cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic prenatal exposure to phenobarbital and long-term behavior effects on mice offspring

Objective: To assess the impact of chronic prenatal exposure to phenobarbital on long-term behavior in mice offspring.Methods: Twenty-eight C3H/He mice were randomized to receive diet chow containing either a daily therapeutic dose of phenobarbital (2.5 mg in 10-g chow) or a placebo for 1 week before mating and throughout gestation. Offspring from eight litters of each treatment group were evaluated using motor function, arousal/motivation, anxiety-provoking and cognition tasks.Results: No significant differences between groups were found in duration of gestation, litter size and birth weights. Fewer counts in a locomotor chamber were observed in phenobarbital-exposed offspring (524 ± 31 vs. 688 ± 54 for 60 min, p < 0.02; 4174 ± 229 vs. 5230 ± 406 for 22 h, p < 0.05). Initial reactions to a startle were more apparent among phenobarbital-exposed offspring (p < 0.03). Impaired co-ordination of hindlimbs was observed in the phenobarbital-exposed offspring during the wire maneuver (p < 0.001). Fewer entries i...
Constrained path Monte Carlo method for fermion ground states

We describe and discuss a recently proposed quantum Monte Carlo algorithm to compute the ground-state properties of various systems of interacting fermions. In this method, the ground state is projected from an initial wave function by a branching random walk in an overcomplete basis of Slater determinants. By constraining the determinants according to a trial wave function |${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{\mathrm{T}}$〉, we remove the exponential decay of signal-to-noise ratio characteristic of the sign problem. The method is variational and is exact if |${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{\mathrm{T}}$〉 is exact. We illustrate the method by describing in detail its implementation for the two-dimensional one-band Hubbard model. We show results for lattice sizes up to 16\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}16 and for various electron fillings and interaction strengths. With simple single-determinant wave functions as |${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{\mathrm{T}}$〉, the method yields accurate (often to within a few percent) estimates of the ground-state energy as well as correlation functions, such as those for electron pairing. We conclude by discussing possible extensions of the algorithm.
Characterization of Layered LiMO2 Oxides for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction of Metal–Air Batteries (M=Mn, Co, Ni)

The behavior of layered LiMO2 (M=transition metal) oxides has been investigated systematically as a function of composition for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes. The rich variety of LiMO2 compositions with the O3-type layered structure makes this class of materials an excellent testbed for understanding the effects of the nature and oxidation states of the transition-metal ions on the OER. Accordingly, the OER behaviors of a range of LiMO2 oxide solid solutions are presented here: LiCo1−xMnxO2, LiNi1−xMnxO2, and LiCo1−xNixO2 with 0.25≤x≤ 0.7. It is found that the OER activity increases with decreasing Mn content, and the Ni-rich compositions exhibit high OER activities. Furthermore, the pre-OER potential region displays contributions from surface faradaic reactions that involve Ni and Co. The overall higher activity of the Ni- and Co-rich compositions might be due to the in situ transformation of the LiMO2 surface into a highly active electrocatalyst.
The distribution of brain-stem and spinal cord nuclei associated with different frequencies of electroacupuncture analgesia

Immunocytochemical localization of the c-fos primary gene protein, Fos, was used to identify spinal cord and brain-stem sites activated by either 4-Hz or 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) applied to the Zusanli acupuncture points of both hind limbs in lightly anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. The number and distribution of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord of 4-Hz and 100-Hz EA-treated rats were compared with these in anesthesia and room control rats. Compared to non-stimulated control rats or rats in which EA was applied to a non-acupuncture point, both 4-Hz and 100-Hz EA-treated groups exhibited a significantly greater number of Fos-labeled neurons in the dorsal horn of the L2 spinal cord segment, lateral parabrachial nucleus, substantia nigra, nucleus raphe pallidus, dorsal raphe, locus coeruleus, posterior pretectal nucleus, and the lateroventral periaqueductal gray. In the 4-Hz-treated group, significant increases in Fos labeling were also observed in the cuneiform nucleus, dorsal and laterodorsal subdivisions of the periaqueductal gray, habenular nucleus, arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, and the lateroventral and lateral hypothalamic nuclei as compared to non-stimulated controls. The only brain-stem nucleus that exhibited significantly increased Fos-immunoreactive neurons in 100-Hz but not 4-Hz EA was the rostolateroventral nucleus of the medulla. These results indicate that many brain-stem regions are activated by both 4-Hz and 100-Hz EA but additional brain-stem regions are selectively activated by 4-Hz EA which may relate to the opiate sensitivity of 4-Hz EA. In sum, these data identify several distinct brain-stem nuclei that may play a role in acupuncture-mediated analgesia.
What do nations want from international collaboration for space exploration

