cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design Considerations for Collapsible Soils

Metastable or collapsible soils are defined as any unsaturated soil that goes through a radical rearrangement of particles and great loss of volume upon wetting, with or without additional loading. The existing types of collapsible soils and theories developed to explain collapse phenomenon are reviewed, as are the methods of recognizing collapsible soils in the field and laboratory. Prediction techniques for the magnitude of collapse are presented and summarized; current foundation design methods on collapsible soils are explored. Finally, present methods for the stabilization of collapsible soils and possible future methods of treatment are reviewed.
A Platform for Mechanical Assembly Education Using the Microsoft Kinect

Mechanical assembly activities involve multiple factors including humans, mechanical parts, tools and assembly environments. In order to simulate assembly processes by computers for educational purposes, all these factors should be considered. Virtual reality (VR) technology, which aims to integrate natural human motion into real-world scenarios, provides an ideal simulation medium. Novel VR devices such as 3D glasses, motion-tracking gloves, haptic sensors, etc. are able to fulfill fundamental assembly simulation needs. However, most of these implementations focus on assembly simulations for computer-aided design, which are geared toward professionals rather than students, thus leading to complicated assembly procedures not suitable for students. Furthermore, the costs of these novel VR devices and specifically designed VR platforms represent an untenable financial burden for most educational institutions.In this paper, a virtual platform for mechanical assembly education based on the Microsoft Kinect sensor and Garry’s Mod (GMod) is presented. With the help of the Kinect’s body tracking function and voice recognition technology in conjunction with the graphics and physics simulation capabilities of GMod, a low-cost VR platform that enables educators to author their own assembly simulations was implemented. This platform utilizes the Kinect as the sole input device. Students can use voice commands to navigate their avatars inside of a GMod powered virtual laboratory as well as use their body’s motions to integrate pre-defined mechanical parts into assemblies. Under this platform, assembly procedures involving the picking, placing and attaching of parts can be performed collaboratively by multiple users. In addition, the platform allows collaborative learning without the need for the learners to be co-located. A pilot study for this platform showed that, with the instructor’s assistance, mechanical engineering undergraduate students are able to complete basic assembly operations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
MicroRNA and Erythroid Differentiation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate diverse cellular functions by acting as sequence-specific regulators of gene expression. We have investigated miRNA expression profiles in erythroid cells at different stages of maturation and the regulation of erythroid differentiation by specific miRNAs. We found that more than one hundred miRNAs were expressed in erythroid cells. The majority of them showed changes in their expression levels during erythroid differentiation. Further analysis revealed that the overall miRNA expression levels are increased in more mature erythroid cells compared with less mature erythroid cells. Among the miRNAs that are expressed in erythroid cells, miR-451 was most significantly upregulated during erythroid maturation. Functional studies using gain of function and loss of function approaches showed that miR-451 is associated with both human and mouse erythroid maturation. In conclusion, dynamic changes in miRNA expression occurred during erythroid differentiation, with an overall increase in the levels of miRNAs upon terminal differentiation of erythroid cells. MiR-451 may play a role in promoting erythroid differentiation.
Endocytic Selective Toxicity of Rhodamine 6G nanoGUMBOS in Breast Cancer Cells.

Herein, we report on the role of endocytosis in the selective chemotherpeutic toxicity of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) based nanomaterials, i.e. nanoGUMBOS, that are derived from a Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS). Evaluation of cellular uptake in the presence and absence of endocytosis inhibitors suggests nanoGUMBOS internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis in cancer cells and reveals lack of endocytic internalization in normal cells. Results from characterization of these nanomaterials suggest that endocytic internalization in cancer cells leads to nanoGUMBOS dissociation within the endosomal environment. This ultimately results in selective cytotoxicity of the nanoGUMBOS for cancer cells with no toxicity towards normal cells under examined conditions. Following examination of the selectivity mechanism, in vivo investigations were performed to examine potential therapeutic properties of these nanoparticles. Remarkably, nanoGUMBOS treatment using a mouse xenograft model reduced th...
Glucagon: secretion and actions.

The role of glucagon in normal glucose homeostasis and the potential contribution of this hormone to the genesis and maintenance of the hyperglycemia and ketonemia of diabetes mellitus have been the focus of extensive investigation in the past decade. Recent studies have affirmed the participation and importance of glucagon in the control of hepatic glucose output (Bomboy, Jr., Lewis, Sinclair-Smith, Lacy, and Liljenquist, 1977a; Bomboy, Lewis, Lacy, Sinclair-Smith, and Liljenquist, 1977b; Chiasson, Liljenquist, Jennings, Keller, and Lacy, 1976; Felig, Wahren, and Hendler, 1976a), but at the same time challenged its significance for the genesis of the metabolic abnormalities of diabetes (Felig et al., 1976b). Two major tools have enabled the performance of these studies. The first is the availability of radioimmunoassay procedures utilizing antisera with a high degree of “specificity” for so-called pancreatic glucagon (Sperling, DeLamater, Kazenelson, Fiser, and Fisher, 1974). The second is the availability of somatostatin (SRIF), the tetradecapeptide which inhibits the secretion of a number of hormones including insulin and glucagon (Vale, Brazeau, Rivier, Brown, Boss, Rivier, Burgus, Ling, and Guillemin, 1975).
Discussion by Michael G. Akritas

