cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arginine Vasopressin-Containing Neurons of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Project to CSF.

While it is well established that there are robust circadian rhythms of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the route whereby the peptide reaches the CSF is not clear. A , AVP neurons constitute the largest fraction of the SCN neuronal population. Here, we show that processes of AVP-expressing SCN neurons cross the epithelium of the 3rd ventricular wall to reach the CSF (black arrows). Additionally, we report rostro-caudal differences in AVP neuron size and demonstrate that the localization of cells expressing the clock protein PER2 extend beyond the AVP population, thereby indicating that the size of this nucleus is somewhat larger than previously understood. B , Following lateral ventricle (LV) injection of cholera toxin β subunit (CTβ ; magenta) the retrograde tracer is seen in AVP neurons of the SCN, supporting the anatomical evidence that AVP neuronal processes directly contact the CSF.Arginine vasopressin (AVP) expressing neurons form the major population in the brain's circadian clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). They participate in inter-neuronal coupling and provide an output signal for synchronizing daily rhythms. AVP is present at high concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and fluctuates on a circadian timescale. While it is assumed that rhythms in CSF AVP are of SCN origin, a route of communication between these compartments has not been delineated. Using immunochemistry (ICC) and cell filling techniques, we determine the morphology and location of AVP neurons in mouse and delineate their axonal and dendritic processes. Cholera toxin β subunit (CTβ) tracer injected into the lateral ventricle tests whether AVP neurons communicate with CSF. Most importantly, the results indicate that AVP neurons lie in close proximity to the third ventricle, and their processes cross the ventricular wall into the CSF. We also report that contrary to widely held assumptions, AVP neurons do not fully delineate the SCN borders as PER2 expression extends beyond the AVP region. Also, AVP neurons form a rostral prong originating in the SCN medial-most and ventral-most aspect. AVP is lacking in the mid-dorsal shell but does occur at the base of the SCN just above the optic tract. Finally, neurons of the rostral SCN are smaller than those lying caudally. These findings extend our understanding of AVP signaling potential, demonstrate the heterogeneity of AVP neurons, and highlight limits in using this peptide to delineate the mouse SCN.
The varieties of idealization and the politics of economic growth: a case study on modality and the methodology of normative political philosophy

Are societies required to pursue continual economic growth as a matter of justice? In “The Value of Economic Growth”, Julie Rose considers three arguments in favor of the need for continual economi...
Trajectory Planning for Kinematically Controllable Underactuated Mechanical Systems

We develop trajectory planners for a class of second-order underactuated mechanical systems called kinematically controllable systems. For kinematically controllable systems, the problem of planning fast collision-free trajectories can be decoupled into the computationally simpler problems of path planning for a kinematic system followed by time-optimal time scaling. This paper describes efficient path planners using randomized algorithms and dynamic programming to solve the path planning problem for the kinematic system. The resulting kinematic paths are time scaled to produce fast trajectories.
Weichteiltrauma sensibilisiert Hepatozyten für eine gesteigerte Stickstoffmonoxydproduktion nach Stimulation mit Zytokinen oder Endotoxin

Polytraumatisierte Patienten erleiden haufig schwere Infektionen mit septischen Komplikationen. Schwere Gewebeverletzungen konnen phanotypische Veranderungen in der Leber verursachen, die im wesentlichen durch die Aktivierung von Akutphase-Proteinen (APP) bestimmt werden [1, 2]. Die Aktivierung von APP wird durch Interleukine (IL), wie z.B. IL-1 und IL-6, sowie Tumor Nekrose Faktor (TNF) induziert und durch Glukokortikoide kontrolliert. Die Sekretion der APP scheint der Aufrechterhaltung der Homoostase zu dienen, um Gewebeschadigungen zu vermindern und die Infektionsgefahr zu verringern. Dies fuhrt zur primaren Stimulation der meisten Korperzellen, einschlieslich der Hepatozyten. Eine zweite Phase der Stimulation kann dann durch Bakterien oder bakterielle Komponenten erfolgen, was klinisch haufig als septische Komplikation in Erscheinung tritt. Unklar ist, wie dies die Reaktion der Hepatozyten auf Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Endotoxin) und pro-inflammatorische Zytokine beeinflust. Bisherige Studien haben sich vorwiegend mit der primaren Stimulation der Hepatozyten beschaftigt. Wir haben kurzlich berichtet, das Hepatozyten ein induzierbares Enzym (iNOS) zur Synthese von Stickstoffmonoxyd (NO) exprimieren, wenn sie mit Zytokinen stimuliert und inkubiert werden [1, 2]. Die vermehrte Produktion von NO scheint durch die Verbesserung der Mikrozirkulation und Neutralisation freier Sauerstoffradikale eine eher protektive Funktion in der Sepsis zu haben [3]. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte, ob Hepatozyten durch ein aseptisches Weichteiltrauma (intramuskulare Terpentininjektion) fur eine gesteigerte NO Bildung nach spaterer Stimulation mit Zytokinen und Endotoxin sensibilisiert werden.
Smart Sequence Similarity Search(S4) System

