cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MICROBIAL ENERGY CONVERSION AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the importance of microbial energy conversion for developing countries. The developing countries, which constitute 2/3 of the world's population, can be characterized by a low gross national product per capita, a high percentage of the population devoted to agricultural activities, and a high rate of unemployment. The non-oil-exporting developing countries lack capital and have been particularly hit by the energy crisis and the world inflationary prices. Therefore, the imports of oil and fertilizer had to be decreased, and alternative sources of energy have to be actively developed by these countries to meet their needs. The United Nations Advisory Committee for the Application of Science and Technology to Development (ACAST), for which the Office for Science and Technology works, has consequently drawn the attention of governments on the importance and potentialities of nonconventional sources of energy such as solar, wind, biological, and geothermal energies. Among these sources, microbial energy conversion is raising great hopes, as a possible alternative source of energy for developing countries, using agricultural products such as biomass and wastes that require little capital at the village level.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB)—technical review

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) have changed the landscape of pulmonology. Mediastinal structures beyond the confines of airway walls are visualized in real-time with EBUS, leading to improved accuracy of tissue sampling and diagnostic yield. With the development of various needle sizes ranging from 25-G to 19-G, the sampling of lymph nodes is becoming easier and more commonplace. Yet, certain conditions such as sarcoidosis and lymphoma may still be difficult to diagnose via EBUS-TBNA. Furthermore, in the age of targeted therapy, there are more demands on EBUS-TBNA samples for molecular marker testing and next-generation sequencing. Here, we present a complementary methodology, EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB), for tissue acquisition that may help address these deficiencies. Specifically, we aim to propose indications, contraindications, outline approaches in performing IFB, and provide an overview of the data for this complementary technique.
Correction: Cultivating Youth Engagement: Race & the Behavioral Effects of Critical Pedagogy

The original version of this article unfortunately contains the following errors. In the heading “Political Participation and Civic Education”, the text “these trends tend persist” should read “these trends tend to persist”. In the heading “Pre-treatment Effects”, the text “In order theorize” should read “In order to theorize”. In Table 4, there are two incorrect signs: 0.10 should be − 0.10 and 0.15 should be − 0.15. The correct table 4 is given below.
Consequences of maternal loss before and after weaning in male and female wild chimpanzees

The mother-offspring relationship is paramount in most mammals and infant survival often depends on maternal investment. In species with prolonged periods of development or co-residence, mothers may continue to influence their offspring’s outcomes beyond nutritional independence with benefits biased towards the philopatric sex. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are long-lived mammals with a protracted period of immaturity during which offspring continue to travel with their mothers. In contrast to most mammals, chimpanzees are also typically male philopatric. Here, we use over 50 years of demographic data from two communities in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, to examine the survival and longevity of both male and female chimpanzees that experienced maternal loss during three different age categories. Males who were orphaned between the ages of 0–4.99 years, 5–9.99 years, and 10–14.99 years all faced significantly lower survival than non-orphans and died earlier than expected. Females faced similarly reduced survival probabilities when orphaned between 0–4.99 and 5–9.99 years of age; however, females who experienced maternal loss between 10 and 14.99 years of age were no more likely to die than non-orphans. Females orphaned in this later age class also lived significantly longer beyond maternal loss than their male counterparts. As observed in other mammals, philopatric male chimpanzees may continue to benefit from their mother’s ecological knowledge, whereas maternal influence on female offspring likely fades as they prepare to emigrate. These results emphasize how maternal influence on offspring outcomes can extend well beyond weaning, particularly for the philopatric sex. Mammalian mothers are crucial to their infant’s survival and in species where offspring continue to live with their mothers after weaning, maternal influence may extend beyond dependence on mother’s milk. While in most group-living mammals females remain in their natal group, chimpanzees typically display the opposite pattern with males residing alongside their mothers into adulthood. Using over 50 years of data on wild chimpanzees, we investigated the consequences of maternal loss both before and after weaning. We found that both males and females orphaned up to 10 years of age were less likely to survive than non-orphans; however, only males orphaned between 10 and 15 years also faced lower survival. These results emphasize how chimpanzee mothers continue to matter for offspring beyond infancy and provide novel data on reduced maternal influence on survival for daughters compared to sons.
Graphene-based thermal nanocomposites: fundamentals and applications