Abstract From 2006 to 2007 14 space agencies developed a Global Exploration Strategy outlining the rationales, goals, and timelines for space exploration. As more nations gain support for exploration programs and begin executing missions, the informal meetings of the Global Exploration Strategy ‘partners’ should be formalized through the establishment of a new international collaboration mechanism for space exploration. This paper outlines a set of desirable criteria a new collaboration mechanism should meet to encourage participation by the major space powers. The criteria were developed by synthesizing information from interviews with space agency representatives, government representatives, and space policy professionals from 10 of the Global Exploration Strategy countries. The criteria give an insight into the current requirements for international collaboration in space exploration.
The accumulation and translation of a spicule matrix protein mRNA during sea urchin embryo development

In this report we further characterize the expression of the gene that encodes the 50-kDa spicule matrix protein (SM50) during development of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Quantitative measurements of SM50 mRNA levels using the single-stranded probe excess titration technique indicate that SM50 transcript levels attain a maximum level of 8000 to 10,000 transcripts per embryo by the gastrula stage, representing 120 to 200 SM50 mRNAs per primary mesenchyme cell. Experiments analyzing run-on transcription in nuclei isolated at different stages of development indicate that the sharp increase in SM50 mRNA levels occurring at the time of primary mesenchyme ingression is concomitant with an increase in transcription of the SM50 gene. We have also analyzed the RNA sequences present on polyribosomes at different stages of development. These studies indicate that SM50 mRNA is present on polyribosomes as soon as it begins to accumulate (which is well in advance of overt spicule formation) and SM50 mRNA remains on polyribosomes through subsequent development. From estimates of the rate of SM50 protein synthesis based on these data, we calculated that the maximum amount of SM50 accumulated during development through the 4-day pluteus stage is approximately 7.4 pg/embryo. This approximation is concordant with the amount of SM50 actually found in the sea urchin embryo.
Down-regulation of estrogen receptor-α in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells after proteasome inhibition

The eukaryotic proteasome is a 26S ATP-dependent proteolytic complex, which possesses chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like and peptidyl glutamyl peptide hydrolase (PGPH) activities, which enable the proteasome to degrade all short-lived and many long-lived proteins, and consequently regulate a myriad of activities in cells. In this study, we observed that inhibition of the proteasome, and more specifically, inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome, in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells resulted in selective down-regulation of the nuclear estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha). Our data indicated that estrogen had no effect, whereas the ERalpha antagonist, tamoxifen, reduced the amount of ERalpha that could be subjected to down-regulation after proteasome inhibition. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that protein synthesis was required for the down-regulation of ERalpha to occur. Collectively, these data indicate the existence of a proteasome-dependent mechanism that is utilized by MCF-7 cells to maintain a steady-state level of ERalpha.
Evidence from earthquakes for bookshelf faulting at large non-transform ridge offsets

MIGRATING non-transform offsets, which occur along mid-ocean ridges when a propagating segment gradually elongates and takes over spreading from a neighbouring 'doomed' rift segment1–3, represent a significant modification of the plate tectonic paradigm4. The migrating offset zone between the two spreading segments is clearly a locus of significant deformation, but the mechanism of this deformation has been controversial. Here we use the source parameters and locations of earthquakes at such offsets to discriminate between previously proposed models2,4–7. Earthquakes at large non-transform offsets at medium and fast spreading rates show strike-slip mechanisms, with nodal planes rotated relative to the expected transform fault orientation. One set of nodal planes (presumably corresponding to the fault planes) is parallel to curved sea-floor lineaments which show increased rotation as a function of position in the deforming zone. A bookshelf faulting model in which initially ridge-parallel faults are rotated by simple shear is consistent with the observed lineament orientations, focal mechanisms and earthquake distributions.
Fluorometric Assay of Alcohols Using Alcohol Oxidase

Abstract Fluorometric methods are described for the assay of ethanol, methanol, allyl alcohol and n-propanol using the enzyme alcohol oxidase. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of the alcohols to aldehydes with concomitant formation of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide formed is measured fluorometrically using p-hydroxy-phenylacetic acid and peroxidase. From 0.1–100 μg/ml of the alcohols and from 0.0002 to 0.050 unit/ml of alcohol oxidase can be assayed in 2 minutes with a precision of about ± 2%.
Improved HEED Based Trust Routing Algorithm for WSNs

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), besides the energy efficient, trust and Quality of Service (QoS) supported should be considered under some circumstances. All of them unveil additional challenges for routing scheme design. Based on Hybrid Energy - Efficient Distributed clustering (HEED) protocol, this paper presents a trust QoS routing algorithm for WSNs. Hierarchical structure is adopted and the trust value of the node is constructed by the direct trust value and the indirect trust value. In HEED, the combination of the trust value and residual energy as the main parameter and the propagation delay as the secondary parameter. The former guarantees the credibility of the data transmission, and the latter ensures the load balance of the entire network. Compared to typical routing algorithms of sensor networks, the proposed algorithm has better performance.
Strength of PD-1 signaling differentially affects T-cell effector functions

