cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid peroxidation and hemolysis induced by lactoperoxidase and thyroid hormones

Abstract Mixtures of thyroxine and hydrogen peroxide induce lysis of red cells which is markedly potentiated by the addition of lactoperoxidase. In the absence of the enzyme, glucose protects cells from damage, whereas in the presence of the peroxidase it, paradoxically, enhances hemolysis. Hemolysis induced by lactoperoxidase, peroxide, and thyroxine is preceded by an iodination of membrane components, a leak of potassium ions, and a peroxidation of membrane lipids. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), an antioxidant, and PTU (propylthiouracil), an antithyroid agent, prevent hemolysis. However, BHA, while blocking lipid peroxidation, does not prevent iodination of the cell membrane or potassium leak. PTU, on the other hand, inhibits both lipid peroxidation and membrane iodination. For these reasons, it is postulated that the hemolysis observed in this system is a consequence of the generation of an iodide radical which participates in both iodination of the membrane and the initiation of lipid peroxidation. Only the latter event seems to be essential for hemolysis to occur. These experiments may be relevant to the mechanisms of destruction of sequestered cells by splenic macrophages.
567 THE CHERRY RED SPOT-MYOCLONUS SYNDROME DUE TO NEUR-1 AMINIDASE DEFICIENCY

The cherry red spotmyoclonus syndrome has been reported in at least 11 individuals in the past 20 years. The symptoms usually have their onset in the second decade of life and include macular cherry-red spots, myoclonus and increased deep tendon reflexes and no dementia. Recently neuraminidase deficiency has been documented in some of these patients. This report is of a.31 year old male with macular cherry-red spots, hyperreflexia and myoclonus (tremors and sudden quick jerks of both hands) without dementia. An older brother who had progressive myoclonus died at age 33 with myoclonic seizures. Homogenates of cultured fibroblasts from the proband exhibited a marked deficiency of neuraminidase activity. The neuraminidase activities in fibroblasts from the proband's parents and in two children of the proband were in the intermediate range. The cherry red spot-myoclonus syndrome is clinically distinct from Mucolipidosis I in which neuraminidase deficiency has also been reported.
Validation of the Slepian approach to truncation-error reduction in spherical near-field scanning

We apply the recently developed Slepian transverse vector spherical harmonics (TVSH) to near-field measurement data and show that the Slepian formalism virtually eliminates angular truncation errors.
Circadian phase relationships of 3H-thymidine uptake, numbers of labeled nuclei, grain counts and cell division rate in larval urodele epidermis.

Abstract The hourly mean numbers of labeled nuclei/100 cells and the numbers of grains/labeled nucleus in the epidermis of urodele larvae, which had been injected with 3 H-thymidine and sacrificed 2 hr later, show periodic fluctuations over a 24-hr interval. Two peaks in the numbers of labeled nuclei and two peaks in the numbers of grains/nucleus are recorded at the times of day when 3 H-thymidine uptake, measured by scintillation counter methods, is also at maximum values. The increases of numbers of grains/nucleus indicate that at certain periods of the 24-hr day, DNA synthesis rate of the cells is accelerated. The numbers of labeled cells at peak hours exceed the numbers of mitotic figures found at times of maximum cell division. This discrepancy may be attributable either to a variable and prolonged G2 phase of the cells following the S phase of the mitotic cycle, or to the possible synthesis by the cells for metabolic renewal of DNA without subsequent or immediate cell division.
Design and implementation of an autonomous spill-cleaning robotic system

The paper describes the main ideas and principles of HAP (Hybrid representation of Actions and Plans), a system for hybrid representation and reasoning in advanced robotics. In this context, hybrid representation refers to the integration of both symbolic and analogic knowledge representation paradigms. In particular, the logic/symbolic component is based on a KL-ONE-like representation language. The system embeds "analogic experts", that are concurrent procedures operating in a direct and fast way on the world representation. These "experts" help the system in planning a correct temporal sequence of actions. As a reference scenario, assembly (and disassembly) problems are considered. The assembly problem can be decomposed in several suitable concurrent sub-tasks, which involves both robotic aspects as navigation, obstacle avoidance, grasping, and AI aspects as action planning and world representation. As a case study, the paper discusses the assembly of a complex object from parts as an experimental paradigm for planning movements of a redundant robot in an unstructured environment.
An Algorithm for Exact Fault-Tree Probabilities without Cut Sets

