cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serial learning: A review of the behavioral and physiological research with the rat

The literature on the behavioral effects of manipulations in the length, complexity, interrun interval and intertrial interval of serial patterns presented to rats is selectively reviewed. The dominant theories of serial learning in rats are summarized and the evidence for each provided. Included in the discussion of rat serial learning are the theoretical models of: (a) Capaldi and associates who suggest that rats learn stimulus-stimulus associations, whereby each element in a series signals each succeeding element [e.g., (14)], (b) Hulse and associates who suggest that rats generate a specific rule defining the formal structure of a serial pattern [e.g., (55,56)], and (c) Roitblat, Pologe, and Scopatz (73) who suggest that rats may not learn either a specific rule or stimulus-stimulus associations. Instead, the rat develops knowledge of the serial position of an element's position in the list. In addition, the role of position cues and enumeration as dominant strategies are considered. Finally, the effects of manipulations in brain physiology on rat serial learning is discussed.
Material and structural characterization of human saphenous vein.

Abstract Saphenous vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy is an infrequent but devasting complication. This study was undertaken to evaluate the material and structural properties of fresh human saphenous veins to understand the causes of this complication. Segments of saphenous veins were obtained from 22 patients from vein harvested during coronary artery bypass surgery. Ninety-three specimens, oriented in both circumferential ( n = 45) and longitudinal ( n = 48) directions, were prepared from the available vein segments for testing. Specimens were mounted on specially designed grips and then subjected to uniaxial tension testing. For each specimen the following material and structural parameters were determined: vessel diameter, tensile stiffness, failure and ultimate forces, and tensile modulus, failure stress, and strain. The physical properties of specimens evaluated in circumferential orientations were two to three times lower than when evaluated in longitudinal orientations and thus limit the inherent strength of the vein. The physical properties of circumferentially tested vein specimens were negatively correlated to age, female gender, diabetes, and hypertension. The data obtained in this investigation suggest that age, hypertension, as well as diabetes and gender may adversely influence the circumferential tensile strength of human saphenous veins used as patch grafts. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:531-7.)
EEG and Seizure Outcome After Epilepsy Surgery

The significance of the EEG after epilepsy surgery is not fully understood. We investigated the association between postoperative EEG abnormalities and persistent seizures after epilepsy surgery as they relate to pathologic lesions. Among 254 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery between 1987 and 1991, we identified 78 patients who had mesiotemporal sclerosis (MTS) and 47 patients who had low-grade brain tumors, all of whom had 6- to 18-month postoperative follow-up including EEG. Patients who had other pathology, multiple operations, callosotomy, or hemispherectomy, or who were aged < 18 years or who had insufficient EEG data, were excluded. Patients were classified as having persistent seizures or being seizure-free since operation. EEG abnormalities were abstracted from EEG reports 6-18 months postoperatively. Seizures persisted in 24% of the MTS group and in 27% of the tumor group. Of those with normal EEGs, none of the MTS patients and only 1 of the tumor patients had persistent seizures (p = 0.03 for MTS and p = 0.42 for tumor). Epileptiform discharges and focal slowing were associated with seizure persistence in both groups, but to a significant extent only in the MTS group. In the MTS group, patients who had both epileptiform discharges and focal slowing were more likely to have persistent seizures than were those with either abnormality alone.
Design and testing of a cyclic stretch and flexure bioreactor for evaluating engineered heart valve tissues based on poly(glycerol sebacate) scaffolds.

Cyclic flexure and stretch are essential to the function of semilunar heart valves and have demonstrated utility in mechanically conditioning tissue-engineered heart valves. In this study, a cyclic stretch and flexure bioreactor was designed and tested in the context of the bioresorbable elastomer poly(glycerol sebacate). Solid poly(glycerol sebacate) membranes were subjected to cyclic stretch, and micromolded poly(glycerol sebacate) scaffolds seeded with porcine aortic valvular interstitial cells were subjected to cyclic stretch and flexure. The results demonstrated significant effects of cyclic stretch on poly(glycerol sebacate) mechanical properties, including significant decreases in effective stiffness versus controls. In valvular interstitial cell-seeded scaffolds, cyclic stretch elicited significant increases in DNA and collagen content that paralleled maintenance of effective stiffness. This work provides a basis for investigating the roles of mechanical loading in the formation of tissue-engineer...
Line width roughness reduction by rational design of photoacid generator for sub-millisecond laser post-exposure bake

