cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Swim pressure: stress generation in active matter.

We discover a new contribution to the pressure (or stress) exerted by a suspension of self-propelled bodies. Through their self-motion, all active matter systems generate a unique swim pressure that is entirely athermal in origin. The origin of the swim pressure is based upon the notion that an active body would swim away in space unless confined by boundaries—this confinement pressure is precisely the swim pressure. Here we give the micromechanical basis for the swim stress and use this new perspective to study self-assembly and phase separation in active soft matter. The swim pressure gives rise to a nonequilibrium equation of state for active matter with pressure-volume phase diagrams that resemble a van der Waals loop from equilibrium gas-liquid coexistence. Theoretical predictions are corroborated by Brownian dynamics simulations. Our new swim stress perspective can help analyze and exploit a wide class of active soft matter, from swimming bacteria to catalytic nanobots to molecular motors that activate the cellular cytoskeleton.
Cyclopropylidene formation in 7,7-dibromonorcar-3-ene oxides. Synthesis of derivatives of homobenzvalene oxide.

Treatment of 4b, 4c, and 4d with methyllithium affords 5b, 6b; 5c, 6c; and 5d respectively in serviceable yields via carbenoid cyclization.
Long-term depression in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

Abstract Long-term depression (LTD) is a use-dependent decrease in synaptic efficacy widely recognized as a form of synaptic plasticity related to cognitive function in the central nervous system. Such response has previously not been demonstrated in autonomic ganglia. In the isolated superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of the rat (superfused with Locke solution containing 100 μM choline), low-frequency stimulation (LFS, 3–5 Hz/15 min) of the preganglionic nerve produced a long-lasting (up to 3 h ), significant (20–40%) decrease in the amplitude of the extracellularly recorded postganglionic compound action potential. Pretreatment of ganglia with the 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist tropisetron (0.5 μM) completely prevented the induction of ganglionic LTD (gLTD). Treatment of ganglia with the 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist MDL 72222 (0.5 μM) during the maintenance phase of established gLTD (1 h after LFS) antagonized the LFS-induced depression. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with l -NOARG (20–50 μM), applied before or after LFS, failed to affect the expression of gLTD. Additionally, pretreatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor emetine (1 μM) totally prevented the expression of gLTD. However, inhibition of protein phosphatase with cantharidin (30 μM) did not interfere with the expression of gLTD. These results indicate the presence of LTD in the rat SCG and suggest that expression of gLTD involves activation of 5-HT 3 receptor.
Estimation of daily exposure in neonatal rats receiving lead via dam's milk

Abstract Knowledge of the concentration of lead in milk on a specific day of lactation and volume consumed enables estimation of total daily lead exposure. There are limited data available on volume of milk consumed per 24 hr by a neonatal rat. The volume of milk consumed each day can, however, be estimated with knowledge of the caloric requirements necessary to maintain normal daily growth and caloric value of milk during lactation. Average caloric requirements per gram body weight in neonatal rats in approximately 0.40 kcal/g/day. Caloric values of milk range from 2.62 to 1.48 kcal/ml on Day 1 through Day 18 of lactation. Estimated milk consumption increases from 0.65 ml/pup on Day 1 to 15.51 ml on Day 18. Using these values, one can estimate daily lead intake by pups drinking lead-contaminated milk. A 24-hr cross-fostering study in 13-day-old rats indicated that theoretical estimates of lead body burden were 100 ± 5% of the actual lead body burden.
Don't squeeze hypofractionated schedules into too-short overall times.

This editorial uses insights gained from mucosal tolerance studies in head and neck radiotherapy, together with standard Linear Quadratic radiotherapy modeling, to predict whether some hypofractionated prostate schedules could cause acute rectal mucosal reactions by using too short schedules. With conventional radiotherapy, including hypofractionation, we restrict total dose to a late normal tissue complications dose limit, depending on the tissue and volume irradiated, of 50 to 70–80 Gy equivalent total dose in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2). These late-effect dose–volume constraints are well reported in many publications. Some stereotactic body radiotherapy schedules give high doses and biologically effective doses (BED), and new information is still being obtained that might change accepted doses. But there is also the question of acute reactions; they are the main factor determining whether any fractionation schedule can be accepted as tolerable. Until recently acute reactions were checked for ‘‘tolerability’’ by irradiating the first few patients in any new schedule and observing their acute reactions to ensure healing within a reasonable time. We suggest that radiobiologic modeling (1) can now be used to predict whether proposed fractionation schemes are in danger of causing acute mucosal reactions in the treatment of prostate cancer. An additional potential hazard is the phenomenon of consequential late damage induced by very high acute reactions. This has been identified in animal experiments (2), although it has skeptics in clinical circles. The important difference between acute and late reactions is the time factor. Acute reactions are very sensitive to overall time, unlike late reactions. It means that if acute reactions are too severe, then a week added to the overall time can avoid some Grade 3 acute reactions, as shown below. It was not until 2003 that modeling was proposed to help predict whether any schedule might cause intolerable acute complications (1). This was based on the well-known linearquadratic formula used for predicting log cell kill in tumors,
Booker T. Washington's Educational Contributions to Contemporary Practices of Sustainable Development

