cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of cultured human pancreatic carcinoma cells to dihydroxyanthracenedione

We tested the effectiveness of dihydroxyanthracenedione (DHAD) on cell growth of two human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1. At the level of ID50, the drug was almost equally effective against both cell lines. When the time exposure of MIA PaCa-2 cells to the drug was increased from 1 h to continuous exposure for 5 days, the ID50 was decreased about three-fold only (1.4 X 10(-8)M and 4 X 10(-9)M respectively). At the level of ID50 also the difference between 6 h exposure and continuous exposure for 5 days was minimal. In equimolar concentrations and with 1 h exposure, DHAD was more effective against MIA PaCa-2 cells than other chemotherapeutic agents including adriamycin, mitomycin-C, 5-FU, vincristine, vindesine, vinblastine, VP-16-213, bleomycin, cis-platinum, asparaginase and acivicin. In concentrations of 5 X 10(-7)M, DHAD caused about 40% inhibition of 14C-thymidine incorporation of MIA PaCa-2 cells. Treatment of MIA PaCa-2 cells with the ID50 of DHAD for 1 h caused retardation of cellular traverse, with the major effect appearing to be in G2 + M phase of the cycle. From these data DHAD appears to be a potent drug against human pancreatic carcinoma in vitro.
inequality, Socioeconomic Status, and Social Support in Post-Disaster mental Health in mexico

Disasters highlight the vulnerability of people who have limited access to resources. However, based on research from Mexico, we seek—in the context of disasters—to qualify the generalization that mental health is associated with social inequality and individual socioeconomic status. We collected data on socioeconomic status, social support, and depression in two stormimpacted cities (n=581) and four control cities (n=2,509) in Mexico. Two years after the storms, depression symptomology remained higher for disaster cities than for the control. Social support returned to better than normal levels in one impacted city, Villahermosa, during that period, but not in the other, Teziutlan—the harder hit city. Socioeconomic status appeared to have a small effect on depression, although co-correlation with perceived support suggests that social support is a stronger and more proximate cause, such that socioeconomic status—in addition to having a minor direct affect—may also work indirectly through availability of ...
Nutrition education in medical school: a time of opportunity

Undergraduate medical education has undergone significant changes in development of new curricula, new pedagogies, and new forms of assessment since the Nutrition Academic Award was launched more than a decade ago. With an emphasis on a competency-based curriculum, integrated learning, longitudinal clinical experiences, and implementation of new technology, nutrition educators have an opportunity to introduce nutrition and diet behavior-related learning experiences across the continuum of medical education. Innovative learning opportunities include bridging personal health and nutrition to community, public, and global health concerns; integrating nutrition into lifestyle medicine training; and using nutrition as a model for teaching the continuum of care and promoting interprofessional team-based care. Faculty development and identification of leaders to serve as champions for nutrition education continue to be a challenge.
Constraint management for collaborative electronic design [VLSI]

Today's complex design processes feature large numbers of varied, interdependent constraints, which often cross interdisciplinary boundaries. Therefore, a computer-supported constraint management methodology that automatically detects violations early in the design process, provides useful violation notification to guide redesign efforts, and can be integrated with conventional CAD software, a great aid to the designer. We present such a methodology and describe its implementation in the Minerva II design process manager, along with an example design session.
A Java programming tool for students with visual disabilities

This paper reports on a tool for assisting students with visual disabilities in learning how to program. The tool is meant to be used by computer science majors learning the programming language Java. As part of the developmental process of building this tool, we have implemented a rapid prototype to be used by people with disabilities in order to define appropriate requirements for the full version of the tool. This requires that the prototype is completely usable via a keyboard and speech interface, and it is easily adaptable for trying out different strategies. In this paper, we present the motivation and philosophy of the full tool, called JavaSpeak. We also present the details of a prototype implementation of JavaSpeak.
Residual Effects of Crop Residues on Grain Production and Selected Soil Properties

Returning crop residue improves water conservation and storage, nutrient availability, and crop yields. We have little knowledge, however, of the residual impacts of crop residues on soil properties and crop production. We hypothesized that residual impacts of crop residues vary with the amount of residues used. A 10-yr study near Lincoln, NE, evaluated the residual effects of an earlier 8-yr study of various crop residue amounts on crop growth and selected soil properties. From 1978 through 1985, crop residues were returned at 0, 50, 100, and 150% of the quantity produced by the previous crop (averaging 0 to =6 Mg ha -1 yr -1 ). Continuous corn (Zea mays L.) was produced 1986 through 1995 on these plots, except sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was substituted in several years. To study management effects on residual responses, plots were subdivided with or without tillage, N fertilizer (60 kg N ha -1 ), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.) cover crop. Residual effects of the 150% residue amount increased grain production 16% compared with the 0% amount (4900 vs. 4250 kg ha -1 , respectively), and were not affected by time or other management practices. Increasing previous residue amount did enhance soil N availability (from 73.0 to 82.3 kg autoclave-mineralizable N ha -1 ) and Bray soil P (16.7 to 20.3 kg ka -1 ). These results are among the first to show that residual effects of crop residue are prolonged (half-life of 10 yr) and probably result from changes in soil properties that enhance soil nutrient availability.
Differential signaling pathways of HO-1 gene expression in pulmonary and systemic vascular cells.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced by oxidative stress and plays an important role in cellular protection against oxidant injury. Increasing evidence also suggests that HO-1 is markedly modulated b...
Theoretical Basis, Experimental Design, and Computerized Simulation of Synergism and Antagonism in Drug Combination Studies