Sub-millisecond laser post-exposure bake (PEB) is an alternative technology to address the excessive acid diffusion for chemically amplified photoresist systems. By rationally designing the resist, laser post-exposure bake is able to improve the resolution and reduce the line width roughness (LWR) compared to patterns exposed under the same conditions but using conventional hotplate PEB. It was found that only the resist with high deprotection activation energy and low diffusion activation energy showed improved performance using laser PEB. Accordingly, a PAG was designed to have low acid diffusivity by binding the counter ions to a molecular glass core while keeping photophysical properties and processing conditions similar to a conventional PAG. By reducing the diffusivity of the counter ions, the PAG was able to further reduce LWR by 60% using laser PEB.
Numerical simulation of unsaturated flow in woven fiber preforms during the resin transfer molding process

In this paper, the unsaturated flow encountered in the woven or stitched fiber mats used in RTM is simulated using an adaptation of the Finite Element Method/ Control Volume (FEM/CV) technique. The movement of resin through such fiber mats is modeled as flow through dual scale porous media and the mass balance in such media creates a sink term in the equation of continuity of the macroscopic flows. Combining this equation with Darcy's law leads to a non-homogeneous nonlinear elliptic partial differential equation for pressure that is solved iteratively. First the simulation is used to study simple flows encountered during the characterization of preforms, such as the constant injection pressure 1-D flow and the constant flow rate radial injection flow. Previously observed experimental results of relatively flatter pressure histories for the latter type of flows in wove fiber mats are replicated, both numerically and analytically, by the pressure equation with the sink term. A quantity called pore volume ratio is shown to play an important role in such flows. Finally, the unsaturated flow in a typical RTM mold, packed with woven fiber mats, is simulated numerically, and inlet pressures, fill times, and mat saturation are studied.
X-ray photoelectron spectra of palladium and platinum complexes of carbenoid and related ligands

X-ray photoelectron spectra have been obtained for a series of palladium and platinum complexes involving carbenoid and related ligands. The Pt 4f7/2 and Pd 3d52 binding energies indicate that carbenoid ligands are better donors of electron density to the metal than methyl isocyanide. The C 1s binding energies show that the carbenoid carbon atoms are less positively charged than the carbon atom of coordinated methyl isocyanide.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Voluntary Organization Involvement Among Older Adults

This study examines the relationship between volunteer socioeconomic status (SES) and voluntary organization involvement among older adults. Using longitudinal data from the Americans' Changing Lives surveys, this study assesses the effects of education and income on the type and scope of voluntary organization involvement. Multiple imputation and generalized estimating equations methods are used in the data analysis. The results indicate that more highly educated, older adults are more likely than their less-educated counterparts to volunteer in all five types of organizations (i.e., religious, educational, political, senior citizen, and others), volunteer in a wider range of organizations, and devote more hours. However, income makes little significant difference in organizational volunteering. Voluntary organizations are advised to facilitate older adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in taking volunteer roles. Innovative recruitment programs are needed to tap the resource for volunteering tha...
Tunable laser flash absorption: a new technique for measuring rates and yields of chemical reactions at high temperatures.

The flash absorption technique, whereby light from an excimer laser is used to measure the kinetic behavior of absorbing species in the high temperature region behind a shock front with a linear array detector, has been extended by using tunable light from a high resolution, pulsed dye laser. The use of narrowband, tunable light allows us to access isolated rovibronic transitions and, thereby, obtain state-specific kinetic information. If the oscillator strength of the transition and the absorption line profile are known, the absolute concentration may be determined. We demonstrate the technique by measuring the temporal development of the hydroxyl radical as it is formed after propane has been thermally dissociated in the presence of oxygen. We conclude that accurate kinetic measurements can be made with hydroxyl concentrations of 1015 cm−3. This technique may also be applied to study any species which absorbs below 50,000 cm−1.
Mindfulness-based relationship enhancement

Using a randomized wait-list controlled design, this study evaluated the effects of a novel intervention, mindfulness-based relationship enhancement, designed to enrich the relationships of relatively happy, nondistressed couples. Results suggested the intervention was efficacious in (a) favorably impacting couples' levels of relationship satisfaction, autonomy, relatedness, closeness, acceptance of one another, and relationship distress; (b) beneficially affecting individuals' optimism, spirituality, relaxation, and psychological distress; and (c) maintaining benefits at 3-month follow-up. Those who practiced mindfulness more had better outcomes, and within-person analyses of diary measures showed greater mindfulness practice on a given day was associated on several consecutive days with improved levels of relationship happiness, relationship stress, stress coping efficacy, and overall stress.
A paradigm for enzyme-catalyzed proton transfer at carbon: triosephosphate isomerase.

Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) catalyzes the stereospecific 1,2-proton shift at dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to give (R)-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate through a pair of isomeric enzyme-bound cis-enediolate phosphate intermediates. The chemical transformations that occur at the active site of TIM were well understood by the early 1990s. The mechanism for enzyme-catalyzed isomerization is similar to that for the nonenzymatic reaction in water, but the origin of the catalytic rate acceleration is not understood. We review the results of experimental work that show that a substantial fraction of the large 12 kcal/mol intrinsic binding energy of the nonreacting phosphodianion fragment of TIM is utilized to activate the active site side chains for catalysis of proton transfer. Evidence is presented that this activation is due to a phosphodianion-driven conformational change, the most dramatic feature of which is closure of loop 6 over the dianion. The kinetic data are interpreted within the framework of a mo...
Shallow seismic refraction used to map the hydrostratigraphy of Nukuoro Atoll, Micronesia

Abstract Results from a shallow seismic-refraction survey on Nukuoro indicate that the distribution of fresh and brackish groundwater on that atoll island is controlled by a three-dimensional mosaic of carbonate facies. Each facies is characterized by a distinct seismic velocity which is dependent on the grain size, composition, and abundance of carbonate cement. The refraction survey further indicates that the upper saturated zone is composed of mostly unconsolidated sediments underlain by highly permeable, well-indurated limestone. The fresh-water lens and associated transition zone of fresh to saline groundwater occur within the upper unconsolidated sediments. Measurements of chloride-ion concentrations in water samples collected from sites across the island indicate an asymmetric fresh-water lens with the thickest part of the lens located near the lagoon shoreline. During the 1983 drought, saline water intruded into the island's central topographical depression where taro is cultivated. The intrusion was caused by tidal pumping (upward movement) of brackish water underlying a reef-flat plate, which forms a confining layer over a significant part of the island.
Regulatable Gutless Adenovirus Vectors Sustain Inducible Transgene Expression in the Brain in the Presence of an Immune Response against Adenoviruses

In view of recent serious adverse events and advances in gene therapy technologies, the use of regulatable expression systems is becoming recognized as indispensable adjuncts to successful clinical gene therapy. In the present work we optimized high-capacity adenoviral (HC-Ad) vectors encoding the novel tetracycline-dependent (TetOn)-regulatory elements for efficient and regulatable gene expression in the rat brain in vivo. We constructed two HC-Ad vectors encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) driven by a TetOn system containing the rtTASsM2 transactivator and the tTSKid repressor under the control of the murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV) (HC-Ad-mTetON-β-Gal) or the human CMV (hCMV) promoter (HC-Ad-hTetON-β-Gal). Expression was tightly regulatable by doxycycline (Dox), reaching maximum expression in vivo at 6 days and returning to basal levels at 10 days following the addition or removal of Dox, respectively. Both vectors achieved higher transgene expression levels compared to the expression from vectors encoding the constitutive mCMV or hCMV promoter. HC-Ad-mTetON-β-Gal yielded the highest transgene expression levels and expressed in both neurons and astrocytes. Antivector immune responses continue to limit the clinical use of vectors. We thus tested the inducibility and longevity of HC-Ad-mediated transgene expression in the brain of rats immunized against adenovirus by prior intradermal injections of RAds. Regulated transgene expression from HC-Ad-mTetON-β-Gal remained active even in the presence of a significant systemic immune response. Therefore, these vectors display two coveted characteristics of clinically useful vectors, namely their regulation and effectiveness even in the presence of prior immunization against adenovirus.
Simulation analysis of conduction block in myelinated axons induced by high-frequency biphasic rectangular pulses

Nerve conduction block induced by high-frequency biphasic rectangular pulses was analyzed using a lumped circuit model of the myelinated axon based on Frankenhaeuser-Huxley (FH) equations. At the temperature of 37 /spl deg/C, axons of different diameters (2-20 /spl mu/m) can be blocked completely at supra-threshold intensities when the stimulation frequency is above 10 kHz. However, at stimulation frequencies between 6 kHz and 9 kHz, both nerve block and repetitive firing of action potentials can be observed at different stimulation intensities. When the stimulation frequency is below 6 kHz, nerve block does not occur regardless of stimulation intensity. Larger diameter axons have a lower threshold intensity to induce conduction block. When temperature is reduced from 37 /spl deg/C to 20 /spl deg/C, the lowest frequency to completely block large axons (diameters 10-20 /spl mu/m) decreased from 8 kHz to 4 kHz. This simulation study can guide future animal experiments as well as optimize stimulation waveforms for electrical nerve block in clinical applications.
Low-inoculum model of surgical wound infection.

