cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-Flow Hydraulic Conductivity Tests at Wells that Cross the Water Table

Wells with screens and sand packs that cross the water table represent a challenging problem for determining hydraulic conductivity by slug testing due to sand pack drainage and resaturation. Sand pack drainage results in a multisegmented recovery curve. One must then subjectively pick a portion of the curve to analyze. Sand pack drainage also results in a change in the effective radius of the well which requires a guess at the porosity or specific yield in analyzing the test. In the study of Robbins et al. (2009), a method was introduced to obtain hydraulic conductivity in monitoring wells using the steady-state drawdown and flow rate obtained during low-flow sampling. The method was tested in this study in wells whose screens cross the water table and shown to avoid sand pack drainage problems that complicate analyzing slug tests. In applying the method to low-flow sampling, only a single pair of steady-state flow rate and drawdown are needed; hence, to derive meaningful results, an accurate determination of these parameters is required.
Linearity of offspring-parent regression for general cognitive ability.

Composite general cognitive ability scores were computed for members of 843 families from the Americans of European Ancestry sample in the Hawaii Family Study of Cognition (HFSC) and were analyzed for linearity of offspring-parent resemblance. Regressions of midoffspring on midparent values using various subgroupings of the data set, as well as a test for the significance of the quadratic regression obtained from an analysis of the entire sample, provided little or no evidence for nonlinear offspring-parent resemblance. These results differ from those recently reported by Reed and Rich [(1982), Behav. Genet.12:535–542], possibly because all family members tested in the HFSC are within the normal range of mental ability, whereas the Reed and Rich sample consists of families having a history of mental retardation.
human Corneal Storage in Modified Mccarey-kaufman and K-sol Media : effect on Endothelial Na + /k + atpase Pump Site Density and Permeability

Endothelial permeability (Pac) to carboxyfluorescein and Na+/K+ ATPase pump site density were determined in human corneas following storage for 4 or 7 days at 4 degrees C in either modified McCarey-Kaufman (mMK) or K-Sol media. Following 4 days of storage, Pac values for mMK- and K-Sol-preserved corneas were not significantly different from those of their prestorage mates. After 7 days of storage, however, corneas stored in K-Sol media showed a significant increase in Pac compared to their prestorage mates, whereas the mMK-stored corneas showed no change in Pac. Na+/K+ ATPase pump site density determined using [3H]ouabain was similar to a control group in the K-Sol-stored tissue but higher in the mMK-stored tissue following 7 days of storage. These studies suggest that mMK medium maintains endothelial barrier function and Na+/K+ ATPase pump site density at least as well as K-Sol medium through 7 days of corneal storage.
Diosmium(III) compounds supported by 2-anilinopyridinate and novel alkynyl derivatives.

The reaction between Os2(OAc)4Cl2 and Hap (Hap is 2-anilinopyridine) under prolonged refluxing conditions resulted in an OsIII2 compound, Os2(ap)4Cl2 (1), that can be crystallized as either the cis...
Sampling interval drift in digital filters

Abstract The effect of sampling interval drift on the digital filter magnitude function is considered for impulse invariant and bilinear transform design methods. For both types of filter designs a change in the sampling interval will cause critical filter frequencies to shift. The expression for this shift is shown to be the same for the two design methods. Finally, a time-domain analysis shows that the problem can be considered in terms of a perturbed input signal and an unperturbed filter
Molecular responses of fishes to elevated carbon dioxide.

Abstract Hypercarbia, or elevated carbon dioxide, is an environmental challenge that can have detrimental effects on the physiology and performance of aquatic organisms. With aquatic hypercarbia predicted to become more prevalent in the future due to global climate change, it is important to quantify how hypercarbia impacts aquatic organisms, especially fish. The impact of hypercarbia on the behavior and physiology of fishes has been well studied, but relatively few studies have examined the molecular processes that underlie resulting behavioral and physiological changes. In an effort to define the molecular response of fishes to acute hypercarbia exposure, bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) and silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) were exposed to either 30 mg L − 1 CO 2 ( p CO 2 ≈ 15,700 μatm) or ambient (10 mg L − 1 CO 2 ; p CO 2 ≈ 920 μatm) conditions for 1 h and the expression of a variety of genes, across three tissues, were compared. Exposure to 30 mg L − 1 CO 2 in bluegill and silver carp resulted in an increase in c-fos , hif1 -α, and gr-2 transcripts, while silver carp alone showed increases in hsp70 and hsc70-2 mRNA. This study demonstrates that acute hypercarbia exposure impacts gene expression in a species and tissue specific manner, which can be useful in identifying potential mechanisms for hypercarbia tolerance between species, and pinpoint specific tissues that are sensitive to hypercarbia exposure.
What teachers say and do to support students' autonomy during a learning activity.