The algorithm presented in this paper, TDPP, is a top-down recursive algorithm to evaluate fault-tree probabilities. Unlike most existing methodologies, TDPP does not use cut sets, and it evaluates exact probabilities rather than approximations. Implemented in Pascal on a microcomputer, TDPP is sometimes competitive with truncation methodologies commonly used on mainframes. Even in the case of noncoherent fault trees with replicated inputs, there are conceptually simple uses of recursion to evaluate fault-tree probabilities. Although in larger trees elementary approaches usually perform poorly, their pedagogical value is appreciable. Some simpler recursive algorithms are used as an introduction to TDPP. The algorithm TDPP is very well suited to microcomputer use. While collection of cut sets may be memory intensive, probability evaluation is not. For those who want to free themselves from mainframes and canned software that may not be readily available, the TDPP algorithm offers an alternative. There is no need, on moderate sized problems, to settle for approximations or bounds on probabilities. Examples taken from the literature are used to show that TDPP applies to noncoherent fault trees of 50-100 nodes. While cut sets are useful in their own right in determining the relative importance of events, TDPP demonstrates that serious efforts to find fault-tree probabilities do not necessarily depend on a prior determination of cut sets.
Sequential ATP Hydrolysis by Cdc6 and ORC Directs Loading of the Mcm2-7 Helicase

Loading of the Mcm2-7 DNA replicative helicase onto origin-proximal DNA is a critical and tightly regulated event during the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication. The resulting protein-DNA assembly is called the prereplicative complex (pre-RC), and its formation requires the origin recognition complex (ORC), Cdc6, Cdt1, and ATP. ATP hydrolysis by ORC is required for multiple rounds of Mcm2-7 loading. Here, we investigate the role of ATP hydrolysis by Cdc6 during pre-RC assembly. We find that Cdc6 is an ORC- and origin DNA-dependent ATPase that functions at a step preceding ATP hydrolysis by ORC. Inhibiting Cdc6 ATP hydrolysis stabilizes Cdt1 on origin DNA and prevents Mcm2-7 loading. In contrast, the initial association of Mcm2-7 with the other pre-RC components does not require ATP hydrolysis by Cdc6. Importantly, these coordinated yet distinct functions of ORC and Cdc6 ensure the correct temporal and spatial regulation of pre-RC formation.
Understanding differences between healthy swallows and penetration-aspiration swallows via compressive sensing of tri-axial swallowing accelerometry signals

Swallowing accelerometry is a promising tool for non-invasive assessment of swallowing difficulties. A recent contribution showed that swallowing accelerometry signals for healthy swallows and swallows indicating laryn- geal penetration or tracheal aspiration have different time-frequency structures, which may be problematic for compressive sensing schemes based on time-frequency dictionaries. In this paper, we examined the effects of dif- ferent swallows on the accuracy of a compressive sensing scheme based on modulated discrete prolate spheroidal sequences. We utilized tri-axial swallowing accelerometry signals recorded from four patients during routinely schedule videofluoroscopy exams. In particular, we considered 77 swallows approximately equally distributed between healthy swallows and swallows presenting with some penetration/aspiration. Our results indicated that the swallow type does not affect the accuracy of a considered compressive sensing scheme. Also, the results con- firmed previous findings that each individual axis contributes different information. Our findings are important for further developments of a device which is to be used for long-term monitoring of swallowing difficulties.
High performance bias-selectable dual-band short-/mid-wavelength infrared photodetectors based on type-II InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices

Active and passive imaging in a single camera based on the combination of short-wavelength and mid-wavelength infrared detection is highly needed in a number of tracking and reconnaissance missions. Due to its versatility in band-gap engineering, Type-II InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattice has emerged as a candidate highly suitable for this multi-spectral detection. In this paper, we report the demonstration of high performance bias-selectable dual-band short-/mid-wavelength infrared photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb type-II superlattice with designed cut-off wavelengths of 2 μm and 4 μm. Taking advantages of the high performance short-wavelength and mid-wavelength single color photodetectors, back-to-back p-i-n-n-i-p photodiode structures were grown on GaSb substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. At 150 K, the short-wave channel exhibited a quantum efficiency of 55%, a dark current density of 1.0x10 -9 A/cm 2 at -50 mV bias voltage, providing an associated shot noise detectivity of 3.0x1013 Jones. The mid-wavelength channel exhibited a quantum efficiency of 33% and a dark current density of 2.6x10 -5 A/cm 2 at 300 mV bias voltage, resulting in a detectivity of 4.0x10 11 Jones. The operations of the two absorber channels are selectable by changing the polarity of applied bias voltage.
SU‐GG‐J‐174: Study On the Correlation of Diaphragm Motion and Lung Tumor Motion