A model of surgical wound infection that uses low inocula of bacteria and closely simulates clinical infection involved inoculating suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus and dextran microbeads into intermuscular sites on the dorsum of guinea pigs, harvesting lesions at 72-96 h, identifying as a positive end point lesions yielding staphylococci on subculture, and using logistic regression for data analysis. Prophylaxis was placebo, ampicillin, or cefazolin, and three representative strains of S. aureus were used. A highly significant correlation (P less than .001) was observed between inoculum sizes and infection rates. Without antimicrobial prophylaxis, ID50 for each strain was less than 10 organisms; with antimicrobials, ID50 was significantly higher. Differences in the virulence of strains and in the efficacy of the antimicrobial regimens also were observed. The model should prove useful for understanding mechanisms of virulence among pathogenic bacteria and for elucidating subtle but important differences in efficacy among antibiotics used in prophylaxis.
A M55V Polymorphism in a Novel SUMO Gene (SUMO-4) Differentially Activates Heat Shock Transcription Factors and Is Associated with Susceptibility to Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Three SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) genes have been identified in humans, which tag proteins to modulate subcellular localization and/or enhance protein stability and activity. We report the identification of a novel intronless SUMO gene, SUMO-4, that encodes a 95-amino acid protein having an 86% amino acid homology with SUMO-2. In contrast to SUMO-2, which is highly expressed in all of the tissues examined, SUMO-4 mRNA was detected mainly in the kidney. A single nucleotide polymorphism was detected in SUMO-4, substituting a highly conserved methionine with a valine residue (M55V). In HepG2 (liver carcinoma) cells transiently transfected with SUMO-4 expression vectors, Met-55 was associated with the elevated levels of activated heat shock factor transcription factors as compared with Val-55, whereas the levels of NF-κB were suppressed to an identical degree. The SUMO-4M (Met) variant is associated with type I diabetes mellitus susceptibility in families (p = 4.0 × 10-4), suggesting that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes.
Cross-Layer Based Opportunistic MAC Protocols for QoS Provisionings Over Cognitive Radio Wireless Networks

We propose the cross-layer based opportunistic multi-channel medium access control (MAC) protocols, which integrate the spectrum sensing at physical (PHY) layer with the packet scheduling at MAC layer, for the wireless ad hoc networks. Specifically, the MAC protocols enable the secondary users to identify and utilize the leftover frequency spectrum in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary users. In our proposed protocols, each secondary user is equipped with two transceivers. One transceiver is tuned to the dedicated control channel, while the other is designed specifically as a cognitive radio that can periodically sense and dynamically use the identified un-used channels. To obtain the channel state accurately, we propose two collaborative channel spectrum-sensing policies, namely, the random sensing policy and the negotiation-based sensing policy, to help the MAC protocols detect the availability of leftover channels. Under the random sensing policy, each secondary user just randomly selects one of the channels for sensing. On the other hand, under the negotiation-based sensing policy, different secondary users attempt to select the distinct channels to sense by overhearing the control packets over the control channel. We develop the Markov chain model and the M/GY/1-based queueing model to characterize the performance of our proposed multi-channel MAC protocols under the two types of channel-sensing policies for the saturation network and the non-saturation network scenarios, respectively. In the non-saturation network case, we quantitatively identify the tradeoff between the aggregate traffic throughput and the packet transmission delay, which can provide the insightful guidelines to improve the delay-QoS provisionings over cognitive radio wireless networks.
Captive Survival and Pearl Culture Potential of the Pink Heelsplitter Potamilus alatus

Abstract Pink heelsplitter mussels Potamilus alatus were held at two bottom locations and suspended in pocket nets in a pond at the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, for 1 year to evaluate survival in captivity. Survival after 1 year differed significantly; the poorest survival (30.0%) was at the bottom of the deep end (2.5 m), and there was no difference in survival) at the shallow end (83.3%; 0.6 m) and in pocket nets (63.3%; 1–1.5 m). Monthly survival was inversely related to water temperature (R = −0.72); the lowest monthly survival occurred in summer, resulting in a significant difference among the three locations. Differences in the mean glycogen content of mussels among the three containment locations and wild-sampled pink heelsplitter mussels were significant (P = 0.001); the highest value was in mussels at the shallow end and the lowest value was in mussels at the deep end. We used pocket nets to hold surgically implanted mussels and meas...
HUMAN SALVATION IN AN EVOLUTIONARY WORLD: AN EXPLORATION IN CHRISTIAN NATURALISM

In an evolutionary world, humans need “salvation” understood as restoring and maintaining well-being or functioning well. Humans are embedded in, embodiments of, and emergent creative-creatures of the universe. We have evolved also as ambivalent creatures—doing good, harm, and being bystanders while harm is being done. Multiple factors—for example, genetic, neurological, child developmental, and societal—contribute to malfunctioning and harmful behavior, and multiple religious and secular approaches help restore well-being. I develop a view of Jesus as a “religious genius” who, grounded in a direct experience of God, taught undiscriminating love and engaged in nonviolent political activism against the unjust domination system of the Roman Empire. Christians and others can follow Jesus by engaging in meditative practices that facilitate well-being out of which compassion for others and a passion for justice flows. Universal love rooted in Jesus is compatible with an evolutionary perspective that all humans are part of a natural family.
High Temperature Decomposition of Military Specification L-23699 Synthetic Aircraft Lubricants:

Previous investigations reported the formation of a neurotoxicant, tri methylolpropane phosphate (TMP-P) during pyrolysis of synthetic, aircraft engine lubricating oils. Employing both sealed-tube and open-to-air methods of pyrolysis, we confirmed the formation of TMP-P during lubricant pyrolysis. Rodent bioassay and GC/MS analysis were performed for detection and quanti tation of neurotoxicant production. Maximal production of TMP-P for sealed- tube pyrolysis occured after 20 min at 500°C. A comparable amount of TMP-P was formed after 5 min at 650°C in open-to-air pyrolysis of lubricants. Our examination of TMP-P production was limited to L-23699 lubricants composed primarily of a trimethylolpropane (TMP) ester base stock. The formation of TMP-P was only dependent upon the presence of an organic phosphorous addi tive and TMP. Pyrolysed lubricants composed of a pentaerythritol base did not cause neurotoxicity in mice or rats following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Other toxic bicyclophosphorous ester ...
Performance of a small-scale regenerative Rankine power cycle employing a scroll expander:

AbstractA small scroll expander has been incorporated into a power cycle for performance evaluation. Using heat from a circulating hot oil supply, a working fluid (R123) was vapourized under pressure and fed to the inlet of the expander. Power generated was measured by a torque/rotation rate sensor as the power was delivered to a compressor. The exhausted working fluid was then sent through a regenerator to recover thermal energy, and then to an air-cooled condensation heat exchanger. To complete the cycle, the working fluid passed through a pump and was fed back to the boiler by way of the regenerator. The major components of the power cycle were monitored for performance, and from these values, overall cycle efficiency was determined. A model of the system was also developed in order to validate system state points and allow follow-on projections of cycle performance with better component efficiencies. Depending on the operating state points during testing, the power output from the cycle ranged from 18...
On the Use of Issue Tracking Annotations for Improving Developer Activity Metrics

Understanding and measuring how teams of developers collaborate on software projects can provide valuable insight into the software development process. Currently, researchers and practitioners measure developer collaboration with social networks constructed from version control logs. Version control change logs, however, do not tell the whole story. The collaborative problem-solving process is also documented in the issue tracking systems that record solutions to failures, feature requests, or other development tasks. We propose two annotations to be used in issue tracking systems: solution originator and solution approver. We annotated which developers were originators or approvers of the solution to 602 issues from the OpenMRS healthcare system. We used these annotations to augment the version control logs and found 47 more contributors to the OpenMRS project than the original 40 found in the version control logs. Using social network analysis, we found that approvers are likely to score high in centrality and hierarchical clustering. Our results indicate that our two issue tracking annotations identify project collaborators that version control logs miss. Thus, issue tracking annotations are an improvement in developer activity metrics that strengthen the connection between what we can measure in the project development artifacts and the team's collaborative problem-solving process.
Current Algebra and Gauge Theories. II. Non-Abelian Gluons

The considerations of the first paper in this series are extended to non-Abelian gauge models of the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions. It is shown that for a large class of such theories, the strong interactions naturally conserve parity and strangeness, and possibly isospin and other quantum numbers as well. The corrections of second order in gauge couplings to such natural symmetries are convergent. In addition to the ordinary photon-exchange term, these corrections include other terms of order $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, which take the form of shifts in the effective quark mass matrix, and which automatically conserve parity and strangeness. In theories with free-field asymptotic behavior, these order-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ mass shifts may be correctly calculated ignoring all effects of the strong interactions. It is suggested that in such theories, the strong gauge group is not broken, and that the infrared divergences associated with the massless vector gluons prevent the production of quarks or gluons in collisions of ordinary hadrons.
Redox proteomics in some age-related neurodegenerative disorders or models thereof.