Professor Petrosian is to be congratulated for an excellent exposition of the statistical problems and issues concerning the estimation of the luminosity function of flux-limited samples and for unifying the available methods.
The Importance of Vaccination Against Herpes Zoster

In this review, we will discuss herpes zoster, a common, serious, and potentially vision and life-threatening preventable disease. We will also review the two available zoster vaccines and discuss the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations regarding herpes zoster vaccination. The incidence of herpes zoster is increasing, the age of onset is decreasing, and more complications are being reported. The zoster vaccine live (ZVL), which contains a live attenuated virus, has been CDC recommended for immunocompetent adults age 60 years and older since 2008, and FDA approved for immunocompetent adults age 50 years and older since 2011. Under-usage of this vaccine remains a problem. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), which contains a viral antigen in a novel adjuvant, was approved by the FDA in October 2017 for adults age 50 years and older. In January 2018, the CDC recommended this vaccine as preferred for immunocompetent adults age 50 years and older, including those who have received the zoster vaccine live in the past. Now that there are two approved and recommended vaccines against zoster, including a new one requiring a two-shot series that appears more effective, it should be a high priority for physicians, including primary care doctors, ophthalmologists, and dermatologists, as well as other health care professionals, to increase vaccination rates of adults age 50 years and older against zoster and prevent this painful and potentially devastating disease.
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rapidly progressing erythroderma with studded pustules which typically occurs within 24–48 h of medication exposure and resolves quickly with its cessation.
Investigation on Improvement of Flexural Behavior of Low-Density Cellular Concrete through Fiber Reinforcement for Non-Structural Applications:

During the last decades, cellular lightweight concrete (CLC), or foamed concrete, has been experiencing greater interest in geotechnical, structural, and non-structural applications. The low densit...
Underwater Datalogger for Accurate Position and Location Estmation and Tracking

In this poster, we show the design of an underwater datalogger that can achieve accurate position and location estimation and tracking on the order of centimeters. The prototype of underwater datalogger utilizes a 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a microcontroller, which is housed in a sphere with a diameter of 11 cm. A novel calibration procedure is developed to achieve the accuracy and precision which is of great importance in civil engineering experiments that measure water flow and sediment movement.
The effect of dust storm particles on single human lung cancer cells

Exposure to dust particles during dust storms can lead to respiratory problems, diseases, and even death. The effect of dust particles at the cellular level is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact that dust storm particles (Montmorillonite) have on human lung epithelial cells (A549) at the single cell level. Using live-cell imaging, we continuously followed individual cells after exposure to a wide range of concentrations of dust particles. We monitored the growth trajectory of each cell including number and timing of divisions, interaction with the dust particles, as well as time and mechanism of cell death. We found that individual cells show different cellular fates (survival or death) even in response to the same dust concentration. Cells that died interacted with dust particles for longer times, and engulfed more dust particles, compared with surviving cells. While higher dust concentrations reduced viability in a dose-dependent manner, the effect on cell death was non-monotonic, with intermediate dust concentration leading to a larger fraction of dying cells compared to lower and higher concentrations. This non-monotonic relationship was explained by our findings that high dust concentrations inhibit cell proliferation. Using cellular morphological features, supported by immunoblots and proinflammatory cytokines, we determined that apoptosis is the dominant death mechanism at low dust concentrations, while higher dust concentrations activate necrosis. Similar single cell approaches can serve as a baseline for evaluating other aerosol types that will improve our understanding of the health-related consequences of exposure to dust storms.
Cardiac Rehabilitation for Adults and Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease: EXTENDING BEYOND THE TYPICAL PATIENT POPULATION.

Purpose:Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) effectively decreases morbidity and mortality in adults after cardiovascular events. Cardiac rehabilitation has been underutilized for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). The primary objective was to evaluate the inclusion of adolescents and adults with
Analysis of miRNAs in Two Wheat Cultivars Infected With Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

MicroRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. In this study, we analyzed the small RNA profiles of two cultivars that exhibit different reactions to stripe rust infection: one susceptible, the other partially resistant. Using small RNA libraries prepared from the two wheat cultivars infected with stripe rust fungus (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), we identified 182 previously known miRNAs, 91 variants of known miRNAs, and 163 candidate novel wheat miRNAs. Known miRNA loci were usually copied in all three wheat sub-genomes, whereas novel miRNA loci were often specific to a single sub-genome. DESeq2 analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs revealed 23 miRNAs that exhibit cultivar-specific differences. TA078/miR399b showed cultivar-specific differential regulation in response to infection. Using different target prediction algorithms, 145 miRNAs were predicted to target wheat genes, while 69 miRNAs were predicted to target fungal genes. We also confirmed reciprocal expression of TA078/miR399b and tae-miR9664 and their target genes in different treatments, providing evidence for miRNA-mediated regulation during infection. Both known and novel miRNAs were predicted to target fungal genes, suggesting trans-kingdom regulation of gene expression. Overall, this study contributes to the current repository of wheat miRNAs and provides novel information on the yet-uncharacterized roles for miRNAs in the wheat-stripe rust pathosystem.
A decade of expansion of the invasive plant Carex kobomugi in a coastal foredune system

Many plants show capacity for selective spatial and temporal expansion or foraging despite being sessile. In biogeomorphic coastal foredunes, the plant species that inhabit or colonize an area post-storm will affect habitat stability and thus future storm response. Along the mid-Atlantic US, invasive Asiatic sand sedge (Carex kobomugi) has come to dominate foredunes since its introduction in 1929 at Island Beach State Park, New Jersey. To understand controls on foredune invasive expansion, we mapped stand expanses along 3-km of foredune here since 2008, relative to shifting habitat features such as the location of the foredune crest and denuded areas ripe for colonization. Invasive stands have been laterally expanding from pre-existing stands with temporal variation in stand size and density. Stand area loss only occurred due to Hurricane Sandy, but burial level from Sandy did not impact this. Hurricane Sandy fragmented and destroyed stands, but these stands recovered by coalescing over time, and then expanded further whereby stands that lost more in the storm grew larger over 10 years than those that were eroded less. The invasive sedge shows some directionality in growth, typically expanding, but not consistenly across time, further from the crest which experiences less salt spray. Carex kobomugi also spread more extensively into adjacent vegetation than into bare areas, suggesting that replacement of natives is more likely than colonization of open habitat space. Plants are the foundation of coastal foredune systems. Understanding where invasive species are expanding and the underlying controls on invasion is key to predicting current and future impacts related to climate change and resultant changes in future storm frequency and intensity.
TWELVE – THE DERIVATIVE

Publisher Summary The notion of instantaneous rate of change leads to one of the corner-stones of calculus, the derivative. This chapter discusses some more efficient techniques for computing instantaneous rates of change and slopes of tangents. The procedure for calculating derivatives is sometimes called the difference quotient. The derivative of a constant is zero. There are five rules that simplify the calculation of derivatives: the power rule, the constant times a function rule, the sum and difference rules, the product rule, and the quotient rule. The word marginal is the economist's terminology for rate of change or derivative. Thus, marginal analysis is concerned with the rate at which one economic variable changes relative to another. The three functions of importance to a manufacturer are: the cost function, revenue function, and profit function. In the sum and difference rules, the derivative of a sum is the sum of the derivatives and the derivative of a difference is the difference of the derivatives.
Toward an Understanding of the Development of Skilled Remembering: The Role of Teachers’ Instructional Language:

Although there is a rich literature on children’s strategies for remembering, little attention has been paid to characterizing developmental change within individual children and to examining media...
Real-Time, Direct Classification of Nanopore Signals with SquiggleNet

Abstract Single-molecule sequencers made by Oxford Nanopore provide results in real time as DNA passes through a nanopore and can eject a molecule after it has been partly sequenced. However, the computational challenge of deciding whether to keep or reject a molecule in real time has limited the application of this capability. We present SquiggleNet, the first deep learning model that can classify nanopore reads directly from their electrical signals. SquiggleNet operates faster than the DNA passes through the pore, allowing real-time classification and read ejection. When given the amount of sequencing data generated in one second, the classifier achieves significantly higher accuracy than base calling followed by sequence alignment. Our approach is also faster and requires an order of magnitude less memory than approaches based on alignment. SquiggleNet distinguished human from bacterial DNA with over 90% accuracy across test datasets from different flowcells and sample preparations, generalized to unseen species, and identifies unseen bacterial species in a human respiratory meta genome sample.
Adaptive Feedback Regulator for Powered Lower-Limb Exoskeleton under Model Uncertainty.

