cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A power wheelchair controlled using hand gestures, a single sEMG sensor, and guided under-determined source signal separation

Surface Electromyographic signals (sEMG) find applications in many areas such as rehabilitation, prosthesis and human-machine interaction. Systems reliant on these muscle-generated electrical signals require some form of machine learning algorithm for recognition of specific patterns of muscle activity. Those systems vary in terms of the signal detection methods, the feature selection and the classification algorithm used, however, in all those cases, the use of multiple sensors is a constant requirement. In this paper, we present a power wheelchair control system that relies on a single sEMG sensor and a new technique for signature recognition called Guided Under-determined Source Signal Separation (GUSSS). Compared to other approaches in the literature, the proposed technique achieves comparable results even when using a simple distance classifier and a very small number of features.
HIV-1 gp120 Modulates Hypothalamic Cytokine mRNAsin Vivo:Implications to Cytokine Feedback Systems☆

Abstract HIV-1-derived envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) may play an important role in HIV-1 neuropathology. Gp120 may act through mediators including proinflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigated the regulation of the IL-1β system [IL-1β, IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-1 receptor accessory proteins (IL-1R AcP I and II)], TNF-α, TGF-α, and TGF-β1 mRNAs in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats in response to the chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinfusion (via osmotic minipumps) of HIV-1 gp120 (100, 500, and 1000 ng/24 h for 72 h). Gp120 increased IL-1β, IL-1Ra, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 mRNAs. Gp120-induced cytokine mRNA profiles were highly intercorrelated in the same samples. Levels of IL-1RI, IL-1R AcP I and II, and TGF-α did not change significantly, and levels of GAPDH mRNA were constant. The data suggest potential cytokine-cytokine interactions with positive (IL-1β → TNF-α) and negative (IL-1Ra → IL-1β; TGF-β1 → IL-1β/TNF-α) feedback in gp120 action. A dysregulation of the balance between stimulatory and inhibitory cytokine mechanisms may participate in the initiation, propagation, and/or aggravation of HIV-1 neuropathology.
Critical cases for neutral functional differential equations

Neutral functional equation including scalar differential-difference equation, determining sufficient conditions for zero solution
Decay of a quantum-mechanical state described by a truncated Lorentzian energy distribution.

The nondecay probability Q(t) for a Lorentzian energy distribution peaked at ${\mathit{E}}_{0}$ with full width at half maximum equal to \ensuremath{\Gamma} is given in atomic units by ${\mathit{Q}}_{\mathit{L}}$(t)=exp(-\ensuremath{\Gamma}t). However, the Lorentzian distribution includes energies in the range -\ensuremath{\infty}\ensuremath{\le}E\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\infty}. On physical grounds, this distribution must be truncated at some minimum energy E=0. In this paper, Q(t) is derived for a properly normalized truncated Lorentzian energy distribution. To aid the analysis, the average lifetime \ensuremath{\tau}(${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{min}}$) for that fraction of the system that has not decayed by ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{min}}$ is also calculated for this system. For a given value of the ratio ${\mathit{E}}_{0}$/\ensuremath{\Gamma}, the function Q(t) shows different behavior in different time regimes; this behavior is presented and the time periods are determined. It is shown that Q(t) falls off linearly at very small t, but at a rate only half as fast as for ${\mathit{Q}}_{\mathit{L}}$(t). Thus this system cannot exhibit the behavior known as Zeno's paradox, but rapid measurements on this system that collapse the wave function back to the original state could, in principle, reduce the decay rate by a factor of 2.
Aesthetics, Nationalism, and the Image of Woman in Modern Indian Art

In his article "Aesthetics, Nationalism, and the Image of Woman in Modern Indian Art" Kedar Vishwanathan discusses how developments in visual culture impacted India's configuration as nation. Between 1880-1945 in Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata) a burgeoning visual culture developed in service of anti-colonial nationalism. Used as a method to imagine a nation free of colonial rule, in particular images of women proliferated in private and public spaces. Crucial to this development was the reformulations of modernity based on an ambivalent combination of British and Indian vernacular art. Vishwanathan focuses on how the female was appropriated for the cause of imagining an Indian nation and he examines the influence of political movements such as the Raja Ravi Varma Printing Press, The Calcutta Art Studio, and the Bengali neo-traditionalists. Further, he inquires into the connections and relationship between colonial administration and the Indian populace prior to the onset of elite anti-colonial nationalism in order to understand Indian modernity and the shift in vernacular and visual aesthetics. Kedar Vishwanathan, "Aesthetics, Nationalism, and the Image of Woman in Modern Indian Art" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 12.2 (2010): Thematic issue New Modernities and the "Third World." Ed. V. DeSousa, J.E. Henton, and G. Ramanathan
French Colonialism, Imported Technology, and the Handicraft Textile Industry in the Western Sudan, 1898–1918

European technology, both practical and managerial arts, had an impact on the well-established cotton and handicraft textile industries of the Western Sudan during the first twenty-five years of colonial rule. But French efforts to shape cotton production for export did not always have the intended results. Indigenous historical processes as well as French colonial policy account for the changes in these industries.
In vitro and in vivo performance of dry powder inhalation formulations: comparison of particles prepared by thin film freezing and micronization.

