cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bronchial anastomosis with a tissue adhesive

Air leakage and necrotic degeneration may occur after bronchial anastomosis and can lead to death from secondary pneumothorax and pneumonia. We studied the ability of a new tissue adhesive (N-butyl-cyanoacrylate monomer) to enforce the bronchial suture line. The left main bronchus in each of five pigs in Group A was completely transected and closed by four stitches and tissue adhesive. The transected left main bronchus in each of the other five pigs in Group B was connected with 11 to 14 interrupted polyglycolic acid 3-0 sutures. The time required for reconstruction was 10 ± 3.6 minutes in Group A and 25.0 ± 6.5 minutes in Group B. No symptoms of a constricted airway were apparent in Group A. All pigs were examined at an interval of from 5 to 8 weeks after operation. Evidence of infection at the bronchus appeared in three animals: two in Group A and one in Group B. One instance of air leakage at the anastomosis occurred in Group B. We measured the maximum tensile strength of the bronchial suture line by means of an electromechanical testing machine comparing the tensile strength of the treated left bronchus with that of the control right bronchus. The maximum tension of the treated bronchus in Group A was 10.3 ± 1.52 (pounds) and that of control was 8.0 ± 1.56 (pounds) (p
(τ, L) Maintenance Policy of Cold-Standby System Under Reliability Constraints

In the view of maintenance plan, the work cycle is divided into two periods, namely normal maintenance period and idle period. During the normal maintenance period, the using unit isn’t maintained or replaced until it fails or PM time arrives. If the acting unit work time come idle period from normal maintenance period, the reliability requirement of acting unit is reduced. Acting unit work until it fails or its maximum permitted life arrives, then it is idle until overhaul time arrive. A numerical sample is illustrated and its process of work cycle is simulated by Monte Carle Simulation. It is concluded that the two stages maintenance policy in work cycle cuts down the maintenance times at the same time assures reliability level.
Models of Pneumonia in Ethanol-treated Rats

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on models of pneumonia in ethanol-treated rats. Studies of the effects of chronic alcoholism are accomplished primarily by removing the rats' normal supply of food and water and replacing it with a totally liquid diet in which ethanol is incorporated. To control for nutritional deficiencies introduced by the rats' natural aversion to ethanol, a pair-feeding system is used, in which control animals are fed an equivalent amount of liquid diet with the ethanol calories replaced by carbohydrates. This feeding method is typically administered for 1–16 weeks before pneumonia is established by transtracheal infection of the animals. To test the effects of acute alcohol intoxication, ethanol is administered 30 minutes before infection, either by intraperitoneal injection of 20% ethanol at 5.5 g/kg or by gastric lavage of 6 g/kg ethanol. Pneumonia is induced by transtracheal instillation of bacteria. The rats are anesthetized in an ether jar until unconscious. The neck area is disinfected with 70% ethanol, and a small incision is made in the skin overlying the trachea. The trachea is exposed by blunt dissection with forceps, and a 20G catheter is inserted into the mainstem bronchus. The rat then is placed in an upright position and S. pneumoniae organisms, suspended in 0.3 ml of PBS, are injected into the lungs with a 1 cc syringe. This is followed by injection of 0.3 ml of air to simulate aspiration. After removal of the catheter and the nose cone, the wound is closed with two wound clips and the rat is maintained in an inclined position until fully conscious. The rats tolerate this procedure well and do not require analgesics, as they resume normal activity, including eating, within a short time after infection.
Typical Hus: Evidence of Acute Phase Complement Activation from a Daycare Outbreak

The clinical manifestations of typical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) encompass a wide spectrum. Despite the potentially severe sequelae from this syndrome, treatment approaches remain supportive. We present the clinical course of a child who contracted Shiga toxinpositive E. coli (STEC) from a daycare center during an outbreak. Utilizing the modified Ham test which is a rapid, serum-based functional assay used to detect activation of the alternative pathway of complement as observed in atypical HUS, patient sera revealed evidence of increased complement activation in the acute phase of the syndrome but not after resolution. Further, this complement activation was attenuated by eculizumab in vitro, an effect that was replicated in vitro utilizing Shiga toxin as a stimulus of complement activation in normal serum. Our report suggests that complement blockade may be effective in the treatment of STEC-HUS when initiated early in the disease. Given the epidemic nature of the disease that limits the feasibility of randomized clinical trials, further studies are needed to determine the value of early eculizumab treatment in STEC-HUS.
Technology for Molecular Cloning of Fungal Virulence Genes

One approach to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of fungal pathogenicity is to clone the genes involved so that their physical structures, metabolic functions, and mechanisms of regulation can be analyzed both in vivo and in vitro. Before this goal can be achieved, molecular technology specific for filamentous fungi must be developed. An essential component of such technology is a transformation system based on a gene that is selectable in fungal pathogens. We have identified two genes that are attractive as selectable markers for genetically undeveloped fungi because they can be used to transform wild type cells, thereby eliminating the need for particular mutants and their complementary genes. In addition, we have shown that a fungal virulence gene can be cloned and expressed in a heterologous fungal host.
Decoding the Digital Campus Climate for Prospective LGBTQ+ Community Colleges Students