This paper presents a neural network (NN) based adaptive feedback regulator to ensure the lateral and longitudinal stability and regulate the desired walking velocity of a lower-limb exoskeleton under model uncertainty. The traditional model-based controllers for lower-limb exoskeletons often fail to stabilize the robot or accurately track the desired behaviors under model uncertainties or external disturbances. This paper proposes a neural network (NN) based online adaptive regulator that compensates for the unknown changes in model parameters and external disturbances by modifying the nominal joint trajectory. A gradient descent-based delta rule is implemented to update the weights of a single layer NN, which can be efficiently performed online by design. We demonstrate the performance of the presented regulator on ATALANTE, a fully actuated lower limb exoskeleton designed for paraplegic patients. The simulation results show that the proposed approach noticeably improves stability and the tracking performance of the system, despite significant changes in model parameters and large adversarial pushes.
Consequences of Piñon-Juniper Woodland Fuel Reduction: Prescribed Fire Increases Soil Erosion While Mastication Does Not

Fire suppression has increased fuel load and the risk of catastrophic wildfire in forest and woodland ecosystems across the Western United States. In an effort to reduce fuel load and restore historical structure and function, land managers have implemented fuel reduction treatments on millions of acres. Reducing fuel loads protects people, structures, and in some cases, improves ecosystem health. However, the ecological risks of soil surface disturbance related to fuel reduction strategies, and subsequent soil erosion, may be significant in some cases. Here, we examined the effects of common fuel reduction strategies (mechanical mastication and two techniques for prescribed burning) on wind and water erosion in two upland pinon-juniper woodlands in SE Utah over 2 years. We also tested the impact of broadcast seeding coupled with fuel reduction as a way to mitigate erosional soil loss. Finally, we analyzed biotic and abiotic predictor variables to evaluate important drivers of soil erosion following fuel treatments. We found that both techniques for prescribed burning—pile burning and broadcast burning—increased wind-related sediment fluxes by an average of 11-fold and 58-fold, respectively. Mastication did not increase wind-related losses over untreated controls. Erosional fluxes measured at silt fences, that captured both wind- and water-driven sediments, followed similar trends with moderate increases from pile burning (fivefold) but larger increases from broadcast burning (17-fold). Seeding did not affect erosion rates. Our results suggest that prescribed fire significantly increases soil erosion in fuel-treated pinon-juniper woodlands and may be a degradation pathway when implementing treatments.
Commercial virtual reality displays: Issues of performance and simulator sickness from exocentric depth-perception tasks

Abstract Issues in both depth-perception performance and simulator-sickness effects may hinder future applications of virtual reality. Applications for depth perception are varied, including military, sports, and architecture domains. The purpose of this study is to compare different commercial-off-the-shelf head-mounted displays and their content, through depth-perception tasks. We also investigate simulator sickness profiles to promote further risk mitigation in such displays. Specifically, the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift Consumer Version 1 were examined in between-groups and within-groups designs, with both head-mounted displays supplying the same exocentric depth-perception tasks across three virtual environments of increasing ecological complexity. Depth-perception performance was measured objectively and simulator sickness was measured subjectively via questionnaire. Results, analyzed using non-parametric statistics, indicated significant differences for performance and simulator sickness, for both between- and within-groups studies. Although distance changes were detected equally between displays, a tradeoff occurred where the Vive had better distance classification, but the Rift had shorter time duration. Hardware issues are considered for performance differences. For post-test simulator sickness, Vive and Rift only differed in terms of fatigue, an oculomotor-based issue with probable user-avoidance strategies; the difference may relate to latency. Performance within Rift and Vive only partially showed a benefit for high-realism scenarios, yet both displays provide distinct scenario-change baselines for personnel selection. Simulator sickness for both devices showed Oculomotor subscale increases in pre-to-post test questionnaire scores, with the Vive having an additional increase in Total scores. The latter Oculomotor increase may be driven by blur. In respect to the observations, multiple factors exist for selection, including performance and simulator sickness tradeoffs.
Foreign Body Ingestion in Neurologically Impaired Children: A Challenging Diagnosis and Management in Pediatric Surgery.

Children with intellectual disability/neurodevelopmental delay (ID-ND) commonly ingest foreign bodies (FB) and often present complications due to peculiar aspects of their condition. The aim of this paper is to report the experience of two centers in the management of ID-ND patients after FB ingestion and to discuss a possible algorithm for clinical practice. We retrospectively evaluated data of patients managed for FB ingestion (period: 2017–2021), focusing on those with ID-ND, specifically demographics and baseline diagnosis, elements related to the event, symptoms, time to endoscopy, FB location, endoscopic details, and follow-up. A total of 457 patients were managed in the study period and 19 had ID-ND (mean age 9.8 ± 3.5 years, 15 males). A total of 16/19 (84.2%) were symptomatic and required an operative approach. Recurrent ingestions and multiple FB were found in 2 and 11 patients, respectively. Endoscopy (mean time 65.6 ± 41 min) was effective in 14 cases (73.6%) and 6 patients (31.6%) developed a complication. FB ingestion in ID-ND patients represents a challenging condition for the clinician and a potentially dangerous situation. It should be addressed specifically by a multidisciplinary team considering a tailored diagnostic and management protocol.
Politics and Aesthetics in Contemporary Native American Literature: Across Every Border