Sequence similarity searching is commonly used to help clarify the biochemical and physiological features of newly discovered genes or proteins. An efficient similarity search relies on the choice of tools and their associated subprograms and numerous parameter settings. This could be very challenging for similarity search users, especially those at the beginner level. To assist researchers in selecting optimal search programs and parameter settings for efficient sequence similarity searches, we have developed a Web-based expert system, Smart Sequence Similarity Search (S4). The system is implemented in Java and Jess scripts, and uses the Jess Expert System as its reasoning core. The expert knowledge provided for a sequence similarity search is represented in the form of decision tree and stored in a XML file. The system also provides interfaces for expert users to improve this knowledge by extending the decision tree. With its capability to continuously improve sequence similarity searches through a decision tree, the Web-based expert system provides a solid advising tool for researchers interested in efficient sequence similarity searches.
Empirical Bayes Methods

Statistical design, analysis, and reporting are fundamental to environmental research and assessment; to environmetrics. The variety and complexity of applications rapidly grows with a commensurate growth in statistical design and analysis. Environmental applications include all aspects of design, the analysis of spatially structured information (exposure, health outcomes, and demographics), nonlinear dose–response assays, interspecies extrapolation, placement of air or water monitoring stations, remote sensing, and gene–environment interactions. Analytic challenges include stabilizing estimates via statistical modeling and otherwise ‘borrowing information’, integrating information that is misaligned in space and time, dealing with missing data, accounting for measurement error in input information (e.g. exposures), missing data, causal modeling, addressing nonstandard goals and ensuring that statistical evaluations account for the dominant stochastic and modeling uncertainties. In addressing these and other challenges and goals, Bayes and empirical Bayes (EB) designs and analyses have proven valid, efficient, and informative. The beauty of the Bayesian approach is its ability to structure complicated assessments, guide development of appropriate statistical models and inferences, and produce summaries that properly account for uncertainties. Properly structured, these methods can produce objectively valid analyses, commonly more effective than traditional methods. When available, prior information can be integrated into the design and analysis. Computing innovations enable implementation of complex, relevant models and applications burgeon. This article outlines the Bayesian approach, traces the history of the EB approximation, gives a small sampling of environmetric applications and speculates on future developments.
Homogeneity of Certain Invariant Distributions on the Lie Algebra of p-adic GLn

Let F be a non-Archimedean local field with ring of integers R and prime ideal $$\wp $$ . Suppose T is a GL n (F)-invariant distribution on $${\mathfrak{g}}$$ =M n (F), the Lie algebra of GL n (F). If T has support in the set of topologically nilpotent elements, then the restriction of T to the set of functions which are compactly supported and invariant under M n ( $$\wp $$ ) may be expressed as a linear combination of nilpotent orbital integrals restricted to the same set of functions.
Developmental regulation of interstitial cell density in bullfrog skeletal muscle

Denervation of skeletal muscle results in striking connective tissue remodelling in junctional areas of muscle. Since extracellular matrix molecules mediate axonal growth and synaptic differentiation, it is likely that the interstitial cells and matrix molecules that accumulate near synaptic sites after denervation influence the regrowth and regeneration of synaptic connections. The experiments presented here addressed the question of whether the junctional connective tissue in developing bullfrog skeletal muscle was also specialized in its cellular and molecular composition. Denervation responses of muscle, such as extrajunctional sensitivity to acetylcholine, often reproduce the characteristics of developing muscle during synaptogenesis. In developing muscle, the distribution of interstitial cells was nonuniform during the period of muscle fibre birth and synaptogenesis. Interstitial cells were concentrated near synaptic sites as in denervated adult muscle. Unlike denervated adult muscle, there were no junctional accumulations of fibronectin or tenascin, matrix molecules produced by interstitial cells, in developing muscles. These results demonstrate that the junctional connective tissue in developing muscle is identified by a high density of interstitial cells that may play a role in the identification and formation of synaptic sites. Further, the junctional matrix environment of developing muscle is distinct from the matrix remodelling that occurs in response to denervation, suggesting that the matrix production by interstitial cells during development is regulated differently from that after denervation of the neuromuscular junction.
The Mortgage Crisis: Government Intervention And Debtors Options

The real estate market crash was a major contributor in creating the dismal global economic situation. The paper reviews the options of the homeowners in debt and the government’s actions to stimulate the real estate market.
Nitric Oxide Modulates Ca2+ Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Innervating Rat Urinary Bladder