ABSTRACTLGBTQ+ students are increasingly visible on community college campuses, and a safe and welcoming campus climate is critical to LGBTQ+ students’ academic success and well-being. Campus climate is difficult to assess for prospective LGBTQ+ community college students, and institutional websites may be a source of information about campus climate. This study used content analysis to document and analyze the digital campus climate for prospective LGBTQ+ students in the community colleges context by examining institutional websites. Using a mixed methods approach, website content of nine community colleges was analyzed, and both the quantity and nature of the content were used to make sense of colleges’ digital campus climate for prospective LGBTQ+ students. With the exception of a couple colleges, we found that the digital campus climate was not welcoming to prospective LGBTQ+ students. The results suggest that community colleges need to enhance their website in several ways and expand their overall pr...
Clinical versus Actuarial Prediction

Many statistical models have been developed for making predictions, according to some criterion of optimal fit (e.g., minimizing mean square error). Paul Meehl's influential 1954 book surveyed about 20 studies comparing such predictions—of important human outcomes (e.g., parole violation)—to predictions of clinical experts who had access to exactly the same information on which the statistical prediction was based. In no case was the human expert superior. Later work examined predictions where the information base for the statistical model and the clinical judge were not equivalent, or where predictions involved models—such as unit weighted ones—not based on optimality principles. In business and medical contexts, clinical judges sometimes make superior predictions, but only when they have access to information not included in the statistical models, or incorporate the models' predictions in their own. In psychology, statistical models are superior even when based on a subset of the information available to clinicians (who might, for example, also interview people). Moreover, statistical models need not be optimal to be superior but may even be ‘improper’—as when a linear combination is based on ad hoc (but directionally correct) or intuitive weights. By the year 2000, roughly 150 studies supported these conclusions.
Modeling Expected Application Runtime for Characterizing and Assessing Job Performance

In this paper, we present a methodology for modeling the expected runtime of a job based on historical application data and data from the job itself. This estimation model is useful for both for HPC users and administrators as a metric to compare the actual job runtime to, thus establishing a measure of performance of the job. We used job data, system data, and hardware performance counters in a near-zero overhead manner to model and assess job performance, in particular whether or not the job runtime was in line with expectations from historical application performance. We show over three proxy applications and three real applications that our estimations are within 5% of actual performance.
Association of Team-Based Primary Care With Health Care Utilization and Costs Among Chronically Ill Patients

Importance Empirical study findings to date are mixed on the association between team-based primary care initiatives and health care use and costs for Medicaid and commercially insured patients, especially those with multiple chronic conditions. Objective To evaluate the association of establishing team-based primary care with patient health care use and costs. Design, Setting, and Participants We used difference-in-differences to compare preutilization and postutilization rates between intervention and comparison practices with inverse probability weighting to balance observable differences. We fit a linear model using generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering at 18 academically affiliated primary care practices in the Boston, Massachusetts, area between 2011 and 2015. The study included 83 953 patients accounting for 138 113 patient-years across 18 intervention practices and 238 455 patients accounting for 401 573 patient-years across 76 comparison practices. Data were analyzed between April and August 2018. Exposures Practices participated in a 4-year learning collaborative that created and supported team-based primary care. Main Outcomes and Measures Outpatient visits, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, ambulatory care–sensitive hospitalizations, ambulatory care–sensitive emergency department visits, and total costs of care. Results Of 322 408 participants, 176 259 (54.7%) were female; 64 030 (19.9%) were younger than 18 years and 258 378 (80.1%) were age 19 to 64 years. Intervention practices had fewer participants, with 2 or more chronic conditions (n = 51 155 [37.0%] vs n = 186 954 [46.6%]), more participants younger than 18 years (n = 337 931 [27.5%] vs n = 74 691 [18.6%]), higher Medicaid enrollment (n = 39 541 [28.6%] vs n = 81 417 [20.3%]), and similar sex distributions (75 023 women [54.4%] vs 220 097 women [54.8%]); however, after inverse probability weighting, observable patient characteristics were well balanced. Intervention practices had higher utilization in the preperiod. Patients in intervention practices experienced a 7.4% increase in annual outpatient visits relative to baseline (95% CI, 3.5%-11.3%;P Conclusions and Relevance While establishing team-based care was not associated with differences in the full patient sample, there were substantial reductions in utilization among a subset of chronically ill patients. Team-based care practice transformation in primary care settings may be a valuable tool in improving the care of sicker patients, thereby reducing avoidable use; however, it may lead to greater use among healthier patients.
Describir la realidad: El postimpresionismo como excusa