High surface expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) is associated with T-cell exhaustion; however, the relationship between PD-1 expression and T-cell dysfunction has not been delineated. We developed a model to study PD-1 signaling in primary human T cells to study how PD-1 expression affected T-cell function. By determining the number of T-cell receptor/peptide-MHC complexes needed to initiate a Ca2+ flux, we found that PD-1 ligation dramatically shifts the dose–response curve, making T cells much less sensitive to T-cell receptor–generated signals. Importantly, other T-cell functions were differentially sensitive to PD-1 expression. We observed that high levels of PD-1 expression were required to inhibit macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta production, lower levels were required to block cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production, and very low levels of PD-1 expression could inhibit TNF-α and IL-2 production as well as T-cell expansion. These findings provide insight into the role of PD-1 expression in enforcing T-cell exhaustion and the therapeutic potential of PD-1 blockade.
Analysis of the immunoglobulin light chain genes in zebra finch: evolutionary implications

All jawed vertebrates produce immunoglobulins (IGs) as a defense mechanism against pathogens. Typically, IGs are composed of two identical heavy chains (IGH) and two identical light chains (IGL). Most tetrapod species encode more than one isotype of light chains. Chicken is the only representative of birds for which genomic information is currently available and is an exception to the above rule because it encodes only a single IGL isotype (i.e., lambda). Here, we show that the genome of zebra finch, another bird species, encodes a single IGL isotype, that is, lambda, like the chicken. These results strongly suggest that the second isotype (i.e., kappa) present in both reptiles and mammals was lost in a very early stage of bird evolution. Furthermore, we show that both chicken and zebra finch contain a single set of functional variable, joining, and constant region genes and multiple variable region pseudogenes. The latter finding suggests that this type of genomic organization was already present in the common ancestor of these bird species and remained unchanged over a long evolutionary time. This conservation is in contrast with the high levels of variation observed in the mammalian IGL loci. The presence of a single functional variable region gene followed by multiple variable pseudogenes in zebra finch suggest that this species may be generating antibody diversity by a gene conversion-like mechanism like the chicken.
Effect of Vincristine Sulfate on Pseudomonas Infections in Monkeys

Abstract In rhesus monkeys, intravenous challenge with 0.6 × 1010 to 2.2 × 1010Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms caused acute illness of 4 to 5 days' duration with spontaneous recovery in 13 of 15 monkeys; blood cultures became negative 3 to 17 days after challenge. Leukocytosis was observed in all monkeys. Intravenous or intratracheal inoculation of 2.0 to 2.5 mg of vincristine sulfate was followed by leukopenia in 4 to 5 days. Intravenous inoculation of 4.2 × 1010 to 7.8 × 1010 pyocin type 6 Pseudomonas organisms in monkeys given vincristine sulfate 4 days previously resulted in fatal infection in 11 of 14 monkeys, whereas none of four receiving Pseudomonas alone died. These studies suggest that an antimetabolite-induced leukopenia predisposes to severe Pseudomonas sepsis and that such monkeys may serve as a biological model for study of comparative efficacy of antimicrobial agents.
Astrocyte production of the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 is inhibited by the spice principle curcumin at the level of gene transcription.

Background: In neuropathological processes associated with neutrophilic infiltrates, such as experimental allergic encephalitis and traumatic injury of the brain, the CXC chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) is thought to play a pivotal role in the induction and perpetuation of inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). The origin of MIP-2 in inflammatory disorders of the brain has not been fully defined but astrocytes appear to be a dominant source of this chemokine. Curcumin is a spice principle in, and constitutes approximately 4 percent of, turmeric. Curcumin's immunomodulating and antioxidant activities suggest that it might be a useful adjunct in the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses characterized by inflammation. Relatively unexplored, but relevant to its potential therapeutic efficacy in neuroinflammatory syndromes is the effect of curcumin on chemokine production. To examine the possibility that curcumin may influence CNS inflammation by mechanisms distinct from its known anti-oxidant activities, we studied the effect of this spice principle on the synthesis of MIP2 by astrocytes. Methods: Primary astrocytes were prepared from neonatal brains of CBA/CaJ mice. The cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in the presence or absence of various amount of curcumin or epigallocatechin gallate. MIP-2 mRNA was analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR and MIP-2 protein production in the culture supernatants was quantified by ELISA. Astrocytes were transfected with a MIP-2 promoter construct, pGL3-MIP-2, and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in the presence or absence of curcumin. Results: The induction of MIP-2 gene expression and the production of MIP-2 protein were inhibited by curcumin. Curcumin also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced transcription of the MIP-2 promoter reporter gene construct in primary astrocytes. However MIP-2 gene induction by lipopolysaccharide was not inhibited by another anti-oxidant, epigallocatechin gallate. Conclusion: Our results indicate that curcumin potently inhibits MIP-2 production at the level of gene transcription and offer further support for its potential use in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the CNS.
Studying the “Soil” for Metastatic “Seeds”