The median-effect equation derived from the mass-action law principle at equilibrium-steady state via mathematical induction and deduction for different reaction sequences and mechanisms and different types of inhibition has been shown to be the unified theory for the Michaelis-Menten equation, Hill equation, Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, and Scatchard equation. It is shown that dose and effect are interchangeable via defined parameters. This general equation for the single drug effect has been extended to the multiple drug effect equation for n drugs. These equations provide the theoretical basis for the combination index (CI)-isobologram equation that allows quantitative determination of drug interactions, where CI 1 indicate synergism, additive effect, and antagonism, respectively. Based on these algorithms, computer software has been developed to allow automated simulation of synergism and antagonism at all dose or effect levels. It displays the dose-effect curve, median-effect plot, combination index plot, isobologram, dose-reduction index plot, and polygonogram for in vitro or in vivo studies. This theoretical development, experimental design, and computerized data analysis have facilitated dose-effect analysis for single drug evaluation or carcinogen and radiation risk assessment, as well as for drug or other entity combinations in a vast field of disciplines of biomedical sciences. In this review, selected examples of applications are given, and step-by-step examples of experimental designs and real data analysis are also illustrated. The merging of the mass-action law principle with mathematical induction-deduction has been proven to be a unique and effective scientific method for general theory development. The median-effect principle and its mass-action law based computer software are gaining increased applications in biomedical sciences, from how to effectively evaluate a single compound or entity to how to beneficially use multiple drugs or modalities in combination therapies.
The route of entry and localization of blood proteins in the oocytes of saturniid moths.

The oocytes of saturniid moths take up proteins selectively from the blood. The distribution of blood proteins in the ovary during protein uptake was investigated by staining 2 µ sections of freeze-dried ovaries with fluorescein-labeled antibodies. The results indicate that blood proteins occur primarily in the intercellular spaces of the follicle cell layer, in association with a brush border at the surface of the oocyte, and within the oocyte in the yolk spheres. That proteins derived from the blood are associated with the yolk spheres was confirmed by isolating these bodies and showing that lysis, which can be induced by any of a number of mechanical means, causes them to release immunologically defined proteins known to be derived from the blood. That the level of blood proteins in the cytoplasm is low relatively to that in the yolk spheres was confirmed by the observation that the yellow pigments associated with several blood proteins, although conspicuous in the yolk spheres, are not visible in the translucent layer of centrifuged oocytes. From these and previous physiological observations, it is proposed that blood proteins reach the surface of the oocyte by an intercellular route, that they combine with some component of the brush border, and that they are transformed into yolk spheres by a process akin to pinocytosis.
Modeling and simulation of an advanced intelligent restraint system

In every vehicle collision, the work-energy principle must be satisfied, i.e., the work done in stopping the driver must be equal to the driver's kinetic energy. Existing restraint systems such as airbags and seatbelts are designed to minimize injuries by smoothly absorbing the kinetic energy of the occupant during a crash event. Advanced systems are being developed to tailor their level of restraining to the severity of the crash, weight, size and position of the occupant. Starting with a lumped parameter model and ending with a complete crash simulation environment, this paper introduce and demonstrate the benefits of real time control of a novel adaptive restraint system using intelligent control techniques.
More on the Anaphor Agreement Effect

This article provides additional evidence for the universality of Rizzi's (1990) anaphor agreement effect, under which the ungrammaticality of nominative anaphors in English, Italian, and Icelandic is due to the presence of agreement. Languages without agreement are shown to allow nominative anaphors. Objective anaphors cannot be associated with agreement, unless the agreement is a special anaphoric form. Superficial counterexamples to Rizzi's proposal are shown not to be problematic. The relative merits of two formal accounts outlined by Rizzi (1990) are discussed. Finally, it is suggested that the anaphor agreement effect can be a diagnostic for the presence of covert agreement.
What Level of English Proficiency Do Elementary School Teachers Need to Attain to Teach EFL? Case Studies from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.

