cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social dominance and reproductive behavior in male rhesus monkeys.

Altmann's model describing the relationship of social dominance to breeding behavior in some non-human primate species has been tested using data from the Cayo Santiago rhesus colony. Although some of the model's assumptions are clearly not met by field observations, a good fit is often found for groups containing relatively few sexually mature, non-pregnant females. It is suggested that genetic change could be rapid under conditions described by this model. It is estimated that a “beneficial mutation” could spread through all the breeding males in as little as six generations regardless of group size. The speed at which an allele can spread through the group is discussed in terms of the mean length of female receptivity.
Making sense of highway construction: A taxonomic framework for ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention research

Construction is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Occupational health research to characterize the hazards in construction work has been hampered by the lack of a systematic approach to classification of construction work and its associated hazards. A taxonomy of construction work, a nested system of classification, has been developed to systematize the collection and reporting of exposure assessment data for the characterization and reduction of hazards and the prevention of musculoskeletal injury. This taxonomy subdivides construction work into the categories of stage, operation, task, and activity. It is based on a bidding specification system already in use within the industry and thus provides a terminology common among workers, supervisors, and managers. The identification of tasks and activities that are present in multiple stages and/or trades contributes to the efficiency of exposure data collection and facilitates the generalizabilty to other settings for both exposure d...
First-principles equations of state for Al, Cu, Mo, and Pb to ultrahigh pressures

Using accurate electronic-structure, interatomic-potential, and statistical methods, first-principles theoretical equations of state (EOSs) have been developed for the prototype metals Al, Cu, Mo, ...
On the singularities of the Green's-function method for electronic structure of solids

The matrix elements appearing in the secular determinant of the Green's-function method for electronic structure have simple poles at the free-electron energies ${E}_{n}={(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}+{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{K}}}_{n})}^{2}$ with ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{K}}}_{n}$ a reciprocal-lattice vector, which arise from the poles of the free-electron Green's function. The resultant singularities in the secular determinant cause difficulties in a practical application of the method, particularly when a band energy lies close to a free-electron energy. In this work we determine the order of the poles of the determinant for any state, since with this information it is a simple matter to eliminate the poles and the attendant difficulties. We show that for a state that transforms as a partner of the irreducible representation ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{j}$ of the group of the wave vector $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$, the order of the pole is given by the number of times ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{j}$ is contained in the representation formed by all plane waves with wave vectors $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}+{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{K}}}_{n}$ corresponding to the same free-electron energy, including those which do not transform into each other under the operations of the group. For the special case of a state with a general $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ and with no "accidental" free-electron degeneracy the pole is simple. The general result is obtained by an expansion of the determinant about the pole and also by a simpler means employing Lloyd's formula for the density of states.
Fractionation of Nitrogenous Compounds from Corn Leaves

INCREASED resolution of many components of complex biological mixtures has been accomplished by the use of substituted cellulose compounds in chromatography. Calf lens proteins have been fractionated into ten components on DEAE (diethylamino-ethyl-cellulose) by Spector1. Wheat glutin was fractionated on carboxymethyl-cellulose columns into four components by Woychick et al.2. DEAE columns were used to purify β-glucosidase from yeast by Duerkson and Halvorson3. Changes in the elution pattern of proteins of white potato tubers infected with Phytophthora infestans were found when extracts were chromatographed on DEAE4.
A simple method to test the ability of individual viral proteins to induce immune responses

Immune responses to a mouse fibroblast line, transfected with a plasmid that causes expression of the rabies virus glycoprotein under the control of a simian virus 40 early promoter, were studied. Transfected cells were shown to be recognized in vitro by a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed to conformational epitopes of the different antigenic sites of the glycoprotein. They stimulated rabies virus glycoprotein-specific T helper cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and were, furthermore, recognized by rabies virus-induced cytolytic T cells. In vivo, immunization of H-2-compatible mice with the transfected cell line led to a rabies virus glycoprotein-specific antibody response, and to protection against a subsequent challenge with live virus. We propose this procedure, i.e. use of cell lines transfected with plasmids expressing a viral protein under a mammalian promoter, as a simple and inexpensive method to screen individual viral proteins for their ability to elicit immune responses, including T helper cells, cytolytic T cells, antibodies, and protection against viral challenge.
(Too) optimistic about optimism: The belief that optimism improves performance.