The effect of a nitric oxide (NO) donor on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel currents ( I Ca) was examined using the whole cell patch-clamp technique in L6–S1 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the urinary bladder. The neurons were labeled by axonal transport of a fluorescent dye, Fast Blue, injected into the bladder wall. Approximately 70% of bladder afferent neurons exhibited tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant action potentials (APs), and 93% of these neurons were sensitive to capsaicin, while the remaining neurons had TTX-sensitive spikes and were insensitive to capsaicin. The peak current density of nimodipine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels activated by depolarizing pulses (0 mV) from a holding potential of −60 mV was greater in bladder afferent neurons with TTX-resistant APs (39.2 pA/pF) than in bladder afferent neurons with TTX-sensitive APs (28.9 pA/pF), while the current density of ω-conotoxin GVIA-sensitive N-type Ca2+channels was similar (43–45 pA/pF) in both types of neurons. In both types of neurons, the NO donor, S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) (500 μM), reversibly reduced (23.4–26.6%) the amplitude of I Ca elicited by depolarizing pulses to 0 mV from a holding potential of −60 mV. SNAP-induced inhibition of I Ca was reduced by 90% in the presence of ω-conotoxin GVIA but was unaffected in the presence of nimodipine, indicating that NO-induced inhibition of I Ca is mainly confined to N-type Ca2+ channels. Exposure of the neurons for 30 min to 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 μM), an inhibitor of NO-stimulated guanylyl cyclase, prevented the SNAP-induced reduction in I Ca. Extracellular application of 8-bromo-cGMP (1 mM) mimicked the effects of NO donors by reducing the peak amplitude of I Ca(28.6% of reduction). Action potential configuration and firing frequency during depolarizing current pulses were not altered by the application of SNAP (500 μM) in bladder afferent neurons with TTX-resistant and -sensitive APs. These results indicate that NO acting via a cGMP signaling pathway can modulate N-type Ca2+ channels in DRG neurons innervating the urinary bladder.
Concentration of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid.

1. The concentration of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid was determined by a modification of the Dische carbazole method for the determination of uronic acids. 2. The results of this determination in 80 specimens of normal and abnormal synovial fluid confirmed values reported by other methods. 3. An inverse relationship between the hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid and the degree of synovitis was suggested.
Pancreatic cancer screening for high risk individuals: A clinical perspective

Pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis with uniform fatality. The disease is often metastatic at the time of clinical diagnosis and survival rates have not improved over the past years. Due to lack of effective therapy, early detection has been proposed to reduce mortality, which remains elusive. Mass screening program for pancreatic cancer is not applicable to the general population. However, relatives of patients with PC and patients with certain other conditions are at higher risk of developing PC. Targeted screening for appropriately selected high-risk individuals for PC is being done at different centers. There is variation in the screening methodology and also in patient selection for screening. The purpose of this article is to review the available guidelines and the clinical studies of PC screening in high-risk individuals. For now, PC screening remains at the research level limited to patients with a high risk of PC; individuals with ≥3 first degree relatives with PC, those with FAMMM syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and hereditary pancreatitis. Further larger studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of suggested screening strategies before it can be implemented as standard practice.
Afferent Innervation Patterns of the Saccule in Pigeons

The innervation patterns of vestibular saccular afferents were quantitatively investigated in pigeons using biotinylated dextran amine as a neural tracer and three-dimensional computer reconstruction. Type I hair cells were found throughout a large portion of the macula, with the highest density observed in the striola. Type II hair cells were located throughout the macula, with the highest density in the extrastriola. Three classes of afferent innervation patterns were observed, including calyx, dimorph, and bouton units, with 137 afferents being anatomically reconstructed and used for quantitative comparisons. Calyx afferents were located primarily in the striola, innervated a number of type I hair cells, and had small innervation areas. Most calyx afferent terminal fields were oriented parallel to the anterior-posterior axis and the morphological polarization reversal line. Dimorph afferents were located throughout the macula, contained fewer type I hair cells in a calyceal terminal than calyx afferents and had medium sized innervation areas. Bouton afferents were restricted to the extrastriola, with multi-branching fibers and large innervation areas. Most of the dimorph and bouton afferents had innervation fields that were oriented dorso-ventrally but were parallel to the neighboring reversal line. The organizational morphology of the saccule was found to be distinctly different from that of the avian utricle or lagena otolith organs and appears to represent a receptor organ undergoing evolutionary adaptation toward sensing linear motion in terrestrial and aerial species.
A continuum theory of dense suspensions

A continuum theory is introduced for viscous fluids carrying dense suspensions (such as blood) or emulsions of arbitrary shape and inertia. Suspended particles possess microinertia that make the mixture an anisotropic fluid whose viscosity changes with motion and orientation of suspensions. The microinertia balance law coupled with the equations of motion of an anisotropic fluid govern the ultimate outcome. By means of the second law of thermodynamics, constitutive equations are obtained in terms of the frame-independent tensors. In a special case, a theory of bar-like suspensions is obtained. The field equations, boundary and initial conditions are given for both the arbitrarily-shaped suspensions and the bar-like suspensions. The theory is demonstrated with the solution of the channel flow problem. The mean viscosity of the fluid with suspensions is determined. The motions of suspensions down flow are demonstrated.
Ommaya reservoir-related infections: Clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes

Summary Objectives As infection is a severe complication of Ommaya reservoirs (OR), and existing data is limited, herein we describe the largest study of the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes of Ommaya reservoir-related infections (ORRI). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients at our institution who had an OR placed, and developed a definite device-related infection between 2001 and 2011. Results Among 501 OR placements, 40 patients (8%) developed an ORRI. These presented with meningitis and/or meningoencephalitis (60%), cellulitis (20%), or a combination thereof (20%). Approximately 40% occurred ≤30 days of OR placement, while 60% occurred ≤10 days after the device was last accessed. Only 20% presented with leukocytosis, while another 18% had a normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Gram-positive skin flora accounted >80% of the pathogens. The median hospital stay and duration of antibiotics were 13 and 24 days, respectively. Although mortality rates (≈10%) were similar among all treatment groups ( p > 0.99), shorter hospitalization and antimicrobial treatment durations were obtained with early versus late device removal ( p Conclusions As clinical symptoms can be non-specific and CSF parameters may be within normal limits, a high suspicion for infection is required. The shortest hospitalization and treatment course was achieved with early device removal.
Adjustments in the n-p singlet effective range

Abstract Neutron energies below 5 MeV at which neutron-proton total cross sections have been measured in earlier experiments were determined. Revised values of the singlet effective range are presented.
Armed and attentive: Holding a weapon can bias attentional priorities in scene viewing

The action-specific perception hypothesis (Witt, Current Directions in Psychological Science 20: 201-206, 2011) claims that the environment is represented with respect to potential interactions for objects present within said envi- ronment. This investigation sought to extend the hypothesis beyond perceptual mechanisms and assess whether action- specific potential could alter attentional allocation. To do so, we examined a well-replicated attention bias in the weapon focus effect (Loftus, Loftus, & Messo, Law and Human Behaviour 1, 55-62, 1987), which represents the tendency for observers to attend more to weapons than to neutral objects. Our key manipulation altered the anticipated action- specific potential of observers by providing them a firearm while they freely viewed scenes with and without weapons present. We replicated the original weapon focus effect using modern eye tracking and confirmed that the increase in time looking at weapons comes at a cost of less time spent looking at faces. Additionally, observers who held firearms while viewing the various scenes showed a general bias to look at faces over objects, but only if the firearm was in a readily usableposition(i.e.,pointedatthescenesratherthanholstered at one's side). These two effects, weapon focus and the newly found bias to look more at faces when armed, canceled out one another without interacting. This evidence confirms that the action capabilities of the observer alter more than just perceptualmechanismsand thatholding a weaponcan change attentional priorities. Theoretical and real-world implications are discussed.
Receptor subtype specific effects of GABA agonists on neurons receiving aortic depressor nerve inputs within the nucleus of the solitary tract

The inhibitory amino acid gamma amino butyrate (GABA) has been shown to profoundly alter the integration of arterial baroreceptor inputs within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). However, the relative roles of the major GABA receptor subtypes, the GABA(A) and the GABA(B) receptors, in the modulation of monosynaptic compared to polysynaptic afferent transmission within the NTS remain uncharacterized. In anesthetized rats, three types of NTS neuron were identified by their responses to aortic depressor nerve (ADN) stimulation; monosynaptic neurons (MSNs), polysynaptic neurons (PSNs) and ADN non-evoked neurons (NENs). Selective GABA(A) and GABA(B) agonists were applied to these neurons using iontophoretic techniques. The endogenous ligand GABA (2 mM), the selective GABA(A) agonist muscimol (0.04 and 0.02 mM) and the GABA(B) agonist baclofen (10 mM) all inhibited the spontaneous discharge of MSNs, PSNs and NENs (P < 0.01 for each group). In addition, GABA, muscimol and baclofen also inhibited ADN evoked discharge in both MSNs and PSNs (P < 0.05 for each group). Both GABA and baclofen significantly inhibited ADN evoked discharge in PSNs to a greater extent than in MSNs (P < 0.05 for each comparison). Muscimol at both doses, however, similarly inhibited ADN evoked discharge in both MSNs and PSNs. Examination of action potential amplitude and co-iontophoretic application of glutamate and GABA agonists suggested that GABA and muscimol induced inhibition were likely to be post-synaptic in origin, while baclofen produced both pre-synaptic and post-synaptic inhibition, depending upon the cell. In conclusion, GABA can influence baroreceptor afferent integration through both pre-synaptic and post-synaptic mechanisms. Furthermore, the effects of GABA(B) agonists are variable depending upon the level of afferent integration, with MSNs being generally less sensitive than PSNs.
Photonic crystal wave guide for non-cryogenic cooled carbon nanotube based middle wave infrared sensors

