cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinohypothalamic tract symmetry and phase shifts of circadian rhythms in rats and hamsters.

Abstract The role of symmetrical innervation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) by the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) in the entrainment of circadian rhythms was investigated in rats and golden hamsters. In the rat, the RHT is asymmetric and unilateral binding delays re-entrainment of drinking rhythms to 6 hr phase advances, 6 hr phase delays and 3 hr phase advances of the light-dark cycle by several days. In constant light, unilaterally blinded rats have free-running rhythms with higher amplitudes and slightly shorter periods. In hamsters, the RHT projects symmetrically to both SCN and unilateral blinding does not affect the rate of re-entrainment. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that asymmetric innervation of the SCN, rather than a reduction of retinohypothalamic input, interferes with re-entrainment of circadian rhythms in unilaterally blinded rats. A comparison of hamster activity and rat drinking rhythms shows that most hamsters respond to phase shifts of the light-dark cycle by a reduction in activity time (alpha compression) with gradual decompression during the transients, whereas in the rat activity time is not as readily compressed. Both species show re-entrainment asymmetry in that phase advances require more transients than phase delays.
pH effect on calcium inhibition of softening of cucumber mesocarp tissue

The first-order rate of softening of cucumber tissue containing 1.5M NaCl with and without 20 mM added calcium ion was determined from pH 2.5 to 8.6 at 74°C. Calcium ion had little inhibitory effect on rate of softening when pH was above 5. Below pH 5 the relative effectiveness of calcium in reducing rate of softening increased as pH decreased. This behavior was opposite to that expected if calcium inhibited softening by cross-linking negatively charged pectin car-boxyl groups. This was more evidence against that mechanism as an explanation for inhibition of softening by calcium ion in plant tissues. A very large decrease in rate of tissue softening was observed at alkaline pH whether or not calcium was added.
Characterization and biological activity of trefoil chemotactin

Abstract Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) root exudate contains a glycoprotein which strongly attracts trefoil Rhizobium. The molecular weight of the glycoprotein is approx. 65 000. The purified chemo-attractant, trefoil chemotactin, attracts rhizobia at concentrations of 10−16−10−6 M. Escherichia coli is not attracted by any concentration of chemotactin tested. The amino acid composition of chemotactin is consistent with a carbohydrate content of 38%.
Surface-Charge Induced Ion Depletion and Sample Stacking near Single Nanopores in Microfluidic Devices

We report integrated nanopore/microchannel devices in which single nanopores are isolated between two microfluidic channels. The devices were formed by sandwiching track-etched conical nanopores in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane between two poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannels. Integration of the nanopores into microfluidic devices improves mass transport to the nanopore and allows easy coupling of applied potentials. Electrical and optical characterization of these individual nanopores suggests double layer overlap is not required to form an ion depletion region adjacent to the nanopore in the microchannel; rather, excess surface charge in the nanopore contributes to the formation of this ion depletion region. We used fluorescent probes to optically map the ion depletion region and the stacking of fluorescein near the nanopore/microchannel junction, and current measurements confirmed formation of the ion depletion region.
Successful University Research Programs with Extensive Industry Involvement

AbstractResearch spending by the private industry within the construction, engineering, and management domain is notably low. This paper explores the domain of academic–industry alliances, or research centers, which are wholly funded through private sector support. Through semistructured interviews with both industry and academic representatives from three such affiliations, which have been in existence for more than 15 years, critical factors affecting their success and longevity are explored. The interviewees represent academics with more than 10 years of experience in a leading role, or industry members with 10 or more years participating on an advisory board or similar capacity. The issues discussed include the following: consistent characteristics of the academics and programs, which lead to creation of a sustainable model; methods of integrating industry involvement; appropriate research topics; and the opportunities and obstacles of starting an industry research program. The results suggest that su...
A semi-empirical formula for single-converter photon detection efficiency below 500 MeV☆

Abstract A simple one-parameter formula provides a good representation of the efficiency of a single lead converter for detecting photons of energy between 40 and 450 MeV. The analysis reveals some inconsistencies among the existing measurements. Criteria for the selection of converter thickness are discussed.
Effect of Fiber Form and Volume Fraction on Fiber-Reinforced Biomimicked Composites

Biomimicked composites have shown to be superior to monolithic structural materials. However, they need reinforcement to replace conventional load-bearing structural composites. Carbon Fibers in long and short forms were used as reinforcement in biomimicked composites. Mechanical tests including four point bending were conducted to determine the effects of form and volume fraction of fibers on the fracture toughness of the biomimicked composites.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
How High-Yield Farming Saves Nature