A series of experiments investigated why people value optimism and whether they are right to do so. In Experiments 1A and 1B, participants prescribed more optimism for someone implementing decisions than for someone deliberating, indicating that people prescribe optimism selectively, when it can affect performance. Furthermore, participants believed optimism improved outcomes when a person's actions had considerable, rather than little, influence over the outcome (Experiment 2). Experiments 3 and 4 tested the accuracy of this belief; optimism improved persistence, but it did not improve performance as much as participants expected. Experiments 5A and 5B found that participants overestimated the relationship between optimism and performance even when their focus was not on optimism exclusively. In summary, people prescribe optimism when they believe it has the opportunity to improve the chance of success-unfortunately, people may be overly optimistic about just how much optimism can do.
The initial oxidation of silicon: new ion scattering results in the ultra-thin regime

Abstract We present new results on the SiO 2 Si system obtained by high resolution medium energy ion scattering. Isotopic labeling experiments demonstrate that the traditional Deal Grove and related models fail for sub-10 nm films. Any realistic model in this ultra-thin film region should include near-interfacial and surface exchange reactions. We also observed that the surface can be roughened during oxidation. Simple models explaining the genesis of roughness during active oxidation and in a transition regime between active and passive oxidation are given, based on relative rates of various surface processes.
A simulated annealing approach to the cyclic staff-scheduling problem

This article presents the application of a simulated annealing heuristic to an NP-complete cyclic staff-scheduling problem. The new heuristic is compared to branch-and-bound integer programming algorithms, as well as construction and linear programming-based heuristics. It is designed for use in a continuously operating scheduling environment with the objective of minimizing the number of employees necessary to satisfy forecast demand. The results indicate that the simulated annealing-based method tends to dominate the branch-and-bound algorithms and the other heuristics in terms of solution quality. Moreover, the annealing algorithm exhibited rapid convergence to a low-cost solution. The simulated annealing heuristic is executed in a single program and does not require mathematical programming software. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Combining experiments and modeling to characterize field driven phase transformations in relaxor ferroelectric single crystals

Abstract Field induced phase transformations in [0 1 1]C cut and poled relaxor ferroelectric single crystals can be induced by electrical or mechanical loading. Concurrent electrical and mechanical loading drives the ferroelectric rhombohedral to ferroelectric orthorhombic phase transformation at lower threshold levels than either load alone. The current experimental technique for characterization of the large field behavior including the phase transformation requires an extensive set of measurements performed under electric field cycling at different stress preloads and stress cycling at different bias electric fields repeated at multiple temperatures. Here, a mechanism based model is combined with a more limited set of experiments to obtain the same results. The model utilizes a work–energy criterion that calculates work required to induce the transformation by overcoming an energy barrier. In the relaxor single crystals, the energy barrier of phase transformations distributed over a range of field values is represented by a normal distribution of step like transformations. The results of the combined experiment/modeling approach are compared to the fully experimental approach and error is discussed.
Evidence for a major gene influencing performance on a vocabulary test

Scores on a vocabulary test given to members of 1818 nuclear families of different ethnic backgrounds were subjected to admixture analysis, segregation analysis utilizing both the mixed model and the transmission probability model and linkage analysis with 16 polymorphic markers. The data fitted a commingled distribution better than a unimodal distribution. Tests of the hypothesis that a major gene was segregating were not rejected by mixed model segregation analysis or by transmission probability analysis when provision was made for contribution from factors other than a major gene. There was no detectable heterogeneity by ethnic group nor by mating type. These analyses provide consistent support that there is a major gene for a component of verbal ability measured by a vocabulary test, and the segregation pattern is consistent with the expected Mendelian ratios. When vocabulary scores were adjusted for covariates including years of education, academic achievement, and reading habits, evidence for a major locus was lacking. The results of the linkage analysis were inconclusive. Current segregation models are affected by various factors leading to false inferences regarding monogenic mechanisms; however, in many respects, the mixed model and the transmission probability model are complementary with respect to power and robustness. The results of the analysis are discussed in this context.
Quantitative treatment of a bioreactor employing a recombinant cell system — A theoretical analysis

A theoretical analysis on the product distribution in a bioreactor employing a recombinant cell system has been made. Simulated results of a batch or plug flow reactor based on Monod's kinetics show that a higher initial concentration of plasmidless cell should be avoided to prevent rapid consumption of substrate. This enables one to get maximum concentration of metabolite, the desired product.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells Exhibit Ion Transport, Membrane Potential, Polarized Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Secretion, and Gene Expression Pattern Similar to Native RPE†‡§