Responding to the growing need to foster communicative abilities in English, many Asian countries where English is taught as a foreign language have recently introduced English at the elementary school level. However, the majority of elementary school teachers in such countries might not be adequately prepared to teach English; improving their English proficiency and teaching skills has thus become a matter of concern. The present study focuses on teachers' English proficiency, which has been recognized as an important qualification for successful English teaching. Elementary school teachers from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan were asked to self-evaluate their English proficiencies as well as to specify the minimum level of proficiency that they felt was needed to teach English at the elementary school level. The teachers evaluated their proficiencies in productive skills (speaking and writing) as weaker than those in receptive skills (listening and reading). Teachers in each of the three countries perceived substantial gaps between their English proficiency and the minimum level needed to teach. The widest gaps were in productive domains in general and in oral grammar in particular. Some of the implications for teacher education are discussed.
Using CoSi2/ polysilicon polycide structure as a gate diffusion source in rapid thermal processing

Ion implanted CoSi2 as a gate doping source has been studied as a compatible process to the Silicide-As Diffusion-Source (SADS) process which has been widely considered for shallow source/drain junction formation. The effects of the polysilicon gate microstructure on diffusion behavior and the thermal stability of CoSi2 has been investigated. It has been found that CoSi2 formed on reoxidized polysilicon gates has poor thermal stability but requires short time to achieve degenerate doping near the polysilicon/gate oxide interface. On the other hand, CoSi2 formed on as-deposited amorphous silicon has excellent thermal stability but requires longer time to achieve degenerate doping near the polysilicon/gate oxide interface. The trade-off between the required thermal budget to achieve degenerate doping and thermal stability of the CoSi2/polysilicon gate structure will be discussed. In optimizing the process, our results indicated that reoxidized amorphous Si gates have both good thermal stability as well requiring short time to achieve degenerate doping. The thermal degradation of CoSi2 was found to have little effect on the gate oxide breakdown voltage.
Specification-based verification and validation of Web services and service-oriented operating systems

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web services (WS) have received significant attention recently. Even though WS are based on open standards and support software interoperability, but the trustworthy issues of WS has actually limited the growth of WS applications as organizations do not trust those WS developed by other vendors and at the same time they do not have access to the source code. This paper addressed this issue by proposing several solutions including specification-based verification and validation, collaborative testing, and group testing. The key concept is that it is possible to provide a comprehensive evaluation of WS even if their source code is not available.
The power handling capacity of slab lines

Slab lines consisting of a circular cylindrical inner conductor centrally located between two parallel conducting plates have recently been employed in the development of high-power microwave components. This paper presents an evaluation of the power handling capacity of such lines. The method employed leads to highly accurate results. A power capacity expression is derived in terms of the shape ratio and the characteristic impedance of the line. The variation of this power is plotted as a function of the characteristic impedance for a given outer conductor plate spacing. Finally, the power capacity of this line is compared to that of a coaxial transmission line.
The Nearest Neighbor Classification Rule with a Reject Option

An observation comes from one of two possible classes. If all the statistics of the problem are known, Bayes' classification scheme yields the minimum probability of error. If, instead, the statistics are not known and one is given only a labeled training set, it is known that the nearest neighbor rule has an asymptotic error no greater than twice that of Bayes' rule. Here the (k,k?) nearest neighbor rule with a reject option is examined. This rule looks at the k nearest neighbors and rejects if less than k? of these are from the same class; if k? or more are from one class, a decision is made in favor of that class. The error rate of such a rule is bounded in terms of the Bayes' error rate.
Value of Continued Efforts at Limb Salvage Despite Multiple Graft Failures

Treatment of patients with limb-threatening ischemia after multiple failed bypasses remains difficult and controversial. Further revascularization procedures despite failure of the original procedure may be viewed as futile. The purpose of this report is to determine the efficacy of third or fourth revascularization procedures after the original and second procedures fail. Over a 10-year period from January 1, 1983, to December 31, 1992, 312 infrainguinal bypasses were performed on 271 consecutive patients for foot salvage. The overall limb salvage rate was 84%, and the operative mortality rate was 3.7% (10 patients). Sixteen patients (5.8%) had repeat infrainguinal bypasses performed after failure of two or more prior bypass procedures in the same leg. Twenty-three reconstructions were performed in these 16 patients. There were no operative deaths. One half of these patients had major amputations performed within the first year following their tertiary or fourth reconstructive procedure. Sixty-two percent of patients have survived longer than 3 years after their third or fourth procedure. One half of these patients have maintained graft patency and an excellent quality of life. Only 22% of the patients requiring amputation ambulated wth a prosthesis, whereas all revascularized patients ambulated. Although this subset of patients is known to have an increased risk of repeated graft failure and limb loss, we believe continued efforts at limb salvage despite multiple previous graft failures is justified.
Personal exposures to particulate matter among children with asthma in Detroit, Michigan