Metastatic spread has been famously likened to the planting of seeds (cancer cells) in suitable soil (distant organs) by the English surgeon Stephen Paget. He suggested that studying “properties of ‘the soils’ may reveal valuable insights into the metastatic peculiarities of cancer cases.” Unfortunately, until recently, such detailed study of the microenvironment of metastatic tumors has been hampered by difficulties in recovering the stromal component of the metastatic niche in vivo. In a new study, Bersani et al . developed an implantable bioengineered scaffold from a gel seeded with human bone marrow stromal cells to mimic the three-dimensional microenvironment of the bone marrow, a frequent site for metastases from epithelial cancers. When these scaffolds were implanted under the skin of immunocompromised mice, they gradually lost the human cell component, which was replaced by mouse bone marrow stromal cells. The researchers then injected fluorescently labeled human breast and prostate cancer cells into these mice and observed the successful engraftment of circulating tumor cells into the bioengineered scaffolds. At the molecular level, the authors used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of several known metastasis genes and compare the scaffolds harboring tumors to tumor-free scaffolds from the same mice. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was differentially expressed in cancer-seeded scaffolds, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that the IL-1β originated from the stromal cells rather than the engrafted cancer cells. This scaffold-based approach provides a new means of studying tumor microenvironments in vivo. The scaffolds can be explanted at different time points to monitor the evolution of the tumor microenvironment over time and to study the different cellular components of not just the “seeds” but also the “soil.” F. Bersani et al ., Bioengineered implantable scaffolds as a tool to study stromal-derived factors in metastatic cancer models. Cancer Res . 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-1809 (2014). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2014/10/22/0008-5472.CAN-14-1809.long
Forecasting relative quality

This paper develops a model to forecast the likely quality rating of new automobiles. A scheme is devised and implemented for 1982 whereby the probability that a specific model will have one of five quality ratings is computed. The quality ratings are based on the trouble index computed by Consumer Reports based on a survey of its subscribers. A multinomial logit specification is used whereby the relative probability that a given level of quality is realized is a function of previous quality ratings, the location of the manufacturer of the automobile, the size of the automobile and the list price (or port-of-entry prices, in the case of imports). The forecast results when compared in a qualitative way to actual 1982 quality ratings prove to be acceptable.
Opportunistic Relaying in Wireless Networks

Relay networks having n source-to-destination pairs and m half-duplex relays, all operating in the same frequency band and in the presence of block fading, are analyzed. This setup has attracted significant attention, and several relaying protocols have been reported in the literature. However, most of the proposed solutions require either centrally coordinated scheduling or detailed channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter side. Here, an opportunistic relaying scheme is proposed that alleviates these limitations, without sacrificing the system throughput scaling in the regime of large n. The scheme entails a two-hop communication protocol, in which sources communicate with destinations only through half-duplex relays. All nodes operate in a completely distributed fashion, with no cooperation. The key idea is to schedule at each hop only a subset of nodes that can benefit from multiuser diversity. To select the source and destination nodes for each hop, CSI is required at receivers (relays for the first hop, and destination nodes for the second hop), and an index-valued CSI feedback at the transmitters. For the case when n is large and m is fixed, it is shown that the proposed scheme achieves a system throughput of m/2 bits/s/Hz. In contrast, the information-theoretic upper bound of (m/2) log log n bits/s/Hz is achievable only with more demanding CSI assumptions and cooperation between the relays. Furthermore, it is shown that, under the condition that the product of block duration and system bandwidth scales faster than log n log log n, the achievable throughput of the proposed scheme scales as Theta (log n). Notably, this is proven to be the optimal throughput scaling even if centralized scheduling is allowed, thus proving the optimality of the proposed scheme in the scaling law sense. Simulation results indicate a rather fast convergence to the asymptotic limits with the system's size, demonstrating the practical importance of the scaling results.
Cellubrevin-targeted Fluorescence Uncovers Heterogeneity in the Recycling Endosomes

The pH and trafficking of recycling endosomes have previously been studied using transferrin. We have used another approach, one in which the vesicle transport protein cellubrevin was appended with a luminal IgG epitope to allow targeting of fluorescein-5′-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled anti-IgG F(ab) antibodies to the recycling endosomes in living cells. FITC-F(ab) was specifically internalized by COS cells transfected with cellubrevin-Ig, which at steady state accumulated in a pericentriolar region similar to rhodamine-transferrin. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that endosome labeling by these two markers was heterogeneous. This differential distribution was not induced by the IgG tag, since endogenous Cb and Tf were also partitioned into separate endosomal populations. We used fluorescence ratio imaging of internalized FITC-F(ab) to measure the pH of cellubrevin-enriched recycling endosomes (pHCb) and FITC-transferrin to measure the pH of transferrin-enriched recycling endosomes (pHTf). In COS cells, cellubrevin endosomes (mean pHCb 6.1 ± 0.05; range, 5.2–6.6) were more acidic than transferrin endosomes (mean pHTf 6.5 ± 0.05; range, 5.6–7.2). Similar results were obtained in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Treatment with the vacuolar H+-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1caused pHTf to increase (ΔpHTf = 1.2 pH units) to a greater extent than pHCb (ΔpHCb = 0.5 pH units). Furthermore, inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase by ouabain or acetylstrophanthidin caused pHTf to decrease by 0.6 pH units but had no effect on pHCb. Based on the combination of these morphological and functional data, we suggest that the recycling endosomes are heterogeneous in their biochemical compositions, ion transport properties, and pH values.
Early identification of candiduria by polymerase chain reaction in high risk patients.