Introduction. 1. "In the Living Margin": Cosmopolitanism, Internationalism, and Native American Literature" 2. Native American Literature at the Political Turn: The Emergence of Literary Nationalism 3. Politics, Style, and the Silko-Erdrich Controversy, Reappraised 4. Sherman Alexie and the Politics of Literary Value 5. From Navajo Silverwork to Iron Maiden: The Changing Status of Culture in Contemporary Native American Literature and Richard Van Camp's The Lesser Blessed
Surface Metal-Oxide-Silicon-Oxide-Metal Picosecond Photodetector

Recently there has been increased effort on the development of high speed photodetectors with ultimate response time down to the picosecond range. We have recently implemented a metaloxide-silicon-oxide-metal junction photodetector having a surface structure as shown diagrammatically in Figure la [1]. The device has a relatively large circular optically sensitive area. A dark current of less than 1 nA at under 20 V bias, and a responsivity of the order 1/2 mA/mW at the cw He-Ne laser wavelength (6328 A) has been observed. The device has a fast response time with a rise and fall time of about 50 psec.
Ultrafast synchronous all-optical time division multiplexing system demonstration

We present a synchronous optical time division multiplexing system capable of fully loaded packet transmission. Novel slot architecture provides network-wide self-synchronization and novel system architecture provides enhanced network reliability. We demonstrate receiver functionality with multilayered interdependent all-optical logic.
Supporting time-critical clients in scalable pub-sub systems

In a pub/sub (publish/subscribe) environment like JBI (Joint Battlespace Infosphere), information/data has to be efficiently and reliably transmitted between servers and clients. However, due to various reasons such as unexpected network traffic, hardware/software failure, etc., the overlay network of the system needs to be reconfigured, thus intolerable service interruption may occur to time critical applications. This paper proposed theoretical methods for providing temporary respite to the time-critical clients while the backbone network is under repair.
Biotination of proteins in vivo. A post-translational modification to label, purify, and study proteins

Post-translational modification of proteins with biotin provides the means to specifically label proteins in vivo and to purify proteins from crude cell lysates. The carboxyl-terminal protein segments modified by reaction with biotin ligase are strongly conserved in nature. We have demonstrated that the proteins encoded by translational gene fusions of a number of heterologous proteins to these carboxyl-terminal sequences become biotinated in vivo. The minimum size of the protein segment needed to allow biotination of fusion proteins is 75 amino acids. This biotination sequence, although of bacterial origin, functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in Escherichia coli. Fusion proteins are readily labeled with [3H]biotin in vivo and the labeling is highly specific due to the scarcity (less than 5) of biotinated protein species. Biotinated fusion proteins can be readily purified in native form by binding to columns of monomeric avidin followed by elution with buffers containing biotin. Alternatively, proteins can be purified in a denatured form in presence of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate or 8 M urea. Thus, this technology allows purification by affinity chromatography of any protein to which a biotination sequence can be attached. The ability to specifically label a protein in vivo should have utility in studies such as intracellular protein trafficking and cytoskeletonal dynamics.
Acoustic neuroma in the last months of pregnancy

Abstract Six previously unreported examples of women with symptoms of acoustic neuroma occurring in pregnancy and two already in the literature are described. Seven of these women noted onset of significant worsening of symptoms in the last months of pregnancy. In no instance was acoustic neuroma diagnosed or even suspected before delivery. The association between acoustic neuroma symptoms and late pregnancy may be due to one or more of the hormonal changes at this time. Whatever the cause, it does not seem to exert its effect in every pregnancy since a number of women with this slow-growing tumor had subsequent pregnancies without further change in their symptoms.
The effects of thermal annealing on fracture toughness of low upper-shelf welds

Experimental results are presented from a study of the effects of thermal annealing on recovery of fracture toughness of low upper-shelf submerged-arc welds (weld designations 61W through 67W) from the Heavy-Section Steel Irradiation (HSSI) Program Second and Third Irradiation Series. Most of the study was conducted to evaluate the effects of annealing on the J-R curves of the submerged-arc welds. The recovery of fracture toughness in the transition range as the result of annealing was studied for welds 63W, 64, and 65W only. Compact specimens of 12.7- and 20.3-mm-thick (0.5T and 0.8T, respectively) were tested in this study. The specimens had been previously irradiated at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Bulk Shielding Reactor. Each weld was irradiated to a certain value of neutron fluence in the range from 0.4 to 1.3 {times} 10{sup 19} neutrons/cm{sup 2} (> 1 MeV) in the average temperature range of 275 to 300 C. Annealing of the irradiated specimens was done at 454 C for 168 h. Fracture toughness tests were performed at temperatures selected to match those of the previously conducted unirradiated and irradiated tests.
Relapse Prevention: Evidence Base and Future Directions

