cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of MRP2/ABCC2 and BSEP/ABCB11 Expression in Sandwich Cultured Human and Rat Hepatocytes Exposed to Inflammatory Cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β

In the present study MRP2/ABCC2 and BSEP/ABCB11 expression were investigated in sandwich cultured (SC) human and rat hepatocytes exposed to the proinflammatory cytokines. The investigation was also done in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. In SC human hepatocytes, both absolute protein and mRNA levels of MRP2/ABCC2 were significantly down-regulated by TNF-α, IL-6, or IL-1β. In contrast to mRNA decrease, which was observed for BSEP/ABCB11, the protein amount was significantly increased by IL-6 or IL-1β. A discrepancy between the change in BSEP/ABCB11 mRNA and protein levels was encountered in SC human hepatocytes treated with proinflammatory cytokines. In SC rat hepatocytes, Mrp2/Abcc2 mRNA was down-regulated by TNF-α and IL-6, whereas the protein level was decreased by all three cytokines. Down-regulations of both Bsep/Abcb11 mRNA and protein levels were found in SC rat hepatocytes exposed to TNF-α or IL-1β. Administration of LPS triggered the release of the proinflammatory cytokines and caused the decrease of Mrp2/Abcc2 and Bsep/Abcb11 protein in liver at 24 h post-treatment; however, the Mrp2 and Bsep protein levels rebounded at 48 h post-LPS treatment. In total, our results indicate that proinflammatory cytokines regulate the expression of MRP2/Mrp2 and BSEP/Bsep and for the first time demonstrate the differential effects on BSEP/Bsep expression between SC human and rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, the agreement between transporter regulation in vitro in SC rat hepatocytes and in vivo in LPS-treated rats during the acute response phase demonstrates the utility of in vitro SC hepatocyte models for predicting in vivo effects.
Temporal dynamics of biogeochemical processes at the Norman Landfill site

[1] The temporal variability observed in redox sensitive species in groundwater can be attributed to coupled hydrological, geochemical, and microbial processes. These controlling processes are typically nonstationary, and distributed across various time scales. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate biogeochemical data sets from a municipal landfill site to identify the dominant modes of variation and determine the physical controls that become significant at different time scales. Data on hydraulic head, specific conductance, δ2H, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon were collected between 1998 and 2000 at three wells at the Norman Landfill site in Norman, OK. Wavelet analysis on this geochemical data set indicates that variations in concentrations of reactive and conservative solutes are strongly coupled to hydrologic variability (water table elevation and precipitation) at 8 month scales, and to individual eco-hydrogeologic framework (such as seasonality of vegetation, surface-groundwater dynamics) at 16 month scales. Apart from hydrologic variations, temporal variability in sulfate concentrations can be associated with different sources (FeS cycling, recharge events) and sinks (uptake by vegetation) depending on the well location and proximity to the leachate plume. Results suggest that nitrate concentrations show multiscale behavior across temporal scales for different well locations, and dominant variability in dissolved organic carbon for a closed municipal landfill can be larger than 2 years due to its decomposition and changing content. A conceptual framework that explains the variability in chemical concentrations at different time scales as a function of hydrologic processes, site-specific interactions, and/or coupled biogeochemical effects is also presented.
Accuracy of heart-rate monitoring and activity diaries for estimating energy expenditure

The accuracy of heart-rate monitoring and activity diaries for measuring energy expenditure in free-living individuals was studied in 12 women. Estimates of energy expenditure were calculated from heart-rate monitoring by use of four different prediction equations to describe the relationship between heart rate and energy expenditure. Estimates of energy expenditure from activity diaries were calculated using both individually measured and published values for the energy cost of activities. Energy intake adjusted for changes in body-energy stores was used as a reference. Heart-rate monitoring overestimated group energy expenditure from 2 to 9% and the errors in estimating individual energy expenditure ranged from -53 to 67%. Activity diaries underestimated group energy expenditure by 2-6% and the errors in estimating individual energy expenditure ranged from -39 to 56%. Heart-rate monitoring and activity diaries may prove useful for estimating the energy expenditure of groups but not individuals.
Short research note: The Beginning Spanish Lexicon: A web-based interface to calculate phonological similarity among Spanish words in adults learning Spanish as a foreign language

A number of resources provide psycholinguistic researchers with information about the words that the typical child or adult knows in a variety of languages. What is currently not available is a resource that provides information about the words that a typical adult learning a foreign language knows. We created such a resource for Spanish: The Beginning Spanish Lexicon. The present report describes the words contained in this web-accessible resource, and the information about those words provided by the interface. This information is freely accessible at: http://www.people.ku.edu/~mvitevit/BegSpanLex.html
Master equations for pulsed magnetic fields: Application to magnetic molecules