AbstractPurpose: Polymerase chain reaction amplification of Candida albicans deoxyribonucleic acid was evaluated as a diagnostic tool for candiduria.Materials and Methods: Urine from 120 patients was tested for C. albicans 158 base pair deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction. The study groups included 30 patients with positive urine cultures, 60 critically ill patients and 30 healthy volunteers.Results: All patients with proved candiduria had a positive polymerase chain reaction. Of the 60 critically ill patients 5 (8.3 percent) had a positive polymerase chain reaction for C. albicans 24 to 48 hours before identification with routine fungal culture. No healthy volunteer had a positive polymerase chain reaction.Conclusions: Polymerase chain reaction amplification is an effective laboratory tool for the early diagnosis of candiduria.
Parameter identification and adaptive control of an ultrafiltration process in hemodialysis

Develops a simplified time domain process model of ultrafiltration in hemodialysis, i.e., the process of removing excess water from the blood via a tubular filtering membrane. The excess water diffuses into a dialysate whose flow rate is controlled by a variable displacement pump whose displacement angle is governed by a PID controller. The entire process is then represented as a transfer function containing the PID controller parameters. The parameters of the PID controller are adaptively tuned to prescribed 2nd order (critically damped and underdamped) responses based on a least squares estimate of two critical modeling parameters that depend on the filtering membrane characteristics over the course of the dialysis. Simulation studies are performed for the case of magnitude and rate saturation on the pump actuator for a variety of membrane parameters as well as in the presence of blood pressure fluctuations. Results indicate very good performance.
High-performance digit-serial complex-number multiplier-accumulator

This paper presents a fast highly regular digit-serial complex-number multiplier-accumulator (CMAC) architecture which is well suited for VLSI implementations. This paper makes two contributions. First, several complex-number representation schemes are discussed. It is shown that the real-imaginary alternate (RIA) scheme is the best among all representation schemes and the prior designs of CMACs based on the radix-(2j) redundant complex number system (RCNS) are not efficient with respect to hardware complexity and processing speed. Second, digit-serial CMAC architectures which can be pipelined at fine-grain level to increase the throughput rate are designed based on carry-save configuration.
Deploying the NaradaBrokering Substrate in Aiding Efficient Web and Grid Service Interactions

NaradaBrokering has been developed as the messaging infrastructure for collaboration, peer-to-peer, and Grid applications. The value of NaradaBrokering in the context of Grid and Web Services has been clear for some time. NaradaBrokering-combined with further extensions to, and testing of, its existing capabilities - can also take advantage of the maturing of Web Service standards and specifications to build very powerful general mechanisms to deploy and integrate it with general Web Services. This paper describes a framework to integrate the NaradaBrokering substrate with Web Services.
Some Aeroelastic and Nonlinear Vibration Problems Encountered on the Journey to Ithaca

The present paper describes three basic aeroelastic and nonlinear vibration problems investigated by the author and his students: namely, 1) stall flutter and nonlinear divergence of a two-dimensional flat-plate wing, 2) nonlinear vibrations of a clamped and a buckled beam, and 3) dynamic stability of a pendulum under parametric excitation. All of these problems seemed simple and were easily modeled experimentally and analytically. Yet they revealed some fundamental and interesting characteristics of nonlinear aeroelastic and vibration behavior of structures. Some experimental data are presented here that still remain to be resolved.
Aggregation Behavior in Wildtype and Transgenic Zebrafish

Recent advances in the development and availability of genetically modified animals enable researchers to examine the effects of phenotypic characters on social behavior. In fish, shoaling behavior is known to be influenced by characteristics such as body coloration, striping pattern, body shape, and size. GloFish TM are genetically engineered zebrafish (Danio rerio) that express red fluorescent protein (RFP), resulting in on overall red coloration under the dark longitudinal stripes. The GloFish pattern is distinct from the light body coloration underlying the dark longitudinal stripes seen in wildtype zebrafish. We presented wildtype and transgenic RFP zebrafish with same-sex shoals of both strains of fish in dichotomous choice tests. No preference for either of the shoals was shown, however, both strains showed significant preferences for swimming near shoals vs. swimming near an empty tank compartment. When presented with opposite-sex individuals of both strains, no preference was shown by either sex of either strain. Thus, the red body coloration of transgenic zebrafish does not appear to affect choice of social partner, in either a shoaling or a potentially reproductive context.
Three Paths to Forest Expansion: A Comparative Historical Analysis