Un problema que aparece en algunas personas que estudian E/LE es el poco conocimiento de la cultura estetica ya que esta (en principio) no es su especialidad. Este problema se agrava cuando en una clase de Cultura y Civilizacion Espanolas se han de explicar los movimientos artisticos hispanos y se carece, por parte del alumnado, de una base previa.
Production-based asset pricing: a cross-industry study

This paper empirically tests the production-based asset pricing model (PCAPM) using industry-level data. Specifically, I examine the pricing relationship between physical investment returns and equity returns by testing the hypothesis (spanning assumption) that the payoff space of physical investment spans the payoff space of financial securities. Instead of following the traditional approach of testing a linear physical investment factor pricing model, I propose a new testing procedure based on entropic principles and no-arbitrage constraints. The proposed nonparametric method recovers and compares the state price densities for physical investment returns and equity returns. The new testing procedure has two main advantages over the traditional approach. First, the new method is consistent with no-arbitrage conditions while the traditional approach leads to a stochastic discount factor that may take negative values. Second, the new method alleviates the joint hypothesis test problem suffered by the traditional approach. I apply the proposed procedure to the following six industries: mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation, communication, and public utilities. The empirical results show that the state price density recovered from physical investment returns is able to correctly price the corresponding equity returns. This provides supporting evidence that the spanning assumption holds at the cross-industry level. Furthermore, this study highlights the fact that physical capital investment conveys important information for pricing financial securities. Hence, to explain both the time series and the cross-sectional variations in equity returns, it is useful to develop models that explicitly address the impact of key production characteristics on financial asset pricing.
Determination of in-field temperature variations in fresh HMA and corresponding compaction temperatures

Abstract Hot mix asphalt (HMA) compacted at low temperatures develops many distresses due to high air voids. Asphalt compaction operations in the field are mostly based on the experience of field staff. Hence, independent of the actual temperature of the HMA. In this study, temperature variation in hot mix asphalt (HMA) was investigated during paving operations at eight test locations in field. Two most commonly used HMA layer thicknesses i.e. 5 cm and 8 cm were studied. Temperature of the fresh HMA layer was noted at the centre, surface and at the interface points by four node K-type thermocouple assembly. The average laying temperature of the HMA for eight tests was calculated as 136.92 °C. Whereas, the average compaction start temperature for eight tests was noted as 127.81 °C which shows the critical temperature loss of 9.11 °C before the compaction starts. The average compaction end temperature calculated was 62.89 °C which is below the common cut off temperature of 80 °C. Temperature difference between day and night tests was 10 °C which can be attributed as the effect of sunlight. The results of this study can be helpful to the field staff in decision making during paving operations.
Youth activism and solidarity: the non-stop picket against Apartheid: by Gavin Brown and Helen Yaffe, Oxfordshire and New York, Routledge, 2018, 244 pp., US$145.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-138-82886-5, US$49.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-367-21895-9, US$24.98 (e-book), ISBN 978-1-315-73806-2

As an undergraduate working on a fossil fuel divestment campaign, I and many other Millennials took part in numerous actions, ranging from teach-ins on the campus quad to late-night painting sessio...
Curcumin inhibition of angiogenesis and adipogenesis.

The growth of new blood vessels or angiogenesis is necessary for the growth of adipose tissue. Adipokines produced by fat cells stimulate this process. Some dietary polyphenols with antiangiogenic ...
Quotient theorems via ultracoproducts

Abstract The following quotient theorem is well known: Every (not necessarily metrizable) continuum X is a weakly confluent image of a continuum Y which is hereditarily indecomposable and of covering dimension one. Here we use the topological ultracoproduct construction to modify the result to say that for any prescribed infinite cardinal α, we may arrange for Y to have at least α composants. Furthermore, if the generalized continuum hypothesis ( GCH ) is assumed, we may add that Y has as many composants as it has points. Another ultracoproduct argument allows us to conclude that each nondegenerate continuum X is a co-elementary image of a continuum Y with at least two nonblock points. And if we invoke GCH , we may arrange for Y to be spanned by its set of nonblock points. We also pay attention to the “size” of the continuum Y, relative to that of X (and α).
Organellar protein multi-functionality and phenotypic plasticity in plants

With the increasing impact of climate instability on agricultural and ecological systems has come a heightened sense of urgency to understand plant adaptation mechanisms in more detail. Plant species have a remarkable ability to disperse their progeny to a wide range of environments, demonstrating extraordinary resiliency mechanisms that incorporate epigenetics and transgenerational stability. Surprisingly, some of the underlying versatility of plants to adapt to abiotic and biotic stress emerges from the neofunctionalization of organelles and organellar proteins. We describe evidence of possible plastid specialization and multi-functional organellar protein features that serve to enhance plant phenotypic plasticity. These features appear to rely on, for example, spatio-temporal regulation of plastid composition, and unusual interorganellar protein targeting and retrograde signalling features that facilitate multi-functionalization. Although we report in detail on three such specializations, involving MSH1, WHIRLY1 and CUE1 proteins in Arabidopsis, there is ample reason to believe that these represent only a fraction of what is yet to be discovered as we begin to elaborate cross-species diversity. Recent observations suggest that plant proteins previously defined in one context may soon be rediscovered in new roles and that much more detailed investigation of proteins that show subcellular multi-targeting may be warranted. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking the mitochondrial genotype to phenotype: a complex endeavour'.
Evaluation of neutralizing antibodies produced by papaya mosaic virus nanoparticles fused to the E2EP3 peptide epitope of Chikungunya envelope