Abstract From 2000 to 2001, eight two-week seasonal intensive measurement campaigns were conducted in Detroit which included daily ambient and indoor measurements of PM10 at two elementary schools. Concurrent measurements of PM10 inside the homes of 20 children, aged 7–11 years, with asthma as well as personal PM10 measurements for the same 20 children were performed. Sampling was changed from 24-h measurements to 8-hs in the classroom and 16-hs in the home in 2001 to more closely match the times spent by the children in these microenvironments. The mean personal PM10 concentrations were 57.1±41.0 μg m−3and 47.6±34.6 μg m−3 for children residing in homes with and without smokers, respectively. The mean personal PM10 exposures exceeded the mean classroom and ambient PM10 concentrations. The personal exposures of children residing in homes with non-smokers also exceeded the mean home concentration of 33.1±23.4 μg m−3 in 2000 and 16-h concentration of 27.2±22.8 μg m−3 in 2001. Among children residing in homes with smokers, their mean personal concentrations were less than the 24-h (65.1±43.0 μg m−3) and 16-h (81.7±68.9 μg m−3) concentrations measured in their home for 2000 and 2001. As the children spent an average of 70% of their day at home, their personal PM10 concentrations were significantly correlated with their home environment (Pearson's r=0.38 to 0.70), with the strongest relationships observed in homes with non-smokers. Weak correlations were observed between the personal concentrations and those in the ambient and classroom environments. The correlations between the children's personal exposures and the ambient and classroom concentrations improved when analyzed longitudinally, with the strongest correlations observed in 2001 (median Pearson's r > 0.41 , overall). The children's exposures, however, remained most strongly correlated with PM10 measured in their homes (Pearson's r > 0.50 ). The mean unexplained contributions to personal PM10—based on measured and modeled personal exposures—were greater among children in homes with non-smokers. The lowest estimate was observed in 2001 among children in homes with smokers, at 0.22±28.29 μg m−3. Overall, the model explained 37% and 45% of the variability in the children's exposures among those in non-smoking and smoking households, respectively, when the measured and modeled personal exposures were compared.
Dose-Dependent Effects of Ethanol and E. Coli on Gut Permeability and Cytokine Production

Introduction The gut may prime inflammatory responses following shock/trauma insults. Ethanol (EtOH) use is common in trauma patients and may impair intestinal barrier function. We compared varying concentrations of EtOH on proinflammatory cytokine production of Caco2 cell monolayers and the resultant changes in barrier function. We hypothesized that even low concentrations of EtOH would cause significant cytokine release and barrier dysfunction in vitro . Materials and Methods Confluent Caco2 cell monolayers were grown in a two-chamber culture system and exposed to varying concentrations of EtOH (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) with/without Escherichia coli C-25 (EC). Supernatants were collected and TNF and IL6 quantified by ELISA (pg/mL). Monolayer integrity was assessed by apoptosis and permeability measurements. Results Caco2 production of TNF-α increased in a dose-dependent manner when incubated with increasing concentrations of EtoH. A synergistic effect was seen when E. coli was added to the apical chamber. A similar result was seen with the production of IL-6. A dose-dependent effect was also noted with EtOH with or without E. coli on apoptosis and permeability measurements. Conclusion In addition to alterations in gut permeability, increasing concentrations of ethanol have a synergistic effect with E. coli on Caco2 production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6. The creation of a proinflammatory cytokine milieu with an altered barrier integrity may be a mechanism by which ethanol may increase septic complications in the injured patient.
A charge damage study using an electron beam low k treatment

Organosilicate glass (OSG) deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) is a likely candidate for 65nm node low k interconnect dielectric. Electron beam (e-beam) treatment efficiently stiffens porous PECVD OSG and may enable extension of PECVD OSG beyond the 65 nm node. Charge damage during e-beam exposure should be considered before implementing e-beam treatments for low k dielectrics. The effects of e-beam cathode potential on CMOS transistor threshold voltage and gate dielectric leakage current are investigated using 130nm node CMOS transistors. The impact of e-beam treatments was negligible on devices with 1.7nm gate dielectrics, but can adversely impact the 6.7nm dielectric devices.
Motion planning with temporal-logic specifications: Progress and challenges

Integrating task and motion planning is becoming increasingly important due to the recognition that a growing number of robotics applications in navigation, search-and-rescue missions, manipulation, and medicine involve reasoning with both discrete abstractions and continuous motions. The problem poses unique computational challenges: a vast hybrid discrete/continuous space must be searched while accounting for complex geometries, motion dynamics, collision avoidance and temporal goals. This paper takes the position that continued progress relies on integrative approaches that bring together techniques from robotics and AI. In this context, the paper examines robot motion planning with temporal-logic specifications and discusses open challenges and directions for future research. The paper aims to promote a continuing dialog between robotics and AI communities.
Mental disorder among nursing home patients: Preliminary findings from the national nursing home survey pretest