Recently, inhaled immunosuppressive agents have attracted increasing attention for maintenance therapy following lung transplantation. The rationale for this delivery approach includes a more targeted and localized delivery to the diseased site with reduced systemic exposure, potentially leading to decreased adverse side effects. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo performance of an amorphous formulation prepared by thin film freezing (TFF) and a crystalline micronized formulation produced by milling was compared for tacrolimus (TAC). Despite the relatively large geometric size, the TFF-processed formulation was capable of achieving deep lung delivery due to its low-density, highly porous, and brittle characteristics. When emitted from a Miat® monodose inhaler, TFF-processed TAC formulations exhibited a fine particle fraction (FPF) of 83.3% and a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 2.26 μm. Single-dose 24-h pharmacokinetic studies in rats demonstrated that the TAC formulation prepared by TFF exhibited higher pulmonary bioavailability with a prolonged retention time in the lung, possibly due to decreased clearance (e.g., macrophage phagocytosis), compared to the micronized TAC formulation. Additionally, TFF formulation generated a lower systemic TAC concentration with smaller variability than the micronized formulation following inhalation, potentially leading to reduced side effects related to the drug in systemic circulation.
Taking a Critical Look at Gifted Education

allow in-depth treatments of the important topics in the field. Each volume will focus on a current issue in gifted education, for example, the psychology of giftedness, program development, affective needs, or parental education. Contributions will represent the viewpoints of theoreticians, researchers, and practioners, as well as a variety of disciplines. The current volume brings together discussions of the development of defensible programs for the gifted. The book has five sections, each with a lead chapter followed by a critique and/or another chapter presenting a differing viewpoint. In most cases, the author of the first chapter offers a response to the critique. The first set of discussions addresses the issue of whether qualitative differences exist between gifted and nongifted individuals. Those that follow examine the need for qualitatively different curricula, enrichment versus acceleration, and program development and evaluation. The fifth section
Calcium and Calmodulin-Dependent Phosphorylation of κ-Casein by a Bovine Mammary Casein Kinase

A calcium and calmodulin-dependent kappa-casein kinase activity has been described in the bovine mammary gland. This kinase required previously dephosphorylated kappa-casein for substrate, thus suggesting a physiological role for this enzyme. The kappa-casein kinase required magnesium and the presence of both calcium and calmodulin for full activity. Calmodulin concentrations of .32 microM achieved one-half maximal activation of this enzyme. The calcium and calmodulin-dependent kappa-casein kinase was found in preparations of mammary acini and could be localized in a membranous fraction by centrifugation. The particles containing this activity had a high density (1.309 g/cc) and cofractionated with caseins, suggesting this enzyme may be present in secretory granules.
Anti-estrogenic compounds increase prolactin and growth hormone synthesis in clonal strains of rat pituitary cells.

Established clonal strains of rat pituitary cells, GH-cells, responded prior to 1974 to 10−11 to 10−8M 17β-estradiol by increasing prolactin synthesis 2-fold and decreasing the production of growth hormone to between 20 and 70% of control values. In experiments in 1975-76, these effects of estradiol were no longer statistically significant. Unexpectedly, the estrogen antagonists enclomiphene, CI-628, tamoxifen, and Lilly 88751 caused increases in both prolactin and growth hormone synthesis at concentrations of about 10−7 to 10−6M after one week of treatment. These increases were prevented by 10−8M 17β-estradiol. Prolactin synthesis remained elevated for at least 11 days after removal of enclomiphene from the culture medium but, in the presence of estradiol, synthesis approached control levels by 11 days. In GH-cells, compounds which are estrogen antagonists in other systems mimic the previously observed effect of estradiol on prolactin synthesis, but have an effect opposite to that of estradiol on growth ...
Forward and Futures Contracts as Preharvest Commodity Marketing Instruments

Empirically significant differences between forward and futures contracts evidence their imperfect substitutability as preharvest marketing instruments. Certain combinations of market conditions make the two types of contracts complementary rather than interchangeable. Forwards and futures differ conceptually because of lumpiness, marking-to-market, and basis. Of these differences, basis constitutes the most important factor. Although lumpiness may affect smaller producers, it represents an inconsequential detail for larger traders. In given years, interest income (cost) resulting from futures margin requirements may reach important absolute amounts. Relative to size of basis and price changes, this factor fails to attain a magnitude of practical significance.
SU‐FF‐J‐21: An External‐Marker Based Non‐Respiratory Body Motion Monitoring System