Abstract Thermal nanocomposites are indispensable in many thermal management applications and there is a long-standing need to improve their properties to meet the evermore challenging requirements. Recently, composites made by dispersing graphene in soft materials show great promise in meeting these requirements. In particular, these nanocomposites offer extraordinary combinations of useful properties such as high effective thermal conductivities, lightweight, excellent thermal stability, and low cost. In this chapter, we first summarize the key experimental research progress on the graphene-based nanocomposites. Next, we review the theories for thermal nanocomposites and, by using some of these theories, we identify two critical factors governing the effective thermal conductivity of graphene-based nanocomposites: the thermal conductivity of the graphene embedded in the matrix materials and the thermal resistance at the graphene–matrix materials interfaces. We then summarize the recent research on these factors, with a focus on graphene's interfacial thermal resistance, e.g., how it can be calculated using atomistic simulations and manipulated by materials engineering and how it may be engineered to improve the effective thermal conductivity of the composites. Finally, we offer our perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the research on graphene-based nanocomposites.
Chemical Approaches to Analyzing RNA Structure Transcriptome‐Wide

RNA molecules can fold into complex two- and three-dimensional shapes that are critical for their function. Chemical probes have long been utilized to interrogate RNA structure and are now considered invaluable resources in the goal of relating structure to function. Recently, the power of deep sequencing and careful chemical probe design have merged, permitting researchers to obtain a holistic understanding of how RNA structure can be utilized to control RNA biology transcriptome-wide. Within this review, we outline the recent advancements in chemical probe design for interrogating RNA structures inside cells and discuss the recent advances in our understanding of RNA biology through the lens of chemical probing.
Using Stories Behind the Science to Improve Understanding of Nature of Science, Science Content, and Attitudes Toward Science

Research has long-established that science textbooks frame what content is taught and how it is taught. Equally well-established is the many ways these textbooks distort the history and nature of science. Improving textbooks is a complex process that faces many roadblocks. Therefore, to assist teachers in accurately teaching about the history and nature of science, a project titled “The Story Behind the Science” (https://storybehindthescience.org) has created and made freely available short historical science stories that address the development and acceptance of fundamental science ideas in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. These short stories overtly draw readers’ attention to important nature of science ideas and enrich the learning of science content. Research provides evidence that the stories assist in improving students’ NOS understanding and attitudes toward science careers.
Cross-cultural research on child development and maternal mental health in low-and middle-income countries.

Of the more than 2 billion children worldwide, 90% live in low- or middle-income countries, and are particularly vulnerable to early life exposures and experiences. A wide range of factors contribute to maternal and child well-being, including maternal depression as well as larger social determinants such as poverty. In this review, we provide a framework for conceptualizing interventions that can benefit vulnerable children and caregivers. We summarize effects of three types of interventions, including those that: target mothers to improve their mental health and may have indirect effects on children; target children directly through early child development programs and may provide indirect benefits to caregivers; and target broader social determinants of health (e.g. poverty, water and sanitation), which then may have indirect benefits for caregivers and children.
Numerical investigation of MHD impact on Maxwell nanofluid

Abstract This study addresses the entropy generation in a magnetohydrodynamic flow of a Maxwell nanofluid over an infinite horizontal surface. The flow is then induced by the non-linear surface stretching. Furthermore, thermal radiation and viscous dissipation are also included in the present study as external sources. Similarity solutions are obtained by transformation of governing partial differential equations (PDEs) to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using similarity variables. Keller box method is then adopted to find the approximate solutions of reduced ordinary differential equations. Two different classes of nanofluids, Copper-water (Cu − H2O) and Titanium-water (TiO2 − H2O) are considered for our analysis. Significant results of various parameters in flow, heat, Skin friction (Cf), Nusselt number (Nux), and entropy analysis are elaborated graphically. The remarkable finding of this work is that the thermal conductivity in Maxwell phenomena gradually increases as compared to the conventional fluid. The entropy of the system exaggerates with the incorporation of nanoparticle volume fraction ϕ, Reynolds number Re, Biot number Bi, Eckert number Ec, Brinkan number Bi and thermal radiation Nr. The sticking feature of the present study is that Cu-water based nanofluid is detected as a superior thermal conductor instead of TiO2-water based nanofluid.
Bridging Past and Present: Creating and Deploying a Historical Character to Engage Audiences Through AR and VR

This article describes the creation and deployment of a virtual tour guide to deliver content and enhance the visitor experience at the third-largest living history museum in the United States. Our work differs from other museum applications in AR and VR by: focusing on narrative storytelling from the point of view of an historical character embodied by a conversational digital avatar; employing place-based engagement within a historical context; and showcasing a historical figure who has an authentic connection to the museum environment he inhabits. Our goals with the project are three-fold. First, we provide an overarching narrative about life in western New York during the 19th century through the telling of five digitally-rendered characters whose stories are recounted in short-form vignettes shared with audiences. Second, we endeavor to develop “thinking dispositions” that encourage visitors to gauge and construct the significance of historical narratives that have the capacity to motivate reflection upon these stories on a personal, local, and global level. Third, we create a tripartite deployment that offers a common experience and supports a variety of delivery methods that respond directly to the health safety concerns raised by COVID-19. In sum, our project offers first-person accounts of the past mediated via XR, a blending of past and present to enhance the visitor experience.
Novel Food Processing Technologies and Regulatory Hurdles