High-yield farming—more agricultural output per acre of farmland—has been a boon to mankind and to nature. If today’s agricultural efficiency was the same as in the 1950s, the world would need three times the cropland to produce today’s food supply. That would mean that 15-16 million mi2 of forest would have been destroyed—all the global forest area available today. Rising population and increased affluence will require a tripling of agricultural efficiency in the next 50 years if we are to protect wildlife at the same time. More investment in agricultural research and education will be required, but this is what produced the previous green revolution.
Influence of gravity on the performance of a conical vortex separator

Gravity effect on conical vortex separator, predicting body force effect on heavy fluid boundary layer flow for limiting condition determination
Output power enhancement of ac Raman free electron lasers

Abstract The ac free electron laser (ac FEL) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 57 (1986) 1599] uses an ac (temporally oscillating but spatially uniform) field as the pump source in hopes that electromagnetic radiation will be produced with a wavelength shorter than that which can be generated by a conventional magnet FEL. The ac field can be provided by a superconducting cavity or by a plasma wave. The author first investigates the effects of the thermal motion of the electron beam on the linear gain and the nonlinear saturated output power in a Raman-regime ac FEL with the launch of an electromagnetic signal wave by particle simulations. Then he discusses the output power enhancement of the ac FEL either by imposing an appropriate axial electric field at the time of radiation saturation or by properly tapering the strength or the frequency of the ac pump.
Effect of glycine loading on delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) excretion during starvation.

Abstract Studies in 18 nonporphyric subjects demonstrate that starvation from two to 15 days may induce an increase in hepatic ALA synthetase activity, resulting in increasing quantities of urinary ALA excretion which, however, remain within the normal range. The ingestion of glycine during starvation causes a rise above the upper limits of normal in urinary ALA excretion. Starvation does not affect urinary PBG output nor does the ingestion of glycine produce a response. Measurements of ALA dehydrase activity in red blood cells during starvation showed no consistent decrease. Refeeding with a regular diet caused a prompt reduction of urinary ALA excretion and abolished the positive response to glycine.
Discovering Structure in Design Databases Through Functional and Surface Based Mapping

This work presents a methodology for discovering structure in design repository databases, toward the ultimate goal of stimulating designers through design-by-analogy. Using a Bayesian model combined with Latent Semantic Analysis for discovering structural form in data, an exploration of inherent structural forms, based on the content and similarity of design data, is undertaken to gain useful insights into the nature of the design space. In this work, the approach is applied to uncover structure in the U.S. patent database. More specifically, the functional content and surface content of the patents are processed and mapped separately, yielding structures that have the potential to develop a better understanding of the functional and surface similarity of patents. These results may provide a basis for automated discovery of cross domain analogy, among other implications for creating a computational design stimulation tool.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The pragmatics of virtual worlds for K-12 educators: investigating the affordances and constraints of Active Worlds and Second Life with K-12 in-service teachers

The purpose of this study is to address the pragmatics of integrating virtual worlds for teaching and learning for K-12 education. Specifically this qualitative investigation focuses on a reflective dialogue gathered from a group of K-12 (primary and secondary school) educators about their experiences using both Active Worlds Educational Universe and Second Life. Reflections consist of both their experiences as (a) a learner within both applications, (b) developing instructional content in both applications, and (c) perceptions of value of each application for teaching and learning. The goal of this research is to investigate how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of virtual worlds may impact the integration of new tools for teaching and learning.
The Pathology and Epidemiology of Acute Enteritis in Captive Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridannus)

The pattern of acute enteritis in captive cottontail rabbits was observed over a 4-year period and was found to repeat itself within close limits in each of the 4 years. Mortality exceeded 50% in those rabbits caged individually, and the clinical course was about 24 hours. Major pathological changes were limited to the stomach and large gut with necrosis, edema, and loss of mucosa. Severe dehydration was the probable cause of death in most cases. The disease bears clinical and pathological similarity to mucoid enteritis in domestic rabbits. Epidemic patterns suggest that an infectious agent may be involved.
10 Be in commercial beryllium

10Be has been observed at a level of about 10−14 in four commercially available beryllium compounds. The possibility that this 10Be arises from cross-talk in the ion source has been eliminated. On the other hand, beryllium oxide extracted from beryl crystals found at a depth of 30–40 feet in a lithium mine in South Dakota shows no indication of containing 10Be. An upper limit on its 10Be:9Be ratio is 1.7 × 10−15 at the 95% confidence level.
The Mythical Forest, the Becoming-Desert: Environmental Knowledge Production and the Iconography of Destruction in the Gran Sabana, Venezuela