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is the cause of acute symptoms and chronic symmetrical polyarthritis associated with long-term morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no available licensed vaccine or particularly useful drug for human use against CHIKV infection. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of antibodies produced by papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) nanoparticles fused to E2EP3 peptide of CHIKV envelope as a recombinant CHIKV vaccine. PapMV, PapMV E2EP3, and E2EP3 PapMV were produced in E. coli with an approximate size of 27 to 30 kDa. ICR mice (5 to 6 weeks of age) were injected subcutaneously with 25 micrograms of vaccine construct, and ELISA measured the titer of CHIKV specific IgG antibodies. The results showed that both recombinant proteins E2EP3 PapMV and PapMV E2EP3 were able to induce IgG antibodies production in immunized mice against CHIKV while immunization with recombinant PapMV showed no IgG antibodies induction. The neutralizing activity of the antibodies generated by either E2EP3 PapMV or PapMV E2EP3 exhibited similar inhibition to CHIKV replication in Vero cells using the cells based antibody neutralizing assay and analyzed by plaque formation assay. This study showed the effectiveness of nanoparticles vaccine generated by fusing epitope peptide of CHIKV envelope to papaya mosaic virus envelope in inducing a robust immune response in mice against CHIKV. The data showed that levels of neutralizing antibodies correlate with a protective immune response CHIKV replication.
How guest experts tell stories about environmental socio-scientific issues in an undergraduate class

To broaden perspectives presented in undergraduate courses, instructors often invite guest speakers, yet there is limited research on students’ perceptions of guest speakers and the potential influ...
Effect of the SafeCare© intervention on parenting outcomes among parents in child welfare systems: A cluster randomized trial.

Abstract Child maltreatment has long-lasting negative impacts, and interventions are needed to improve caregiver's parenting skills to prevent maltreatment. This paper reports on a randomized trial comparing the SafeCare© model to services as usual (SAU) for child-welfare referred caregivers. SafeCare is an 18-session behavioral parenting program that teaches skills in positive parent-child interactions, home safety, and child health. SAU is generally unstructured and includes support, crisis management, referrals for need, and parenting education. Teams of providers at nine sites were randomized to implement SafeCare (19 teams; 119 providers) or continue SAU (17 teams; 118 providers). Two-hundred eighty eight caregivers (193 SafeCare; 95 SAU) with children aged 0–5 who were receiving services agreed to complete a baseline and 6-month assessment. Assessments measured positive parenting behaviors, parenting stress, protective factors, and neglectful behaviors using validated scales. Participants were primarily white (74.6%), female (87.0%), and low-income (68.6%), and had a mean age of 29. Latent change score models (LCSM) using a sandwich estimator consistent with the trial design were used to examine changes in 13 outcomes. Results indicated that SafeCare had small to medium effects for improving several parenting outcomes including supporting positive child behaviors (d = 0.46), proactive parenting (d = 0.25), and two aspects of parenting stress (d = 0.28 and .30). No differential change between groups was found for other indicators, including all indicators of neglect. Parenting programs such as SafeCare offer a promising mode of intervention for child welfare systems. Scale-up of parenting programs can improve parenting, improve child outcomes, and potentially reduce maltreatment. Clinicaltrial.gov registration number NCT02549287
A qualitative study of factors influencing male participation in fertility research.

Although fertility is a couple-based outcome, fertility studies typically include far fewer males than females. We know little about which factors facilitate or inhibit male participation in fertility research. In this study we aimed to explore factors that influence male participation in fertility research among North American couples trying to conceive. We conducted a qualitative research study of male participation in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a prospective preconception cohort of couples actively trying to conceive in Canada and the United States. Between January–August 2019, we carried out 14 online one-on-one in-depth interviews and one online focus group of males and females with varying levels of participation. The in-depth interviews included females who enrolled in PRESTO but declined to invite their male partners to participate (n = 4), males who enrolled in PRESTO (n = 6), and males who declined to participate in PRESTO (n = 4). The focus group included 10 males who enrolled in PRESTO. We analyzed the transcriptions using inductive content analysis. Male and female participants perceived that fertility is a women’s health issue and is a difficult topic for men to discuss. Men expressed fears of infertility tied to masculinity. However, men were motivated to participate in fertility research to support their partners, provide data that could help others, and to learn more about their own reproductive health. Male participation in fertility studies will improve our understanding of male factors contributing to fertility and reproductive health issues. Results indicate a need for more education and health communication on male fertility to normalize male participation in fertility and reproductive health research. Men are much less likely than women to participate in research on fertility and pregnancy. However, it is important for men to participate in fertility research so that we gain a better understanding of male factors that impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes. In this qualitative study, we interviewed men and women from Canada and the United States who were trying to become pregnant to understand why men choose to participate in fertility research, why men choose not to participate in fertility research, and why women choose not to invite their male partners to participate in fertility research. We found that both men and women believe fertility is a woman’s health issue. Men find it difficult to talk about pregnancy and fertility and have fears of infertility tied to masculinity. However, men are motivated to participate in fertility research to support their partners, to help others, and to learn more about their own reproductive health.
Regulating net metering in the United States: A landscape overview of states’ net metering policies and outcomes