Ninety-six per cent of mentally ill elderly persons who are not in the community reside in nursing homes, yet the mental health care they receive here is minimal or unavailable. Data are presented from the 1984 pretest of the National Nursing Home Survey. Five hundred and twenty-six patients in 112 nursing homes in four US metropolitan areas were sampled. Overall, the prevalence of mental disorder was found to be 68%; 39% of the patients had a diagnosis of organic brain syndrome (OBS) and 29% had other mental disorders (OMD). Only about one-third (31%) of residents had no mental disorder. These three patient groups, those with OBS, those with OMD, and those with no mental disorder, were compared on demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics. The authors conclude that the balance between the Federal and State roles in financing care for the mentally ill in nursing homes needs to result in a more equitable system of care which does not discriminate against the mentally ill. Further, the mental health service system needs to assume greater responsibility for this population. While signnificant attention is given to residents' physical needs, behavioural and emotional problems are seriously neglected.
EM immunolocalization of alpha-crystallins: association with the plasma membrane from normal and cataractous human lenses.

Purpose. To integrate past biochemical findings with past morphological observations of area insoluble material isolated from cataract and aged normal lenses, by determining the spatial distribution of α-crystallins associated with the plasma membrane (PM) of nuclear cataractous and age matched normal human lenses.Methods. Lenses were homogenized, pelleted and washed several times in 0.05M Tris-C1 (pH 7.2) containing 100mM KC1, 1 mM MgCl2 and 2mM (β-mercaptoethanol, followed by several washes in 8M urea. Urea insoluble pellets (UIP) were labeled before fixation and embedding with rabbit serum raised against α-crystallins, followed by goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugated to 5nm gold. Approximately 300 gold particles associated with the PM were counted, for each lens, on several electron microscopy (EM) micrographs. The number of gold particles/um of PM, number of individual vs clusters of gold particles were determined.Results. Micrographs from both normal and cataractous human lenses clearly demonstrated the a...
School Context and Individual Acculturation: How School Composition Affects Latino Students’ Acculturation*

Understanding how schools-a key context for children-shape students' cultural trajectories is important since these trajectories are tied to youth development and achievement. This study assessed how the size of the school's group of acculturated Latino and non-Latino students influenced the acculturation of 1,720 Latino 5th-grade students from urban public schools in the Southwest United States. A longitudinal secondary data analysis revealed that controlling for wave 1 acculturation, youths in schools with larger proportions of linguistically acculturated students were more acculturated at wave 2 than youths in schools with smaller proportions of such students. This effect was independent of Latino students' baseline acculturation level and was found even in schools with minority proportions of more acculturated students.
Evaluating cell wall structure and composition of developing cotton fibers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis

Universal attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (UATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the structural changes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibers as a function of developmental programming. The presence of noncellulosic compounds (wax, protein, hemicelluloses, pectic substances, amino acids, etc.) was evident from FTIR spectra of fibers at 10, 14, 17, and 20 dpa (day postanthesis). The vibration corresponding to the noncellulosic compounds disappeared at 36 dpa. Furthermore, independent TGA analysis supported the results obtained with FTIR, showing that the transition from primary cell wall synthesis to secondary cell wall synthesis occurs at or around 20 dpa. This study is the first to report on the use of the UATR-FTIR and TGA to elucidate structural changes during cotton fiber development. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Primary lymphocytic follicular lymphoma of liver.

A case of primary lympocytic follicular lymphoma of the liver is described. The gross and microscopic features of this tumor are consistent with the diagnosis of lymphocytic lymphoma with follicular pattern.
The Increased Emphasis on Visual Imagery over Aural Messages Via Mass Mediated Communication Technologies

The evolution of television and the new communication technologies, especially those associated with the internet, have resulted in the visual domain receiving much more emphasis at the expense of the aural (hearing) domain. This report addresses the increased emphasis on visual imagery over aural messages as it relates to U.S. Army cultural initiatives in varied contexts. As we move to being a more visually oriented society, via web based and new communication technologies, aural forms of communication that generally have more emphasis on critical thinking are being displaced by the visual domain that stresses more imaginary associations. Thus, the visual dominates at the expense of the aural and the imagination presides over critical thinking. Familiarity with this phenomenon will benefit those seeking to enhance Army cultural understanding in that increased emphasis on the visual domain results in dilution of critical thinking about cultural variables when visual images have significant impact upon the development of such cultural awareness. Illustrations regarding the aforementioned will be drawn from military contexts and general societal scenarios as well. As such, the reader should be able to recognize how the visual domain is gaining more and more emphasis, at the expense of the aural domain, and how this has been occurring incrementally over time.
EVIDENCE OF ORIBATID MITE HERBIVORY IN THE STEM OF A LATE TRIASSIC TREE FERN FROM ARIZONA