We extend spin-lattice relaxation theory to incorporate the use of pulsed magnetic fields for probing the hysteresis effects and magnetization steps and plateaus exhibited, at low temperatures, by the dynamical magnetization of magnetic molecules. The main assumption made is that the lattice degrees of freedom equilibrate in times much shorter than both the experimental time scale (determined by the sweep rate) and the typical spin-lattice relaxation time. We first consider the isotropic case (a magnetic molecule with a ground state of spin S well separated from the excited levels and also the general isotropic Heisenberg-Hamiltonian where all energy levels are relevant) and then we include small off-diagonal terms in the spin Hamiltonian to take into account the Landau-Zener-Stuckelberg (LZS) effect. In the first case, and for an S=12 magnetic molecule we arrive at the generalized Bloch equation recently used for the magnetic molecule {V6} in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 147204 (2005)]. An analogous equation is derived for the magnetization, at low temperatures, of antiferromagnetic ring systems. The LZS effect is discussed for magnetic molecules with a low spin ground state, for which we arrive at a very convenient set of equations that take into account the combined effects of LZS and thermal transitions. In particular, these equations explain the deviation from exact magnetization reversal at B0 observed in {V6}. They also account for the small magnetization plateaus ("magnetic Foehn effect"), following the LZS steps that have been observed in several magnetic molecules. Finally, we discuss the role of the phonon bottleneck effect at low temperatures and specifically we indicate how this can give rise to a pronounced Foehn effect. © 2005 The American Physical Society.
Survey and analysis of multiresolution methods for turbulence data

This paper compares the effectiveness of various multi-resolution geometric representation methods, such as B-spline, Daubechies, Coiflet and Dual-tree wavelets, curvelets and surfacelets, to capture the structure of fully developed turbulence using a truncated set of coefficients. The turbulence dataset is obtained from a Direct Numerical Simulation of buoyancy driven turbulence on a 5123 mesh size, with an Atwood number, A = 0.05, and turbulent Reynolds number, Ret = 1800, and the methods are tested against quantities pertaining to both velocities and active scalar (density) fields and their derivatives, spectra, and the properties of constant density surfaces. The comparisons between the algorithms are given in terms of performance, accuracy, and compression properties. The results should provide useful information for multi-resolution analysis of turbulence, coherent feature extraction, compression for large datasets handling, as well as simulations algorithms based on multi-resolution methods. In conclusion, the final section provides recommendations for best decomposition algorithms based on several metrics related to computational efficiency and preservation of turbulence properties using a reduced set of coefficients.
Nonlinear Landau damping of purely perpendicular Bernstein modes

Calcul analytique des trajectoires des particules piegees utilisant une approximation hamiltonienne resonnante. L'integration le long des orbites donne le taux d'amortissement non lineaire d'une maniere semblable a celle utilisee par O/ Neil pour l'amortissement des modes electrostatiques non magnetises. Les resultats peuvent etre etendus au cas general des modes electrostatiques, de courte longueur d'onde, presque perpendiculaires, pres des harmoniques cyclotron
Experimental and model analyses of the effects of competition on individual size variation in wood frog (Rana sylvatica) tadpoles.

Summary 1 Size variation is a ubiquitous feature of animal populations and is predicted to strongly influence species abundance and dynamics; however, the factors that determine size variation are not well understood. 2 In a mesocosm experiment, we found that the relationship between mean and variation in wood frog (Rana sylvatica) tadpole size is qualitatively different at different levels of competition created by manipulating resource supply rates or tadpole density. At low competition, relative size variation (as measured by the coefficient of variation) decreased as a function of mean size, while at high competition, relative size variation increased. Therefore, increased competition magnified differences in individual performance as measured by growth rate. 3 A model was developed to estimate the contribution of size-dependent factors (i.e. based on size alone) and size-independent factors (i.e. resulting from persistent inherent phenotypic differences other than size that affect growth) on the empirical patterns. 4 Model analysis of the low competition treatment indicated that size-dependent factors alone can describe the relationship between mean size and size variation. To fit the data, the size scaling exponent that describes the dependence of growth rate on size was determined. The estimated value, 0·83, is in the range of that derived from physiological studies. 5 At high competition, the model analysis indicated that individual differences in foraging ability, either size-based or due to inherent phenotypic differences (size-independent factors), were much more pronounced than at low competition. The model was used to quantify the changes in size-dependent or size-independent factors that underlie the effect of competition on size-variation. In contrast to results at low competition, parameters derived from physiological studies could not be used to describe the observed relationships. 6 Our experimental and model results elucidate the role of size-dependent and size-independent factors in the development of size variation, and highlight and quantify the context dependence of individual (intrapopulation) differences in competitive abilities.
Analysis of rim loaded, axially-symmetric reflector antennas using integral equation techniques

