cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupling wavelength assignment in bidirectional lightpath: Is it worth the extra cost?

The introduction of end-to-end (multi hop) optical circuits (lightpaths) is often seen as the natural extension of a point-to-point (single hop) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission system, spanning across optical cross-connect nodes. Conventionally, a bidirectional lightpath (whether single or multi hop) comprises two lambda channels in fibers with opposite directions of signal propagation, which are assigned the same wavelength. This constraint is referred to as identical wavelength in bidirectional lightpath (IWBL). While IWBL is a natural and historical choice in point-to-point system, the authors are going to demonstrate that IWBL may unnecessarily increase the number of wavelength converters (WCs), which are required to establish lightpaths in the WDM network when the wavelength continuity constraint cannot be met. In the study, the IWBL constraint is relaxed, thus allowing the assignment of two distinct wavelengths to the same lightpath, one for each direction. A wavelength assignment (WA) algorithm is designed to both take advantage of the IWBL constraint relaxation and minimize the required number of WCs to establish a given set of lightpaths. The algorithm is then applied to a number of network topologies. The outcome is quite surprising, in that the amount of WC reduction obtained by relaxation of the IWBL constraint may be significant under certain conditions.
Bounds for the group velocity of electromagnetic signals in two phase materials

Abstract The energy associated with an electromagnetic signal travels in general with the group velocity. We consider the group velocity of a composite and ask the question whether the group velocity in the composite can be higher than in either of the constituent phases. Here we show that it can, and by a large factor. The key point is that the group velocity depends on both the refractive index and the dispersion. By combining one phase with high refractive index and low dispersion with another phase with low refractive index and high dispersion, the composite can be made to exhibit comparatively low refractive index and low dispersion and hence a large group velocity. In particular this can be realized when the dispersion relations of both phases are described by a Lorentzian model and one phase is close to resonance. The ‘speed-up’ is largest in a laminate microgeometry, but can be made large also in isotropic microstructures, described by a Maxwell–Garnett model. These geometries attain the bounds on the speed-up that we derive. The group velocity can also be smaller in the composite than in the phases and we derive bounds for the possible ‘slow-down’. These bounds are attained by similar geometries as those that realize the optimal bounds for the speed-up.
Word of mouth model of sales

In this paper, I develop a model of the dynamic pricing of a monopolist while information about its product is diffusing through word of mouth. Individuals who purchase the product engage in word of mouth with their friends. The main result establishes that prices optimally fluctuate over time. A monopolist sets prices over time to balance extracting profits in the short term with increasing information diffusion through word of mouth and thereby the population of potential consumers in the future. The key state variable for determining this tradeoff is the distribution of valuations of the individuals on the edge of the diffusion. This distribution of valuations is determined by the history of prices and changes over time. Our analysis reveals that prices must move up and down infinitely often.
Organochlorine insecticides: impacts on human HepG2 cytochrome P4501A, 2B activities and glutathione levels.

Abstract This study examined the effects of the organochlorine (OC) insecticides chlordane, o,p′-DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan, kepone, methoxychlor, and toxaphene on human HepG2 cytochrome P450 (1A-EROD and 2B-PROD) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels. Cells were exposed for 24 h at high concentrations (1, 5 or 10 mM) and for 48 h at lower concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1 mM to evaluate dose responses. Our results show that after 48 h all but dieldrin significantly induced both P4501A and 2B. P4502B responses were greater at all exposure concentrations and times. Mixed responses in GSH levels were observed. All OCs except dieldrin and MXC significantly depleted GSH after 24 h. At 48 h, chlordane, endosulfan and toxaphene significantly increased GSH at low levels and decreased GSH at high levels, while kepone and methoxychlor produced significant declines in GSH at all concentrations. These results support findings of OC insecticides inducing CYP1A, 2B in rats, with CYP2B responses more important. GSH levels declined when P4502B activity was significantly elevated and were significantly increased in the absence of significant P450 activity, suggesting that GSH levels influence the catalytic activity of the cytochrome P450s and the cytochrome P450s influence the cell’s ability to regulate GSH.
A simple computational method for performance prediction of tip-controlled horizontal axis wind turbines

Abstract A simplified flow model is presented and used for the performance prediction of tip-controlled horizontal axis with turbines. The wake of the turbine is modeled by a system of trailing vortex lines which emanate from junction points of the bound vortex system of the blade. These trailing vortices are assumed to roll-up quickly. The rolled-up wake is modelled by a number of vortex rings. The resulting flow model is supplemented with a gap loss model. A consistent vortex wake geometry-induced flowfield is obtained by iterating solutions in different parts of the flowfield to a composite solution until convergence is achieved. Selected results of the present method are compared with existing experimental performance data obtained at the National Aeronautics Administration and Space Wind Turbine Facility in Sandusky, OH. In addition, the predictions are compared with results obtained by another numerical method and by a recent gap loss correction model. The predictions are in good agreement with both sets of data.
Bacterial endocarditis in congenital heart disease.