The development of new technologies has leaded a trend of tighter target margin and longer treatment procedures in the new era of image‐guidedradiotherapy. This prompts a concern of potential body motion of a patient during the treatment, especially for stereotactic body radiosurgery. The purpose of this study is to develop a technique to monitor the non‐respiratory motion of a patient, separated from the relatively large respiratory motion. BrainLab ExacTrac system is used as the platform for the study. Multiple infrared external markers are placed on a patient's chest and abdominal surfaces. The position of each marker is monitored with two infrared cameras. The motion signal of each marker, which is the mixture of respiratory and non‐respiratory motions, is recorded. The markers on the chest surface show much smaller, but correlated respiratory signals than those on the abdominal surface. The non‐respiratory component can be derived from the motion signal at the chest surface subtracting the respiratory component represented by the motion signal at the abdominal surface. A computer program has been written to calculate the two motion components in real‐time and was retrospectively tested in patients enrolled in a 4D‐gated‐CT protocol. Total of 24 patients were tested. The duration of recorded motion signals ranged from 10 to 25 minutes for different patients. The extracted non‐respiratory motion signal showed reduced respiratory ripples of less than 0.5 mm for most of the patients, with the maximal ripple of about 1.2 mm. It also showed slow‐drifts as well as some sharp spikes or irregular fluctuations. The slow‐drifts were 1.5mm and 2.5mm and 3.5mm for 3 patients with maximal drift of 6.5mm. This result suggests that monitoring non‐respiratory motion during treatment might be necessary.
Which urban migrants default from tuberculosis treatment in Shanghai, China?

Background Migration is a major challenge to tuberculosis (TB) control worldwide. TB treatment requires multiple drugs for at least six months. Some TB patients default before completing their treatment regimen, which can lead to ongoing infectiousness and drug resistance. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 29,943 active TB cases among urban migrants that were reported between 2000 to 2008 in Shanghai, China. We used logistic regression models to identify factors independently associated with treatment defaults in TB patients among urban migrants during 2005-2008. Results Fifty-two percent of the total TB patients reported in Shanghai during the study period were among urban migrants. Three factors increased the odds of a treatment default: case management using self-administered therapy (OR, 5.84, 95% CI, 3.14-10.86, p 60 years old (OR, 1.33, 95% CI, 1.05-1.67, p=0.017). The presence of a cavity in the initial chest radiograph decreased the odds for a treatment default (OR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.77-0.97, p=0.015), as did migration from central China (OR, 0.85, 95% CI, 0.73-0.99, p=0.042), case management by family members (OR, 0.73, 95% CI 0.66-0.81, p<0.0005), and the combination of case detection by a required physical exam and case management by health care staff (OR, 0.64, 95% CI, 0.45-0.93, p=0.019). Conclusion Among TB patients who were urban migrants in Shanghai, case management using self-administered therapy was the strongest modifiable risk factor that was independently associated with treatment defaults. Interventions that target retreated TB cases could also reduce treatment defaults among urban migrants. Health departments should develop effective measures to prevent treatment defaults among urban migrants, to ensure completion of therapy among urban migrants who move between cities and provinces, and to improve reporting of treatment outcomes.
Investigating the chemical nature of humic-like substances (HULIS) in North American atmospheric aerosols by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract The high-molecular weight water-soluble organic compounds present in atmospheric aerosols underwent functional-group characterization using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), with a focus on understanding the chemical structure and origins of humic-like substances (HULIS) in the atmosphere. Aerosol samples were obtained from several locations in North America at times when primary sources contributing to organic aerosol were well-characterized: Riverside, CA, Fresno, CA, urban and peripheral Mexico City, Atlanta, GA, and Bondville, IL. Chemical analysis targeted identification and quantification of functional groups, such as aliphatic, aromatic, and bulk carboxylic acids, organosulfates, and carbohydrate-like substances that comprise species with molecular weights (MW) 200–600 amu. Measured high-MW functional groups were compared to modeled primary sources with the purpose of identifying associations between aerosol sources, high-MW aerosol species, and HULIS. Mobile source emissions were linked to high-molecular weight carboxylic acids, especially aromatic acids, biomass burning was associated with carboxylic acids and carbohydrate-like substances, and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) correlated well with the total amount of HULIS measured, whereas organosulfates showed no correlation with aerosol sources and exhibited unique spatial trends. These results suggested the importance of motor vehicles, biomass burning, and SOA as important sources of precursors to HULIS. Structural characteristics of atmospheric HULIS were compared to terrestrial humic and fulvic acids and revealed striking similarities in chemical structure, with the exception of organosulfates which were unique to atmospheric HULIS.
A new MRP/GT lot sizing heuristic: A simulation study

This paper studies the lot-sizing problem in Material Requirements Planning/Group Technology (MRP/GT) systems. A GT production cell is designed to produce many families of components. A major setup is required when switching from manufacturing one family of components to another family, and a minor setup is needed when switching from manufacturing a component type to another component type within the same family. Inventory holding cost is incurred if inventory level is positive, and inventory shortage cost is incurred if inventory level is negative, that is, backordering. The objective of the proposed lot-sizing problem is to minimize the sum of major and minor setup costs, holding and shortage costs, and regular production cost, and to meet simultaneously the demand requirements. The proposed problem is modelled into a linear integer program, a heuristic method to solve the problem is proposed, and a simulation experiment conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed heuristic and some existing h...
Metastatic breast carcinoma of prostatic origin