Abstract Small coprolite-bearing borings occur in the stem of the filicalean tree fern Itopsidema vancleaveii Daugherty from the Chinle Formation of Late Triassic Age (Carnian Stage) in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. These borings are restricted to parenchyma within the leaf petioles and among the adventitious roots of the root mantle. Although they are not lined by wound tissue, some of the borings in the leaf petioles contain small discontinuous masses of wound-tissue at a few places along some of the walls, indicating that the plant was alive when it was attacked. Coprolites within the borings generally are small (mostly about 40–50 μm in diameter and 85–100 μm in length) and oval in longitudinal section and round to weakly hexagonal in transverse section; they consist of very small particles of unidentifiable plant matter. Although the weakly hexagonal coprolites are similar to those produced by termites but they are an order of magnitude smaller. Furthermore, the borings are much smaller th...
Synergy Of Incident Management And Real-Time Technology: The Next Step In The Evolution Of Supply Chain Management

Over the last two decades, the culture of the supply chain environment has transformed from one of mass production and distribution to one centered on pull-based demand sensing and response. This transformation, in turn, has necessitated the use of more efficient supply chain operations. One of the cornerstones of efficient supply chain operations is just-in-time (JIT) delivery and inventory reduction, both in-transit and in-facility (Anderson et al 2003, Simchi-Levi et al 2000). The goal of JIT, a sub-part of a larger concept referred to as time-critical logistics (TCL), is to facilitate the delivery of materials only as they are required. This practice, in turn, leads to improved efficiency by reducing inventory costs and idled capacity. In addition, JIT provides increased customer orientation and responsiveness; two very critical elements in an environment of intense competition and rising fuel prices. A vital part of JIT is the routing and scheduling of shipments. Therefore, in order to effectively manage JIT, accurate predictions of routes and travel times are essential. (Miller et al 1999). The JIT approach has dramatically increased the importance of reliability and efficiency throughout supply chain operations, in such areas as the sourcing of goods, transportation, manufacturing, and distribution.
Alternating bipolar field stimulation identifies muscle fibers with defective excitability but maintained local Ca(2+) signals and contraction.

Most cultured enzymatically dissociated adult myofibers exhibit spatially uniform (UNI) contractile responses and Ca2+ transients over the entire myofiber in response to electric field stimuli of either polarity applied via bipolar electrodes. However, some myofibers only exhibit contraction and Ca2+ transients at alternating (ALT) ends in response to alternating polarity field stimulation. Here, we present for the first time the methodology for identification of ALT myofibers in primary cultures and isolated muscles, as well as a study of their electrophysiological properties. We used high-speed confocal microscopic Ca2+ imaging, electric field stimulation, microelectrode recordings, immunostaining, and confocal microscopy to characterize the properties of action potential-induced Ca2+ transients, contractility, resting membrane potential, and staining of T-tubule voltage-gated Na+ channel distribution applied to cultured adult myofibers. Here, we show for the first time, with high temporal and spatial resolution, that normal control myofibers with UNI responses can be converted to ALT response myofibers by TTX addition or by removal of Na+ from the bathing medium, with reappearance of the UNI response on return of Na+. Our results suggest disrupted excitability as the cause of ALT behavior and indicate that the ALT response is due to local depolarization-induced Ca2+ release, whereas the UNI response is triggered by action potential propagation over the entire myofiber. Consistent with this interpretation, local depolarizing monopolar stimuli give uniform (propagated) responses in UNI myofibers, but only local responses at the electrode in ALT myofibers. The ALT responses in electrically inexcitable myofibers are consistent with expectations of current spread between bipolar stimulating electrodes, entering (hyperpolarizing) one end of a myofiber and leaving (depolarizing) the other end of the myofiber. ALT responses were also detected in some myofibers within intact isolated whole muscles from wild-type and MDX mice, demonstrating that ALT responses can be present before enzymatic dissociation. We suggest that checking for ALT myofiber responsiveness by looking at the end of a myofiber during alternating polarity stimuli provides a test for compromised excitability of myofibers, and could be used to identify inexcitable, damaged or diseased myofibers by ALT behavior in healthy and diseased muscle.
Without a doubt: The portrayal of Christian conversion in Jean Rotrou’s Le Véritable Saint Genest:

Jean Rotrou’s Le Veritable Saint Genest, one of the rare successful martyrdom tragedies produced for the 17th-century French commercial stage, is often interpreted as a proto-postmodern play about the confusing nature of reality and the indeterminacy of faith. Structural details of both plot and characterization, however, validate a Christian reading of this play. By carefully constructing a contrast between the world of Christian faith and the world without faith, Rotrou attempts to create for his audience the sense of an encounter with the divine and a realization of the urgency of a commitment to God.
Polysomnography results in pediatric patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea: Adenotonsillectomy vs. watchful waiting.

