cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal patterns of vertical distribution for three planktivorous fishes in Lake Washington

We sampled three limnetic fish species: juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) in Lake Washington to quantify species-specific patterns of diel vertical migration (DVM). Catch-per-unit-effort data analysed from 15 years of midwater trawling documented seasonal and diel differences in vertical distributions for each species. These results were consistent with the hypothesis that the patterns of DVM in Lake Washington were affected by life history, size and morphology. Sockeye salmon showed clear DVM in spring but essentially no DVM in fall, remaining in deep water, whereas three-spine sticklebacks were prevalent at the surface at night in both seasons. In fall, distribution patterns may be explained by differences in thermal performance (e.g., sticklebacks favouring warm water), but the patterns were also consistent with inter-specific differences in predation risk. Younger sockeye salmon and longfin smelt were present in greater proportions higher in the water column during dusk and night periods than older conspecifics. Compared with sockeye salmon, the greater use by three-spine sticklebacks of surface waters throughout the diel cycle during weak thermal stratification in spring was consistent with the hypothesis that sticklebacks' armour reduces predation risk, but use of this warmer, metabolically beneficial stratum may also have promoted growth. This study illustrates variation in the vertical distribution of three sympatric planktivores and offers broader implications for the DVM phenomenon and applied lake ecology.
Activity of BAY n 7133 and BAY 1 9139 in vitro and in experimental murine coccidioidomycosis.

The activity of two new antifungal azoles, BAY n 7133 and BAY 1 9139, againstCoccidioides immitis was compared with that of ketoconazole in vitro and in experimental murine coccidioidomycosis. Daily intravenous injections were given for 30 days. All mice were autopsied and suspensions of lung, liver and spleen cultured. BAY n 7133 was as active as ketoconazole while BAY 1 9139 was less active. All three drugs were coccidioidostatic only both in vitro and in vivo.
The similarity between human embryonic stem cell-derived epithelial cells and ameloblast-lineage cells

This study aimed to compare epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to human ameloblast-lineage cells (ALCs), as a way to determine their potential use as a cell source for ameloblast regeneration. Induced by various concentrations of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), retinoic acid (RA) and lithium chloride (LiCl) for 7 days, hESCs adopted cobble-stone epithelial phenotype (hESC-derived epithelial cells (ES-ECs)) and expressed cytokeratin 14. Compared with ALCs and oral epithelial cells (OE), ES-ECs expressed amelogenesis-associated genes similar to ALCs. ES-ECs were compared with human fetal skin epithelium, human fetal oral buccal mucosal epithelial cells and human ALCs for their expression pattern of cytokeratins as well. ALCs had relatively high expression levels of cytokeratin 76, which was also found to be upregulated in ES-ECs. Based on the present study, with the similarity of gene expression with ALCs, ES-ECs are a promising potential cell source for regeneration, which are not available in erupted human teeth for regeneration of enamel.
Packing and orientation of fiber cells

Sections of bovine lenses were exposed to a continuous He-Ne gas laser and the low-angle scattering was studied. Diffraction patterns resulted and repeat distances were calculated for various parts of the lens. The repeat distance decreased as one proceeded from the cortex into the nucleus. Experimental evidence indicates that the fiber cells are well aligned and organized throughout the lens.
Investigation of device parameters for field-effect DNA-sensors by three-dimensional simulation

The development of a DNA field-effect transistor (DNAFET) simulator is described and implications on device structure and future experiments are discussed in this paper. In DNAFETs the gate structure is replaced by a layer of immobilized single-stranded DNA molecules which act as surface probe molecules. When complementary DNA strands bind to the receptors, the charge distribution near the surface of the device changes, modulating current transport through the device and enabling detection. Arrays of DNAFETs can be used for detecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms and for DNA sequencing. The advantage of DNAFETs over optical methods of detection is that DNAFETs allow direct, label-free operation.
The Utility of Threshold Reactive Tracers for Characterizing Temperature Distributions in Geothermal Reservoirs