Summary A breast mass developed in a patient on estrogen therapy three years after having undergone radical prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate. The breast lesion was proved by acid phosphatase stains to be metastatic from the prostate. Fifteen cases of breast lesions developing in patients with carcinoma of the prostate have been reported. Breast metastases from prostatic carcinoma seem to indicate the terminal phase of this disease.
Mechanistic and Signaling Analysis of Muc4-ErbB2 Signaling Module: New Insights into the Mechanism of Ligand-Independent ErbB2 Activity

The membrane mucin Muc4 is aberrantly expressed in numerous epithelial carcinomas and is currently used as a cancer diagnostic and prognostic tool. Muc4 can also potentiate signal transduction by modulating differential ErbB2 phosphorylation in the absence and in the presence of the ErbB3 soluble ligand heregulin (HRG-beta1). These features of Muc4 suggest that Muc4 is not merely a cancer marker, but an oncogenic factor with a unique-binding/activation relationship with the receptor ErbB2. In the present study, we examined the signaling mechanisms that are associated with the Muc4-ErbB2 module by analyzing ErbB2 differential signaling in response to Muc4 expression. Our study was carried out in the A375 human melanoma and BT-474 breast cancer cell lines as our model systems. Quantitative and comparative signaling modulations were evaluated by immunoblot using phospho-specific antibodies, and densitometry analysis. Signaling complex components were identified by chemical cross-linking, fractionation by gel filtration, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. Activated downstream signaling pathways were analyzed by an antibody microarray screen and immunoblot analyses. Our results indicate that Muc4 modulates ErbB2 signaling potential significantly by stabilizing and directly interacting with the ErbB2-ErbB3 heterodimer. Further analyses indicate that Muc4 promotes ErbB2 autocatalysis, but it has no effect on ErbB3 phosphorylation, although the chemical cross-linking data indicated that the signaling module is composed of Muc4, ErbB2, and ErbB3. Our microarray analysis indicates that Muc4 expression promotes cell migration by increasing the phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase and also through an increase in the levels of beta-catenin.
Spatially explicit models of land abandonment in the Amazon

Given growing concerns about biodiversity loss and carbon emissions stemming from tropical deforestation, it is important to identify the factors associated with land abandonment as they might indicate areas that were deforested but are unsuitable for long-term cultivation. This article utilizes a high-resolution, Landsat-based data-set called TerraClass to relate land abandonment to precipitation, slope, farmgate price of beef, market access, soil quality, and land tenure characteristics in the Brazilian Amazon. The spatially explicit statistical models reveal that rates of land abandonment increase with higher rainfall and slope values, even when controlling for distance to roads, farmgate prices, type of settlement, and soil quality. Moreover, land adjacent to a major road is more likely to be consistently cultivated, but land near large rivers and far from highways is more likely to be abandoned. Land ownership type also influences the likelihood of land abandonment as settlements based on communal property rights have higher rates of land abandonment than settlements with private lots. These results suggest that policies aimed at occupying tropical forests such as the Amazon must consider these biophysical and socioeconomic factors in order to foster human development aligned with sustainability principles.
Experimental evaluation of four feature detection methods for close range and distant airborne targets for Unmanned Aircraft Systems applications

Feature detection for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) sense and avoid scenarios is a crucial preliminary step for target detection. Its importance culminates when distant (pixel size) targets representing incoming aircraft are considered. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of four popular feature detection methods using flight test data and based on evaluation criteria such as first detection distance and percentage of frames with detected target features. Our results show that for close range targets all four methods have similar performance, while for distant (pixel-size) targets, the Shi and Tomasi method outperforms the other three methods (Harris-Stephens-Plessey, SUSAN and FAST).
Determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in cow's milk

Abstract A method is described for the determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2378-TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (2378-TCDF) at sub parts per trillion (pptr) levels. The results of a limited survey of U. S. milk packaged in bleached paper cartons are presented.
Denaturation maps of the left and right sides of the lambda DNA molecule determined by electron microscopy

Partially denatured λ DNA has been examined in the electron microscope and the position of a large number of denatured sites located and expressed in the form of denaturation maps. Between 12 and 15 regions have been found where denatured sites occur with high frequency.
The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of a Super Invar-Ta16W18O94 Composite

The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a hot pressed Ta/sub 16/W/sub 18/O/sub 94/ which was produced from Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ and WO/sub 3/ powders was found to be -1.52x10/sup -6/K/sup -1/ in the temperature range 180-330 K. Using the Ta/sub 16/W/sub 18/O/sub 94/ and Super Invar powders, 50:50 volume percent metal-ceramic composites were made by the powder metallurgy techniques. When the mixture of constituent powders was hot pressed at 1123 K for 10 minutes, a CTE of 1.1x10/sup -6/K/sup -1/ was obtained in the temperature range 140-420 K.
Hammett correlations as test of mechanism of CO-induced disulfide elimination from dinitrosyl iron complexes