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of blindness in aging population that progresses with death of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration inducing impairment of central vision. Discovery of human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells has opened new avenues for the treatment of degenerative diseases using patient-specific stem cells to generate tissues and cells for autologous cell-based therapy. Recently, RPE cells were generated from hiPS cells. However, there is no evidence that those hiPS-derived RPE possess specific RPE functions that fully distinguish them from other types of cells. Here, we show for the first time that RPE generated from hiPS cells under defined conditions exhibit ion transport, membrane potential, polarized vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, and gene expression profile similar to those of native RPE. The hiPS-RPE could therefore be a very good candidate for RPE replacement therapy in AMD. However, these cells show rapid telomere shortening, DNA chromosomal damage, and increased p21 expression that cause cell growth arrest. This rapid senescence might affect the survival of the transplanted cells in vivo and therefore, only the very early passages should be used for regeneration therapies. Future research needs to focus on the generation of "safe" as well as viable hiPS-derived somatic cells.
Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Underpinning of insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction

Chronic low-grade inflammation has emerged as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). A dietary trigger such as glucose is capable of inciting oxidative stress and an inflammatory response from mononuclear cells (MNC) of women with PCOS, and this phenomenon is independent of obesity. This is important because MNC-derived macrophages are the primary source of cytokine production in excess adipose tissue, and also promote adipocyte cytokine production in a paracrine fashion. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is a known mediator of insulin resistance. Glucose-stimulated TNFα release from MNC along with molecular markers of inflammation are associated with insulin resistance in PCOS. Hyperandrogenism is capable of activating MNC in the fasting state, thereby increasing MNC sensitivity to glucose; and this may be a potential mechanism for promoting diet-induced inflammation in PCOS. Increased abdominal adiposity is prevalent across all weight classes in PCOS, and this inflamed adipose tissue contributes to the inflammatory load in the disorder. Nevertheless, glucose ingestion incites oxidative stress in normal weight women with PCOS even in the absence of increased abdominal adiposity. In PCOS, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation are highly correlated with circulating androgens. Chronic suppression of ovarian androgen production does not ameliorate inflammation in normal weight women with the disorder. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of pro-inflammatory stimuli to upregulate the ovarian theca cell steroidogenic enzyme responsible for androgen production. These findings support the contention that inflammation directly stimulates the polycystic ovary to produce androgens.
CD30+ Neoplasms of the Skin

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are subdivided by lesion morphology, behavior, and surface receptors. Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) are derived from CD4+ effector or central memory T-cells respectively. MF presents clinically as patches, plaques, or tumors, and SS presents with erythroderma. After MF/SS, the next most common CTCLs are CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: self-regressing lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) or tumors of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), which express high levels of tumor necrosis factor death receptor member 8, also called CD30. Although MF is not considered to be a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder, MF may co-exist with LyP lesions, and MF may express CD30, especially in the setting of large-cell transformation. The development of targeted therapy for CD30+ CTCLs will help in understanding the importance of the CD30 death receptor in pathogenesis and will improve treatment options.
Isolation and partial purification of a toxin from Millepora alcicornis

Abstract A toxin from the Hydrozoan coral, Millepora alcicornis , has been partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography, gel-filtration, and adsorption chromatography. The water soluble toxin is thermolabile, non-dialyzable, and pH sensitive. The ld 50 for 20 g mice is 40 μg protein per kg body wt.
Photon echoes using broad-band c.w. laser

We have observed various types of photon echoes in a rare-earth doped crystal using a broad-band c.w. dye laser. Even at the very low spectral power density of the laser, the quantum efficiency of photon echo generation is as large as those using high-power or narrow-band lasers. We have observed Carr-Purcell type photon echo series for the first time in a rare-earth doped crystal. We have measured relaxation of two-pulse photon echo, three-pulse stimulated photon echo, and many-pulse Carr-Purcell photon echo, and found some new features.
New Compounds: Some Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents Derived from Aralkyl Ketones

The Mannich reaction has been successfully applied to some aralkyl ketones, valerophenone and caprophenone, and their substituted derivatives in efforts to find efficient agents to be screened for possible CNS stimulant, analgesic, or antispasmodic activity. The aminoketones (Mannich bases) were converted to the γ-amino secondary alcohols by treatment with sodium borohydride. The synthesis of a series of γ-amino tertiary alcohols was achieved by the application of the Grignard reaction to the corresponding Mannich bases. The last section of the study involved the preparation of γ-amino alkyl esters from the corresponding secondary and tertiary alcohols.
Pathways of ultraviolet mutability in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. IV. The relation between canavanine toxicity and ultraviolet mutability to canavanine resistance.