We report high sensitivity carbon nanotube (CNT) based middle wave infrared (MWIR) sensors with a two-dimensional photonic crystal waveguide. MWIR sensors are of great importance in a variety of current military applications including ballistic missile defense, surveillance and target detection. Unlike other existing MWIR sensing materials, CNTs exhibit low noise level and can be used as new nano sensing materials for MWIR detection where cryogenic cooling is not required. However, the quantum efficiency of the CNT based infrared sensor is still limited by the small sensing area and low incoming electric field. Here, a photonic nanostructure is used as a resonant cavity for boosting the electric field intensity at the position of the CNT sensing element. A two-dimensional photonic crystal with periodic holes in a polymer thin film is fabricated and a resonant cavity is formed by removing holes from the array of the photonic crystal. Based on the design of the photonic crystal topologies, we theoretically study the electric field distribution to predict the resonant behavior of the structure. Numerical simulations reveal the field is enhanced and almost fully confined to the defect region of the photonic crystal. To verify the electric field enhancement effect, experiments are also performed to measure the photocurrent response of the sensor with and without the photonic crystal resonant cavity. Experimental results show that the photocurrent increases ~3 times after adding the photonic crystal resonant cavity.
Streak contrast in field-ion micrographs

Abstract Asymmetric field-ion microscope specimens have stable end-forms which are themselves asymmetric and cannot be field-evaporated to give an undistorted field-ion image. On such specimens surface steps may persist during field evaporation and give rise to image streaking through field-focusing of the ion beams from the step region. Persistent steps on asymmetric tips arise from prior cold work or deformation during the tip preparation process. Faulty electropolishing, which is responsible for the tip asymmetry, is thus the primary cause of streak contrast.
Relative Unisensory Strength and Timing Predict Their Multisensory Product

Understanding the principles by which the brain combines information from different senses provides us with insight into the computational strategies used to maximize their utility. Prior studies of the superior colliculus (SC) neuron as a model suggest that the relative timing with which sensory cues appear is an important factor in this context. Cross-modal cues that are near-simultaneous are likely to be derived from the same event, and the neural inputs they generate are integrated more strongly than those from cues that are temporally displaced from one another. However, the present results from studies of cat SC neurons show that this “temporal principle” of multisensory integration is more nuanced than previously thought and reveal that the integration of temporally displaced sensory responses is also highly dependent on the relative efficacies with which they drive their common target neuron. Larger multisensory responses were achieved when stronger responses were advanced in time relative to weaker responses. This new temporal principle of integration suggests an inhibitory mechanism that better accounts for the sensitivity of the multisensory product to differences in the timing of cross-modal cues than do earlier mechanistic hypotheses based on response onset alignment or response overlap.
Development of a simulated drinking game procedure to study risky alcohol use

The aim of the current study was to initiate and describe the development of a Simulated Drinking Game Procedure (SDGP), a safe, efficient, and alcohol-free laboratory protocol for studying drinking game behavior. Fifty-two undergraduates completed the SDGP in a laboratory session, where participants played singles and/or doubles games of Beer Pong. Water was substituted for alcohol in all of the games. The number of drinks consumed during matches and 20-min play periods were coded during each session, and software was used to estimate the peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) a participant would achieve if he or she had consumed actual alcohol while participating in the SDGP. Results indicated that participation in Beer Pong can lead to rapid consumption of alcohol and an associated rise in BAC. Results also highlight additional risks for female participants associated with participation in drinking games. The SDGP is a research tool capable of increasing our understanding of drinking games.
6-amino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one (3,7-dideazaguanine)

Abstract The synthesis of 6-amino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one (3,7-dideazaguanine) from the ammonium chloride promoted reaction of 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)pyrrole-2-acetonitrile and ammonia is reported. Several preliminary reactions which led to this synthetic route are also described.
7.9-quake shakes Alaska

The magnitude-7.9 earthquake that shook Alaska on 3 November not only is one of the largest quakes ever recorded on U.S. soil. It is also the first recorded quake beneath a glacier, according to Peter Haeussler, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, who has been helping to lead surveys of the quake after-effects. “It is amazing how clear the details of the fault traces show up,” he said. “Some cracks are easily large enough to fit a bus in, where the fault pulled ice blocks away from each other.”
New Synthetic Receptors for Complexation and Catalysis

Molecules with multiple directed hydrogen bonding or π-stacking interactions are shown to form stong and selective complexes with complementary substrates.
Construct irreducible representations of quantum groups U q ( ƒ m ( K ))

In this paper, we construct families of irreducible representations for a class of quantum groups Uq(ƒm(K)). First, we give a natural construction of irreducible weight representations for Uq(ƒm(K)) using methods in spectral theory developed by Rosenberg. Second, we study the Whittaker model for the center of Uq(ƒm(K)). As a result, the structure of Whittaker representations is determined, and all irreducible Whittaker representations are explicitly constructed. Finally, we prove that the annihilator of a Whittaker representation is centrally generated.
A lower limit of Δz > 0.06 for the duration of the reionization epoch.