Purpose: To assess the correlation of diaphragm motion and lungtumor motion as seen in anterior‐to‐posterior (AP) fluoroscopic sequences.Method and Materials: Fluoroscopic sequences of 7 different lungcancer patients were used for this study. Each sequence consists of 500 to 700 frames at 15 frames per second. Diaphragm position was identified in every frame by an intensity gradient method and tumor positions were manually marked as the ground truth by an expert observer. A Principal Component Analysis model based on 225 (15sec) training frames was built for each patient for tumor tracking based on surrogates. Surrogates included the current diaphragm position alone or an optimal combination of the current diaphragm position plus the diaphragm position temporal history. This optimal set was obtained by the Sequential Forward Floating Search method for feature selection. The error of each model was computed by using the rest of each sequence as testing data. Results: Results show that, in most of the patients, the diaphragm position alone is a good surrogate of the tumor motion, with an average localization error ē of 1.6mm and average error at a 95% confidence level e95 of 3.9mm. The model is improved in most of the patients by adding new surrogates from the diaphragm position history (ē=1.3mm, e95=3.5mm). However, some patients, especially patients with irregular breathing, do not show a good correlation. Conclusion: Gated radiotherapy of the lung relies on the correlation of the tumor motion with respect to the diaphragm. It has been observed that although this correlation is in general good, and can be improved with more sophisticated correlation models, some patients do not show a good correlation regardless of how sophisticated the model is. In future work, new surrogates which better correlate with the tumor motion will be explored for use in gated treatment.
Characteristics of intraretinal deposits in acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE To describe the temporal and spatial characteristics of intraretinal deposits in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients that presented with acute CSC to Weill Cornell Medical College from January 2012 to May 2013. Acute CSC was defined as a diagnosis of CSC within 4 months of the onset of symptoms. Only one eye per patient was included in the study. Each patient was imaged with spectral domain OCT at the initial office visit. The decision to reimage these patients was made by the treating physician. RESULTS A total of 25 patients (25 eyes; 17 men and eight nonpregnant women) were included in this review. Seven of 25 patients (28%) demonstrated intraretinal deposits within the outer plexiform layer during the initial OCT, with deposits appearing as early as the same day as the onset of symptoms. A total of 25 of 25 patients (100%) demonstrated intraretinal deposits in the outer nuclear layer upon initial (76%) or follow-up OCT, as early as 2 days after the onset of symptoms. A total of 24 of 25 patients (96%) demonstrated deposits in the external limiting membrane upon a follow-up OCT, as early as 7 days from symptoms appearing. A total of 24 of 25 patients (96%) developed intraretinal deposits in the inner segment/outer segment layer upon follow-up OCT, appearing as early as 14 days after symptom onset. At the time of resolution of subretinal fluid, 20 of 25 patients (80%) demonstrated intraretinal deposits. CONCLUSION Intraretinal deposits are present in the outer retinal layers in patients with acute CSC, with the deposits appearing progressively deeper within the retina as the condition evolves. Upon resolution of subretinal fluid, the deposits slowly resolve.
Interaction of Phenol-Soluble Modulins with Phosphatidylcholine Vesicles

Several members of the staphylococcal phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptide family exhibit pronounced capacities to lyse eukaryotic cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, and erythrocytes. This is commonly assumed to be due to the amphipathic, α-helical structure of PSMs, giving PSMs detergent-like characteristics and allowing for a relatively non-specific destruction of biological membranes. However, the capacities of PSMs to lyse synthetic phospholipid vesicles have not been investigated. Here, we analyzed lysis of synthetic phosphatidylcholine (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, POPC) vesicles by all Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis PSMs. In addition, we investigated the lytic capacities of culture filtrates obtained from different S. aureus PSM deletion mutants toward POPC vesicles. Our results show that all staphylococcal PSMs have phospholipid vesicle-lysing activity and the capacity of S. aureus culture filtrate to lyse POPC vesicles is exclusively dependent on PSMs. Notably, we observed largely differing capacities among PSM peptides to lyse POPC vesicles. Interestingly, POPC vesicle-lytic capacities did not correlate with those previously seen for the lysis of eukaryotic cells. For example, the β-type PSMs were strongly lytic for POPC vesicles, but are known to exhibit only very low lytic capacities toward neutrophils and erythrocytes. Thus our results also suggest that the interaction between PSMs and eukaryotic membranes is more specific than previously assumed, potentially depending on additional structural features of those membranes, such as phospholipid composition or yet unidentified docking molecules.
Lipotropes (methyl nutrients) inhibit growth of feline lymphoma in vitro

Feline lymphoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumors in cats. Lipotropes are dietary methyl donors that may modulate DNA methylation status and the expression of genes involved in growth and apoptosis of feline lymphoma cells. The specific objective of the study was to determine if lipotropes affect the growth of feline lymphoma cells, which entailed examining a correlation between lymphoma cell proliferation and apoptosis. F1B and FeLV-3281 cells were cultured and treated with 20 times the level of lipotropes contained in the basal culture medium. Cell growth and death and caspase 3 and tumor protein p53 activity were measured. Lipotropes were found to significantly reduce cell growth; increased cell death and caspase 3 and p53 activity was seen in F1B cells after 72 h, but the effect was minimal on FeLV-3281. These results could be useful in the development of dietary strategies for treating and preventing feline lymphoma.
An ultra-low energy method for rapidly pre-concentrating microalgae.