Landscape managers increasingly draw on indigenous practices of controlled burning to develop vegetation heterogeneity and reduce fuel loads, thereby avoiding extensive and destructive fires. However, anthropogenic fire is also commonly represented as a primary driver of environmental change, which in some places has led to an emphasis on heavy-handed fire suppression rather than fire management. These contradictions in global fire management are an example of the complex articulations between the social production of tropical landscapes and the processes of environmental knowledge production. This article draws on constructivist approaches in political ecology and Lacanian psychoanalysis to analyze a conflict between state agencies and indigenous people surrounding fire management in the Gran Sabana, Venezuela. Iconic features of this cultural landscape operate as signifiers in institutional discourse, informing the ways in which environmental knowledge is appropriated and produced and in turn shaping th...
Value of complete cervical helical computed tomographic scanning in identifying cervical spine injury in the unevaluable blunt trauma patient with multiple injuries: a prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the role of routine helical computed tomographic (CT) scan of the entire cervical spine in high-risk patients with multiple injuries. Methods: Prospective study of patients with severe blunt multiple injuries, requiring intensive care unit admission and CT scan of another body area besides the cervical spine. All patients were evaluated by means of standard cervical spine radiography. A complete cervical spine CT scan was performed during the same trip to the scanner in which other body areas were evaluated. The plain films and the CT scans were read by a radiologist in a blinded manner. Results: Fifty-eight patients fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score was 8.9 and the mean Injury Severity Score was 24.1. Twenty patients (34.4%) had cervical spine injuries (12 stable and 8 unstable injuries). Plain radiography missed eight injuries (including three unstable) and its sensitivity was 60%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 85.1%. The helical CT scan missed two spinal injuries (both stable) and its sensitivity was 90%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value = 100%, negative predictive value = 95%. Conclusion: There is a high incidence of cervical spine injuries in the severe, blunt, multiple-injury, unevaluable patients requiring intensive care unit admission. Plain radiography alone is not reliable in diagnosing many cervical spine injuries. Complete cervical spiral computed tomography is superior to plain radiography. It is suggested that in this selected group of patients, both plain radiography and spiral computed tomography should be performed.
Evidence-Based Health Care Coverage for Children: Proceed With Caution

Making health care coverage depend on the existence of valid, applicable research data and positive cost-effectiveness analyses, as managed care contracts are beginning to do, is particularly problematic for children. Because of research challenges specific to children, there are relatively few pediatric data and analyses required under such evidence-based coverage standards. It is too soon to expect major increases from federal efforts to stimulate pediatric health care research. But absence of requisite evidence would entitle a managed care organization or other decision maker to deny coverage on the basis of unproven, negative assumptions about an intervention. In general, population-based evidence is an incomplete basis for decisions on coverage for individual patients. Cost-effectiveness analyses are not standardized and may be biased. Purchasers of managed care and policy makers should understand the limits of evidence-based coverage standards. Other uses of evidence may contribute more to systemic improvements of health care.
Titan's Clouds from Gemini and Keck Adaptive Optics Imaging

Using adaptive optics on the Gemini and Keck II telescopes, we found a thin haze and discrete clouds in Titan’s south polar troposphere. The discrete clouds vary on timescales of a few hours. We propose a seasonal mechanism to explain the formation of this spring polar tropospheric haze. Assuming that the clouds are located in or above the haze, we suggest that convection within this haze layer triggers methane condensation; subsequent latent heat release leads to vigorous convection and formation of transient clouds. Our results have significant implications for planning the Cassini mission flybys of Titan. Subject headings: infrared: solar system — instrumentation: adaptive optics — planets and satellites: individual (Titan)
Positive income shocks and accidental deaths among Cherokee Indians: a natural experiment

BACKGROUND: Several studies in low-income populations report the somewhat counterintuitive finding that positive income gains adversely affect adult health. The literature posits that receipt of a large portion of annual income increases, in the short term, risk-taking behaviour and/or the consumption of health-damaging goods. This work implies the hypothesis that persons with an unexpected gain in income will exhibit an elevated risk of accidental death-the fifth leading cause of death in the USA. We test this hypothesis directly by capitalizing on a natural experiment in which Cherokee Indians in rural North Carolina received discrete lump sum payments from a new casino. METHODS: We applied Poisson regression to the monthly count of accidental deaths among Cherokee Indians over 204 months spanning 1990-2006. We controlled for temporal patterns in accidental deaths (e.g. seasonality and trend) as well as changes in population size. RESULTS: As hypothesized, the risk of accidental death rises above expected levels during months of the large casino payments (relative risk = 2.62; 95% confidence interval = 1.54-4.47). Exploratory analyses of ethnographic interviews and behavioural surveys support that increased vehicular travel and consumption of health-damaging goods may account for the rise in accident proneness. CONCLUSIONS: Although long-term income gains may improve health in this population, our findings indicate that acute responses to large income gains, in the short term, increase risk-taking and accident proneness. We encourage further investigation of natural experiments to identify causal economic antecedents of population health. Language: en
Lead and oxygen isotopes in ancient objects