The application of integral equations to the analysis of thinly coated perfect electric conductors, in particular coated reflector antennas, is examined with emphasis upon the controllability of the far-field radiation patterns. A set of coupled-field integral equations, derived from enforcing boundary conditions and equivalence principle, represents the fields exterior and interior to the coating region and accounts for all of the scattering mechanisms associated with the problem. Results using integral equation techniques are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness that rim loading has in the control of the far-field patterns. >
Replication-Aware Query Processing in Large-Scale Distributed Information Systems ∗

In this work, we address the problem of replica selection in dis- tributed query processing over the Web, in the presence of user preferences for Quality of Service and Quality of Data. In particu- lar, we propose RAQP, which stands for Replication-Aware Query Processing. RAQP uses an initial statically-optimized logical plan, and then selects the execution site for each operator and als o se- lects which replica to use, thus converting the logical plan to an ex- ecutable plan. Unlike prior work, we do not perform an exhaustive search for the second phase, which allows RAQP to scale signifi- cantly better. Extensive experiments show that our scheme can pro- vide improvements in both query response time and overall quality of QoS and QoD as compared to random site allocation with itera- tive improvement.
Exploring and exploiting wire-level pipelining in emerging technologies

Pipelining is a technique that has long since been considered fundamental by computer architects. However, the world of nanoelectronics is pushing the idea of pipelining to new and lower levels — particularly the device level. How this affects circuits and the relationship between their timing, architecture, and design will be studied in the context of an inherently self-latching nanotechnology termed Quantum Cellular Automata (QCA). Results indicate that this nanotechnology offers the potential for “free” multi-threading and “processing-in-wire”. All of this could be accomplished in a technology that could be almost three orders of magnitude denser than an equivalent design fabricated in a process at the end of the CMOS curve.
Symplectic commutator subgroups

Abstract This paper expands on the work of Douglas Costa and Gordon Keller. Costa and Keller used a structure called the commutator subgroup to find the normal subgroups of special linear groups and symplectic groups. It is often difficult to determine which matrices are in the commutator subgroup. They create a homomorphism on the special linear group which provides us with a formula on the entries of a matrix in that group in order to tell us whether or not a matrix is in the commutator subgroup. This information is not only useful in finding normal subgroups, but in studying power residue symbols. This paper creates a homomorphism on the symplectic group Sp (2, M 2 ( A )) for a commutative ring A that provides us with a formula on the entries of an element of that group which tells us whether or not the matrix is in the commutator subgroup. This homomorphism is also extended to one on Ep (2, M 2 ( A ), S) (the elementary group generated by elementaries whose off daigonal entries come from S ) for S a particular kind of ideal and Jordan ideal.
Fatigue of reinforced-polyurethane-based, sheet metal forming dies

Abstract Fatigue in metal forming dies is an important issue in the manufacturing industry. Fatigue failure leads to repair or replacement of the die, which interrupts and slows down the manufacturing process. Fatigue of bulk metal forming (such as, forging and extrusion) dies has been the focus of most die failure studies because the nature of the process tends to subject the die to high stresses, thus increasing the likelihood of die failure. However, as polymer composite tooling materials are making inroads into rapid tooling technologies, die failure in sheet metal forming, in which the dies are subjected to significantly lower stresses, is drawing attention. This paper presents a fatigue failure analysis of V-bending dies machined from a polyurethane-based tooling board. The mechanical properties of the tooling materials are characterized to identify the underlying failure mechanisms. Various fatigue failure criteria, namely, maximum tensile principal stress, effective stress, Smith–Watson–Topper, and critical plane approaches are investigated as die life prediction methods, among which the latter two approaches were most accurate. Finite element analyses and experiments are performed to verify the results.
Conversation clusters: human-computer dialog for topic extraction

In this paper, we look at projects leveraging human knowledge and understanding in computer systems for extracting conversational topics. Tasks like speech recognition are difficult for computers, but simple for people engaged in conversation. This task is a cornerstone of transcription, speech summarization, and topic recognition. We propose using tabletop interaction to enhance the computer's basic categorization. We then describe how the results of tabletop interaction help to create meaningful archival visualizations and personal reflecting tools.
Microelectromagnetic energy harvester with integrated magnets

This paper presents a microelectromagnetic power generator with integrated magnets that can be fabricated on silicon wafers in a batch process. The generator is fabricated by MEMS technologies and characterized at different vibration frequencies, amplitudes and load resistances. This compact generator occupies a volume of 15×13×0.4mm3, as no external permanent magnets are needed. Experimental results show that with a 20-turn spiral coil, the device can generate an induced electromotive force (EMF) of 0.27mV at a vibration frequency and amplitude of 350Hz and 10µm, respectively.
Evaluation of Rules to Distinguish Unique Female Grizzly Bears With Cubs in Yellowstone

