cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sprite initiation altitude measured by triangulation

[1] High time resolution (10,000 frames per second) images of sprites combined with multistation concurrent video recordings have provided data for triangulation of the altitude of the initial sprite onset. The high-speed images were obtained from the Langmuir Laboratory, New Mexico, during summer campaigns in 2007 and 2008 with video observations from sites at Portales, New Mexico, and Las Vegas, New Mexico. Sprites start with one or more downward-propagating streamer heads. The triangulated onset altitudes of this initial downward streamer vary between 66 and 89 km. In some sprites the downward streamers are followed a little later by upward-propagating streamers. The upward streamers start from a lower altitude and existing luminous sprite structures and their triangulated altitudes vary from 64 to 78 km. The downward streamers create C sprite characteristics, while the upward streamers form the broad diffuse tops of carrot sprites. In the sprites analyzed the higher onset altitudes for the downward-propagating initial streamers were associated with C sprites and the lower with carrot sprites, but our larger data set indicates that this is not generally the case. It appears that the dominant sprite types vary from year to year, indicating that some longer-lasting environmental parameter, such as mesospheric conductivity and composition or thunderstorm cloud dynamics, may play an important role in determining the types of sprites observed.
A low-power VGA full-frame feature extraction processor

This paper proposes an energy-efficient VGA full-frame feature extraction processor design. It is based on the SURF algorithm and makes various algorithmic modifications to improve efficiency and reduce hardware overhead while maintaining extraction performance. Low clock frequency and deep parallelism derived from a one-sample-per-cycle matched-throughput architecture provide significantly larger room for voltage scaling and enables full-frame extraction. The proposed design consumes 4.7mW at 400mV and achieves 72% higher energy efficiency than prior work.
What are Students Being Taught about Ethics in Public Speaking Textbooks

Current conceptions of communication and ethics were investigated in the top ten public speaking textbooks in the communication discipline. Content analysis was used to examine eight ethical topic areas within each textbook. Results indicate the textbooks by Lucas, Jaffe, Beebe and Beebe, and Brydon and Scott provide the most overall coverage to ethics. In addition, plagiarism, ethnical listening, honesty, and ethical research are discussed most frequently while freedom of speech, hate words, and codes of ethics are least discussed among the top ten selling public speaking books. Each author references different philosophers, defines ethics, and describes the consequences of cheating in diverse ways. The implications of how ethics is not given the same amount of space in the top ten best-selling public speaking textbooks are discussed.
Information gathering revealed within the social network of line‐managers

This year's ASIST theme of humanizing information technology invites inquiry into the human elements that influence information behavior. The results of this qualitative study revealed that relationship, more than knowledge, may be the reason a manager is sought as an information source within a business environment. The context was a large business unit within a major US corporation. Social network mapping was selected as the appropriate method so as to capture a more intimate view of the information relationships within a business environment. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and to draw out the themes. The non-hierarchical flow of knowledge among managers and the reasons managers seek others as information sources further differentiates and documents line-managers as a unique information user-group.
Evolutionary significance of ontogenetic colour change in animals

Ontogenetic colour changes are non-reversible colour changes associated with normal progressive development of an individual of a species. This paper provides the first review of the evolutionary significance of this phenomenon in animals. Proximate mechanisms and environmental cues are briefly discussed and a conceptual framework for understanding the ultimate reasons for ontogenetic colour change is established. Changes in size, vulnerability, reproductive status, habitat and metabolism are often associated with ontogenetic colour change and can aid in understanding its adaptive significance. Neutral or non-adaptive ontogenetic colour changes due to phylogenetic inertia and developmental constraints are also considered. Existing studies of ontogenetic colour changes in marine invertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are discussed within this framework. A need is identified for more experimental tests of hypotheses for the significance of ontogenetic colour change.
Inhibition due to the interaction of polyethylene glycol, chloride, and copper in plating baths: A surface-enhanced Raman study

The synergic effect of poly(ethylene glycol) together with chloride ion for inhibiting copper deposition in copper electroplating has been of particular interest for some time. In this study, the potential-dependent behavior of poly(ethylene glycol), with or without chloride ion in a copper electroplating bath is investigated using the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique. The presence of chloride proves to play a significant role in enhancing PEG adsorption to the Cu electrode surface. More importantly, spectroscopic evidence strongly suggests the formation of a PEG−Cu−Cl complex. By comparing experiment with vibrational modes calculated by using the Hartree−Fock method with a 3-21G* basis set, the structure of this complex is proposed to be a three-coordinated Cu center with two oxygen atoms from PEG and one chloride ligand.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombophlebitis as a complication of acute otitis media