Reactive tracers have long been investigated as a means to measure geothermal temperature profiles and predict thermal breakthrough, but this method has only been used in practice to estimate an effective (or average) reservoir temperature. This means that spatial information about the temperature profile is lost, and a sequence of reactive tracer tests would need to be carried out at different times to track the thermal front. Advances in nanotechnology have made the use of nanoparticles as geothermal tracers feasible. Nanomaterials can be designed with a high degree of control over their response to temperature, which could enable them to provide more information than reactive solute tracers. Nanoreactors that prevent reaction of encapsulated reactants from occurring until a threshold temperature is reached are a promising candidate for use as geothermal temperature sensors. It is demonstrated through modeling that this could enable engineers to determine the location of temperature measurements to map the inter-well temperature profile at a given time. This could facilitate more accurate reservoir fracture geometry characterization and thermal breakthrough prediction.
Hospital survival of very-low-birth-weight neonates from 1977 to 2000.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patterns of survival for very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight 501 to 1500 g) neonates over 23 years. STUDY DESIGN: Data for 4873 VLBW neonates born from 1977 to 2000 were divided into five epochs. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Birth weight-specific survival rates were estimated by race and gender for each epoch. Presence of comorbidities and congenital anomalies, delivery mode, and provision of artificial ventilation were investigated to determine whether they could explain observed survival patterns. RESULTS: From 1977 to 1995, survival increased from 50.2% to 81.0% as the proportion of VLBW neonates receiving artificial ventilation rose from 59.0% to 80.9%. Survival was unchanged between 1990 to 1995 and 1996 to 2000. Black females maintained a survival advantage over the entire study period. Survival improved for neonates with congenital anomalies over time, but had little impact on race/gender survival patterns. Survival patterns also could not be explained by comorbidity status, delivery mode, or access to artificial ventilation. CONCLUSION: The survival advantage of VLBW black females persists and remains unexplained.
Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among children and youth in the United States. Surveys indicate that the number of overweight children aged 6 to 17 years has doubled within three decades. In the decade between the late 1970s and the late 1980s, the prevalence of overweight increased from 7.6% to 10.9% for children aged 6 to 11 years, and from 5.7% to 10.8% for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Data for 1999 indicates that the epidemic is continuing to increase, so that 13% of 6- to 11-year-old children and 14% of 12- to 19-year- old children are currently overweight (body mass index > or = 95th percentile for age/gender). This article reviews newer concepts related to etiologic factors, comorbidities, and strategies for prevention and treatment.
Lithium-lead/water reaction experiments and analysis

An experiment has been performed to investigate the chemical reaction between the liquid phases of the eutectic lithium-lead (Li17Pb83) and water. The reactants and products were constrained within...
A survey of the use of IPM by New York apple producers

Abstract Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was first introduced to New York apple growers in 1975 through an Extension pilot program. Since that time, growers have become aware of the methods, results and potential benefits of following an IPM approach in their orchards. Differences in pesticide use, demography and behavior between IPM users and non-users are presented in this study. Results showed that > 80% of the apple producers in New York State (NY) incorporate some aspect of IPM into their pest control strategies. IPM users were younger and better educated and had less farm experience than non-users. Cornell Cooperative Extension was considered a primary source of written pest management and pesticide information to NY growers. However, agricultural sales persons were also considered useful by the growers for making pest management decisions. Growers that employed comprehensive IPM practices used 30% less insecticides, 47% less miticides and 10% less fungicides than growers that did not use IPM practices. This resulted in 235 kg active ingredient ha−1 not having to be absorbed by the environment and saved IPM apple growers an average of US$ 95.80 ha−1 year−1 over an 11-year period (1976–1986) without significantly affecting fruit quality.
Humoral Immune Responses of Africans to Cysteine Protease-Related Antigens of Plasmodium falciparum

The Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen (SERA) and serine repeat protein homologue (SERPH) contain highly conserved domains that appear to encode cysteine proteases or related proteins. Humoral immune responses against the protease domains of SERA and SERPH were evaluated. Malaria-immune Africans, but not nonimmune controls, demonstrated potent humoral responses against the protease domains. As the SERA and SERPH protease domains are likely accessible to circulating antibody, these results suggest that humoral responses to the domains may contribute to antimalarial immunity.
The Impact of Natural Disaster on Urban Economic Structure

This paper discusses the effects of a natural disaster upon regional economic structure. The case of Miami and Hurricane Andrew is examined. Analysis of the post-Andrew situation in Miami shows a temporary disruption at the aggregated level, but differential spatial impacts which will affect the long-run relationships within the urban economy and the social division of labor.
Gene Expression Levels Are Correlated with Synonymous Codon Usage, Amino Acid Composition, and Gene Architecture in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Gene expression levels correlate with multiple aspects of gene sequence and gene structure in phylogenetically diverse taxa, suggesting an important role of gene expression levels in the evolution of protein-coding genes. Here we present results of a genome-wide study of the influence of gene expression on synonymous codon usage, amino acid composition, and gene structure in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Consistent with the action of translational selection, we find that synonymous codon usage bias increases with gene expression. However, the correspondence between tRNA gene copy number and optimal codons is weak. At the amino acid level, translational selection is suggested by the positive correlation between tRNA gene numbers and amino acid usage, which is stronger for highly expressed genes. In addition, there is a clear trend for increased use of metabolically cheaper, less complex amino acids as gene expression increases. tRNA gene numbers also correlate negatively with amino acid size/complexity (S/C) score indicating the coupling between translational selection and selection to minimize the use of large/complex amino acids. Interestingly, the analysis of 10 additional genomes suggests that the correlation between tRNA gene numbers and amino acid S/C score is widespread and might be explained by selection against negative consequences of protein misfolding. At the level of gene structure, three major trends are detected: 1) complete coding region length increases across low and intermediate expression levels but decreases in highly expressed genes; 2) the average intron size shows the opposite trend, first decreasing with expression, followed by a slight increase in highly expressed genes; and 3) intron density remains nearly constant across all expression levels. These changes in gene architecture are only in partial agreement with selection favoring reduced cost of biosynthesis.
Coastal subsidence and relative sea level rise

