalence of ambroxol in ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride granules

Objective To develop an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of ambroxol in the plasma and evaluate the bioequivalence of ambrocol granules and ambrocol oral solution.Methods A single oral dose of ambrocol granule(test preparation,T) and ambrocol oral solution(reference preparation,R) was administered to 18 healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study,and the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability were studied.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of ambrocol(T and R) were as follows:Cmax was(183.86±108.22) and(216.68±198.50)μg·L-1;tmax was(2.1±0.8) and(2.2±1.0)h;AUC0~96 was(2 274.13±1 159.02) and(2 016.97±928.48)μg·h·L-1;AUC0~∞ was(2 307.42±1 203.33) and(2 056.64±961.25)μg·h·L-1;t1/2 was(14.4±4.6) and(17.2±6.9)h.The relative bioavailability of ambrocol of preparation T was(111.3±18.0)% when compared with tablet R.Conclusion Statistic analysis shows no significant difference between the two preparations,and bioequivalence is observed.
Diagnosis of Chronic Injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

The diagnosis of chronic injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is proved by accurate interpretation of its visualization at arthroscopy, arthrotomy, or necropsy. Chronic injury is suspected if the history indicates an original trauma with an episode of swelling or hemarthrosis followed by a temporary period of disability and a subsequent report of repeated limb collapse. Positive functional tests such as the crossover, leaning hop, and deceleration tests support the diagnosis, as does the radiographic presence of a Segond's fracture or a notch in the lateral femoral condyle. The diagnosis is confirmed by the combined presence of positive laxity and instability tests. The laxity tests employed are the drawer tests with the knee in 15 and 90 degrees of flexion and the flexion-rotation drawer test. In diagnosing chronic injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, I place most reliance on the presence of positive pivot shift tests that demonstrate instability. Occasionally, a direct radiograph of the subluxated knee joint or double contrast arthrography is employed to confirm the diagnosis.
Crystal clear or tin ear: how do medical students interpret derogatory comments about patients and other professionals?

Purpose : To assess the learning environment at our medical school, third-year medical students complete an 11-item survey called the Learning Environment for Professionalism (LEP) at the end of each clerkship. The LEP survey asks about the frequency of faculty and resident professional and unprofessional behaviors that students observed; two of the items specifically address derogatory comments. This study used focus group methodology to explore how medical students interpret the derogatory comments they reported on the LEP survey. Methods : Seven focus groups were conducted with 82 medical students after they completed the LEP survey. Analysis of focus group transcripts was performed to better understand the nature and meaning that students ascribe to derogatory comments. Results : The study results provide insights into the types of derogatory comments that medical students heard during their clerkship rotations, why the comments were made and how they were interpreted. Emergent themes, labeled by the authors as 1) ‘onstage-offstage’, 2) ‘one bad apple’, and 3) ‘pressure cooker environment’, highlight the contextual aspects and understandings ascribed by students to the derogatory comments. Incidentally, students felt that the comments were not associated with fatigue, but were associated with cumulative stress and burn-out. Conclusions : The results suggest students have a clear understanding of the nature of unprofessional comments made by role models during clerkships and point to important systems-related issues that could be leveraged to improve clinical learning environments. Keywords: learning environment; clerkships; professionalism (Published: 13 July 2016) Citation: Med Educ Online 2016, 21: 31221 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v21.31221
Distribution of coenzyme Q homologues in brain.

Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), in addition to its function as an electron and proton carrier in mitochondrial electron transport coupled to ATP synthesis, acts in its reduced form (ubiquinol) as an antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation in biological membranes and protecting mitochondrial inner-membrane proteins and DNA against oxidative damage accompanying lipid peroxidation. Tissue ubiquinone levels are subject to regulation by physiological factors that are related to the oxidative activity of the organism: they increase under the influence of oxidative stress, e.g. physical exercise, cold adaptation, thyroid hormone treatment, and decrease during aging. In the present study, coenzyme Q homologues were separated and quantified in the brains of mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens using high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the coenzyme Q homologues were measured in cells such as NG-108, PC-12, rat fetal brain cells and human SHSY-5Y and monocytes. In general, Q1 content was the lowest among the coenzyme homologues quantified in the brain. Q9 was not detectable in the brains of chickens and rabbits, but was present in the brains of rats and mice. Q9 was also not detected in human cell lines SHSY-5Y and monocytes. Q10 was detected in the brains of mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens and in cell lines. Since both coenzyme Q and vitamin E are antioxidants, and coenzyme Q recycles vitamins E and C, vitamin E was also quantified in mice brain using HPLC-electrochemical detector (ECD). The quantity of vitamin E was lowest in the substantia nigra compared with the other brain regions. This finding is crucial in elucidating ubiquinone function in bioenergetics; in preventing free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in the brain; and as a potential compound in treating various neurodegenerative disorders.
Clinical Application of Rehabilitation Technologies in Children Undergoing Neurorehabilitation

