cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Invest in Energy Efficiency? The Example of Lighting

Energy efficiency can be an interesting field for alternative investments. The main question is: Are these investments worthwhile? This article presents a new approach to evaluate the risks and achievable returns of energy efficiency investments via the example of lighting devices: To the author’s knowledge, cost equivalents have not been used to compare alternative solutions in the field of energy efficiency investments. The selection of optimal technology always depends on the intensity of use and on the expected rate of return. The primacy of compact fluorescent tubes is indisputable from a financial perspective. With the LED and Compact fluorescent lamps compared to incandescent light bulbs, depending on the daily use, an annual average 24-74% cost saving can be achieved. In case of spot lighting, LED light sources have been better than those observed in the case of illumination of a particular area, and in almost each tested case they held second place with only a minor lag in comparison with the compact fluorescent tubes. David Andor Racz Corvinus University of Budapest raczburg@mail.datanet.hu KEywords Energy Efficiency, Green Investment, Cost Equivalent, NPV, LED
The levels of labile intermediary metabolites in mouse brain following rapid tissue fixation with microwave irradiation.

— The levels of several labile glycolytic and organic phosphate metabolites in mouse brain were determined following rapid inactivation with 2450 MHz microwave irradiation. The levels of ATP in mouse brain following a 0·25 s exposure in a 6 kW microwave oven was found to be 2·416 ± 0·061. Whole brain levels of 8 labile intermediary metabolites in 0·4 s irradiated samples were comparable to those reported using the previously-described methods of freeze-blowing or whole-animal immersion. Analysis of these same metabolites in 4 gross areas of brain did not reveal any anoxic changes betwen superficial and deeper brain areas. The advantages of the mcrowave irradiation inactivation technique for regional brain studies of labile intermediary metabolites is discussed.
Single and Double Deficits in Early Readers in Rural, Low-Wealth Communities

This study used secondary data to test the double-deficit hypothesis that rapid automatized naming (RAN) deficits and phonological awareness (PA) deficits are 2 core reading-related deficits and that students exhibiting deficits in both areas would be the most severely impaired in entry-level reading ability. Specifically, this study investigated the contribution of deficits in RAN and PA separately and in combination to the entry-level reading skills of 126 first-grade students in 2 rural, low-wealth school districts. Deficit subgroup comparisons indicated that students with deficits in RAN and PA existing comorbidly were the most severely impaired in entry-level reading skills. The results of this study support and extend the research on the double-deficit hypothesis and have implications for the early identification of students who may have a learning disability and early intervention to prevent reading disabilities.
Oxidation of Lignite into Water-Soluble Organic Acids

Abstract A sample of North Dakota lignite is oxidized by an aqueous alkaline permanganate solution. Organic acids recovered account for 50% of the lignite used. In contrast to other coals or kerogens, practically no monocarboxylic acids, either normal or benzenoic, could be detected. On the other hand, normal dicar-boxylic acids and benzene di- and tricarboxylic acids have been found. These facts suggest that part of the lignite structure is composed of fused aromatic systems.
Violence against women in sex work and HIV risk implications differ qualitatively by perpetrator

Physical and sexual violence heighten STI/HIV risk for women in sex work. Against this backdrop, we describe the nature of abuse against women in sex work, and its STI/HIV implications, across perpetrators. Adult women involved in sex work (n = 35) in Baltimore, MD participated in an in-depth interview and brief survey. Physical and sexual violence were prevalent, with 43% reporting past-month abuse. Clients were the primary perpetrators; their violence was severe, compromised women’s condom and sexual negotiation, and included forced and coerced anal intercourse. Sex work was a factor in intimate partner violence. Police abuse was largely an exploitation of power imbalances for coerced sex. Findings affirm the need to address physical and sexual violence, particularly that perpetrated by clients, as a social determinant of health for women in sex work, as well as a threat to safety and wellbeing, and a contextual barrier to HIV risk reduction.
The Gas Carburization of Linear Cellular Alloys as a Novel Alloy Development Tool

Investigations of the production of thin-walled steel alloys through the gas carburization of structures made from reduced and sintered metal oxide powders were performed. Extrusions with low-alloy steel composition were produced successfully without the occurrence of metal dusting, yielding a novel technique for the production of thin-walled steel structures. Thin strip geometries (~200 to 300 μm final thickness) of samples with the composition of 4140 steel, without carbon, were produced through the extrusion of a paste of metal-oxide powders. Full reduction and sintering in a 10 pct H2/90 pct Ar atmosphere yielded a metal part containing all necessary alloying elements except carbon. Gas carburization in a controlled CO/CO2 atmosphere was then used to introduce carbon through the thickness of the structure while carburization parameters were controlled such that metal dusting was not observed. It has been shown in this study, through heat treatment and microstructural investigations, that structures with 4140 composition displaying microstructures and mechanical properties comparable with conventionally made steels can be reached in approximately 30 minutes during gas carburization. The research shows that carbon contents above the eutectoid composition can be reached in less than 30 minutes. As a result, a novel alloy development tool has been introduced.
Synapse formation on neurons born in the adult hippocampus

