cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Framing Youth within the Politics of Foreign Assistance

Although in the past the field of youth development has been subsumed within or occluded by other traditional development sectors such as education, a re-emerging emphasis on security in US government foreign assistance has tended to foreground youth as a frame of reference for international development programming and public diplomacy. While youth as security threat is by itself a reductive formulation, there are opportunities to grasp more deeply the power of young cohorts to affect social change in multidimensional ways. This article examines how youth issues have been framed within broader policy and program priorities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), especially in post-conflict/fragile states, in an effort to illuminate some key dilemmas and knowledge gaps.
Connection between the Rayleigh and the Schrödinger equations.

We make a connection between the Schr\"odinger equation ${\mathit{D}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\Psi}+(E-V)\ensuremath{\Psi}=0 and the Rayleigh equation D(\ensuremath{\rho}DW)+(${\mathit{k}}^{2}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}^{2}$)WD\ensuremath{\rho}-${\mathit{k}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\rho}W=0 which is used to study the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of fluids in a gravitational field. Here D is the differential operator d/dy, \ensuremath{\rho}(y) is the density profile of the fluid, W(y) is the perturbed fluid velocity, k is the wave number of the perturbation, and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}^{2}$=${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}$/g, where \ensuremath{\gamma} is the growth rate of the instability and g is the strength of the gravitational field. The connection between the Rayleigh and the Schr\"odinger equations is made by defining a potential V(y) associated with \ensuremath{\rho}(y), a wave function \ensuremath{\Psi}(y) associated with W(y), and an energy E associated with k. We consider several examples of the Rayleigh equation and show that they correspond to well-known problems in quantum mechanics such as a particle in a box, the harmonic oscillator, the Coulomb potential, etc. We illustrate the inversion symmetry of the Rayleigh equation under \ensuremath{\rho}(y)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1/\ensuremath{\rho}(-y), and in an appendix we give and illustrate the more general potential V(y), which includes surface tension and shear flow, the latter associated with the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Research and Application of Automation Controlling System for Plate Ultra Fast Cooling Process

To implement the new generation thermo mechanical control process (NG-TMCP), the automatic control system of ultra fast cooling (UFC) was developed by combined with the renovation project of controlled cooling system in one plate production line. This system was composed of basic automation subsystem and process automation subsystem. As the main control unit of the basic automatic control system, a S7400 PLC system is used to control the UFC device and to achieve the chain control between the UFC system and the mill system. While the process control system is to realize the automatical setting of the cooling schedule by the developed finite element temperature field model and the temperature homogeneity model. The industry application shows that the NG-TMCP which is based on the UFC can reduce the alloy content effectively and implement the low-cost reduction produce of high-grade products.
Cycle Structure of the DES for Keys Having Palindromic (or Antipalindromic) Sequences of Round Keys

Certain DES keys have been called weak or semiweak based upon the number of distinct round keys which they produce. For the weak keys, all 16 round keys are identical and encryption is the same as decryption. For the semiweak keys, there are only two distinct round keys but no specific weakness of the DES with these keys has been demonstrated.
Benzo[b]thiophene derivatives. VIII. Benzo[b]thiophene-3-earboxaldehyde and derivatives

A procedure for the preparation of benzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxaldehyde from 3-methyl-benzo[b]thiophene is reported. This aldehyde behaves as a typical reactive aromatic aldehyde with respect to oxidation, reduction, the mixed Cannizzaro reaction, reductive amination and acyloin and other condensation reactions.
Misconceptions about Teaching English-Language Learners.

English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest growing group of K-12 students in the United States. Most ELLS spend the entire school day in mainstream classrooms where instruction is in English. It is therefore important for all teachers to have the knowledge and skills needed to facilitate these students' academic language development and content area achievement. However, efforts to include ELLs in general education reforms are often based on misunderstandings about effective instruction for linguistically and culturally diverse learners. These misunderstandings stem from two basic assumptions that guide much current teacher preparation for diversity: (a) the needs of ELLs do not differ significantly from those of other diverse learners, and (b) effective instruction for ELLs is primarily a menu of pedagogical adaptations. This article examines the problematic nature of four popular misconceptions about teaching ELLs and discusses the implications for effective instruction in truly inclusive mainstream classrooms.
How many myocardial infarctions should we rule out