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the novel food processing technologies and on how the required standardization process and reporting of processing parameters are addressed. Two very broad fields of food processing technologies are nonthermal technologies and novel thermal processing technologies. In nonthermal technologies the inactivation factor is different from heat using physical hurdles such as pressure, electromagnetic fields, and sound waves. The novel thermal processing technologies uses energy generated by microwave and radio frequency. Most novel technologies are first studied as prospective microbial inactivation technologies to improve the safety of food. Important results in the final characteristics of many food items are also observed such as intact nutrient content in most of the novel food products; unique sensorial properties like color, texture, and appearance; and formation of new aroma compounds. The microwave energy moves the water and charged food molecules, which aligns them with a specific electric field, producing a movement and friction between them, and subsequently generating heat inside the food.
CEO Compensation In Poorly Performing Firms

This paper studies the association between CEO compensation and firm performance in solvent but poorly performing firms. By focusing on solvent firms, this study insulates the bankruptcy effects (and the complex creditor-shareholder-manager effects) on pay-performance relationship. Furthermore, there is a widespread belief that CEO pay in such firms does not reflect firms’ poor performance. I find that on average, the level of CEOs cash compensation is positively related to the firms’ level of operating cash flows. I interpret this finding as suggesting that stockholders of poorly performing firms reward CEOs in the short-run, for the effect of the managerial decisions on cash flows. However, change in CEOs compensation is unrelated to any measure of the changes in firms’ performance. This is consistent with the cautious approach of stockholders to wait and see, if change in performance is more permanent.
The Nature of Supreme Court Power

1. Neither force, nor will 2. When courts command 3. Judging the court 4. Popular vertical issues 5. Unpopular vertical issues 6. Popular lateral issues 7. Unpopular lateral issues 8. Neither the sword nor the purse, but the keys.
Chemical shift-dependent apparent scalar couplings: An alternative concept of chemical shift monitoring in multi-dimensional NMR experiments

The paper presents an alternative technique for chemical shift monitoring in a multi-dimensional NMR experiment. The monitored chemical shift is coded in the line-shape of a cross-peak through an apparent residual scalar coupling active during an established evolution period or acquisition. The size of the apparent scalar coupling is manipulated with an off-resonance radio-frequency pulse in order to correlate the size of the coupling with the position of the additional chemical shift. The strength of this concept is that chemical shift information is added without an additional evolution period and accompanying polarization transfer periods. This concept was incorporated into the three-dimensional triple-resonance experiment HNCA, adding the information of (1)H(alpha) chemical shifts. The experiment is called HNCA(coded)HA, since the chemical shift of (1)H(alpha) is coded in the line-shape of the cross-peak along the (13)C(alpha) dimension.
Diabetes Topics Associated With Engagement on Twitter

INTRODUCTION Social media are widely used by the general public and by public health and health care professionals. Emerging evidence suggests engagement with public health information on social media may influence health behavior. However, the volume of data accumulating daily on Twitter and other social media is a challenge for researchers with limited resources to further examine how social media influence health. To address this challenge, we used crowdsourcing to facilitate the examination of topics associated with engagement with diabetes information on Twitter. METHODS We took a random sample of 100 tweets that included the hashtag "#diabetes" from each day during a constructed week in May and June 2014. Crowdsourcing through Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform was used to classify tweets into 9 topic categories and their senders into 3 Twitter user categories. Descriptive statistics and Tweedie regression were used to identify tweet and Twitter user characteristics associated with 2 measures of engagement, "favoriting" and "retweeting." RESULTS Classification was reliable for tweet topics and Twitter user type. The most common tweet topics were medical and nonmedical resources for diabetes. Tweets that included information about diabetes-related health problems were positively and significantly associated with engagement. Tweets about diabetes prevalence, nonmedical resources for diabetes, and jokes or sarcasm about diabetes were significantly negatively associated with engagement. CONCLUSION Crowdsourcing is a reliable, quick, and economical option for classifying tweets. Public health practitioners aiming to engage constituents around diabetes may want to focus on topics positively associated with engagement.
Situating Moral Justification: Rethinking the Mission of Moral Epistemology