Subsurface fluid-pressure declines caused by pumping of groundwater or hydrocarbons can lead to aquifer-system compaction and consequent land subsidence. This subsidence can be rapid, as much as 30 cm per year in some instances, and large, totaling more than 13 m in extreme examples. Thus anthropogenic subsidence may be the dominant contributor to relative sea-level rise in coastal environments where subsurface fluids are heavily exploited. Maximum observed rates of human-induced subsidence greatly exceed the rates of natural subsidence of unconsolidated sediments (∼0.1–1cmyr �1 ) and the estimated rates of ongoing global sea-level rise (∼0.3 cm yr �1 ).
Alleviation of commercial collagen sponge- and membrane-induced apoptosis and dysfunction in cultured osteoblasts by an amino acid derivative.

Purpose: The objectives of this in vitro study were to determine whether the commercial collagen material used in bone augmentation procedures induces oxidative stress‐mediated adverse effects on the viability and function of osteoblasts and to determine whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant amino acid derivative, can alleviate these effects. Materials and Methods: Commercial collagen sponge (Collaplug) and membrane (BioGide) were treated with NAC. Rat calvaria‐derived osteoblasts were directly seeded on these materials with or without NAC pretreatment. Cytotoxic evaluation was performed by flowcytometric cell viability assay, confocal laser microscopic analysis of attached cell morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) localization, and alkaline phosphatase staining. Results: Cell viability was less than 40% on both collagen sponge and membrane 24 hours after seeding and increased to 50% with NAC pretreatment. Cell death was characterized by apoptosis. Colonization of attached cells was sparse on the untreated sponge and membrane on day 1, and the cells were round, small, and filled with intense and closely packed intracellular ROS. In contrast, NAC-pretreated material had dense cell colonies consisting of well-spread osteoblasts and fully developing cytoskeleton and cellular processes with little ROS generation. On day 7 of culture, NAC-pretreated collagen sponge and membrane yielded an expanded alkaline phosphatase‐positive area occupying 60% and 80% of the surface area, respectively, whereas the untreated collagen materials had limited alkaline phosphatase activity (7% or less). Conclusions: Commercial collagen sponge and membrane induced considerable cell death, impaired initial function, and generated extraordinary intracellular ROS in attached osteoblasts, whereas NAC pretreatment substantially ameliorated these effects. The potential benefits of NAC’s detoxifying capacity on bone regeneration using collagen matrix materials in an animal model should be confirmed with further study. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2010;25:939‐946
Enhancing end-user mental models of computer systems through the use of animation

It has been suggested that the training used to teach end-users about computer systems can be enhanced by providing learners with a conceptual model of the system. A conceptual model of a system conveys the underlying structure of the device, and aids the end-user in inferring the procedures necessary for operating the system. Such models are intended to give the end-user a better understanding of how the system works, and to help the end-user formulate a more useful mental model of the system. Mixed results from the studies to date suggest that further research should focus on the characteristics of effective conceptual models, and the types of tasks for which providing a conceptual model might be helpful. In addition, given the proliferation of multimedia presentations as teaching aids, research is needed to determine if animation in the conceptual model further enhances learning. The current study examined two characteristics which have been suggested as influencing the effectiveness of a conceptual model. These characteristics are the order of presentation of the conceptual model, and the use of animation.
A Sampling Theorem Approach to Traffic Sensor Optimization

With the objective of minimizing the total cost, which includes both sensor and congestion costs, the authors adopted a novel sampling theorem approach to address the problem of sensor spacing optimization. This paper presents the analysis and modeling of the power spectral density of traffic information as a 2-D stochastic signal using highly detailed field data. The field data were captured by the next-generation simulation (NGSIM) program in 2005. To the best knowledge of the authors, field data with such a level of detail were previously unavailable. The resulting model enables the derivation of a characterization curve that relates sensor error to sensor spacing. The characterization curve, concurring in general with observations of a previous work, provides much more detail to facilitate sensor deployment. Based on the characterization curve and a formulation relating sensor error to congestion cost, the optimal sensor spacing that minimizes the total cost can be determined.
Double-diffusive transport in laboratory thermohaline staircases