The application of rehabilitation technologies in children with neurological impairments appears promising as these systems can induce repetitive goal-directed movements to complement conventional treatments. Characteristics of robotic-supported and computer-assisted training are in line with principles of motor learning and include high numbers of repetitions, prolonged training durations, and online feedback about the patient’s active participation. When experienced therapists apply these technologies, they can be considered a rather safe and in combination with virtual realities a motivating supplementary approach. Therapists might have to take into account that there might be some factors that are different when applying such technologies to children with congenital versus acquired neurological lesions. Currently, clinical guidelines on how to apply such technologies are missing, and clinical evidence considering the effectiveness of such technologies has just started to commence in pediatric neurorehabilitation. Experienced therapists formulated recommendations that might be useful to those with less experience on how to apply some of these systems to train the lower and upper extremity intensively and playfully. Finally, suggestions are made on how these technologies could be integrated into the clinical path.
Effect of metronidazole use on tacrolimus concentrations in transplant patients treated for Clostridium difficile

Background Two case reports suggest that metronidazole treatment for C. difficile infections (CDI) increases tacrolimus (TAC) trough levels. The primary objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of this potential interaction in transplant patients receiving CDI treatment. Currently, no robust literature exists to estimate a magnitude of pharmacokinetic interaction between metronidazole and TAC. Methods In this retrospective study, the effects of CDI and metronidazole treatment on TAC levels in 52 adult solid organ transplant patients were investigated. The primary outcome was to determine the difference in dose-normalized TAC levels between baseline and symptom resolution in patients treated with metronidazole or vancomycin. The secondary outcome was to determine the difference in dose-normalized TAC levels at baseline and CDI diagnosis. Results The average change in log-transformed dose-normalized TAC levels from baseline to symptom resolution was 0.99 for metronidazole (n = 35) and 1.04 for vancomycin (n = 17) treatment. The mean difference between the groups was 0.96 (95% confidence interval: 0.74– 1.24). No significant difference was found between dose-normalized TAC levels at CDI diagnosis and baseline (P = 0.37). Conclusion CDI treatment with metronidazole was not associated with a > 30% increase in TAC levels compared to vancomycin. Both treatment groups required TAC dose adjustments to maintain goal TAC levels and those treated with metronidazole did not require a significantly greater dose adjustment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
16 – A Mathematical Modelling Course for Preservice Secondary School Mathematics Teachers

This article describes a mathematical modelling course designed for preservice mathematics teachers. The purpose of this course is to provide the future teachers with the knowledge and experience that enable, motivate, and encourage them to solve real-world problems. The course content is aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards Documents (1989, 2000). To stimulate the students’ interest in mathematics and develop their spirit of active thinking and inquiry, the course features problem solving (especially mathematical modelling), mathematical inquiry and extensive use of technology. The curriculum approach is providing opportunities for the preservice teachers to experiment with abstract concepts, objects, and relationships, and pursue conceptual understandings.
Social work and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

At the time of the EASSW/AIDOSS conference in Milan in June 2015, Margareta Wahlstrom held the position of Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction/Assistant Secr...
From Digital Divide to Facebook Divide, Reconstruct our Target Market Segments with Facebook Native and Facebook Immigrant