This is the first of two companion articles drawn from a larger project, provisionally entitled Undisciplining Moral Epistemology. The overall goal is to understand how moral claims may be rationally justified in a world characterized by cultural diversity and social inequality. To show why a new approach to moral justification is needed, it is argued that several currently influential philosophical accounts of moral justification lend themselves to rationalizing the moral claims of those with more social power. The present article explains how discourse ethics is flawed just in this way. The article begins by identifying several conditions of adequacy for assessing reasoning practices designed to achieve moral justification and shows that, when used in contexts of cultural diversity and social inequality, discourse ethics fails these conditions. It goes on to argue that the failure of discourse ethics is rooted in its reliance on a broader conception of moral epistemology that is invidiously idealized. It concludes by pointing to the need to rethink both the mission and the method of moral epistemology.
Defining the role of the alarmin IL-33 during the CD8 T cell effector response (VAC3P.958)

ST2, the receptor for the alarmin IL-33, is expressed on CD8 T cells and both IL-33 and ST2 can optimize anti-viral CD8 T cell immune responses. Further, signaling through ST2 in combination with innate-derived cytokines such as IL-12 can induce TCR-independent production of IFN-gamma. We sought to understand the role of the IL-33/ST2 pathway during the effector CD8 T cell response elicited after immunization with CD134 and CD137 costimulatory agonists. ST2 is rapidly up-regulated on CD27+ effector CD8 T cells during the earliest phase of T cell re-activation, even before the up-regulation of other well-known T cell activation markers. Also, CD27+ST2+ CD8 T cells expressed increased cytokines compared to CD27-veST2+ CD8 T cells, and blockade of ST2 impeded the expression of those cytokines. Moreover, CD27+ST2+ CD8 T cells can kill EL4 tumor targets. Thus, ST2 seems to be marking effector CD8 T cells with the best capacity to exert effector functions. Upon TCR engagement, viable effector CD8 T cells rapidly up-regulate ST2, which facilitates the delivery of additional activation signals through IL-33 that further augment T cell activation. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that IL-33 may be one of the first signals that link T cell activation with the local stromal environment. Thus, direct targeting of the more highly functional ST2+ CD8 T cells may improve the outcome of T cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
Cytochemical studies of the action of trypsin: III. The course of deformation of salivary-gland chromosomes

The action of solutions of purified, crystalline trypsin at various pH's on unfixed and fixed salivary-gland chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster is described and illustrated. Chromosomes of glands transferred directly from physiological salt solution to buffered solutions of trypsin showed no evidence of enzymatic degradation during the first few hours of treatment. Chromosomes of fixed cells were readily hydrolyzed by trypsin dissolved in either water or buffer. Structural deformation did not occur during hydrolysis in aqueous trypsin, but was induced by subsequent treatment with phosphate buffer, or during the course of hydrolysis in buffered solutions. The amount of deformation was found to depend on the pH and duration of the treatment. Structural deformation is attributed to the swelling of partially degraded nucleoproteins in the presence of electrolytes, since removal of desoxyribonucleic acid from the chromosomes inhibited swelling. The application of the findings to problems of structural organization is discussed.
Combined Lateral and Longitudinal Control of Parafoils Using Upper-Surface Canopy Spoilers

Precision placement of guided airdrop systems necessarily requires some mechanism enabling effective directional control of the vehicle. Often this mechanism is realized through asymmetric deflection of the parafoil canopy trailing-edge brakes. In contrast to conventional trailing-edge deflection used primarily for lateral steering, upper-surface bleed air spoilers have been shown to be extremely effective for both lateral and longitudinal (i.e., glide slope) control of parafoil and payload systems. Bleed air spoilers operate by opening and closing several spanwise slits in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy, thus creating a virtual spoiler from the stream of expelled ram air. The work reported here considers the autonomous landing performance of a small-scale parafoil and payload system using upper-surface bleed air spoilers exclusively for both lateral steering and glide slope control. Landing accuracy statistics computed from a series of Monte Carlo simulations in a variety of atmospheric conditi...
Assembly-free metagenomic analysis reveals new metabolic capabilities in surface ocean bacterioplankton.