Abstract A study was made of 38 patients who developed bacterial endocarditis as a complication of congenital heart disease; in these patients, who were seen from 1947 through 1960, the staphylococcus was the infecting organism found most frequently. All patients presented with fever, and 79 per cent developed splenomegaly at sometime during the illness. Embolic manifestations often masked the underlying disease. Congenital anomalies, which cause significant pressure gradients and jet effects across defects or valves, predispose to endocarditis. Penicillin in adequate doses, together with streptomycin, is the mainstay of treatment and should be administered from 3 to 4 weeks. On occasion, other antibiotics are added. Seventy-nine per cent of the patients survived hospitalization. Only 1 patient died subsequent to discharge. With the exception of 4 patients who were lost to follow-up, the others are alive, 1 month to 12 years after hospitalization.
Directional correlations of gamma rays in 125Sb following the decay of 9.6 d 125gSn

Abstract A decay scheme for 9.6 d 125gSn has been constructed that includes 20 previously unobserved γ-rays and two new levels. The angular correlation functions were determined for nine cascades and were utilized in conjunction with other data to establish spins and parities for nine levels. The level scheme is discussed in the context of the particle-core coupling model and the superconductor model.
High-performance 0.25-um CMOS technology for fast SRAMs

A high performance 0.25 micrometers CMOS process has been developed for fast static RAMs. This technology features retrograde wells, shallow trench isolation scalable to a 0.45 micrometers active pitch, surface channel 0.25 micrometers NMOS and PMOS transistors with a 55 angstroms nitrided gate oxide providing drive currents of 630 and 300 (mu) A/micrometers respectively at off-leakages of 10 pA/micrometers , overgated TFTs with an on/off ratio greater than 6(DOT)10 5 , stacked capacitors for improved SER protection, five levels of polysilicon planarized by chemical-mechanical polishing with two self-aligned interpoly contacts, 0.35 micrometers contacts and a 0.625 metal pitch. In this technology, a triple well structure was used for SER protection. High energy retrograde wells were integrated with shallow trench isolation and epi providing excellent interwell isolation for both leakage and latch-up down to n+/p+ spaces of 0.60 micrometers . PMOS transistors were scaled to a physical gate length of 0.1 micrometers while maintaining excellent short channel characteristics. A split word-line bitcell was scaled to 1.425 micrometers X 2.625 micrometers equals 3.74 micrometers 2 using 0.25 micrometers rules. A tungsten interpoly plug was used to connect the PMOS TFT loads to the underlying NMOS latch gates without a parasitic diode or dopant interdiffusion, connecting 3 polysilicon layers with self-aligned isolation from an intervening polysilicon layer used as a local interconnect. With this plug, TFT drive currents were greatly improved, particularly at low voltages and the memory nodes pulled to the fully supply voltage. Functional 0.25 micrometers bitcells were demonstrated and with an LDD resistor it was possible to double the cell stability. Bitcell simulation was used to demonstrate that a 4T bitcell will be stable at 2.5 V but that a word-line boost will be required for 1.8 V operation.
Turbulence considerations for comparing ecosystem exchange over old-growth and clear-cut stands for limited fetch and complex canopy flow conditions

Carbon dioxide, water vapor and energy fluxes were measured using eddy covariance (EC) methodology over three adjacent forests in southern Washington State to identify stand-level age-effects on ecosystem exchange. The sites represent Douglas-fir forest ecosystems at two contrasting successional stages: old-growth (OG) and early seral (ES). Here we present eddy flux and meteorological data from two early seral stands and the Wind River AmeriFlux old-growth forest during the growing season (March-October) in 2006 and 2007. We show an alternative approach to the usual friction velocity (u*) method for determining periods of adequate atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) mixing based on the ratio of mean horizontal ({bar u}) and vertical ({bar w}) wind flow to a modified turbulent kinetic energy scale (uTKE). This new parameter in addition to footprint modeling showed that daytime CO{sub 2} fluxes (F{sub NEE}) in small clear-cuts (< 10 hectares) can be measured accurately with EC if micrometeorological conditions are carefully evaluated. Peak midday CO{sub 2} fluxes (F{sub NEE} = -14.0 to -12.3 {micro}mol m{sup -2} s{sup -1}) at OG were measured in April in both 2006 and 2007 before bud break when air and soil temperatures and vapor pressure deficit were relatively low, and soil moisture andmore » light levels were favorable for photosynthesis. At the early seral stands, peak midday CO{sub 2} fluxes (F{sub NEE} = -11.0 to -8.7 {micro}mol m{sup -2} s{sup -1}) were measured in June and July while spring-time CO{sub 2} fluxes were much smaller (F{sub NEE} = -3.8 to -3.6 {micro}mol m{sup -2} s{sup -1}). Overall, we measured lower evapotranspiration (OG = 230 mm; ES = 297 mm) higher midday F{sub NEE} (OG F{sub NEE} = -9.0 {micro}mol m{sup -2} s{sup -1}; ES F{sub NEE} = -7.3 {micro}mol m{sup -2} s{sup -1}) and higher Bowen ratios (OG {beta} = 2.0. ES {beta} = 1.2) at the old-growth forest than at the ES sites during the summer months (May-August). Eddy covariance studies such as ours add critical land-atmosphere exchange data for an abundant, but rarely studied Douglas-fir age class.« less
State Of The Art Of Infrared Detectors