Digital divide emerge since early nineties when popular internet come to age. People forty-five or older than forty-five years-old are less likely to have internet access during their time as university students, and they are most likely to obtain web-based Internet related knowledge thereafter formally. The age of forty-five can be regard as the turning point age to distinguish people who may or may not have lesser knowledge on using the web-based Internet. The availability of Smartphone for the last 10 years help to increase the internet penetration rate and it also contribute to a wider digital divide. Digital immigrants and digital native are two connotations of these two groups of people. Digital native is the generation of people born into the digital age and learn through digital means, while digital immigrant is the group of people who learnt to use computers and other digital related knowledge at some stage during their adult life. With the same logical thought, 2004 was a turning point of people who acquire Facebook knowledge in school or outside school. Facebook is the number one online social network in terms of usage in most of the top fifties countries. From 2004 and onwards students who joined Facebook are Facebook natives, while people who join and acquire Facebook skills outside collage and thereafter are Facebook immigrants. The two groups of people plus those who did not have access to Facebook constitute the situation of Facebook divide society. Facebook native and Facebook immigrant are the two major market segments,which marketers are dealing with in current years. Facebook is the largest online social network and similar online social networks may dominant in different societies where society is divided as well. Secondary data on internet usage, Facebook usage, Facebook ranking, and participate observation on Facebook group & pages are applied for analysis. Reconstruct our target market segments shall be in place.
>Studies of L-Glutamate-Production in Coryneform Bacteria by Using Metabolic-Flux Analysis

Abstract An odhA-disrupted mutant extremely produce glutamate into the medium in the presence of excess amounts of biotin. This result means the mechanism of glutamate production in coryneform bacteria is irreverent to the permeability of a cell membrane. Furthermore, a noble gene, dtsR, was cloned as a multi-copy suppresser gene of a detergent sensitive mutant derived from a wildtype strain of coryneform bacteria. DtsR showed significant homologies to some biotin enzymes. A dtsR-disrupted mutant produce glutamte. The mechanism of glutamate production in coryneform bacteria was discussed.
Real-Time Certified Probabilistic Pedestrian Forecasting

The success of autonomous systems will depend upon their ability to safely navigate human-centric environments. This motivates the need for a real-time, probabilistic forecasting algorithm for pedestrians, cyclists, and other agents since these predictions will form a necessary step in assessing the risk of any action. This letter presents a novel approach to probabilistic forecasting for pedestrians based on weighted sums of ordinary differential equations that are learned from historical trajectory information within a fixed scene. The resulting algorithm is embarrassingly parallel and is able to work at real-time speeds using a naive Python implementation. The quality of predicted locations of agents generated by the proposed algorithm is validated on a variety of examples and is considerably higher than existing state of the art approaches over long time horizons.
The Simplicity Postulate

“Simplicity” conjures a string of synonyms, not necessarily synonymous with one another. Ease, as in the Simplicity® patterns I learned to sew with in junior high school (back then girls were taught to sew). Unpretentious, as in the Shaker song “Simple Gifts”: “’Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free, / ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.” Minimal, as in lifestyle. I think of my friend who would go to a shoe repair shop, hand her shoes to the proprietor, and sit down to wait. “Why don’t you leave them and pick them up later?” I asked her. “Because these are my only shoes,” she replied. “One pair is all I need.” Easy, unpretentious, minimal: “simplicity” evokes these synonyms in math and science too, and there are more.
Two Cl Ions and a Glu Compete for a Helix Cage in the CLC Proton/Cl- Antiporter.

The ubiquitously expressed CLC chloride transporters are involved in a great variety of physiological functions. The CLC protein fold is shared by Cl− channels and 2Cl−:1H+ antiporters. The antiporters pump three charges per cycle across the membrane with two Cl ions moving in the opposite direction of one proton. Multiconformational continuum electrostatics was used to calculate the coupled thermodynamics of the protonation of the extracellular-facing gating Glu (Ex) and Cl− binding to the external (Sx) and central (Sc) sites in CLC-ec1, the Escherichia coli exchanger. Sx, Sc, and Ex are buried within the protein where the intersection of two helix N-termini creates a region with a strong, localized positive potential for anion binding. Our chemical potential titrations describe the thermodynamic linkage for binding the Cl− to each site and protons to Ex. We find that the 2Cl−:1H+ binding stoichiometry is a result of Cl− binding to Sx requiring H+ binding to Ex, whereas Cl− binding to Sc does not lead to proton uptake. When Sx binds a Cl−, the protonated Ex moves upward, out of the positive helix cage. The increasing Ex proton affinity on binding the first Cl− reduces the cost of binding the second Cl− at either Sx or Sc. Despite the repulsion among the anions, the lowest energy states have two anions bound in the helix cage. The state with no Cl− is not favored electrostatically, but relies on Ex blocking Sx and on the central residues Y445 and S107 blocking Sc.
Constructing culturally responsive professional development for inclusion in El Salvador using the lens of intercultural competence