The displacement of RS˙ from [(NHC)(SPh)Fe(NO)2] (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) by carbon monoxide follows associative kinetics, rate = k [CO]1 [(NHC)(SPh)Fe(NO)2]1, resulting in reduction of the oxidized form of the dinitrosyliron unit, {Fe(NO)2}9 (Enemark–Feltham notation) to {Fe(NO)2}10. Thermodynamically driven by the release of PhS–SPh concomitant with formation of [(NHC)(CO)Fe(NO)2], computational studies suggested the reactant dinitrosyliron unit serves as a nucleophile in the initial slanted interaction of the π* orbital of CO, shifting into normal linear Fe–CO with weakening of the Fe–SPh bond. The current study seeks to experimentally test this proposal. A series of analogous {Fe(NO)2}9 [(NHC)(p-S–C6H4X)Fe(NO)2] complexes, with systematic variation of the para-substituents X from electron donor to electron withdrawing groups was used to monitor variation in electron density at the Fe(NO)2 unit via Hammett analyses. Despite the presence of non-innocent NO ligands, data from ν(NO) IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry showed consistent tracking of the electron density at the {Fe(NO)2} unit in response to the aryl substituent. The electronic modifications resulted in systematic changes in reaction rates when each derivative was exposed to CO. A plot of the rate constants and the Hammett parameter σp is linear with a negative slope and a ρ value of −0.831; such correlation is indicative of rate retardation by electron-withdrawing substituents, and provides experimental support for the unique role of the delocalized frontier molecular orbitals of the Fe(NO)2 unit.
Sham Surgery in Randomized Trials: Additional Requirements Should Be Satisfied

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is informative to the extent that appropriately chosen interventions are compared. The notion of appropriateness relates primarily to what interventions are available for the condition being evaluated and the current state of knowledge concerning their relative merits (beneats and harms). An appropriate acknowledgment of uncertainty enables the concurrent achievement of two objectives: the acquisition of valuable scientiac knowledge, and an optimum treatment choice for the enrolled patient (Djulbegovic 2001). Such uncertainty is inherent in the concept of clinical equipoise (Freedman 1987), which also permits guidance for the ethical use of a placebo in an RCT (Tri-Council Statement 2000). A placebo is used in an RCT primarily to enable blinding, and is typically a chemical or chemicals that are not harmful. Active agents that transiently produce certain minor physical effects (such as a dry mouth) are sometimes used as placebos in trials. Sham surgery as an invasive placebo certainly complicates the calculus of uncertainty. In defense of the use of a placebo-only control arm in drugrelated RCTs when effective interventions exist, Miller and Brody (2002) proposed rather rigid distinctions between the ethics of clinical care and clinical research. Franklin G. Miller (2003) has again advanced this reasoning in his current discussion of sham surgery. Clinical research requires the minimization of risks of harm and the avoidance of participant exploitation. With respect to justifying the use of sham surgery to enable blinding, I and this argument somewhat more persuasive, but additional qualiacations and actions are, in my view, in order. In what follows, I discuss these with reference to the arthroscopic surgery trial and focus on issues related to:
Resistin release by human adipose tissue explants in primary culture.

Abstract Resistin, also known as Fizz3 or ADSF, is a protein found in murine adipose tissue and inflammatory lung exudates. The present studies found that resistin was released by explants of human adipose tissue but the release was quite variable ranging from 3 to 158 ng/g over 48 h. The release of resistin was 250% greater by explants of omental than by explants of human subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. Resistin release by adipocytes was negligible as compared to that by the non-fat cells of adipose tissue. Leptin formation by adipocytes was 8-fold greater than its formation by the non-fat cells, while the formation of PAI-1 by adipocytes was 38% of that by the non-fat cells. The conversion of glucose to lactate as well as the formation of PGE 2 and IL-8 was approximately 15% of that by the non-fat cells. In contrast the release of IL-6 and IL-1β by adipocytes was 4–7% of that by the non-fat cells while the formation of resistin and IL-10 by adipocytes was 2% of that by non-fat cells. The release of adiponectin by explants ranged from 1000 to 5000 ng/g over 48 h but did not correlate with that of resistin. The present data suggest that resistin release by explants of human adipose tissue in primary culture is largely derived from the non-fat cells present in the explants.
Counselor attitudes toward the use of naltrexone in substance abuse treatment: A multi-level modeling approach