This article discusses Booker T. Washington's educational contributions to contemporary practices of sustainable development. In particular, the article looks at Washington's contributions in the a...
Measures of energy balance and mammographic density in the Nurses’ Health Study

Mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer; however the mechanism that underlies this association is unclear. We hypothesized that measures of energy balance early in life and in adulthood may be associated with mammographic density. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,398 women in the Nurses’ Health Study to examine associations between physical activity, childhood and current body fatness, weight gain from age 18 years to present and mammographic density. Percent mammographic density was measured from digitized mammograms by a computer-assisted method. Demographic and lifestyle data were obtained from prospectively collected questionnaires. For all analyses, subjects were stratified into three groups: premenopausal women, postmenopausal women not currently taking hormones, and postmenopausal women currently taking hormones. Childhood body fatness was inversely associated with mammographic density. The correlations ranged from −0.15 to −0.19 in the three strata of women (P ≤ 0.001). The difference in mean percent mammographic density between the leanest and heaviest body types ranged from 6.2 to 9.9%. Similarly, adult body fatness was inversely associated with percent mammographic density. The correlations ranged from −0.41 to −0.48 in the three strata of women (P < 0.0001). The difference in mean percent mammographic density between the leanest and heaviest body types ranged from 22.3 to 35.1%. Weight gain from age 18 was also inversely associated with mammographic density. There was no association between recent physical activity and mammographic density. These findings indicate that childhood and adult body fatness and weight change from age 18 are inversely associated with mammographic density.
All-optical switching device for high performance computing

Currently there is significant fundamental and practical interest in all-optical devices. For very high data rates, electro-optic or thermo-optic switching has speed limitations. Therefore all-optical switching is of considerable interest for ultrahigh data-rate computing. All-optical switching involves an intensity-dependent process. One useful configuration for optical switches is the nonlinear directional coupler. Optical switching in this device has been demonstrated for pulse widths in the picosecond region. However, these devices are relatively long which limits their practical application. By using femtosecond duration optical pulses we show that novel soliton-like coupled pulses can be used to perform all-optical switching in short nonlinear directional couplers. Because of the compact size (approximately 1 mm) and the high bit rate, a major application for these all-optical devices may be in high performance computing.
Specific Learning Disabilities: Clarifying, Not Eliminating, a Construct

,S.C.Dombrowski,R.W.Kamphaus,and C. R. Reynolds (2004) proposed a new set of suggested diagnostic criteria that challenges many ofthe traditional beliefs about these disorders. This article provides a critique of their proposed criteria aswell as an alternative approach for LD identification that is more aligned with current understanding ofthe etiology and characteristics of these disorders.
Viscosity measurements in superfluid 3 He-B from 2 to 29 bar

Measurements from a high-Q torsional oscillator and a vibrating wire are presented which give a consistent view of the viscosity of the normal fraction of 3He-B at high pressure. At low pressures discrepancies are largely eliminated by taking into account a mean-free-path size effect. We compare our corrected viscosities with recent calculations. The superfluid fraction, also measured in this experiment, is reexamined in the light of recent specific heat measurements.
On polynomial time isomorphisms of some new complete sets

Abstract In this note we show that the recently discovered NP complete sets arising in number theory, the PTAPE complete sets arising in game theory, and EXTAPE complete sets arising from algebraic word problems are polynomial time isomorphic to the previously known complete sets in the corresponding classes.
Electrospun mesoporous titanium dioxide fibers

Abstract There is growing interest in new ways to configure titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) as new applications emerge such as in photovoltaics and catalysis. A method has been developed for the preparation of mesoporous TiO 2 fibers using electrostatic deposition. The mesoporous metal oxide fibers were prepared using Pluronic 123 as the template. The fibers contain anatase crystallized in the pore walls which transforms to rutile upon calcination above 800 °C. The electrospun fibers were evaluated for the photodecomposition of phenol and formic acid.
Design of anti-icing coatings using supercooled droplets as nano-to-microscale probes.