Abstract Background While headache is a common emergency department chief complaint, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an infrequently encountered cause of headache and is often not included in emergency physicians' differential diagnoses for headache. Our objective is to review the latest data on epidemiology, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of CVST. Case Report A 27-year-old female presented to our emergency department with headache, blurred vision, and vomiting a day after being diagnosed with acute otitis media. Computed tomography scan of the brain without contrast in the emergency department was suggestive of CVST. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Although a rare cause of headache, CVST should be considered for a subset of patients presenting to the emergency department with the common complaint of headache. CVST is diagnosed by magnetic resonance venogram or computed tomography venogram of the brain. Anticoagulation with close monitoring in consultation with appropriate experts is a safe first-line therapy for CVST, even in patients with hemorrhage on initial imaging.
Localization and Segmentation of A 2D High Capacity Color Barcode

A 2D color barcode can hold much more information than a binary barcode. Barcodes are often intended for consumer use where using a cellphone, a consumer can take an image of a barcode on a product, and retrieve relevant information about the product. The barcode must be read using computer vision techniques. While a color barcode can hold more information, it makes this vision task in consumer scenarios unusually challenging. We present our approach to the localization and segmentation of a 2D color barcode in such challenging scenarios, along with its evaluation on a diverse collection of images of Microsoft's recently launched high capacity color barcode (HCCB). We exploit the unique trait of barcode reading: the barcode decoder can give the vision algorithm feedback, and develop a progressive strategy to achieve both - high accuracy in diverse scenarios as well as computational efficiency.
Relationships between surface and column aerosol radiative properties and air mass transport at a rural New England site

[1] Chemical, physical, and radiative properties of surface and vertical column aerosols were measured at a rural site in southern New Hampshire from July 2000 to September 2001. The primary objective was to determine how intensive and extensive aerosol properties vary in air masses originating in different upwind regions. The data set also allows for an investigation of some of the relationships between surface and column aerosol properties at the site, and provides an estimate of direct radiative forcing by aerosols during the study period. Extensive properties (e.g., optical depth and chemical concentration) were at maximum values during times of south-southwest (S-SW) transport, while minimum values were seen during north-northeast (N-NE) transport. Certain intensive properties such as fine particle mass scattering efficiency did not vary significantly between times of transport from different source regions. Mean optical depth (wavelength = 500 nm) was 0.24 during S-SW transport, compared to 0.10 during N-NE transport. The study period average scattering efficiency for (NH4)2SO4 was 6.54 ± 0.26 m2 g−1 (± standard error) and 3.36 ± 0.49 m2 g−1 for organic carbon, while the absorption efficiency of elemental carbon was 12.85 ± 0.80 m2 g−1. Top of the atmosphere aerosol direct radiative forcing was −0.35 ± 0.83 Wm−2 (±1 standard deviation) in winter 2000–2001 and −9.06 ± 3.77 Wm−2 in summer 2001, differences that can be primarily attributed to seasonal changes in surface reflectance (high in winter, low in summer) and the relatively low values of single scatter albedo observed in winter. The annual average direct radiative forcing was −5.14 ± 4.32 Wm−2. We generally observed a moderate correlation between surface and column aerosol light extinction, suggesting that vertical column aerosol radiative properties measured by surface-based radiometers should be supplemented by boundary layer measurements of aerosol chemical, physical, and radiative properties to help understand the mechanisms contributing to global aerosol variability.
The Politics of Market‐Based Environmental Regulation: Continuity and Change in Air Pollution Control Policy Conflict

Objectives. To expand scholarly attention to a neglected area of environmental policy and politics, I attempt to test several empirical propositions drawn from the small body of existing research on the politics of market-based environmental regulation. Methods. I analyze public comments on a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulatory action guiding states on the design of various market-based air pollution control programs. I focus on the types of commenting organizations and the nature, extent, and foundations of their support or opposition to market-based regulatory instruments. Results. I find more support for than opposition to the use of economic incentive programs in air pollution control. The support from business commenters is not surprising, but the level of support expressed by state regulators departs from previous research findings. Environmental groups are the principal dissenters. Overall, the findings suggest both change and continuity in the politics of air pollution control policymaking, with some possibility of a shift in the contours of the advocacy coalitions in the pollution control policy network. Conclusions. Market-based environmental regulation is still an evolving phenomenon in American public policy. Further research on the politics of its development is in order, and the opportunities to pursue such research are substantial.
Currency Crises from Andrew Jackson to Angela Merkel

This paper presents a narrative of currency crises for the past two centuries. I use the Swan Diagram as a theoretical framework for this narrative and conclude that many so-called banking crises are in fact currency crises. These crises are caused by capital flows in war and peace and typically result in recessions. The Swan Diagram helps us to consider external and internal imbalances together and understand their interactions. It also reminds us that national histories often ignore the international aspect of economic crises. This paper draws on and extends work reported in Peter Temin and David Vines, The Leaderless Economy, Why the World Economic System Fell Apart and How to Fix It (Princeton, 2013).
Mammalian Facilitative Glucose Transporter Family: Structure and Molecular Regulation