During the past few years most archaeologists and museum curators have become familiar with the term isotope . Isotopes are atoms of the same chemical element which differ slightly from one another in mass. For instance, there are four stable isotopes of lead, 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb, having, respectively, approximate masses of 204, 206, 207 and 208 atomic mass units; and there are three isotopes of oxygen, 16O, 17O and 18O, having masses of 16, 17 and 18. The isotopic composition of most elements is uniform throughout nature. That is to say, occurrences of a particular element in different places or in different chemical forms usually contain the same relative proportions of that element’s isotopes. There are, however, a few notable exceptions, and wherever they occur they are invariably of interest to the scientist. The example most familiar to the archaeologist is the variation in the proportion of 14C in the carbon present in archaeological objects. This variation constitutes the basis of radiocarbon dating, the discovery and remarkable advances of which are being commemorated at this Symposium. In this paper we shall deal with two other elements, lead and oxygen, whose isotopic compositions vary in natural occurrences due to rather well defined mechanisms. Unlike the 12C—14C relationship, which involves the decay of a radioactive species and leads directly to a dating method, the research reported here with lead and oxygen does not involve radioactive decay in the same way, and neither investigation at this stage is aimed towards developing a direct dating method for archaeological finds. With lead, the isotopic variations observed are associated with differences in the geological ages and geochemical origins of lead deposits. (The differences arise because three of the four lead isotopes are continually produced within the earth by radioactive decay of uranium and thorium.) In the case of oxygen, physical and chemical fractionation processes are responsible for the isotopic variations.
Adaptive integrated manufacturing enterprises: information technology for the next decade

A new vision effecting adaptiveness in integrated manufacturing enterprises for the next decade is formulated. This vision has been developed on the basis of intensive research over the past nine years in Rensselaer's industry-sponsored Computer Integrated Manufacturing Program. Built from existing results in both the scientific community and industry, the proposed research agenda calls for new fundamental information technology to enable Adaptive Integrated Manufacturing Enterprises (AIME). It focuses on four major problems: (1) management of multiple systems that operate concurrently over a widely distributed network without a central controller; (2) achievement of an open systems architecture that can accommodate legacy systems as well as add new systems; (3) exploitation of object-oriented technology in production systems with the crucial ability to manage heterogeneous views and propagate changes between views; and (4) modeling of enterprise information requirements for inspection and the utilization of inspection information to create a feedback loop from production to design. These problems and approaches to their solution developed are analyzed. >
Plasma Cortisol Levels of Dogs at a County Animal Shelter

Plasmacortisol levels were examined to assess the stress of dogs in a county animal shelter. Groups of dogs confined in the shelter for their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day had higher cortisol levels than did a group maintained in the shelter for more than 9 days. Dogs in the shelter for an intermediate period (Day 4-9) had intermediate levels of cortisol. The cortisol concentrations of dogs during their first day in the shelter were greater than either those of the same dogs on Day 4/5 in the shelter or those of a group of pet dogs sampled in their own homes. There was no overall effect of 20 min of social interaction with a human (e.g., petting) on the plasma cortisol levels of dogs in the shelter on Day 1-3. However, the gender of the petter did affect cortisol levels. Those dogs interacting with a female had lower cortisol concentrations at the end of the session than did dogs interacting with a male. The results suggest that confinement in a public animal shelter produces a prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Further, it appears that some subtle aspect of interaction with a human may be capable of moderating this response. Possible implications for the welfare of confined dogs, and for the development of behavior problems in dogs obtained from shelters, are discussed.
The Role of the Constant Recovery Assumption in the Subprime Bubble

Securitization of mortgages is believed to have contributed to the recent boom and bust in real estate. In particular, structured products with wide tranches of AAA-rated derivative securities are retrospectively vilified.A key issue has been to understand how such large tranches of securities could have been viewed as safe despite the apparent high risks of the underlying mortgages. In this article, the authors analyze the complex models and the models’parameters to estimate the risks of the structured securities.They find that the models themselves, not the inputted parameters, such as expected default rates and correlations, were responsible for inappropriate ratings. In particular, they find that the assumption of a constant recovery rate generated generous ratings for large tranches of securities even with reasonable parameter estimates.
A new organization of very large database