Teachers with an autonomy-supportive style rely on different instructional behaviors to motivate their students than do teachers with a controlling style. In the present investigation, the authors tested which of these instructional behaviors actually correlated positively or negatively with students' autonomy. The authors used Deci, Spiegel, Ryan, Koestner, & Kauffman's (1982) teacher-student laboratory paradigm to randomly assign 72 pairs of same-sex preservice teachers into the role of either teacher or student. From videotapes of the 10-min instructional episode, raters scored 11 hypothesized autonomy-supportive behaviors and 10 hypothesized controlling behaviors. Correlational analyses confirmed that students perceived the functional significance of 8 instructional behaviors as autonomy supports and 6 instructional behaviors as autonomy thwarts. The discussion focuses on the interpretation and classroom implications of these data.
On eliminating synchronous communication in molecular simulations to improve scalability

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulation, as a complementary tool to experimentation, has become an important methodology for the understanding and design of molecular systems as it provides access to properties that are difficult, impossible or prohibitively expensive to obtain experimentally. Many of the available software packages have been parallelized to take advantage of modern massively concurrent processing resources. The challenge in achieving parallel efficiency is commonly attributed to the fact that molecular dynamics algorithms are communication intensive. This paper illustrates how an appropriately chosen data distribution and asynchronous one-sided communication approach can be used to effectively deal with the data movement within the Global Arrays/ARMCI programming model framework. A new put_notify capability is presented here, allowing the implementation of the molecular dynamics algorithm without any explicit global or local synchronization or global data reduction operations. In addition, this push-data model is shown to very effectively allow hiding data communication behind computation. Rather than data movement or explicit global reductions, the implicit synchronization of the algorithm becomes the primary challenge for scalability. Without any explicit synchronous operations, the scalability of molecular simulations is shown to depend only on the ability to evenly balance computational load.
SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF MARY BETH WHITEHEAD

Although the testimony of mental health experts in custody cases is supposed to be scientific and objective, the experts' testimony in the Mary Beth Whitehead case was imbued with prevailing middle-class biases about good mothers and good parenting. Close review of the experts' reports fails to substantiate many of their assessments and recommendations and demonstrates instead a consistent bias in favor of the Sterns and against Mary Beth Whitehead.
50th ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE: Option Pricing: Valuation Models and Applications

This paper surveys the literature on option pricing from its origins to the present. An extensive review of valuation methods for European- and American-style claims is provided. Applications to complex securities and numerical methods are surveyed. Emphasis is placed on recent trends and developments in methodology and modeling.
Identification of Uncertain, Spatially Varying Parameters through Multilevel Sampling

Abstract While stochastic sampling methods remain widely used to simulate solutions of partial differential equations with random parameters, due to ease of implementation on a parallel computing architecture, they can nevertheless carry a considerable computational cost, especially if reliable statistics are sought at high levels of spatial fidelity. Multilevel sampling methods improve upon the efficiency of traditional sampling schemes without compromising on accuracy and parallelizability, by dynamically incorporating the model's spatial discretization into the sampling procedure. Moreover, the diagnostic estimates that are computed to monitor the solution's convergence behaviour during the course of the algorithm, can be used to inform adaptive spatial refinement strategies. In this paper we leverage these properties to develop an adaptive, multilevel algorithm for identifying the statistical distribution of a spatially varying parameter from the statistical description of a related model output, based on experimental measurements.
End-to-end performance control for distributed real-time systems

A best effort scheduling algorithm is used to reduce the probability of exceeding a deadline-related target time for each job class allocated to a distributed real-time system. A dynamic scheduler is used as a point of control on each node of a pipeline-structured distributed system. The authors contrast a local clustering scheduling algorithm which attempts to meet end-to-end timing requirements in isolation to a global clustering scheduling algorithm which attempts to meet end-to-end timing requirements by utilizing information about the state of other nodes in a job's execution path. The approach incorporates both job-class-based loss functions and feedback of remaining time estimates. A simulation study has shown that the global algorithm can provide an even distribution of processing power over all nodes and job classes while maintaining system stability. >
Central retinal artery occlusion from carotid dissection diagnosed by cervical computed tomography.