Abstract Net metering offers a mechanism for encouraging the localized production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Net metering policymaking is delegated to the state level, affording states flexibility in identifying policy targets (i.e., who can participate in net metering programs and the technologies with which eligible participants can participate), policy instruments (i.e., limits on the amount of electricity eligible for net metering at the customer and programmatic level), and policy incentives (i.e., incentives for program participation). This paper provides a summary of the design of states’ net metering policies, in terms of policy targets, instruments, and incentives. Policy design information is juxtaposed with net metering outcome data to discern general patterns among the two. Among the patterns that emerge from the descriptive assessment of the designs of states’ net metering policies and net metering outcome data are: net metering policies vary significantly across states; a unique amalgam of legislative and regulatory actions in each state produces policies that may be similar, but just are not the same; cross-state comparisons reveal that some states offer a more hospitable environment for net metering than others; and policy design has varied impacts on policy outcomes.
Etching and polymerization reactions of alkoxythiophenes in HKUST-1: choosing between filled and core–shell MOF/polymer composite structures

In an earlier report, our group found that neat 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) directly reacts with the Cu-based MOF HKUST-1 to form a core–shell composite in which the HKUST-1 surface is coated with conjugated polymer, while unsubstituted thiophenes formed a filled composite where polythiophene is contained in the MOF's pores. In this work, we found that EDOT and 3-methoxythiophene (3MOT), which react in the neat form to form core–shell composites, can be loaded into HKUST-1 pores without reaction when dissolved in hexanes. To a lesser extent, 3-hexyloxythiophene (3HOT) can be loaded in the same way. These hexane-loaded composites can then be heated, resulting in the formation of a ‘filled’ composite. This finding allows us to choose to prepare either a core–shell or a filled composite by selecting reaction conditions. The process of heating with alkoxythiophenes results in a morphology change in the HKUST-1 material, at a surprisingly low temperature. Composites were characterized by nitrogen sorption measurements, powder X-ray diffraction, and vibrational spectroscopy.
"Where Is Our Space within This Ivory Tower?" The Teaching Experiences of Black Women Faculty in Education Programs.

Black women faculty represent a small percentage of full-time faculty in higher education and are often invisible, marginalized, and expected to perform duties beyond teaching, research, and servic...
Gastric emptying and aspiration evaluation in post-lung transplant patients

2010 Objectives: Gastroparesis is a significant potential complication after lung transplantation, as it may lead to lung injury and eventual allograft failure through a process of gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration. We provide an exhibit to inform the reader about the clinical importance of evaluating this patient population and review the nuclear medicine study protocol used at our institution that is straightforward and tailored to specifically evaluate this group of patients. Methods: In this unique post-lung transplant population in the immediate postoperative period, these patients are best served by a study that takes into account the logistics that are involved in order to obtain an assessment. We provide a literature review of the incidence of delayed gastric emptying after lung transplantation, the mechanisms of its appearance/worsening after transplantation, and the clinical implications for the patient. We demonstrate the imaging protocol and dictation template that we utilize at our institution to provide the clinical data requested by our transplant team. Results: In admitted patients who have just undergone lung transplantation, it is more feasible to perform the less common 90 minute dynamic oatmeal study as opposed to the well known 4 hour protocol with serial static images after ingestion of the standard meal. For example, the latter option often requires more repositioning steps for a patient who is dealing with a postoperative recovery and is covered with lines and tubes. Importantly, at our institution, once the patient has rested for 24 hours during the same hospital stay, we have the patient return for quick additional static imaging of the chest to exclude the presence of any significant aspiration. Conclusions: Lung transplantation can be associated with immediate distinct negative outcomes, an important one of which is delayed gastric emptying due to its potential to negatively affect lung allograft function and survival. Nuclear medicine is well suited to provide our transplant colleagues with important information on the state of the gastric motility in this patient population and verify a lack of significant aspiration using a protocol that is well tolerated by these patients.
Chapter 6 Theories of oligopoly behavior