Except for the active uptake of glucose from the lumen of the small intestine and proximal tubule of the kidney, the" transport of glucose across cell membranes' occurs by facilitated diffusion. Currently, cDNAs encoding five structurally-related proteins with the properties of faCilitative glucose transporters have been isolated and characterized (Table I). The five isoforms have been designated GLUT lIerythrocyte , GLUT2/liver, GLUT3/brain, GLUT4/muscle-fat, and GLUT5/smali intestine (25,52). In addition to these five functional facilitative glucose transporters, an expressed facilitative glu­ cose transporter pseudogene-like sequence (GLUT6) has been identified in human tissues (39). This sequence is part of a ubiquitously expressed mRNA, but does not encode a functional protein. The purification and characteriZation of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter provided the basiS" for th"e isolation of human and rat GLUT 1
Diazotization and thiocyanate differentiate agonists from antagonists for the high- and low-affinity receptors of γ-aminobutyric acid

The differentiation of high- and low-affinity postsynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors was examined in a washed cortical membrane preparation of the rat. The selective elimination of the high- and low-affinity GABA sites by the chaotropic anion thiocyanate and diazotization by p-diazobenzenesulfonic acid (DSA), respectively, offered two model systems for the separate sites. The [3H]GABA displacing potencies of some GABA agonists [GABA, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro- isoxazole [4,5c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP), and muscimol] and antagonists [bicuculline methiodide (BCM), 3-alpha-hydroxy-16-imino-5 beta-17-aza-androstan-11-one (R-5135), and d-tubocurarine] and their slope factors were examined in these model systems and in control membranes. The displacing potency of the agonists was increased in the DSA-pretreated membranes and decreased in the presence of thiocyanate. The displacing potency of the antagonists was shifted in an opposite manner. The chaotropic effect of thiocyanate was reversible and not additive with the inhibitory effect of diazotization on the specific binding of GABA. Inhibition of specific GABA binding by pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) could not be protected by GABA antagonists (BCM and R-5135) but only by agonists. The results can be interpreted in the framework of a dual (agonist-antagonist) receptor model, postulating a hydrophobic accessory site at the low-affinity GABA receptor. The effect of thiocyanate on the GABA receptor may result in the exposure of the hydrophobic accessory sites.
Renaissance Epistolography and the Origins of Business Correspondence, 1568-1640 Implications for Modern Pedagogy

Business communication arose from the practical nature of the ars dictaminis and the merging of process-oriented humanistic epistolography with the medieval formulaic dictamen in writers such as Erasmus. Like the Italian church leaders and businessmen, medieval English gentry soon grasped the value of correspondence. English letter-writing guides and model books, which began to appear in 1568, mirror both Erasmus and the rigid models of the ars dictaminis. The increasingly utilitarian English commercial society of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries ultimately led to the demise of the rhetorical tradition that originally surrounded English letter-writing guides. Today's tendency to use a product (formulaic), rather than process (rhetorical), approach in developing business letters obscures the rich tradition surrounding the rise of epistolary method and reduces the effectiveness of the final product.
Host and viral determinants for MxB restriction of HIV-1 infection

Interferon-induced cellular proteins play important roles in the host response against viral infection. The Mx family of dynamin-like GTPases, which include MxA and MxB, target a wide variety of viruses. Despite considerable evidence demonstrating the breadth of antiviral activity of MxA, human MxB was only recently discovered to specifically inhibit lentiviruses. Here we assess both host and viral determinants that underlie MxB restriction of HIV-1 infection. Heterologous expression of MxB in human osteosarcoma cells potently inhibited HIV-1 infection (~12-fold), yet had little to no effect on divergent retroviruses. The anti-HIV effect manifested as a partial block in the formation of 2-long terminal repeat circle DNA and hence nuclear import, and we accordingly found evidence for an additional post-nuclear entry block. A large number of previously characterized capsid mutations, as well as mutations that abrogated integrase activity, counteracted MxB restriction. MxB expression suppressed integration into gene-enriched regions of chromosomes, similar to affects observed previously when cells were depleted for nuclear transport factors such as transportin 3. MxB activity did not require predicted GTPase active site residues or a series of unstructured loops within the stalk domain that confer functional oligomerization to related dynamin family proteins. In contrast, we observed an N-terminal stretch of residues in MxB to harbor key determinants. Protein localization conferred by a nuclear localization signal (NLS) within the N-terminal 25 residues, which was critical, was fully rescuable by a heterologous NLS. Consistent with this observation, a heterologous nuclear export sequence (NES) abolished full-length MxB activity. We additionally mapped sub-regions within amino acids 26-90 that contribute to MxB activity, finding sequences present within residues 27-50 particularly important. MxB inhibits HIV-1 by interfering with minimally two steps of infection, nuclear entry and post-nuclear trafficking and/or integration, without destabilizing the inherent catalytic activity of viral preintegration complexes. Putative MxB GTPase active site residues and stalk domain Loop 4 -- both previously shown to be necessary for MxA function -- were dispensable for MxB antiviral activity. Instead, we highlight subcellular localization and a yet-determined function(s) present in the unique MxB N-terminal region to be required for HIV-1 restriction.
Talking ‘Bout My Generation’: The Effect of “Generation” on Correctional Employee Perceptions of Work Stress and Job Satisfaction

Much of the literature regarding correctional officer job stress and job satisfaction has examined the roles of organizational and demographic variables. This study examined the relationships among...
Prevalence and distribution of adhesins in invasive non-type b encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae.