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service uses counts of unduplicated female grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) with cubs-of-the-year to establish limits of sustainable mortality in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA. Sightings are clustered into observations of unique bears based on an empirically derived rule set. The method has never been tested or verified. To evaluate the rule set, we used data from radiocollared females obtained during 1975–2004 to simulate populations under varying densities, distributions, and sighting frequencies. We tested individual rules and rule-set performance, using custom software to apply the rule-set and cluster sightings. Results indicated most rules were violated to some degree, and rule-based clustering consistently underestimated the minimum number of females and total population size derived from a nonparametric estimator (Chao2). We conclude that the current rule set returns conservative estimates, but with minor improvements, counts of unduplicated females-with-cubs can serve as a reasonable index of population size useful for establishing annual mortality limits. For the Yellowstone population, the index is more practical and cost-effective than capture-mark-recapture using either DNA hair snagging or aerial surveys with radiomarked bears. The method has useful application in other ecosystems, but we recommend rules used to distinguish unique females be adapted to local conditions and tested.
Interaction of i.v. dynorphin A(1-13) with kappa and mu agonists in a thermal antinociception assay in rhesus monkeys

The agonist and antagonist effects of intravenously administered dynorphin A(1-13) (DYN) were characterized in the warm water (50 o and 55 o C) tail withdrawal assay of antinociception in rhesus monkeys (n=3). The peptide was effective in 50 o (0.01-3.2 mg/kg), but was ineffective in 55 o . The antinociceptive effect of DYN was blocked by quadazocine (1.0 mg/kg) and nor-binaltorphimine (norBNI, 3.2 mg/kg); consistent with a kappa-opioid receptor mediated agonist effect of the peptide. Pretreatment with DYN antagonized the antinociceptive effects of just maximally effective (JME) doses of U50,488 (1.8 mg/kg) and U69,593 (0.18 mg/kg) in 55 o ; consistent with a low efficacy action of the peptide at the receptor-activated by the two above kappa agonists
RF Channel Simulators enhance communication system quality and decrease costs

The Radio Frequency (RF) Channel Simulator is rapidly emerging as a standard test and measurement instrument for RF communication systems, since it is capable of easily generating RF signals that that precisely duplicate those between transmitters and receivers that when deployed, will be in motion with respect to one another.
Embodied Collaborative Referring Expression Generation in Situated Human-Robot Interaction

To facilitate referential communication between humans and robots and mediate their differences in representing the shared environment, we are exploring embodied collaborative mod-els for referring expression generation (REG). Instead of a single minimum description to describe a target object, episodes of expressions are generated based on human feed-back during human-robot interaction. We particularly investigate the role of embodiment such as robot gesture behaviors ($\mathrm {i}.\mathrm {e}.$, pointing to an object) and human's gaze feed-back ($\mathrm {i}.\mathrm {e}.$, looking at a particular object) in the collaborative process. This paper examines different strategies of incorporating embodiment and collaboration in REG and discusses their possibilities and challenges in enabling human-robot referential communication. Categories and Subject Descriptors: H.5.2 [Information Interfaces and Presentation]:User Interfaces General Terms: Algorithms, Experimentation
High-Stakes Accountability, Minority Youth, and Ethnography: Assessing the Multiple Effects

In this article, I offer a review of the ethnographic research that reports the effects of current accountability policies on minority youth. Included in this article are qualitative investigations that have significant field-based components, most especially direct observations at the classroom level. In this article, I demonstrate both the power and potential of ethnography to offer clearer, more detailed portraits of the varied ways that current accountability policies affect teachers of minority youth, the curriculum and pedagogy that minority youth experience, minority youth in general, and the schooling of minority youth.
Mothers' feeding behaviors in infancy: Do they predict child weight trajectories?

Objective To determine associations between mothers' feeding behaviors in infancy and children's weight from infancy through to toddlerhood in urban, low-income, minority families and to explore the contribution of concerns about infant eating/weight. Methods One hundred sixty-nine mother–infant dyads (88% African-American) were recruited from an inner city pediatric practice. Questionnaires measuring restrictive feeding, pressuring to eat, and concerns about infant overeating/weight and undereating/weight were administered, and infants weighed and measured, at 6-12 months. Anthropometric data up to 30 months were obtained from multiple (8.9 ± 2.6) well-child visits, with 84% completing 11 visits. Results Higher pressuring was associated with lower weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ) over the period from baseline out to 30 months and higher restriction with higher child WLZ over the same period. Pressuring and concern about infant undereating/weight were independently associated with WLZ, but the relationship between restrictive feeding and WLZ was reduced by accounting for concern about infant overeating/weight. Child weight trajectories were not influenced by feeding behavior. Conclusions Mothers restricted heavier infants and pressured leaner infants to eat, and the relationship between restriction and higher infant weight was mediated by concern about infant overeating/weight. Correcting misperceptions and discussing feeding with mothers reporting concern may help prevent excessive early weight gain.
Electric power energy efficient management system based on optimization of energy consumption modeling1