Summary Uncovering the metabolic capabilities of microbes is key to understanding global energy flux and nutrient transformations. Since the vast majority of environmental microorganisms are uncultured, metagenomics has become an important tool to genotype the microbial community. This study uses a recently developed computational method to confidently assign metagenomic reads to microbial clades without the requirement of metagenome assembly by comparing the evolutionary pattern of nucleotide sequences at non-synonymous sites between metagenomic and orthologous reference genes. We found evidence for new, ecologically relevant metabolic pathways in several lineages of surface ocean bacterioplankton using the Global Ocean Survey (GOS) metagenomic data, including assimilatory sulfate reduction and alkaline phosphatase capabilities in the alphaproteobacterial SAR11 clade, and proteorhodopsin-like genes in the cyanobacterial genus Prochlorococcus. These findings raise new hypotheses about microbial roles in energy flux and organic matter transformation in the ocean.
Community Heritage Work in Africa: Village-Based Preservation and Development

This paper examines alternatives to top-down approaches to heritage management and development. One of the key issues facing communities around the globe today is the Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD)--the determination of heritage values by “experts” and government officials on behalf of the people. It is all too common to find local people alienated by such practices and searching for ways in which they can take ownership of their own heritage. Community-based research that shares power and is participatory is one avenue that is quickly developing in many regions around the globe. In Africa, a number of villages and other small communities have taken the initiative to preserve and develop their heritage, free of outside control. Important lessons may be drawn from these experiences, particularly the use of discourse-based research that captures how the people define and live out their heritages through everyday practice.
Maternal plasma zinc concentrations and pregnancy outcome

Background There is no consensus in the literature as to whether maternal zinc nutriture is associated with pregnancy outcome or fetal growth. Objective We evaluated the associations between plasma zinc concentrations during pregnancy and various measures of pregnancy outcome and neonatal conditions at birth. Design We measured zinc concentrations in plasma samples obtained at a mean of 16 wk of gestation (range: 6-34 wk) from 3448 women who were screened for a trial designed to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on fetal growth. Subjects were from low socioeconomic backgrounds and attended a public health clinic for their prenatal care. Plasma zinc concentrations were compared with pregnancy outcome, including complications during pregnancy and delivery, and anthropometric measures and Apgar scores of neonates. Results Plasma zinc concentrations declined as gestation progressed. After plasma zinc concentrations were adjusted for gestational age, they were not significantly associated with any measure of pregnancy outcome or neonatal condition. Conclusion We conclude that plasma zinc concentrations during the late first trimester to the early third trimester do not predict pregnancy outcomes in women of a low socioeconomic background.
Application of spectral estimation techniques to correct the reflection from imperfect absorbing boundaries in the FDTD simulation of microwave circuits

Residual reflection from absorbing boundaries that truncate the computational mesh in the finite-difference time-domain method introduces significant error in the characterization of transmission lines and discontinuities employed in microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits. We apply the least squares Prony's method to accurately estimate the complex reflection coefficient in the frequency domain by representing the sampled electric field of a microstrip transmission line as a plane wave super-position of incident and reflected waves. This estimate is used to correct the effective dielectric constant of the line over a wide frequency range, which corroborates well with published results. >
The Relationship Between Cytotoxicity and Interferon Induction in L-M Strain Mouse Fibroblasts:

SummaryThe incidence of cell damage in L-M cell cultures exposed to DEAE-dextran increased with an increase in the concentration of the polycation. Poly I:C alone exerted a toxic effect which could be neutralized by 10 μg DEAE-dextran/ml. Cytotoxicity, however, was potentiated by poly I:C at higher DEAE-dextran concentrations. The plaque reducing activity of the supernates from cultures exposed to poly I:C and DEAE-dextran increased with an increase in the incidence of cell damage. The antiviral substance, when induced by 10 μg/ml poly I:C and 400 μg/ml DEAE-dextran, was evident after an exposure of one hour. The potency of the material increased with the duration of exposure. The material was characterized as an interferon by its pH stability and trypsin sensitivity.The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Patrica Thomson. This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Grant GM-T-505 and a Biomedical Science Support Grant from Rutgers University.
Long-Term Treatment Outcomes for Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The UCLA PEERS Program.

Social deficits are a hallmark characteristic among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), yet few evidence-based interventions exist aimed at improving social skills for this population, and none have examined the maintenance of treatment gains years after the intervention has ended. This study examines the durability of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), a manualized, parent-assisted social skills intervention for high-functioning adolescents with ASD. Targeted skills related to the development and maintenance of friendships were assessed 1–5 years following treatment for 53 adolescent participants and their parents. Results indicate that adolescents receiving PEERS maintained treatment gains at long-term follow-up on standardized measures of social functioning including the Social Skills Rating System and the Social Responsiveness Scale as well as in frequency of peer interactions and social skills knowledge. Perhaps due to parent involvement in treatm...
Metabolic energy and cytoskeletal requirements for synthesis and secretion by acini from rat mammary gland-I. Ultrastructural and biochemical aspects of synthesis and release of milk proteins.