Carotid dissection may lead to many different types of neurological deficits, both transient and permanent.We present a patient with an isolated central retinal artery occlusion who was found to have an ipsilateral carotid dissection by neck computed tomographic scan, later confirmed by angiography.This is the first reported case of carotid dissection causing central retinal artery occlusion without any other neurological deficits. It demonstrates the diagnostic usefulness of computed tomographic imaging in such cases.
Phase-stability detection of stationary targets

The SAR (synthetic aperture radar) detection of stationary targets hidden in highly cluttered environments by using phase stability is studied. The theoretical performance of such a detection scheme is evaluated using simplified target and clutter models. Detection is based on a model where targets contain a concentration of phase-stable scatterers, and clutter is made up of phase-unstable scatterers. The proposed algorithm involves the transmission of three equally spaced frequencies. Each pixel is characterized by its observed stability, a linear combination of the phase shifts at each of the three frequencies, whose weights are +1, -2, +1, respectively. A mask is a collection of pixels chosen to match the possible geometry of a target. The observed stability of a mask is the weighted average of the squares of the observed stability of the pixels it contains. >
Characterization of a Variation on AFIT’s Tunable MEMS Cantilever Array Metamaterial

Metamaterials are devices with embedded structures that provide the device with unique properties. Several applications for metamaterials have been proposed including electromagnetic cloaks, lenses with improved resolution over traditional lenses, and improved antennas. This research addresses an obstacle to practical metamaterial development, namely the small bandwidth of current metamaterial devices. This research characterizes the effectiveness of several metamaterial designs. The basic design incorporates a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) variable capacitor into a double negative (DNG) metamaterial structure. One set of devices is fabricated with the MEMS capacitor in the gap of the split ring resonator (SRR) of the DNG metamaterial. Applying voltage to the MEMS device changes the effective capacitance, thereby adjusting the resonant frequency of the device. Additionally, similar devices with three possible capacitor layouts are examined with stripline measurements and computer models. Recommendations for design improvements are provided. The initial capacitor layout with MEMS capacitors in the split ring gaps is recommended for future design iterations with adjusted gap capacitance values.
Feeding by a gall-inducing caterpillar species alters levels of indole-3-acetic and abscisic acid in Solidago altissima (Asteraceae) stems

Various plant antagonists appear to alter phytohormone levels for their own benefit. Among insects, gall-inducing species appear to influence phytohormones and it is widely believed that they alter levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to help produce their galls, but evidence exists for only a limited number of species. To further explore the role of phytohormones in gall formation, we measured levels of IAA and abscisic acid (ABA), a hormone involved in plant defenses and that can influence IAA, in tissues of control stems of Solidagoaltissima (Asteraceae) and those galled by Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis (Gelechiidae). This gall-inducing caterpillar species significantly altered the distribution of IAA in galls and the larvae themselves contained high concentrations of IAA. In contrast, the generalist caterpillar Heliothis virescens (Noctuidae) neither altered IAA nor accumulated significant concentrations of IAA, suggesting that G. gallaesolidaginis may have a distinctive influence over IAA. The gall-inducing caterpillars, particularly younger larvae, also contained high levels of ABA but did not increase levels of ABA, which is induced by herbivory of H. virescens. Because G. gallaesolidaginis also does not increase levels of other defense-related hormones, avoiding generalized plant defenses may facilitate gall induction and formation.
Perpendicular Media Overcoat Coverage Challenge

The perpendicular media investigated employed silicon oxide in the recording layer to facilitate grain segregation, as reported. Overcoat used for these studies includes sputtered CNx, SiNx and ion beam carbon. Method for corrosion assessment includes (1) ICP-MS measurement of extractable Co, (2) Electrochemical polarization curve, and (3) Temperature and Relative Humidity (T&RH) condensation test. Roughness-induced challenges on subsequent post processing steps is reported. Because PMR media is reported to have high surface roughness, our first study has been designed to quantify overcoat coverage limit and compare that with longitudinal media.
The Use of Asset Recovery in War Crimes Cases

The freezing, seizure, and confiscation of money and property have become common in cases involving organized crime and corruption, because it is recognized that such actions are key tools in the fight against crime. Such asset recovery operations are also routinely conducted at the international level, in order to recover funds that have crossed borders. In recent times, the link between corruption and organized crime with the commission of war crimes has become growingly more evident. In particular, it has become increasingly obvious that there is a financial motivation both to initiate wars and to commit war crimes as part of belligerent organizations. This is especially true in the context of the recent wars in the former Yugoslavia. However, asset recovery remains uncommon in war crimes and crimes against humanity cases. In light of the financial motivations behind warfare, asset recovery operations should be a key component of war crimes litigation, in order to both deter and punish those who engage in such crimes for financial reasons. Encouragingly, there is some evidence that a new focus on asset recovery in the war crimes context may be emerging at both the national and international levels.
Convergence properties of Gram-Schmidt and SMI adaptive algorithms. II

For pt.I see ibid., vol.26, no.1, p.44-56, Jan. 1990. Theorems and relationships associated with the convergence rate of the Gram-Schmidt (GS) and sampled matrix inversion (SMI) algorithms are presented. Two forms of the GS canceler are discussed: concurrent block processing and sliding window processing. It is shown (as has been stated by other researchers) that the concurrent block processed GS canceler converges rapidly to its optimal signal-to-noise ratio. However, it is also shown that the result is deceptive in that the output residue samples may be highly correlated, which would significantly degrade postdetection processing. It is demonstrated that a specific form of a sliding window GS canceler has the same convergence properties as the concurrent block processed GS canceler. >
A New Ray Optical Statistical Model for Multipath Characteristics Pertinent to Indoor Geolocation