Abstract Seven umr mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which had reduced capacity for ultraviolet light (UV)-induced forward mutation from CAN1 to can1 were tested for sensitivity to L-canavanine relative to one wild-type UMR strain and one slightly UV-sensitive but phenotypically umr + strain (mutant 306). Relative UV mutation resistance was estimated by dividing the UV fluence needed to yeild a particular induced mutation frequency by that needed to reach the same frequency in the genotypic wild-type strain. The umr5 and umr6 strains were especially sensitive to canavanine growth inhibition, while umr1 was no more sensitive than either wild type; umr2 , umr3 , umr4 , a umr7 , and α umr7 were equally sensitive to an intermediate degree. Incubation at 30°C of wildtype cells plated on canavanine-selective agar for increasingly longer times before UV irradiation resulted in decreasing UV mutation frequencies (reduced to 50% in 1.6 h). All umr strains tested in this way lost UV mutability faster than wild type, including mutant 306, umr1 (not sensitive to growth inhibition), and umr6 (very sensitive to growth inhibition). Cells were grown to stationary phase in YEDP growth medium and assayed for arginine and tryptophan transport into the cell. The umr6 strain, which had weak UV mutation resistance but high sensitivity to canavanine growth inhibition, transported arginine and tryptophan at essentially wild-type levels. The umr1 strain, however, which had moderate UV mutation resistance and normal canavanine toxicity, transported both amino acids at rates tenfold higher than wild type. The data suggest that increased canavanine toxicity does not necessarily lead to defective mutability at CAN1 , and that mutational deficiency cannot result solely from increased canavanine toxicity. Although exposure to canavanine was shown to block mutation fixation and/or expression, it is suggested that the degree of growth inhibition is not strictly correlated with the degree of mutation resistance.
Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation by Maternal Diabetes Status and Race, Ohio 2006–2011

To examine breastfeeding trends at hospital discharge from 2006 to 2011 by diabetes status and to determine associations between diabetes status and breastfeeding. Ohio Vital Statistics birth certificate data from 2006 to 2011, including all singleton births to Ohio resident mothers of reproductive age (16–44 years), were used to analyze trends in breastfeeding by diabetes status [prepregnancy diabetes (PDM), gestational diabetes (GDM)]. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding at discharge and diabetes type. Because a significant interaction between diabetes status and race existed, the model was stratified by race. This study includes 803,222 Ohio births from 2006 to 2011. A significant, increasing trend of breastfeeding (P < .0001) existed among women with GDM (63–70 %) and no DM (62–69 %). GDM breastfeeding rates were frequently the highest, while women with PDM often had the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates, regardless of sample characteristic. In models stratified by race, Black women were often the least likely to breastfeed, but overweight or obese and diabetes were not associated with a decreased likelihood of breastfeeding as they were among White women. While breastfeeding rates have increased in Ohio, they have still not reached the Healthy People 2020 goals. Our study shows that breastfeeding initiation rates vary by diabetes status and race. This study can aid in tailoring breastfeeding intervention and counseling efforts to women least likely to initiate breastfeeding, such as women with pregnancy diabetes, to improve the health of both infants and mothers.
Thermal storage analysis for large manned space platforms

High electrical power and waste heat rejection is projected for future manned low earth orbit space platforms, such as Space Station. The high heat rejection, optical coating degradation, long operating life with minimum maintenance requirements pose a challenging thermal management design problem. System optimization, with respect to radiator area and weight, indicate the requirement for thermal storage. This paper examines the thermal storage benefits, determines the characteristics as applied to different TMS concepts (e.g., centralized, decentralized), and examines the similarities and differences of thermal storage integration with single-phase and two-phase systems for a study baseline 75 kWe low earth orbit platform.
On the optimality of change propagation for incremental evaluation of hierarchical attribute grammars

Several new attribute grammar dialects have recently been developed, all with the common goal of allowing large, complex language translators to be specified through a modular composition of smaller attribute grammars. We refer to the class of dialects as hierarchical attribute grammars. In this short article, we present a characterization of optimal incremental evaluation that indicates the unsuitability of change propagation as the basis of an optimal incremental evaluator for hierarchical attribute grammars. This result lends strong support to the use of incremental evaluators based on more applicative approaches to attribute evaluation, such as Carle and Pollock's evaluator based on more applicative approaches to attribute evaluation, such as Carle and Pollock's evaluator based on caching of partially attributed subtree, Pugh's evaluator based on function caching of semantic functions, and Swierstra and Vogt's evaluator based on functions, and Swierstra and Vogt's evaluator based on function caching of visit sequences.
SU-GG-T-346: Accurate Simulation for Therapeutic Protons Range-Energy and Range-Density Tables