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) continue to be one of the most pervasive and costly of the substance use disorders (SUDs). Despite evidence of clinical effectiveness, adoption of medications for the treatment of AUDs is suboptimal. Low rates of AUD medication adoption have been explained by characteristics of both treatment organizations and individual counselor's attitudes and behaviors. However, few studies have simultaneously examined the impact of organizational-level and counselor-level characteristics on counselor perceptions of EBPs. To address this gap in the literature, we use data from a national sample of 1178 counselors employed in 209 privately funded treatment organizations to examine the effects of organizational and individual counselor characteristics on counselor attitudes toward tablet and injectable naltrexone. Results of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) show that organizational characteristics (use of tablet/injectable naltrexone in the program, 12-step orientation) were associated with counselor perceptions of naltrexone. Net of organizational characteristics, several counselor level characteristics were associated with attitudes toward tablet and injectable naltrexone including gender, tenure in the field, recovery status, percentage of AUD patients, and receipt of medication-specific training. These findings reveal that counselor receptiveness toward naltrexone is shaped in part by the organizational context in which counselors are embedded.
Informational Regulation of Environmental Risks

This paper examines the law and economics of informational regulation (IR) of environmental risks. Informational regulation here means regulation which provides to affected stakeholders information on the operations of regulated entities, usually with the expectation that such stakeholders will then exert pressure on these entities to comply with regulations in a manner which serves the interests of stakeholders. As such, IR reinforces and augments direct regulatory monitoring and enforcement through third-party monitoring and incentives. The paper provides two contrasting frameworks, from law and economics, to analyze the costs and benefits likely to arise from IR and concludes with a discussion of the appropriate scope of IR as a substitute for and complement of traditional environmental regulation and law.
Accumulation of E. Coli Bacteria in Mini-Channel Flow

The objective of this research is to design and optimize a mini/ micro-channel based surface-accumulator of E. coli bacteria to be detected by acoustic wave biosensors. A computational approach has been carried out using the state of the art software, CFD-ACE with water as bacteria bearing fluid. E. coli bacteria have been modeled as random discrete particles tracked by solving the Lagrangian equations. The design challenges are to achieve low shear force (pico-N), high concentration at accumulation, and high enough Reynolds number to avoid bacteria swimming. A range of low Reynolds number (Re) has been considered along with the effects of particle boundary interactions, gravity, Saffman lift, etc. More than two orders of magnitude higher concentration at the accumulation than the inlet concentration, and lower shear force of less than pico-N have been achieved in the optimized designs.
Transistor Laser Power Stabilization Using Direct Collector Current Feedback Control

An automatic laser power control scheme for the transistor laser has been developed and demonstrated using the transistor laser collector current output. The collector current enables an all-electrical feedback solution for laser power control, obviating the need for a hybrid integrated monitor photodiode. This control scheme enables the simple monolithic integration of the transistor laser and its power control circuits on a single die.
Structural characteristics that make chlorophylls green: interplay of hydrocarbon skeleton and substituents

Understanding the effects of substituents on natural photosynthetic pigments is essential for gaining a deep understanding of why such pigments were selected over the course of evolution for use in photosynthetic systems. This knowledge should provide for a more thoughtful design of artificial light-harvesting systems. The hydrocarbon skeleton of all chlorophylls is phorbine, which contains an annulated five-membered (isocyclic) ring in addition to the reduced pyrrole ring characteristic of chlorins. A phorbine and a 131-oxophorbine (which bears an oxo group in the isocyclic ring) were synthesized as benchmark molecules for fundamental spectral and photophysical studies. The phorbine and 131-oxophorbine macrocycles lack peripheral substituents other than a geminal dimethyl group in the reduced ring to stabilize the chlorin chromophore. The spectral properties and electronic structure of the zinc or free base 131-oxophorbine closely resemble those of the corresponding analogues of chlorophyll a. Accordingly, the fundamental electronic properties of chlorophylls are primarily a consequence of the 131-oxophorbine base macrocycle.
IMAGES OF THE FERMI SURFACE IN PHONON SPECTRA OF METALS

This paper contains semiquantitative considerations concerning images of the Fermi surface in the phonon spectra of various metals. Anomalies in the phonon dispersion curves, as well as discontinuities of the phonon lifetime, are discussed.
Modeling the effect of ion mixing and surface roughening on depth profiles

A simple instrument transfer function is proposed to convolute hypothesized profiles (e.g. sharp interfaces). The convoluted profiles can then be compared to measured profiles. The convolution involves an ion mixing factor which has a constant value independent of the sputter depth and a roughening factor which is a fixed fraction of the sputter depth. Electron escape depth is also included in the convolution. Measured profiles for silicon dioxide films varying form 23 to 1000 angstroms were obtained with AES and argon ion sputtering, and are compared to the convoluted hypothesized profiles. An ion mixing factor of 10 angstroms and a roughening factor of 1% of the sputter depth were obtained. This roughness factor is significantly lower than usually obtained for many other materials, e.g. metal films.
Open Sternotomy and Delayed Sternal Closure Following Cardiac Surgery in Neonates: Outcomes of a Strategy for Managing Critically Ill Patients 202