The development of IR detectors will be traced from early polycrystalline film detectors to single crystal intrinsic detectors prepared from III-V compounds,as well as extrinsic detectors prepared from Ge and Si to the most recent detectors prepared from the ternary compounds HgCdTe and PbSnTe. The characteristics and methods for changing them to fill particular needs will be discussed.
Demographic Analysis of Lost River Sucker and Shortnose Sucker Populations in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Abstract We used 13 years (1995-2007) of capture-mark-recapture data to assess population dynamics of endangered Lost River suckers Deltistes luxatus and shortnose suckers Chasmistes brevirostris in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. The Cormack-Jolly-Seber method was used to estimate survival, and information theoretic modeling was used to assess variation due to time, gender, species, and spawning subpopulations. Length data were used to detect multiple year-class failures and events of high recruitment into adult spawning populations. Average annual survival probability was 0.88 for Lost River suckers and 0.76 for shortnose suckers. Mean life span estimates based on these survival rates indicated that Lost River suckers survived long enough on average to attempt reproduction eight times, whereas shortnose suckers only survived to spawn three to four times. Shortnose sucker survival was not only poor in years of fish kills (1995-1997) but also was low in years without fish kills (i.e., 2002 and 2004). This sug...
Optimality and stability of the K-hyperline clustering algorithm

K-hyperline clustering is an iterative algorithm based on singular value decomposition and it has been successfully used in sparse component analysis. In this paper, we prove that the algorithm converges to a locally optimal solution for a given set of training data, based on Lloyd's optimality conditions. Furthermore, the local optimality is shown by developing an Expectation-Maximization procedure for learning dictionaries to be used in sparse representations and by deriving the clustering algorithm as its special case. The cluster centroids obtained from the algorithm are proved to tessellate the space into convex Voronoi regions. The stability of clustering is shown by posing the problem as an empirical risk minimization procedure over a function class. It is proved that, under certain conditions, the cluster centroids learned from two sets of i.i.d. training samples drawn from the same probability space become arbitrarily close to each other, as the number of training samples increase asymptotically.
A New Impedance-Matched Wide-Band Balun and Magic Tee

A new wide-band microwave balun particularly attractive for microstrip circuitry is described in which the normally balanced line is in the form of a pair of equal-amplitude and antiphase unbalanced lines. This novel method of input-output coupling allows a coplanar arrangement of input and output microstrip lines. Often the balanced and unbalanced line impedances in a balun are unequal, necessitating an impedance-matching network. A first-order reflection coefficient theory that mutually considers the impedance effects of the balun cavity, a compensating stub, and a quarter-wave transformer is used to design wide-band impedance-matched baluns. Curves of VSWR versus bandwidth are presented for several balanced-to-unbalanced line-impedance ratios. Experimental results are given for an octave-band impedance-matched balun with a balanced-to-unbalanced impedance ratio of 2:1. The new wide-band balun is adaptable to a microstrip magic tee. A proposed magic tee that relies on circuit symmetry for operation has multioctave bandwidth potential.
Shyness and boldness in humans and other animals.

The shy-bold continuum is a fundamental axis of behavioral variation in humans and at least some other species, but its taxonomic distribution and evolutionary implications are unknown. Models of optimal risk, density- or frequency-dependent selection, and phenotypic plasticity can provide a theoretical framework for understanding shyness and boldness as a product of natural selection. We sketch this framework and review the few empirical studies of shyness and boldness in natural populations. The study of shyness and boldness adds an interesting new dimension to behavioral ecology by focusing on the nature of continuous behavioral variation that exists within the familiar categories of age, sex and size.
Removal of visual feedback alters muscle activity and reduces force variability during constant isometric contractions