Laboratory experiments were conducted on a double-diffusing fluid stabilized by the faster diffuser (T) and destabilized by the slower diffuser (S), the arrangement that leads to salt fingering. The experiments were conducted in three tanks of depths 2 m, 1 m or 0.3 m, with initial linear profiles of S and T between two reservoirs at fixed or known values, S 0 + ΔS, T 0 + ΔT in the top reservoir, S 0 , To in the bottom reservoir. In the thermohaline staircase regime consisting of an alternating stack of convecting layers and finger layers, the overall fluxes F S and F T are clearly not depth independent. The overall Nusselt number, N S varies inversely with the number n of finger layers plus convecting layers occurring in the experimental fluid. The largest Nusselt number occurs for n = 1. The number n increases with increasing mean vertical gradient, up to a point. If the vertical gradients are large, n is always equal to 1. Internal measurements show that in the Rayleigh number range |R S | ∼ 10 15 and density ratio range R ρ ∼ 1.1 to 1.2, the finger flux F f S ∼ (ΔS/h)R a S R b ρ with a = 0.18 to 0.19 and b = 1.8 to 2.1. The data show dependence of F f S on finger layer thickness h. In the convecting layers, N c S R 0.21 for large enough aspect ratio.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hormone therapy in women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) results in substantial morbidity and mortality in most western countries in the world. The mortality burden of CVD in the UK in 2002 appears to be similar in men and women and CVD accounts for approximately 39.1% of deaths in men and 39.2% in women (http://www.heartstats.org/). Rates for coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in the UK have been falling since 1970. CHD is a multifactorial disease, but certain major risk factors can account for the vast majority of acute myocardial infarction (MI). A recently published study (INTERHEART) of nearly 30 000 men and women from different communities and ethnic groups worldwide showed that such risk factors are common to all groups and can predict over 90% of the CHD risk. Lifestyle factors, including cigarette smoking, poor diet high in saturated fats and low in fruit and vegetables, physical inactivity, and stress have an important causal role in the incidence of CHD in all populations, while moderate alcohol consumption is protective.1 Genetic and environmental factors are also significant. Metabolic diseases and risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, have a substantial impact on the development of CHD. These risk factors contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and thrombotic complications. Reducing these risk factors can slow the progression of CHD and its clinical complications before, and even after, the occurrence of a cardiovascular event. Loss of ovarian hormones at the menopause has a widespread adverse impact on many of these risk factors. However, recent large clinical trials of essentially one form of hormone therapy (HT) have not shown a benefit on cardiovascular risk and therefore, at the present time, HT is not recommended in postmenopausal women solely for cardioprotection. The failure of the clinical trials to show a benefit may be, in part, due …
Highly crystallized iron oxide nanoparticles as effective and biodegradable mediators for photothermal cancer therapy.

We report that highly crystallized iron oxide nanoparticles (HCIONPs) made by thermal decomposition and further coating with a polysiloxane-containing copolymer can be used as effective mediators for photothermal therapy. Irradiation of a HCIONP solution containing 0.5 mg mL−1 Fe, for instance, with an 885 nm diode laser at a power of 2.5 W cm−2, induces a temperature increase of 33 °C from room temperature, while water produced only a ∼3 °C increase as the control. In vivo studies are further evaluated for effective photothermal therapy using the as-prepared HCIONPs. Benefiting from the great antibiofouling property of the polymer coating and minimized hydrodynamic size (whole particle size: 24 nm), the nanoparticles intravenously administered to SUM-159 tumor-bearing mice can effectively accumulate within the tumor tissue (5.3% of injection dose) through the enhanced permeability and retention effect. After applying the same laser conditions to irradiate the tumors, complete tumor regression is observed within three weeks without disease relapse over the course of three months. Conversely, control mice exhibit continuous tumor growth leading to animal mortality within four weeks. To better understand the photothermal effect of HCIONPs and potentially improve their photothermal efficiency, we compare their photothermal effect and crystal structures with commercially available magnetic nanoparticles. Our data show that after applying the same laser to commercially available magnetic nanoparticles from FeREX at the same iron concentration, the temperature is only increased by 7.4 °C. We further use synchrotron-XRD and high-resolution TEM to compare the crystal structures of both magnetic nanoparticles. The data show that both magnetic nanoparticles are Fe3O4 but as-prepared HCIONPs are highly crystalline and have preferred lattice plane orientations, which may be the cause of their enhanced photothermal efficiency. Taken together, these data suggest that HCIONPs, with unique lattice orientations and small size as well as antifouling coating, can be used as promising mediators for photothermal cancer therapy.
Soybean Allelopathy and Subsequent Cropping

The observed delayed emergence and seedling development in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planted into soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) residues in the field were reproduced in the greenhouse. Severity of the effects were increased as the rate of residue increased. Residues, and leachates from residues, inhibited wheat growth and reduced yields 19–29 % in the field. Shallow incorporation of residues into soil resulted in delayed emergence, thinner stands, and greatly shortened coleoptile length. Emergence was reduced more under “moderately dry” soil conditions while stunting was more pronounced under “wet” soil conditions. Residues appeared to have no direct effect on Rhizoctonia winter-kill. Based on this research, even distribution of soybean residues across the field at harvest and deep placement of the residue should reduce these allelopathic effects on a subsequent wheat crop.
Pharmacologically induced hypothermia via TRPV1 channel agonism provides neuroprotection following ischemic stroke when initiated 90 min after reperfusion