Although new and functional neurons are produced in the adult brain, little is known about how they integrate into mature networks. Here we explored the mechanisms of synaptogenesis on neurons born in the adult mouse hippocampus using confocal microscopy, electron microscopy and live imaging. We report that new neurons, similar to mature granule neurons, were contacted by axosomatic, axodendritic and axospinous synapses. Consistent with their putative role in synaptogenesis, dendritic filopodia were more abundant during the early stages of maturation and, when analyzed in three dimensions, the tips of all filopodia were found within 200 nm of preexisting boutons that already synapsed on other neurons. Furthermore, dendritic spines primarily synapsed on multiple-synapse boutons, suggesting that initial contacts were preferentially made with preexisting boutons already involved in a synapse. The connectivity of new neurons continued to change until at least 2 months, long after the formation of the first dendritic protrusions.
Approximation-theoretic methods for nonlinear deconvolution and inversion

Abstract Nonlinear deconvolution and nonlinear inversion are cast as inverse problems in generalized Fock spaces. Generalized Fock spaces, introduced by de Figueiredo and Dwyer in [1], are reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHSs) of input-output maps represented by Volterra series equipped with an appropriately weighted inner product, the choice of the weights in the inner product depending on the particular problem under consideration. The solution to the nonlinear deconvolution problem presented here is the same as the one obtained previously for the nonlinear system identification problem [1–4]. However, the present solution to the nonlinear inversion problem consists of a new approach, whereby the unknown samples of the input are obtained from the given samples of the output by means of an efficient sequential algorithm. The algorithm is based on a framework which interpolates the input samples by an appropriate spline, and its sequential nature is elicited by the use of a truncated function basis to represent the spline.
High school students' problem‐solving performance on realistic genetics problems

Problem solving is recognized as a valuable educational experience in science. Thus genetics, essentially a problem-solving science included in almost all high school biology courses, offers a fruitful area for studying student problem-solving performance. The research reported in this article describes the performance of 30 high school students solving 119 problems generated by the computer program GENETICS CONSTRUCTION KIT (Jungck & Calley, 1985). Solving GCK problems requires students to plan experiments, generate and interpret data, and reason from effects (phenotypic data) to causes (genotypic data). Research data consisted of transcribed audiotapes of students thinking aloud as they solved problems and computer printouts of initial data and sequence of crosses. Transcripts were analyzed for common actions and comments made during the problem-solving process in terms of initial data redescription and interpretation, hypothesis generation, cross data redescription and interpretation, solution synthesis, and solution confirmation. This study was done in an effort to add to the understanding of student problem-solving strategies and to develop a model of student performance—a model that when combined with a model of expert performance may serve as a basis for improving genetics instruction.
Gauss-Radau and Gauss-Labatto quadratures with double end points

Abstract We develop explicit formulae for generalized Gauss—Radau and Gauss—Lobatto quadrature rules having end points of multiplicity 2 and containing Chebyshev weight functions of any of the four kinds.
Digitally quantifying cerebral hemorrhage using Photoshop® and Image J

A spectrophotometric hemoglobin assay is widely used to estimate the extent of brain hemorrhage by measuring the amount of hemoglobin in the brain. However, this method requires using the entire brain sample, leaving none for histology or other assays. Other widely used measures of gross brain hemorrhage are generally semi-quantitative and can miss subtle differences. Semi-quantitative brain hemorrhage scales may also be subject to bias. Here, we present a method to digitally quantify brain hemorrhage using Photoshop and Image J, and compared this method to the spectrophotometric hemoglobin assay. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received varying amounts of autologous blood injected into the cerebral hemispheres in order to generate different sized hematomas. 24h later, the brains were harvested, sectioned, photographed then prepared for the hemoglobin assay. From the brain section photographs, pixels containing hemorrhage were identified by Photoshop and the optical intensity was measured by Image J. Identification of hemorrhage size using optical intensities strongly correlated to the hemoglobin assay (R=0.94). We conclude that our method can accurately quantify the extent of hemorrhage. An advantage of this technique is that brain tissue can be used for additional studies.
The Association of Histologic Placental Inflammation with Category II Fetal Heart Tracings

The present study assessed whether placentas in women delivered by cesarean for category II fetal heart tracings (FHT) exhibit a higher incidence of acute inflammation than those of women delivered by cesarean for labor arrest. This case control study included singleton pregnancies ≥36 weeks of gestation delivered by cesarean for an FHT indication (cases) or because of labor arrest (controls) 2005–2009 at Prentice Women's Hospital. Exclusions were maternal diabetes, hypertension, known thrombophilia, connective tissue disorders, clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, fetal anomalies, stillbirth, or an infant with a birth weight less than the 10th percentile. Women were included in the case group if the indication for cesarean delivery was based on the FHT and review of the FHT determined that they were designated as category II prior to delivery. A perinatal pathologist, unaware of indications for delivery, assessed placental inflammation in maternal and fetal compartments. Stage and ...
Characteristic Wavelengths of Irregular Structure in Saturn's B Ring