We used computer simulation to estimate the consequences of four admitting strategies (coronary care unit, intermediate care unit, routine ward care, or outpatient follow-up) on cost, outcome, admission threshold probabilities, and false-positive admission rates for patients with acute myocardial infarction. At virtually any probability of acute myocardial infarction, replacing more intensive by less intensive strategies saved money but increased mortality and decreased life expectancy. Therefore, choices among strategies may be made by using the most effective strategy for progressively lower and lower risk patients until the additional cost per additional life saved reaches a cutoff value; then, a less expensive strategy is selected. With sample cutoff values of $1 and $2 million per life saved, the marginal threshold admission probabilities were:
Presence of anisotropic (birefringent) crystalline structures in embryonic and juvenile monogonont rotifers

A systematic survey for the presence of birefringent (anisotropic) structures in rotifers was undertaken. Several common features of rotifers exhibit anisotropism (e.g. trophi & muscles). However, unusual anisotropic crystalline structures (ACS) were found in late stage embryos (i.e. possessing eyespots and trophi, and showing movement). ACS were found in 18 of 26 species of monogonont rotifers (comprising 11 genera of 5 families). In Sinantherina socialis, ACS were present in the lower gut as compact, spherical masses of minute crystals that slowly broke apart and disappeared within 20 hours of hatching. Although several authors have described the existence of refractive bodies in rotifers, to my knowledge this is the first report of their birefringent properties.
Speckle correlations in the light scattered and transmitted by dielectric and metal films with rough surfaces

Diagrammatic perturbation theory is used to compute the angular intensity correlation function C(q,kq',k') equals ][I(q'k') - for light scattered from a dielectric film on a perfectly conducting substrate and light scattered from and transmitted through a thin metallic film. The illuminated surface in each of these systems is taken to be a weakly rough, one-dimensional random surface, I(qk) is the squared modulus of the scattering matrix for the system, and q, q' and k,k' are the projections on the mean scattering surface of the wave vectors of the scattered and incident light, respectively. Contributions to C include: (1) a short range memory effect and time-reversed memory effect terms associated with the resonant excitation of guided or surface waves in the films, C(1); (2) an additional short range term of comparable magnitude C(10); (3) a long range term C(2); (4) an infinite range term C(3); (5) and a terms C(1.5) that along with C(2) displays peaks associated with the excitation of guided or surface waves.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative histological changes in the normal lymph node following ethiodol lymphography and colloidal gold-198 lymphscanning.

An experimental study has been performed to evaluate the possible tissue changes in the normal lymph node after lymphography and colloidal gold lymph-scanning. Eleven adult dogs were utilized, 2 of them being used as controls. The hind limbs of the remaining 9 dogs provided 18 limbs for lymphography and lymph scanning studies. Serial histological examinations of the regional lymph nodes were performed and the tissue changes are described here in detail. The results suggest that oil lymphography produces traumatic and inflammatory changes in the normal lymph node whereas the colloidal 198 Au lymph scan produces minimal changes.
Interaction of artemisinin and its related compounds with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin in solution state: Experimental and molecular‐modeling studies

Abstract Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPBCD) was investigated as a possible solubilizer for a series of poorly water‐soluble antimalarial drugs. The solubilities of artemisinin, artether, dihydroartemisinin, and 10‐deoxoartemisinin in HPBCD solutions were studied. The phase‐solubility profile of these drugs in HPBCD solutions, in the concentration range studied, can be classified as type A L or soluble 1:1 complexes. The solubilities of artemisinin, artether, dihydroartemisinin, and 10‐deoxoartemisinin in 20% w/v solutions of HPBCD are 4.5, 1.3, 6.0, and 5.2 mg/mL, respectively. The stability constants of artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, artether, and 10‐deoxoartemisinin complexes with HPBCD are 475, 405, 327, and 146 M −1 , respectively. Three different docking methods, SYBYL DOCK, FlexiDock, and DOCK 4.0.1 were evaluated to further understand the complexation modes and applicability of the docking programs for the modeling of inclusion complexes. The results showed that DOCK 4.0.1 offers a better correlation in terms of orientation of molecules inside the cyclodextrin cavity and also in terms of docking scores.
Investigating phase transformation in the Li1.2Co0.1Mn0.55Ni0.15O2 lithium-ion battery cathode during high-voltage hold (4.5 V) via magnetic, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies

This study is the first that provides evidence of phase transformation in a Li-rich Li1.2Co0.1Mn0.55Ni0.15O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) during constant voltage charging. Diffraction and magnetic measurement techniques were successfully implemented to investigate the structural transformation in this cathode material during holding a half-cell at 4.5 V in a charged state. The results from X-ray diffraction showed a decrease in c-lattice parameters during high-voltage hold. Magnetic data revealed an increase in average effective magnetic moments of transition metal (TM) ions at constant voltage corresponding to a change in electronic states of TM ions. Analysis showed the reduction of Ni4+ to Ni2+, which was attributed to charge compensation due to oxygen loss. The appearance of the strong {100} forbidden reflection in the single-crystal selected area electron diffraction (SAED) data was attributed to migration of transition metal ions to the octahedral vacancy sites in the lithium layer during high-voltage hold, which was in agreement with the magnetization results. After prolonged hold at 4.5 V, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images along with SAED results showed the presence of spinel phases in the particles, indicating a layered to spinel like phase transformation at constant voltage in agreement with the magnetic data. The results obtained from these magnetic and diffraction studies furnish the fundamental understanding of the structural transformation pathways in Li-rich cathodes at constant voltage and will be instrumental for modifying the parent structure to achieve greater stability.
A practical guide to direct optimization for planar grid-generation

Abstract In this paper, we provide a guide to using the direct optimization formulation of variational grid-generation. Particular emphasis is placed on the smoothness, or length, functional; this is undoubtedly the most important functional in variational grid-generation, producing smooth grids and ensuring well-posedness of the minimization problem when combined with more unruly functionals. Unfortunately, in its most primary form, length can produce folded grids when used with nonconvex geometries. Historically, there have been two solutions to this dilemma: using an inverse mapping (the famous Winslow generator), or augmenting the functional with others that promote unicity. Both strategies have the drawback that the resulting minimization problem becomes complicated and expensive. As another alternative, we introduce a generalized strategy for length which does not use inverse mappings or auxiliary functionals, but makes strong use of reference grids. This strategy provides flexibility in controlling grid quality, and its minimization problems can be solved using a simple multigrid algorithm, yielding a robust grid-generation scheme with optimal complexity. We also survey recent developments in the use of variational grid-generation (in the form of direct optimization) for the alignment problem.
CEU: Ethically speaking: The case manager's response to harm-causing error

The purpose of this article is to morally assess various reactions from internal and external case managers when they suspect or realize that their patient or client experienced a harm-causing medical error.
Assessing Blunt Cannulae as Replacements for Hypodermic Needles During Intravenous Therapy Safety and Utility

OBJECTIVE Recently, blunt 18-gauge (ga) metal cannulae have become nationally commercially available as safety products. The ability of these blunt cannulae to prevent needlestick injury and to enable direct access of all standard latex ports and vial membranes, thus eliminating hypodermic needles entirely from the intravenous (i.v.) drug administration process, is assessed. DESIGN AND SETTING In the laboratory setting, the needlestick injury potential of small-bore blunt cannulae versus hypodermic needles was studied using blinded and randomized methods. Insertion force requirements were studied for cannulae and needles. Metal 18-ga blunt cannulae were inserted into four brands of standard Y-ports and vial stoppers to assess postpuncture integrity and force requirements. RESULTS Needlestick injury did not occur using small-bore blunt cannulae (P < .001; n = 51). Metal 18-ga cannulae passed into prepierced standard Y-ports as easily as hypodermic needles and without loss of Y-port integrity. Insertion of metal 18-ga cannulae without prior port puncture was possible, but was associated with substantial coring and loss of integrity of the port seal, except for IVAC brand ports (P < .03). CONCLUSIONS Metal 18-ga cannulae can be inserted through virtually all intact standard rubber vial membranes or standard Y-ports to allow safe IV access. A single prepuncture of any standard latex membrane allows economical blunt metal cannula access equally efficiently as with expensive pre-slit membranes and without loss of membrane integrity.
N-(Pyridin-2-yl) arylsulfonamide inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1: Discovery of PF-915275.

Abstract N-(Pyridin-2-yl) arylsulfonamides are identified as inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1), an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of the glucocorticoid cortisone to cortisol. Dysregulation of glucocorticoids has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. In this Letter, we present the development of an initial lead to an efficient ligand with improved physiochemical properties using a deletion strategy. This strategy allowed for further optimization of potency leading to the discovery of the clinical candidate PF-915275.
Degranulation of natural killer cells following interaction with HIV-1-infected cells is hindered by downmodulation of NTB-A by Vpu.