Traditional methods of therapeutic hypothermia show promise for neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), however, with limitations. We examined effectiveness and specificity of ...
Regulation of Intestinal Calcium Transport

Calcium is an essential ion in all organisms and participates in a variety of structural and functional roles. Calcium (re)absorption occurs in epithelia, including the intestine, kidney, mammary glands, placenta, and gills of fish. Its transport is regulated by a complex array of processes that are mediated by hormonal, developmental, and physiological factors involving the gastrointestinal tract, bone, kidney, and the parathyroids. Here we review the calcium transport mechanisms-paracellular, which is energy independent, and transcellular, which is energy dependent-primarily focusing on the intestine. We provide a new perspective on the facilitated diffusion and vesicular transport models to account for the emerging concepts on transcellular calcium transport. Finally, we discuss how 1,25(OH)2D3 and parathyroid hormone regulate calcium transport.
Heat transfer characteristics of porous rocks

Equations are derived for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of beds of unconsolidated particles containing stagnant fluid. The effective thermal conductivity at these conditions, called the stagnant conductivity, is a function of the thermal conductivities of the solid and fluid phases, the void fraction, and, if radiation is important, the emissivity, mean temperature, and diameter of the solid particles. Comparison with the available experimental data indicates that the equations are satisfactory for fluids and solid particles of both high and low thermal conductivities. To extend the theory to beds of consolidated particles, it is supposed that consolidated beds are formed by partial clogging and cementing of beds of unconsolidated particles. With this assumption the theoretical equations for packed beds are extended to include such materials as sandstone and porous metals. The resulting expressions for the stagnant conductivity involve a consolidation parameter characteristic of the solid material. This quantity accounts for the heat transfer across the contact surfaces between cemented or clogged particles. The equations correctly predict the effect of void fraction and solid and fluid thermal conductivities on the heat transfer properties of sandstones and sintered metal systems.
Inhibition of cell migration by Abl family tyrosine kinases through uncoupling of Crk-CAS complexes.

c-Abl and the Abl-related gene product (Arg) are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that regulate the actin cytoskeleton of cells by direct association with F-actin and localization to focal contacts. However, the biological significance of this interaction is not known. We show here that transfection of COS-7 cells with a kinase-inactive form of c-Abl (Abl) promotes c-Crk II/p130CAS (Crk-CAS) coupling, enhancing cell migration. Moreover, embryonic fibroblast cells isolated from mice devoid of endogenous Abl and Arg (abl−/−arg−/−) demonstrate increased Crk-CAS coupling and motility. Conversely, expression of a kinase-active form of Abl or reconstitution of abl−/− arg−/− cells with wild-type Abl prevents Crk-CAS coupling and inhibits cell migration. Thus, Abl and Arg kinases play a critical role in preventing cell migration through regulation of Crk and CAS adaptor protein complexes, which are necessary for cell movement.
Cluster space specification and control of a 3-robot mobile system

The cluster space control technique promotes simplified specification and monitoring of the motion of mobile multi-robot systems of limited size. Previous work has established the conceptual foundation of this approach and has experimentally verified and validated its use for two diverse 2- robot systems and with varying implementations ranging from automated trajectory control to human-in-the-loop piloting. In this paper, we present the cluster space control of a 3-robot system. In doing so, we develop the fundamental kinematic relationships, illustrate the closed-loop control framework, describe the simulation and hardware testbed environments used for verification, and present initial experimental results of the successfully implemented system.
Anorectics on Trial: A Half Century of Federal Regulation of Prescription Appetite Suppressants

Beginning with the passage of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938 and escalating with the 1962 Kefauver-Harris amendments, increasing pressure has been placed on pharmaceutical manufacturers to demonstrate that a drug's benefits outweigh its risks. Nowhere has the question of risk versus benefit come under greater scrutiny than with anorectics. After the approval in the 1940s and 1950s of a number of amphetamine and amphetamine-like compounds for the treatment of obesity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration struggled to define the efficacy and safety of these agents. Labeling restrictions on duration of use and warnings about abuse and addiction ultimately contributed to the reduced use of anorectics. That trend continued until the mid-1990s, when the off-label use of fenfluramine plus phentermine (fen-phen) and the approval of dexfenfluramine gave rise to widespread, long-term use of anorectics to treat obesity. The adverse effects that came to be associated with fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, leading to their eventual withdrawal from the market, gave pause to regulators, physicians, patients, and drug companies alike. Sibutramine, the latest anorectic to enter the market, is now the focus of a landmark trial that is examining, for the first time, whether drug-induced weight loss reduces the risk for fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease.
Mediation of T-Cell Activation by Actin Meshworks