A new generation of radio telescopes is making it possible to observe the redshifted 21-centimetre spectral line of neutral hydrogen from the early Universe, providing a window onto the period when the gas between the galaxies was reionized. If reionization was an abrupt process, there should be a characteristic signature visible against the smooth foreground in an all-sky spectrum. Judd Bowman and Alan Rogers used the EDGES broadband spectrometer with a simple dipole antenna at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site in Western Australia to obtain an all-sky average spectrum between 100 and 200 megahertz. By subtracting a model of interfering Galactic and terrestrial sources, they recovered the 21-cm signal and place constraints on the reionization history, ruling out the most rapid possible transitions. Observations of the 21-centimetre line of atomic hydrogen in the early Universe directly probe the history of the reionization of the gas between galaxies. If reionization happened rapidly, there will be a characteristic signature visible against the smooth foreground in an all-sky spectrum. Here, an all-sky average spectrum between 100 and 200 MHz is reported, corresponding to the redshift range 6 100 K) foreground synchrotron emission in the Milky Way and extragalactic continuum sources2. If reionization happened rapidly, there should be a characteristic signature2,3,4 visible against the smooth foreground in an all-sky spectrum. Here we report an all-sky spectrum between 100 and 200 MHz, corresponding to the redshift range 6 < z < 13 for the 21-centimetre line. The data exclude a rapid reionization timescale of Δz < 0.06 at the 95% confidence level.
Control of UPFC using Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman formulation based neural network

In this paper, the micro grid stability is investigated by utilizing a non-linear optimal controller and FACTS device. Using micro grid continuous-time model and control design impose a huge computational burden due to the required high sampling rate to achieve stability when utilizing a digital controller. Thus, developing of an advanced discrete-time (DT) stabilizing controller design is of paramount importance in the micro grids. In this paper a nonlinear discrete-time stabilizing controller using Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is proposed for micro grids by employing the discrete-time Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) optimal control method. The designed optimal controller is applied to control the UPFC's series voltage and to optimally mitigate the power oscillations. The micro grid under consideration is comprised of a synchronous generator, renewable energy sources, and loads. The UPFC series voltage is considered as control input and the optimal strategy is applied. A discretized micro grid nonlinear dynamical model is derived and successive approximation method is utilized to approximate the cost function of the generator states and the UPFC control parameters. Finally, a neural network (NN) is utilized to approximate the cost function using the weighted residual method. By applying the developed optimal controller, it is shown that oscillations caused by faults are mitigated more effectively compared to the conventional generator controllers.
A model for interstitial collagen catabolism by mammalian collagenases

Mammalian collagenases cleave all three alpha chains of native, triple-helical types I, II, and III collagens after the Gly residue of the partial sequence Gly-[Ile or Leu]-[Ala or Leu] at a single locus approximately three-fourths from the amino terminus. There are an additional 31 sites in the triple-helical regions of types I, II, III, and IV collagens that contain the same partial sequence but are not hydrolyzed. A model has been developed to explain this remarkable specificity. The mammalian collagenase cleavage site in interstitial collagens is distinguished by: (a) a low side-chain molal volume-, high imino acid (greater than 33%)-containing region that is tightly triple-helical, consisting of four Gly-X-Y triplets preceding the cleavage site, (b) a low imino acid-containing (less than 17%), loosely triple-helical region consisting of four Gly-X-Y triplets following the cleavage site, and (c) a maximum of one charged residue for the entire 25 residue cleavage site region, which is always an Arg that follows the cleavage site in subsite P'5 or P'8. In addition, the high imino acid-containing region cannot have an imino acid adjacent to the cleaved Gly-[Ile or Leu] bond (i.e. in subsite P2). Careful scrutiny of the 31 non-cleaved sequences reveals that none of those sites shares all of the characteristics of the cleavage site. The criterion of this model thus explain both cleaved and non-cleaved sequences in the triple-helical regions of types I, II, III, and IV collagen, and are supported by all known experimental and theoretical results on collagen catabolism and structure.
Kinetics of Dendritic Precipitation of Cristobalite from a Potassium Silicate Melt

The growth of cristobalite precipitates in a 15 wt% K2O-SiO2 melt at 770° and 810°C was studied using the optical microscope and electron microprobe. A two-phase layer of dendritic crystals and interstitial melt grew from the surface at a constant rate determined by the chemical interdiffusion coefficient. This mechanism is consistent with most previous results concerning the kinetics of precipitate growth in glass-forming systems. It is evident that the tendency to associate constant growth rate with kinetics controlled by a phase-boundary reaction cannot in general be justified.
Characterization of Engineered Tissue Development Under Biaxial Stretch Using Nonlinear Optical Microscopy