Abstract This study demonstrates that Nannochloropsis sp. can be effectively separated from its growth medium (0.2–0.3 g/L) using electro-coagulation–flocculation in a 100 mL batch reactor with nickel electrodes and a treatment time of only 4 s. Minimum energy density input for effective separation is 0.03 kWh/m 3 . Both energy input and treatment time are much smaller than reported elsewhere. The process results in rapid separation of microalgae (over 90% in 120 min) with minimal damage to algal cells (>90% still alive after processing). At around 4 V input, algae can be effectively separated even in very low concentrations. Pulsing is equally effective in separating microalgae as continuous direct current of same magnitude and total exposure time. Algae can separate from their growth medium even if the suspension itself is not treated, but is mixed with treated saltwater with same conductivity. The described method has significant advantages including applicability to continuous processing and water reuse.
β1-Integrin-Collagen Interaction Suppresses FoxO3a by the Coordination of Akt and PP2A

When cells attach to the extracellular matrix (ECM) a proliferation permissive signal is engaged. The mechanism involves activation of the integrin/PI3K/Akt signal pathway. FoxO3a is a transcriptional activator and inhibits cell proliferation via up-regulating the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. Furthermore, it is known that activated Akt can suppress FoxO3a function. However, it is not known whether integrin interaction with the ECM regulates FoxO3a function. We examined whether the β1-integrin-mediated signaling pathway promotes fibroblast proliferation via FoxO3a suppression. We found that when fibroblasts are attached to collagen, PTEN protein expression and activity are inhibited due to promotion of PTEN degradation. This decrease in PTEN function permits FoxO3a suppression via the PI3K/Akt pathway. In contrast, the inhibition of PI3K/Akt or reconstitution of PTEN restores FoxO3a expression on collagen. Furthermore, we found that the serine/threonine phosphatase PP2A also regulates FoxO3a. PP2A expression/activity is low when fibroblasts are attached to collagen, and PP2A overexpression augments FoxO3a levels. Thus the mechanism involves a coordinated decrease in PTEN and PP2A phosphatase activity and increase in PI3K/Akt activity. We show that β1-integrin-ECM interaction decreases FoxO3a protein levels via caspase-3-mediated cleavage. Our novel finding indicates that during fibroblast interaction with ECM, activation of β1-integrin/PI3K/Akt by inhibiting PTEN in combination with low PP2A phosphatase activity synergistically inhibits FoxO3a, promoting fibroblast proliferation.
Experimental Testing of a Thermoelectric-Based Hydronic Cooling and Heating Device With Transient Charging of Sensible Thermal Energy Storage Water Tank

Experiments were performed to charge either cold or hot water thermal energy storage tanks using a heat exchanger equipped with multiple thermoelectric (TE) modules. The primary objective was to design a simple, but effective, modular Peltier heat pump system component to provide chilled or hot water for domestic use at the appliance level, and when arranged in multiple unit combinations, a system that can potentially satisfy small home cooling and heating requirements. Moreover, when the TEs are directly energized using solar PV panels, the system provides a renewable, pollution free and off-the-grid solution to supplement home energy needs. The present work focuses on the design and testing of a thermoelectric heat exchanger component that consists of two water channels machined from two aluminum plates with an array of three or five thermoelectric modules placed in between to transiently cool and/or heat the water in the thermal energy storage tank. The water passing over either the cold or hot side of the TE modules is recirculated to charge the cold or hot thermal storage tank, respectively. The temperatures in the prototype Peltier heat exchanger test component and thermal energy water storage tank were measured during both cold tank charging and hot tank charging operation. The thermal efficiencies of TE heat pump cooling/heating system are reported. The effects of TE power input, number of TE units and rate of fluid flow are studied.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Abstract Introduction Active surveillance is the standard alternative to immediate curative intervention in men with low risk prostate cancer. It avoids unnecessary treatments while allowing for curative intervention in cases that progress with time and it has added total cost savings without compromising outcomes compared to immediate treatment. Methods The 3 foci of the PPACA are to increase access to health care, improve quality of health care delivery and decrease costs. Results Multiple aspects of the PPACA are likely to impact the choice and delivery of active surveillance for prostate cancer management. Conclusions Programs including value based purchasing, episode based payments and accountable care organizations as well as increasing use of electronic health records may help promote the delivery of quality, efficient care for Americans. Active surveillance fits well in this model and becomes an attractive option for managing prostate cancer in the new health care environment.
Models of hierarchically constrained dynamics for glassy relaxation

A class of models for relaxation in strongly interacting glassy materials is suggested. Degrees of freedom are divided into a sequence of levels such that those in level $n+1$ are locked except when some of those in level $n$ find the right combination to release them, this representing the hierarchy of constraints in real systems. The Kohlrausch anomalous relaxation law, $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{t}{\ensuremath{\tau}})}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}]$, emerges naturally, and a maximum time scale is found which exhibits a Vogel-Fulcher-type temperature dependence.
Pathophysiology of Gap Junctions in Heart Disease