Publisher Summary The core component of relapse prevention interventions is the assessment of high-risk situations for relapse and the client's ability to cope with high-risk situations. If coping deficits are recognized, then the therapist incorporates coping skills training and addresses the issue of client self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is a client's belief in his/her ability to maintain abstinence or some other goal (e.g., moderate drinking), and low self-efficacy has been shown to be a consistent predictor of relapse. The collaboration between client and therapist can play a critical role in increasing self-efficacy. Relapse prevention practitioners attempt to engage the client in the therapeutic process, thereby increasing the client's sense of ownership of a successful therapy outcome. Providing positive feedback to the client regarding successful completion of homework and related tasks during therapy can help increase a sense of self-efficacy overall, which can further motivate clients to believe in their ability to maintain treatment gains.
Accepting Regional Zero: Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, U.S. Nonproliferation Policy and Global Security, 1957–1968

Nuclear weapon free zones (NWFZs) were an important development in the history of nuclear nonproliferation efforts. From 1957 through 1968, when the Treaty of Tlatelolco was signed, the United States struggled to develop a policy toward NWFZs in response to efforts around the world to create these zones, including in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Many within the U.S. government initially rejected the idea of NWFZs, viewing them as a threat to U.S. nuclear strategy. However, over time, a preponderance of officials came to see the zones as advantageous, at least in certain areas of the world, particularly Latin America. Still, U.S. policy pertaining to this issue remained conservative and reactive, reflecting the generally higher priority given to security policy than to nuclear nonproliferation.
Clinical Aspects of Disorders of the Urea Cycle

SYMPTOMS All of the defects of the urea cycle may result in the accumulation of ammonia. This is manifested clinically by episodes of vomiting, lethargy, seizures, coma, and ultimately in death if the hyperammonemia is not controlled. In older children these symptoms may be preceded by a period of irritability and hyperactivity. It has usually been considered that the severity of the hyperammonemia depends on the site of the block; the nearer it is to ammonia, the greater the accumulation. There are, however, exceptions, as hyperammonemia leading to neonatal death has been observed in arginino-succinate lyase deficiency,39,40 the fourth step in the cycle. Death due to hyperammonemia has been observed in all the defects except arginase deficiency.41-43 There are variations in the severity of the clinical course of all of these syndromes; the exact reason for this has not been ascertained, although it is quite possible that this is related to the degree of residual enzyme activity. Thus, carbamylphosphate synthetase deficiency has been associated both with death in the newborn period or survival without specific treatment but with physical and mental retardation for a number of years.42-44 The clinical features of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency have been the most completely described.45,46 As this anomaly is inherited as a sexlinked dominant, males are most severely affected, and neonatal death has been almost universal.13 Males who have survived without the most vigorous treatment have had a variant of the disease,47,48 the enzyme having different kinetic properties. Females who have various degrees of residual enzyme activity usually do not manifest symptoms until sometime after the neonatal period, often in response to some stress.
High resolution computed tomography of the cadaveric sternoclavicular joint: findings in degenerative joint disease.

Abstract High resolution, narrow collimation, axial computed tomography of the stern oclavicular joint was used to describe changes secondary to degenerative joint disease in 32 cadaveric specimens. The distribution and pattern of sclerosis, cystic changes, and osteophyte formation in the axial plane were well demonstrated using this technique. Joint space narrowing was sometimes difficult to assess. Subtle joint space calcification was exquisitely demonstrated using computed tomography. Clavicular head cupping, an anatomic variant, may predispose to more severe degenerative change. Computed tomography is an excellent means to analyze the sternoclavicular joint for the presence of degenerative joint disease and may be the imaging modality of choice in assessing articular disorders of the sternoclavicular joint.
Reflected fluxes for broken clouds over a Lambertian surface

Reflected fluxes are calculated for broken cloudiness (i.e., nonplane parallel) as a function of cloud cover, cloud optical depth, solar zenith angle and surface albedo. These calculations extend previous results for broken cloud reflected fluxes over a black surface. The present study demonstrates that not only radiances but also radiative fluxes over high albedo surfaces may be decreased by the presence of broken cloudiness. Conventional wisdom states that cloud radiances (brightnesses) are always greater than the background. While most cloud retrieval schemes are built around this assumption, it is incorrect for clouds over high albedo surfaces such as found in polar regions. However, the most startling and counterintuitive conclusion of this study is that nonabsorbing finite clouds over a highly reflecting surface will decrease the system albedo. As a result, surface absorption is increased, the result of multiple scattering between surface and cloud layer, controlled by cloud morphology and cloud optical thickness. A simple parameterization of the effects of cloud contamination upon retrieved albedo is given in terms of solar zenith angle, cloud optical depth, surface albedo, cloud cover, and plane-parallel cloud albedo. In this way, the effects of broken cloudiness are modeled in terms of easily computed plane-parallel values.
Incorporating Spatial Dependence into Estimates of Soil Carbon Contents under Different Land Covers