Little is known about the precise mechanical stimuli that cells sense and respond to as they maintain or refashion the extracellular matrix in multiaxially loaded native or bioengineered tissues. Such information would benefit many areas of research involving soft tissues, including tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and tissue engineering. A custom tissue culture device has been constructed that can impart well-defined biaxial stretches on cruciform-shaped, fibroblast-seeded collagen gels and be mounted on the stage of a nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) system for microscopic characterization of matrix organization. The cruciform geometry permitted direct comparison of matrix (re-)organization within regions of the collagen gel exposed to either uniaxial or biaxial boundary conditions and examination by NLOM for up to 6 days. In addition, sequential NLOM measurements of collagen fiber orientations within gels while stretched, unloaded, or decellularized delineated contributions of applied stretches, cell-mediated tractions, and matrix remodeling on the measured distributions. The integration of intravital NLOM with novel bioreactors enables visualization of dynamic tissue properties in culture.
Resonance Raman and temperature-dependent electronic absorption spectra of cavity and noncavity models of the hydrated electron

Most of what is known about the structure of the hydrated electron comes from mixed quantum/classical simulations, which depend on the pseudopotential that couples the quantum electron to the classical water molecules. These potentials usually are highly repulsive, producing cavity-bound hydrated electrons that break the local water H-bonding structure. However, we recently developed a more attractive potential, which produces a hydrated electron that encompasses a region of enhanced water density. Both our noncavity and the various cavity models predict similar experimental observables. In this paper, we work to distinguish between these models by studying both the temperature dependence of the optical absorption spectrum, which provides insight into the balance of the attractive and repulsive terms in the potential, and the resonance Raman spectrum, which provides a direct measure of the local H-bonding environment near the electron. We find that only our noncavity model can capture the experimental red shift of the hydrated electron’s absorption spectrum with increasing temperature at constant density. Cavity models of the hydrated electron predict a solvation structure similar to that of the larger aqueous halides, leading to a Raman O–H stretching band that is blue-shifted and narrower than that of bulk water. In contrast, experiments show the hydrated electron has a broader and red-shifted O–H stretching band compared with bulk water, a feature recovered by our noncavity model. We conclude that although our noncavity model does not provide perfect quantitative agreement with experiment, the hydrated electron must have a significant degree of noncavity character.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone preserves mitochondrial function and prevents oxidative injury in adult rat cardiac myocytes

We investigated the ability of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to confer resistance to acute oxidative stress in freshly isolated adult male rat cardiomyocytes. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) depolarization induced by hydrogen peroxide. H2O2 caused substantial cell death, which was significantly reduced by preincubation with PQQ. H2O2 also caused an increase in cellular ROS levels as detected by the fluorescent indicators CM-H2XRos and dihydroethidium. ROS levels were significantly reduced by a superoxide dismutase mimetic Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP) or by PQQ treatment. Cyclosporine-A, which inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition, prevented H2O2-induced Δψm depolarization, as did PQQ and MnTBAP. Our results provide direct evidence that PQQ reduces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms of PQQ action in the heart.
Max-min utility fair flow management for networks with route diversity

A regional central manager is employed to set aside, for the regional (or back-bone) network that it manages, for each flow class, communications capacity resources for a specific future time horizon. In the context of such a traffic management operation, a longer temporal scale is involved in controlling the admission and distribution of flows across the network. For management scal-ability purposes, flows are aggregated into flow classes. Furthermore, we consider a network operation under which multiple simultaneously activated routes are employed, across possibly distinct segments, to distribute traffic between identified source-destination pairs. We aim to ensure that the utility assigned to each class is as high as feasibly possible while striving to raise the utility gained by all classes in a maxmin fair manner. In doing so, we incorporate the communications capacity constraints that are imposed by the underlying hybrid of directional and/or multiple-access wireline and wireless communications media employed across the network system. We develop and present in this paper an optimal algorithm for solving such a traffic management problem. It yields multi-utility-based max-min fair distributions of flow rates, per each class, across the specified multitude of simultaneously activated multi-segment routes. To guarantee that admitted flows are granted their desired capacity resources (and targeted corresponding utility levels), the selection of optimal flow distributions across the network routes is combined with the use of a flow admission control scheme that serves to optimally limit the aggregate rate of flows admitted for each flow class. As illustrative examples, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution in comparing its performance with that obtained under the use of a traffic regulation scheme that is not overlaid with a traffic management mechanism that serves to set aside resources for the support of flow classes. We also illustrate the use of our optimal algorithm for determining the optimal placement of unmanned aerial vehicle platforms that serve to supplement a terrestrial transport segment with a space-based one.
A neuro-fuzzy approach to failure detection and diagnosis of excimer laser ablation in microvia formation