Although the actin cytoskeleton and T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling complexes are seemingly distinct molecular structures, they are tightly integrated in T cells. The signaling pathways initiated by TCRs binding to peptide MHC complexes are extensively influenced by the actin cytoskeletal activities of the motile phase before TCR signaling, the signalosome scaffolding function of the cytoskeleton, and the translocation of signaling clusters that precedes the termination of signaling at these complexes. As these three successive phases constitute essentially all the steps consequent to immune synapse formation, it has become clear that the substantial physical forces and signaling interactions generated by the actin cytoskeleton dominate the signaling life cycle of TCR signalosomes. We discuss the contributions of the actin cytoskeleton to TCR signaling phases and model some remaining questions about how specific cytoskeletal factors regulate TCR signaling outcomes.
IMPROVED FECUNDITY IN THE PREDATOR ORIUS INSIDIOSUS (HEMIPTERA: ANTHOCORIDAE) WITH A PARTIALLY PURIFIED NUTRITIONAL FACTOR FROM AN INSECT CELL LINE

Abstract A specific factor that stimulates egg production in the predator Orius insidiosis (Say) was earlier shown to be present in eggs of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner). We investigated whether the embryonic cell line IPLB-PiE, derived from eggs of the Indian meal moth P. interpunctella also produces a specific factor that improves fecundity of the predator. We fractionated cells by preparative isoelectric focusing in a pH gradient of 3-10 and bioassayed the resultant fractions in test diets to determine their effects on egg production. Rates of oviposition were determined by placing adult predators on the test diets the third d after eclosion, allowing them to feed for 3 d, and then providing them with ovipositional substrates for 24 h on d 7. Six out of 20 fractions with isoelectric points between pH 5.2 and 7.3 had significant activity relative to the control diet. The nature of the factor(s) is unknown but corresponds to a partially purified fecundity factor from eggs of Ephest...
Tenacity of Bryophytes and Lichens on Sandstone Cliffs in West Virginia and Relevance to Recreational Climbing Impacts

Abstract. Climbing and bouldering are popular recreational activities in West Virginia, especially on the Pottsville conglomerate caprock at Coopers Rock and at the New River Gorge National River. We propose using a simple force-meter to measure the tenacity (adherence) of bryophytes and lichens to help us understand which bryophytes and lichens are more vulnerable to removal by climbing route preparation (rock “cleaning”) or accidental dislodging. In this preliminary study we found that lantern moss (Andreaea rothiii) is held relatively tightly, probably benefitting more weakly attached species such as the liverwort Diplophyllum apiculatum, which commonly grow epiphytically on A. rothii. Leucobryum glaucum was very weakly attached, although it is very common on bouldering and climbing sites. The umbilicate lichens Umbilicaria mammulata (smooth rock tripe) and Lasallia papulosa (common toadskin) were more tenacious than lantern moss and hosted various epiphytic and epizoic species. However, the loss of ex...
Pricing of Corporate Liquidity: Understanding Asset Pricing During Liquidity and Credit Crises

The financial crisis of 2008 suggests that existing asset pricing models, which are derived under the assumption of investor rationality, might not be sufficient to explain stock performance during periods of market stress and liquidity crunch. In this article, we developed four measures of corporate liquidity risk factors to examine their dynamic impact on stock returns, and we found that corporate liquidity risk played a significant role in affecting stock returns, especially during periods of market stress or liquidity crunch. We believe our analysis contributes to the asset-pricing literature and provides significant insights to investors who wish to better understand the impact of corporate liquidity risk factors in a more time-sensitive way. In addition, our research on different factor loadings of corporate liquidity risk for stocks with different attributes will be of interest to investors: This research will help them better understand how corporate liquidity risk factor is priced in stock returns cross-sectionally and thus can help them to better position their investments, especially during periods of market stress.
Conjectures regarding the nonlinear geometry of visual neurons

From the earliest stages of sensory processing, neurons show inherent non-linearities: the response to a complex stimulus is not a sum of the responses to a set of constituent basis stimuli. These non-linearities come in a number of forms and have been explained in terms of a number of functional goals. The family of spatial non-linearities have included interactions that occur both within and outside of the classical receptive field. They include, saturation, cross orientation inhibition, contrast normalization, end-stopping and a variety of non-classical effects. In addition, neurons show a number of facilitatory and invariance related effects such as those exhibited by complex cells (integration across position). Here, we describe an approach that attempts to explain many of the non-linearities under a single geometric framework. In line with Zetzsche and colleagues (e.g., Zetzsche et al., 1999) we propose that many of the principal non-linearities can be described by a geometry where the neural response space has a simple curvature. In this paper, we focus on the geometry that produces both increased selectivity (curving outward) and increased tolerance (curving inward). We demonstrate that overcomplete sparse coding with both low-dimensional synthetic data and high-dimensional natural scene data can result in curvature that is responsible for a variety of different known non-classical effects including end-stopping and gain control. We believe that this approach provides a more fundamental explanation of these non-linearities and does not require that one postulate a variety of explanations (e.g., that gain must be controlled or the ends of lines must be detected). In its standard form, sparse coding does not however, produce invariance/tolerance represented by inward curvature. We speculate on some of the requirements needed to produce such curvature.
Probability of Vitamin D Deficiency by Body Weight and Race/Ethnicity

