cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Human Melanoma Cell Growth by the Dietary Flavonoid Fisetin Is Associated with Disruption of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Decreased Mitf Levels

The prognosis of advanced melanoma remains poor in spite of treatment advances, emphasizing the importance of additional preventive measures. Flavonoids, natural components of our diet, are being investigated for their chemopreventive/therapeutic properties. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf), downstream of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, has become an important prognostic marker of melanoma. In this study, we show that treatment of 451Lu melanoma cells with the dietary flavonoid fisetin (3,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone) resulted in decreased cell viability with G1-phase arrest and disruption of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of Wnt protein and its co-receptors, as well as by a parallel increase in the expression of endogenous Wnt inhibitors. Fisetin-treated cells showed increased cytosolic levels of Axin and β-TrCP and decreased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β associated with decreased β-catenin stabilization. Fisetin-mediated interference with the functional cooperation between β-catenin and T-cell factor (TCF)-2 resulted in the downregulation of positively regulated TCF targets, such as c-myc, Brn-2, and Mitf. Flow-cytometric analysis of Mitf-overexpressing cells showed that fisetin repressed Mitf-induced cell proliferation. Finally, administration of fisetin to 451Lu-xenografted nude mice resulted in the inhibition of tumor development and decreased Mitf expression. Our data suggest that fisetin can be developed as an effective agent against melanoma because of its potential inhibitory effect on β-catenin/Mitf signaling.
Tidal deposits in the cretaceous of the Carolina coastal plain

Abstract The Upper Cretaceous section of the Carolina coastal plain consists of the Middendorf Formation, a fluvial sand; the overlying marginal marine sands and clays of the Black Creek Formation; and the uppermost Peedee Formation, a shelf sand. The Black Creek Formation is a mosaic of estuarine and lagoonal lithosomes, capped by lenses of littoral and nearshore sand (littoral lithosome). The estuarine deposits consist of rhythmically interstratified dark clays and pale to dark, muddy sands. Some strata sets in this lithosome coarsen downward, and become gravelly, with wood, shell, bone and clay pebble megaclasts. These strata sets closely resemble modern estuarine deposits of the Dutch coast. Locally more thin-bedded deposits can be correlated with those described from the Dutch coastal lagoons. The nearshore lithosome consists of alternations of cross-bedded sand (surf zone or inlet deposits), mottled sand (nearshore deposits) and contorted sand with clay lamina (possibly barrier flat deposits). While uniformitarian reconstructions tend to be biased by more heavily studied modern examples, the Black Creek Formation is interpreted as a mainly tide dominated sequence similar to that of the modern North Sea coast.
What is Publishable Data and How will I Recognize it

Seeing a big broad smile gladdens us, but not when it is on one of our gels. After months of trying, it is clear to us that the answer is right here in this very gel. However, it is hardly convincing evidence since the bands don’t line up nicely and the key lanes are on opposite sides of the gel. Should we cut them together and bend them in silico until every band lines up as our trained eye tells us that they should? These are the kinds of questions researchers often ask themselves when deciding how to select and prepare data for presentation and publication. Field scientists face similar challenges. Should we include data from the day of that unusual weather event, and if so, how and what value does it have? If one of my
Can Partisan Cues Diminish Democratic Accountability

When evaluating political candidates, citizens can draw on partisan stereotypes and use partisan cues to make inferences about the candidates’ issue positions without undertaking a costly information search. As long as candidates adopt policy positions that are congruent with partisan stereotypes, partisan cues can help citizens make an accurate voting decision with limited information. However, if candidates take counter-stereotypical positions, it is incumbent upon citizens to recognize it and adjust their evaluations accordingly. Using the dual-processing framework, I hypothesize about the conditions under which individuals reduce their reliance on partisan cues and scrutinize counter-stereotypical messages, and test these hypotheses with experimental data collected from a nationally representative sample of adults. The findings show that whether individuals punish a candidate from their party for taking a counter-stereotypical position is contingent on the salience of the issue and the political awareness of the message recipient. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and normative implications of these findings.
Predicting velocities and turbulent momentum exchange in isolated street canyons