Abstract We have analyzed the spatial structure in Saturn's B and A rings for regional variations in characteristic spatial scales. To do this, we obtained radial scans of the reflectivity of the rings from the highest resolution full radial scan of the lit face of the rings in the Voyager image data set. The images were obtained in the Voyager 2 narrow angle camera, clear filter and have a resolution of approximately 5 km/pixel in the radial direction (the scans are slightly oversampled to 3.5 km). The radial scans were analyzed using a Burg maximum entropy technique to obtain spatial frequency spectra as a function of radial location in the B ring. Comparisons were made of the Burg technique and FFT techniques, and estimates of the limitations of the method were made. We find that the main rings display characteristic structure on several scales that vary with location. In the inner B ring (between the inner edge and around 99,000 km), a characteristic scale of 80–100 km is found. Between 99,000 and 103,500 km, the 80–100 km scale vanishes and a strong preference for a longer wavelength (200–300 km) is seen. In this region, finer scale structure (20–40 km scale) is seen in abundance. This scale structure is absent in the inner B ring. The region between 103,500 and 116,000 km has a very strong preference for 200–300 km scale structure and is practically devoid of fine scale structure except for a handful of isolated bursts. None of these bursts correspond to known strong resonances. Outside of 116,000 km, fine scale structure again appears in abundance, on top of the 200–300 km scale, and covers the ring to its outer edge. The Mimas 4:2 bending wave is clearly seen, but is responsible for only a very small fraction of the observed fine structure.
Diagnosis of partial complex regional pain syndrome type 1 of the hand: retrospective study of 16 cases and literature review

The partial form of the complex regional pain syndrome of the hand type 1 (CRPS 1), involving only 1 to 3 fingers, is a rare condition first described in 1972. The aim of the study is to define more precisely the diagnosis workup and the prognosis of this clinical entity. Retrospective study of CRPS1 partial form observed during five years in a rehabilitation ward. Application of The Budapest criteria, evaluation of radiological exams, therapeutic results and vocational outcomes. Comparison with cases from literature review. 132 patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of CRPS type 1 of the hand. 16 partial forms were isolated: 11 men, 5 women with a mean age of 43 years. Among these patients, 14 (88%) met The Budapest criteria and the two remaining cases were diagnosed by using the three phase bone scintigraphy. Only moderate improvement was obtained in the majority of the patients. At the maximal time of follow-up (4 to 9 years), 50% of the patients hadn’t returned to work. From the literature review, 19 cases were eligible for clinical comparisons. The main differences between our series and the literature were: more men involved, later diagnosis and worst prognosis in term of return to work. This is the largest series of consecutive partial form of CRPS. The Budapest criteria are sufficient for the diagnosis in 88% of cases. As in complete form of CRPS1 of the hand, three phase bone scintigraphy should only be used in doubtful cases in the first six months of the illness. Partial form of CRPS1 of the hand is rare and its prevalence remains unknown. Long term prognosis (4 to 9 years) is poor in our series, 50% of patients didn’t returned to work.
ENTEROCOCCUS AVIUM ENDOCARDITIS IN AN INFANT WITH TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

We report a case of infective endocarditis secondary to Enterococcus avium in a 1-year-old infant with tetralogy of Fallot and a Blalock–Taussig shunt. To our knowledge, this is the first case of E. avium endocarditis to be reported.
Effect of glucose on the function of the calcitriol receptor and vitamin D metabolism

Effect of glucose on the function of the calcitriol receptor and vitamin D metabolism. The genomic action of calcitriol is mediated through the interaction of the calcitriol receptor (VDR) with vitamin D response elements (VDREs) of the target genes. It has been proposed that chemicals capable of Schiff base formation with the VDR potentially could alter the physiological function of VDR and calcitriol metabolism. Since glucose has been shown to form Schiff bases with proteins, we tested the hypothesis that glucose could influence the function of VDR and thereby alter calcitriol metabolism. Glucose 6-phosphate inhibited VDR binding to the osteocalcin VDRE and chemically modified the DNA binding domain or the dimerization domain of the VDR in vitro . Further, glucose also blocked the production of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) enzyme induced by calcitriol in cells transfected with a constructed VDRE attached to a CAT reporter gene. Hyperglycemia induced by glucose infusion or by streptozotocin in normal rats significantly reduced intestinal 1 α , 25-dihydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase activity. Taken together, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that glucose could interact with the VDR to impair its DNA binding and function within cells.
Skeletal Muscle Pathology in Costello and Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Syndromes: Developmental Consequences of Germline Ras/MAPK Activation on Myogenesis

Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC) and Costello syndrome (CS) are two of the more rare RASopathies caused by altered signal transduction of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. All of the RASopathies exhibit some degree of hypotonia, but CS and CFC are more severe. To determine if individuals with CS and CFC have an underlying skeletal myopathy, we systematically evaluated skeletal muscle pathology in both conditions. We reviewed pathology reports from six individuals who had undergone a skeletal muscle biopsy, and we reviewed histology slides on two cases with CS and one case with CFC. All patients in the cohort had histopathologic findings, and two consistent abnormalities were identified. The first was the presence of abnormal muscle fiber size and variability, and the second was the presence of type 2 fiber predominance. Given the degree of hypotonia typically present in these patients, the overall architecture of the muscle was relatively normal, without showing indications of severe structural histopathology or metabolic abnormalities. Because the Ras/MAPK pathway is vital for skeletal myogenesis, we evaluated the effects of CS and CFC mutations on myogenesis using C2C12 myoblasts. All CS/CFC mutations inhibited myoblast differentiation as indicated by fewer myosin heavy chain expressing cells and a decrease in the number of myotubes as compared to controls. These findings indicate that CS and CFC may have a true myopathy related to an inherent dysregulation of skeletal myogenesis, which further expands our understanding of the consequences of germline Ras/MAPK mutations. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SYNERGISM FROM COMBINED IMMUNOLOGIC AND PHARMACOLOGIC INHIBITION OF HER2 IN VIVO

The monoclonal antibody trastuzumab and the EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib improve the clinical outcome of patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. However, the majority of metastatic cancers will eventually progress, suggesting the need for other therapies. Because HER2 overexpression persists, we hypothesized that the anti-HER2 immune response induced by cancer vaccines would be an effective strategy for treating trastuzumab- and lapatinib-refractory tumors. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the antibody response could synergize with lapatinib to enhance tumor inhibition. We developed a recombinant adenoviral vector expressing a kinase-inactive HER2 (Ad-HER2-ki) to use as a cancer vaccine. Vaccine-induced polyclonal HER2-specific antiserum was analyzed for receptor internalization and signaling effects alone and in combination with lapatinib. Ad-HER2-ki vaccine-induced potent T cell and antibody responses in mice and the vaccine-induced polyclonal HER2-specific antiserum mediated receptor internalization and degradation much more effectively than trastuzumab. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that HER2 vaccine-induced antibodies effectively caused a decrease in HER2 expression, but when combined with lapatinib caused significant inhibition of HER2 signaling, decreased pERK and pAKT levels and reduced breast tumor cell proliferation. In addition, a known mechanism of resistance to lapatinib, induction of survivin, was inhibited. The combination of Ad-HER2-ki plus lapatinib also showed superior antitumor efficacy in vivo. Based on these results, we feel clinical studies using this approach to target HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, including trastuzumab- and lapatinib-resistant tumors is warranted.
Origin of the large-scale galaxy peculiar velocity field: a minimal isocurvature model

The galaxy peculiar velocity field (velocity relative to the uniform Hubble law expansion) seems to have a large r.m.s. value, ∼500 km s−1, and a large coherence length ≳=50 Mpc. It is difficult to account for this in the standard model inspired by inflation, where galaxies and clusters of galaxies grow by gravity out of initially adiabatic fluctuations in the distribution of mass now dominated by weakly interacting cold dark matter1,2. A model that does seem to work assumes that, at high redshift, mass was uniform and the baryon number was inhomogeneous, a stationary random process. This produces in the late Universe a baryon distribution with a power spectrum proportional to the initial value at short wavelength, a prominent peak in the spectrum at the matter-radiation Jeans length, and a sharp cutoff at longer wavelengths. Here I report how this spectrum normalized by the observed galaxy clustering can produce by gravity the large velocity field with large coherence length needed without excessively perturbing the microwave background.
A Spectrophotometric Study of the Molybdenum(VI)-1-Pyrrolidinecarbodithioate System

Abstract A spectrophotometric study of the molybdenum-1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate complex has shown that the meta1:ligand ratio is 1;2. Both molybdenum(VI) and molybdenum(V) form complexes with almost identical absorption spectra. The conditional extraction constant for the molybdenum(VI)-1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate in chloroform system has been evaluated as 6.3 × 1016.
A compressive light field projection system

For about a century, researchers and experimentalists have strived to bring glasses-free 3D experiences to the big screen. Much progress has been made and light field projection systems are now commercially available. Unfortunately, available display systems usually employ dozens of devices making such setups costly, energy inefficient, and bulky. We present a compressive approach to light field synthesis with projection devices. For this purpose, we propose a novel, passive screen design that is inspired by angle-expanding Keplerian telescopes. Combined with high-speed light field projection and nonnegative light field factorization, we demonstrate that compressive light field projection is possible with a single device. We build a prototype light field projector and angle-expanding screen from scratch, evaluate the system in simulation, present a variety of results, and demonstrate that the projector can alternatively achieve super-resolved and high dynamic range 2D image display when used with a conventional screen.
Technological Fix: Sex Determination in India