Neurodegenerative diseases cause memory loss and cognitive impairment. Results from basic and clinical scientific research suggest a complex network of mechanisms involved in the process of neurodegeneration. Progress in treatment of such disorders requires researchers to better understand the functions of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases, to characterize their role in pathogenic disease mechanisms, and to explore their roles in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. A variety of conditions of neurodegenerative diseases often lead to post-translational modifications of proteins, including oxidation and nitration, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Redox proteomics, a subset of proteomics, has made possible the identification of specifically oxidized proteins in neurodegenerative disorders, providing insight into a multitude of pathways that govern behavior and cognition and the response of the nervous system to injury and disease. Proteomic analyses are particularly suitable to elucidate post-translational modifications, expression levels, and protein—protein interactions of thousands of proteins at a time. Complementing the valuable information generated through the integrative knowledge of protein expression and function should enable the development of more efficient diagnostic tools and therapeutic modalities. Here we review redox proteomic studies of some neurodegenerative diseases.
Structural health monitoring–based methodologies for managing uncertainty in aircraft structural life assessment

Aircraft maintenance approaches that rely on only scheduled inspections have an intrinsic amount of uncertainty and risk because intervals do not reflect the loading and damage history of individual aircraft. This risk is more pronounced in composite aircraft, because damage is often not visually apparent. This work presents two case studies of complementary structural health monitoring methods that are designed to reduce the risk in aircraft maintenance, as well as the cost of frequent, lengthy inspections. The first is an impact identification system which is capable of locating impacts to a full-scale fuselage using only three sensors. This impact identification method is able to quantify the severity of impacts, allowing maintenance personnel to focus inspections on areas that have sustained frequent and/or high-amplitude impacts. Using this method, over 97% of impacts to a heavy-lift helicopter fuselage are located within 9 in of the true impact location. The second case study details the development...
Design, Fabrication, Simulation and Testing of a Novel Ocean Wave Energy Converter

The total useful wave resource around the world is estimated to be larger than 2 TW. Harvesting a small portion of the available wave energy resource could contribute significantly to meet the urgent energy demand. Therefore, a lot of wave energy converters have been developed in the past decades. Traditionally, air turbine, hydroelectric motor and linear electromagnetic motor are used in wave energy converters as the power takeoff system. Although these power takeoffs have their own advantages, power takeoffs are still recognized as the most important challenge in ocean wave energy technology. In this paper, a mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) based power takeoff system is proposed and prototyped for wave energy converter. This power takeoff system can convert the bi-directional wave motion into unidirectional rotation of the generator by integrating two one-way clutches into a rack pinion system. A 500W prototype which contains a heaving buoy and MMR-based power takeoff system was designed and fabricated. The models of power takeoff system and the corresponding single-buoy wave energy converter are built and analyzed. Lab testing of power takeoff mechanism and ocean testing of the overall ocean wave converter system are also conducted.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Lamellar Macular Hole: Two Distinct Clinical Entities?

Purpose To investigate whether lamellar macular holes can be divided into different subgroups. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods In this institutional study, clinical charts and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 102 eyes of 90 consecutive patients diagnosed with lamellar macular hole were reviewed. In OCT imaging, the presence of lamellar macular hole was defined according to the following findings: presence of irregular foveal contour, separation of the layers of the neurosensory retina, and the absence of full-thickness macular defect. Mean outcome was the morphologic and functional characterization of different subtypes of macular hole. Results Two different subtypes of lamellar macular hole were identified: tractional and degenerative. The first type, tractional, was diagnosed in 43 eyes, and was characterized by the schitic separation of neurosensory retina between outer plexiform and outer nuclear layers. It often presented with an intact ellipsoid layer and was associated with tractional epiretinal membranes and/or vitreomacular traction. The second type, degenerative, was diagnosed in 48 eyes, and its distinctive traits included the presence of intraretinal cavitation that could affect all retinal layers. It was often associated with nontractional epiretinal proliferation and a retinal "bump." Moreover, it often presented with early ellipsoidal zone defect and its pathogenesis, although chronic and progressive, remains poorly understood. Eleven eyes shared common features with both tractional and degenerative lamellar macular holes and were classified as mixed lesions. Conclusions Degenerative and tractional lamellar macular holes may be 2 distinct clinical entities. A revision of the current concept of lamellar macular holes is needed.
Leakage detection of Marcellus Shale natural gas at an Upper Devonian gas monitoring well: a 3-d numerical modeling approach.