Summary Natural killer (NK) cell degranulation in response to virus-infected cells is triggered by interactions between invariant NK cell surface receptors and their ligands on target cells. Although HIV-1 Vpr induces expression of ligands for NK cell activation receptor, NKG2D, on infected cells, this is not sufficient to promote lytic granule release. We show that triggering the NK cell coactivation receptor NK-T- and -B cell antigen (NTB-A) alongside NKG2D promotes NK cell degranulation. Normally, NK cell surface NTB-A binds to NTB-A on CD4+ T cells. However, HIV-1 Vpu downmodulates NTB-A on infected T cells. Vpu associates with NTB-A through its transmembrane region without promoting NTB-A degradation. Cells infected with HIV-1 Vpu mutant elicited at least 50% more NK cells to degranulate than wild-type virus. Moreover, NK cells have a higher capacity to lyse HIV-infected cells with a mutant Vpu. Thus, Vpu downmodulation of NTB-A protects the infected cell from lysis by NK cells.
Streaming media middleware is more than streaming media

Middleware for streaming media requires services other than media capture, encoding/decoding, network transmission, and presentation. Specifically most streaming media applications are distributed applications so they require the services being developed to support client/server and peer-to-peer applications. They also require multicast application services such as soft-state announce/listen protocols, reliable multicast protocols, and publish/subscribe multicast protocols. Some applications require dynamic user-interface definition and support for multimedia authoring and media processing.
Iron Deficiency in the Rat: Effects on Phenylalanine Metabolism

Summary: Concentrations of phenylalanine in the plasma were markedly elevated in iron-deficient rats and appeared to vary directly with the degree of iron deficiency. Plasma concentrations of phenylalanine returned to control levels within one week after treatment of the iron-deficient rats with iron dextran. The elevated levels of plasma phenylalanine were probably not produced by a deficiency in liver phenylalanine hydroxylase because levels of activity of the enzyme were found to be normal in the livers of the iron-deficient animals. Speculation: The finding of increased plasma levels of phenylalanine suggests that phenylalanine metabolism may be impaired in iron-deficient rats with concomitant increases in compounds formed by alternate pathways of phenylalanine metabolism such as phenylpyruvic acid which may disturb mental function.
K-loop insertion restores microtubule depolymerizing activity of a neckless MCAK mutant

Unlike most kinesins, mitotic centromere–associated kinesin (MCAK) does not translocate along the surface of microtubules (MTs), but instead depolymerizes them. Among the motile kinesins, refinements that are unique for specific cellular functions, such as directionality and processivity, are under the control of a “neck” domain adjacent to the ATP-hydrolyzing motor domain. Despite its apparent lack of motility, MCAK also contains a neck domain. We found that deletions and alanine substitutions of highly conserved positively charged residues in the MCAK neck domain significantly reduced MT depolymerization activity. Furthermore, substitution of MCAK's neck domain with either the positively charged KIF1A K-loop or poly-lysine rescues the loss of MT-depolymerizing activity observed in the neckless MCAK mutant. We propose that the neck, analogously to the K-loop, interacts electrostatically with the tubulin COOH terminus to permit diffusional translocation of MCAK along the surface of MTs. This weak-binding interaction may also play an important role in processivity of MCAK-induced MT depolymerization.
Alignment of the amino terminal amino acid sequence of human cytochrome c oxidase subunits I and II with the sequence of their putative mRNAs

Thirteen of the first fifteen amino acids from the NH2-terminus of the primary sequence of human cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and eleven of the first twelve amino acids of subunit II have been identified by microsequencing procedures. These sequences have been compared with the recently determined 5'-end proximal sequences of the HeLa cell mitochondrial mRNAS and unambiguously aligned with two of them. This alignment has allowed the identification of the putative mRNA for subunit I, and has shown that the initiator codon for this subunit is only three nucleotides away from the 5'-end of its mRNA; furthermore, the results have substantiated the idea that the translation of human cytochrome c oxidase subunit II starts directly at the 5'-end of its putative mRNA, as had been previously inferred on the basis of the sequence homology of human mitochondrial DNA with the primary sequence of the bovine subunit.
Outer bounds on the error correction capacity region for non-multicast networks

In this paper we study the capacity regions of non-multicast networks that are susceptible to adversarial errors. We derive outer bounds on the error correction capacity region and give a family of single- and two-source two-sink 3-layer networks for which these bounds are tight.
Monitoring exposure to avian influenza viruses in wild mammals.