Introduction: While most physicians recognize that vitamin D status varies by skin color because darker skin requires more light to synthesize vitamin D than lighter skin, the importance of body weight to vitamin D status is a newer, less recognized, finding. The purpose of this study was to use nationally representative US data to determine the probability of vitamin D deficiency by body weight and skin color. Methods: Using data for individuals age ≥6 years from the 2001 to 2010 cycles of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we calculated the effect of skin color, body weight, and age on vitamin D status. We determined the probability of deficiency within the normal range of body weight for 3 race/ethnicity groups at 3 target levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Results: Darker skin colors and heavier body weights are independently and significantly associated with poorer vitamin D status. We report graphically the probability of vitamin D deficiency by body weight and skin color at vitamin D targets of 20 and 30 ng/mL. Conclusion: The effects of skin color and body weight on vitamin D status are large both statistically and clinically. Knowledge of these effects may facilitate diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency.
Carbothermal Synthesis of Aerosol-Based Adsorptive-Reactive Iron–Carbon Particles for the Remediation of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons

Spherical iron–carbon nanocomposites were synthesized through a facile aerosol-based process and a subsequent carbothermal reduction. The distribution and immobilization of iron particles throughou...
Supersonic Quadrupole Noise Theory for High-Speed Helicopter Rotors

High-Speed helicopter rotor impulsive noise prediction is an important current problem of aeroacoustics. The deterministic quadrupoles have been shown to contribute significantly to high-speed impulsive (HSI) noise of rotors, particularly when the phenomenon of delocalization occurs. At high rotor-tip speeds, some of the quadrupole sources lie outside the sonic circle and move at supersonic speed. Brentner has given a formulation suitable for efficient prediction of quadrupole noise inside the sonic circle. In this paper, we give a simple formulation based on the acoustic analogy that is valid for both subsonic and supersonic quadrupole noise prediction. Like the formulation of Brentner, the model is exact for an observer in the far field and in the rotor plane and is approximate elsewhere. We give the full analytic derivation of this formulation in the paper. We present the method of implementation on a computer for supersonic quadrupoles using marching cubes for constructing the influence surface of an observer space-time variable. We then present several examples of noise prediction for both subsonic and supersonic quadrupoles. It is shown that in the case of transonic flow over rotor blades, the inclusion of the supersonic quadrupoles improves the prediction of the acoustic pressure signature. We show the equivalence of the new formulation to that of Brentner for subsonic quadrupoles. It is shown that the regions of high quadrupole source strength are primarily produced by the shock surface and the flow over the leading edge of the rotor. The primary role of the supersonic quadrupoles is to increase the width of a strong acoustic signal.
Variable selection in function-on-scalar regression

For regression models with functional responses and scalar predictors, it is common for the number of predictors to be large. Despite this, few methods for variable selection exist for function-on-scalar models, and none account for the inherent correlation of residual curves in such models. By expanding the coefficient functions using a B-spline basis, we pose the function-on-scalar model as a multivariate regression problem. Spline coefficients are grouped within coefficient function, and group-minimax concave penalty is used for variable selection. We adapt techniques from generalized least squares to account for residual covariance by “pre-whitening” using an estimate of the covariance matrix and establish theoretical properties for the resulting estimator. We further develop an iterative algorithm that alternately updates the spline coefficients and covariance; simulation results indicate that this iterative algorithm often performs as well as pre-whitening using the true covariance and substantially outperforms methods that neglect the covariance structure. We apply our method to two-dimensional planar reaching motions in a study of the effects of stroke severity on motor control and find that our method provides lower prediction errors than competing methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flashover Test on Air Clearances of ±800 kV DC Transmission Tower With Switching Surges Superimposed on DC Voltage

Research materials and literatures at home and abroad show that there is evident difference between discharge characteristic of air clearance under pure switching surge and under DC pre-voltage superimposed with switching surge. It might influence the selection of air clearance for high voltage transmission tower. Therefore, in design of air clearance of UHVDC towers it is necessary to research the influence of pre-voltage on the conductor. By means of discharge test on air clearance of real size simulation tower head , the discharge characteristics of UHVDC tower air clearances under DC pre-voltage superimposed with switching surge are researched and the test data are obtained. By comparison with the discharge characteristic of pure switching surge, it is discovered that the discharge voltage of tower air clearance under superimposed voltages is higher than that under pure switching surge by 2% to 4%. Thus, from the viewpoint of operational security, it is feasible to adopt the test data from pure switching surge in UHVDC tower air clearance design.
A new technique for picking the first S-wave arrival from dipole shear wave log in slow formation