Adhesion to the respiratory epithelium plays an important role in Haemophilus influenzae infection. The distribution of H. influenzae adhesins in type b and nontypeable strains has been characterized, but little is known about the prevalence of these factors in non-type b encapsulated strains. We analyzed 53 invasive type a, type e, and type f strains for the presence of hap , hia , hmw , and hif genes; Hap, Hia, and HMW1/2 adhesins; and hemagglutinating pili. The hap gene was ubiquitous, and homologs of hmw and hia were present in 7 of 53 (13.2%) and 45 of 53 (84.9%) strains, respectively. Hap was detected in 28 of 45 (62.2%) hap + strains, HMW1/2 was detected in 5 of 7 (71.4%) hmw + strains, and Hia was detected in 31 of 45 (68.8%) hia + strains. The hif gene cluster was present in 26 of 53 strains (49.1%), and 21 of 26 hif + strains (80.8%) agglutinated (HA) red blood cells. Nine isolates exhibited HA but lacked the hif gene cluster. The distribution of adhesin genes correlated with the genetic relatedness of the strains. Strains belonging to one type a clonotype and the major type e clonotype possessed hia but lacked the hif cluster. Strains belonging to the second type a clonotype possessed both hia and hif genes. All type f strains belonging to the major type f clonotype possessed hia and lacked hifB . Although the specific complement of adhesin genes in non-type b encapsulated H. influenzae varies, most invasive strains express Hap and Hia, suggesting these adhesins may be especially important to the virulence of these organisms.
Distributed global development parametric cost modeling

Geographically distributed development processes are becoming ever more pervasive on modern software projects. Software is developed collaboratively in multiple locations around the world, and projects are being contracted out in whole or part for economic leverage. Projects are often split among distributed teams, where the teams contribute different portions of work per phase to take advantage of their skill sets and rates. Thus there is a need for new parametric cost estimation models where effort multipliers are phase-sensitive. Working with industrial partners, a unique model has been developed to better estimate globally distributed projects where work is allocated by phase, rather than along the lines of specific functionality. The distributed development model allows for work distribution by phase per team (and per module), different environmental characteristics of the teams, localized labor categories, calendars, compensation rates and currencies for costing. It also provides a generalized scheme for user-defined global lifecycle processes that include calibrated effort and schedule distributions. A representative example project shows primary inputs and some fine-grained outputs available with the model.
The Centrosomal Protein CP190 Is a Component of the gypsy Chromatin Insulator

Chromatin insulators, or boundary elements, affect promoter-enhancer interactions and buffer transgenes from position effects. The gypsy insulator of Drosophila is bound by a protein complex with two characterized components, the zinc finger protein Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)] and Mod(mdg4)2.2, which is one of the multiple spliced variants encoded by the modifier of mdg4 [mod(mdg4)] gene. A genetic screen for dominant enhancers of the mod(mdg4) phenotype identified the Centrosomal Protein 190 (CP190) as an essential constituent of the gypsy insulator. The function of the centrosome is not affected in CP190 mutants whereas gypsy insulator activity is impaired. CP190 associates physically with both Su(Hw) and Mod(mdg4)2.2 and colocalizes with both proteins on polytene chromosomes. CP190 does not interact directly with insulator sequences present in the gypsy retrotransposon but binds to a previously characterized endogenous insulator, and it is necessary for the formation of insulator bodies. The results suggest that endogenous gypsy insulators contain binding sites for CP190, which is essential for insulator function, and may or may not contain binding sites for Su(Hw) and Mod(mdg4)2.2.
Framework of grinding process modeling and simulation based on microscopic interaction analysis

This paper describes a framework of grinding process modeling to understand the grinding fundamentals and design grinding processes with predictive performance. The model regards grinding process as a time dependent process and an integration of microscopic interactions in the wheel-workpiece contact zone, including cutting, plowing, and sliding as well as other frictional interactions. The grinding process control and design are in fact to manage and balance all these interactions. The principles of microscopic interactions are analyzed and used to correlate the grinding process input parameters and performance output.
String Decay in Two-dimensional Quantum Electrodynamics

Presented is a semiclassical evaluation of the ground-state decay rate of a string. All computation will be performed in (1 + 1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics and in the limit of heavy quark mass. We will derive a dispersion relation for the energy of the string and finally briefly discuss the excited states.
Plasma Acth Levels in Stressed and Nonstressed Adrenalectomized Rats

Following adrenalectomy there is a triphasic response of ACTH secretion characterized by an initial high rise immediately following the adrenalectomy, secondary to the stress of the procedure. This is followed by a fall to resting ACTH secretion until a steady state is reached 1 to 2 weeks following adrenalectomy at levels about 10 times normal. The ability to respond to stress with increased ACTH secretion is not lost at any time following adrenalectomy.
Contributions of chemical exchange to T1ρ dispersion in a tissue model.