Soil C sequestration is a potential method to reduce increasing atmospheric concentrations of CO 2 , a greenhouse gas. Soil C represents a significant portion of total C in a landscape, although spatial variation can complicate predictions of soil C contents and its change, particularly for C sequestration projects. Quantifying spatial variability for different landscapes may allow adjustment of sampling intensities to improve estimation efficiency, thus facilitating change detection. This study used semivariogram analysis to quantify spatial autocorrelation of soil C concentrations and contents across distances of 10 to 100 m in two 1-ha pine, hardwood, and pasture sites in the Georgia Piedmont USA. We hypothesized that land cover could help predict spatial autocorrelation and that spatial dependence would exist at greater distances in pasture than pine or hardwood. Average (±1 SD) major range was smaller for pasture total soil C (65 ± 48 m) than pine (77 ± 31 m) or hardwood (81 ± 25 m), which did not support our hypothesis. Two forested plots demonstrated major ranges of 98.8 m, indicating that spatial dependence probably occurred at a scale greater than our plots. Spatial structure was weak to moderate with nugget/sill ratios > 0.30 in all plots. Average C contents in 0 to 7.5 cm based on 64 point samples per plot were 29.9 ± 0.0, 19.8 ± 1.2, and 19.4 ± 4.0 Mg ha -1 for hardwood, pine, and pasture plots (n = 2), respectively. Kriged predictions estimated average C contents of 29.6 ± 0.4, 20.2 ± 0.9, and 19.5 ± 4.1 Mg ha -1 , respectively. Incorporating spatial dependence can limit sampling redundancy and improve precision, but only where spatial structure is sufficiently strong.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis Proliferation Begins with NtrY/NtrX and PutA/GlnA Upregulation and CtrA Degradation Induced by Proline and Glutamine Uptake

ABSTRACT How the obligatory intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis begins to replicate upon entry into human monocytes is poorly understood. Here, we examined the potential role of amino acids in initiating intracellular replication. PutA converts proline to glutamate, and GlnA converts glutamate to glutamine. E. chaffeensis PutA and GlnA complemented Escherichia coli putA and glnA mutants. Methionine sulfoximine, a glutamine synthetase inhibitor, inhibited E. chaffeensis GlnA activity and E. chaffeensis infection of human cells. Incubation of E. chaffeensis with human cells rapidly induced putA and glnA expression that peaked at 24 h postincubation. E. chaffeensis took up proline and glutamine but not glutamate. Pretreatment of E. chaffeensis with a proline transporter inhibitor (protamine), a glutamine transporter inhibitor (histidine), or proline analogs inhibited E. chaffeensis infection, whereas pretreatment with proline or glutamine enhanced infection and upregulated putA and glnA faster than no treatment or glutamate pretreatment. The temporal response of putA and glnA expression was similar to that of NtrY and NtrX, a two-component system, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed specific binding of recombinant E. chaffeensis NtrX (rNtrX) to the promoter regions of E. chaffeensis putA and glnA . Furthermore, rNtrX transactivated E. chaffeensis putA and glnA promoter- lacZ fusions in E. coli. Growth-promoting activities of proline and glutamine were also accompanied by rapid degradation of the DNA-binding protein CtrA. Our results suggest that proline and glutamine uptake regulates putA and glnA expression through NtrY/NtrX and facilitates degradation of CtrA to initiate a new cycle of E. chaffeensis growth. IMPORTANCE Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is one of the most prevalent, life-threatening emerging infectious zoonoses in the United States. HME is caused by infection with E. chaffeensis , an obligatory intracellular bacterium in the order Rickettsiales , which includes several category B/C pathogens, such as those causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever and epidemic typhus. The limited understanding of the mechanisms that control bacterial growth within eukaryotic cells continues to impede the identification of new therapeutic targets against rickettsial diseases. Extracellular rickettsia cannot replicate, but rickettsial replication ensues upon entry into eukaryotic host cells. Our findings will provide insights into a novel mechanism of the two-component system that regulates E. chaffeensis growth initiation in human monocytes. The result is also important because little is known about the NtrY/NtrX two-component system in any bacteria, let alone obligatory intracellular bacteria. Our findings will advance the field’s current conceptual paradigm on regulation of obligatory intracellular nutrition, metabolism, and growth.
An Investigation of the Formability of Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composite Sheets

An experimental and analytical investigation was undertaken to improve understanding of the form of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheets. The materials tested contained 30 percent by weight of glass fibers in a polypropylene matrix, with the fibers approximately randomly oriented in the plane of sheet. The forming tests covered a range of forming temperatures between the glass transition temperature and the melting point of the polypropylene matrix. The testing geometry was that of a Swift flat-bottomed cup test, which primarily tests bending and drawing behavior of the sheet. An analysis of the process was developed in terms of a continuum model of material behavior with normal anisotropy and rotational symmetry. Results of the forming tests are compared with analytical predictions. Limitations of both the form of the material and the modeling approach are discussed.
Higher balloon dilatation pressure in coronary angioplasty