A ray optics based statistical multipath channel model has been developed to describe the indoor multipath propagation including the important parameters such as path gain, time-of-arrival, angle-of-arrival and number of multipath components. Development of such a model is crucial for performance evaluation of indoor positioning systems. Based on a comprehensive ray-tracing database obtained on the 3rd floor of Atwater Kent Laboratories at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, multipath time-of-arrival relative to first arrival has been modeled using a lognormal distribution, angle-of-arrival has been modeled as a 3 peak doppler-like probability density function relative to the transmitter-receiver interconnection line. Path gains have been modeled using the information obtained from path arrival along with statistical object interactions such as reflection and transmission, and the number of multipath components has been modeled by a distance dependent exponential function.
THE CENTRAL ROLE OF CAVE ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CLASSIC MAYA CULTURE HISTORY AND HIGHLAND-LOWLAND INTERACTION

The unexpected discovery of an elaborate stone coffer with lowland-style carved images and early Maya inscriptions in a cave in the northern Guatemalan highlands has great implications for our understanding of highland-lowland interaction. However, this discovery proved to be only the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of the importance of subterranean evidence in this region. Investigations in caves in central Guatemala over the past decade have been a central part of the regional investigations, often directing subsequent reconnaissance, settlement surveys, and site excavations. Indeed, the early history of the region and the trade route passing through it has largely been reconstructed from evidence in cave shrines along the mountain valley routes from Kaminaljuyu and the Valley of Guatemala to lowland Maya sites. This article reviews this evidence, which also demonstrates how cave assemblages can be used not merely to study ancient ritual, but to examine broad problems in culture history and critical elements in the study of elite power, ceramic production, settlement patterns, interregional trade, and ancient economy.
Melt blowing: General equation development and experimental verification

A model has been developed for steady polymer melt blowing. This model includes the dominant effect that the forwarding air has upon the process. Inertial, gravitational and heat transfer effects are also included. The model equations are solved numerically with both Newtonian and viscoelastic (Phan-Thien and Tanner) constitutive equations. The predicted results compare favorably with actual experimental data.
Poisson's ratio of a crossed fibre sheath: the skin of aquatic salamanders

Many animal connective tissues are composite materials formed into sheaths containing regularly organized collagen fibres in a crossed, fabric-like array. From a few simple assumption about the interactions between fibres, we construct a model for the effect of such a fabric-like construction on the Poisson's ratio of connective tissue sheaths. Surprisingly, the model predicts high Poisson's ratios (often greater than 1.0) Mdashespecially high given the value of 0.5 that is usually used for primarily aqueous biological tissues (based on assumptions of incompressibility and anisotropy). However, virtually all empirical attempts to measure Poisson's ratio in animal connective tissue sheaths (including our own experiments on salamander skin) reveal similarly high Poisson's ratios. The model also predicts that Poisson's ratio will increase with increasing strain, at a rate dependent on the initial angle of the crossed fibres relative to the direction of strain. Since the Poisson's ratio of a material is directly correlated with the material's stiffness, such strain-dependent changes in Poisson's ratio have important implications for the stiffness properties of connective tissue sheaths. Given the structural support role of connective tissues, stiffness is assumed to be one of their most important qualities, and several examples of how our model might predict the stiffness qualities within the walls of cylinders formed from helically wound crossed fibre sheaths (such as mammalian annular ligament and nematode cuticle) are given.
Robot behavioral selection using discrete event language measure