Abstract 1. 1. Incubation of acini (alveoli) from lactating rat mammary gland with metabolic and cytoskeletal inhibitors produced a variety of effects on cell function. Cell viability was maintained during incubation as determined by the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in media and by light and electron microscopic examination. Caseins and whey proteins were found to be secreted by acini. 2. 2. Addition of iodacetate, 2,4-dinitrophenol, cyanide, cycloheximide, vinblastine or cytochalasin B inhibited both synthesis and secretion of milk proteins. Colchicine had no effect on synthesis but specifically inhibited protein secretion. Characteristic ultrastructural changes were produced by each inhibitor. 3. 3. Uptake of 2-amino-isobutyric acid was reduced after incubation with all inhibitors except iodoacetate and dinitrophenol. Uridine incorporation was inhibited by colchicine, vinblastine, cytochalasin B and, at high concentrations, 2,4-dinitrophenol: cyanide and cycloheximide stimulated uridine incorporation. 4. 4. Based on these results, milk protein secretion appeared to depend on continued protein synthesis and both processes were energy coupled. Microtubules and microfilaments also appeared to be involved in milk protein secretion.
Effects of thickness and delamination on the damping in honeycomb-foam sandwich beams

Abstract In engineering applications where the use of lightweight structures is important, the introduction of a viscoelastic core layer, which has high inherent damping, between two face sheets, can produce a sandwich structure with high damping. Sandwich structures have the additional advantage that their strength to weight ratios are generally superior to those of solid metals. So, sandwich structures are being used increasingly in transportation vehicles. Knowledge of the passive damping of sandwich structures and attempts to improve their damping at the design stage thus are important. Some theoretical models for passive damping in composite sandwich structures are reviewed in this paper. The effects of the thickness of the core and face sheets, and delamination on damping are analyzed. Measurements on honeycomb–foam sandwich beams with different configurations and thicknesses have been performed and the results compared with the theoretical predictions.
Interleukin (IL)-10 inhibits IL-6 production in microglia by preventing activation of NF-κB

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if interleukin (IL)-10 inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-6 production in microglia by inhibiting activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). N13 microglia (a murine microglial cell line) and primary microglia from neonatal mice were cultured in the presence or absence of LPS and increasing amounts of murine IL-10 for 24 h. As predicted, LPS treatment increased supernatant IL-6 concentration in both N13 and primary microglia cultures. Pretreatment with IL-10, however, decreased LPS-induced IL-6 secretion in a dose-dependent manner in both culture systems. Likewise, ribonuclease protection assays showed that LPS increased steady-state IL-6 mRNA levels, but that pretreatment with IL-10 blocked the LPS-induced increase in IL-6 mRNA. Because NF-κB is the predominant transcription factor responsible for IL-6 transcription in response to inflammatory stimuli, it was hypothesized that IL-10 inhibited IL-6 production by preventing nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Consistent with this idea, LPS increased nuclear translocation of NF-κB as assessed by gel mobility shift assay. Supershift assays and immunocytochemical staining showed that both the p50 and p65 subunits of NF-κB translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus upon LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with IL-10, however, inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB activity with tosyl-Phe-chloromethlyketone (a serine protease inhibitor that prevents degradation of the NF-κB–IκB complex), completely blocked LPS-induced IL-6 production. These data suggest that IL-10 inhibited IL-6 production in microglia by decreasing the activity of NF-κB and, therefore, extend what little is known of the intricate relationship between anti-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system.
Fear survey schedule (II): Normative data and factor analyses based upon a large college sample

Abstract A fear survey schedule (FSS-II) was administered to 1814 undergraduates at the University of Illinois. Females reported significantly more fear than males. Factor analyses indicated that FSS-II taps the following major fear areas: Live Organisms, Death and Illness, Social Interaction, and Social Evaluation. Problems associated with the use of FSS-II total scores for subject selection purposes and with the unsupplemented use of verbal report fear measures were discussed.
Design considerations for mirror materials

The key requirements for an optical mirror material include low density, high Young's modulus, low coefficient of thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity, and high diffusivity. Not included among these are fracture toughness and stress corrosion constant, which control slow crack growth and long-term reliability under static or dynamic loads during manufacturing and in-service. The reliability requirement becomes crucial as the mirror size increases and/or its mission takes on strategic importance. This paper compares the critical properties of three ultralow expansion materials, namely ULETM, Zerodur and AstrositallTM. It demonstrates how these properties affect the bending rigidity and safe allowable stress for the mirror subjected to different types of loading, namely: (i) its own weight and (ii) external load. An analysis of bending rigidity, bending stress, and safe allowable stress shows that mirror blanks of two different materials can be designed to be equivalent in terms of their rigidity without any weight penalty. The lower modulus and lightweight material like ULE glass requires about 10 percent higher thickness which reduces the bending stresses 20 percent compared to those in Zerodur or Astrositall mirrors of identical size. The lower stress, according to Power law fatigue model, is highly beneficial in that it improves the mechanical reliability of ULE mirror during manufacturing, transportation, installation and in-service by two orders of magnitude over that of Zerodur and Astrositall mirrors. The fatigue and fracture data for the three materials are used to estimate the safe allowable stress for facilitating mirror design from mechanical reliability point of view.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Oxygen and ventilator weaning during inpatient pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation.