During the past century forests have expanded in three ways, through spontaneously regenerated secondary forests, planted forest monocultures, and planted but biodiverse household agro-forests. Each type of forest emerges out of a distinct human geographical situation. Forests regenerate spontaneously, usually after people have left the land for one reason or another. Forest plantations frequently occupy landscapes where a few landowners control much of the land. Finally, agro-forests sprout in densely populated, smallholder dominated landscapes close to urban markets. This chapter describes each set of forest generating circumstances and the associated sets of causal conditions in some detail, paying particular attention to the human geographical forces that continue to drive spontaneous reforestation in some places at the same time that they have induced people to plant trees (promoted reforestation) in other places. A final section describes policy initiatives that would encourage or expedite the expansion of forests.
Experiences Using New Technologies in a Computer Organization Course

In this paper, we present our experiences in using online lectures (screencasts), online office hours and blogging to enhance on-campus as well as distance education courses in Computer Organization in the Department of Information Technology at Radford University. We discuss our experiences mainly in terms of the effort required to incorporate them into our existing courses on Computer Organization.
Prenatal experience and postnatal perceptual preferences: Evidence for attentional-bias in bobwhite quail embryos (Colinus virginianus)

Previous studies have indicated that concurrent multimodal sensory stimulation can interfere with prenatal perceptual learning. This study further examined this issue by exposing 3 groups of bobwhite quail embryos (Colinus virginianus) to (a) no supplemental stimulation, (b) a bobwhite maternal call, or (c) a maternal call paired with a pulsating light in the period prior to hatching. Experiments differed in terms of the types of stimuli presented during postnatal preference tests. Embryos receiving no supplemental stimulation showed no preference between stimulus events in all testing conditions. Embryos receiving exposure to the unimodal maternal call preferred the familiar call over an unfamiliar call regardless of the presence or absence of pulsating light during testing. Embryos exposed to the call-light compound preferred the familiar call only when it was paired with the light during testing. These results suggest that concurrent multimodal stimulation does not interfere with prenatal perceptual learning by overwhelming the young organism's limited attentional capacities. Rather, multimodal stimulation biases what information is attended to during exposure and subsequent testing.
Antifungal-Associated Drug-Induced Cardiac Disease

The etiology of cardiomyopathies are classified into 4 main groupings (dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and idiopathic) and can be mechanistically caused by myocarditis, conduction abnormalities, focal direct injury, or nutritional deficiency. Based on our review of this topic, evidence suggests that echinocandin-related cardiac dysfunction is a mitochondrial drug-induced disease caused by focal direct myocyte injury. With caspofungin or anidulafungin administration into the heart via central line, exposure is likely extreme enough to induce the acute toxicity. Chronic or low-dose exposure may lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; however, only acute exposures have been explored to date.
Sinus Tarsi Approach for Calcaneus Fractures

For decades the optimal treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures has been debated in the literature with no definitive solution reached. Although improved implant design and surgical techniques have led some to advocate for operative treatment, high rates of wound complications, particularly with use of the extensile lateral approach, have been touted as reasons to avoid operative fixation of calcaneus fractures. Given the advent of newer lower profile implants, better fixation techniques and improved surgical approaches that preserve the lateral vascular supply to the calcaneus, fewer complications and improved functional outcomes are more commonly reported in patients with operatively treated calcaneus fractures. Minimally invasive approaches, including the sinus tarsi approach, are being frequently used to treat displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures with promising results. The literature has shown that through the use of these approaches, there has been a decreased rate of wound complications, hematoma formation, surgical time, and equivalent functional outcomes to the extensile lateral approach. This article focuses on describing the sinus tarsi approach, surgical technique, and outcomes.
Wood Consumption and Growth of Hylotrupes bajulus (L.) Larvae in Three Environments

The combined effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH), and wood moisture content (WMC) on wood consumption and growth of H. bajulus larvae in three locations are reported here. The locations and environmental conditions during the 90-day experiment were: house basement, 24.8 ± 0.68°C, 78.1 ± 3.4% RH, 8.7% WMC: house attic, 24.5 ± 10.8°C, 75.5 ± 9.5% RH, 7.6% WMC; laboratory, 29.6 ± 2.3°C, 81.9 ± 5.5% RH, 10.1% WMC. Larvae ( n = 16) in the laboratory consumed the largest amount of wood (2,959 mg per larva). The wood consumed by larvae ( n = 16) in the basement (2,398 mg per larva) was not significantly different from those in the laboratory. Larvae ( n = 17) in the attic consumed less wood (1,086 mg per larva) than those in the laboratory or basement. Results indicate that despite a significant difference between weight classes, small larvae (mean = 55.3 mg, n = 15) consumed nearly the same amount of wood as medium (mean = 151.5, n = 16) and large (mean = 296.9, n = 18) larvae in each location.
Sildenafil Exposure and Hemodynamic Effect After Fontan Surgery