Variations in T1ρ with locking-field strength (T1ρ dispersion) may be used to estimate proton exchange rates. We developed a novel approach utilizing the second derivative of the dispersion curve to measure exchange in a model system of cross-linked polyacrylamide gels. These gels were varied in relative composition of comonomers, increasing stiffness, and in pH, modifying exchange rates. Magnetic resonance images were recorded with a spin-locking sequence as described by Sepponen et al. These measurements were fit to a mono-exponential decay function yielding values for T1ρ at each locking-field measured. These values were then fit to a model by Chopra et al. for estimating exchange rates. For low stiffness gels, the calculated exchange values increased by a factor of 4 as pH increased, consistent with chemical exchange being the dominant contributor to T1ρ dispersion. Interestingly, calculated chemical exchange rates also increased with stiffness, likely due to modified side-chain exchange kinetics as the composition varied. This article demonstrates a new method to assess the structural and chemical effects on T1ρ relaxation dispersion with a suitable model. These phenomena may be exploited in an imaging context to emphasize the presence of nuclei of specific exchange rates, rather than chemical shifts. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selenate reduction and adsorption in littoral sediments from a hypersaline California lake, the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea, a hypersaline lake located in Southern California, is a major habitat for migratory waterfowl, including endangered species, recently threatened by selenium toxicity. Selenium is both an essential micronutrient and a contaminant and its speciation and cycling are driven by microbial activity. In the absence of oxygen, microorganisms can couple the oxidation of organic matter with the reduction of soluble selenate and selenite to elemental selenium. In order to better understand and quantify selenium cycling and selenium transfer between water and underlying sediments in the Salton Sea, we measured the maximum potential selenate reduction rates (R max) and selenate adsorption isotherms in sediments collected from seven littoral locations in July 2011. We also measured salinity, organic carbon, nitrogen, and elemental selenium content and the abundance of selenate-reducing prokaryotes at each site. Our results showed a high potential for selenate reduction and limited selenate adsorption in all studied sites. Maximum potential selenate reduction rates were affected by sediment Corg content. We showed that selenate reduction potential of Salton Sea sediments far outweighs current dissolved inputs to the lake. Selenate reduction is thus a likely driver for selenium removal from the lake’s water and selenate retention in littoral sediments of the Salton Sea.
CLOSTRIDIUM TETANUS INFECTION IN 13 DOGS AND ONE CAT

Clostridium tetani infection is uncommon in dogs and cats. Up to this point in time just single case reports have been published in veterinary medicine. The goal of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical features and outcome of 13 dogs and one cat affected with Clostridium tetani. The medical records of the last ten year were reviewed. Dogs and cats that were identified as being infected with Clostridium tetani on the basis of characteristic clinical signs and/or bacterial culture from infected wounds were eligible for study inclusion. Thirteen dogs and one cat met the criteria for study inclusion. Six different breeds and mix-breed dogs were affected, German Shepherd dogs (n=4, 29%) and Labrador retriever (n=3, 21%) were the most frequently affected breeds. Observed clinical complications were ventricular aspiration pneumonia (n=7), laryngeal spasm (n=6), hypersalivation (n=4), ventricular tachycardia (n=3), and third degree AV block (n=1). Median days from onset of clinical signs until first signs of improvement were 10 days (range: 9–12 days). Median hospitalisation time was 18 days (range: 14–22 days). Six animals showed full recovery and 8 animals died or were euthanized. Death was associated with acute onset of ventricular tachycardia in 2 dogs, 1 dog died with non-responsive third degree AV-block, 3 dogs died after developing aspiration pneumonia, and 1 dog died of unknown causes.
Population geography I: Surplus populations:

The subject of ‘population’ is undergoing a renaissance in geography; this is seen, for example, in the voluminous studies addressing ‘marginalized’ populations, including but not limited to refugees, internally displaced persons, and children. In short, scholarship has focused on those lives rendered ‘wasted’, ‘precarious’, or ‘superfluous’. Population geographers have made substantial contributions; however, more can be done. In this and the next two progress reports, I suggest that population geographers reflect more deeply on the spatiality and survivability of vulnerable populations. More specifically, population geographers should consider the politics of fertility, mortality, and mobility from the standpoint of a layered demographic question: within any given place, who lives, who dies, and who decides? In this first report, I resituate the concept ‘surplus population’ within the broader domain of population geography. In subsequent reports, I consider more closely population geography’s associatio...
Growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae on Human Glycoconjugates Is Dependent upon the Sequential Activity of Bacterial Exoglycosidases