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to generate accurate range‐energy and range‐density tables for therapeuticprotons using Monte Carlo simulation in water phantom. Method and Materials The percentage depth dose and the depth peak dose was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation for protons. The simulation was based on Monte Carlo code, MCNPX in water phantom with protons energy ranging from 40 MeV increasing by 10 to 250 MeV. The calculation of the three dimension dose matrix was performed using a 2 × 2 × 1 mm∧3 voxels in the depth peak range in water phantom. The pencil beam was used and the source was uniformly distributed in area with beam diameter as 20 mm. A 3,000,000 history was used in each individual simulation with uncertainty controlled less than 1.0%. Results: The total 22 data points of simulated depth peak were compared to two widely used proton range‐energy tables from International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements (ICRU) Report 49 and from Data Nuclear Data Tables (DNDT). The simulated range‐energy curve matches very well with ICRU and DNDT with coefficient of determination equal to 1. The difference of the simulation and measurements is 1.17% at maximum and 0.70% at average compared to ICRU, 1.15% and 0.37% compared to DNDT respectively. The relation of range‐density was determined with water density ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 g/cm^3.The exponential relation of range‐density gives very closely matched estimation to the simulated value with the coefficient of determination as 0.9999. Conclusion: The simulated proton range‐energy matches very well to two widely used measurements. The accurate Monte Carlo simulation provides a close benchmark for existed measurements. The simulation offers the chance to replace the infinite experiments for each detailed energy and density. The simulation also expands the feasibility of accurate simulation in heterogeneity.
The Effects of Exclusive User Choice of Decision Aid Features on Decision Making

Decision Support Systems (DSS) frequently have multiple decision aid (DA) features, causing users to engage in exclusive choice behavior; i.e., choice between alternative DA features that results in one feature being used to the exclusion of all others. We hypothesize that: (1) users choose the least effective (least accurate) DA feature in certain predictability environments; (2) users choose the DA feature that they believe they are most competent with; and (3) choice between DA features improves performance compared to those assigned the same DA feature. We test these hypotheses in an experiment in which 164 participants act as loan officers who chose between two decision aids (a database aid and a regression aid). The results support our hypotheses. Users employed a choice heuristic that caused them to choose the least effective DA feature for the task more than or as often as the most effective DA feature. Results also indicate a positive relationship between perceived competence and DA feature choic...
Alteration of channel characteristics by exchange of pore-forming regions between two structurally related Ca2+ Channels

Several types of structurally homologous high voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (L-, P-and N-type) have been identified via biochemical, pharmacological and electrophysiological techniques. Among these channels, the cardiac L-type and the brain BI-2 Ca2+ channel display significantly different biophysical properties. The BI-2 channel exhibits more rapid voltage-dependent current activation and inactivation and smaller single-channel conductance compared to the L-type Ca2+ channel. To examine the molecular basis for the functional differences between the two structurally related Ca2+ channels, we measured macroscopic and single-channel currents from oocytes injected with wild-type and various chimeric channel α1 subunit cRNAs. The results show that a chimeric channel in which the segment between S5-SS2 in repeat IV of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel, was replaced by the corresponding region of the BI-2 channel, exhibited macroscopic current activation and inactivation time-courses and single-channel conductance, characteristic of the BI-2 Ca2+ channel. The voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation was not affected by the replacement. Chimeras, in which the SS2-S6 segment in repeat III or IV of the cardiac channel was replaced by the corresponding BI-2 sequence, exhibited altered macroscopic current kinetics without changes in single-channel conductance. These results suggest that part of the S5-SS2 segment plays a critical role in determining voltage-dependent current activation and inactivation and single-channel conductance and that the SS2-S6 segment may control voltage-dependent kinetics of the Ca2+ channel.
Mechanical properties of mostly-crystalline, rapid-quenched PdSiSb

Abstract The mechanical properties of some rapid-quenched, partly-amorphous (as-prepared) PdSiSb alloys have been studied. These alloys showed tensile strengths (fracture force/fracture surface area) of 58–232 kg/mm2, depending on their amorphous fraction (0–6%). The alloy's high strengths are due to an unusual microstructure, which consists of fine (
Guinea pig kisspeptin neurons are depolarized by leptin via activation of TRPC channels.

Hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons are critical for driving reproductive function, but virtually nothing is known about their endogenous electrophysiological properties and the effects of leptin on their excitability. Therefore, we used the slice preparation from female guinea pigs to study the endogenous conductances and the effects of leptin on kisspeptin neurons. We targeted the arcuate kisspeptin neurons using visualized-patch whole-cell recording and identified kisspeptin neurons using immuocytochemical staining for kisspeptin or single cell RT-PCR. We also harvested dispersed arcuate neurons for analysis of expression of channel transcripts. Kisspeptin neurons exhibited a relatively negative resting membrane potential, and eighty percent of the neurons expressed a pacemaker current (h-current) and a T-type Ca2+ current. Furthermore, the glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl D-aspartic acid depolarized and induced burst firing in kisspeptin neurons. Leptin activated an inward current that depolarized kisspeptin neurons and increased (burst) firing, but leptin hyperpolarized NPY neurons. Lanthanum, a TRPC-4,-5 channel activator, potentiated the leptin-induced inward current by 170%. The leptin-activated current reversed near −15 mV and was abrogated by the relatively selective TRPC channel blocker 2-APB. The leptin effects were also blocked by a Janus kinase inhibitor, a phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase inhibitor, and a phospholipase Cγ inhibitor. In addition, the majority of these neurons expressed TRPC1 and -5 and phospholipase Cγ1 based on single cell RT-PCR. Therefore, guinea pig kisspeptin neurons express endogenous pacemaker currents, and leptin excites these neurons via activation of TRPC channels. The leptin excitatory effects on kisspeptin neurons may be critical for governing the excitatory drive to GnRH neurons during different nutritional states.
A Multipronged Approach to the Identification and Study of an Important Oncogene in GBM