A theory of a new type of database, an attractor database, is proposed which features compressing a huge base relation in a relational database into a tiny one that catches the characteristics of the original relation efficiently. This type of database is intended to simulate the way human brains store data. This type of database is especially useful in a replicated, widely distributed, very large database where communication costs are high. The development of this scheme is based on a theory of class 2 dynamical systems, defined as single point attractor dynamical systems. An approach using /spl omega/-orbit finite automata is a special case of this method. This scheme encodes relations in a database. The encoding procedure stores a relation or a tuple (if the tuple is large) in an attractor of a class 2 dynamical system. A query is implemented in two stages: retrieve an attractor and then query. Several retrieval algorithms and inference algorithms of a class 2 dynamical system from a given relation are introduced. >
A-maize-ing Diversity

Maize ( Zea mays )—corn—is a staple food source in much of the world, as well as a source of cooking oil, grain alcohol, livestock feed, and biofuel. There is enormous quantitative variation among maize strains for traits of agronomic importance, due to allelic variation at multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with effects that are sensitive to the environment. Knowledge of the genetic basis of this variation (see the figure) would be a major boon to selective breeding programs, but has been hindered by the difficulty of mapping the underlying QTLs. On pages 714 and 737 of this issue ( 1 , 2 ), Buckler and colleagues describe the genetic properties of a new resource for mapping maize quantitative traits ( 3 ), and discuss the genetic architecture of a key trait—flowering time—derived from it.
Long-term Single Institutional Experience with the Use of Daily Image-guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s): The purpose of this study was to present a long-term single institutional experience with the use of daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for the treatment of head and neck cancer with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We also aimed to determine whether the percentage of weight loss over the course of treatment correlated with changes in positional alignment. Materials/Methods: Between 2005 and 2009, 124 patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were treated at out our institution using IMRT with daily on-board imaging with megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT). The MVCT images were acquired over a longitudinal field of view that typically ranged from C7 to 2 cm superior to the base of skull using a coarse resolution in-slice thickness and nominal beam energy of 3.5 MV. After the MVCT images were reconstructed, they were fused with the treatment-planning CT images using automated registration bone presets and prepared for realignment if needed. These IGRT image sets were independently reviewed in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes using the fusion split screen. We examined overall patient set-up shifts in the anterior-posterior (x), right-left (y), and superior-inferior (z) directions for IGRT, and the mean overall shift vector (MOSV) was subsequently calculated to be used as a measure of positional displacement. The percentage of weight loss during the entire course of treatment was determined from a retrospective review of patient records. The Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, rho (r), was used to determine if a significant correlation existed between percentage weight loss and MOSV. Results: A total of 3,968 fractions were analyzed. The mean systematic alignment errors for all 124 patients were 0.5mm, 1.6mm, and 5.6mm in the x,- y-, z-dimensions with daily IGRT. The mean MOSV for all patients was 8.4mm with a standard deviation of 7.5mm. The mean percentage weight loss for all patients over the course of treatment was 7.2% with a standard deviation of 5.8%. When we compared MOSV to percent weight loss, we failed to detect any correlation between the two groups using the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r=.05). The covariance (r^2) was determined to be 0.002. Conclusions: Although the benefits of daily IGRT have yet to be demonstrated with respect to the clinical endpoints of localregional control and overall survival for patients undergoing IMRT for head and neck cancer, this strategy appears to be a feasible and practical way of minimizing patient set-up error. Notably, the inability to identify any significant correlations between positionalshiftsasmeasuredwithdailyIGRTandvariousweightlossparameterssuggestthattherandomvariationobservedhascauses more complex than simple weight loss.
Iterative gradient technique for the design of least squares optimal FIR magnitude squared Nyquist filters

Recently, much attention has been given to the design of optimal finite impulse response (FIR) compaction filters. Such filters, which arise in the design of optimal signal-adapted orthonormal FIR filter banks, satisfy a magnitude squared Nyquist constraint in addition to the inherent FIR assumption. In this paper, we focus on the least squares optimal design of FIR filters whose magnitude squared response satisfies a Nyquist constraint. Using a complete characterization of such systems in terms of Householder-like building blocks, an iterative gradient based greedy algorithm is proposed to design such filters. Simulation results provided show the merit of the proposed technique for designing FIR compaction filters.
Identifying SSA's Sequential Disability Determination Steps Using Administrative Data