The purpose of this study was to compare force accuracy, force variability and muscle activity during constant isometric contractions at different force levels with and without visual feedback and at different feedback gains. In experiment 1, subjects were instructed to accurately match the target force at 2, 15, 30, 50, and 70% of their maximal isometric force with abduction of the index finger and maintain their force even in the absence of visual feedback. Each trial lasted 22 s and visual feedback was removed from 8–12 to 16–20 s. Each subject performed 6 trials at each target force, half with visual gain of 51.2 pixels/N and the rest with a visual gain of 12.8 pixels/N. Force error was calculated as the root mean square error of the force trace from the target line. Force variability was quantified as the standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CVF) of the force trace. The EMG activity of the agonist (first dorsal interosseus; FDI) was measured with bipolar surface electrodes placed distal to the innervation zone. Independent of visual gain and force level, subjects exhibited lower force error with the visual feedback condition (2.53 ± 2.95 vs. 2.71 ± 2.97 N; P < 0.01); whereas, force variability was lower when visual feedback was removed (CVF: 4.06 ± 3.11 vs. 4.47 ± 3.14, P < 0.01). The EMG activity of the FDI muscle was higher during the visual feedback condition and this difference increased especially at higher force levels (70%: 370 ± 149 vs. 350 ± 143 μV, P < 0.01). Experiment 2 examined whether the findings of experiment 1 were driven by the higher force levels and proximity in the gain of visual feedback. Subjects performed constant isometric contractions with the abduction of the index finger at an absolute force of 2 N, with two distinct feedback gains of 15 and 3,000 pixels/N. In agreement with the findings of experiment 1, subjects exhibited lower force error in the presence of visual feedback especially when the feedback gain was high (0.057 ± 0.03 vs. 0.095 ± 0.05 N). However, force variability was not affected by the vastly distinct feedback gains at this force, which supported and extended the findings from experiment 1. Our findings demonstrate that although removal of visual feedback amplifies force error, it can reduce force variability during constant isometric contractions due to an altered activation of the primary agonist muscle most likely at moderate force levels in young adults.
Metalorganic Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Magnesium Oxide on Silicon

Epitaxial cubic MgO thin films were deposited on single crystal Si (001) substrates by metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) using the solid precursor magnesium acetylacetonate as the source and an RF excited oxygen plasma as the oxidant. The growth process involved initial formation of an epitaxial β-SiC interlayer followed by direct deposition of a MgO overlayer. The film structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction as well as conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Both the MgO overlayer and β-SiC interlayer had an epitaxial relationship such that MgO (001) (or SiC (001)) // Si (001) and MgO [110] (or SiC [110])// Si [110]. No evidence of an amorphous layer was observed at either the MgO/SiC or SiC/Si interface. Dielectric properties of the epitaxial MgO thin films on Si (001) were evaluated from capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristic of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures. The C-V measurements indicated an interface trap density at midgap as low as 1011 to 1012 cm−2 eV−1 and fixed oxide charge of the order of 1011/ cm2, respectively. These results indicate that epitaxial MgO deposited by MOMBE has potential as a gate insulator.
The Outlook for Creativity Tests.

The history of divergent-thinking tests suggests that in the future, new approaches to creativity testing need to be developed. This review proposes a situational theory of thinking skills that defines creativity as meaningful response to freedcm to find a problem and solve it in one's own way. Recent progress towards eventual design of a creativity test based on this defintion is reviewed, as are currently available and valid alternatives for the selection of creative talent.
Activation of Src Family Members Is Not Required for the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor β Receptor To Initiate Mitogenesis

The basal activity of Src family kinases is readily detectable throughout the cell cycle and increases by two- to fivefold upon acute stimulation of cells with growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor. Previous reports have demonstrated a requirement for Src activity for the G1/S and G2/M transitions. With a chimeric α-β PDGF receptor (PDGFR) expressed in fibroblasts, we have investigated the importance of the PDGF-mediated increase in Src activity at the G0/G1 transition for subsequent cell cycle events. A mutant PDGFR chimera that was not able to detectably associate with or activate Src was compromised in its ability to mediate tyrosine phosphorylation of receptor-associated signaling molecules and initiated a submaximal activation of Erk. In contrast to these early cell cycle events, later responses such as entry of cells into S phase and cell proliferation proceeded normally when Src activity did not increase following acute stimulation with PDGF. We conclude that the initial burst of Src activity is required for efficient tyrosine phosphorylation of receptor-associated proteins such as PLCγ, RasGAP, Shc, and SHP-2 and for maximal activation of Erk. Surprisingly, these events are not required for PDGF-dependent cell proliferation. Finally, later cell cycle events do not require that Src be activated at the G0/G1 transition and leave open the possibility that events such as the G1/S transition require the basal Src activity and/or activation of Src at later times in G1.
The fine structural localization of acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat parotid and sublingual glands.

The fine structural localization of acetylcholinesterase activity was studied in the rat parotid and sublingual glands. In both glands, reaction product was found in association with the axolemmae of stromal axons invested by Schwann cells and between the contact with effector cells. In the sublingual gland, reaction product was also found in association with surface vesicles and pits and the rough endoplasmic reticulum of myoepithelial cells.
Isolation from Rat Adipocytes of a Chemical Mediator for Insulin Activation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

Insulin treatment of adipocytes increased the amount or activity of a low molecular weight, acid-stable material which, when isolated from intact adipocytes by heat extraction and subsequent Sephadex G25 chromatography, yielded a single active fraction that stimulated mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase by activating the phosphatase and not by altering the kinase activity. Phosphatase activation was demonstrated by the ability of the active material to increase pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the absence of ATP and by the ability of NaF, a phosphatase inhibitor, to block this stimulation. Involvement of the kinase in this activation mechanism was eliminated by the fact that, in the presence of ATP, (1) NaF completely blocked the stimu ation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by the active fraction, and (2) the stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by dichloroacetic acid, akinase inhibitor, was add itive to the stimulation caused by the active fraction. This active fraction may contain an intracellular chemical mediator or second messenger for insulin.
Pheromone binding to general odorant-binding proteins from the navel orangeworm.

General odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs) of moths are postulated to be involved in the reception of semiochemicals other than sex pheromones, the so-called “general odorants.” We have expressed two GOBPs, AtraGOBP1 and AtraGOBP2, which were previously isolated from the antennae of the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella. Surprisingly, these two proteins did not bind compounds that are known to attract adult moths, particularly females. The proper folding and functionality of the recombinant proteins was inferred from circular dichroism analysis and demonstration that both GOBPs bound nonanal in a pH-dependent manner. EAG experiments demonstrated that female attractants (1-phenylethanol, propionic acid phenyl ester, and isobutyric acid phenyl ester) are detected with high sensitivity by the antennae of day-0 to day-4 adult females, with response declining in older moths. The same age-dependence was shown for male antennae responding to constituents of the sex pheromone. Interestingly, AtraGOBP2 bound the major constituent of the sex pheromone, Z11Z13-16Ald, with affinity comparable to that shown by a pheromone-binding protein, AtraPBP1. The related alcohol bound to AtraPBP1 with higher affinity than to AtraGOBP2. AtraGOBP1 bound both ligands with low but nearly the same affinity.
Ground States of Molecules. XXI. Mindo (2) Potential Surface for Ethane

A complete potential function has been calculated for ethane using the MINDO (2) method. All cross-terms are included as well as cubic and quartic terms to correct for anharmonicity. The force constants calculated for this function are in quite good agreement with those derived from the observed vibration frequencies and the calculated vibration frequencies agree correspondingly well with experiment.
Adjuvant Systemic Therapy for Early Breast Cancer: Progress and Controversies

The diagnosis and management of breast cancer have changed considerably over the past 4 decades. The introduction of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ovarian ablation) and adjuvant chemotherapy in the 1960s was a paradigm-changing event, based on improved understanding of the natural history of human
Shelf-Edge Submarine Banks in Gulf of Mexico--Their Paleoecology and Biostratigraphy: ABSTRACT

A series of submarine banks along the outer edge of the northern Gulf continental shelf are occupied by reefal foraminiferal assemblages. The majority of specimens at these localities are dead, but a sparse living community is present on the shallowest banks. The reefal assemblages contain many species that have not been reported previously from the Gulf of Mexico, but most are well known from shallow reefs in the Caribbean. Cores recovered from the tops of the banks reveal the paleoecologic and biostratigraphic record of sea level fluctuations during the late Quaternary. The mutual presence of large planktonic and benthonic faunules in the same core samples provides direct means for equating paleobathymetric and paleothermal changes that resulted from glacial-interglacia climatic events. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1902------------
Estimating aboveground biomass of broadleaved woody plants in the understory of Florida Keys pine forests

Species-specific allometric equations that provide estimates of biomass from measured plant attributes are currently unavailable for shrubs common to South Florida pine rocklands, where fire plays an important part in shaping the structure and function of ecosystems. We developed equations to estimate total aboveground biomass and fine fuel of 10 common hardwood species in the shrub layer of pine forests of the lower Florida Keys. Many equations that related biomass categories to crown area and height were significant (p < 0.05), but the form and variables comprising the best model varied among species. We applied the best-fit regression models to structural information from the shrub stratum in 18 plots on Big Pine Key, the most extensive pine forest in the Keys. Estimates based on species-specific equations indicated clearly that total aboveground shrub biomass and shrub fine fuel increased with time since last fire, but the relationships were non-linear. The relative proportion of biomass constituted by the major species also varied with stand age. Estimates based on mixed-species regressions differed slightly from estimates based on species-specific models, but the former could provide useful approximations in similar forests where speciesspecific regressions are not yet available. # 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
New methods for optimal control and filtering of singularly perturbed linear discrete stochastic systems

In this paper the algebraic regulator and filter Riccati equations of singularly perturbed discrete-time control systems are completely and exactly decomposed into reduced-order continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations corresponding to the slow and fast time scales. In addition, the optimal global Kalman filter is decomposed into pure-slow and pure-fast local optimal filters both driven by the system measurements and the system optimal control input. It is shown that these two filters can be implemented independently in the different time scales. As a result, the optimal linear-quadratic Gaussian control problem for singularly perturbed linear discrete systems takes the complete decomposition and parallelism between pure-slow and pure-fast filters and controllers.
Tgf‐β1, Tgf‐β2, Tgf‐β3 and Msx2 expression is elevated during frontonasal suture morphogenesis and during active postnatal facial growth