Prenatal diagnostic technologies have been used for the purpose of detecting sex—leading to abortion of female fetuses—and have posed new challenges to the already difficult question of social justice for women in India. This article reports findings from a case study conducted with 25 women who had used prenatal diagnostic technologies for sex determination.Against the common belief that Indian society is “improving” because of 21st-century medical technology, this case study shows that the social context has given a patriarchal value to such advanced technology in India. Furthermore, it sheds light on why prenatal diagnostic technologies have taken a different route in India.It shows that reasons for accepting the use of prenatal diagnostic technologies for sex determination by women are diverse and complex.
Value Shifts in Public Sector Human Resource Management: A Congressional Perspective

Various scholars have put forth frameworks for interpreting how public sector human resource management (HRM) policies and practices have tracked shifts in societal values. Although such frameworks serve important heuristic purposes, the empirical support offered for the interpretations made is generally thin. This study employs content analysis techniques to assess the relative validity of these different schemes with a focus on the priority assigned to the different values by members of Congress in debates over the federal civil service. According to the results, among the most dominant HRM-related values for the 122-year period (1883-2004) are efficiency, morality, and progress.
Tense, Aspect, and Time in the English Modality System

A major problem in ESL instruction on the English modality system is that grammar texts do not adequately clarify past time relationships. Without this clarification, students presented with hypothetical past or past conditional forms (modal+ have+ past participle) are likely to infer (from the form) the past time frame associated with present perfect aspect (i.e., I have seen that movie = unspecified past, with current relevance; see Moy, 1977). This article argues that unless a clear distinction is made between the semantic time reference of the modal “perfect” and that of the present perfect aspect, these forms will remain a major source of confusion for ESL students. The article includes a brief suggested sequence for teaching modals which incorporates and clarifies these time relationships and thus simplifies the teaching of the entire modality system.
Acceptance of the Roebling Medal of the Mineralogical Society of America for 2004

After attending the Mineralogical Society of America awards luncheon in 2003, my husband Francis R. “Joe” Boyd learned that he would be receiving the prestigious Roebling Medal in 2004. The Roebling Medal, awarded for scientific eminence as represented primarily by publication of outstanding original research in mineralogy, is an honor that appropriately caps a lifetime of achievement in the geological sciences. On hearing that he would be the next recipient, Joe expressed joy, gratitude to the Mineralogical Society of America, and humility at such an honor. I know that if he were here to receive the award, he would emphasize his thankfulness to all of the friends and colleagues who made his career in science meaningful. Especially, he would want to thank Steve Haggerty, a longtime colleague and friend, for his generous and thoughtful citation. Joe enjoyed a life-long love of science. As a child growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he set up a museum in his home to exhibit his collection of rocks and minerals, as well as certain living specimens that interested him. His mother, a genteel lady from South Carolina, patiently put up with her guests of snakes, insects, and the occasional furry creature. Joe’s father, an attorney, instilled in him a love of learning and hard work, and was supportive of his decision to pursue a scientific career. Joe kept one souvenir of his early school years, a grade school report in which his teacher criticized his writing and spelling but went on to praise his work in science class. Joe attended Milton Academy in Massachusetts, where he continued to excel in science. He was also a strong athlete who enjoyed outdoor sports. So it was natural for him to choose a major in geology at Harvard College. During summers he contributed to the war effort …
Pediococcus acidilactici Endocarditis Successfully Treated with Daptomycin

ABSTRACT This report describes the first case of persistent bacteremia with endocarditis caused by Pediococcus acidilactici in a 32-year-old male with a history of short gut syndrome following a small bowel transplant. The results showed the utility of sequencing the intergenic spacer region for species identification and successful treatment using daptomycin.
Sperm motility in the steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): influence of the composition of the incubation and activation media

This study examined the pH sensitivity of steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), sperm motility relative to the composition of incubation and activation media. The percentage of sperm that initiated motility following incubation in a sperm immobilizing solution (SI) titrated to different pH values and subsequent activation by dilution in buffered swimming medium (SM) at pH 8.5 or 50% ovarian fluid (OF) showed little or no pH sensitivity; sperm diluted in de-ionized water (DI) showed no motility after incubation at any pH. In contrast, motility of sperm diluted in tap water (TAP) was highly sensitive to the pH of the incubation medium. Sperm incubated with buffered seminal plasma at high, but not low pH demonstrated high percent motility when diluted with DI. Sperm incubated in low-pH SI demonstrated high motility only when diluted into high-pH SM. The effects of the composition of incubation and activation media on sperm motility were generally reflected in comparable effects on fertility. Therefore, these data indicate that the pH sensitivity of sperm motility and fertility depends on the composition of commonly used incubation as well as activation media.
Teflon-seated one-lambda microvalves for PDMS chips