Abstract A simplified way of studying the transport of mass and momentum through dense neighborhoods is to consider the flow field as a combination of a mainly horizontal flow along street canyons and a vertical flow into and out of street canyons. In this paper, we derive a simple, semi-analytical model for calculating the expected wind speeds in narrow, isolated, idealized street canyons of uniform height that are aligned with and at an angle to the wind through the introduction of a non-dimensional parameterization of the vertical turbulent exchange of horizontal momentum between the urban canopy layer (UCL) and the urban boundary layer (UBL). The model is closed and evaluated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a generic way. The RMSE of the normalized bulk velocity in the street canyon in the direction of the freestream flow is 1.8 × 10 −4 , 2.3 × 10 −2 and 9.4 × 10 −2 for variations in facade roughness, aspect ratio and canyon orientation, respectively. We argue that there is a need for a fast, simple methodology to assess the impact of urban form on neighborhood microclimate, especially in dense neighborhoods, and specifically for use in the early phases of design. This methodology should be able to predict areas in a neighborhood that are prone to low wind speeds or weak mass and momentum exchange rates with the UBL above because these areas may be particularly susceptible to pollutant retention and the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Current methodologies are often inadequate for this purpose because they use computationally intensive techniques to solve for flow through a neighborhood and often require a strong technical background to support their use. The work in this paper addresses this problem for an idealized, narrow street canyon, and we discuss the need for parameterizations for urban form that are relevant to mass and momentum exchange rates to extend this model beyond a single street canyon. Finally, we discuss how this work could be further developed into generalized planning guidelines and incorporated into a comprehensive urban planning methodology that aims to passively mitigate the UHI effect and pollutant retention through the clever design of urban form.
Organization of information flow in computation for efficient utilization of high information flux communication media

Abstract We discuss the importance of organizing information flow in computation in a manner enabling multiplexing of signal paths with distinct source and destination localities. This allows efficient use of high bandwidth interconnection media, leading to a decrease in system size and propagation delay for communication limited layouts. Among the three methods we consider towards this end, the fat-tree architecture is found to be near optimal.
Shame, Knowing, and Anthropology: On Robert I. Levy and the Study of Emotion

Robert I. Levy's ethnographic and theoretical work has offered complex ways to consider emotions as neither uni- versal and invariant nor purely constructs of culture. Shame emotions, which seem tofit uncomfortably into our own concepts of personhood, have offered puzzles for ethnographers to which Levy's insights can be fruitfully applied. (emotion, hypocogni- tion, knowing, Levy, shame)
Effects of Age Gender Bolus Volume Bolus Viscosity and Gustation on Swallowing Apnea Onset Relative to Lingual Bolus Propulsion Onset in Normal Adults

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the normal relation of swallowing apnea (SA) onset relative to lingual bolus propulsion along with factors that may alter this relation. Forty adults, composed of 10 men and 10 women in each of 2 age groups (i.e., 20-30 and 63-79 years) participated. SA onset was assessed during 5- and 20-ml bolus volumes of water and apple juice across 3 trials. The effects of age, gender, bolus volume, bolus viscosity, and gustation on SA onset relative to lingual bolus propulsion were examined. A significant interaction of Age x Gender x Volume was found. In general, older adults initiated SA onset earlier than young adults, and large boluses elicited an earlier SA onset than small boluses regardless of group. Young men demonstrated significantly later SA onset than the older men for large volumes; this difference was not observed for small volumes, nor was it found between young and older women. SA onset also was assessed during 5-ml bolus volumes of thin apple juice, thick apple juice, and applesauce across three trials. A significant main effect of viscosity was found revealing that SA onset was initiated later as bolus viscosity increased. Thus, the results of this investigation provided data on the relation of SA onset relative to lingual bolus propulsion in individuals with normal swallowing and how this relation changes as a function of age, gender, bolus volume, bolus viscosity, and gustation.
Sensitivity equations for a size-structured population model

In this paper we consider the classical Sinko-Streifer size-structured population model and derive sensitivity partial differential equations for the sensitivities of solutions with respect to initial conditions, growth rate, mortality rate and fecundity rate. Sample numerical results to illustrate use of these equations are also presented.
Application of a Heuristic Scheduling Rule for a Tyre Testing Department

This paper presents the development and application of a heuristic scheduling rule for the Testing Department of a tyre and rubber company. The company had set down five major objectives for this department: (1) minimize average flow-time; (2) maintain an average flow-time of less than two weeks; (3) maintain pre-set maximum individual test flow times; (4) assign a higher priority to important jobs; (5) maintain a balanced mix between truck and passenger tyres. A composite scheduling rule was designed to meet these objectives which contains the following four components: (a) slack-time per remaining operation; (b) shortest processing time; (c) an urgency factor to prioritize important jobs; (d) a balancing factor to enable a desired proportion between truck and passenger tyres. This composite rule is tested against the existing scheduling scheme used by the foreman and against the simple S.P.T. rule. The results are very encouraging.
Intermediate language extensions for parallelism