Structured Abstract Authors –Adab K, Sayne JR, Carlson DS, Opperman LA. Objectives –It is hypothesized that regulation of facial suture morphogenesis is similar to that of cranial sutures, with expression of similar regulatory molecules, governing suture formation and patency. The present study was designed to characterize the morphology of the frontonasal (FN) suture of the rat at different developmental stages and to investigate the presence and temporal-spatial expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (Tgf-β1), Tgf-β2, Tgf-β3 and Msx2 mRNA within these structures. Setting and sample population –The Department of Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX USA. Histological sections and RNA isolated from FN suture tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats, aged embryonic day 16 through postnatal day 20. Method –Sections were examined after immunohistochemical staining. Gene expression was determined by densitometric analysis of RT-PCR products run on agarose gels. Results –FN sutures develop slightly later than cranial sutures and show increased complexity over time when compared to cranial sutures. FN sutures were closely associated with the nasal capsular cartilage, with intervening layers of perichondrium and periosteum. The pattern of expression of Tgf-βs within the FN suture tissues was similar to that seen in the cranial sutures. However, mRNA and protein of the Tgf-βs were differentially expressed over time compared to cranial sutures. In FN sutures, Tgf-β mRNA levels were elevated both during the period of suture morphogenesis and during active bone growth from the suture in the early postnatal period. Msx2 mRNA expression was elevated in both the prenatal and postnatal periods, similar to Tgf-β mRNA expression. Conclusion –Tgf-β and Msx2 are present in facial sutures similar to cranial sutures, but are differenentially expressed over time, perhaps reflecting different bone growth rates from these sutures.
Tetrapod and Large Burrows of Uncertain Origin in Triassic High Paleolatitude Floodplain Deposits, Antarctica

Abstract Two types of large diameter burrows, recognized by non-overlapping size distributions, occur in high paleolatitude floodplain deposits of the Lower Triassic Fremouw Formation, Shackleton Glacier area, Antarctica. Type G (giant) burrows are gently dipping tunnels 8 to 19 cm in diameter. Type L (large) burrows are 2 to 6.5 cm in diameter, curved or subhorizontal tunnels that rarely branch; scratch markings on both burrow types generally are parallel or tangential to the long axis of the burrows. Type G burrows are interpreted as produced by tetrapods based on similarity in size, architecture, and surface markings to Permian burrows from South Africa that contain complete skeletons of therapsids. These are the first tetrapod burrows described from Antarctica. Type L burrows have characteristics of both fossil tetrapod and crayfish burrows, precluding identification of an unique producer. Triassic tetrapods, including therapsids, that lived in high southern latitudes probably burrowed to dampen the e...
Variation of Percentage Depth Dose with Beam Area of 43 Mv Roentgen Ray Beam from A Betatron

The central axis percentage depth dose of a 43 MV roentgen ray beam from a betatron, is found to decrease with increasing beam area at depths more than the depth of maximum dose build-up. At depths less than the depth of maximum dose build-up, a reverse trend is seen. This type of variation of central axis percentage depth dose with beam area is found due to the presence of extraneous radiation originating in the field flattening filter (compensator) and the collimator of the betatron.
Abstract 266: Antitumor activity of REGN2810, a fully human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, against MC38.Ova tumors grown in immune-competent humanized PD-1 mice

Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1), is an inhibitory checkpoint receptor, expressed in an activation-induced manner on T cells. PD-1 signals upon binding to its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, expressed on APCs and some types of cancer cells, and delivers inhibitory signals to T cells, promoting T-cells functional exhaustion in a tumor microenvironment. Clinically, antibodies (Abs) that block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 can release the cytotoxic function of tumor-specific T cells, yielding durable objective responses in multiple cancer types. REGN2810 is a fully human hinge-stabilized IgG4P monoclonal Ab that binds to the extracellular domain of human PD-1 with high affinity and specificity. REGN2810 was selected using a combination of binding studies (Surface Plasmon Resonance [SPR]-Biacore), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), novel engineered cell-based bioassays, and preclinical studies in mouse models. REGN2810 was investigated in PD-1 humanized mice, an approach that allows direct testing of clinical PD-1 Ab that does not cross-react with mouse PD-1. Humanized PD-1 mice were created by Velocigene technology to express a humanized hybrid PD-1 protein comprising the extracellular portion of human PD-1 and the transmembrane and intracellular portion of mouse PD-1. Humanized PD-1 mice were validated for inducible cell surface expression of hybrid PD-1 protein on activated T-cells, intact PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and immune responses. A weakly immunogenic murine colorectal cancer cell line MC38 was engineered to express ovalbumin (MC38.Ova) in order to increase tumor immunogenicity and allow monitoring of T-cell immune responses to well-defined antigenic ovalbumin peptides. Prophylactic treatment with REGN2810 PD-1 Ab significantly suppressed growth of subcutaneous syngeneic MC38.Ova tumors in humanized PD-1 mice in a dose dependent manner, and improved mouse survival. Therapeutic treatment with REGN2810 also promoted dose dependent regression of established MC38.Ova tumors in humanized PD-1 mice. Treatment with REGN2810 induced CD8 T cells proliferation and cytokine production in spleens of tumor bearing huPD-1 mice. The mechanism of action and robust anti-tumor efficacy of REGN2810 support its clinical development for the treatment of human cancers. Citation Format: Elena Burova, Omaira Allbritton, William Poueymirou, Venus Lai, Janelle White, Dimitris Skokos, Nicholas Papadopoulos, Drew Murphy, Israel Lowy, Ella Ioffe, Gavin Thurston. Antitumor activity of REGN2810, a fully human anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, against MC38.Ova tumors grown in immune-competent humanized PD-1 mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 266. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-266
Abstract 84: Deficiency of Lymphocyte-Specific Adaptor Protein, LNK, Exacerbates Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Inflammation