The authors document the steps used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and state Disability Determination Service (DDS) agencies to make initial determinations about eligibility for Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. For both adults and children, SSA/ DDSs record the basis for initial disability determinations using codes that correspond to the steps of the process. The resulting data element, the Regulation Basis Code, permits researchers to distinguish allowances based on the listings from those based on medical/vocational factors for adults (or functional factors for children). It can also be used to identify denials based on severity, residual functional capacity, or other reasons.
Inhibition of Protein Degradation Induces Apoptosis through a Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3-Mediated Activation of Caspase-8 at Intracellular Membranes

The accumulation of damaged or misfolded proteins, if unresolved, can lead to a detrimental consequence within cells termed proteotoxicity. Since cancerous cells often display elevated protein synthesis and by-product disposal, inhibition of the protein degradation pathways is an emerging approach for cancer therapy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying proteotoxicity remains largely unclear. We show here that inhibition of proteasomal degradation results in an increased oligomerization and activation of caspase-8 on the cytosolic side of intracellular membranes. This enhanced caspase-8 oligomerization and activation are promoted through its interaction with the ubiquitin-binding protein SQSTM1/p62 and the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), which are enriched at intracellular membranes in response to proteotoxic stress. Silencing LC3 by shRNA, or the LC3 mutants defective in membrane localization or p62 interaction fail to induce caspase-8 activation and apoptosis. Our results unveiled a previously unknown mechanism through which disruption of protein homeostasis induces caspase-8 oligomerization, activation, and apoptosis.
The in vivo protein synthetic activities of free versus membrane-bound ribonucleoprotein in a plasma-cell tumor of the mouse.

Cytoplasmic extracts of the transplantable RPC-20 plasma-cell tumor were fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Four major fractions were distinguished: (a) microsomes and mitochondria; (b) membrane-free polyribosomes; (c) free monomeric ribosomes; and (d) soluble fraction. The fractions were analyzed for RNA and lipid phosphorus, and their particulate components were characterized by electron microscopy. Particular attention was paid to the problem of membrane contamination of the free polyribosome fraction. It was shown that this contamination was small in relation with the total content of ribosomes in the fraction, and that it consisted primarily of smooth-surfaced membranes which were not physically associated with the polyribosomes themselves. In vivo incorporation studies were carried out by injecting tumor-bearing animals intravenously with leucine-C14, removing the tumors at various times thereafter, and determining the distribution of protein radioactivity among the gradient-separated cytoplasmic fractions. The free polyribosome and the microsome-mitochondria fractions constituted active centers for protein synthesis. It was shown that nascent protein of the free polyribosome fractions was not associated significantly with the contaminating membranes. The kinetics of labeling during incorporation times up to 11 min suggested that protein synthesized on the free polyribosomes was rapidly transferred in vivo to the soluble fraction of the cell, while protein synthesized by the microsomes and mitochondria remained localized within these elements. It was estimated that the free polyribosome fraction and the microsome-mitochondria fraction accounted for approximately equal proportions of the total cytoplasmic protein synthesis in vivo.
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning in a Semiconductor Processing Course

An interdisciplinary course in semiconductor processing has been developed and successfully introduced into the chemical, materials, and electrical engineering curricula at San Jose State University. Student teams drawn from a range of engineering and scientific disciplines build microelectronic devices using a five-mask PMOS metal gate process, and perform open-ended experiments to improve this process. The team approach is set in the context of a start-up company culture and professional work environment to give students the opportunity to be actively engaged in constructing their own knowledge base. The wide spectrum of fields and experiences that students bring to the course mirror the highly interdisciplinary nature of microelectronics device processing which requires knowledge of physics, chemistry, and chemical, materials, and electrical engineering. The results from student surveys for the past three years (1995–97) were used to assess the success of this approach and to deduce the most important features for effective teamwork in this context. The elements for good team function and a rich overall learning experience include 1) contributions from and respect for each team member; 2) diverse majors, GPA, and work experiences; and 3) demonstrable leadership from one or two team members.
"Real-Time" Monitoring of Under-Five Mortality: A Vision Tempered by Reality.

Strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CVRS) systems in low-income countries is a central component of emerging plans for the post-2015 development agenda [1], and a major investment area for key global health and development funders [2]. A dominant theme in the investment case for CRVS is the potential of such systems to generate valid and timely population data to support sound program planning, management, and evaluation. Can CRVS systems fulfill this promise and produce population data of adequate quality to support policy and program decisions? Few formal studies have addressed this question, and global leaders have called urgently for new evidence to inform the CRVS agenda [3,4]. The PLOS Collection on Real-Time Monitoring of Under-Five Mortality (RMM) contributes to this process by reporting on a seven-year program of work in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa that aimed to develop and test methods for generating annual estimates of under-five mortality, a key measure for health investments, for recent periods. This paper introduces readers to the origins and rationale of the RMM project, describes how it was implemented, and outlines the aims of the PLOS Collection on RMM.
Trade space visualization applied to Lambert's Problem for elliptical insertion orbits