An Intermediate Language (IL) specifies a program at a level of abstraction that includes precise semantics for state updates and control flow, but leaves unspecified the low-level software and hardware mechanisms that will be used to implement the semantics. Past ILs have followed the Von Neumann execution model by making sequential execution the default, and by supporting parallelism with runtime calls for lower-level mechanisms such as threads and locks. Now that the multicore trend is making parallelism the default execution model for all software, it behooves us as a community to study the fundamental requirements in parallel execution models and explore how they can be supported by first-class abstractions at the IL level.In this paper, we introduce five key requirements for Parallel Intermediate Representations (PIR): 1) Lightweight asynchronous tasks and communications, 2) Explicit locality, 3) Directed Synchronization with Dynamic Parallelism:, 4) Mutual Exclusion and Isolation with Dynamic Parallelism, and 5) Relaxed Exception semantics for Parallelism. We summarize the approach being taken in the Habanero Multicore Software Research project at Rice University to define a Parallel Intermediate Representation (PIR) to address these requirements. We discuss the basic issues of designing and implementing PIRs within the Habanero-Java (HJ) compilation framework that spans multiple levels of PIRs. By demonstrating several program optimizations developed in the HJ compilation framework, we show that this new PIR-based approach to compiler development brings robustness to the process of analyzing and optimizing parallel programs and is applicable to a wide range of task-parallelism programming models available today.
Improved glycemic control in subjects with atypical diabetes results from restored insulin secretion, but not improved insulin sensitivity.

African-American subjects often present with hyperglycemic crisis (diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hyperglycemia), yet subsequently are treated without insulin. The pathophysiology of this unique condition is unknown. We hypothesized that recovery from atypical diabetes with intensive insulin therapy resulted from a reversal of a defect in β-cell function and improved insulin sensitivity. We studied eight newly diagnosed, antibody-negative African-American subjects (age, 34–56 yr) who presented with hyperglycemic crisis. Subjects were studied at baseline after overnight glycemic control and again after 3 wk and 3 months of intensive insulin therapy. Insulin sensitivity (SI) was determined from an insulin-modified, frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test, and insulin secretion was measured as the acute insulin response to glucose and to a glucagon stimulation test. Fructosamine and hemoglobin A1c declined significantly with intensive insulin therapy, and insulin requirements decreased over time. Both ...
The Conspiracy of Silence

WILL you allow me a word on “The Great Lesson” by the Duke of Argyll? It is especially what is said about Darwin's coral-island theory in the following lines, to which I wish to refer:—“All the acclamations with which it was received were as the shouts of an ignorant mob. It is well to know that the plebiscites of science may be as dangerous and as hollow as those of politics. The overthrow of Darwin's speculation is only beginning to be known.… Reluctantly, almost sulkily, and with a grudging silence as far as public discussion is concerned, the ugly possibility has been contemplated as too disagreeable to be much talked about.”
The Peach–Koehler equation for the force on a dislocation modified for hydrostatic pressure

Abstract It is shown that a more natural description of the forces on a dislocation is obtained if in the Peach–Koehler equation all the stresses are replaced by the deviator stresses.
Seeing chance: perceptual reasoning as an epistemic resource for grounding compound event spaces

The mathematics subject matter of probability is notoriously challenging, and in particular the content of random compound events. When students analyze experiments, they often omit to discern variations as distinct events, e.g., HT and TH in the case of flipping a pair of coins, and thus infer erroneous predictions. Educators have addressed this conceptual difficulty by engaging students in actual experiments whose outcomes contradict the erroneous predictions. Yet whereas empirical activities per se are crucial for any probability design, because they introduce the pivotal contents of randomness, variance, sample size, and relations among them, empirical activities may not be the unique or best means for students to accept the logic of combinatorial analysis. Instead, learners may avail of their own pre-analytic perceptual judgments of the random generator itself so as to arrive at predictions that agree rather than conflict with mathematical analysis. I support this view first by detailing its philosophical, theoretical, and didactical foundations and then by presenting empirical findings from a design-based research project. Twenty-eight students aged 9–11 participated in tutorial, task-based clinical interviews that utilized an innovative random generator. Their predictions were mathematically correct even though initially they did not discern variations. Students were then led to recognize the formal event space as a semiotic means of objectifying these presymbolic notions. I elaborate on the thesis via micro-ethnographic analysis of key episodes from a paradigmatic case study.
Price flexibility and international shrimp supply

Abstract This paper provides an in‐depth analysis of shrimp price flexibility and the impact of decreases in quantity supplied of shrimp on world price. Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) is utilized to determine price flexibility of shrimp and changes in quantity supplied on world shrimp price. The key objective of this paper is to use Huang's direct procedure and Eales’ indirect technique for calculating price flexibilities to evaluate the effects of a reduction in quantity supplied of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% from shrimp aquaculture sources on world price. Estimated price flexibility for the quantity supplied of aquaculture shrimp was ‐0.32. A 5% decrease in quantity supplied increases price by 6%, while a 10 % decrease, increases price by 14%. A decrease in quantity supplied of 20%, increases price by 22%, but a 30% decrease, increases price by 36%. The results indicate that if world supply should plummet, due to deteriorating environmental conditions, such as disease or pollution, world shrimp price w...
Nurse practitioners information needs and information seeking: Implications for practice and education