A multiscale simulation-based approach is presented for predicting anti-icing properties of nanocomposite coatings. Development of robust anti-icing coatings is a challenging task. An anti-icing coating that can prevent in-flight icing is of particular interest to the aircraft industry. A multiscale simulations based approach is developed to provide insights into the complex effect of coating material and surface topology on the prevention of in-flight icing. Chemical properties of different coatings and kinetics of icing or inhibition of ice nucleation are calculated from nanoscale atomistic simulations. In addition, in-flight icing environments including impingement and rolling of supercooled microdroplet and nucleation of ice under wind shear have been implemented using fluid dynamics methodologies. A model for icing in nano-to-microscale for surfaces with known chemical composition and surface topology is used for developing predictive capabilities regarding anti-icing performance of potential coating...
Latin American Social Movements and a New Left Consensus: State and Civil Society Challenges to Neoliberal Globalization

This article explores the shift to the left in Latin America within the context of understanding power relations among, within, and between social movements and the state. We examine the emergence and development of social movement resistance to neoliberal globalization in Latin America over the past two decades, as well as how charismatic leaders of the left have captured state power. Through an analysis of the Zapatista and Appista Movements in Mexico, the Piqueteros and workers' movements in Argentina, the Chavistas in Venezuela, and the Aymara coca-growers and indigenous movements in Bolivia, as well as an examination of presidential behavior and state power in these countries, this article describes and enumerates the alternative models of power in use in Latin America today, arguing that a combination of strategies working both with and autonomously from the state works best to achieve leftist ends. The social movements associated with the shift to the left in Latin America today are adopting not on...
Criterion of Hopf Bifurcations without Using Eigenvalues

Abstract This paper presents a criterion for a class of Hopf bifurcations using the properties of coefficients of characteristic equations instead of those of eigenvalues. It is related to the Routh-Hurwitz criterion and is convenient in many applications.
Benzodiazepine and β-carboline modulation of GABA-stimulated 36Cl-influx in cultured spinal cord neurons

GABAA agonists stimulate 36Cl-influx in spinal cord cultured neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect of GABAA receptor stimulation is enhanced by benzodiazepines like clonazepam, diazepam and flurazepam and attenuated by (+)bicuculline and picrotoxinin. The beta-carbolines, methyl-6, 7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM) and propyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCPr) exhibited opposite effects, with DMCM attenuating, while beta-CCPr potentiating GABA's effect. These results are consistent with the behavioral and electrophysiological effect of benzodiazepines and beta-carbolines with GABA receptor complex.
To Screen or Not to Screen: That Is Not (Yet) the Question

Resolving the question of whether screening for CKD is effective in improving outcomes for affected individuals is one of the most important questions facing the field of nephrology today. The medical community has been bombarded by conflicting statements on screening for CKD published by the
Effects of exergaming and the physical education curriculum

From an education perspective, play has always been viewed as an integral part of learningexperiences1 and physical activity is a major component in many games that children play. Inrecent two decades, rapid technology development has brought the playground into living rooms,video-TV screens, desktop and laptop monitors, and mobile devices. While most video-basedgames are sedentary, some do require players to physically engage in the game, thus“exergaming”. Compared with sedentary games, exergames clearly demonstrate potential toincrease players' energy expenditure,2 which presents an advantage in engaging children inphysical activity while playing video games. In recent years, exergames have entered physicaleducation gymnasia gradually. It is hoped that exergames will help attract students to physicalactivity and enhance activity experiences at moderate and vigorous intensity levels. Movingexergames form the home-play environment to physical education implies an importanthypothesis: exergaming experiences will provide students with educational benefits equal to orgreater than those they likely experience in physical education. To examine this importanthypothesis, the Journal of Sport and Health Science has organized four articles in this specialissue to provide insights from empirical and conceptual perspectives. Three of the four articlesare data-based research reports conducted in authentic physical education settings where theeffects of exergaming on children balance ability, physical activity, and motivational correlateswere compared with those of typical physical education. One article is a conceptual analysis ofexergaming potential as part of the 21st century physical education curriculum.
Note on Failure of Ceramic Materials at Elevated Temperatures Under Impact Loading

The failure of Al2O3, MgO, Pyrex-brand glass, soda-lime-silica soft glass, and a triaxial semi-vitreous whiteware body under impact loading has been observed in some cases from room temperature to 1600°C. The pendulum energy required to fracture these materials remains constant or decreases with temperature over the temperature region of possible use.
Wicking Technique for Determination of Pore Size in Ceramic Materials

A technique is described for the measurement of mean pore size in ceramics by wicking. Pore size is derived from the measured rates of capillary rise of several apolar, low-energy liquids of known surface tension through thin slices of porous materials, via the Washburn equation. The use of apolar, low-energy liquids assures that the contact angle θ=0° (and cos θ= 1) so that the mean pore radius, R, is the only unknown in the Washburn equation. Fore-size data are presented for two colloidal gel compositions with engineered pore-size distributions. Pore diameters obtained from wicking are found to be smaller than those afforded by merciury porosimetry by a factor of ∼2.
Note on conversion of discrete size interval values of breakage parameters S and B to point values and vice versa