Avian influenza (AI) viruses primarily circulate in wild waterfowl populations and are occasionally transmitted to domestic poultry flocks. However, the possible roles of other wildlife species, such as wild mammals, in AI virus ecology have not been adequately addressed. 2. Due to their habitat and behaviour, many wild mammals may be capable of transmitting pathogens among wild and domestic populations. Exposure to AI viruses has been reported in an array of wild and domestic animals. The presence of wild mammals on farms has been identified as a risk factor for at least one poultry AI outbreak in North America. These reports suggest the need for seroprevalence studies examining the exposure of wild mammals to AI viruses. 3. Serological tests are routinely used to assess domestic poultry, domestic swine and human exposure to influenza A viruses, but these tests have not been validated for use in wild mammals. As such, some of these protocols may require adjustments or may be inappropriate for use in serology testing of wild mammals. Herein, we review these serological techniques and evaluate their potential usefulness in AI surveillance of wild mammals. We call for care to be taken when applying serological tests outside their original area of validation, and for continued assay verification for multiple species and virus strains.
Opening the door to robotic agents

What do agent researchers dream of? The answer is simple-building a general-purpose, robotic agent that works and communicates with human beings in natural settings. Although this goal remains elusive, researchers have made real progress in two important areas: defining clear avenues for advance as they reframe the issues involved in building agents; and the advent of mobile robots with manipulators and computer-vision systems has made possible a meaningful evaluation and comparison of competing agent architectures. Together, these factors are opening the door to rapid advances in the construction of intelligent machines. The paper discusses a new framework in robotic agent research involving planning systems and reactive systems.
Effects of modulator misalignment on LINC transmission with traveling wave tube amplifiers

Limitations on out of band emissions impose a certain degree of linearity on amplifier operation and often forces operation significantly below saturation, the region where the amplifier is most efficient. We present a study of the sensitivity of the LInear amplification with Nonlinear Components (LINC) method using traveling wave tube amplifiers. The LINC approach decomposes the source signal into two constant envelope signals, which are passed through a pair of amplifiers and then recombined to provide an amplified version of the source signal. Since the input to each amplifier has constant envelope, the amplifiers may be operated near saturation in order to obtain high efficiency and yet the overall system remains linear.
A systems-level modular design approach to field robotics

Long development times and high costs prevent robots from being practical for use in many important field missions. Here a modular design approach is proposed to produce a rapidly deployable low cost field robotic system. An inventory of components such as actuated joints, links, power supplies, and software modules are assembled to produce a field robotic system for a specified task. The proposed design method uses a hierarchical selection process combined with a genetic algorithm to select a robot configuration and action plan for a given task. This method is applied to an inspection task required for the preservation of the USS Constitution, an historic naval ship.
Energetic performance optimization of a capacitive deionization system operating with transient cycles and brackish water

Abstract Water desalination using capacitive deionization (CDI) has been a recent topic of intense research as a novel technique for water desalination, capable of returning a fraction of the input energy during the regeneration of nanoporous electrodes used for ion adsorption. Usually, a set of consecutive and alternating desalination–regeneration processes is conducted to evaluate the performance of this type of systems under different operational conditions (applied electric potential, flow rate, and initial solution concentration). However, the effect of timing for desalination and regeneration processes on the performance of a capacitive deionization system has not been explored yet. This paper analyzes the effect of varying the duration of desalination and regeneration processes on overall system performance for three different salinity levels and three different CDI system sizes. More specifically, the variation in energy recovery ratio, thermodynamic efficiency, and net energy required per moles of salt adsorbed per unit of volume treated are evaluated. To optimize the timing for transient operation, one desalination test was performed until total saturation, which is identified by the outlet concentration returning to inlet concentration. From this experiment, three characteristic times were obtained: one that minimizes the outlet solution concentration, one that gives the highest adsorbed ions per energy input and one that corresponds to maximum average adsorption rate. The results obtained from testing these three timing strategies in an alternating desalination–regeneration process suggest the existence of different optimal operational points, depending on the specific needs, such as maximum desalination rate or maximum energy efficiency. The methodology presented in this paper can be extended to other operational conditions/systems to optimize their energetic performance.
Performance modeling of component assemblies

SUMMARY A parallel component environment places constraints on performance measurement and modeling. For instance, it must be possible to instrument the application without access to the source code. In addition, a component may admit multiple implementations, based on the choice of algorithm, data structure, parallelization strategy, etc., posing the user with the problem of having to choose the ‘correct’ implementation and achieve an optimal (fastest) component assembly. Under the assumption that an empirical performance model exists for each implementation of each component, simply choosing the optimal implementation of each component does not guarantee an optimal component assembly since components interact with each other. An optimal solution may be obtained by evaluating the performance of all of the possible realizations of a component assembly given the components and all of their implementations, but the exponential complexity renders the approach unfeasible as the number of components and their implementations rise. This paper describes a non-intrusive, coarse-grained performance monitoring system that allows the user to gather performance data through the use of proxies. In addition, a simple optimization library that identifies a nearly optimal configuration is proposed. Finally, some experimental results are presented that illustrate the measurement and optimization strategies. Copyright c � 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishing broad generality of DNA catalysts for site-specific hydrolysis of single-stranded DNA