With the development of smart grid technology, power energy efficiency evaluation will be driven to become more intelligent and professional. In order to achieve energy conservation and low-carbon economy, energy efficiency technologies need to be improved. The application of energy efficient technologies has to be enhanced from the supply side, power grid side and demand-side in order to raise energy efficiency effects and update energy conservation technologies. The key technologies, system architecture and advanced applications of demand-side power efficiency evaluation and management system were described in detail in this paper. The monitoring model, efficiency analysis, and optimized control of energy efficiency management system were also elaborated with case studies. The impact and prospect of this technology were finally analyzed.
Multigrid Monte Carlo method. Conceptual foundations.

We present details of a stochastic generalization of the multigrid method, called multigrid Monte Carlo (MGMC), that reduces critical slowing down in Monte Carlo computations of lattice field theories. For Gaussian (free) fields, critical slowing down is completely eliminated. For a {phi}{sup 4} model, numerical experiments show a factor of {approx}10 reduction, over a standard heat-bath algorithm, in the CPU time needed to achieve a given accuracy. For the two-dimensional {ital XY} model, experiments show a factor of {approx}10 reduction on the high-temperature side of criticality, growing to an unbounded reduction in the low-temperature regime. The algorithm is also applicable to nonlinear {sigma} models, and to lattice gauge theories with or without bosonic matter fields.
Concerning Fiction and Fictions

The longstanding problem I said I would tackle at the close of the previous chapter stems from the apparent fact that we can say true things about things that don’t exist. Among those who think there are truths to be told “about fictional objects”, two views prevail. One is the so-called Meinongian view that, e.g.,’Pegasus has wings’ is true for the same reason that sentences of subject-predicate form are usually true: because there is a horse, Pegasus, which is winged. That this horse does not exist is beside the point. The other view is that the sentence’Pegasus has wings’ is really about a myth, and that whatever truth there is to be told is a truth about that myth. The second view allows us to avoid nonexistent objects, but is otherwise not particularly plausible; the sentence’Reagan has a ranch’ makes no covert appeal to California legend, and it is rather unclear why’Pegasus has wings’ should be any different. Both views, I think, are to be rejected. I wish to defend something like the second view in this chapter; it will I hope come as no surprise by now that my own explanation will be pragmatic rather than semantic.
Studying the Risk of Falls in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Incidence for risk of falls in individuals with fibromyalgia is unclear. The objective of this case study is to document task oriented approach to examination and intervention to reduce the risk for falls in a patient with fibromyalgia.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond College: A Meaning-Centered Vision for Holistic Teaching and Learning

AbstractThis essay reviews Nash and Jang’s (2015) recent publication, which asserts that the purpose of higher education needs to be reimagined as facilitating individuals’ journeys of making meaning in their lives. The authors critique the contemporary core focus of colleges and universities, and offer insights into the quest for meaning that they have identified in their work with students. They provide both narrative and analysis of various dimensions of this quest, along with approaches and strategies that diverse professionals can employ in fostering it.
Pinch-Off Mechanism of a Free Elongated Liquid Ligament

The time-dependent relaxation dynamics of a moderately elongated liquid ligament has been studied numerically. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a finite-volume formulation with a two-step projection method on a fixed grid. The free surface of the liquid ligament is tracked by a coupled level set and volume-of-fluid (CLSVOF) method with the surface tension force determined by the continuum surface force (CSF) model. The relaxation process of a free elongated liquid ligament has been simulated and the numerical results are in agreement with findings reported in the literature. The end-pinching mechanism of the breakup process has been thoroughly examined. The determining factor for reopening of a pinching neck has been identified. The effects of several parameters on the relaxation mechanism have also been examined. It has been found that the initial end shape of the ligament and the Ohnesorge number play a vital role in the overall relaxation process.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Administrative Burden: Learning, Psychological, and Compliance Costs in Citizen-State Interactions

This article offers two theoretical contributions. First, we develop the concept of administrative burden as an important variable in understanding how citizens experience the state. Administrative burden is conceptualized as a function of learning, psychological, and compliance costs that citizens experience in their interactions with government. Second, we argue that administrative burden is a venue of politics, that is, the level of administrative burden placed on an individual, as well as the distribution of burden between the state and the individual, will often be a function of deliberate political choice rather than simply a product of historical accident or neglect. The opaque nature of administrative burdens may facilitate their use as forms of “hidden politics,” where significant policy changes occur without broad political consideration. We illustrate this argument via an analysis of the evolution of Medicaid policies in the state of Wisconsin. Across three Governorships, the level of burden evolved in ways consistent with the differing political philosophies of each Governor, with federal actors playing a secondary but important role in shaping burden in this intergovernmental program. We conclude by sketching a research agenda centered on administrative burden.
Effects of earthworm active protein and taurine on physical fatigue and immunologic function of mice