Abstract When the breakage of material in a mill can be characterized as an approximate first-order breakage process: rate-of-breakage of size j = S j w j W where W is the weight of total charge in the mill, w j is the fraction of this charge of size j, and S j is a specific rate-of-breakage parameter. The values of S j can be measured experimentally for a finite size interval, often a geometric sieve ratio. It is clear, however, that the value of S in general depends on the magnitude of the size interval chosen, e.g. whether it is a √2 progression in upper to lower size of the interval, a 4√2 progression, etc. This makes it impossible to compare values between workers using different size interval magnitudes. The same reasoning applies to the size distributions of the daughter fragments produced on breakage, called the cumulative breakage distribution. This note describes methods of converting data from one size of interval to point values or to another size of interval. It is concluded that when B is non-normalizable, the value of α in S(x)=ax X will depend on the interval size used to determine the S values.
Pediatric pain management (Part I)

Abstract This article is the first in a two-part series on pediatric pain management. It contains primarily a general discussion of pediatric pain, myths and misconceptions about pediatric pain, and the use of nonnarcotic analgesics for pain control. In the second article, the use of narcotic analgesics for the pediatric population will be discussed.
Destruction of Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in chicken manure by drying and/or gassing with ammonia

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes were able to grow for a period of 2 days in fresh chicken manure at 20°C with a resulting 1–2 log units increase in CFU; Salmonella typhimurium remained stable. Prolongation of the storage time to 6 days resulted in a 1–2 log decrease of S. typhimurium compared to the initial count and a 3–4 log decrease of E. coli O157:H7; the number of L. monocytogenes did not decrease below the initial. These changes were accompanied by an increase in pH and accumulation of ammonia in the manure. The destruction of the three microorganisms was greatly increased by drying the manure to a moisture content of 10% followed by exposure to ammonia gas in an amount of 1% of the manure wet weight; S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 were reduced by 8 log units, L. monocytogenes by 4.
Boundedness and compactness of Hankel operators on the sphere

Abstract We consider Hankel operators on the Hardy space of the unit sphere in C n . We show that a large amount of information about the function f − P f can be recovered from the Hankel operator H f . For example, if H f is compact, then the function f − P f is necessarily in VMO.
SU-FF-T-119: Comparison of Compensator-IMRT and Segmental MLC-IMRT Techniques: A Retrospective Study On Treatment Time, Monitor Units, and Dosimetry in Clinical Application

Purpose: There are more than 150 radiotherapy centers in the US using compensators to deliver IMRT treatments. However, compensator‐IMRT is still not a well‐understood technique to many; better knowledge of the technology can encourage acceptance and proper use of this valuable IMRT delivery technology. We will present our compensator‐IMRT experience in clinical application using retrospective patient treatment data from eleven years (1100 patients) of compensator‐IMRT experience and five years (500 patients) of segmental MLC‐IMRT in parallel. Method and Materials:IMRT plans are designed by the in‐house IMRT TPS PLanUNC. The resulting continuous intensity maps are used for compensator design. The intensity maps are converted to discrete maps for MLC segment generation if segmental MLC‐IMRT technique is used. Compensators are fabricated using a Par Scientific milling machine and granular compensator material. This study uses data from the treatment RV 2) both IMRT delivery techniques use similar monitor units; and 3) the high spatial resolution compensator‐IMRT generally has a similar or better dosimetric quality compared to the segmental MLC‐IMRT technique. Conclusion: We evaluated both the compensator‐IMRT and segmental MLC‐IMRT delivery techniques in terms of treatment delivery time, treatment monitor units, and dosimetric quality (DVH and EUD). Our experience demonstrated that the compensator‐IMRT technique delivered high quality IMRTdosimetry, fast IMRT treatments, and similar monitor units compared to the segmental MLC‐IMRT technique.
Sterilization by copulation in Drosophila

Females in some species of the genus Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are rendered sterile by mating. I review cases where these failed matings occur between closely related species as well as between closely related individuals of the same species. I also discuss the evolutionary implications of both types of failed matings and suggest how a better understanding of Drosophila ecology could assist in interpreting these failures. I further suggest that future studies of female mating failures in Drosophila be conducted in the framework of the differences observed in their matings, as this may offer a way to test predictions about the relationship between mating system type and female mating failures.
Fetal mouse hearts: a model for studying ischemia.