Since P-Wave can not be suppressed in dipole shear wave log in slow formation, there are some difficulties in picking the first S-Wave arrival. A new technique for picking the first S-Wave arrival is presented by multiplying energy ratio of the long window to the short window by the square of the amplitude envelope of waveforms in the paper. It can largely reduce the magnitude of the multiplication curve in the P-Wave, and make the magnitude in the S-Wave an obvious maximum. Therefore, picking the first S-Wave arrival is not affected by the P-Wave in slow formation. The results show that the method can skip over the P-Wave and exactly pick the first S-Wave arrival in dipole shear wave log in slow formation.
Mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit: an examination of some problems and consequences of modern intensive care on mother-infant interaction.

For those parents whose infants are critically ill in neonatal intensive care units, a perplexing problem faces the physician: How can complex intensive care be administered and, atthe same time, time-dependent maternal-infant reciprocal interactions be allowed to proceed? Facets of this problem are explored.
Effectiveness of current anthelmintic treatment programs on reducing fecal egg counts in United States cow-calf operations

During the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Health Monitoring System's (NAHMS) 2007-2008 beef study, producers from 24 states were offered the opportunity to evaluate their animals for internal parasites and for overall responses to treatment with anthelmintics. A lapse of 45 d was required between initial sampling and any previous treatments. Choice of anthelmintic (oral benzimidazoles, and both injectable and pour-on endectocides) was at the discretion of the producer so as not to alter the local control programs. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 20 animals, or from the entire group if less than 20, then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 participating laboratories for examination. Analyses consisted of double centrifugation flotation followed by enumeration of strongyle, Nematodirus, and Trichuris eggs (the presence of coccidian oocysts and tapeworm eggs was also noted). Where strongyle eggs per gram (epg) exceeded 30, aliquots from 2 to 6 animals were pooled for egg isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of Ostertagia, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, and Trichostrongylus. Results from 72 producers (19 States) indicated that fecal egg count reductions were < 90% in 1/3 of the operations. All operations exhibiting less than a 90% reduction had used pour-on macrocyclic lactones as the anthelmintic treatment. While some of these less than expected reductions could have been the result of improper drug application, PCR analyses of the parasite populations surviving treatment, coupled with follow-up studies at a limited number of sites, indicated that less than expected reductions were most likely due to anthelmintic resistance in Cooperia spp. and possibly Haemonchus spp.
Weed Community Dynamics and System Productivity in Alternative Irrigation Systems in California Rice

Over the last 10 yr, California has experienced a series of ever-worsening droughts. Rice, traditionally a flooded crop, has come under increasing scrutiny with respect to its water use, leading to proposals to evaluate alternative irrigation systems. For growers, weed competition is one of the most limiting factors to maintaining high yields, so understanding the shifts among species in weed communities under the proposed alternative irrigation systems is vital. A field study was conducted from 2012 to 2014 to compare weed population and growth dynamics with three irrigation systems: (1) a conventional water-seeded control system (WS-Control), with a permanent flood of 10 to 15 cm from planting until 1 mo prior to harvest; (2) a water-seeded alternate wet and dry system (WS-AWD), with the field flooded from planting until canopy closure, after which floodwater was allowed to subside and the field was reflooded when the soil volumetric water content reached 35%; and (3) a drill-seeded alternate wet and dry system (DS-AWD), with rice drill seeded and then flush irrigated to establish the crop, after which the field was flooded until canopy closure and then underwent an alternate wet and dry (AWD) treatment similar to WS-AWD. In the AWD treatments, there were two drying periods, neither of which occurred after the heading stage. The dynamics of major weed species were evaluated using plant density counts (2012) and relative cover and biomass (2013 and 2014). Grasses (sprangletop and watergrass species) dominated the DS-AWD system; sedges, broadleaves, and grasses dominated both WS systems. The WS-AWD system increased smallflower umbrella sedge relative cover at canopy closure, relative dry weight at harvest, and percent frequency when compared with the WS-Control system. Yields did not differ across treatments when weeds were controlled (P > 0.05); in the absence of herbicides, yields in the WS-AWD were equivalent to the WS-Control (ranging from 40 to 65% of the herbicide-treated yields) and zero in the DS-AWD due to weed pressure. Nomenclature: bearded sprangletop, Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth N. Snow; ducksalad, Heteranthera rotundifolia (Kunth) Griseb.; redstem, Ammannia coccinea Rottb.; ricefield bulrush, Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla; smallflower umbrella sedge, Cyperus difformis L.; rice (Oryza sativa L.).