We have fabricated and tested minimum sized (25times25 mum2) pneumatic valves that can be easily integrated within two-level PDMS microfluidic chips. Minimum valve footprint is achieved through the reduction of the valve gap (0-3 mum) and the incorporation of an anti-stiction teflon valve seat that prevents the bonding of the valve diaphragm during chip assembly. The pneumatic teflon-seated valves can be actuated with a pressure differential of 25 PSI using conventional PDMS control valve hardware. The microvalve flow resistance of 3.5 PSImiddotsmiddotL-1 was estimated from flow visualization measurements The microvalves can switch flows up to 5 Hz frequencies.
Examination of Macular Vitreoretinal Interface Disorders With Monochromatic Photography

Monochromatic light accentuates details of different retinal layers because of its variable absorption and reflectance by structures both within and above these layers. Monochromatic photography was used to examine macular vitreoretinal interface abnormalities in 19 patients. Short wavelength photographs (490 nm) provided the best detail of inner retinal abnormalities, including epiretinal membranes, vitreoretinal traction, and the internal surface of confluent macular edema (pseudocyst). Although 540-nm red-free photography provided acceptable photographs, it did not provide optimal detail of inner or deep retinal abnormalities. Longer wavelengths, 585 and 610 nm, best disclosed the extent of deep retinal abnormalities, including the extent of confluent macular edema (pseudocysts) and retinal detachment that surrounded macular holes. The addition of short- and long-wavelength photography to traditional red-free photography may provide better localization, understanding, and documentation of the three-dimensional relationships in macular vitreoretinal interface disorders.
The Psychology of Cancer Patients and Cancer Doctors: Shock of Recognition

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the psychology of cancer patients and cancer doctors, and shock recognition. Psychological and social management of a cancer patient is often complex and anxiety provoking, as any doctor can testify who has witnessed the contrived support of the patient who doesn't know the truth, the endless demands on the medical staffs time in pursuit of seemingly trivial matters, the frenzied flight from one physician to another seeking a cure, the withdrawal, anger, depression, and/or paradoxical euphoria of the dying patient, and the driven energy of a patient seeking support for a questionable malpractice suit. As important as the patient's reaction to cancer may be, the reaction of the physician to his patient is equally complex and important. The physician dealing with a patient who has a potentially fatal disease cannot usually be considered and should not consider himself to be an objective observer in this setting. There are five stages in a patient's response to terminal illness: (1) denial, (2) anger, (3) bargaining, (4) depression, and (4) acceptance. Some patients may employ denial as a mechanism throughout the major portion of their illness or denial may only comprise a brief episode followed by a prolonged stage of anger or depression. Bargaining is usually evanescent, but may occur at several points, and it is not uncommon to see anger manifested intermittently throughout the course of the disease. Acceptance of the imminence of death is usually a relatively brief phenomenon shortly before death, associated with a gradual voluntary separation of the patient from his friends and relatives.
Exact recoverability analysis for joint sparse optimization with missing measurements

Motivated by many applications which involve the sparse signals recovery, the joint sparse optimization problem or MMV (multiple measurement vectors) problem has been drawn more and more attentions in recently studies. A special and hot issue in MMV problem is how to find the sparse solutions when not all the entries of the measurements is fully observed, but some of them are missing. Although several works have already focused on this problem and some algorithms have also been proposed to solve the corresponding models, the analysis of recovery ability to the basic model has still not been provided. Thus, this paper presents theoretical analysis of recovery guarantees for joint sparse optimization problem with missing measurements. Simulation results are presented to verify the validity of our theories and also to illustrate the potential applications of our framework.
Racial stereotypes of early adolescent white children.

Recent impressions throughout the media, as well as literature reviews by psychologists (e.g., Brigham, 1971), suggest that the racial attitudes of whice people towasd black people may be becoming relatively positive. The present scudy represents an initial attempt to assess the current status of a group of whites' racial attitudes by comparing the relative favorableness-unfavorableness
RNA transport: Delivering the message.

Messenger RNAs are translocated between plant shoots and roots in patterns that reflect directionality, environmental responsiveness, and organ targeting.
Afrofuturism and the DNA of Biopolitics in the Black Public Sphere

This article explores the relationship of Afrofuturism to the intersection of race, religion and biopolitics within the Black public sphere. The article examines representations of emerging genomic technology in the film District 9 and the ethical questions regarding DNA surveillance and DNA phenotyping. These technologies are central to an emerging biopolitics that actively constructs a future racial order based upon the lasting inequalities of slavery and the biological assumptions about race that rationalized it. In addition, the article argues that these concerns are eschatological.
New Histeridae (Coleoptera) from the Burrows of the Florida Pocket Gopher

Specialized collecting in the burrows and nests of certain animals by Mr. H. G. Hubbard (1894, 1896) and recently by the late Mr. C. C. Goff and Mr. H. K. Wallace has brought to light the remarkable and peculiar associations of arthropods occasionally found in such situations.
Investigation on decision making for safe sex behavior related to HIV and living skills of solving problems in youths outside school in two cities of Xinjiang