This report is an exploratory study of the information needs and information seeking in a sample of nurse practitioners (NPs) approved to practice in North Carolina. A search and review of relevant literature revealed no studies on this topic. In this study, NPs report their most frequent information needs relate to drug therapy, diagnosis, and other therapy. Their most frequently used information resources are physicians, drug reference manuals, and textbooks. They most frequently confer with physicians on diagnosis and other therapy and other NPs on psychosocial issues.
Effect of Flexible Spacer Length on the Phase Transitions and Mesophase Structures of Main-Chain Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Polyesters Having Bulky Pendent Side Groups†

The effect of flexible spacer length on the phase transitions and mesophase structures of main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters having bulky pendent side groups was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). For the investigation, a homologous series of poly[(phenylsulfonyl)-p-phenylene alkylenebis(4-oxybenzoate)]s (PSHQn) having varying lengths (n) of methylene groups of flexible spacers (n = 3−12) were synthesized in our laboratory. Using POM we observed that all PSHQn synthesized, with the exception of PSHQ3, have only a schlieren-textured nematic mesophase at temperatures between a glass transition temperature (or melting point) and the isotropization temperature; the nematic−isotropic transition temperature exhibits odd−even fluctuation with the number of methylene groups of the flexible spacer. We found that the isotropization enthalpy and isotropization entropy for PSHQn do not follow a li...
2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate inhibits inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor function, ubiquitination and downregulation, but acts with variable characteristics in different cell types

Abstract 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) is a putative, membrane-permeable inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors, but it is the case that little is known about its action at the InsP3 receptor level. Thus, we examined the effects of 2-APB on InsP3 receptor-mediated effects in a range of cell types expressing different complements of InsP3 receptor types. In experiments with permeabilized cells we found that 2-APB could inhibit InsP3-induced release of stored Ca2+, but also that it released Ca2+, and that the prevalence of these two effects varied between different cell types and did not correlate with the expression of a particular receptor type. These effects of 2-APB reflected an interaction distal to the ligand binding site of InsP3 receptors, since InsP3 binding was unaffected by 2-APB. In intact cells, we found only inhibitory effects of 2-APB on Ca2+ mobilization, and that variation between cell types in the characteristics of this inhibition appeared to be due to differential entry of 2-APB. 2-APB also inhibited InsP3 receptor ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, which again was cell type dependent. In total, these data reveal a remarkable degree of variation between cell types in the effects of 2-APB, showing that its usefulness as a specific and universal inhibitor of InsP3 receptors is limited. However, the ability of 2-APB to inhibit InsP3 receptor ubiquitination and degradation indicates that 2-APB may block InsP3-induced conformational changes in the receptor, resulting in perturbation of multiple regulatory events.
Estimating responses of fish populations to toxic contaminants

In assessments of risks of toxic contaminants to fish populations, the endpoints of ultimate interest are the persistence, abundance, and production of populations. In this article we demonstrate a method for expressing toxicity test data obtained from full-life-cycle tests in terms of the same indices used to assess effects of harvesting and power-plant cooling systems on fish populations. Our approach involves fitting the logistic concentration-response function to chronic test data and coupling the functions obtained to a fish life-cycle model. Confidence bands derived from the data quantify uncertainties inherent in predicting population-level effects from (1) full-life-cycle test data for the species of interest, (2) extrapolation of a concentration-response function from an acute LC50 for the species of interest, and (3) extrapolation from an acute LC50 for another species. Using rainbow trout and largemouth bass as representative species, we evaluate the relative importances of three sources of uncertainty contributing to prediction intervals for populationlevel effects. We also compare population-level concentration-response functions to predicted and experimentally derived maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations for five toxic chemicals.
Temporary anions of the fluoroethylenes

Abstract Electron transmission spectroscopy is employed to measure the gas phase electron affinities of the fluoroethylenes. Fluorination is found to destabilize the π* anions with respect to that of ethylene. The role of bond length changes as well as inductive and resonance effects is examined.
The new age of acne therapy: light, lasers, and radiofrequency.