Excimer laser ablation is used for microvia formation in the microelectronics packaging industry. With continuing advancement of laser systems, there is an increasing need to offset capital equipment investment and lower equipment downtime. This paper presents a neuro-fuzzy methodology for in-line failure detection and diagnosis of the excimer laser ablation process. Response data originating directly from laser tool sensors and the characterization of microvias were used as failure symptoms for potential deviations in four laser system parameters from their corresponding baseline values. The response characteristics consist of via diameter, via wall angle, and via resistance. Resistance measurements on copper deposited in the ablated vias were performed to characterize the degree to which debris remaining inside the vias affected quality. The laser system parameters include laser fluence, shot frequency, number of pulses, and helium pressure flow. The adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was trained and subsequently validated for its capability in evidential reasoning using the data collected. Results indicated only a single false alarm occurred in 19 possible failure detection scenarios. In failure diagnosis, a single false alarm and a single missed alarm occurred.
Information about behaviour provided by Louisiana waterthrush,Seiurus motacilla (Parulinae), songs

The Louisiana waterthrush has two main song forms, termed the primary and extended songs. Each has distinctive behavioural correlates. A flexible interactive playback procedure was used that is especially suited for investigating how the different songs uttered by birds responding to a simulated territorial intruder inform about the singer's behaviour. Subjects that approached in response to playback of either song form sang mostly extended songs. All uttered their longest extended songs in correlation with approach flights. In contrast, before playback, subjects that were not near other waterthrushes sang predominantly primary songs. Naturalistic observations of the subjects and other individuals support the distinction between the behavioural correlates of the two song forms. These observations also suggest that, when singing primary songs and incomplete variants of primary songs, individuals less actively approach or seek out other birds. To facilitate comparisons between species, such singers can be described as taking less initiative to interact. The results of this study, the first using these interactive playback procedures on an oscine species, are comparable to those previously obtained with three species of suboscine tyrannid flycatchers. This similarity suggests that providing information about the extent to which a singer will take the initiative to interact, by approaching or seeking out other birds, may be a widespread property of songs.
Electric Dipole Moment of the Cesium Atom. A New Upper Limit to the Electric Dipole Moment of the Electron

An atomic-beam magnetic-resonance apparatus has been used in a test of parity and time-reversal invariance in atomic systems. An upper limit to the permanent electric dipole moment of the cesium atom, $|{d}_{\mathrm{Cs}}|l3.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}22}e$ cm, has been set. This result leads to an upper limit to the electric dipole moment of the electron, $|{d}_{e}|l3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}e$ cm.
Gender-Biased Language in Learning Disability Textbooks

The purpose of our study was to explore whether gender-biased language exists in two editions of popular learning disabilities (LD) textbooks by a female author and a male author. First, we examined whether gender-biased language (as measured by the frequency of gender-specific pronouns) was present in LD textbooks as a function of the author's gender and discovered that the male author exhibited approximately a 7:1 ratio in his use of masculine to feminine pronouns. In contrast, the female author demonstrated no significant difference in her use of gender-specific pronouns. Second, we investigated whether the degree of gender-biased language has changed in different editions over the past 5 years and found a significant change only in the use of neutral pronouns by the male author. The existence of gender-biased special education textbooks raises the issue of the possible influence that such material may have on professional expectations concerning students with LD. In a field in which males are placed i...
Effect of air flow, panel curvature, and internal pressurization on field‐incidence transmission loss

In the context of sound transmission through aircraft fuselage panels, equations for the field-incidence transmission loss (TL) of a single-walled panel are derived that include the effects of external air flow, panel curvature, and internal fuselage pressurization. Flow is shown to provide a modest increase in TL that is uniform with frequency up to the critical frequency. The increase is about 2 dB at Mach number M = 0.5, and about 3.5 dB at M = 1. Above the critical frequency where TL is damping controlled, the increase can be slightly larger at certain frequencies. Curvature is found to stiffen the panel, thereby increasing the TL at low frequencies, but also to introduce a dip at the 'ring frequency' of a full cylinder having the same radius as the panel. Pressurization appears to produce a slight decrease in TL throughout the frequency range, and also slightly shifts the dips at the critical frequency and at the ring frequency.
The optical model and deuteron stripping

Abstract A development is given which stresses the underlying similarity between the deuteron stripping theory on the one hand and direct interaction theory of inelastic nucleon scattering on the other. The assumption here is that both formulations are given in distorted Born approximation. Some implications for the form of the stripping theory, e.g., construction of the distorting potentials are discussed. The entire theory, as given, for the transition matrix element is first-order in the two-body scattering operators. Probable corrections to this description, such as those arising from multiple scattering, are discussed.