In the human host, Streptococcus pneumoniae encounters a variety of glycoconjugates, including mucin, host defense molecules, and glycans associated with the epithelial surface. S. pneumoniae is known to encode a number of glycosidases that may modify these glycoconjugates in vivo. Three exoglycosidases, a neuraminidase (NanA), β-galactosidase (BgaA), and N-acetylglucosaminidase (StrH), have been previously demonstrated to sequentially deglycosylate N-linked glycans on host defense molecules, which coat the pneumococcal surface in vivo. This cleavage is proposed to alter the clearance function of these molecules, allowing pneumococci to persist in the airway. However, we propose that the exoglycosidase-dependent liberation of monosaccharides from these glycoconjugates in close proximity to the pneumococcal surface provides S. pneumoniae with a convenient source of fermentable carbohydrate in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that S. pneumoniae is able to utilize complex N-linked human glycoconjugates as a sole source of carbon to sustain growth and that efficient growth is dependent upon the sequential deglycosylation of the glycoconjugate substrate by pneumococcal exoglycosidases. In addition to demonstrating a role for NanA, BgaA, and StrH, we have identified a function for the second pneumococcal neuraminidase, NanB, in the deglycosylation of host glycoconjugates and have demonstrated that NanB activity can partially compensate for the loss or dysfunction of NanA. To date, all known functions of pneumococcal neuraminidase have been attributed to NanA. Thus, this study describes the first proposed role for NanB by which it may contribute to S. pneumoniae colonization and pathogenesis.
Hematologic and Coagulation Implications of Neurologic Disease

The incidence of hematologic disorders in any intensive care unit (ICU), including a neurointensive care unit (NeuroICU), could be high. In this chapter, we will cover three major topics that include decreased blood counts, increased blood counts, and spontaneous and induced coagulopathies. Anemia—defined as hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL—can be found in up to 95 % of patients admitted to ICU, while acute neurologic emergencies often involve bleeding into the central nervous system (CNS) or clotting of blood vessels and ischemia. Some of the hematologic diseases could present primarily with CNS symptoms, while others may just be encountered in patients admitted to the NeuroICU. Spontaneous and induced coagulopathies can be associated with strokes, and optimal treatment requires early involvement of the consultant hematologist. The use of anticoagulants can be life saving but almost never an easy decision.
Synergetic Effects of Inorganic Components in Solid Electrolyte Interphase on High Cycle Efficiency of Lithium Ion Batteries

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), a passivation layer formed on electrodes, is critical to battery performance and durability. The inorganic components in SEI, including lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and lithium fluoride (LiF), provide both mechanical and chemical protection, meanwhile control lithium ion transport. Although both Li2CO3 and LiF have relatively low ionic conductivity, we found, surprisingly, that the contact between Li2CO3 and LiF can promote space charge accumulation along their interfaces, which generates a higher ionic carrier concentration and significantly improves lithium ion transport and reduces electron leakage. The synergetic effect of the two inorganic components leads to high current efficiency and long cycle stability.
Milking, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Prostaglandin Induced Release of Prolactin and Growth Hormone in Cows

Within 30 min of starting continuous ivy infusion of 333 mug thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)/hr into 12 cows, serum prolactin (PRL) increased more than 10-fold and growth hormone (GH) increased 2.6- to 4-fold above basal concentrations. Constant infusions of 30 mg/hr of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) increased serum PRL and GH to maxima wius infusion of TRH or PGF2alpha, PRL declined throughout the 6- to 13-hr infusion interval although it remained well above preinfusion or saline-infusion control values. Serum GH declined more rapidly than PRL in the face of TRH or PGF2alpha infusions, reaching basal concentrations in one experiment within 1-3 hr. Application of milking stimuli during the 5th hr of TRH infusion caused an additional increase of 23 ng/ml of PRL above the TRH-stimulated concentrations. Similarly, intravenous injection of 5 mg PGF2alpha during the 5th or 12th hr of TRH infusion increased serum PRL an additional 582-682 ng/ml and further increased serum GH 9-91 NG/ML. When 200 mug TRH was injected during the 5th hr of a PGF2alpha infusion, serum PRL increased another 267 ng/ml and GH increased an additional 61 ng/ml. Administration of 10 doses of TRH of 200 mug each in 2 hr did not increase PRL or GH in the serum above that observed when 2.2 mg TRH was infused over a 6-hr period. Collectively, the data suggest that a ceiling exists in cows for secretion of PRL and GH, but this ceiling may be overcome with application of a second heterologous stimulus.
Gallon Plastic Tub: a Substitute for the McPhail Trap