BACKGROUND: Current treatments for acne vulgaris include topical and oral medications that counteract microcomedone formation, sebum production, Propionibacterium acnes, and inflammation. Concerns about the short‐ and long‐term consequences of these medications, along with technological advancements, have to significant progress in the management of acne. These developments include light, laser, and radio frequency, which may offer faster onset of action, equal or greater efficacy, and greater convenience than traditional approaches. CONCLUSION: Research emphasizing long‐term follow‐up and comparative, randomized trials is necessary to determine whether these emerging technologies will become a viable alternative to standard therapies such as antibiotics.
Large amplitude, low frequency plasma fluctuations at comet Giacobini-Zinner

Very large amplitude fluctuations in electron density, temperature, and flow velocity were a prominent aspect of the solar wind interaction with Comet Giacobini-Zinner during the ICE encounter in September 1985. These fluctuations were detected at a distance of at least 900,000 km and grew in amplitude as ICE approached the comet, peaking in amplitude 60,000 km from closest approach. A typical period associated with the fluctuations was about 2 min, which corresponds to a scale length in the solar wind frame of about 50,000 km. For the most part these fluctuations appear to be a product of one or more plasma instabilities associated with the solar wind pick up of cometary ions.
V. An Analysis and Interpretation

In the preceding four papers of this series, we have presented evidence from four different hospital newborn services, which substantiates several hypotheses: (1) the presence of one particular strain of Staphylo coccus aureus may interfere with the subsequent acquisition of another staphylococcal strain; (2) this phenomenon can be utilized to protect an infant against infection and disease caused by the so-called epidemic phage types; and (3) certain staphylococcal types are more pathogenic to infants than others. 1-4 These studies were carried out in hospitals which cared for different population groups and engaged in a variety of nursery practices. The epidemiology of infectious disease in general is complex and perhaps even undefinable when several mutually independent factors operate simultaneously. It is thus Table1.—Protective Effect of Strain 502A on Subsequent Nasal Colonization With Other Types of Staphylococcus Aureus: Summary of Data from Three Colonization with 80/81 or Staphylococci Other Than 502A
Tomoregulin-1 (TMEFF1) inhibits nodal signaling through direct binding to the nodal coreceptor Cripto

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signals regulate multiple processes during development and in adult. We recently showed that tomoregulin-1 (TMEFF1), a transmembrane protein, selectively inhibits nodal but not activin in early Xenopus embryos. Here we report that TMEFF1 binds to the nodal coreceptor Cripto, but does not associate with either nodal or the type I ALK (activin receptor-like kinase) 4 receptor in coimmunoprecipitation assays. The inhibition of the nodal signaling by TMEFF1 in Xenopus ectodermal explants is rescued with wild-type but not mutant forms of Cripto. Furthermore, we show that the Cripto-FRL1-Cryptic (CFC) domain in Cripto, which is essential for its binding to ALK4, is also important for its interaction with TMEFF1. Our results demonstrate for the first time that nodal signaling can be regulated by a novel mechanism of blocking the Cripto coreceptor.
Highly flexible wide angle of incidence terahertz metamaterial absorber: Design, fabrication, and characterization

We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a metamaterial absorber which is resonant at terahertz frequencies. We experimentally demonstrate an absorptivity of 0.97 at 1.6 THz. Importantly, our absorber is only $16\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\text{m}$ thick, resulting in a highly flexible material that, further, operates over a wide range of angles of incidence for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic radiation.
Improved adhesion between nickel -titanium shape memory alloy and a polymer matrix via silane coupling agents

NiTi wires were functionalized with silane coupling agents to improve interfacial adhesion between the inorganic constituent and a host matrix for composite applications. Surface derivatization was characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and mechanical pullout tests were performed to quantify the increase in adhesion between the NiTi shape memory alloy wires and polymer matrix. Improvements of roughly 100% in the adhesion was realized as compared to unfunctionalized samples or to samples functionalized with an unreactive silane coupling agent.
Novelty as a reinforcer for position learning in children

Abstract The stimulus-familiarization-effect (SFE) paradigm, a reaction-time (RT) task based on a response to novelty procedure, was modified to assess response for novelty, i.e., a response-reinforcement sequence. Ninetysix kindergarten children were familiarized on one of two colored lights. Then Ss were confronted with a simple position discrimination task in which they could choose between two response buttons which produced either the previously familiarized light or a new (i.e., novel) light. Results showed that the choice response for the novel stimulus (NS) was facilitated by three variables: number of exposures to and duration per exposure of the familiar stimulus (FS), and degree of change provided by the NS relative to the FS. The parallel between the effective variables of this study and those which produce the SFE was noted, implicating an attention interpretation of the function of novelty as a reinforcer. The potential implications of attention for reinforcement theory and learning in general are discussed.
State-dependent Riccati equation-based robust dive plane control of AUV with control constraints