Abstract This paper investigates the solution of Lambert׳s Problem for targets in elliptical orbits. A mission design software framework to determine the optimal interplanetary trajectory and final capture orbit based on mission constraints and requirements between a departure and arrival body has been developed. Integration of a trade space visualization tool, such as the Applied Research Laboratory Trade Space Visualizer software permits a mission designer to visually inspect the multi-dimensional trade space and investigate regions of feasible trajectories. This analysis process can provide a mission designer with the capability to reduce the amount of time needed to design interplanetary trajectories by reducing the number of feasible solutions that would need to be investigated.
Emotionally Intelligent Leadership at 30 Rock: What Librarians Can Learn from a Case Study of Comedy Writers

ABSTRACTEmotional intelligence is the ability to manage one's own and others’ emotions and build relationships with people. Emotionally intelligent leadership is more and more important in today's ever-changing organizations like libraries. This article uses Goleman's five-point framework of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills) to analyze the leadership in the comedy sitcom 30 Rock and critique the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.
Association of the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson), and a replacement name for Perdita bohartorum Parker (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).

The monotypic Perdita subgenus Xeromacrotera Timberlake is currently known only from the male sex. Here, the female of Perdita ( Xeromacrotera ) cephalotes (Cresson, 1878) is associated, resulting in two new junior synonyms of P . ( X .) cephalotes : Perdita ( Procockerellia ) excellens Timberlake, 1958, new synonym and Perdita ( Cockerellia ) autumnalis Timberlake, 1977, new synonym. The true number of maxillary palpi are reported, and updated subgeneric and species diagnoses are provided. In addition, Perdita boharti Portman & Griswold, new name, is designated as a replacement name for the primary junior homonym P. bohartorum Parker, 1983 (not P. bohartorum Timberlake, 1956) and is assigned to the related subgenus Cockerellia Ashmead.
Taphonomic significance of the biomechanical fragmentation of live molluscan shell material by a bottom-feeding fish (Pogonias cromis) in Texas coastal bays

In Texas coastal bays and in many other low energy environments a high degree off shell,fragmentation (generally,from 75 to 95 weight percent) is characteristic of shell material in sediment samples. The feeding activity of predators such as the euryhaline sciaenid Pogonias cromis (Black drum), which is a common inhabitant off Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shallow marine waters, is responsible ,for,fragmenting large quantities of live molluscan shell material in environments in which the natural energy gradient precludes extensive mechanical,fragmentation. P. cromis locates potential,food items with sensory barbels located on its lower jaw. Prey are ingested and crushed with pharyngeal teeth. Shell material may be rejected orally or may pass through the digestive system
Coding isomorphisms

The coding of external symbols into symbols internal to a computer can sometimes be carried out in such a way that relevant informational properties are preserved, but in a form much more easily dealt with. A case in point is presented.
Abstract 5445: Gli2 and Gli3 Are Over-expressed in the Ischemic Tissue and Participate in Ischemia-induced Angiogenesis and Myogenesis

Gli transcription factors are mediators of hedgehog signaling and have been shown to be critical in several steps during development. In addition, Gli transcription factors have also been implicated as potent oncogenes. We have shown that the Hedgehog pathway is reactivated in the adult cardiovascular system under ischemic conditions and that the hedgehog pathway can be exploited therapeutically in ischemic disease; however the role and expression of the Gli transcription factors in the response to injury following ischemia have not been characterized. We induced hind-limb ischemia by resection of the left femoral artery of FVB mice and found that Gli2 and Gli3 mRNA were overexpressed in the ischemic tissue up to 4-fold and 9-fold respectively while Gli1 expression was not modulated. Immunostaining revealed that several cell types overexpressed Gli2 and Gli3 including myocytes and endothelial cells (ECs). To investigate the role and mechanism of action of Gli2 and Gli3, in vitro experiments were first performed. Overexpression of Gli2 and Gli3 promotes myoblast survival and proliferation. In ECs, overexpression of Gli2 and Gli3 promote survival and migration as well as induce expression of proteins involved in angiogenesis such as MMP-9 and osteopontin. To confirm the hypothesis of a favorable role of Gli2 and Gli3 in neovascularization and tissue repair following ischemic injury, adenovirus encoding LacZ, Gli2 and Gli3 were administrated locally in the tibialis anterior muscle, 2 days before hind limb ischemia surgery was performed. Both Ad-Gli2 and Ad-Gli3 treated mice exhibited higher proliferation in the regenerating muscle 7 days after ischemia. Moreover, Ad-Gli3 treated mice display higher capillary density (38.9±10.2 vessels/HPF vs. 26.1±6.1 in the control mice, p=0.012) and limb perfusion (the ratio of the perfusion of the ischemic leg vs. the control leg was 1.07±0.20 vs. 0.62±0,16 for the control mice, p=0.0003) 7 and 14 day after ischemia respectively. These data indicate that Gli2 and Gli3, transcription factors of the hedgehog pathway, are overexpressed in ischemic tissue and participate in tissue repair by promoting both neovascularization and proliferation and survival of myoblasts.
A Model of Binocular Motion Integration in MT Neurons