Electrical coupling between cardiac muscle cells is mediated by specialized sites of plasma membrane interaction termed gap junctions. These junctions consist of clusters of membrane channels that directly link the cytoplasmic compartments of neighboring cells. Each gap-junctional channel consists of two connexons, one from each of the interacting plasma membranes, extending across the narrow extracellular gap. Connexons are constructed from connexins, a multigene family of conserved proteins. Different connexins confer specific electrophysiologic characteristics on the assembled channel protein. The major connexin of the mammalian heart is connexin43, although other types of connexins are also expressed, notably connexin40 in myocytes of the atrioventricular conduction system. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of anti-connexin43 immunolabeled samples reveals two major abnormalities in myocardial gap junctions in ischemic heart disease: loss of the usual ordered distribution of gap junctions at border zones adjacent to infarct scars, and reduction in the quantity of connexin43 gap junctions in myocardium distant from the infarct. These and other changes reported in myocardial gap-junctional communication pathways following infarction may result in heterogeneous anisotropic conduction and reduced conduction velocity, thereby forming a proarrhythmic substrate. Current evidence suggests that reduction in connexin43 content is a general pathogenetic feature of cardiac disease, and that changes in the expression levels of other connexin types may contribute to altered electrophysiologic function in the diseased heart.
Spin Hall switching of the magnetization in Ta/TbFeCo structures with bulk perpendicular anisotropy

Spin-orbit torques are studied in Ta/TbFeCo/MgO patterned structures, where the ferrimagnetic material TbFeCo provides a strong bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (bulk-PMA) independent of the interfaces. The current-induced magnetization switching in TbFeCo is investigated in the presence of a perpendicular, longitudinal, or transverse field. An unexpected partial-switching phenomenon is observed in the presence of a transverse field unique to our bulk-PMA material. It is found that the anti-damping torque related with spin Hall effect is very strong, and a spin Hall angle is determined to be 0.12. The field-like torque related with Rashba effect is unobservable, suggesting that the interface play a significant role in Rashba-like torque.
Microsomal membrane structure and function subsequent to calcium activation of an endogenous phospholipase.

Abstract An endogenous system in the membranes of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum is capable upon Ca 2+ activation of considerable disruption of normal structure and function. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and to a lesser extent phosphatidylcholine (PC) are degraded to hydrophilic products. This lipid loss is greater at an alkaline pH, preferentially utilizes millimolar Ca 2+ rather than Mg 2+ ions, and is inhibited by KCl. Diethyl ether has no effect on the rate of loss of PE or PC, and the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 does not lower the Ca 2+ requirement. Phospholipids are most likely lost from the membranes in a two-step process. Lysophospholipids generated in the first, Ca 2+ -dependent step are removed by an endogenous lysophospholipase demonstrated by the hydrolysis of either added lyso PE or lysophospholipids generated from endogenous substrates by Naja naja phospholipase A 2 . The depletion of microsomal membrane phospholipid is accompanied by a loss of glucose 6-phosphatase and of cytochrome P -450. The latter is not associated with any change in total heme content. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed no difference between the pattern or relative amounts of solubilized membrane proteins before or after depletion of membrane phospholipid. It is concluded that activation of an endogenous phospholipase by Ca 2+ can result in significant depletion of PE and PC that is accompanied by considerable disruption of membrane function. The significance of this system with respect to the maintenance of cell integrity and its possible role in cell injury are discussed.
Childhood farm injuries in old-order Amish families

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disabilities in the United States among children, with the incidence even greater among children who live on a farm. Information exists about farming accidents on mainstream U.S. farms; however, little is known about the Amish farms. The purpose of this study was to investigate injuries among Old-Order Amish in Pennsylvania. Teachers in Amish schools were surveyed about their experiences with accidents/injuries among children on the farm. Seventy percent of the teachers reported a childhood farm injury in their family, with the majority attributing this to farm animals. Injuries may be preventable if age-appropriate tasks are assigned to children and they are properly supervised.
Role of the Gp16 lytic transglycosylase motif in bacteriophage T7 virions at the initiation of infection

The predicted catalytic glutamate residue for transglycosylase activity of bacteriophage T7 gp16 is not essential for phage growth, but is shown to be beneficial during infection of Escherichia coli cells grown to high cell density, conditions in which murein is more highly cross-linked. In the absence of the putative transglycosylase, internalization of the phage genome is significantly delayed during infection. The lytic transglycosylase motif of gp16 is essential for phage growth at temperatures below 20 degrees C, indicating that these growth conditions also lead to increased cross-linking of peptidoglycan. Overexpression of sltY, E. coli soluble lytic transglycosylase, partially complements the defect in infection of mutant phage particles, allowing them to infect at higher efficiencies. Conversely, an sltY deletion increases the latent period of wild-type phage.
Support for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Full Inclusion Classrooms Through Self-Management

The literature has suggested that without the implementation of support procedures, placements of children with severe disabilities in full-inclusion classrooms are often unsuccessful. This study a...
Radar Terminal Descent Sensor Performance During Mars Science Laboratory Landing