The paper treats the question of suboptimal dive plane control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) using the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique. The SDRE method provides an effective mean of designing nonlinear control systems for minimum as well as nonminimum phase AUV models. It is assumed that the hydrodynamic parameters of the nonlinear vehicle model are imprecisely known, and in order to obtain a practical design, a hard constraint on control fin deflection is imposed. The problem of depth control is treated as a robust nonlinear output (depth) regulation problem with constant disturbance and reference exogenous signals. As such an internal model of first-order fed by the tracking error is constructed. A quadratic performance index is chosen for optimization and the algebraic Riccati equation is solved to obtain a suboptimal control law for the model with unconstrained input. For the design of model with fin angle constraints, a slack variable is introduced to transform the constrained control input problem into an unconstrained problem, and a suboptimal control law is designed for the augmented system using a modified performance index. Using the center manifold theorem, it is shown that in the closed-loop system, the system trajectories are regulated to a manifold (called output zeroing manifold) on which the depth tracking error is zero and the equilibrium state is asymptotically stable. Simulation results are presented which show that effective depth control is accomplished in spite of the uncertainties in the system parameters and control fin deflection constraints.
A New Technique of Measurement of Nonstationary Harmonics

A new method of measurement of harmonics of potentially time-varying frequency is presented. The proposed method is based on adaptive estimation of the fundamental and individual harmonic components of the power signal and tracking their variations over time. The structure and mathematical formulation of the proposed technique are presented and its performance is demonstrated in a variety of scenarios where the frequency of the power signal undergoes variations over time. Throughout the experiments, the proposed technique is compared to two of the most promising techniques recently reported in the literature
Mechanical Design and Control of a 2 Degree of Freedom Robotic Hand Rehabilitation Device

Robotic neurorehabilitation is a rapidly growing field in both research and industry. Robotics offer the ability to create less labor-intensive rehabilitation for therapists, while providing an interactive experience for patients. Furthermore, the ability to implement assistive robotic therapy in the home setting has the potential to increase the frequency of patient rehabilitation sessions while decreasing the overall cost of therapy. Therefore, the design, control, and initial testing of an actuated 2 degree of freedom hand rehabilitation device is presented.A 2 degree of freedom hand rehabilitation device, named the Navigator, is mechanically capable of assistive or resistive mode exercise for flexion and extension of the fingers, as well as pronation and supination of the wrist. A series elastic actuator incorporating a rack and pinion provides actuation to flexion and extension of the fingers. A belt drive is used to provide actuation to pronation and supination of the wrist. Position and load sensors are integrated into both actuators to provide feedback for the control system.The implementation of an impedance control system utilizing position, force, and torque feedback is also presented. Automated control results as well as preliminary pilot data of resistive mode exercises are presented. The impedance controller interacts with a virtual environment. Preliminary results of the controller confirm the efficacy of the device’s mechanical design.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Learning to Parse Liaison-Initial Words: An Eye-Tracking Study.

This study investigates the processing of resyllabified words by native English speakers at three proficiency levels in French and by native French speakers. In particular, it examines non-native listeners’ development of a parsing procedure for recognizing vowel-initial words in the context of liaison, a process that creates a misalignment of the syllable and word boundaries in French. The participants completed an eye-tracking experiment in which they identified liaison- and consonant-initial real and nonce words in auditory stimuli. The results show that the non-native listeners had little difficulty recognizing liaison-initial real words, and they recognized liaison-initial nonce words more rapidly than consonant-initial ones. By contrast, native listeners recognized consonant-initial real and nonce words more rapidly than liaison-initial ones. These results suggest that native and non-native listeners used different parsing procedures for recognizing liaison-initial words in the task, with the non-native listeners’ ability to segment liaison-initial words being phonologically abstract rather than lexical.
High performance output Schottky I 2 L/MTL

The design and characterization of a second generation I2L/MTL gate with five decoupled collectors, each collector incorporating a PtSi Schottky diode, is presented. A deep buried-collector implant is used to minimize base current losses and increase the effective up gain. An increase in A.C. performance by 40 to 70% over the second generation gate with N+collectors is obtained which depends on the effective Schottky barrier height or logic swing in the region of extrinsic delay. For an effective Schottky barrier height of 0.65 eV, the gate is fully functional over the military temperature range of -55 to 125°C where βeff u ≥ 4 and τ-d = 10 ns at 100 µA injector current. At 25°C the speed power product is constant for low injector currents at 0.16 pJ and increases to 0.7 pJ at 100 µA injector current.
The effect on retardate discrimination learning of various stimuli associated with reward.

Abstract An hypothesis was tested which predicted the effect on two-choice, visual discrimination learning of four stimulus conditions associated with reward. The hypothesis was based on the theory that stimuli associated with reward operate as (1) CS in classical conditioning of approach responses, and (2) secondary reinforcement of choice responses. Each of four groups of 12 moderately retarded chidren were presented with a form discrimination problem under one of the following reward stimulus conditions: RP contained cues in common with the positive discriminandum, RN contained cues in common with the negative discriminandum, IC contained cues correlated with reward but dissimilar to either discriminandum, and INC contained the same cues as IC but uncorrelated with reward. The observed order of group performance was RP, IC, RN, and INC as predicted. The same hypothesis was used to account for data obtained in similar experiments by Bauer and Lawrence, Jarvik, and Shepp.
Ion Transport and Electrochemical Gradients under DC and AC Signals