Primate cortical area MT plays a central role in visual motion perception, but models of this area have largely overlooked the binocular integration of motion signals. Recent electrophysiological studies tested binocular integration in MT and found surprisingly that MT neurons lose their hallmark “pattern motion” selectivity when stimuli are presented dichoptically and that many neurons are selective for motion-in-depth (MID). By unifying these novel observations with insights from monocular, frontoparallel motion studies concurrently in a binocular MT motion model, we generated clear, testable predictions about the circuitry and mechanisms underlying visual motion processing. We built binocular models in which signals from left- and right-eye streams could be integrated at various stages from V1 to MT, attempting to create the simplest plausible circuits that accounted for the physiological range of pattern motion selectivity, that explained changes across this range for dichoptic stimulus presentation, and that spanned the spectrum of MID selectivity observed in MT. Our successful models predict that motion-opponent suppression is the key mechanism to account for the striking loss of pattern motion sensitivity with dichoptic plaids, that opponent suppression precedes binocular integration, and that opponent suppression will be stronger in inputs to pattern cells than to component cells. We also found an unexpected connection between circuits for pattern motion selectivity and MID selectivity, suggesting that these two separately studied phenomena could be related. These results also hold in models that include binocular disparity computations, providing a platform for future exploration of binocular response properties in MT. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The neural pathways underlying our sense of visual motion are among the most studied and well-understood parts of the primate cerebral cortex. Nevertheless, our understanding is incomplete because electrophysiological research has focused mainly on motion in the 2D frontoparallel plane, even though real-world motion often occurs in three dimensions, involving a change in distance from the viewer. Recent studies have revealed a specialization for sensing 3D motion in area MT, the cortical area most tightly linked to the processing and perception of visual motion. Our study provides the first model to explain how 3D motion sensitivity can arise in MT neurons and predicts how essential features of 2D motion integration may relate to 3D motion processing.
Hypercoagulability and Platelet Abnormalities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit a threefold higher risk for development of systemic thrombosis than the general population. Although the underlying causes of the increased risk for thrombus development remain poorly understood, there is a large body of evidence suggesting that abnormalities in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet function may contribute to this response. Changes in hemostatic biomarkers are consistent with subclinical activation of coagulation system, including tissue factor activation, impaired protein C pathway, enhanced thrombin generation, and diminished fibrinolytic capacity. There is also evidence for an increased production and reactivity of platelets, with an enhanced formation of platelet–platelet and platelet–leukocyte aggregates. The altered coagulation and platelet function, and the predisposition to thrombus formation have also been demonstrated in animal models of IBD. The animal studies have revealed a major role for inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, as mediators of the platelet abnormalities and enhanced thrombus development in experimental IBD. These findings in animal models raise hope for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to reduce thrombosis-related mortality in IBD patients.
Managing NFV using SDN and control theory

Control theory and SDN (Software Defined Networking) are key components for NFV (Network Function Virtualization) deployment. However little has been done to use a control-theoretic approach for SDN and NFV management. In this demo, we describe a use case for NFV management using control theory and SDN. We use the management architecture of RINA (a clean-slate Recursive InterNetwork Architecture) to manage Virtual Network Function (VNF) instances over the GENI testbed. We deploy Snort, an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as the VNF. Our network topology has source and destination hosts, multiple IDSes, an Open vSwitch (OVS) and an OpenFlow controller. A distributed management application running on RINA measures the state of the VNF instances and communicates this information to a Proportional Integral (PI) controller, which then provides load balancing information to the OpenFlow controller. The latter controller in turn updates traffic flow forwarding rules on the OVS switch, thus balancing load across the VNF instances. This demo demonstrates the benefits of using such a control-theoretic load balancing approach and the RINA management architecture in virtualized environments for NFV management. It also illustrates that the GENI testbed can easily support a wide range of SDN and NFV related experiments.