Abstract A new experimental model for the study of two important aspects of ischemia, namely, oxygen and substrate deprivation, is proposed: the intact, beating fetal mouse heart in organ culture. This model offers long-term stability, ease and reproducibility of preparation, and the ability to manipulate experimental conditions. Hearts deprived of oxygen and glucose ceased beating immediately. After 3-4 hr of deprivation, biochemical and ultrastructural changes consistent with ischemic injury were evident. These include depletion of ATP and glycogen levels, loss of cytoplasmic enzymes, and extensive swelling and disruption of mitochondrial structure. Glucose and insulin partially protected against ATP depletion. Upon resupply of oxygen and glucose , beating resumed immediately, ATP levels rapidly increased to control levels and, consistent with this, mitochondrial structure returned toward normal. During the recovery phase autophagic vacuoles containing damaged mitochondria and myofibrils were seen, indicating that repair mechanisms were activated. Consistent with this, the proportion of lysosomal enzymes that were present in the nonsedimentable fraction of the tissue homogenate increased. We conclude that the cultured fetal mouse heart is a model useful for studying myocardial responses to anoxia and/or substrate deprivation and for assessing interventions designed to limit damage or to stimulate repair after ischemic injury.
A Farmer-based approach to conserving crop germplasm

In situ conservation of crop genetic resources from centers of agricultural diversity is considered. This strategy has been rejected for several reasons, but other factors make it an important potential contributor to the overall conservation effort. Case studies of potato agriculture in Peru, maize agriculture in Mexico, and rice agriculture in Thailand indicate that farmers frequently engage in de facto conservation of landraces. Five principles should guide planning of in situ conservation: complementarity with off-site conservation, minimal institutional development, continuity with existing programs, meeting the development goals of increasing income and food, and accepting germplasm as an international public good. Four means to implement on-site conservation are presented: the institutional framework; the information base; the policy framework; and the role of grassroots organizations.
Functional MRI in neonates using neonatal head coil and MR compatible incubator

Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging of the newborn brain is a complex and challenging task. Term and preterm neonates require a controlled microenvironment and close monitoring during the MRI study to maintain respiratory and cardiovascular functions, body temperature, and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. In addition, to minimize motion artifacts, most neonates also need to be sedated, which carries the risk of respiratory depression compromising the neonate's ability to maintain appropriate ventilation and oxygenation during the procedure. Finally, because of their small head size, the use of the standard MR head coils results in suboptimal picture quality in the neonate. Thus, these limitations affect our ability to obtain both high quality structural and functional MRI studies. To overcome these difficulties, we have utilized an MR compatible incubator with a built-in radiofrequency head coil optimized for the neonatal brain volume. In this study we demonstrate that functional MRI and high-resolution structural MRI of the newborn brain can be achieved with this novel design. The use of this equipment offers potential for studying the development of the preterm and term neonatal brain and obtaining state-of-the-art, high-resolution structural and functional imaging in this most vulnerable patient population.
UNE SOURCE DE LEÇONS DE CHOSES POUR LES PROFESSEURS DE FRANÇAIS

L Y A QUELQUES annes j'ai publie un article, intitule Anschauungsunterricht fiir Sprachlehrer,1 dans lequel j'ai discute les differents moyens d'augmenter et d'enriehir le vocabulaire pratique du professeur de langues vivantes. Comme cet article a paru dans une revue allemande peu connue des jeunes professeurs de frangais, je me permets d'en rappeler quelques-uns des points les plus importants. Presque tout le monde est d'accord sur la valeur des images et des legons de choses pour fixer et enrichir le vocabulaire pratique, et beaucoup de professeurs emploient cette methode avec succes dans l'enseignement des langues vivantes. Or, si de tels moyens sont bons pour les 6elves, a plus forte raison, nous autres professeurs, nous devrions volontiers nous soumettre a la meme discipline. On a beau lire, par exemple, bien des livres frangais, on a beau s'entretenir assez souvent avec des Frangais; malgre tout, si l'on n'a pas fait un long sejour en France, on trouve a chaque pas des lacunes dans son vocabulaire de tous les jours; par exemple, quand il s'agit de l'ameublement d'une maison, des articles de toilette, des vetements, des appareils mecaniques et ainsi de suite. Le Larousse pour tous, distionnaire encyclopedique en deux volumes, rend de grands services a celui qui s'est deja assez orient6 dans les expressions frangaises pour deviner ce que doit etre le terme qu'il cherche. De meme, le Petit Larousse Illustr6, comprenant plus de 1600 pages, est fort utile. Les definitions concises, et les gravures explicatives fortifient, amplifient ou corrigent nos conjectures. La partie historique est aussi d'une tres grande valeur comme ouvrage de reference commode. L'un de ces deux dictionnaires est vraiment indispensable a toute personne qui enseigne le frangais.
Is cancer dangerous to the immune system

The hypothesis of immunologic surveillance of neoplasia is predicated on the theory that the immune system is capable of discriminating self from foreign antigens, and that tumor-specific antigens are regarded by the immune system as nonself. We propose here an alternate view, that the immune system has evolved to detect danger by employing 'professional' antigen-presenting cells as sentinels of tissue distress. In this model, cancers do not appear dangerous to the immune system, so that the default response of T cells to tumors is to be turned off. We discuss the implications for immunotherapy of malignancy.
Information needs and information-seeking behavior in developing countries: A review of the research