A plastic gallon trap with a dichlorvos plastic strip (Shell’s Vapona No Pest®) that provided fumigant action was as effective or more effective than the McPhail glass trap in trapping the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel, and melon fly, D. cucurbitae Coquillett. However, the glass trap was more effective in attracting and trapping the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis Capitata (Wiedemann).
Analysis on Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance in Qingpu District,Shanghai in 2010

OBJECTIVE To analyze the occurrence features of adverse events following immunization in Qingpu District,and to evaluate AEFI surveillance system and immunization safety.METHODS The descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze the 2010 AEFI data in Qingpu District.RESULTS A total of 475 AEFI cases were reported including 447 cases with common vaccine reaction(94.11%),12 cases with rare vaccine reaction(2.53%),16 cases with coincidental event(3.37%).The reported and investigated rate within 48 h were 100.00%.212 cases(44.63%) were 1 year,much cases(65.68%) were reported in April to September.The most commonly reported AEFI were fever(64.71%) and site swelling(16.56%),with 94.74% occurred within 1 day after vaccination.Vaccines reported more AEFI were DPT vaccine(140 cases),MenV-A vaccine(114 cases),measles vaccine(50 cases),which reported a higher incidence were MenV-A vaccine(441.38 people/100 000),DPT vaccine(303.83 People /100 000),pneumonia vaccine(262.70 People/100 000).433 cases were cured(91.16%),40 cases(8.42%)getting better.CONCLUSION AEFI incidence is related to a variety of factors.With carrying out surveillance we should have different priorities in different time,at different places,among different people.Pay attention to communication,strengthen human source and training and enhance the standardization of vaccination rigorously.
Differential interleukin-1 elaboration by density-defined human monocyte subpopulations

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an important immunoregulatory peptide produced by monocytes and macrophages. Because mononuclear phagocytes are morphologically and functionally heterogeneous, we examined whether they differ in their ability to elaborate IL-1. We used discontinuous Percoll gradients to obtain five density-defined human blood monocyte subpopulations. Unfractionated monocytes and their subsets were compared for their ability to stimulate thymocyte proliferation. Supernatants obtained from the denser monocytes consistently contained more IL-1 activity than did supernatants from the less dense cells. This difference in IL-1 activity was the result of differences in IL-1 elaboration, not the selective production of an inhibitor of IL-1-induced thymocyte proliferation. These data demonstrate that density-defined human monocyte subpopulations differ in their capacity to elaborate IL-1.
MAcro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MÆMS) based concept for microwave beam steering in reflectarray antennas

We present a new approach to perform beam steering in reflecting type apertures such as reflectarray antennas. The proposed technique exploits macro-scale mechanical movements of parts of the structure to achieve two-dimensional microwave beam steering without using any solid-state devices or phase shifters integrated within the aperture of the antenna. The principles of operation of this microwave beam steering technique are demonstrated in an aperture occupied by ground-plane-backed, sub-wavelength capacitive patches with identical dimensions. We demonstrate that by tilting the ground plane underneath the entire patch array layer, a phase shift gradient can be created over the aperture of the reflectarray that determines the direction of the radiated beam. Changing the direction and slope of this phase shift gradient on the aperture allows for performing beam steering in two dimensions using only one control parameter (i.e., tilt vector of the ground plane). A proof-of-concept prototype of the structure...
The high field conductivity of anthracene

Current-voltage characteristics of insulators are commonly displayed on Schottky plots,1–3 but there exists considerable dispute in the literature as to the correct interpretation of these results.4, 5 In some cases the observed characteristic has been interpreted as due to Schottky emission from the electrode given by I = I 0 exp { − [φ − (e3F/e)1/2]/kT}, (1) where the symbols have their usual meaning. Essentially this means that the dielectric plays no role in the process other than providing a dielectric constant e in Eq. (1); the process would simply be electrode-controlled. Another explanation offered for the linear Schottky plot has been to ascribe it to the Poole-Frenkel effect (Schottky emission from traps in the dielectric) in which case a factor 4 appears inside the square root sign of Eq. (1). This explanation postulates an essentially bulk-controlled process. Alternatively one can assume that the observed characteristics are both electrode- and bulk-controlled in a way for which there exists, so far, no simple theoretical explanation.
Korean Musical Theatre’s Past: Yegrin and the Politics of 1960s Musical Theatre

The Yegrin theatre company broke ground in 1960s South Korea through the production of original Korean musicals. Though it produced commercial musical theatre, Yegrin enjoyed government subsidies. After two decades of various incarnations, the company was incorporated into the state-run Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.
Understanding the influence of ENSO on the Great Plains low-level jet in CMIP5 models