Objective:Determine sildenafil exposure and hemodynamic effect in children after Fontan single-ventricle surgery.Design:Prospective dose-escalation trial.Setting:Single-center pediatric catheterization laboratory.Patients:Nine children post Fontan single-ventricle surgical palliation and undergoing
THE EXTENT OF INTROGRESSION OUTSIDE THE CONTACT ZONE BETWEEN NOTROPIS CORNUTUS AND NOTROPIS CHRYSOCEPHALUS (TELEOSTEI: CYPRINIDAE).

The cyprinid fishes, Notropis cornutus and N. chrysocephalus, hybridize in a long, narrow zone in the midwestern United States. To quantify the extent of introgression of genetic markers outside of this zone, samples were collected along transects starting near the region of contact (as defined by morphological characters), followed by samples progressively more distant. Diagnostic allozymic and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction site markers were used to estimate the extent of introgression outside of the zone, while polymorphic allozyme and mtDNA markers were used to evaluate the potential for gene flow among populations within transects. Analysis of populations from the northern transect provided evidence for differentiation of populations for some of the markers; however, on average, enough gene flow has occurred to overcome substantial differentiation. Introgressed mtDNA and allozyme haplotypes were rare and found only in the population closest to the contact zone. The rarity of introgressed alleles in the more northern populations is consistent with the recent origin of these populations after the Wisconsin glaciation (less than 12,000 years bp) and/or selection maintaining the northern boundary of the contact zone. Analysis of populations from the southern transect revealed evidence for population subdivision but no evidence for introgression at the diagnostic allozyme loci; however, nearly all individuals from this transect possessed introgressed mtDNA haplotypes, with samples furthest from the contact zone exhibiting the highest frequencies of introgression. Patterns of variation for one of the polymorphic allozyme markers (Est-A) and introgressed mtDNAs were highly correlated, suggesting that allozymic heterogeneity at this locus is also the result of introgression. The most likely explanation for these data is that these introgressed haplotypes are indicators of a more southern position of the contact zone during the Pleistocene, with the contact zone shifting northward with the recession of the glacial front. Such movement implicates selection in the maintenance of distributional limits of these species, and hence, the width and position of the contact zone.
Improved analytical flux surface representation and calculation models for poloidal asymmetries

An orthogonalized flux-surface aligned curvilinear coordinate system has been developed from an up-down asymmetric variation of the “Miller” flux-surface equilibrium model. It is found that the new orthogonalized “asymmetric Miller” model representation of equilibrium flux surfaces provides a more accurate match than various other representations of DIII-D [J. L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614–633 (2002)] discharges to flux surfaces calculated using the DIII-D Equilibrium Fitting tokamak equilibrium reconstruction code. The continuity and momentum balance equations were used to develop a system of equations relating asymmetries in plasma velocities, densities, and electrostatic potential in this curvilinear system, and detailed calculations of poloidal asymmetries were performed for a DIII-D discharge.
The polymer performance evaluation and optimization of polymer flooding in the Weizhou 11-4 reservoir

Aiming at the reservoir temperature resistance and the liquid property and characteristic,we do some tests into the viscosifying characteristics,the stability,temperature resistance,salinity resistance and shear resistance,resistance coefficient and residual resistance coefficient of polymer solution by collecting high performance products in temperature resistance and salinity resistance both here and aboard.And we introduce the method of fuzzy comprehensive judgment and make a comprehensive and objective evaluation on the ability of improving mobility ratio and enlarging sweepage efficiency of different polymer solution.It has been proved in practice that fuzzy comprehensive judgment is an easy and effective method in optimization choice of polymer solution.Comprehensive analysis of experiment results shows that the property of the French polymer SNF is superior in overall evaluation.
Isoconversional Kinetics of Nonisothermal Crystallization of Salts from Solutions

In this study, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been applied to measure the kinetics of nonisothermal crystallization of potassium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate from unsaturated and saturated aqueous solutions. DSC data have been analyzed by an advanced isoconversional method that demonstrates that the process is represented by negative values of the effective activation energy, which varies with the progress of crystallization. The classical nucleation model can be used to predict and understand the experimentally observed variation in the effective activation energy. The saturated and unsaturated solutions have demonstrated distinctly different crystallization kinetics. It is suggested that the unsaturated solutions undergo a change in crystallization mechanism from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation.
315 Recent trends of road traffic fatalities in China: comparing national and subnational data sources