Objective To investigate safe sex behavior related to HIV and to understand the capacity of decision making and solving problems of life skill among youths outside school in Yining and Kashgar cities of Xinjiang,to provide detail basis for formulating intervention plans of improving life skill of youths outside school.Methods Youths at age from 16 to 25 years old outside school were chosen randomly from 2 townships of the two cities,respectively.All youths filled questionnaires and were interviewed face to face.Results Out of the investigated 2 111 youths,30.6% of the male and 25.4% of the female could reject unsafe sex behavior.It was higher in choosing safe sex behavior for the male than for the female(χ2=28.06,P0.05).Conclusions The life skill of decision making and solving problems on safe sex behavior related to HIV is less for the female than for the male.It increases the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
Performance of Uncoated Weathering Steel Bridge Inventories: Methodology and Gulf Coast Region Evaluation

AbstractAlthough the majority of uncoated weathering steel (UWS) structures are performing well when designed and maintained in accordance with existing recommendations, exceptions to this trend exist. Additionally, the guidance on UWS use is largely qualitative. For these reasons, a data-driven method for assessing deterioration of a large sample of bridges as a function of environment was formulated, piloted, assessed, and validated. Key aspects of the methodology include the development of a database that uses graphical information systems to quantify the climate of hundreds of structures, a statistically driven process for selecting a representative sample of bridges for further evaluation, and a review of bridge performance based on owners’ evaluations and independent field evaluations. As a result of applying this methodology to UWS bridges with proximity to the Gulf Coast, environments consistently resulting in satisfactory performance were quantified; a rare combination of severe proximity to the ...
Mind Over Mind and Mind Over Matter

The questions I want to discuss are not questions of fact or evidence, but questions of theory, and highly speculative theory at that. I think such a discussion is needed. The theoretical side of psychical research has lagged far behind the evidential side. And that, I believe, is one of the main reasons why the evidence itself is still ignored by so many, and especially by so many highly educated people — not rejected but just disregarded. It is because these queer facts apparently ‘make no sense’ and ‘don’t fit in anywhere’, that they tend to make no permanent impression on the mind, even if one has had firsthand experience of them.1 If we could devise some theoretical explanation or interpretation in terms of which the facts did make sense and did fit into some kind of comprehensive conceptual framework, it would be a great gain. Such an explanation is needed for its own sake; and it is also needed to get the evidence attended to and considered.
PHARMACOKINETIC SYSTEMS ANALYSIS: SOME NEW FORMULATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a few new formulations related to pharmacokinetic systems analysis. It describes an n-compartmental process by a system of differential equations. The chapter presents a few new approaches along with some preliminary results in the analysis of pharmacokinetic systems. It discusses three approaches to improve the analysis of pharmacokinetic systems. Time delay effects play a significant role in the analysis and modeling of drug distribution. The rate coefficients are time dependent and not arbitrary constants. These two concepts are discussed in some detail in the chapter. The chapter also presents a parametric method of estimating the functional time-dependent form of the rate coefficients.
Clues to the mechanism of cholesterol transfer from the structure of NPC1 middle lumenal domain bound to NPC2

Export of LDL-derived cholesterol from lysosomes requires the cooperation of the integral membrane protein Niemann–Pick C1 (NPC1) and a soluble protein, Niemann–Pick C2 (NPC2). Mutations in the genes encoding these proteins lead to Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC). NPC2 binds to NPC1’s second (middle), lumenally oriented domain (MLD) and transfers cholesterol to NPC1’s N-terminal domain (NTD). Here, we report the 2.4-A resolution crystal structure of a complex of human NPC1–MLD and NPC2 bearing bound cholesterol-3-O-sulfate. NPC1–MLD uses two protruding loops to bind NPC2, analogous to its interaction with the primed Ebola virus glycoprotein. Docking of the NPC1–NPC2 complex onto the full-length NPC1 structure reveals a direct cholesterol transfer tunnel between NPC2 and NTD cholesterol binding pockets, supporting the “hydrophobic hand-off” cholesterol transfer model.
Bad Phosphorylation Is Reduced in Response to Inhibition of Constitutively Activated FLT3.