The Great Plains Low-Level Jet (GPLLJ) is an important driver of precipitation and severe weather outbreaks over the US Great Plains and undergoes large interannual variability. Therefore, to reliably make predictions and projections of Great Plains precipitation, it is essential for the observed influence of ENSO on the GPLLJ to be understood and simulated accurately by global climate models. This study uses four reanalyzes and an ensemble of 42 historical simulations from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) to investigate the accuracy of the simulated ENSO–GPLLJ teleconnection. From observations, winter ENSO has a significant negative correlation with the GPLLJ in the following spring and a significant positive correlation with the GPLLJ in the following summer. Here, it is shown that the influence of ENSO is on the frequency, not intensity, of GPLLJ events in the spring, while both the frequency and intensity of GPLLJ events are affected in the summer. However, although the majority of CMIP5 historical simulations exhibit the observed significant negative ENSO–GPLLJ correlations in the spring, nearly all of them fail to simulate the significant positive correlation in the summer. The ability of the models to simulate the ENSO–GPLLJ relationship is attributed to the strength of simulated ENSO events and the associated effects on geopotential heights and atmospheric circulation. These results have implications for the predictability of weather and climate in the Great Plains and suggest that the variability of the GPLLJ will not be reliably captured in future climate simulations if the magnitude of ENSO events and their impacts are not well represented.
Validation of Essential Acoustic Parameters for Highly Urgent In-Vehicle Collision Warnings.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the importance of key acoustic criteria for use as in-vehicle forward collision warning (FCW) systems.BackgroundDespite recent advances in vehicle saf...
Quotient Rings of Polynomials

To complete this lab, you should be familiar with the ring of polynomials over a field, the division property for polynomials over a field, and the definitions of homomorphism, kernel, and ideal. Finally, you should be familiar with the First Isomorphism Theorem for ring homomorphisms (Ring Lab 5).
SOME L2 ERROR ESTIMATES FOR PARABOLIC GALERKIN METHODS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some estimates of the L2 norms of the errors that result from using Galerkin procedures to approximate solutions of a linear parabolic problem. The chapter discusses some regularity theory for parabolic equations and utilizes it to provide error estimates in terms of the data of the problem reviewed. The use of a negative Sobolev norm in the parabolic estimate and the associated elliptic estimates gives bounds that mesh very naturally with the regularity theory. The chapter presents the derivation of the parabolic regularity result. Various lemmas are also reviewed in the chapter.
Adding executable context to executable architectures: enabling an executable context simulation framework (ecsf)

A system that does not stand alone is represented by a complex entity of component combinations that interact with each other to execute a function. In today's interconnected world, systems integrate with other systems - called a system-of-systems infrastructure: a network of interrelated systems that can often exhibit both predictable and unpredictable behavior. The current state-of-the-art evaluation process of these system-of-systems and their community of practitioners in the academic community are limited to static methods focused on defining who is doing what and where. However, to answer the questions of why and how a system operates within complex systems-of-systems interrelationships, a system's architecture and context must be observed over time, its executable architecture, to discern effective predictable and unpredictable behavior. The objective of this research is to determine a method for evaluating a system's executable architecture and assess the contribution and efficiency of the specified system before it is built. This research led to the development of concrete steps that synthesize the observance of the executable architecture, assessment recommendations provided by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Code of Best Practice for Command and Control (C2) Assessment, and the metrics for operational efficiency provided by the Military Missions and Means Framework. Based on the research herein, this synthesis is designed to evaluate and assess system-of-systems architectures in their operational context to provide quantitative results.
Multiscale Modeling of Arterial Adaptations: Incorporating Molecular Mechanisms Within Continuum Biomechanical Models

Continuum level biomechanical models of arterial adaptations are proving themselves vital both for understanding better the progression of disease and for improving the design of clinical interventions. Although these models are most appropriate to the clinical scale of observation, the underlying mechanisms responsible for such remodeling occur at the molecular scale. The goal of this chapter is to review a validated continuum level model of arterial adaptations and to suggest a straightforward approach to incorporate molecular level information within such models. In particular, it is shown that continuum mixture models reveal naturally a means to incorporate molecular information within fundamental constitutive relations within the continuum theory. There is, therefore, significant motivation to continue to formulate molecular level models that are necessary to inform models at scales that address the Physiome.
Contribution of Cotranslational Folding Defects to Membrane Protein Homeostasis.

Membrane proteins are prone to misfolding and degradation within the cell, yet the nature of the conformational defects involved in this process remain poorly understood. The earliest stages of membrane protein folding are mediated by the Sec61 translocon, a molecular machine that facilitates the lateral partitioning of the polypeptide into the membrane. Proper membrane integration is an essential prerequisite for folding of the nascent chain. However, the marginal energetic drivers of this reaction suggest the translocon may operate with modest fidelity. In this work, we employed biophysical modeling in conjunction with quantitative biochemical measurements in order to evaluate the extent to which cotranslational folding defects influence membrane protein homeostasis. Protein engineering was employed to selectively perturb the topological energetics of human rhodopsin, and the expression and cellular trafficking of engineered variants were quantitatively compared. Our results reveal clear relationships b...