Publisher Summary The study of oligopolistic industries lies at the heart of the field of industrial organization. The belief of an individual about the behavior of large firms in concentrated markets colors the individual's views on a broad range of antitrust and regulatory policies. These beliefs derive in turn from theory and evidence of oligopolists' behavior. This chapter presents and evaluates the primary competing theories of oligopolistic behavior. The chapter clarifies the way oligopoly theory has, and has not, progressed in the 150 years since Cournot developed his theory. Although oligopoly fits conceptually between the extremes of monopoly and perfect competition, its study requires a rather different set of tools—that is, those of game theory. The hallmark of oligopoly is the presence of strategic interactions among rival firms, a subject well suited for game-theoretic analysis. The chapter presumes a working knowledge of such concepts as Nash equilibrium and subgame perfect equilibrium.
Application of Eigenspace Techniques to Design of Aircraft Control Systems

Eigenspace techniques allow the control system designer to use feedback to place eigenvalues and shape eigenvectors so as to modify closed loop dynamic response characteristics to achieve performance objectives. In this paper the theory of eigenspace design is reviewed, extended and applied to several aircraft control problems.
Serum and liver lipids in rats fed diets containing corn oil, cottonseed oil, or a mixture of corn and cottonseed oils

Previous research has demonstrated that the total replacement of corn oil (CO) with cottonseed oil (CSO) in the diets of growing male rats results in a lowering of the total cholesterol (TC) concentration in the serum. It is not, however, known if a partial replacement of dietary CO with CSO would be sufficient to lower TC levels, nor is the effect of replacing dietary CO with CSO on other indices of cholesterol status (e.g., the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], non-HDL-C [i.e., very-low and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol], or the TC/HDL-C ratio). Growing male rats were fed diets having CO, CSO, or a CO/CSO (1:1, w/w) oil mixture (OM) as the source of dietary oil (diet groups CO, CSO, and OM, respectively). There were no differences between CO and OM groups for TC, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, or the TC/HDL-C ratio. However, TC was significantly lower (p≤ 0.05)for the CSO group than the CO group (2.85 vs. 3.23 mmol/l, or 110 vs. 125 mg/dl, respectively) as was HDL-C (1.83 vs. 2.13 mmol/l, or 71 vs. 82 mg/dl, respectively), but there were no differences between these groups for non-HDL-C or the TC/HDL-C ratio. Diet had no effect on serum triglycerides (TGs) or on total liver content of either cholesterol or TGs. Thus, partial (50%) replacement of CO with CSO was without effect on any of these serum indices of cholesterol status, but total replacement resulted in lower TC and HDL-C, without affecting non-HDL-C or the TC/HDL-C ratio. Because, relative to CO, CSO has higher levels of saturated fatty acids but lower levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the cholesterol-lowering effect of CSO appears to be unrelated to its fatty acid composition, and may be caused by a component of its nonsaponifiable fraction.
UVC-Induced Mitochondrial Degradation via Autophagy Correlates with mtDNA Damage Removal in Primary Human Fibroblasts

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more susceptible than nuclear DNA to helix-distorting damage via exposure to environmental genotoxins, partially due to a lack of nucleotide excision repair. Thus, this damage is irreparable and persistent in mtDNA in the short term. We recently found that helix-distorting mtDNA damage induced by ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) is gradually removed in Caenorhabditis elegans and that removal is dependent upon autophagy and mitochondrial dynamics. We here report the effects of UVC exposure on mitophagy, mitochondrial morphology, and indicators of mitochondrial function in mammalian cells. Exposure to UVC induced autophagy within 24 h; nonetheless, significant mitochondrial degradation was not observed until 72 h post exposure. Mitochondrial mass, morphology, and function were not significantly altered. These data further support the idea that persistent mtDNA damage is removed by autophagy and also suggest a powerful compensatory capacity for dealing with mtDNA damage.
The effects of aerosols in the atmosphere on the propagation of microwave signals

Abstract Surface winds, meteorites, industry, and natural disturbances such as volcanoes produce vast quantities of dust that is distributed throughout the atmosphere. Surface winds and natural convection currents also carry micro-organisms such as bacteria, pollen, spores, and soil algae into the atmosphere. There is evidence of concentrations of these micro-organisms at various altitudes indicating biologic stratification due to meteorological conditions. Aerosols of different types found in the lower atmosphere do, under certain circumstances, yield detectable radar echoes. Normal dust and biological aerosol concentrations found in the atmosphere will not yield detectable radar echoes at microwave frequencies but abnormally high concentrations could. The electrical characteristics, physical characteristics, and distribution density of the aerosols are considered in determining their microwave scattering and reflection properties.
Form II of D1 is important during transition from standard to high light intensity in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942.

In Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 the D1 protein of Photosystem II is encoded by a multigene family; psbAI encodes Form I of D1 whereas both psbAII and psbAIII encode Form II. The psbA genes are differentially regulated in response to changes in light intensity, such that psbAI expression and Form I predominate at standard light intensity, whereas psbAII and psbAIII are induced at high light intensity, causing insertion of Form II into the thylakoids. The present study addressed whether high-light induced Form II is important for Synechococcus cells during adaptation to high light intensity. Wild-type Synechococcus, and mutants which produce only Form I (R2S2C3) or only Form II (R2K1), were co-cultured at standard light (130 μE · m−2 · s−1) and then shifted to high light (750 μE·m−2·s−1). Measurement of the proportion of each cell type at various time intervals revealed that the growth of R2S2C3, which has psbAII and psbAIII inactive, and thus lacks Form II, is transiently impaired upon shift to high light. Both mutants R2S2C3 and R2K1 maintained normal levels of psbA messages and D1 protein under standard and high light through an unknown mechanism that compensates for the inactive psbA genes. Thus, the impairment of R2S2C3 at high light is not due to a deficiency of D1 protein, but results from lack of Form II. We discounted the influence of possible secondary mutations by re-creating the psbA-inactivated mutants and testing the newly isolated strains. We conclude that Form II of D1 is intrinsically important for Synechococcus cells during a critical transition period after exposure to high light intensities.
Fatigue crack growth behavior of an oxide dispersion strengthened MA 956 alloy

Fatigue crack growth behavior of oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic MA 956 alloy was studied at 25 °C and 1000 °C in air at 0.17 Hz. The growth rates were analyzed using the linear elastic parameter ΔK and the elastic-plastic parameter ΔJ. Crack growth, although transgranular at both temperatures, increased by nearly three orders of magnitude with increase in temperature from 25 to 1000 °C. The growth rates were essentially the same in terms of either ΔK or ΔJ parameters indicating that plasticity effects are small even at 1000 °C. Detailed fractographic analysis revealed the presence of ductile striations in the ΔK range of 25 to 40 MPa√m at 25 °C and in a much narrower range at 1000 °C. Presence of voids could be detected at 1000 °C. Using the measured load-displacement hysteresis energies for a unit increment in crack length, crack growth rates were calculated using cumulative damage models and were compared with the experimental data. At 1000 °C the predicted and the experimental values agree within a factor of two and it is concluded that the growth occurs essentially by a damage accumulation process except in a narrow range of ΔK where the plastic blunting process is superimposed, resulting in ductile striations that were observed. At 25 °C the predicted and the experimental value reasonably agree for ΔK values greater than 40 MPa√m, and below this value the two diverge with predicted values being much lower. This divergence is related to occurrence of the plastic blunting process in this ΔK range as confirmed by fractographic evidence. The cumulative damage process at 1000 °C was related to the environmentally assisted void formation at dispersoid-matrix interfaces. At 25 °C the damage is related to the formation of microcracks ahead of the crack tip. These results and interrelation between alloy microstructure and fatigue fracture path are discussed in detail.
RECOVERY OF SUPRALETHALLY X-IRRADIATED AND NITROGEN MUSTARD (HN2)-TREATED AMOEBAE.

SummaryLarge multinucleated amoebae, Pelomyxa illinoisensis, irradiated with 30 kR of x-rays (a supralethal dose), died after 4 to 5 days without dividing. Amoebae treated with supralethal doses (0·1 or 0·2 mg/ml. for 1 hour) of nitrogen mustard (HN2; Mustine HCl; Mustargen HCl; CH3N(CH2CH2Cl)2HCl), died several days after treatment without cell division. When protoplasm from HN2-treated amoebae was injected by fusion into x-irradiated amoebae, the composite organisms reproduced and permanently recovered. Cytoplasm from HN2-treated donors also induced recovery.HN2-treated amoebae, unlike x-irradiated amoebae, did not recover after the injection of cytoplasm from non-treated, unirradiated amoebae. Supralethal doses of actinomycin D, puromycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, 2,4-dinitrophenol, sodium fluoroacetate, or sodium fluoropyruvate prevented the donor protoplasm from restoring x-irradiated amoebae. We interpret these and previous results to indicate that polyribosomes and their larger subunits, from...
Assay of 2-aminoheptane and methyl hexane amine in plastic inhalers by titration in glacial acetic acid.

The 2-aminoheptane and methyl hexane amine content of plastic inhalers can be determined rapidly and accurately by titrimetric assay in glacial acetic acid solution. The amine is extracted directly from the saturated pledget with glacial acetic acid and titrated with perchloric acid. 4-Aminopyridine was found to offer advantages over potassium acid phthalate for the standardization of the perchloric acid-glacial acetic acid solution.
Transients in EHVDC Power Systems: Part I - Rectifier Fault Currents