Abstract The advent of improved balloon catheters for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 1981 extended the theoretic pressure range available for dilatation from 7 atm to 13 atm. The impact of higher dilatation pressure on results of PTCA was studied. The last 100 consecutive patients treated exclusively with the old balloon type (low-pressure group) were compared to the first 100 consecutive patients treated exclusively with the new balloon type (high-pressure group). There was no difference in age, sex, artery distribution, initial degree of stenosis, and initial pressure gradient between the two groups. The mean peak pressure applied was 7.0 ± 1.6 atm in the low-pressure group and 8.5 ± 2.1 atm in the high-pressure group ( p p
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Initial short-term experience

Abstract Objectives To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a laparoscopic approach to the radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Methods A transperitoneal laparoscopic technique was developed to perform an RRP. Intra-abdominal access was obtained through five 10-mm trocars. After dissection of the prostate, the urethrovesical anastomosis was created via a transvesical approach. The prostate was removed by extending the umbilical incision. Results Between September 1991 and May 1995, nine laparoscopic RRPs were performed. The operative time averaged 9.4 hours. Only 1 of 9 patients had a positive surgical margin that involved the urethra. Six of 9 patients were completely continent postoperatively. Of the 4 patients who were potent preoperatively, 2 continued to have erections. There were three complications: cholecystitis, thrombophlebitis associated with a pulmonary embolism, and a small bowel hernia into a trocar site. Conclusions Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is feasible but currently offers no advantage over open surgery with regard to tumor removal, continence, potency, length of stay, convalescence, and cosmetic result.
Productivity characteristics of high-performing commercial swine breeding farms.

OBJECTIVE To determine productivity characteristics of high-performing swine breeding herds in the United States and to determine associations among number of litters per mated female per year (LMFY), number of pigs weaned per sow (PWS), and lactation duration. DESIGN Cohort study. SAMPLE POPULATION 1997 productivity records for 685 herds. PROCEDURE Herds were ranked on the basis of number of pigs weaned per mated female per year, and herds in the upper 10th percentile of this ranking were designated as high-performing herds. Productivity measurements for these herds were compared with values for the remaining herds. RESULTS High-performing herds had shorter lactation durations and higher mean breeding female inventories than did the remaining herds. High-performing herds also had better reproductive efficiency and used farrowing facilities more efficiently than did the remaining herds. For the high-performing herds, lactation duration was significantly associated with PWS but was not significantly associated with LMFY. In contrast, for the remaining herds, lactation duration was not significantly associated with PWS but was significantly associated with LMFY. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that high-performing commercial swine farms could increase PWS by improving preweaning mortality rate and number of pigs born alive, but that LMFY was already maximal. For other herds, however, shortening lactation duration would likely decrease farrowing interval and improve efficiency of the reproductive cycle without reducing litter size.
Unrestrained mammalian target of rapamycin complexes 1 and 2 increase expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 to regulate phosphorylation of Akt kinase.

Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) function to block growth factor-induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and are mutated in autosomal dominant hamartoma syndromes. mTOR binds to a spectrum of common and different proteins to form TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TORC2, which regulate cell growth, division, and metabolism. TSC2 deficiency induces constitutive activation of mTOR, leading to a state of insulin resistance due to a negative feedback regulation, resulting in reduced Akt phosphorylation. We have recently described an alternative mechanism showing that in TSC2 deficiency, enhanced PTEN expression contributes to reduced Akt phosphorylation. To explore the mechanism of PTEN regulation, we used rapamycin and constitutively active mTOR to show that TORC1 increases the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein. We found that in TSC2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts expression of a kinase-dead mutant of mTOR, which inhibits both TORC1 and TORC2, decreases the expression of PTEN via transcriptional mechanism. Furthermore, kinase-dead mTOR increased and decreased phosphorylation of Akt at catalytic loop site Thr-308 and hydrophobic motif site Ser-473, respectively. Moreover, inhibition of deregulated TORC1 in TSC2-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts or in 293 cells by down-regulation of raptor decreased the levels of the transcription factor Hif1α and blocked PTEN expression, resulting in enhanced phosphorylation of Akt at Thr-308 and Ser-473. Finally, knockdown of rictor or mSin1 attenuated the expression of Hif1α, which decreased transcription of PTEN. These results unravel a previously unrecognized cell-autonomous function of TORC1 and TORC2 in the up-regulation of PTEN, which prevents phosphorylation of Akt and may shield against the development of malignancy in TSC patients.
Periodicity properties on partial words

The concept of periodicity has played over the years a central role in the development of combinatorics on words and has been a highly valuable tool for the design and analysis of algorithms. Fine and Wilf's famous periodicity result, which is one of the most used and known results on words, has extensions to partial words, or sequences that may have a number of ''do not know'' symbols. These extensions fall into two categories: the ones that relate to strong periodicity and the ones that relate to weak periodicity. In this paper, we obtain consequences by generalizing, in particular, the combinatorial property that ''for any word u over {a, b}, ua or ub is primitive,'' which proves in some sense that there exist very many primitive partial words.