This paper proposes a robot behavioral /spl mu/-selection method that maximizes a quantitative measure of languages in the discrete-event setting. This approach complements Q-learning (also called reinforcement learning) that has been widely used in behavioral robotics to learn primitive behaviors. While /spl mu/-selection assigns positive and negative weights to the marked states of a deterministic finite-state automaton (DFSA) model of robot operations, Q-learning assigns reward/penalty on each transition. While the complexity of Q-learning increases exponentially in the number of states and actions, complexity of /spl mu/-selection is polynomial in the number of DFSA states. The paper also presents results of simulation experiments for a robotic scenario to demonstrate the efficacy of the /spl mu/-selection method.
Detoxification of Mercury by Methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Many methanotrophs have been shown to synthesize methanobactin, a novel biogenic copper-chelating agent or chalkophore. Methanobactin binds copper via two heterocyclic rings with associated enethiol groups. The structure of methanobactin suggests that it can bind other metals, including mercury. Here we report that methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b does indeed bind mercury when added as HgCl2 and, in doing so, reduced toxicity associated with Hg(II) for both Alphaproteobacteria methanotrophs, including M. trichosporium OB3b, M. trichosporium OB3b ΔmbnA (a mutant defective in methanobactin production), and Methylocystis sp. strain SB2, and a Gammaproteobacteria methanotroph, Methylomicrobium album BG8. Mercury binding by methanobactin was evident in both the presence and absence of copper, despite the fact that methanobactin had a much higher affinity for copper due to the rapid and irreversible binding of mercury by methanobactin. The formation of a gray precipitate suggested that Hg(II), after being bound by methanobactin, was reduced to Hg(0) but was not volatilized. Rather, mercury remained associated with methanobactin and was also found associated with methanotrophic biomass. It thus appears that although the mercury-methanobactin complex was cell associated, mercury was not removed from methanobactin. The amount of biomass-associated mercury in the presence of methanobactin from M. trichosporium OB3b was greatest for M. trichosporium wild-type strain OB3b and the ΔmbnA mutant and least for M. album BG8, suggesting that methanotrophs may have selective methanobactin uptake systems that may be based on TonB-dependent transporters but that such uptake systems exhibit a degree of infidelity.
Improving Vision Among Older Adults Behavioral Training to Improve Sight

A major problem for the rapidly growing population of older adults (age 65 and over) is age-related declines in vision, which have been associated with increased risk of falls and vehicle crashes. Research suggests that this increased risk is associated with declines in contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. We examined whether a perceptual-learning task could be used to improve age-related declines in contrast sensitivity. Older and younger adults were trained over 7 days using a forced-choice orientation-discrimination task with stimuli that varied in contrast with multiple levels of additive noise. Older adults performed as well after training as did college-age younger adults prior to training. Improvements transferred to performance for an untrained stimulus orientation and were not associated with changes in retinal illuminance. Improvements in far acuity in younger adults and in near acuity in older adults were also found. These findings indicate that behavioral interventions can greatly improve visual performance for older adults.
Treatment with the Matricellular Protein CCN3 Blocks and/or Reverses Fibrosis Development in Obesity with Diabetic Nephropathy

Fibrosis is at the core of the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the complications of diabetes and obesity, including diabetic nephropathy (DN), without any US Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs with this specific target. We recently provided the first evidence that the matricellular protein CCN3 (official symbol NOV) functions in a reciprocal manner, acting on the profibrotic family member CCN2 to inhibit fibrosis in a mesangial cell model of DN. Herein, we used the BT/BR ob/ob mouse as a best model of human obesity and DN progression to determine whether recombinant human CCN3 could be used therapeutically, and the mechanisms involved. Eight weeks of thrice-weekly i.p. injections (0.604 and 6.04 μg/kg of recombinant human CCN3) beginning in early-stage DN completely blocked and/or reversed the up-regulation of mRNA expression of kidney cortex fibrosis genes ( CCN2 , Col1a2 , TGF-β1 , and PAI-1 ) seen in placebo-treated diabetic mice. The treatment completely blocked glomerular fibrosis, as determined by altered mesangial expansion and deposition of laminin. Furthermore, it protected against, or reversed, podocyte loss and kidney function reduction (rise in plasma creatinine concentration); albuminuria was also greatly reduced. This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of recombinant human CCN3 treatment in DN and points to mechanisms operating at multiple levels or pathways, upstream (eg, protecting against cell injury) and downstream (eg, regulating CCN2 activity and extracellular matrix metabolism).
Effects of Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on winter and spring wheat infested during different plant growth stages under greenhouse conditions.

Our experiments sought to assess the effects of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), on spring and winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) at different plant growth stages. Four initial aphid densities of 0, 1, 2, and 4 aphids per plant were used to infest the seedling, tiller, and boot stages of spring wheat. The same aphid treatments were used to infest winter wheat before, after, and both before and after the vernalization process. Plants were harvested and the following vegetative and reproductive parameters were measured: root weight, stem weight, leaf weight, tiller number, head weight, seed number, and seed weight. Spring wheat infested during the tiller and boot stages was most susceptible to reductions in head weight, seed number, and seed weight. Winter wheat was most sensitive to Russian wheat aphid after the vernalization process. Root weight, head weight, seed number, and seed weight were all reduced when aphids were introduced after vernalization had occurred, especially at the highest initial aphid infestation level.
Alpha interferon potently enhances the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity of APOBEC3G in resting primary CD4 T cells.