Abstract Objective There is a lack of consensus and a paucity of data regarding how to best treat pediatric patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea. The objective of our study was to compare outcomes following adenotonsillectomy vs. observation in children with mild obstructive sleep apnea based on polysomnography results. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on children ages 9 months to 9 years with 2 or more polysomnograms completed at a tertiary care academic center. Children diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea (obstructive apnea–hypopnea index 1–5) on polysomnography performed from 1999 to 2013 were included. Patients underwent adenotonsillectomy or watchful waiting for obstructive sleep apnea. The primary outcome was the change in apnea–hypopnea index. Results There were 62 patients who met inclusion criteria for the study; 19 of the 62 patients were obese, while 15 had a craniofacial syndrome or hypotonia. Eighteen patients underwent adenotonsillectomy for mild obstructive sleep apnea while 44 were observed. The mean apnea–hypopnea index of patients after adenotonsillectomy improved from 3.50 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 2.97–4.03) to 2.69 (95% CI 1.48–3.90), while the mean apnea–hypopnea index of the observation group worsened from 3.09 (95% CI 2.76–3.42) to 5.18 (95% CI 2.46–7.90). Between-group analysis showed significant improvement in the surgery group ( p = 0.03), with a persistent improvement on multivariate analysis adjusting for baseline apnea–hypopnea index ( p = 0.05). This difference was seen mostly in non-obese, non-syndromic children ( p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between groups amongst obese ( p = 0.25) and syndromic ( p = 0.36) patients. Conclusions Adenotonsillectomy leads to a significant improvement in apnea–hypopnea index on follow-up polysomnography over an observational approach, especially in non-obese, non-syndromic children. A prospective, randomized trial is necessary to help determine appropriate treatment strategies for pediatric mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Single-atom cavity enhanced absorption with injected squeezed vacuum

The basic model considered in this paper, single-atom cavity enhanced absorption (SACEA),1-2 consists of a single two-level atom inside a driven optical cavity. The single-ended cavity has a loss rate κ, and the classical single-mode field inserted into the cavity is E. The coupling constant between the cavity mode and the atom is g. The spontaneous emission rate to all modes of the field other than the privileged cavity mode, which is less than the free space Einstein A coefficient, is given by γ. This paper generalizes earlier results to include a broadband squeezed vacuum field injected into the output port of the cavity.
Three-dimensional intensity and temporal phase measurement of the Airy-Bessel wave packet

We measured the three-dimensional intensity profile of the Airy-Bessel linear light bullet clearly resolving its complicated three-dimensional structures. The measurement also retrieved its step-function-like temporal phase shift with π steps.
The Specter of Racism in the 2005–6 Immigration Debate: Preserving Racial Group Position

In the heated debate regarding ‘illegal immigration’ in the US, arguments and accusations have abounded regarding economics, citizenship, criminality, and culture, but race has remained conspicuous...
Measures for Section Antirust Treatment of Al-Zn-Coated Steel Sheet

The properties and section corrosion features of steel sheet coated with Al-Zn alloy plating were analyzed. Several anticorrosive techniques were tried to improve the section corrosion-resistance of the steel sheet, and the optimized anticorrosive technique of good comprehensive performance for the steel sheet was screened making use of salt-spray test.
Epigenomic Reprogramming of Adult Cardiomyocyte-Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells

It has been believed that mammalian adult cardiomyocytes (ACMs) are terminally-differentiated and are unable to proliferate. Recently, using a bi-transgenic ACM fate mapping mouse model and an in vitro culture system, we demonstrated that adult mouse cardiomyocytes were able to dedifferentiate into cardiac progenitor-like cells (CPCs). However, little is known about the molecular basis of their intrinsic cellular plasticity. Here we integrate single-cell transcriptome and whole-genome DNA methylation analyses to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation and cell cycle reentry of mouse ACMs. Compared to parental cardiomyocytes, dedifferentiated mouse cardiomyocyte-derived CPCs (mCPCs) display epigenomic reprogramming with many differentially-methylated regions, both hypermethylated and hypomethylated, across the entire genome. Correlated well with the methylome, our transcriptomic data showed that the genes encoding cardiac structure and function proteins are remarkably down-regulated in mCPCs, while those for cell cycle, proliferation, and stemness are significantly up-regulated. In addition, implantation of mCPCs into infarcted mouse myocardium improves cardiac function with augmented left ventricular ejection fraction. Our study demonstrates that the cellular plasticity of mammalian cardiomyocytes is the result of a well-orchestrated epigenomic reprogramming and a subsequent global transcriptomic alteration.
The effect of glucose loading on the fetal response to hypoxia.