Abstract Constitutively activating internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 play an important role in leukemogenesis and their presence is associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previously we showed that human leukemia-derived myeloid cell lines having constitutive activation of FLT3 undergo apoptotic cell death when treated with FLT3 inhibitors. Examining the anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins in constitutively activated FLT3 signaling in BaF3/ITD, MOLM-14 and MV4-11 cell lines, we found that the level of Bad phosphorylation was greatly decreased by FLT3 inhibitor treatment. Bad is a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family that can displace Bax from binding to Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, resulting in cell death. Survival factors such as IL-3 inhibit the apoptotic activity of Bad by activating intracellular signaling pathways that result in the phosphorylation of Bad at Ser112 and Ser136. Both Ser112 and Ser136 are rapidly dephosphorylated after treatment with FLT3 inhibitors in BaF3/ITD, MOLM-14, and MV4-11 cells. We also found Bad to be highly phosphorylated in both wild-type and mutant FLT3 primary AML samples. In confirmation of the cell line data, Bad was rapidly dephosphorylated after treatment of the primary samples with lestaurtinib (CEP-701). Upstream molecules responsible for phosphorylation of Bad include Akt, Erk/MAPK, Pim-1, and Pim-2. We previously reported Pim-1 as one of the genes whose expression is induced by constitutively activated FLT3. We and other groups have also shown that constitutively activated FLT3 induces multiple signaling pathways, including PI3/Akt, Erk/MAPK, and Jak/STAT. The dephosphorylation of Bad in response to FLT3 inhibition also correlates with deactivation of Stat5, MEK1/2 and Akt kinase activities and decreased expression of Pim-1. Thus, Bad may be one of the points that these multiple signaling pathways converge in FLT3-mediated cell survival. Thus, it appears that activated FLT3 phosphorylates Bad, resulting in the inability of Bad to bind to Bcl-xL, therefore blocking apoptosis. This is the first report of deactivation of a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member induced by constitutively activated FLT3.
The Organization of Neocortex in Early Mammals

Based on fossil evidence, a more complete understanding of the branching of the tree of mammalian evolution, and the results of comparative studies of the organization of the neocortex of the present-day mammals, it has been possible to reconstruct the likely organization of the neocortex of early mammals in some detail. The common ancestor of all extant mammals was small and had a small brain with little neocortex. This neocortex included five somatosensory areas, four visual areas, and a primary auditory area. There were likely two to three areas of prefrontal cortex, two to three areas of cingulate cortex, two retrosplenial areas, and possibly subdivisions of perirhinal cortex. Overall, early mammals had roughly 20 cortical areas. The primary motor area, M1, and the premotor areas of placental mammals, as well as the corpus callosum connecting the two cerebral hemispheres, did not appear until placental mammals emerged.
Downlink receiver algorithms for deep space optical communications

The goal of the Deep Space Optical Communications project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is to demonstrate laser communication links at ranges out to approximately 3 AU. In this paper, we discuss a downlink receiver concept capable of demodulating optical pulse-position modulated (PPM) waveforms with data rates varying from approximately 50 kbps up to 265 Mbps, using a range of PPM orders, slot widths, and code rates. The receiver operates on recorded timestamps corresponding to the times-of-arrival of photons detected by a photon-counting detector array followed by a commercial time-tagger. Algorithms are presented for slot, symbol, and frame synchronization as well as parameter estimation. Estimates of link performance are evaluated through Monte- Carlo simulation for an optical channel that includes optical losses, detector blocking, signal clock dynamics, and pointing-induced downlink fades. Based upon these simulation results, it is expected that link closure may be achieved with at least 3 dB of margin under a variety of relevant conditions.
Pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

e12570Background: Neutrophils are known to promote tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and distant metastasis while lymphocytes play an important role in immune activity against tumor cells. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to have prognostic value in various types of malignancies including TNBC. (Pristelli et al BMC Cancer 2015) Prognostic biomarkers of response and outcome are needed to optimally teat TNBC in the curative setting. We assessed NLR as a prognostic indicator in patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy. Methods: Retrospective chart analysis was performed on patients with TNBC who were treated as part of a phase II protocol neoadjuvant metronomic chemotherapy in TNBC (NCT00542191) with weekly doxorubicin 24 mg/m2 + daily oral cyclophosphamide 60 mg/m2 x 12 weeks followed by weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 + weekly carboplatin AUC 2 x 12 weeks. NLR was measured pretreatment, after completion of Doxorubicin and Cytoxan, and after completing Paclitax...
Effect of Body Position on Epsicleral Venous Pressure in Healthy Subjects.

Purpose The mechanism of IOP change during a body position change is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated changes in episcleral venous pressure (EVP) between two body positions, sitting and inclined, and compared this with changes in IOP. Methods This study was a prospective, comparative case series of 43 eyes of 24 healthy volunteers. IOP was measured using a pneumatonometer in the seated position. EVP was then measured in a selected episcleral vein by using an automated, slit-lamp-mounted venomanometer. Thirty minutes later, the subject was placed in an inclined position with the neck extended and the head resting on the chin rest of the slit lamp. After 5 minutes, IOP and EVP in the same vein were remeasured. EVP in the inclined position was compared with EVP in the seated position, and the change in IOP was compared with the change in EVP. Statistical significance was determined using generalized estimating equation models. Results Mean IOP increased from 11.4 ± 3.0 mm Hg (mean ± SD) in the sitting position to 13.1 ± 3.4 mm Hg in the inclined position (P < 0.001). Mean EVP increased from 6.4 ± 1.4 mm Hg in the sitting position to 7.8 ± 1.7 mm Hg in the inclined position (P < 0.001). The postural rise in IOP was not different from the rise in EVP (P = 0.18). Conclusions In the inclined position, IOP and EVP are higher than they are in the sitting position. The posture-induced rise in IOP can be attributed to an increase in EVP.