The interferon (IFN) system, including various IFNs and IFN-inducible gene products, is well known for its potent innate immunity against wide-range viruses. Recently, a family of cytidine deaminases, functioning as another innate immunity against retroviral infection, has been identified. However, its regulation remains largely unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that through a regular IFN-α/β signal transduction pathway, IFN-α can significantly enhance the expression of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) in human primary resting but not activated CD4 T cells and the amounts of APOBEC3G associated with a low molecular mass. Interestingly, short-time treatments of newly infected resting CD4 T cells with IFN-α will significantly inactivate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) at its early stage. This inhibition can be counteracted by APOBEC3G-specific short interfering RNA, indicating that IFN-α-induced APOBEC3G plays a key role in mediating this anti-HIV-1 process. Our data suggest that APOBEC3G is also a member of the IFN system, at least in resting CD4 T cells. Given that the IFN-α/APOBEC3G pathway has potent anti-HIV-1 capability in resting CD4 T cells, augmentation of this innate immunity barrier could prevent residual HIV-1 replication in its native reservoir in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy era.
Protectively coated phosphors

We have developed a spraying process for coating individual phosphor particles with electrically conducting, non- conducting, and hybrid films. The phosphor is suspended in either aqueous or non-aqueous solvent containing the appropriate coating materials precursors. Depositions via gelation or precipitation of the precursor material on the particles is prevented before spraying. The suspension is sprayed into a hot zone where the coating either gels or precipitates on the particle surface in-flight. Coatings developed in-flight are more uniform than coatings developed in solution. Typical coating thicknesses of 10 to 90 nm have been achieved in a single pass. Multiple coatings are applied using multiple passes. This process is scalable to industrial sizes and is easily adaptable for coating particles for other applications.
The user attribution problem and the challenge of persistent surveillance of user activity in complex networks

In telecommunication networks, the user attribution problem refers to the challenge faced in recognizing communi- cation traffic as belonging to a given user when information needed to identify the user is missing. This problem becomes more difficult to tackle as users move across many mobile networks (complex networks) owned and operated by different providers. The traditional approach of using the source IP address as a tracking identifier does not work when used to identify mobile users. Recent efforts to address this problem by exclusively relying on web browsing behavior to identify users, brought to light the challenges of solutions which try to link up multiple user sessions together when these approaches rely exclusively on the frequency of web sites visited by the user. This study has tackled this problem by utilizing behavior based identification while accounting for time and the sequential order of web visits by a user. Hierarchical Temporal Memories (HTM) were used to classify historical navigational patterns for different users. This approach enables linking multiple user sessions together forgoing the need for a tracking identifier such as the source IP address. Results are promising. HTMs outperform traditional Markov chains based approaches and can provide high levels of identification accuracy.
A novel approach to enhance the thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites using graphene core–shell additives

Abstract We report on a novel technique to enhance the thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites using graphene coated poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) balls. PMMA balls with a diameter in the range of 200–300 nm were synthesized using suspension polymerization. These balls were coated with chemically reduced graphene oxide to form a core–shell additive and dispersed in epoxy. Thermal conductivity measurements of bulk samples of graphene-coated PMMA (GPMMA) epoxy nanocomposite were carried out and compared with baseline samples comprised of graphene nanosheets (not in the core–shell form) dispersed in the epoxy resin. Results show that the addition of 1% (by weight) GPMMA balls increases thermal conductivity by 7-fold. By contrast, the addition of 1% (by weight) of graphene nanosheets (not in the core–shell form) only improves thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite by approximately 3-fold. We attribute this improvement in thermal performance to more uniform dispersion and improved phonon conduction pathways for the GPMMA core–shell additive.
Antiplatelet drugs in arterial thrombosis: a review.

The thrombotic process, basic mechanisms of action of antiplatelet drugs, and clinical trials with platelet inhibitors are reviewed. The role of prostaglandins in platelet reactions and the mechanisms of aspirin's, dipyridamole's and sulfinpyrazone's inhibition of platelet function are discussed. Clinical studies of the use of these three drugs, alone or in combination with each other or with anticoagulants, for the treatment of thrombotic disorders associated with valvular heart disease, prosthetic heart valves, cerebral vascular disease (e.g., transient ischemic attacks), coronary artery diseases (including myocardial infarction), peripheral vascular disease, renal disease and renal allograft rejection are reviewed and evaluated. Clinical evidence suggests that antiplatelet drugs are useful in preventing thromboembolism associated with coronary and cerebral vascular disorders. In peripheral vascular and renal diseases and in renal allografts, their benefits have not been proved. Further controlled clinical studies of the preventive use of these drugs for arterial thrombosis are needed.
Some Factors Affecting Gonadotropin Levels in Sheep.