Objective To investigate the effect of earthworm active protein and taurine on physical fatigue and immunefunction of mice. Methods The loaded-swimming time, blood urea nitrogen after exercise, ROC curve of serum lactic acidand content of hepatic glycogen of the mice given earthworm active protein and taurine in loaded- swimming test weremeasured, the effect of earthworm active protein and taurine on physical fatigue and immune function of mice were analyzed bycarbon clearance test and delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) test. Results Earthworm active protein and taurine couldsignificantly extend the loaded-swimming time of mice in high dose group(P0.01), reduce the serum urea nitrogen(P0.01)and increase hepatic glycogen reserves(P0.05) in mice of middle dose group. Earth worm active protein and Taurine couldincrease the foot metatarsus thickened value(p0.05)in mice of middle and high dose groups and enhance α indices in carbonclearance test in mice of low and high dose group(P0.05). Conclusion Earthworm active protein and taurine could improvephysical fatigue, increase cell immunologic function and promote the phagocytosis of mononuclear macrophage in mice.
Evaluation on Effect of Health Education on IDD Prevention and Control,Pingyin County,2010 and 2012

Objective To conduct various forms of health education interventions in IDD populations,so as to evaluate the effect of IDD health education. Methods In 2010and 2012,some Grade 4to 6primary school pupils and housewives were sampled as IDD health education targets,aquestionnaire survey of IDD nutrition knowledge was made respectively before and after the intervention,to compare the difference. Results In 2010and 2012,180primary school pupils and 90housewives were surveyed respectively.The awareness rate of primary school pupils improved from 53.22%to 53.22%(P 0.01),and the awareness rate of housewives improved from 63.61%to 63.61%(P0.01). Conclusion Health education intervention can obviously improve knowledge of IDD prevention and control of the primary school pupils and housewives.
Ubiquitous tagless object locating with ambient harmonic tags

Extremely low-cost passive RFID tags have become key components for the Internet of Things (IoT), where ubiquitous object locating is one of the most important functions. Although the number of tags in indoor environment continues growing fast, objects cannot be always assumed tagged, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Compared to tagged objects, a tagless target which neither emits nor modulates signal is much more difficult to locate, especially when the size is small. In this paper, we achieve accurate tagless object locating through a dense and wide non-uniform sampling in the Fourier domain of target reflectivity with the help of ambient passive RFID tags as landmarks. Unlike conventional RFID systems, we leverage nonlinearity in passive tags to backscatter second harmonic signals. The frequency separation of uplink and downlink in harmonic RFID allows ready interference cancellation. We embrace spatial diversity enabled by ambient tags and frequency diversity by broadband harmonic backscattering to improve accuracy and robustness. We present the fundamental theory and a prototype system to verify the proposed approach.
Identification of Type A Influenza Viruses from Wild Birds on the Delmarva Peninsula, 2007–10

SUMMARY Wild waterfowl and shorebirds in the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia (Delmarva) Peninsula region within the Atlantic Flyway were sampled as part of the Early Detection of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI) in Wild Migratory Birds program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state wildlife agencies submitted 7858 samples for AI virus (AIV) testing by real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) to the University of Delaware Poultry Health System from April 2007 to March 2011. Virus isolation attempts were performed on samples with matrix gene cycle threshold (Ct) values ≤33.9. Using rRT-PCR, AIV was detected in 14% (1091/7857) of the samples. In species with sample sizes >100, American black duck (Anas rubripes; 28%), ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres; 27%), American green-winged teal (Anas crecca; 21%), semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla; 27%), greater snow goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus; 12%), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos; 10%), and northern pintail (Anas acuta; 14%) sh...
PET measurements of Bmax and Kd with the k-opioid receptor tracer [11C]GR103545

548 Objectives Despite their importance the k-opioid receptors have not been sistematically studied with PET.We employed a recently developed k-agonist tracer([11C]GR103545) and performed a Scatchard study in order to estimate the in vivo receptor concentration Bmax and the dissociation constant Kd. Methods Three rhesus monkeys were scanned with the FOCUS 220:2 of them underwent 2 scans(baseline+self-block), the third was scanned 4 times (2 baseline and 2 self-block at different occupancy levels). A Bolus+Infiusion (B/I) protocol was employed and the cerebellum was used as reference region. Injected masses were 0.042±0.014 ug/Kg at baseline and ranged from 0.17 to 0.3 ug/Kg fro the self-block studies. BPND of all ROIs was computed as [(CROI / CCEREB) -1], CROI and CCEREB being the mean radioactivity concentration from 90 to 120 min in each ROI and in the cerebellum. A standard Scatchard plot was then used to estimate Bmax and Kd,ND=Kd/fND. When Kd,ND was allowed to vary among ROIs, results were very variable; therefore Kd,ND was constrained to be constant across ROIs. Results Bmax ranged from 2 nM to 8 nM with a peak of 15 nM in the putamen; high values were obtained also in cingulate, globus pallidus and insula.Kd,ND was estimated to be 5.85 nM. In addition, Kd, computed as Kd,NDfND was 0.16nM (based on estimates of VND and fP) in good agreement with the in vitro Ki value of 0.33 nM. Percentage standard errors (%SE) were high (>100%) partly due to large intersubject variability. Conclusions The use of a B/I protocol with the k-opioid agonist tracer [11C]GR103545 permitted succesful estimation of Bmax and Kd,ND in vivo.
Preload-Dependent Monitoring