We recently reported that a DNA catalyst (deoxyribozyme) can site-specifically hydrolyze DNA on the minutes time scale. Sequence specificity is provided by Watson-Crick base pairing between the DNA substrate and two oligonucleotide binding arms that flank the 40-nt catalytic region of the deoxyribozyme. The DNA catalyst from our recent in vitro selection effort, 10MD5, can cleave a single-stranded DNA substrate sequence with the aid of Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) cofactors, as long as the substrate cleavage site encompasses the four particular nucleotides ATG^T. Thus, 10MD5 can cleave only 1 out of every 256 (4(4)) arbitrarily chosen DNA sites, which is rather poor substrate sequence tolerance. In this study, we demonstrated substantially broader generality of deoxyribozymes for site-specific DNA hydrolysis. New selection experiments were performed, revealing the optimality of presenting only one or two unpaired DNA substrate nucleotides to the N(40) DNA catalytic region. Comprehensive selections were then performed, including in some cases a key selection pressure to cleave the substrate at a predetermined site. These efforts led to identification of numerous new DNA-hydrolyzing deoxyribozymes, many of which require merely two particular nucleotide identities at the cleavage site (e.g. T^G), while retaining Watson-Crick sequence generality beyond those nucleotides along with useful cleavage rates. These findings establish experimentally that broadly sequence-tolerant and site-specific deoxyribozymes are readily identified for hydrolysis of single-stranded DNA.
Evidence against a germ plasm in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus, a hemimetabolous insect

Primordial germ cell (PGC) formation in holometabolous insects like Drosophila melanogaster relies on maternally synthesised germ cell determinants that are asymmetrically localised to the oocyte posterior cortex. Embryonic nuclei that inherit this “germ plasm” acquire PGC fate. In contrast, historical studies of basally branching insects (Hemimetabola) suggest that a maternal requirement for germ line genes in PGC specification may be a derived character confined principally to Holometabola. However, there have been remarkably few investigations of germ line gene expression and function in hemimetabolous insects. Here we characterise PGC formation in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus, a member of the sister group to Holometabola, thus providing an important evolutionary comparison to members of this clade. We examine the transcript distribution of orthologues of 19 Drosophila germ cell and/or germ plasm marker genes, and show that none of them localise asymmetrically within Oncopeltus oocytes or early embryos. Using multiple molecular and cytological criteria, we provide evidence that PGCs form after cellularisation at the site of gastrulation. Functional studies of vasa and tudor reveal that these genes are not required for germ cell formation, but that vasa is required in adult males for spermatogenesis. Taken together, our results provide evidence that Oncopeltus germ cells may form in the absence of germ plasm, consistent with the hypothesis that germ plasm is a derived strategy of germ cell specification in insects.
The effect of cellular telephone conversation and music listening on response time in braking.

Driver distraction contributes to vehicle accidents, with estimates as high as one-half of crashes being distraction-related. The purpose of this experiment was to explore potential distractions by testing the effects of cellular telephone conversation and music listening on response time and its subcomponents of reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT) in a simulated braking task. Participants (N = 27) sat at a simulated driving station and released the accelerator and depressed the brake pedal as quickly as possible following activation of a simulated brake lamp. The braking task was performed under each of six conditions including: (a) the control (braking task only); (b) music playing at 66 dBA; (c) music playing at 78 dBA; (d) cellular telephone conversation; (e) cellular telephone conversation and music at 66 dBA; and (f) cellular telephone conversation and music at 78 dBA. Cellular telephone conversation slowed response time, yet music had no effect on response time. While the RT results generally mirrored those of response time (i.e., RT was also slowed by the telephone conversation), interestingly, MT was actually faster when the cellular telephone conversation was present compared to when it was not. Participants appear to have anticipated slower RT in the presence of the cellular telephone conversation, and attempted to compensate by executing a more rapid movement to the brake pedal.
The Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor EcfO Protects Bacteroides fragilis against Oxidative Stress

The anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis is a highly aerotolerant, opportunistic pathogen that is an important component of the human intestinal microbiota. Aerotolerance has been linked to a robust oxidative stress response, which in turn is necessary for maximal virulence in a mouse intra-abdominal abscess model. During oxidative stress, there is a dynamic change in gene expression that encompasses a third of the genome, but there is a paucity of information on factors that control this response. A large number of transcription regulators, including about 14 extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors, are affected by oxidative stress, and one of these, EcfO, was used as a model of ECF sigma factor activity during stress. Genetic and biochemical experiments showed that EcfO was located in an operon with a structurally unique anti-sigma factor, Reo. Cells deleted for EcfO were impaired during exposure to oxygen or other forms of oxidative stress, whereas reo mutants were more resistant to stress. Protein-protein interaction experiments demonstrated that Reo directly interacts with and regulates the activity of EcfO. Expression microarray and chromatin affinity precipitation assays were used to identify target genes regulated by EcfO, and an EcfO recognition sequence was identified. The results revealed that EcfO controls a regulon of novel lipoproteins whose distribution in nature is restricted to members of the Bacteroidetes phylum.
Fluorescence amplification by self-aligned integrated microfluidic optical systems

This article presents fluorescence amplification by the two-dimensional planar microlenses with high numerical apertures (NA) designs. The integrated planer microlenses enhanced by the compound microlens designs with high NA are developed for fluorescence amplification. Disposable self-aligned integrated planar systems are fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). the amplification of the fluorescent intensity accomplished up to 28 times by self-aligned compound microlenses on microfluidic devices. The measured NA is 0.91. Disposable self-aligned compound microlenses on microfluidic channels can be used effectively as low-cost, rapid, and sensitive diagnostic biochips.
Opioid Receptor Selectivity of Heroin Given Intracerebroventricularly Differs in Six Strains of Inbred Mice

Heroin administered i.c.v. acts on supraspinal μ opioid receptors in ICR mice but on δ receptors in Swiss Webster mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which genotype plays a role in the opioid receptor selectivity of heroin across a range of fully inbred strains of mice. Six inbred strains were given heroin i.c.v. 10 min before the tail-flick test. Differences in the descending neurotransmitter systems involved in supraspinal opioid-induced analgesia were evaluated as the first step. Antagonism by bicuculline given intrathecally indicated the involvement of supraspinal δ receptors in activating spinal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors; antagonism by intrathecal methysergide indicated either μ or κ receptor involvement. Antagonism by intrathecal yohimbine implicated μ and eliminated κ receptor involvement. Intracerbroventricular opioid antagonists (β-funaltrexamine, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, naltriben, or nor-binaltorphimine) provided further differentiation. Based on these initial results, receptor selectivity was determined by more extensive ED50experiments with i.c.v. administration of heroin with opioid antagonists, β-funaltrexamine (for μ), naltrindole (for δ), and nor-binaltorphimine (for κ). The combined results indicated that heroin analgesia was predominantly mediated in C57BL/6J by δ, in DBA/2J and CBA/J by μ, and in BALB/cByJ and AKR/J by κ receptors. The response in C3H/HeJ appeared to involve μ receptors. The results indicate that the opioid receptor selectivity of heroin is genotype-dependent. Because these genotypes are fully inbred, the genetically determined molecular and neurochemical substrate mediating the different opioid receptor selectivities of heroin can be studied further.
A Three-Layer Virtual Director Model for Supporting Automated Multi-Site Distributed Education

In multi-site distributed education (MSDE), video streams from multiple sites are available. To best utilize the limited screen space at each site, we develop a customizable, automated display management system in this paper, i.e., only user-preferred streams will be shown as triggered by events and timers. The configuration of such user preference, however, is challenging because it has to be both human-friendly and machine-friendly. To address this challenge, we propose a three-layer virtual director model. In the user layer, we identify three categories of parameters that can represent a wide range of user preferences yet are easy to use. These preferences are then automatically translated into a machine-friendly timed automaton in the execution layer. The automaton is simulated dynamically, which selects a subset of streams to show on the screen through a display layer. Evaluation results demonstrate the correctness and efficiency of the proposed framework.
Compact active hyperspectral imaging system for the detection of concealed targets