SummaryLH and FSH activities have been determined in blood and pituitaries obtained from intact and gonadectomized male and female sheep. Serum LH activity is not altered in this species by either castration or ovariectomy. FSH activity in the blood increases following either operation. The increase in potency of the ewe pituitary following ovariectomy is due almost entirely to an increase in FSH concentration. In the male both LH and FSH levels increase. Changes in serum LH activity occur in the intact ewe which appear to be related to the time of year and particularly to the onset of cyclic activity.
The Social Life of the Genome

For many people, professional biologists and laymen alike, The Selfish Gene [1] changed the way they thought about evolution. In the preface of their very lucid book The Society of Genes, authors Itai Yanai and Martin Lercher attribute their career shift to biology, from computer science and physics respectively, to Dawkins's writing. Forty years on, Yanai and Lercher set out to provide an updated version of the argument that inspired them so much.
Nanoparticle-mediated evaporation at liquid–vapor interfaces

Abstract Advancing solution-based additive manufacturing of functional materials demands a fundamental understanding of how nanoparticles straddling a liquid–vapor interface influence evaporation. Using many-body dissipative particle dynamics, we model evaporation at liquid–vapor interfaces with adsorbed nanoparticles. We quantitatively characterize the interfacial mechanics and the nanoparticle-mediated evaporation, using a particle-free interface as the reference system. We demonstrate that particle–particle interactions are critical for surface tension reduction induced by nanoparticles. The comparison of evaporation rates measured for different surface coverages with partially-wetted nanoparticles shows that the interface-bound nanoparticles can suppress evaporation through reducing the accessible interfacial area. We also observe reduced evaporation rates when the wettability of nanoparticles is varied from hydrophilic to hydrophobic while the surface coverage is kept approximately constant. This behavior suggests that obstruction in the evaporation path of escaping vapor beads can also inhibit net evaporation. The results also indicate the interfacial mechanics has no direct correlation with evaporation. Further analysis of the evaporation suppression provides important insight that the retardation effect of surface-covering nanoparticles depends on ambient conditions and highlights that the nanoparticle monolayers modulate evaporation in a similar manner as insoluble surfactant monolayers.
The Impact of Pallidal and Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Urologic Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Objective Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established adjunctive surgical intervention for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms. Both surgical targets, the globus pallidus interna (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN), appear equally beneficial when treating motor symptoms but effects on nonmotor symptoms are not clear. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common PD complaint. Given prior data in STN-DBS, we aimed to further explore potential benefits in LUTS in both targets. Methods We performed a prospective, nonblinded clinical trial evaluating LUTS in PD patients in both targets pre and post DBS using validated urologic surveys. Participants were already slated for DBS and target selection predetermined before study entry. LUTS was evaluated using: the American Urological Association (AUA-SI), Quality of Life score (QOL), Overactive Bladder 8 Questionnaire (OAB-q), and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). Results Of 33 participants, 20 underwent STN DBS and 13 had GPi DBS. Patients demonstrated moderate baseline LUTS. The urologic QOL score significantly improved post DBS (3.24 ± 1.77vs. 2.52 ± 1.30; p = 0.03). Analyzed by target, only the STN showed significant change in QOL (3.20 ± 1.61 vs 2.25 ± 1.33; p = 0.04). There were no other significant differences in urologic scores post DBS noted in either target. Conclusion In PD patients with moderate LUTS, there were notable improvements in QOL for LUTS post DBS in the total sample and STN target. There may be differences in DBS effects on LUTS between targets but this will require further larger, blinded studies.
Analysis on quality surveillance results of drinking water in Yanbian from 2005 to 2010

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sanitary conditions of drinking water quality in Yanbian.METHODS Samples of drinking water from 2005 to 2010 were detected according to Standards for drinking water quality(GB 5749-2006) by the Ministry of Health of China,detective indexes including microbiology,toxicology,sensory characteristics and the general chemical index.RESULTS The qualified rate for indexes of microbiology was low of only 73.5%,and there were statistically significant difference in toxicology,sensory characteristics and the general chemical index in different years,and detection rate of physicochemical indexes were statistically significant difference between water samples in different source of water,especially the detection rate of bottled water was lowest.CONCLUSION The drinking water in Yanbian has serious microbial pollution,and the water quality is not high.
Imaging of Protein Translocation In Situ in Skeletal Muscle of Living Mice