Open sternotomy (OS) after cardiac surgery involves leaving the sternum unapproximated and closing the skin with a patch, then closing the chest 2-3 days later after the patient (pt) has stabilized. OS has been shown to be safe and effective in adults and children, but there is little published data on the management of OS with delayed sternal closure (DSC) in neonates. From 7/92 to 6/95 OS was performed in 60 neonates who underwent surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease. Indications for OS were: routine OS in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (18), bleeding(14), ventilatory compromise (5), hemodynamic instability (23; 6 of whom also had bleeding or ventilatory compromise as an indication), and VAD/ECMO placement (6). OS was elected in the operating room without a trial of chest closure in 96% of pts. Most of these pts were critically ill and underwent complicated operations (76% had Norwood, arterial switch, truncus repair, tetralogy of Fallot repair, or Ross procedures) with prolonged periods of bypass (219±99 min). 13 pts died prior to DSC, 11 within 2 days of surgery. DSC was performed a median of 3 days after OS (1-26 days) in the remaining 47 pts, 6 of whom died in the hospital (all with OS >6 days). Central venous pressure decreased significantly (p=.02) from postoperative day 1 (8.6±2.0 mmHg) to immediately pre-DSC (7.1±2.4 mmHg), and increased significantly (p<.0001) following DSC (9.6±2.3 mmHg). After DSC, respiratory rate (p=.03), inspiratory pressure (p<.0001), mean airway pressure (p<.0001), and FiO2 (p=.02) all had to be increased significantly. Postoperative mediastinal infections occurred in 3 pts, all of whom had complicated postoperative courses and prolonged OS (11,14, 26 days), and required rectus abdominis flap sternal reconstruction. 2 of these pts expired. One other patient developed a superficial (but culture negative) wound infection. Wound complications occurred in only 1 of 40 pts who underwent DSC within 1 week of OS, which is similar to rates of superficial wound infection in young pts without OS. In general, OS with DSC is a safe and effective procedure to improve early postoperative hemodynamics and hemostasis after neonatal cardiac surgery, particularly when DSC is performed within 1wk of surgery.
Traits and Behaviors Assigned to an Adolescent Wearing an Alcohol Promotional T‐Shirt

The purpose of this study was to examine meanings assigned by observers to an adolescent wearing an alcohol promotional T-shirt. University students (41 females, 53 males; mean age = 21.4) recorded their impressions of a male or female adolescent wearing an alcohol T-shirt or a plain T-shirt for 14 traits and 14 behaviors. Regardless of gender, the adolescent wearing an alcohol (vs. plain) T-shirt was rated as less honest, less independent, less responsible, less feminine, less reliable, less religious, less likely to be on time, less likely to do well in school, more likely to smoke, more likely to be a party animal, more likely to drink, more likely to be a risk taker, and more likely to use profanity. Male and female participants formed similar impressions.
Glutathione peroxidase levels in brain.

Glutathione peroxidase activity in brains of various animals was examined. Enzyme activity was low, approximately 10 nmol of glutathione oxidized min−1 mg protein−1 or less. This result suggests that brain tissues contain insufficient glutathione peroxidase activity to provide protection from peroxidative damage and that an alternative mechanism may be present.
Predicting strontium isotope variation and fish location with bedrock geology: Understanding the effects of geologic heterogeneity

Recent advances in using naturally occurring isotopes to reconstruct movement patterns have revolutionized the study of migration and spatial patterns across taxa. Isoscape approaches utilize isotopic variation in the underlying geology to quantify migration pathways. Spatial patterns in the geology can be used to predict isotopic variation, such as 87Sr/86Sr; however, previous attempts to create predictive models have had mixed results. Our primary objective was to investigate the relationship between bedrock lithology and 87Sr/86Sr ratio as a tool to extend the spatial resolution of animal migration studies. Secondly, we investigated the ability to use geologic prediction as an a priori tool for determining chemically distinct watersheds. We first developed a regression model to relate known stream water 87Sr/86Sr to rock information from geologic maps, then used model outputs to classify adult fall Chinook salmon to their juvenile rearing location from 87Sr/86Sr signatures recorded in their otoliths (ear bones). We discuss the effect of scale and geologic heterogeneity on our ability to determine 87Sr/86Sr ratios within the study area. Our results indicate that the relationship between 87Sr/86Sr values and bedrock lithology can be used to accurately determine the rearing location of fish using otolith 87Sr/86Sr signatures. The scale at which geology can be used as a predictor of 87Sr/86Sr values is constrained by geologic heterogeneity and inherent variability in 87Sr/86Sr ratios within major rock categories. Further, our results indicate that geological data alone can be used to quantitatively investigate which watersheds are likely to be distinguishable using this method within a basin. Geologic prediction also has the potential to improve the scale and resolution of isotopic studies and the development of isoscapes. By applying measures of spatial heterogeneity we will be better able to quantitatively place limits on the accuracy of geologic predictions of 87Sr/86Sr ratios.
Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms With Prismatic Joints