This paper presents a concise summary of results obtained from a rigorous analysis of the factors influencing the transient fault currents in an EHV rectifier terminal for a fault on the line side of the dc series reactor. The effect of the exact instant of fault occurrence after the time of completion of a commutation is shown to have special significance. It is also shown that the maximum transient peak currents, even for an "instantaneous" control system, may be on the order of 2.0 times nornal or more for representative dc series inductances when initial load is considered. For a less ideal or slower control system, greater maximum peak transient fault currents are found. Furthermore, saturation of the dc series reactor is shown to result in larger currents. Results for two and three bridges in series, as well as for a single bridge, are given in curve form for convenience of the user.
Diverse pathways for maturation of the Na,K-ATPase β1 and β2 subunits in the endoplasmic reticulum of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Proper folding of the Na,K-ATPase β subunits followed by assembly with the α subunits is necessary for their export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we examine roles of the ER lectin chaperone, calnexin, and non-lectin chaperone, BiP, in folding and quality control of the β1 and β2 subunits in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Short term prevention of glycan-calnexin interactions by castanospermine slightly increases ER retention of β1, suggesting minor involvement of calnexin in subunit folding. However, both prolonged incubation with castanospermine and removal of N-glycosylation sites do not affect the α1-assembly or trafficking of β1 but increase the amount of the β1-bound BiP, showing that BiP can compensate for calnexin in assisting β1 folding. In contrast to β1, prevention of either N-glycosylation or glycan-calnexin interactions abolishes the α1-assembly and export of β2 from the ER despite increased β2-BiP binding. Mutations in the α1-interacting regions of β1 and β2 subunits impair α1 assembly but do not affect folding of the β subunits tested by their sensitivity to trypsin. At the same time, these mutations increase the amount of β-bound BiP but not of β-bound calnexin and increase ER retention of both β-isoforms. BiP, therefore, prevents the ER export of folded but α1-unassembled β subunits. These α1-unassembled β subunits are degraded faster than α1-bound β subunits, preventing ER overload. In conclusion, folding of the β1 and β2 subunits is assisted predominantly by BiP and calnexin, respectively. Folded β1 and β2 either assemble with α1 or bind BiP. The α1-bound β subunits traffic to the Golgi, whereas BiP-bound β subunits are retained and degraded in the ER.
Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of a novel process for converting food waste to ethanol and co-products

Abstract Waste-to-ethanol conversion is a promising technology to provide renewable transportation fuel while mitigating feedstock risks and land use conflicts. It also has the potential to reduce environmental impacts from waste management such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. This paper analyzes the life cycle GHG emissions associated with a novel process for the conversion of food processing waste into ethanol (EtOH) and the co-products of compost and animal feed. Data are based on a pilot plant co-fermenting retail food waste with a sugary industrial wastewater, using a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process at room temperature with a grinding pretreatment. The process produced 295 L EtOH/dry t feedstock. Lifecycle GHG emissions associated with the ethanol production process were 1458 gCO 2 e/L EtOH. When the impact of avoided landfill emissions from diverting food waste to use as feedstock are considered, the process results in net negative GHG emissions and approximately 500% improvement relative to corn ethanol or gasoline production. This finding illustrates how feedstock and alternative waste disposal options have important implications in life cycle GHG results for waste-to-energy pathways.
Enabling the Internet of Things: Reconfigurable power amplifier techniques using intelligent algorithms and the smith tube

Future Internet of Things (IoT) devices will need to maintain high power efficiency while being able to reconfigure for changing performance requirements and operating frequencies. The design of quickly reconfigurable power amplifiers able to maintain high efficiency and meet spectral requirements will be critical to success. This paper discusses fast optimization techniques that will be useful in real-time optimization of transmitter power amplifiers: (1) a vector-based algorithm to find the load impedance giving the highest power-added efficiency (PAE) while keeping the adjacent-channel power ratio (ACPR) below a prespecified minimum, (2) the use of a spectral mask directly in the load-pull optimization in place of the ACPR, and (3) the extension of the Smith Chart to a three-dimensional, cylindrical “Smith Tube” for optimization involving an additional parameter: the waveform bandwidth. This paper builds a framework for design and the real-time optimization of reconfigurable, efficient, and spectrally compliant IoT power amplifiers.
Differences in the dynamics and potential production of impounded and unimpounded white sturgeon populations in the lower Columbia River

Abstract White sturgeons Acipenser transmontanus were sampled in three lower Columbia River reservoirs from 1987 to 1991 to describe population dynamics, the ability of these stocks to sustain harvest, and differences among reservoir and unimpounded populations. Significant differences were observed among reservoirs in white sturgeon abundance, biomass, size composition, sex ratio, size of females at maturity, growth rate, condition factor, and rate of exploitation. No differences among reservoirs were detected in fecundity, natural mortality rate, or longevity, in part because of sampling difficulties. Recruitment rates and densities in reservoirs were inversely correlated with growth rate, condition factor, and size of females at maturity. Differences in population dynamics resulted in substantial differences in sustainable yields. Maximum yields per recruit were predicted at annual exploitation rates between 5 and 15%. Most characteristics of reservoir populations were less than or equal to optima repo...