Lymphocyte-specific adaptor protein, LNK, is a negative regulator of hematopoiesis and endothelial cell signaling. Several large-scale genome wide association studies have identified a non-synonymo...
Economic and social costs of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a relatively common disorder that affects both children and adults. The deleterious health effects of untreated OSA not only manifest clinically in individual patients but also are associated with an increased overall social and economic burden. In this review, we discuss the direct and indirect costs of untreated OSA, cost-effectiveness of various diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, work-related accidents and decreased productivity, and association with motor vehicle collisions. Mounting evidence highlights the need to recognize OSA not only as a disorder that adversely affects individuals but also as a public health issue with implications for society and the health-care system as a whole.
Comparing Indian and American Managers on Whistleblowing

A whistleblowing survey was completed by a sample of Indian and American managers. A variety of individual, organizational, and moral perception variables related to whistleblowing were examined with respect to potential differences between these two groups. Differences were analyzed by means of T tests. Findings suggest that differential cultural influences are associated with a number of whistleblowing issues. The paper includes an assessment of the limitations of the sudy and recommendations for future research.
KIT's ship comes in.

Mali et al demonstrate in this issue of Blood that oncogenic KIT alleles can be attacked through their reliance on signaling through the phosphatase SHP2.1 The importance of aberrant signal transduction in leukemia has long been appreciated. This insight is finally having impact in the clinic, when appropriate tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are available.
Surgical treatment of transient strokes.

Operation for extracranial arterial occlusions causing transient strokes has become common during the past decade. The most common site of such occlusions is the origin of the internal carotid artery. The presence of bruits and performance of ophthalmodynamometry are important in diagnosing arterial occlusion, but the most definitive method is angiography. Operation for arterial stenosis should be done before the artery has become completely occluded.
Measurement Technology of Temperature under Special Conditions

Special temperature sensor must be developed in order to meet the need of specific environment including highly erodent,heat melt,vacuum and carburizing etc.the characteristic.Capability and usage of temperature sensor of tungsten-rhenium thermocouple were expounded.The present hotspots of temperature measurement flied were discussed emphatically including consecutive temperature measurement of car-burizing furnace,aluminum and copper melt,vacuum brazing furnace,vacuum powder metallurgy furnace and temperature calibration on line.Practice proved that the especial temperature sensor developed for the need of specific environments not only can achieve the international level but also win its place in the international market.
Classification of Motor Imagery Based on Sample Entropy

The classification method of motor imagery based on sample entropy(SampEn) of electroencephalogram(EEG) is proposed.The SampEn of EEG in primary sensorimotor area and its dynamic properties during left-right hand motor imagination are analyzed.Experiment results show that SampEn can reflect the EEG pattern changes of left-right hand motor imageries and have clear physiological explanation.Fisher LDA(Linear Discriminant Analysis) is used to dynamically classify the left-right hand movement imageries based on SampEn features,and an average maximum classification accuracy of 87.8% is obtained.Finally,a fast algorithm of SampEn with minimum computation cost and high speed is introduced,which can meet the requirements of real-time brain-computer interface(BCI) system.
Genetics of Lupinus : IV. Colonization and Genetic Variability in Lupinus succulentus.

Preliminary surveys indicate that most populations of Lupinus succulentus are genetically monomorphic for three flower color loci, viz., BB PP DD. In one small geographic area, a number of populations were polymorphic for the D/d locus. In this case, clinal variation and seasonal variation were found. The S/s locus, affecting seed coat pattern, was polymorphic in a large majority of populations and genetic variation at this locus is present in all but a very few colonies. When subdivisions of five large populations were studied, genetic differentiation was found within two of these populations. Gene frequencies tended toward the limits of zero or one in populations from relatively undisturbed sites but tended toward intermediate values in the more disturbed ruderal populations presumed to be recently colonized. It is concluded that recently colonized populations are not always genetically uniform.
Suppression of postpartum lactation.