The Mars Science Laboratory landing architecture relies on unprecedented onboard ground-relative navigation accuracy, which is provided by the Terminal Descent Sensor. The Terminal Descent Sensor is a Ka-band landing radar that was developed specifically for the Mars Science Laboratory. It employs six narrow-beam antennas to provide high-precision line-of-sight range and velocity measurements over a challenging operational envelope that encompasses the dynamics of terminal descent, the uncertain surface properties at the landing site, and the space environment. Telemetry from landing shows that the radar generally performed very well, with measurement characteristics that match high-fidelity simulations quite closely. Two features in the radar telemetry were not predicted, although they did not adversely affect the landing. These were 1) sporadic velocity errors during the sky-crane phase that were likely caused by the motion of surface material kicked up by the thruster plumes of the descent vehicle and ...
Mitigating Moral Hazard in Entrepreneurial Networks: Examining Structural and Relational Social Capital in East Africa:

Entrepreneurial networks and family firm researchers are testing the limits of current understanding by investigating relationships in a variety of non-Western contexts. We extend Khayesi, George, and Antonakis's model of resource accumulation to include the relational dimension of an entrepreneur's social capital network to elaborate more fully entrepreneurial kinship network types. The propensity for moral hazard associated with each network type is explicated, and mechanisms for mitigating the cost/benefit of such dysfunctions are addressed.
Receiver operating characteristic analysis of sensitivity in neural systems

Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the associated theory of signal detectability provide objective means of examining the sensitivity of the noisy nonlinear neural elements in sensory systems.
A Proposed Mechanism for p-Aminoclonidine Allergenicity Based on Its Relative Oxidative Lability

p-Aminoclonidine (apraclonidine) is a selective alpha 2 adrenergic agonist used to reduce intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma. Use of apraclonidine is frequently associated with severe local allergic effects which warrant discontinuation of the drug in affected patients. We have assessed the oxidative lability of apraclonidine relative to a panel of adrenergic agonists and/or known allergens; amodiaquine, epinephrine, clonidine, and brimonidine. These compounds were compared by their electrochemical potentials as well as their oxidative lability in the presence of several oxidative enzyme systems (i.e., horseradish peroxidase, lactoperoxidase, myeloperoxidase, and diamine oxidase). The half-lives for enzymatic oxidation of these compounds were found to parallel the electrochemical oxidation potentials in the order: amodiaquine approximately epinephrine < apraclonidine << clonidine approximately brimonidine. The production of a reactive electrophilic intermediate of apraclonidine was demonstrated through the formation of two glutathione apraclonidine adducts from the horseradish peroxidase/H2O2-mediated oxidation of apraclonidine in the presence of glutathione. A mechanism for apraclonidine allergenicity in vivo is proposed wherein apraclonidine is bioactivated through oxidation to the bis-iminoquinone followed by protein conjugation to form an apraclonidine-protein hapten that elicits the immune response.
Structure of an η1 nickel O-enolate: Mechanistic implications in catalytic enyne cyclizations

Two metallacycles derived from the oxidative cyclization of nickel(0) with an alkynyl enal have been isolated and fully characterized. The metallacycles obtained possess an η1 nickel O-enolate motif within the metallacyclic framework.
Therapeutic options for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are at higher risk for adverse events related to treatment of their disease. Chemotherapeutic agents used alone or together may increase survival, while leading to increased treatment related morbidity. New targeted agents used to treat NSCLC have yet to show sufficient improvement in disease outcomes. This review will discuss the current management of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The proactive brain: Using rudimentary information to make predictive judgments

In a recent Cognitive neuroscience framework we proposed to consider the human brain as proactive, in that it continuously generates predictions about what to expect in the environment. These continuous predictions are extremely rapid, and depend on similarities between novel inputs and the closest familiar representations stored in memory. For example, if you see a chair that you have never seen before, you can still determine what it is, its function, approximate weight, approximate price, and other such characteristics. To derive these analogies rapidly we rely on surprisingly little information. This paper provides a theoretical expansion of our work by describing studies and ideas that collectively synthesize to illustrate this unifying principle of the human brain. We specify the nature of the information used to form impressions, preferences, judgments and predictions, propose neural circuits that mediate these vital mental skills, and derive novel hypotheses that can be tested in the future. This proposal implies that mental life and behavior are guided by ‘‘scripts,’’ which are developed with experience and stored in memory. This framework has broad ramifications, ranging from clinical psychology and mental illness, to the study of consumer behavior. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Responses of eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] forage quality to nitrogen application and harvest system

ABSTRACTEastern gamagrass is a warm-season perennial with good forage yield and quality, but both may be increased with nitrogen (N) fertilization. The effects of N and harvest management on neutral- and acid-detergent fibers (NDF and ADF), lignin, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and crude protein (CP) were studied. Nitrogen (0, 50, or 100 kg ha−1) was applied by broadcasting or knife placement, and forage was harvested from 1- or 2-cut systems. Data were obtained during four years of N treatment, and three intervening years with no N treatment. Neutral- and acid-detergent fibers and lignin were usually lower, and IVDMD and CP were generally higher in the 2-cut than in the 1-cut system. Increasing N affected forage quality in minor ways, except for CP. When 100 kg ha−1 was applied, CP was increased over no N by 0.14 in the 1-cut system and by 0.25 in cut 1 of the 2-cut system.
Bone density, geometry, microstructure, and stiffness: Relationships between peripheral and central skeletal sites assessed by DXA, HR-pQCT, and cQCT in premenopausal women