Skeletal muscle plays a key role in regulating whole body glucose homeostasis and severe dysfunction in insulin-mediated glucose uptake is the hallmark of insulin-resistant states and type II diabetes. Therefore it is highly pathophysiologically relevant to perform detailed studies of insulin signaling inside skeletal muscle cells in order to elucidate the specific molecular events during both normal and insulin-resistant conditions. So far, cell biology imaging techniques have been limited to in vitro cultured muscle originating from primary or cell line-based myoblasts. However, these types of cultured muscle lack many characteristics of fully differentiated muscle cells. By performing intravital protein translocation analysis directly in situ in living animals, we have been able to give a high-resolution account of the spatial and temporal details during insulin signaling in vivo in muscle that does not have the limitations of in vitro cultures. We have shown that after i.v. insulin injection, PI3-kinase activation and, in turn, GLUT4 translocation are initiated at the plasma membrane proper, the sarcolemma. Then insulin signaling progresses into the t-tubules with a velocity corresponding to the diffusion of sulforhodamine B-conjugated insulin molecules. By using intravital confocal time-lapse analysis we have revealed that the t-tubules are the membrane surface where the majority of the insulin signaling is located.
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically significant arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Symptoms linked to atrial fibrillation are variable and commonly include palpitations, dyspnea, chest pain, or an incidental electrocardiographic finding. Other less common presentations include anxiety or depression. Understanding the many possible presenting signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation is critical when evaluating patients in the short stay unit as they can be associated with other commonly coexisting cardiac conditions such as heart failure. Long-term clinical outcomes based on rate versus rhythm control are similar; therefore, an individualized treatment approach directed at symptoms may be most beneficial. The objectives of this chapter are to describe the wide range of symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation, to review the proposed mechanisms responsible for these symptoms, to list atrial fibrillation symptom scoring tools, and to summarize targeted symptom management strategies.
High-dose radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. Method and results.

A method of radiotherapy of invasive carcinoma of the cervix has been devised utilizing rectal and bladder tolerance as the limiting factor for total central dose. The resulting milligram hours and paracervical doses have been high, especially when intracavitary therapy has been emphasized. The survival statistics on 450 patients treated between 1961 and 1967, mostly by this plan, are good but show that no striking improvement has resulted from the increased doses.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Kidney Transplantation

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are living longer, healthier lives on highly active antiretroviral therapy and, as a result, interest in kidney transplantation for HIV-infected patients with end-stage renal disease has increased. HIV is no longer considered a contraindication to solid-organ transplantation and the number of kidney transplants performed in HIV-infected patients each year is increasing steadily. HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients have had excellent outcomes overall, but there are still significant challenges, including high rates of acute rejection, drug-drug interactions, and poor outcomes in patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus. The gap between supply and demand for organs remains a challenge but new developments in HIV-positive to HIV-positive kidney transplantation may help bridge this gap.
Probing Co-Assembly of Supramolecular Photocatalysts and Polyelectrolytes Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

The creation of renewable fuels to replace dwindling fossil energy resources is one of the greatest challenges facing the scientific community. Generating H2 fuel from water is a carbon-neutral strategy that demonstrates great promise. Photocatalysts of the molecular architecture [{(TL)2Ru(BL)}2RhX2]5+ (BL = bridging ligand, TL = terminal ligand, X = halide) catalyze the formation of H2 in deoxygenated organic solvents but are limited by poor performance in air-saturated aqueous solutions. Addition of the water-soluble polyelectrolyte poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was recently shown as being a promising new strategy to increase efficiency and stability of H2 evolving photocatalysts in air-saturated aqueous solutions. Herein we investigate intermolecular interactions between Ru,Rh,Ru photocatalysts and water-soluble polyelectrolytes using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). ITC studies provide insight into the thermodynamic forces that drive assembly of PSS–photocatalyst aggregates and give new...
Inactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases reverts aberrant DNA methylation in acute myeloid leukemia

Purpose: Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are frequently deregulated in leukemia, yet the biological consequences of this deregulation remain elusive. The mechanisms underlying aberrant methylation, a hallmark of leukemia, are not fully understood. Here we investigated the role of RTKs in methylation abnormalities and characterized the hypomethylating activities of RTK inhibitors.Experimental Design: Whether and how RTKs regulate expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) as well as global and gene-specific DNA methylation were examined. The pharmacologic activities and mechanisms of actions of RTK inhibitors in vitro, ex vivo, in mice, and in nilotinib-treated leukemia patients were determined.Results: Upregulation of RTKs paralleled DNMT overexpression in leukemia cell lines and patient blasts. Knockdown of RTKs disrupted, whereas enforced expression increased DNMT expression and DNA methylation. Treatment with the RTK inhibitor, nilotinib, resulted in a reduction of Sp1-dependent DNMT1 expression, the diminution of global DNA methylation, and the upregulation of the p15INK4B gene through promoter hypomethylation in AML cell lines and patient blasts. This led to disruption of AML cell clonogenicity and promotion of cellular apoptosis without obvious changes in cell cycle. Importantly, nilotinib administration in mice and human patients with AML impaired expression of DNMTs followed by DNA hypomethylation, TSG re-expression, and leukemia regression.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate RTKs as novel regulators of DNMT-dependent DNA methylation and define DNA methylation status in AML cells as a pharmacodynamic marker for their response to RTK-based therapy, providing new therapeutic avenues for RTK inhibitors in overcoming epigenetic abnormalities in leukemia. Clin Cancer Res; 23(20); 6254-66. ©2017 AACR.