A glucose load was administered to the fetus in utero by maternal infusion prior to hypoxia in 12 sheep experiments. The placental transport mechanism for glucose appeared saturated at high maternal concentrations of glucose and dependent on oxygen as a source of energy. The changes observed in the fetal EEG, cardiovascular, acid-base, and metabolic parameters during and in recovery from hypoxia were similar to a group of 17 experiments in which glucose had not been given prior to hypoxia.
Towards a supranational analysis of arab media: The role of cities

During the past 20 years, Arab media industries underwent a period of tumultuous and unparalleled change. A cocktail of closely interwoven changes — ranging from the introduction of satellite receivers to web TV, the digitization of information to the development of multi-platform networks, dramatic increases in mainstream media outlets and the emergence of social media to the growth of large media conglomerates — are combining to change the regional media. In this chapter, I consider one rather unique aspect of Arab media as revealed in the emergence of designated economic free zones dedicated to the financing, development, production and distribution of media, commonly referred to as media cities. Instead of simply limiting the definition of media cities to this rather new definition, I use the term to reflect on the relationship between Arab media and place, since even before the emergence of these economic free zones, Arab media were developed in cities like Cairo, Beirut, London and Rome.
Mid-continental earthquakes: Spatiotemporal occurrences, causes, and hazards

Abstract Large earthquakes in North China, Australia, Northwestern Europe, Central and Eastern United States, and other mid-continents show complex spatiotemporal patterns that do not fit existing earthquake models. Individual faults or fault zones tend to fall into long term (thousands of years or longer) dormancy after a cluster of ruptures, whereas large earthquakes seem to roam between widespread faults. These behaviors are characteristic of complex dynamic systems of interacting faults. In such systems, widespread faults collectively accommodate slow tectonic loading, and a major fault rupture both transfers stress to the neighboring faults and perturbs loading conditions on distant faults. Because of the slow tectonic loading, local stress variations from fault interaction or nontectonic processes, or changes of fault strength, could trigger mid-continental earthquakes. The precise spatiotemporal occurrence of large mid-continental earthquakes may be unknowable, an intrinsic limitation of complex dynamic systems, but their qualitative system behavior may be understood by a system approach. This approach would render some commonly used concepts, such as seismic cycles, recurrence intervals, characteristic earthquakes, and seismic gaps inadequate or irrelevant in mid-continents, and calls for rethinking of the probability estimates based on these concepts. It requires a better understanding of fault interactions on multiple spatial and temporal scales rather than focusing solely on the balance of tectonic loading and yield strength of individual faults or fault segments. It also indicates the need for paleoseismic and geodetic studies extending beyond areas where recent large earthquakes occurred, and for hazard assessments to reduce the biasing influence of the most recent large earthquakes that tend to dominate the short and incomplete earthquake records.
Family Structure and School Attendance Among Children 13-16 in Argentina and Panama*

This paper examines the relative likelihood of an adolescent 13-16 being in school by his or her family situation in two Latin American countries, Argentina and Panama. Both countries had moderate ...
The potential of amine-thiol based solution processing for chalcogenide photovoltaics

Recently it has been found that amine-thiol mixtures can dissolve many more precursors that could not be dissolved earlier. This has provided us a versatile method to prepare an array of molecular precursor inks and solution processed fabrication of metal chalcogenide thin films. This solvent mixture possesses the remarkable ability to dissolve a wide range of metal and chalcogen precursor materials under ambient temperature and pressure. Here we demonstrate the potential of the films prepared by this solvent system for photovoltaics by reporting our current amine-thiol solution processed solar cell devices with total area efficiencies of 12.20 % for Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGSe) and 7.86% for Cu 2 (Zn, Sn)(S, Se) 4 (CZTSSe). For amine-thiol processed solar cells, these are the highest reported efficiencies. We also discuss the absorber layer morphology and associated optoelectronic properties. In spite of some initial challenges with solution processing, this technique has the tremendous potential for the fabrication of high-performance devices.
Motion planning with diffusion maps

Many robotic applications require repeated, on-demand motion planning in mapped environments. In addition, the presence of other dynamic agents, such as people, often induces frequent, dynamic changes in the environment. Having a potential function that encodes pairwise cost-to-go can be useful for improving the computational speed of finding feasible paths, and for guiding local searches around dynamic obstacles. However, since storing pairwise potential can be impractical given the O(|V|2) memory requirement, existing work often needs to compute a potential function for each query to a new goal, which would require a substantial online computation. This work addresses the problem by using diffusion maps, a machine learning algorithm, to learn the map's geometry and develop a memory-efficient parametrization (O(|V|)) of pairwise potentials. Specially, each state in the map is transformed to a diffusion coordinate, in which pairwise Euclidean distance is shown to be a meaningful similarity metric. We develop diffusion-based motion planning algorithms and, through extensive numerical evaluation, show that the proposed algorithms find feasible paths of similar quality with orders of magnitude improvement in computational speed compared with single-query methods. The proposed algorithms are implemented on hardware to enable real-time autonomous navigation in an indoor environment with frequent interactions with pedestrians.