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a new in vivo imaging technique for assessing 3D microstructure of cortical and trabecular bone at the distal radius and tibia. No studies have investigated the extent to which measurements of the peripheral skeleton by HR-pQCT reflect those of the spine and hip, where the most serious fractures occur. To address this research question, we performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), central QCT (cQCT), HR-pQCT, and image-based finite-element analyses on 69 premenopausal women to evaluate relationships among cortical and trabecular bone density, geometry, microstructure, and stiffness of the lumbar spine, proximal femur, distal radius, and distal tibia. Significant correlations were found between the stiffness of the two peripheral sites (r = 0.86), two central sites (r = 0.49), and between the peripheral and central skeletal sites (r = 0.56-0.70). These associations were explained in part by significant correlations in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and cross-sectional area (CSA) between the multiple skeletal sites. For the prediction of proximal femoral stiffness, vBMD (r = 0.75) and stiffness (r = 0.69) of the distal tibia by HR-pQCT were comparable with direct measurements of the proximal femur: aBMD of the hip by DXA (r = 0.70) and vBMD of the hip by cQCT (r = 0.64). For the prediction of vertebral stiffness, trabecular vBMD (r = 0.58) and stiffness (r = 0.70) of distal radius by HR-pQCT were comparable with direct measurements of lumbar spine: aBMD by DXA (r = 0.78) and vBMD by cQCT (r = 0.67). Our results suggest that bone density and microstructural and mechanical properties measured by HR-pQCT of the distal radius and tibia reflect the mechanical competence of the central skeleton.
American Indian Education: Historical Perspective

Early in the summer of 1983, I attended a conference on American Indian education held in New York City. Almost all of those invited were Indian educators. Hence, I welcomed the opportunity to listen and observe. One impression struck me. The issues at the forefront of the discussion were the same issues that I had frequently encountered during 14 years of research and writing in the field. Participants discussed public insensitivity to Native cultures, problems of funding, the dilemma of languages, inadequate preparation for various levels of school, the selfimage of the Native child, school retention, the curriculum and its relevance, cultural diversification, teacher response, and the influence of the home.
A new fundamental solution for differential Riccati equations arising in control

The matrix differential Riccati equation (DRE) is ubiquitous in control and systems theory. The presence of the quadratic term implies that a simple linear-systems fundamental solution does not exist. Of course it is well-known that the Bernoulli substitution may be applied to obtain a linear system of doubled size. Here, however, tools from max-plus analysis and semiconvex duality are brought to bear on the DRE. We consider the DRE as a finite-dimensional solution to a deterministic linear/quadratic control problem. Taking the semiconvex dual of the associated semigroup, one obtains the solution operator as a max-plus integral operator with quadratic kernel. The kernel is equivalently represented as a matrix. Using the semigroup property of the dual operator, one obtains a matrix operation whereby the kernel matrix propagates as a semigroup. The propagation forward is through some simple matrix operations. This time-indexed family of matrices forms a new fundamental solution for the DRE. Solution for any initial condition is obtained by a few matrix operations on the fundamental solution and the initial condition. In analogy with standard-algebra linear systems, the fundamental solution can be viewed as an exponential form over a certain idempotent semiring. This fundamental solution has a particularly nice control interpretation, and might lead to improved DRE solution speeds.
The Moral Arguments against Military Research

Insanity in individuals is something rare-but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule. Friedrich Nietzsche SUMMARY Military research has become part of the established order in scientific inquiry throughout the world. Because of the awesome power of the military arsenals and the potential for ending or altering many forms of life, the questions associated with military research cannot be regarded as purely scientific or political. More than in any previous period of history, the issues associated with military research have become a moral problem. It is argued that the moral responsibilities of scientists are not altered because a country has a more democratic form of government. In fact, scientists with the most personal freedom should be the ones pressing the moral arguments against military research. It is further argued that research tends to follow paths pointed out by authorities, and when that authority is the military the research will always have unwanted side effects that are immoral and counterproductive for the scientific enterprise and the well-being of the citizenry of that country. The problems raised by military research bring to the fore basic issues associated with the appropriate size and funding of a country's scientific enterprise, and the question of how best to achieve the goals associated with that enterprise.
Grading New York Accountability and Student Proficiency in America’s Largest School District

This article uses a regression discontinuity approach to study the influence of New York City’s school grading policy on student math and English language arts (ELA) achievement. We find evidence t...
The pathophysiology of genuine stress incontinence