This article reviews research that has been done on the information needs and information-seeking behavior of indigenous people in developing countries. The paper focuses on two types of user groups: urban dwellers and rural dwellers. By comparing their information-seeking behavior, conclusions about human information behavior in the developing world, as well as key factors that play a role in their information needs and behavior, are drawn. Findings reveal that, while a weak economy has a profound effect on the availability and accessibility of resources, the information and communication divide is not defined as much by the economic status of a geographic location as it is by an individual user's educational background.
Building an integumentary system hyperspectral model for avatars

In this paper we transform the results of a hyperspectral skin reflectance model into RGB values to simulate the color of skin under various biological circumstances. The amount of different chromophores in the skin can be adjusted within the model to simulate circumstances such as elevated blood levels in the cheeks caused by blushing, the draining of blood from the face caused by fear, or the bluish tint of the skin caused by a lack of oxygen. The melanosome level in the epidermis can also be adjusted to simulate different levels of skin darkness and show how increased levels of melanosomes reduce the influence of other chromophores in skin.
What Can a Model Professional Code for Bioethics Hope to Achieve

Robert Baker presents a “Draft Model Aggregated Code of Ethics for Bioethicists” and argues that it is time “for bioethics to assert its integrity” by developing such a Code (2005). He claims to de...
Learning impedance controller parameters for lower-limb prostheses

Impedance control is a common framework for control of lower-limb prosthetic devices. This approach requires choosing many impedance controller parameters. In this paper, we show how to learn these parameters for lower-limb prostheses by observation of unimpaired human walkers. We validate our approach in simulation of a transfemoral amputee, and we demonstrate the performance of the learned parameters in a preliminary experiment with a lower-limb prosthetic device.
Note on the induced Lagrangian drift and added-mass of a vortex

Darwin (1953) introduced a simple heuristic that relates the Lagrangian fluid drift induced by a solid body propagating in irrotational flow to its virtual- or added-mass. The force required to accelerate the solid body must also overcome this added-mass. An extension of Darwin's (1953) method to the case of vortices propagating in a real fluid is described here. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate the existence of an added-mass effect during uni-directional vortex motion, which is analogous to the effect of solid bodies in potential flow. The definition of the vortex added-mass coefficient is modified from the solid body case to account for entrainment of ambient fluid by the vortex. This modified coefficient for propagating vortices is shown to be equal in magnitude to the classical coefficient for a solid body of equivalent boundary geometry. An implication of these results is that the vortex added-mass concept can be used as a surrogate for the velocity potential, in order to facilitate calculations of the pressure contribution to forces required to set fluid into unsteady vortical motion. Application of these results to unsteady wake analyses and fluid–structure interactions such as vortex-induced vibrations is suggested.
The Role of 3-Canal Biomechanics in Angular Motion Transduction by the Human Vestibular Labyrinth

The present work examines the role of the complex geometry of the human vestibular membranous labyrinth in the process of angular motion transduction by the semicircular canals. A morphologically descriptive mathematical model was constructed to address the biomechanical origins of temporal signal processing and directional coding in determining the inputs to the brain. The geometrical model was developed based on shrinkage-corrected temporal bone sections using a segmentation/data-fitting procedure. Endolymph fluid dynamics within the 3-canal labyrinth was modeled using an asymptotic form of the Navier–Stokes equations and solved to estimate endolymph and cupulae volume displacements. The geometrical model was manipulated to study the role of major morphological features on directional and temporal coding. Anatomical results show that the bony osseous canals provide reasonable estimates of the orientation of the delicate membranous canals—the two differed by only 3.48 ± 1.89°. Biomechanical results show that the maximal response directions are distinct from the anatomical canal planes, but can be closely approximated by fitting a flat plane to the centerline of the canal of interest and weighting each location along the centerline with the inverse of the cross-sectional area squared. Vector cross-products of these maximal response directions, in turn, determine the null planes and prime directions that transmit the direction of angular motion to the brain as three independent directional channels associated with the nerve bundles. Finally, parameter studies indicate that changes in canal cross-sectional area and shape only moderately affect canal temporal and directional coding, while three-canal orientation is critical to directional coding.
Mothers' Psychotropic Medicine Use and Children's Abusable Substance Use

(1994). Mothers' Psychotropic Medicine Use and Children's Abusable Substance Use. Journal of Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 91-97.
Analysis of a synchronization algorithm for non-coherent UWB receivers