Preload-dependent monitoring is an important component of the resuscitation of critically ill patients. Cardiac preload is the maximum degree of myocardial fiber stretch, and increases in preload lead to a larger stroke volume. Although volume expansion is typically the first-line therapy for unstable patients, many are not preload responsive. Patient with hemodynamic compromise can be optimized through a careful assessment of their volume responsiveness. This is best achieved when clinicians understand the limitations of both static and dynamic parameters when making clinical decisions. Use of clinically reliable parameters that identify patients who will respond to volume expansion can help avoid potential harm to nonresponders.
Bottester: Testing Conversational Systems with Simulated Users

Recently, conversation agents have attracted the attention of many companies such as IBM, Facebook, Google, and Amazon which have focused on developing tools or API (Application Programming Interfaces) for developers to create their own chat-bots. In this paper, we focus on new approaches to evaluate such systems presenting some recommendations resulted from evaluating a real chatbot use case. Testing conversational agents or chatbots is not a trivial task due to the multitude aspects/tasks (e.g., natural language understanding, dialog management and, response generation) which must be considered separately and as a mixture. Also, the creation of a general testing tool is a challenge since evaluation is very sensitive to the application context. Finally, exhaustive testing can be a tedious task for the project team what creates a need for a tool to perform it automatically. This paper opens a discussion about how conversational systems testing tools are essential to ensure well-functioning of such systems as well as to help interface designers guiding them to develop consistent conversational interfaces.
Anthony Cunningham, Modern Honor: A Philosophical Defense

The word ‘‘honor’’ is used in many different contexts with many different meanings. Many colleges have honor codes, most of which focus on academic integrity. Other institutions have a broader conception of honor, which includes prohibitions against lying and stealing as well as tolerating these actions. We often refer to people as honorable or dishonorable. Honor killings occur in some countries when it is thought that a family member has shamed her or his family. We also read about conceptions of honor in historical fiction and nonfiction that cause people (almost always men) to fight or duel. Anthony Cunningham suggests that the negative aspects of honor of the type mentioned above have led to its decline as a viable concept. Anthony Cunningham seeks to rehabilitate honor from this demise in his work, Modern Honor: A Philosophical Defense. He begins the book by describing President Barrack Obama’s reasoning for not releasing photographs of Osama bin Laden’s body. He quotes Obama as follows: ‘‘You know, that’s not who we are...we don’t trot out this stuff as trophies...we don’t need to spike the football’’ (p. 1). It is this incident and Obama’s words that, according to Cunningham, reflect a ‘‘sense of honor,’’ (p. 2) and it is this concept that he plans to examine and argue for as a viable concept. Cunningham immediately confronts and responds to a possible objection when he proposes that, ‘‘a well-entrenched vision of life and character – a humanistic one that highlights human flourishing, dignity, loving relationships, and significant achievements – is fully compatible with a robust sense of honor’’ (p. 2). This is an important claim for Cunningham, and one that he relies upon a great deal. To establish the framework for his inquiry, he points out that his conception of honor will: be ‘‘consistent with the facts of our empirical psychology’’; ‘‘not start from complete scratch,’’ as he will reference commitments and attachments that we already possess; and involve conceptual analysis to ‘‘illuminate elusive truths that
Orthogonal and Unitary Transformations

In Chapters 7 and 8, general theorems were proved about the structure of a single linear transformation. For certain types of linear transformations, and matrices corresponding to them, over the fields of real or complex numbers, sharper theorems about the eigenvalues and eigen-vectors can be proved. This chapter contains some of these results, for orthogonal and symmetric transformations on vector spaces over the real numbers, with applications to quadratic forms, and for unitary, self-adjoint, and normal transformations on vector spaces over the complex numbers. Further results, about the exponential of a matrix, and the Perron-Frobenius theorem on the eigenvalues of positive real matrices, with applications to systems of differential equations and Markov chains, are proved using analytic methods in Sections 34 and 35.
Magnetic resonance planned thalamotomy followed by X-ray/CT-guided thalamotomy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the optimal neuroradiologic technique for visualizing the anterior and posterior commisure for defining the AC-PC line. CT is the optimal technique for electrode and probe guidance during stereotactic thalamotomy. Various possibilities of transferring or overlying MRI and CT are outlined which in some future might result in more refined methods of CT-MRI guidance for stereotactic surgery.
Soft Matter Modeling of Biological Cells