Rates of oxygen and ventilator weaning, and factors related to successful weaning in inpatient pediatric pulmonary programs for infants and young children, have not been frequently reported in the literature. A retrospective review was conducted of 34 infants and toddlers with either a diagnostic condition of prematurity (PM) or congenital anomalies/neuromuscular disease (CA/NM) discharged from an inpatient pulmonary program. These cases represent 67 hospital admission-discharge episodes over a 6-year period. The rate of successful oxygen weaning (decrease to 0 hr per day) and ventilator weaning (decrease to <12 hr per day) and predictive factors related to successful ventilator weaning per admission-discharge episode were examined. Successful oxygen weaning was achieved during 24% and successful ventilator weaning was achieved during 30% of the admission-discharge episodes. No significant relationships were found between the selected demographic and clinical factors and oxygen weaning. Using a logistic regression model, the major variable associated with successful ventilator weaning per admission-discharge episode was diagnostic condition. Age at admission and the presence of comorbidities added slightly to the prediction model. The overall model yielded 86% accuracy for predicting a decrease in ventilator hours. However, projecting in which episodes children will not be weaned (negative predictive value = 88.9%) was more accurate than projecting in which episodes children will be weaned (positive predictive value = 73.3%). Although the program achieved a relatively low rate of successful ventilator weaning, children with a diagnostic condition of prematurity were more likely to be successfully weaned during inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:280–287. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
QLF monitoring of therapies for early secondary caries arrestment and remineralization

Secondary caries (SC) is the most common reason for restoration failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) method for monitoring therapies to inhibit SC progression. Forty-eight human teeth with resin restorations were demineralized for 4 days in a microbial caries model. Half of each specimen was then covered with an acid-resistant varnish to maintain the baseline lesion, and treated (group 1: non-treated control; group 2: chlorhexidine varnish for 24 h; group 3: fluoride varnish for 24 h; group 4: APF topical fluoride gel for 4 min), prior to being demineralized for 4 more days. Specimens were analyzed by QLF, sectioned, stained with Rhodamine B, and analyzed with a confocal microscope (CLSM) for lesion depth. The QLF results indicated that the control group was significantly (p less than 0.05) different (i.e., lesions progressed) from groups treated with fluoride (groups 3 and 4; lesions remineralized). All other group comparisons were not significantly different. Results obtained from CLSM analysis were similar to the ones obtained with QLF, except that lesions in group 2 were significantly deeper than the ones in the fluoride groups. Results suggest that the QLF method has a clear potential for monitoring remineralizing therapies for SC.
Aging, retirement, and interest in technological retraining: Predicting personal investment and withdrawal

Abstract Rapid change mandates that personnel undergo repeated retraining in firms applying or developing new technologies. This research applies expectancy and human capital concepts to examine the conditions under which personnel are most receptive toward technological retraining. Because of changing demographics, the analysis focuses in part on the influence of aging and retirement on retraining. Results for employees in thirteen firms support the expectancy and human capital models of training investment and withdrawal, suggesting that retraining is most likely to be undertaken in response to perceived self-interest. Expected time until retirement distinguishes differences among personnel in their interest in retraining, while age is a secondary variable. Suggestions are offered both for further research and for application of the results in human resource management.
Can You Handle the Headaches? Analyzing and Optimizing the Effectiveness of the Incident Management Process

Abstract Recovering from incidents in a timely appropriate manner is vital to maintaining operational efficiency, controlling costs, and keeping users happy and productive. A key to quick recovery is having an incident management process in place. An analysis of the incident management process can offer insight into how effectively the process supports problem detection and isolation and systems restoration. An analysis of the incident management process can contribute to systems and application resilience, the capacity to keep failures from dramatically affecting users.
The 'Singles' Method for Segregation Analysis Under Incomplete Ascertainment

Li & Mantel (1968) proposed a simple new method of segregation analysis under complete ascertainment. This paper shows that, with a slight modification, the method is also valid under incomplete ascertainment. The assumptions concerning ascertainment are discussed and the method compared with the maximum likelihood method and Weinberg's proband method.
Stimulation of Adrenals During the Critical Periods of Development and Production in Fowls.