In this issue of Cancer Cell , Zheng et al. provide strong evidence that PLAGL2 serves as an oncogene in GBM. They demonstrate that PLAGL2 inhibits differentiation and promotes a persistent, self-renewing state, at least in part because of activation of Wnt signaling.
Inference and sample size calculation in the fit assessment of filtering facepiece respirators.

Filtering facepiece respirators have recently been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by the general public in public health medical emergencies such as pandemic influenza. In the fit assessment of these devices it is important to distinguish between the two sources of variability: population heterogeneity and random fluctuations over repeated donnings. The FDA Special Controls Guidance Document (SCGD) which describes these devices and their evaluation, recommends that the fit performance of a filtering facepiece respirator be evaluated in terms of the proportion of users who will receive a specified level of protection 95% of the time. A point estimator of this proportion is easily obtained under an analysis of variance model, and the SCGD suggests bootstrap as one possible approach to interval estimation. This paper describes a closed-form procedure to obtain confidence intervals and provides sample size formulas. Simulation results suggest that the proposed procedure perform...
The Zoonotic Tuberculosis Syndemic: A Literature Review and Analysis of the Scientific Journals Covering a Multidisciplinary Field That Includes Clinical Medicine, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Bacterial Evolution, and Food Safety

The article reviews the steadily increasing literature on tuberculosis outbreaks involving Mycobacterium bovis, a bacillus traditionally associated with cattle and dairy products but in fact syndem...
Do I Matter?: The Impact of Individual Differences on a Technology-Mediated End User Training Process

Advances in technology-mediated learning TML have created opportunities to personalize learning, based on the assumption that individual differences affect one's ability to learn. However, cumulative research on individual differences is equivocal, and largely excludes the learning process. The authors argue that without a model that incorporates the process of learning, the authors cannot empirically assess how individual differences influence learning outcomes. This study first models the learning process in terms of two sub-processes: process appropriation and content assimilation. Second, it partially tests the model within a technology-mediated learning TML environment used to provide end-user IT training. The results support the efficacy of individual differences' influence on learning outcomes, while shedding light on how this effect occurs. Individual differences affect the appropriation of TML supplied structures, which in turn impacts learning outcomes. The research method used in the study is a laboratory experiment. Data was analyzed using SEM.
Reynolds number effects on laminar mixing in the Kenics static mixer

Abstract The Kenics static mixer was investigated numerically using Lagrangian methods, to characterize mixer performance in laminar flow. Techniques from dynamical systems analysis (Poincare sections, tracking of fluid tracers, and the development of stretching histories for tracer elements) as well as a more traditional mixing measure (the variation coefficient) were used to compare mixing performance at various Reynolds numbers. For creeping flow conditions (Re ≤ 10), the Kenics flow is globally chaotic and mixing performance is independent of Re. For Re = 100, significant islands of regular motion develop. These islands do not exchange material with the remainder of the flow and act as a barrier to uniform mixing. For Re = 1000, the flow is predominantly chaotic again, but small islands remain, leading to less effective mixing than under creeping flow conditions.
Cybernetics, Automata Studies, and the Dartmouth Conference on Artificial Intelligence

The Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence, held at Datrmouth College in 1956, is regarded as the official "birthplace" of Al. This article draws on unpublished archives to shed new light on the origins of the conference and the complex relationships between cybernetics, automata studies, and Al in the 1950s.
Dynamics of WIP Regulation in Large Production Networks of Autonomous Work Systems

In this paper, dynamic behavior is compared for two methods of local work in progress (WIP) regulation in autonomous work systems in production networks. In one method, work systems do not share information regarding the expected physical flow of orders between them; in the other, order-flow information is shared to compensate for the variable dynamic effects of physical order-flow coupling. In both methods, the work systems adjust production rate with the objective of maintaining a desired amount of local WIP. A linear discrete-time dynamic model of the flow of orders between work systems is used, which promotes identification of fundamental properties such as characteristic times and damping. The results demonstrate the need for order-flow information sharing in establishing desired network dynamic behavior. Examples are used to illustrate behavior in the general case of omnidirectional order flows and the special case of unidirectional order flows.
Drug Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cell Wall Synthesis: Development of a Microtiter Plate-Based Screen for UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase and Identification of an Inhibitor from a Uridine-Based Library