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a collaborative technical assistance project, which was co-constructed by the Ministry of Education (MINED) of El Salvador and the author, to support the advancement of...
How faults wake up: The Guthrie-Langston, Oklahoma earthquakes

Author(s): Schoenball, M; Walsh, FR; Weingarten, M; Ellsworth, WL | Abstract: Large-scale wastewater disposal has led to a fast-paced reawakening of faults in the Oklahoma/Kansas region. High-resolution earthquake relocations show that the inventory of ancient basement faults in the study region differs from results of seismic surveys and geologic mapping focused on the sedimentary cover. We analyze the evolution of seismic activity in the Guthrie-Langston sequence in central Oklahoma in greater detail. Here, seismic activity has reactivated a network of at least 12 subvertical faults in an area less than 10 km across. Recorded activity began in late 2013, peaked about six months later, and includes two M 4 earthquakes. These earthquakes characteristically occur at about 4 km depth below the top of the basement and do not reach the sedimentary cover. The sequence shows a radial growth pattern despite being no closer than 10 km to significant wastewater disposal activity. Hydrologic modeling suggests that activity initiated with a time lag of several years relative to early injection activity. Once initiated, earthquake interactions contribute to the propagation of seismicity along the reactivated faults. As a result, the spatiotemporal evolution of the seismicity mimics a diffusive pattern that is typically thought to be associated with injection activity. Analysis of the fault slip potential shows that most faults are critically stressed in the contemporary stress field. Activity on some faults, for which we find low slip probability, suggests a significant contribution of geomechanical heterogeneities to the reawakening of these ancient basement faults.
Purification and Characterization of ACC Oxidase and Its Expression during Ripening in Apple Fruit

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase was purified to apparent homogeneity from ripened apple fruits (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Golden Delicious). Ascorbate is required as a cosubstrate (Km = 0.4 mM); L-ascorbic acid-6-palmitate inhibited ACC oxidase competitively (K1 = 20μM) with respect to L-ascorbate. The enzyme is markedly activated by CO2 (KA = 0.65%). Fe2+ is required (KA = 3μM); Co2+ is inhibitory (Ki = 3μM) competitively with respect to Fee+. ACC oxidase activity was positively correlated with the development of the ethylene climacteric in apples; in vivo or in vitro activity was not detectable in preclimacteric apples. Immunoblots of proteins and of in vitro translation products of poly(A)+ RNA from apples at progressive stages of the ethylene climacteric indicated that ACC oxidase and the mRNA encoding ACC oxidase was nil in unripe fruits but accumulated markedly during the ethylene climacteric.
Aging out of foster care: The experiences of former foster youth who successfully navigated this transition:

Foster youth face high risks and poor outcomes after aging out of care resulting in great economic and human costs to society. The purpose of the study was to describe life experiences of children ...
The Industry and Major Manufacturers Involved in the Controversy

The four major industry players involved in the infant formula controversy were Nestle, S.A. — Switzerland, and Abbott Laboratories, Bristol-Myers, and American Home Products, all based in the United States. The response of these four companies to the infant formula controversy and to the industry’s critics varied considerably from each other. We now turn our attention to a discussion of the corporate persona of these companies with a view to understanding their culture, personalities, and modus operandi. It should also suggest some explanation as to why different companies diverged from each other in responding to external pressures. Furthermore, we may gain insight as to the alternative approaches that might evoke more proactive responses from the companies to changing societal expectations. It should help us in developing more effective approaches that companies can use in creating more flexible and adaptive organizations. Finally, we shall discuss the role played by the industry groups, International Council of Infant Food Industries (ICIFI), and its successor organization, the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers (IFM).
The Criminal Career

The effectiveness of selective strategies depends to large extent on the length of time the average criminal remains active. It is easy to see why: If the average “career” were long—say, 20 years or so—then a judge could pass sentences of 5 or 7 years with relative impunity, confident that most offenders would very likely have committed crimes throughout their incarceration period had they been free. On the other hand, if most adult offenders went straight 5 years after they began to commit crimes, much of a 5-year sentence would very likely be wasted unless the offenders were convicted immediately after they started. So the average length of a criminal career might matter a great deal.