The functional reserves of the organism realized through influence on the adaptation systems during the critical periods of development could be of considerable importance in improving the adaptabi...
Optics of Little Sodus Bay

Abstract Optical properties of Little Sodus Bay are described for the summer to fall interval of 1988 and contrasted to those at an adjoining Lake Ontario station. Light penetration, the angular distribution of irradiance, and the spectral Quality of underwater irradiance were quantified by measurements with a Secchi disk, quantum sensors, and a spectroradiometer. A partitioning of light absorbing and light scattering components is presented. Light attenuation was much higher in the bay than in the lake because of the elevated levels of light absorption and scattering that prevailed in the bay, associated with the higher concentrations of phytoplankton, gelbstoff, and perhaps tripton. The enrichment with these materials also caused disparate spectral attenuation characteristics between the bay and the lake that were manifested as strong differences in appearance. Calcium carbonate particles were an important component of light scattering in both systems in the early part of the study. This material had a particularly striking effect on the angular distribution of irradiance in the lake.
X-linkage of steroid sulphatase in the mouse is evidence for a functional Y-linked allele

In the human there is an X-linked gene affecting steroid sulphatase (STS) activity which, when deficient, is associated with X-linked congenital ichthyosis. The gene (STS) is located on the distal tip of the short arm and is only partially inactivated when it is on the inactive X-chromosome. In the mouse, the genetics of STS are not clear; the results of one study using XX:X0 oocyte comparisons indicated X-linkage, but three other studies using STS variants have produced segregation data compatible with autosomal linkage of murine STS. Here we present the results of STS assays of crosses of deficient C3H/An male mice to normal X0 animals which demonstrate X-linkage of STS in the mouse and indirectly indicate the existence of a functional STS allele on the Y-chromosome which undergoes obligatory recombination during meiosis with the X-linked allele.
Phosphotungstic acid as a marker for the endocytic-lysosomal system (vacuolar apparatus) including transfer tubules of the lining cells of the sinusoids in the bone marrow and liver

Surface and intracellular components of endothelial cells in sinusoidal blood vessels of rat bone marrow and rat liver were studied after embedment in glycol methacrylate and staining with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) at pH 0.2–0.3. The results showed that under these conditions all components of the endocytic-lysosomal transport system (“vacuolar apparatus”), i.e., the large bristle-coated vesicles, the phagosomes, the transfer tubules, and the lysosomal dense bodies, were stained with PTA. Structures formed by fusion between components of the vacuolar system were also stained, as were Golgi cisternae at the mature face of the complex. The common staining property of these Golgi cisternae and the transfer tubules provides additional evidence for the origin of the transfer tubules from the Golgi apparatus. Endothelial cell nuclei, mitochondria, centrosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes remained unstained. No conclusions can be reached regarding the precise chemical significance of the PTA staining of these functionally related cellular components.
Search based reverse engineering

In this paper we describe a two step process for reverse engineering the software architecture of a system directly from its source code. The first step involves clustering the modules from the source code into abstract structures called subsystems. The second step involves reverse engineering the subsystem-level relations using a formal (and visual) architectural constraint language. We use search techniques to accomplish both of these steps, and have implemented a suite of integrated tools to support the reverse engineering process. Through a case study, we demonstrate how our tools can be used to extract the software architecture of an open-source software package from its source code without having any a priori knowledge about its design.
Ornithopter Trajectory Generation With Stabilization

Ornithopter flight dynamics and a method for developing flight trajectories are described. These are used to study the unstable modes in hovering ornithopter flight. Stabilization is accomplished through three strategies: pitch-rate feedback control, linear quadratic regulator, and discrete-time periodic linear quadratic regulator. The discrete time controller is the only controller tested that was capable of stabilizing position of the vehicle in hover.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Two-Dimensional Separation Processes

Abstract This paper reviews two-dimensional separation systems for both analysis and larger scale separations. The goals of this paper are to: (1) Delineate the three basic two-dimensional methods, (2) show various applications of these methods, and (3) develop new ideas for utilizing two-dimensional methods.
Progress toward thin-film-based tape conductors

Very high critical current densities are exhibited by epitaxial thin films of the high-temperature superconductors (on single-crystal substrates). Can similar high-current densities be achieved in the form of thin films on large-area polycrystalline substrates? If so, high-current superconducting tapes can be fabricated. We examine the arguments for and against this approach and briefly review the progress to date, in our laboratory and elsewhere, toward achieving flexible high-current tapes.