A microtiter plate assay for UDP-galactopyranose mutase, an essential cell wall biosynthetic enzyme of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was developed. The assay is based on the release of tritiated formaldehyde from UDP-galactofuranose but not UDP-galactopyranose by periodate and was used to identify a uridine-based enzyme inhibitor from a chemical library.
Evaluation of the metabolism of propranolol by linear ion trap technology in mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human cryopreserved hepatocytes

Propranolol is a widely used quality control and validation compound for liver microsome and hepatocyte metabolism studies. A multitude of literature reports describing the identification of propranolol metabolites exists today. However, no literature reports currently exist showing hepatocyte metabolism across the five species commonly used during pre-clinical drug discovery, namely mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human. Herein, we present full metabolic profiles of propranolol in mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human hepatocytes. As expected, extensive phase I and phase II metabolism was observed across all five species and species-specific metabolites were detected in monkey and dog hepatocytes. Of particular interest was the detection of an N-hydroxylamine glucuronide metabolite in monkey and dog hepatocytes.
Electrochemistry at synchrotrons

Synchrotron techniques (X-ray and far infrared) have been used in electrochemical research for about the last 25 years. They are powerful new tools to investigate in situ the structure of the electrochemical interphase extending a few thousand angstrom in both phases around the solid/liquid interface. A brief description of the experimental techniques is given, with numerous examples of their applications to investigate a wide variety of phenomena, including measurements of the roughness of electrode surfaces such as relaxation/reconstruction of metal surfaces, the structure of the electrochemical double layer, adsorption/absorption at electrode surfaces, oxide film formation on metals and passivation, underpotential deposition of metals, electrode structures/compositions in batteries and fuel cells, and porous electrode surfaces such as anodic formation of porous silicon. Some historical notes and personal reminiscences are also included.
Phase Formation, Kinetics and Microhardness of the Nitride Layer in Ion Nitrided 316L Stainless Steel

316 L stainless steel (nominally 18% Cr, 8% Ni, 2% Mo, 1% Mn, balance Fe) has been ion nitrided in a N 2 /H 2 atmosphere. Studies of nitride layer depth, structure, composition and microhardness show uniform layer formation with a sharp layer-to-matrix interface and a hardness increase over the bulk value by 600%. The structures of the nitride layers vary with treatment temperature, falling into two regimes over the temperature range studied. Generally, parabolic layer growth was found, and the growth coefficients were determined at five temperatures.
Calendering thermoplastic materials

A general equation for the true shear rate encountered in calendering non-Newtonian fluids is derived. Based on several constitutive equations (for a power-law, a three-constant Oldroyd, and a modified second-order Rivlin-Ericksen fluid), calendering is analyzed from the hydrodynamic point of view. The significance of dimensionless groups (the Deborah number, the Weisenberg numbers, and the viscoelastic ratio number), consisting of rheological and kinematic parameters, is discussed for scaling from prototype to production calendering. Correlation of experimental data obtained by using laboratory and production calenders is presented, and the scaling criteria obtained from the theory are examined. The onset of unstable flow, which causes non-uniform internal strain patterns (nerve) in calendered sheeting, is discussed in terms of the Weisenberg number. Good and poor calendering regions for a polymer are discussed qualitatively by using a dynamic response diagram, and the importance of the overall calendering conditions on the final sheeting quality is discussed.
Light emitting diodes based on carbon dots derived from food, beverage, and combustion wastes

One important resource for material synthesis is waste. Utilization of waste as a resource for material synthesis is an environmentally responsible approach that reduces the need for virgin resources and subsequent processing. In this report a method to produce multicolored, luminescent carbon dots (CDs) and subsequent fabrication of light emitting diodes from food, beverage, and combustion wastes, is discussed. Apart from food and beverages, combustion exhaust was also utilized for CDs production. Optical characterization results suggest that CDs from waste food and beverages are more luminescent than those produced from combustion waste.
Elucidation of hepatitis C virus transmission and early diversification by single genome sequencing.