Urinary continence in the female is maintained as long as intraurethral pressure exceeds bladder pressure. The elements which maintain this condition at rest and during stress include: internal urethral sphincter, external urethral sphincter, anatomic support of the urethrovesical junction, and intact innervation. Urethral junction and presence of genuine stress incontinence may be best assessed by measurement of resting and stress urethral closure pressure profiles using multichannel urodynamic testing. The findings subsequent to urethral closure pressure profilometry influence the kind of therapy selected, including types of surgery, when this treatment option is chosen.
Advanced design of broadband distributed amplifier using a SiGe BiCMOS technology

In this paper, we present the design of an integrated distributed amplifier for optical communication applications using SiGe BiCMOS technology. The design of some of the passive devices of the circuit has been achieved from full-wave electromagnetic simulation and a novel equivalent circuit. We considered discontinuity effects to reduce parasitics at high frequency. The designed SiGe BiCMOS amplifier exhibits an available power gain of 7 dB from 0.5 GHz to 22 GHz. The accurate electromagnetic consideration can be applied to System-On-Chip (SoC) application in order to reduce parasitics.
Fetal Hippocampal Grafts Containing CA3 Cells Restore Host Hippocampal Glutamate Decarboxylase-Positive Interneuron Numbers in a Rat Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Degeneration of CA3-pyramidal neurons in hippocampus after intracerebroventricular kainic acid (KA) administration, a model of temporal lobe epilepsy, results in hyperexcitability within both dentate gyrus and the CA1 subfield. It also leads to persistent reductions in hippocampal glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) interneuron numbers without diminution in Nissl-stained interneuron numbers, indicating loss of GAD expression in a majority of interneurons. We hypothesize that enduring loss of GAD expression in hippocampal interneurons after intracerebroventricular KA is attributable to degeneration of their CA3 afferent input; therefore, fetal CA3 grafts can restore GAD interneuron numbers through graft axon reinnervation of the host. We analyzed GAD interneuron density in the adult rat hippocampus at 6 months after KA administration after grafting of fetal mixed hippocampal, CA3 or CA1 cells into the CA3 region at 45 d after lesion, in comparison with “lesion-only” and intact hippocampus. In dentate and CA1 regions of the lesioned hippocampus receiving grafts of either mixed hippocampal or CA3 cells, GAD interneuron density was both significantly greater than lesion-only hippocampus and comparable with the intact hippocampus. In the CA3 region, GAD interneuron density was significantly greater than lesion-only hippocampus but less than the intact hippocampus. Collectively, the overall GAD interneuron density in the lesioned hippocampus receiving either mixed hippocampal or CA3 grafts was restored to that in the intact hippocampus. In contrast, GADinterneuron density in the lesioned hippocampus receiving CA1 grafts remained comparable with lesion-only hippocampus. Thus, grafts containing CA3 cells restore CA3 lesion-induced depletions in hippocampal GAD interneurons, likely by reinnervation of GAD-deficient interneurons. This specific graft-mediated effect is beneficial because reactivation of interneurons could ameliorate both loss of functional inhibition and hyperexcitability in CA3-lesioned hippocampus.
Interactions between tobacco mosaic virus and the tobacco N gene

The interaction between tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and tobacco harbouring the N gene is a classical system for studying gene–for–gene interactions in disease resistance. The N gene confers resistance to TMV by mediating defence responses that function to limit viral replication and movement. We isolated the N gene and determined that N belongs to the nucleotide–binding–site–leucine–rich–repeat (NBS–LRR) class of plant disease resistance genes, and encodes both full–length and truncated proteins. Sequence homologies and mutagenesis studies indicated a signalling role for the N protein similar to that seen for proteins involved in defence responses in insects and mammals. The N gene confers resistance to TMV in transgenic tomato, demonstrating the use of the NBS–LRR class of disease resistance genes in engineering crop resistance. From the pathogen side of this interaction, the TMV 126 kDa replicase protein has been implicated as the avirulence factor that triggers N –mediated defence responses. We employed Agrobacterium –mediated expression strategies to demonstrate that expression of the putative helicase region of the replicase protein is sufficient to elicit N –mediated defences. The thermosensitivity of the N –mediated response to TMV is retained when induced by expression of this replicase fragment. Thus, both components of this gene–for–gene interaction are now available for studies that address the molecular mechanisms involved in N –mediated TMV resistance.
A Different Class of Witnesses: Experts in the Courtroom

This investigation examines the discursive history and contemporary courtroom discourse of expert witnesses in Anglo-American courts, incorporating the methods of Michel Foucault into a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework. The history of experts is marked by a profound discontinuity in the role of experts, during the late medieval period, with experts relegated to a witness role instead of a juror role - that of the privately knowledgeable investigator - they previously held. Examination of the discourse of contemporary experts in three high-profile US trials documents a different witness status for experts along three parameters: amplification of question responses; the use of the contrastive discourse marker well to express professional disagreement with their interlocutors; and the embedding of professional practices into so clauses. These parameters stand in sharp contrast to ordinary witness discourse. The study concludes with a discussion of the stakes in legal control of expert witnesses in...