Fast and low-complexity synchronization constitutes a big challenge for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio systems. Due to the ultrafine time-resolvability of the UWB signal and the difficulty of channel estimation, it is difficult to achieve synchronization with accuracy on the order of tens of picoseconds, which is required by coherent UWB receivers. Non-coherent UWB receivers, however, have less stringent requirement for the synchronization accuracy (Ning He and C. Tepedelenlioglu, Proc. GLOBECOM 2004, Nov. 2004). Thus, synchronization algorithms for non-coherent UWB receivers can be developed to achieve synchronization with higher inaccuracy but much lower implementation complexity than coherent receivers. This paper analyzes the performance of a noncoherent synchronization algorithm proposed previously by the authors (Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on Acoustics, Speech, and Sig. Proc., vol. 4, pp. 517-520, 2004). Based on the analysis, parameter optimization to minimize the average acquisition time is pursued. Simulations corroborate our results.
INFLUENCE OF PORE FLUID COMPOSITION ON VOLUME OF SEDIMENTS IN KAOLINITE SUSPENSIONS

Reported in this paper is a study of the influence of pore fluid composition on sediment volume of kaolinite suspensions. Laboratory tests have been conducted with kaolinite in water with NaCl, CaCl2 and A1C13 of different concentrations and in 10 types of organic liquids of varying values of static dielectric constant. The types of tests performed include regular suspension tests and leaching and cyclic leaching tests on kaolinite sediments. In the leaching tests, sediments formed during the regular suspension tests in water of low salt concentration were subsequently leached with water of high salt concentration. In the cyclic leaching tests, the salt concentration was increased and then decreased. The purpose of the leaching and cyclic leaching tests was to study the change in existing equilibrium fabric caused by subsequent changes in the concentration of salt in pore fluid. Results of the suspension tests indicate that sediment volume of a water suspension decreases with increase in ion concentration and increase in valence of cation. Leaching and cyclic leaching tests indicate that substantial change in salt concentration is required to change the existing fabric. The effect of dielectric constant of pore fluid on sediment volume is somewhat complex. As the dielectric constant increases from 1.9 for heptane to 110 for formamide, sediment volume first decreases, assuming a minimum at 24 for ethanol, increases with a maximum at 80 for water, and decreases again until 110 for formamide. An approximate physico-chemical analysis model is used to interpret some of the data in a quantitative manner. In the analysis model, recently developed theories of double-layer repulsive and van der Waals attractive forces are combined to simulate the behavior of suspensions.
Shear stress upregulates IL-1β secretion by Chlamydia pneumoniae- infected monocytes

Infectious agents are increasingly implicated in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. Several lines of evidence suggest that the common intracellular respiratory pathogen, Chlamydia pneumoniae contributes to the well-established risk factors of atherosclerosis but the exact mechanism is not well understood. It is believed that C. pneumoniae-infected monocytes travel from the lung to the atherosclerotic foci, during which the cells experience mechanical stimuli due to blood flow. In this work, we characterized the effect of physiological levels of shear stress on C. pneumoniae-infected human monocytes in an in vitro flow model. We found that a shear stress of 5 dyn/cm2 enhanced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β only in infected, but not in uninfected, monocytes. We also found that this enhancement is due to the upregulation of IL-1β gene expression due to shear stress. Our results demonstrate that mechanotransduction is an important, heretofore unaddressed, determinant of inflammatory response to an infection. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 838–842. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The high-dose rosuvastatin once weekly study (the HD-ROWS).

Background Alternative dosing is often used clinically to address common barriers with statin therapy, such as intolerance and cost. Previous findings have demonstrated significant and clinically similar reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to daily dosing, when comparing similar total weekly doses. Objective To determine whether rosuvastatin 80 mg once weekly produced comparable lipid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) changes to atorvastatin 10 mg daily, when measured at key points after last dose. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, 8-week pilot study. Eligible subjects, 18 to 65 years of age, had documented dyslipidemia with LDL cholesterol >100 mg/dL and triglycerides Results Participants in each arm experienced significant and comparable reductions from baseline in total cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and overall LDL cholesterol (−29%). Changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP were nonsignificant and similar between groups. Each regimen was well tolerated, with no major adverse events reported. Conclusion Rosuvastatin 80 mg once weekly produced comparable lipid changes to atorvastatin 10 mg daily when measured at specific points after the last dose. Our findings support previous data demonstrating a significant reduction in LDL-C with once weekly statin dosing.
Optimal Crosstalk Shielding Insertion along On-Chip Interconnect Trees

Scaling of the on-chip feature size down into the deep submicron range has emphasized the importance of interconnect delay variations due to capacitive coupling. A methodology for reducing crosstalk noise on tree-structured interconnects is proposed in this paper. An algorithm is implemented to compute the optimal sequence of shielding insertion along a capacitively coupled interconnect tree. The reduction in crosstalk is verified through simulation and compared to alternative shielding schemes, considering the availability of limited shielding resources. It is demonstrated that the reduction in interconnect delay variations achieved by the proposed methodology is consistently higher. Furthermore, it is shown that delay variations between two critical nodes in a tree can also be reduced by the same shielding insertion approach
Origins of purpose in life: Refining our understanding of a life well lived.