Background This study aims to better understand public data sources and evaluate recent trends in road traffic fatalities (RTF) in China. Methods We systematically reviewed and compared multiple national sources of RTF data. These included: population-based reports from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), sample-based estimates from the vital registration system of Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Disease Surveillance Points System (DSP), as well as model-based estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). A comprehensive review of publications focused on subnational RTF was also conducted. We based our assessment of the recent trend of RTF on using fixed effects and random effects longitudinal models. Results Despite the discrepancies in estimates, all national data sources indicated that RTF had been increasing prior to 2005. Since then, the MPS reports indicate a declining trend, DSP estimates showed a flat trajectory while estimates from MOH, GBD and WHO continue to show increases in RTF. Data from local death registration systems are largely consistent with MPS reports. Conclusions Reflecting a non-representative sample, MOH data were used in generating model-based estimates by the WHO and GBD; consequently, the trends from these sources are open to. MPS and local independent jurisdictional health data indicate that RTF have been declining since 2005. This may be consistent with recent interventions to reduce RTF. China’s experience may be of great value for other developing countries though RTF still impose a tremendous health burden in the country.
The Associations of Naturalistic Classic Psychedelic Use, Mystical Experience, and Creative Problem Solving.

ABSTRACTDeveloping methods for improving creativity is of broad interest. Classic psychedelics may enhance creativity; however, the underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. This study was designed to assess whether a relationship exists between naturalistic classic psychedelic use and heightened creative problem-solving ability and if so, whether this is mediated by lifetime mystical experience. Participants (N = 68) completed a survey battery assessing lifetime mystical experience and circumstances surrounding the most memorable experience. They were then administered a functional fixedness task in which faster completion times indicate greater creative problem-solving ability. Participants reporting classic psychedelic use concurrent with mystical experience (n = 11) exhibited significantly faster times on the functional fixedness task (Cohen’s d = –.87; large effect) and significantly greater lifetime mystical experience (Cohen’s d = .93; large effect) than participants not reporting classic psyche...
¿Sujetos peligrosos? Repatriados españoles desde la URSS en la Provincia de Vizcaya, 1956-1963

Between 1956 and 1959, at the end of the Cold War’s first full decade, 1900 Spaniards – ninos, political exiles, former divisionarios, pilots, aviators– repatriated from the USSR. Departing from existing scholarship that has examined the repatriates’ “integration” into Spanish society under the Franco regime, this article explores their agency, that is, the choices they made as they interacted with the institutions of the Franco regime and other Spaniards, despite close surveillance by Franco authorities and interrogation by the CIA under “Project Ninos.”The article offers the first study of repatriation in a single province: Vizcaya, to which more repatriates returned than elsewhere. Following repatriates from the USSR, where they constructed an “imaginary Spain” in preparation for displacement, to their reunions with family they had not seen for nearly two decades, to their search for decent jobs and apartments, the essay demonstrates that repatriates did not necessarily see themselves as passive recipients of the regime’s guidance in being “incorporated” into Spanish life. By pressing their needs for housing, employment, validation of their Soviet degrees, and, at times, to leave Spain for the USSR or elsewhere, some repatriates succeeded in making their lives more tolerable. Repatriates enlisted Spaniards on other continents in transnational advocacy networks on behalf of repatriates who had been detained, arrested, and, in some cases, tortured. They thereby brought the regime’s repression of the repatriates to the attention of international institutions with power to shape the court of world opinion.
Social Structure of the Beach Vole, Microtus Breweri

The beach vole (Microtus breweri) exhibits one of the most stable population densities of any microtine rodent. The social structure of the beach vole is similar to that of its mainland progenitor, the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), with a few subtle, yet distinct, differences. The sex ratio of the beach vole is significantly biased toward males. The adult sex ratio of both beach vole and meadow vole populations exhibits dramatic fluctuations over several years, however the adult sex ratio of the beach vole never drops below a 1:1 (male:female) ratio. Unlike the daily ranges of meadow voles, there is no difference in the size or shape of daily ranges of adult male and female beach voles. Activity patterns of males and females are temporally distinct however. Several models of population regulation in voles are applied to M. breweri. The social structure, lack of a dispersal sink, and lack of heavy Predation all may contribute to population stability.
Distributed Kalman filtering-based three-dimensional temperature field reconstruction for a lithium-ion battery pack

Despite the ever-widening use across different sectors, the lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) still face serious concerns over their thermal vulnerability. Motivated by this problem, this paper, for the first time, seeks to reconstruct the three-dimensional temperature field of a LiB pack in real time. The major challenge lies in how to acquire a high-fidelity reconstruction with constrained computation time. In this study, a three-dimensional thermal model is established first for a LiB pack in series. Given the model, the standard Kalman filter is then distributed to attain temperature field estimation at substantially reduced computational complexity. The arithmetic operation analysis and numerical simulation illustrate that the proposed distributed estimation requires much less computation than but can achieve an accuracy comparable to the centralized approach. This work can potentially contribute to the safer operation of the LiB packs in various engineering systems.