Potential natural gas leakage into shallow, overlying formations and aquifers from Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations is a public concern. However, before natural gas could reach underground sources of drinking water (USDW), it must pass through several geologic formations. Tracer and pressure monitoring in formations overlying the Marcellus could help detect natural gas leakage at hydraulic fracturing sites before it reaches USDW. In this study, a numerical simulation code (TOUGH 2) was used to investigate the potential for detecting leaking natural gas in such an overlying geologic formation. The modeled zone was based on a gas field in Greene County, Pennsylvania, undergoing production activities. The model assumed, hypothetically, that methane (CH4), the primary component of natural gas, with some tracer, was leaking around an existing well between the Marcellus Shale and the shallower and lower-pressure Bradford Formation. The leaky well was located 170 m away from a monitoring well, in the Brad...
Abstract 84: Evidence supporting a role of FKBP51 in melanoma pathogenesis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Melanoma accounts for the majority of skin tumor-related deaths worldwide. The tumors originate from melanocytes and are associated with risk factors such as ultraviolet radiation exposure, fair skin type, and predisposing gene mutations. Although there has been some progress in early melanoma diagnosis, current therapeutic modalities still fail frequently in treating this deadly malignancy once it has metastasized. FKBP51 is a high molecular weight FK506-binding protein involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes. Importantly, it has been shown to be overexpressed in melanoma, activate anti-apoptotic NF-kB signaling, and inhibit apoptosis in irradiated melanoma cells. In this study, we investigated the role of FKBP51 in melanoma pathogenesis in a set of in vitro experiments. FKBP51 was stably repressed in two metastatic melanoma cell lines, A375-SM and FEMX-1, through short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing and its effect on melanoma phenotype was examined. Silencing of FKBP51 led to a decrease in growth, clonogenicity, motility and invasiveness of both the melanoma cell lines, whereas enhanced cell-cell interaction was observed. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated loss of mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, vimentin, Slug and Snail and gain of epithelial marker, E-cadherin in FKBP51-silenced A375-SM and FEMX-1 cells, indicating a role of FKBP51 in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of melanoma cells. Interestingly, in FKBP51-silenced melanoma cells, we also observed a decreased production of interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL-8), a chemokine that has earlier been shown to promote melanoma growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. Altogether, these studies provide experimental evidence for a functional role of FKBP51 in altered growth and malignant behavior of the melanoma cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 84. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-84
The Inoculating Effect of Generic Advertising: Can Consumers' Concerns About Mad Cow Disease Be Reduced by Advertising?

Consumers have consistently expressed concern about the risk of being afflicted with new Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (frequently referred to as Mad Cow Disease) by eating beef. Given the recent discover of cows in the United States that tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the recent scientific statement that the path of this lethal disease remains unknown, the beef industry continues to have this potentially devastating food scare problem loom in the future. This research uses experimental economic techniques to demonstrate that risk concerns regarding Mad Cow Disease are easily induced with media information and finds that current beef industry adverting does a surprisingly good job at alleviating consumer food scare concerns.
Established the Method of Quick Identification of Several Kinds of Alphavirus by RT-PCR

Objective To develop a method to identify different kinds of alphavirus by RT-PCR. Method Total RNA was isolated from the virus infected cells, and amplified by RT-PCR with the specific pairs of primers. Results The size of the RT-PCR product of sindbis is 1 420bp, CHIK is 1 630bp, RR is 1 650bp, and SAG is 1 500bp. The two viruses belong to the yellow fever could not be amplified. Conclusion RT-PCR can quickly identify and distinguish different viruses causing similar clinical symptom.
An electron microscopical study: Some effects of magnetic field upon single, anisotropic alpha iron crystals and the relation between their fine structure and magnetic properties

In this discussion of the magnetic properties of these same crystals we are dealing only with those forms which we have described previously as “rods”, “needles”, “nodular rods” or “dendrites with relatively short secondary arms”. Except for their small dimensions, these microscopic crystals are somewhat like “whiskers”, in that they appear to be single and are monolithic as far as our observation can detect. Monolithicity cannot be demonstrated in the more complex forms of the dendrites where overlapping of structures confuses observation, but in the less complex forms, namely rods and needles, it is seen that there is no beadlike appearance, as is observed in iron particles made by a process of electro-deposition into mercury (1). They would therefore be expected to act with the magnetic behaviour associated with shape anisotropy, and as elongated, single crystals, rather than as strings of separate crystals. As such they would be expected to yield exceptionally high coercive force when compacted and aligned.
High precision optical measurement of displacement and simultaneous determinations of piezoelectric coefficients

PZT are also well known for their applications in Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS). It is necessary to study the piezoelectric coefficients of the materials accurately in order to design a sensor as an example, which defines their strain dependent applications. Systematic study of the electro mechanic displacement measurement was conducted and compared using a white light fiber optic sensor, a heterodyne laser Doppler vibrometer, and a homodyne laser interferometry setup. Frequency dependent measurement is conducted to evaluate displacement values well below and near the piezoelectric resonances. UHF-120 ultra-high frequency Vibrometer is used to measure the longitudinal piezoelectric displacement or x33 and the MTI 2000 Fotonic TM Sensor is used to measure the transverse piezoelectric displacement or x11 over 100Hz to 2MHz. A Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis method, COMSOL, is also adopted in the study to generate a three dimensional electromechanical coupled model based on experimentally determined strains x33 and x11 as a function of frequency of the electric field applied. The full family of piezoelectric coefficients of the poled electronic ceramic PZT, d33, d31, and d15, can be then derived, upon satisfactory simulation of the COMSOL. This is achieved without the usual need of preparation of piezoelectric resonators of fundamental longitudinal, transversal, and shear modes respectively.
Self-Tuning Variable Frequency Controller for Inductive Electric Vehicle Charging With Multiple Power Levels