A precise molecular identification of transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomes could illuminate key aspects of transmission biology, immunopathogenesis and natural history. We used single genome sequencing of 2,922 half or quarter genomes from plasma viral RNA to identify transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses in 17 subjects with acute community-acquired HCV infection. Sequences from 13 of 17 acute subjects, but none of 14 chronic controls, exhibited one or more discrete low diversity viral lineages. Sequences within each lineage generally revealed a star-like phylogeny of mutations that coalesced to unambiguous T/F viral genomes. Numbers of transmitted viruses leading to productive clinical infection were estimated to range from 1 to 37 or more (median=4). Four acutely infected subjects showed a distinctly different pattern of virus diversity that deviated from a star-like phylogeny. In these cases, empirical analysis and mathematical modeling suggested high multiplicity virus transmission from individuals who themselves were acutely infected or had experienced a virus population bottleneck due to antiviral drug therapy. These results provide new quantitative and qualitative insights into HCV transmission, revealing for the first time virus-host interactions that successful vaccines or treatment interventions will need to overcome. Our findings further suggest a novel experimental strategy for identifying full-length T/F genomes for proteome-wide analyses of HCV biology and adaptation to antiviral drug or immune pressures.
A Cerebellar-Vestibular Explanation for Fears/Phobias: Hypothesis and Study

To clarify and test the cerebellar-vestibular (CV) basis of fears/phobias, responses of 4000 learning disabled children, adolescents, and adults with neurological and electronystagmographic (ENG) evidence of CV-dysfunction were analyzed for anxiety-related symptoms. Of this sample, 64.6% indicated fears/phobias; females were significantly more predisposed; mixed-handedness was significantly related to fears of heights and reduced vestibular response or asymmetric vestibular functioning. Also, adults had a higher incidence of the specific fears/phobias characterizing agoraphobia than children and adolescents. Analysis of factors reported as triggering the fears/phobias led to (1) a classification and theory of fears/phobias, obsessions/compulsions, and related anxiety symptoms based on realistic or traumatic, neurotic, and CV- or other CNS-based mechanisms rather than on DSM-III--R surface descriptions; (2) an understanding of the relationships between mitral valve prolapse, agoraphobia and panic episodes, as well as depression; and (3) new insights into differential diagnosis and selective treatment.
Anionic polysulfone ionomers and membranes containing fluorenyl groups for anionic fuel cells

Abstract Poly(arylene ether sulfone) ionomers containing fluorenyl groups and functionalized with benzyltrimethylammonium groups were synthesized through polycondensation, chloromethylation, and amination reactions. The resulting polymers were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR and TGA. Polymer membranes were solvent cast from DMF on Teflon plates to form clear, flexible anion exchange membranes (AEMs). Carbonate anions had conductivities in the AEMs up to 63.12 mS cm−1 at 70 °C and were used in a carbonate fuel cell. The membranes were stable in 1 M carbonate solution (pH 11). However, conductivity loss was observed during soaking in 1 M hydroxide solution (pH > 14) at 50 °C. A carbonate fuel cell operating at room temperature with H2 at the anode and O2 and CO2 at the cathode had a maximum power density of 4.1 mW cm−2.
Active Control of Sound Transmission throughWindows with Carbon Nanotube based Transparent Actuators and Moving Noise Source Identification

This paper explores the development of active sound transmission control systems for windows to achieve significant reduction in noise transmission. Several fundamental challenges need to be addressed in order to make the development of such noise blocking windows feasible. These include the need for a distributed actuation system that is optically transparent and the unavailability of a real-time reference signal that can be used by the active control system to provide advance information on the noise affecting the window. In this paper, a transparent thin film actuator (speaker) is developed for the control system, which consists of a piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) thin film coated with compliant carbon nanotube based transparent conductors on both sides. The developed thin film speaker shows excellent acoustic response over a broadband frequency range, and has the advantages of being flexible, transparent, extremely thin, and lightweight. To provide a time-advanced reference signal for the feedforward controller from a moving noise source, a small microphone array distributed around the home is used. A new noise source identification algorithm is employed, by which an appropriate set of microphones from the array can be chosen to provide a reference signal. Experimental results show that over 12 dB reduction in sound transmission can be achieved globally, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the control system in blocking sound transmission
Transistor Sizing for Load Balance of Multiple Paths in Dynamic CMOS for Timing Optimization

Due to the increased importance of speed on microprocessor circuits, the complexity in transistor sizing for timing optimization increases due to channel-connected transistors on various paths of the design. In this paper, an efficient approach to transistor sizing of dynamic CMOS circuits for timing optimization while considering the load balance of multiple paths, named LBMP, is proposed. The iterative optimization algorithm is a deterministic approach and illustrated first by a 2-b weighted binary-to-thermometric converter (BTC), of which the critical path is optimized from an initial delay of 287.57 ps to an optimal delay of 161.37 ps which accounts for a 43.9% delay improvement. Then by a 64-b adder partitioned to a mixed dynamic-static style, the critical path is optimized to 686.11 ps and the power delay product is optimized to 91.6ps