The cell must be able to exchange materials with its surrounding environment via the plasma membrane in order to survive. Here we investigate passive ion transport across reconstituted lipid bilayers and compare ionic flow through gramicidin A channels under applied DC and AC signals. For these measurements, we adapted a Planar Lipid Bilayer workstation with a frequency mudulator in order to handle applied AC signals and focused our studies to lithium transport to correlate with previous measurements of lithium effects on lipid interactions. Studying the behaviour of lipid bilayers under AC voltages will allow for further insight on how the cell's plasma membrane reacts to suddent variations in voltages.
Low temperature integration of hybrid CMOS devices on plastic substrates

The development of flexible Complimentary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) circuits reduces power consumption by ∼50x compared to n-type (or p-type) only thin film transistor (TFT) digital circuits. In this work we demonstrate a new integration approach to fabricate CMOS circuits on plastic substrates (Poly-ethylene naphthalene, PEN). We use pentacene and amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin film transistors for p-type and n-type devices, respectively. The maximum processing temperature for n-type TFTs is 180°C and 120°C for the p-type TFTs. CMOS circuits demonstrated include inverters, NAND and NOR gates. nMOS and pMOS carrier mobility achieved after the CMOS integration process flow are 1.0 and 0.05 cm2/V-s, respectively. Threshold voltages (V t ) are 3.89V for nMOS and −1.89V for pMOS. The voltage transfer curve of the CMOS inverter showed a gain of 16. Correct logic operation of integrated flexible NAND and NOR CMOS gates are reported.
An overview of coaching with limitations

As agent relationships become more complex, one challenging relationship that merits study is that of coach or adviser to another agent. Our research on coaching refers to one autonomous agent providing advice to another autonomous agent about how to act. Here we describe the current state of the coach agent framework we are developing. One of our goals is to design a coach agent that can provide advice to many differently built and structured advice taking agents. A coach must then adapt its advice to the capabilities and limitations of the agents it is coaching. This paper explores the effect of advice giving in the presence of limitations.
Sensor fusion for intrusion detection and assessment

Successful intrusion detection and assessment within a secured area typically requires the presentation of a large amount of information to a central alarm station operator. Typically, alarm information from several separate sensors is forwarded to the operator to be manually interpreted. However, the information is not always consistent with the actual situation and may not be sufficiently complete to make an accurate analysis. Alarm processing and fusion techniques can be applied to the sensor data to result in complete and manageable information that is presented to the operator for easier interpretation. This paper discusses the sensor fusion approach taken to combine the information from the three sensors included in the Advanced Exterior Sensor (AES). The AES is an intrusion detection and assessment system designed for wide-area coverage, quick deployment, low false/nuisance alarm operation, and immediate visual assessment. It combines three sensor technologies, visible, infrared, and millimeter wave radar, collocated on a compact and portable remote sensor module. The remote sensor module rotates at a rate of one revolution per second to detect and track motion and provide assessment in a continuous 360 degree(s) field-of-regard. Sensor fusion techniques are used to correlate and integrate the track data from the three sensors into a single track for operator observation. Additional inputs to the fusion process include environmental data, knowledge of sensor performance under certain weather conditions, sensor priority, and recent operator feedback. A confidence value is assigned to the track as a result of the fusion process. This helps to reduce nuisance alarms and to increase operator confidence in the system while reducing the workload of the operator.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
AN AB INITIO STUDY OF THE STRUCTURES AND ENERGETICS OF CH3OCL AND CH3CLO

The equilibrium structures, vibrational spectra, and heats of formation for CH3OCl and CH3ClO have been estimated using high levels of ab initio molecular orbital theory. The lowest energy isomer is found to be CH3OCl, and its heat of formation is estimated to be −13.5±2 kcal mol−1, in good agreement with bond additivity estimates. Results for the CH3ClO isomer are presented for the first time, and it is found to be 40.5 kcal mol−1 higher in energy relative to CH3OCl. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 73: 29–35, 1999
Membrane Type Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Activates Pro-gelatinase A without Furin Cleavage of the N-terminal Domain