The physician is often called upon to suppress postpartum lactation, either because a puerpera does not wish to breast-feed her baby or because a medical contraindication exists. The usual clinical means of inhibiting lactation are not always satisfactory.Experience has shown that a single injection of a long-acting androgen-estrogen combination toward the end of labor or immediately after delivery is the most efficient procedure for medicamentous prevention of lactation.
Type 2 diabetes remission rates after laparoscopic gastric bypass and gastric banding: Results of the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery study

OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to determine baseline and postbariatric surgical characteristics associated with type 2 diabetes remission and if, after controlling for differences in weight loss, diabetes remission was greater after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) than laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS An observational cohort of obese participants was studied using generalized linear mixed models to examine the associations of bariatric surgery type and diabetes remission rates for up to 3 years. Of 2,458 obese participants enrolled, 1,868 (76%) had complete data to assess diabetes status at both baseline and at least one follow-up visit. Of these, 627 participants (34%) were classified with diabetes: 466 underwent RYGBP and 140 underwent LAGB. RESULTS After 3 years, 68.7% of RYGBP and 30.2% of LAGB participants were in diabetes remission. Baseline factors associated with diabetes remission included a lower weight for LAGB, greater fasting C-peptide, lower leptin-to-fat mass ratio for RYGBP, and a lower hemoglobin A1c without need for insulin for both procedures. After both procedures, greater postsurgical weight loss was associated with remission. However, even after controlling for differences in amount of weight lost, relative diabetes remission rates remained nearly twofold higher after RYGBP than LAGB. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes remission up to 3 years after RYGBP and LAGB was proportionally higher with increasing postsurgical weight loss. However, the nearly twofold greater weight loss–adjusted likelihood of diabetes remission in subjects undergoing RYGBP than LAGB suggests unique mechanisms contributing to improved glucose metabolism beyond weight loss after RYGBP.
Hofmann-Martius reaction

Heating the HCl salts of arylalkylamines renders intermolecular migration of the alkyl groups.
Blood Gas Systems_Major Determinants of Performance

Operators of blood gas instruments have been made increasingly aware of the quality of instrument performance as a direct result of more rigorous quality control procedures imposed by peer group evaluators or regulatory agencies. Unfortunately, many of those regulatory/evaluator groups do not provide a means of correcting problems, much less preventing them, in a time frame that is reasonable for the operator or laboratory director. This report focuses on several major factors influencing the performance of blood gas analyzers that are sometimes overlooked or misunderstood: instrument calibration, electrode response, electrode errors (e.g., drift) and preventive maintenance.
China–Mexico Trade Disputes: Fear of Competition?

Trade between China and Mexico has grown more than 10 times between 2000 and 2012. Mexico is the second largest trading partner of China in Latin America after Brazil. However, these nations compete for the United States (U.S.) market, even more relevant. Since 1990, the bilateral trade balance has been in deficit for Mexico, increasing by 54.17 % from 1990 to 2012. Chinese products have been accused of causing severe competitiveness problems for Mexican industries, so Mexico has repeatedly raised tariffs. A critical year was 1995, when the Mexican devaluation significantly reduced the purchasing power of Mexican citizens and the government decided to raise tariffs substantially. Despite this, China’s imports in 1995 showed an increase over 1994.
Scalable malware classification with multifaceted content features and threat intelligence

Recent years have witnessed the very rapid increase in both the volume and sophistication of malware programs. Malware authors invest heavily in technologies and capabilities to streamline the process of building and mutating existing malware programs to evade traditional protection. One major challenge currently faced by the antivirus industry is to efficiently process the vast amount of incoming suspicious samples. Since most new malware is a variation of an existing malware family with the same forms of malicious behavior, automatic clustering and classification of malware programs into families have become valuable tools for malware analysts. Such grouping criteria not only allow analysts to prioritize the allocation of their investigation efforts but may also be applied to detect new malware samples based on their association with existing families. In this paper, we address the multi-class malware classification challenge from a scalability perspective. We present the design, development, and evaluation of a novel machine learning classifier trained on multifaceted content features (e.g., instruction sequences, strings, section information, and other malware features) as well as threat intelligence gathered from external sources (e.g., antivirus output). Our experiments on a dataset of 21,741 malware samples demonstrate the efficacy and precision of the proposed algorithm and also provide insights into the utility of various features.
Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the diagnosis of difficult Atypical Spitzoid Neoplasms

Methods: We conducted a retrospective collaborative study involving centers from 11 countries and 10 institutions in the US. One hundred and four ASNs were analyzed by Mass Spectrometry Imaging. We divided the patients into 4 clinical groups with Groups 1 to 4 representing best to worst clinical behavior. We then correlated the clinical outcome with the Mass Spectrometry Imaging and histopathologic diagnosis.