A self-tuning controller for contactless electric vehicle (EV) charging systems based on inductive power transfer (IPT) with multiple power levels is proposed. The multiple charging levels (consisting of ten charging levels) are achieved by controlling the energy injection frequency of the transmitter coil of the IPT system. The proposed controller is capable of self-tuning the switching operations to the natural resonance frequency of the IPT system, and it benefits from soft-switching operations (zero-current switching), which ensures the maximum performance of the IPT system. The proposed controller has such a simple design, which can be implemented based on a simplified control circuit. The simulation of the proposed controller for an inductive charging system at different charging levels is carried out in MATLAB/Simulink. Also the proposed controller with an ac/dc/ac converter is implemented experimentally on an IPT charging system to verify the effectiveness of the controller at different charging levels. The experimental test results conform with the simulation results and verify that the proposed controller effectively enables self-tuning capability and soft-switching operations at different charging levels for IPT-based contactless EV charging systems.
Rural “at-risk” students – Directions for policy and intervention:

This article includes excerpts from case studies of at-risk students. It discusses the high prevalence of at-risk students in rural areas, the relationship of this phenomena to rural cultures, and ...
Histologic correlates of virulence in ovarian adenocarcinoma: I. Effect of differentiation

The original histologic material of 87 patients with Stage III or IV ovarian adenocarcinoma was reviewed. These patients had been treated with cisplatin, alone or in combination. There was a significant association among the morphologic parameters of histologic differentiation, mitotic activity, and cellular pleomorphism. However, none of these was associated either with survival or with maximum response of the tumor among the cisplatin-treated patients. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.
Single-frequency microwave imaging with dynamic metasurface apertures

Conventional microwave imaging schemes, enabled by the ubiquity of coherent sources and detectors, have traditionally relied on frequency bandwidth to retrieve range information, while using mechanical or electronic beamsteering to obtain cross-range information. This approach has resulted in complex and expensive hardware when extended to large-scale systems with ultrawide bandwidth. Relying on bandwidth can create difficulties in calibration, alignment, and imaging of dispersive objects. We present an alternative approach using electrically large, dynamically reconfigurable, metasurface antennas that generate spatially distinct radiation patterns as a function of tuning state. The metasurface antenna consists of a waveguide feeding an array of metamaterial radiators, each with properties that can be modified by applying a voltage to diodes integrated into the element. By deploying two of these apertures, one as the transmitter and one as the receiver, we realize sufficient spatial diversity to alleviate the dependence on frequency bandwidth and obtain range and cross-range information using measurements at a single frequency. We experimentally demonstrate this proposal by using two 1D dynamic metasurface apertures and reconstructing various 2D scenes (range and cross-range). Furthermore, we modify a conventional reconstruction method—the range migration algorithm—to be compatible with such configurations, resulting in an imaging system that is efficient in software and hardware. The imaging scheme presented in this paper has broad application to radio frequency imaging, including security screening, through-wall imaging, biomedical diagnostics, and synthetic aperture radar.
Are Upfront Levels for Colon "Polyps" Necessary? A Pragmatic Review.

Introduction. Colon biopsies are among the most frequently examined specimens by pathologists. Many pathology practices, ours included, review upfront levels on all gastrointestinal biopsies. In ou...
Shifting the Risk: New Employment Patterns, Informalization, and Women's Work

The paper argues that the processes of informalization of jobs observed during the past decades have affected both high and low income countries. Starting at the micro level of the firm, the emphasis is on how economic restructuring and globalization have generated the growth of informal activities—resulting in the vicious circle of poverty and economic insecurity for an important proportion of the population. The second part of the paper analyzes the growth of women's participation in informal activities, emphasizing that there are contradictory forces at work regarding women's employment. Despite a stubborn persistence of gender discrimination and obstacles to women's advancement, progress has taken place on several fronts, such as in the education field and in the absorption of female labor in many production processes. The paper concludes by pointing out that poverty eradication programs must emphasize the need to generate decent jobs without which these programs will continue to be ineffective. In addition, re-distributive mechanisms and different forms of social protection are needed to counteract the forces and policies generating economic insecurity.
Effect of flipped teaching on student performance and perceptions in an Introductory Physiology course.

Flipped teaching (FT) has caught educators’ attention due to its success in engaging students through pre- and in-class activities. To learn if FT improved student performance, scores from the quiz...