Abstract Membrane type matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT-MMP1), a novel 63-kDa member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is a membrane-anchored enzyme and an activator for gelatinase A. In addition to its C-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane domain, MT-MMP1 has an insertion of 11 amino acids between its propeptide and catalytic domain encrypted with a RRKR recognition motif for the paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme, furin. In this report, we investigated whether the cleavage of the RRKR motif of MT-MMP1 by Golgi-associated furin is analogous to a similar enzyme activation mechanism observed with stromelysin-3. Mutant forms of MT-MMP1 were cotransfected into COS-1 cells with cDNAs for pro-gelatinase A and/or furin. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting using specific antibodies were employed to characterize cell proteins. Whereas furin readily cleaved soluble MT-MMP1 lacking the transmembrane domain (ΔMT-MMP1), a soluble stromelysin-1/ΔMT-MMP1 chimera without the RRKR basic motif was resistant to furin-induced cleavage. COS-1 cells cotransfected with wild type MT-MMP1 cDNA and furin cDNA demonstrated a 63-kDa protein (latent enzyme) on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis rather than the anticipated lower molecular weight activated enzyme. Inhibition of furin activity with α1-protease inhibitorPittsburgh (a furin inhibitor) did not affect the pro-gelatinase A activation mechanism in COS-1 cells cotransfected with MT-MMP1 and pro-gelatinase A cDNAs. Furthermore, substitution of the RRKR motif of MT-MMP1 with alanine residues by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in the same 63-kDa protein without loss of pro-gelatinase A activation function. These data indicate that furin-induced activation of MT-MMP1 is not a prerequisite for pro-gelatinase A activation. The mechanism of activation of cell-bound MT-MMP1 remains to be elucidated.
Almost fully efficient and robust simultaneous estimation of location and scale parameters: A minimum distance approach

Abstract Simultaneous robust estimates of location and scale parameters are derived from minimizing a minimum distance criterion function. The criterion function measures the squared distance between the p th power ( p > 0) of the empirical distribution function and the p th power of the imperfectly determined model distribution function over the real line. We show that the estimator is uniquely defined, asymptotically bivariate normal and has positive breakdown. When p = 0.56 the estimator is almost fully efficient at the normal model. Efficiencies are 0.9999 and 0.9998 for the location and scale parameters, respectively. Some other choices of p values produce highly efficient and robust estimates as well. It is shown that the location estimator has maximum breakdown point 0.5 independent of p when the scale is known. If the true and target models are both symmetric, then the location estimator is consistent for the center of the symmetry even if the true model is imperfectly determined.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Stimulates the Maturation of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-1 in Human Hepatocytes through the Action of Neutral Sphingomyelinase

The mechanism by which genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and import are preferentially up-regulated in response to sterol depletion was elucidated with the cloning of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1). SREBP-1 is a transcription factor whose entry into the nucleus is gated by sterol-regulated proteolysis. We have investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as a mediator of SREBP-1 maturation in human hepatocytes. TNF-α is capable of inducing SREBP-1 maturation in a time- and dose-dependent manner that is consistent with the kinetics of TNF-α-mediated activation of neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase). Antibodies to N-SMase inhibit TNF-α-induced SREBP-1 maturation suggesting that N-SMase is a necessary component of this signal transduction pathway. Ceramide, a product of sphingomyelin hydrolysis, is also capable of inducing SREBP-1 maturation. The mature form of SREBP-1 generated by TNF-α, sphingomyelinase or ceramide treatment translocates to the nucleus and binds the sterol regulatory element. This promotes transcription of the gene upstream of the sterol regulatory element. A unique finding of our studies is that ceramide stimulated SREBP-1 maturation even in the presence of cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol both of which are known suppressors of SREBP-1 maturation. Our findings indicate that ceramide-mediated maturation of SREBP-1 maturation is a novel sterol-independent mechanism by which cholesterol homeostasis may be regulated.
Study of cellulases from a newly isolated thermophilic and cellulolytic Brevibacillus sp. strain JXL

A potentially novel aerobic, thermophilic, and cellulolytic bacterium designated as Brevibacillus sp. strain JXL was isolated from swine waste. Strain JXL can utilize a broad range of carbohydrates including: cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), xylan, cellobiose, glucose, and xylose. In two different media supplemented with crystalline cellulose and CMC at 57 degrees C under aeration, strain JXL produced a basal level of cellulases as FPU of 0.02 IU/ml in the crude culture supernatant. When glucose or cellobiose was used besides cellulose, cellulase activities were enhanced ten times during the first 24 h, but with no significant difference between these two simple sugars. After that time, however, culture with glucose demonstrated higher cellulase activities compared with that from cellobiose. Similar trend and effect on cellulase activities were also obtained when glucose or cellobiose served as a single substrate. The optimal doses of cellobiose and glucose for cellulase induction were 0.5 and 1%. These inducing effects were further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, which indicated the presence of extracellular protuberant structures. These cellulosome-resembling structures were most abundant in culture with glucose, followed by cellobiose and without sugar addition. With respect to cellulase activity assay, crude cellulases had an optimal temperature of 50 degrees C and a broad optimal pH range of 6-8. These cellulases also had high thermotolerance as evidenced by retaining more than 50% activity at 100 degrees C after 1 h. In summary, this is the first study to show that the genus Brevibacillus may have strains that can degrade cellulose.