This paper presents a procedure to synthesize planar rigid-body mechanisms, containing both prismatic and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of morphing curves in different positions. With the introduction of prismatic joints, the existing mechanization process needs to be revisited via a building-block approach. The basic block is the Assur group of class II, and the auxiliary block is a fourbar mechanism, crank slider or binary link. To approximate shape changes defined by both open and closed curves, a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism is generated by assembling these building blocks. In the case of a large number of morphing curves, a weighted least squares approach is applied to determine center point locations for revolute joints and sliding paths for prismatic joints in individual building blocks. Then, the building blocks are located in an assembly position to regenerate the morphing chain using a numerical optimization method. Because of the additional constraints associated with prismatic joints compared to revolute joints, the size of the solution space is reduced, so random searches of the design space to find solution mechanisms are ineffective. A genetic algorithm is employed here instead to find a group of viable designs within reasonable computational limits. The procedure is demonstrated with synthesis examples of two 1-DOF mechanisms, one approximating five open-curve profiles and the other four closed-curve profiles.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Directional conflict between vestibular and visual inputs in the squirrel monkey.

The directional conflict between vestibular and visual stimuli was studied in the squirrel monkey. Sinusoidal rotation was given to the subject and the direction of his visual target movement was reversed by installing a mirror in a 45° plane in front of the eyes. A large interindividual variance was noticed in controlling vestibular-visual conflict. The degree of vestibular-visual conflict and stimulus magnitude had no linear relationship. Also no relationship existed between vestibular-visual conflict and the provocation of vestibular nystagmus. Under the situation of vestibular-visual conflict, visual target pursuit failed to improve when two daily trials were given twice a week, for five weeks. The reduction of vestibular input created by surgery resulted in the reduction of vestibular evoked nystagmus and vestibular-visual conflict. However, their degrees were not necessarily parallel. Inter-individual difference in response of vestibular-visual conflict was related to vestibular-visual coordination.
Understanding Portability of a High-Level Programming Model on Contemporary Heterogeneous Architectures

Accelerator-based heterogeneous computing is gaining momentum in the high-performance computing arena. However, the increased complexity of heterogeneous architectures demands more generic, high-level programming models. OpenACC is one such attempt to tackle this problem. Although the abstraction provided by OpenACC offers productivity, it raises questions concerning both functional and performance portability. In this article, the authors propose HeteroIR, a high-level, architecture-independent intermediate representation, to map high-level programming models, such as OpenACC, to heterogeneous architectures. They present a compiler approach that translates OpenACC programs into HeteroIR and accelerator kernels to obtain OpenACC functional portability. They then evaluate the performance portability obtained by OpenACC with their approach on 12 OpenACC programs on Nvidia CUDA, AMD GCN, and Intel Xeon Phi architectures. They study the effects of various compiler optimizations and OpenACC program settings on these architectures to provide insights into the achieved performance portability.
Biomimetics: lessons from nature--an overview.

Nature has developed materials, objects and processes that function from the macroscale to the nanoscale. These have gone through evolution over 3.8Gyr. The emerging field of biomimetics allows one...
Light-harvesting systems of brown algae and diatoms. Isolation and characterization of chlorophyll ac and chlorophyll afucoxanthin pigment-protein complexes

The present study examined the protein associations and energy transfer characteristics of chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin which are the major light-harvesting pigments in the brown and diatomaceous algae. It was demonstrated that sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-solubilized photosynthetic membranes of these species when subjected to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded three spectrally distinct pigment-protein complexes. The slowest migrating zone was identical to complex I, the SDS-altered form of the P-700 chlorophyll a-protein. The zone of intermediate mobility contained chlorophyll c and chlorophyll a in a molar ratio of 2 : 1, possessed no fucoxanthin, and showed efficient energy transfer from chlorophyll c to chlorophyll a. The fastest migrating pigment-protein zone contained fucoxanthin and chlorophyll a, possessed no chlorophyll c, and showed efficient energy transfer from fucoxanthin to chlorophyll a. It is demonstrated that the chlorophyll a/c-protein and the chlorophyll a/fucoxanthin-protein complexes are common to the brown algae and diatoms examined, and likely share similar roles in the photosynthetic units of these species.
Effects of scent and breadth on use of site-specific search on e-commerce Web sites

Users faced with Web sites containing many possibly relevant pages often have a decision to make about navigation: use the menu of links or use the provided site search function. Two studies were conducted to examine what users do when faced with this decision on e-commerce Web sites, and how users go about deciding which method to attempt. An exploratory study revealed a wide distribution of searching and browsing behavior across sites and users. Counter to some predictions, use of the site search functions did not yield faster or more accurate performance in locating products. Questionnaire data suggested that factors relevant to the menu structure, interface element prominence, information scent and user dispositions all influenced the decision of whether to browse or search a site for a product. A second experiment utilizing novel e-commerce sites and allowing for more control of factors found to be important in the first study found that browsing behavior was influenced by both the breadth and information scent of the menus. These results suggest that providing site search should not be used to compensate for poor menu design, and provide further evidence regarding the design of effective menu structures.