In this work, we review some of our recent work on developments of soft matter models for cells to study the focal adhesion of endothelial cells as well as stem cells, in an attempt to explain mechanical information exchange between the cells and their extracellular environment. Particularly, we model the macroscale endothelial cell as a hyperelastic medium, and the stem cell as a liquid crystal elastomer. A nanoscale adhesive model is introduced to describe the interaction between receptors and ligands. We have developed and implemented a Lagrange type meshfree Galerkin formulation and related computational algorithms for the proposed cell and adhesive contact model. A comparison study with experimental data has been conducted to validate the parameters of the cell model. By using the soft matter cell model, we have simulated the soft adhesive contact process between cells and extracellular substrate. The soft matter cell model presented in this work is a primitive one, but it may have provided a useful approach for more realistic and more accurate modeling of cells, especially stem cells.
The Impact of Technological Change on Labor Relations in the Commercial Aircraft Industry

The commercial aircraft industry has always been prone to sales and employment volatility. Aircraft sales nearly doubled in the period 1964—68, before falling off by one-third in the next three years. Business success depends upon federal government contracts as well as unpredictable commercial airline demand. New production designs and production techniques are constantly being introduced in the industry, as the aircraft firms must make billion-dollar investments, hoping to produce the jet that will adhere to the demands of domestic and foreign markets.
Trace-driven verification of multithreaded programs

We present a new method that combines the efficiency of testing with the reasoning power of satisfiability modulo theory (SMT) solvers for the verification of multithreaded programs under a user specified test vector. Our method performs dynamic executions to obtain both under- and over-approximations of the program, represented as quantifier-free first order logic formulas. The formulas are then analyzed by an SMT solver which implicitly considers all possible thread interleavings. The symbolic analysis may return the following results: (1) it reports a real bug, (2) it proves that the program has no bug under the given input, or (3) it remains inconclusive because the analysis is based on abstractions. In the last case, we present a refinement procedure that uses symbolic analysis to guide further executions.
Ablation Lesion Characterization in Scarred Substrate Assessed Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Abstract Objectives This study examined radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) lesions within and around scar by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and histology. Background Substrate modification by RFCA is the cornerstone therapy for ventricular arrhythmias. RFCA in scarred myocardium, however, is not well understood. Methods We performed electroanatomic mapping and RFCA in the left ventricles of 8 swine with myocardial infarction. Non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1w) and contrast-enhanced CMR after RFCA were compared with gross pathology and histology. Results Of 59 lesions, 17 were in normal myocardium (voltage >1.5 mV), 21 in border zone (0.5 to 1.5 mV), and 21 in scar ( Conclusions T1w CMR can selectively enhance necrotic tissue in and around scar and may allow determination of the completeness of ablation intra- and post-procedure. Lesion formation in scar is affected by tissue characteristics, with fibrosis and fat acting as thermal insulators.
The Relationship between a Country’s Level of Tourism and Environmental Performance:

The tourism industry has come under scrutiny as a human activity that contributes to the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While tourism certainly contributes to GHG emissions, it would b...
Exercise challenge alters Default Mode Network dynamics in Gulf War Illness.

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 30% of veterans from the 1991 Gulf War and has no known cause. Everyday symptoms include pain, fatigue, migraines, and dyscognition. A striking syndromic feature is post-exertional malaise (PEM). This is recognized as an exacerbation of everyday symptoms following a physically stressful or cognitively demanding activity. The underlying mechanism of PEM is unknown. We previously reported a novel paradigm that possibly captured evidence of PEM by utilizing fMRI scans taken before and after sub-maximal exercises. We hypothesized that A) exercise would be a sufficient physically stressful activity to induce PEM and B) Comparison of brain activity before and after exercise would provide evidence of PEM’s effect on cognition. We reported two-exercise induced GWI phenotypes with distinct changes in brain activation patterns during the completion of a 2-back working memory task (also known as two-back > zero-back). Here we report unanticipated findings from the reverse contrast (zero-back > two-back), which allowed for the identification of task-related deactivation patterns. Following exercise, patients developed a significant increase in deactivation patterns within the Default Mode Network (DMN) that was not seen in controls. The DMN is comprised of regions that are consistently down regulated during external goal-directed activities and is often altered within many neurological disease states. Exercise-induced alterations within the DMN provides novel evidence of GWI pathophysiology. More broadly, results suggest that task-related deactivation patterns may have biomarker potential in Gulf War Illness.