Purpose can be characterized as a central, self-organizing life aim. Central in that when present, purpose is a predominant theme of a person’s identity. Selforganizing in that it provides a framework for systematic behavior patterns in everyday life. As a life aim, a purpose generates continual goals and targets for efforts to be devoted. A purpose provides a bedrock foundation that allows a person to be more resilient to obstacles, stress, and strain. In this paper, we outline a theoretical model of purpose development. Besides outlining various essential ingredients to creating a purpose in life, we describe three broad pathways. The first process is proactive involving effort over time and only resulting in a purpose after gradual refinement and clarification. The second process is reactive involving a transformative life event where a purpose arises and adds clarity to the person's life. The third process is social learning - involving the formation of purpose through observation, imitation, and modeling. Our aim is to stimulate more research on this higher-level construct in the architecture of personality.
Chlamydia pneumoniae-Specific IgE Is Prevalent in Asthma and Is Associated with Disease Severity

Results: Of 66 asthma subjects (mean age 40.9 years, range 5–75, 59% male, 45% ever-smokers) 33 (50%) were Cp IgE positive and 16 (24%) were Cp DNA positive (P=0.001 for association of Cp IgE and DNA). Cp IgE was detected in 21% of mild intermittent asthma v 79% of severe persistent asthma (test for trend over severity categories, P=0.002). Cp IgE detection was significantly (P=0.001) associated with asthma when compared to healthy blood donor controls but not when compared to clinic controls. Conclusions: Half of this sample of community asthma patients had detectable IgE against C. pneumoniae. Cp IgE was strongly and positively associated with asthma severity and with asthma when healthy blood donor controls were used. These results support the inclusion of Cp IgE as a biomarker in future studies of infectious contributions to asthma pathogenesis.
Marine viruses: truth or dare.

Over the past two decades, marine virology has progressed from a curiosity to an intensely studied topic of critical importance to oceanography. At concentrations of approximately 10 million viruses per milliliter of surface seawater, viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the oceans. The majority of these viruses are phages (viruses that infect bacteria). Through lysing their bacterial hosts, marine phages control bacterial abundance, affect community composition, and impact global biogeochemical cycles. In addition, phages influence their hosts through selection for resistance, horizontal gene transfer, and manipulation of bacterial metabolism. Recent work has also demonstrated that marine phages are extremely diverse and can carry a variety of auxiliary metabolic genes encoding critical ecological functions. This review is structured as a scientific “truth or dare,” revealing several well-established “truths” about marine viruses and presenting a few “dares” for the research community to undertake in future studies.
Distributed Evasive Scan Techniques and Countermeasures

Scan detection and suppression methods are an important means for preventing the disclosure of network information to attackers. However, despite the importance of limiting the information obtained by the attacker, and the wide availability of such scan detection methods, there has been very little research on evasive scan techniques, which can potentially be used by attackers to avoid detection. In this paper, we first present a novel classification of scan detection methods based on their amnesty policy, since attackers can take advantage of such policies to evade detection. Then we propose two novel metrics to measure the resources that an attacker needs to complete a scan without being detected. Next, we introduce z-Scan, a novel evasive scan technique that uses distributed scanning, and show that it is extremely effective against TRW, one of the state-of-the-art scan detection methods. Finally, we investigate possible countermeasures including hybrid scan detection methods and information-hiding techniques. We provide theoretical analysis, as well as simulation results, to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of the evasive scan techniques and the countermeasures.
Metabolism and the control of circadian rhythms

The core apparatus that regulates circadian rhythm has been extensively studied over the past five years. A looming question remains, however, regarding how this apparatus is adjusted to maintain coordination between physiology and the changing environment. The diversity of stimuli and input pathways that gain access to the circadian clock are summarized. Cellular metabolic states could serve to link physiologic perception of the environment to the circadian oscillatory apparatus. A simple model, integrating biochemical, cellular, and physiologic data, is presented to account for the connection of cellular metabolism and circadian rhythm.
Ypt and Rab GTPases: insight into functions through novel interactions

Ypt/Rab GTPases are key regulators of vesicular transport in eukaryotic cells. During the past two years, a number of new Ypt/Rab-interacting proteins have been identified and shown to serve as either upstream regulators or downstream effectors. Proteins that interact with these regulators and effectors of Ypt/Rabs have also been identified, and together they provide new insights into Ypt/Rab mechanisms of action. The picture that emerges from these studies suggests that Ypt/Rabs function in multiple and diverse aspects of vesicular transport. In addition, not only are Ypt/Rabs highly conserved, but their functions and interactions are as well. Interestingly, crosstalk among Ypt/Rabs and between Ypt/Rabs and other signaling factors, suggest the possibility of coordination of the individual vesicular transport steps and of the protein transport machinery with other cellular processes.