We have recently conducted a series of laboratory and field test to demonstrate the utility of combining active illumination with hyperspectral imaging for the detection of concealed targets in natural terrain. The active illuminator, developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, is a novel microlaser-pumped fiber Raman source that provides high- brightness, subnanosecond-pulse-length output spanning the visible through near-IR spectral range. The hyperspectral- imaging system is comprised of a compact, grating-based spectrometer that uses a gateable, intensified CCD array as the detector element. The illuminator and hyperspectral imaging system are mounted on a small platform that is itself mounted on a tripod and scanned in azimuth to build an image scene of up to several hundred spectral bands. The system has been deployed under a variety of environmental conditions, including night-time illumination, and on a variety of target scenes, including exposed and concealed plastic and metallic mine-like targets. Targets have been detected and identified on the basis of spectral reflectance, fluorescence signatures, degree of polarization, and range-to-target information. The combination of laser-like broadband illumination and hyperspectral imaging offers great promise in concealed or obscured target detection. On-going developments include the incorporation of broadband illuminators in the 1 to 2 micrometers and 3 to 5 micrometers spectral bands, with corresponding increases in spectral coverage of the imaging and detection systems.
Examining the Validity of Approximations to Fully Three-Dimensional Shallow-Water Acoustic Propagation through Nonlinear Internal Gravity Waves

The anisotropic nature of most oceanic sound speed structures, which have longer horizontal characteristic scale lengths than vertical ones, means that horizontal refraction of sound can often be neglected in computations. Cases of especially strong lateral sound-speed variation, such as in steep nonlinear internal gravity waves, where horizontal refraction effects are known to occur, can often be effectively studied by considering the behavior of adiabatically propagating vertical normal modes. However, this is not always appropriate. Here, we describe propagation of low-frequency (less than 1 kHz) sound on continental shelves in two situations where mode coupling and horizontal mode refraction occur either concurrently or in close proximity. These situations are propagation through crossing or interacting nonlinear wave packets, and propagation at low horizontal grazing angles into nonlinear internal wave packets having very short horizontal scale lengths.
The Flow and the Composition of German Immigration to Philadelphia, 1727-1775

EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY German immigration to mainland British America was the only large influx of free white political aliens unfamiliar with the English language.1 The German settlers arrived relatively late in the colonial period, long after the diversity of seventeenth-century mainland settlements had coalesced into British dominance. Despite its singularity, German migration has remained a relatively unexplored topic, and the sources for such inquiry have not been adequately surveyed and analyzed. Like other pre-Revolutionary migrations, German immigration af fected some colonies more than others. Settlement projects in New England and Nova Scotia created clusters of Germans in these places, as did the residue of early though unfortunate German settlement in New York. Many Germans went directly or indirectly to the Carolinas. While backcountry counties of Maryland and Virginia acquired sub stantial German populations in the colonial era, most of these people had entered through Pennsylvania and then moved south.2 Clearly
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive and typically fatal interstitial lung disease. Besides its grave natural history and prognosis, three aspects of IPF challenge clinicians and investigators: (1) recent changes in the conceptual framework and definition of IPF complicate interpretation of prior clinical investigations; (2) while most patients with suspected IPF do not undergo open-lung biopsy, clinical definitions that do not include biopsy criteria have not been validated prospectively; and (3) available treatments have not been shown to be effective. To optimize clinical care and facilitate clinical investigation, a major goal of IPF research should be to develop validated sets of clinical diagnostic and prognostic criteria. Studies have shown the diagnostic value of high-resolution CT scans and identified important prognostic variables; many of these observations await prospective validation. While previous therapeutic studies have been limited by small sample sizes, lack of a placebo control group, and insufficient attention to patient-centered outcomes, the recent study of interferon γ-1b demonstrated the feasibility of a large-scale, multicenter clinical trial in IPF. In this article, we discuss how overcoming challenges in IPF research will enable future investigators to conduct well-designed observational studies and clinical trials, whose meaningful results will advance our understanding of IPF, its management, and its impact on patients’ lives.
Indoor tanning promotions on social media in six US cities #UVTanning #tanning

There is no research investigating indoor tanning advertising on social media. We assessed the use of social media to promote indoor tanning. We subscribed to social media platforms in six US cities and content-analyzed promotional messages received. We captured 662 messages on Twitter and Facebook, through salon emails, and in daily deal coupons. Salon postings were most frequent on Twitter and Facebook, with an average of 2–3 postings per week. National chains posted more frequently than local businesses. Forty percent of messages were devoid of tanning content and included photos, jokes, or popular references. Thirty percent mentioned price reductions, and 28 % referenced an upcoming holiday. Sunless tanning (17 %) was promoted more often than ultraviolet tanning (9 %). Tanning salons actively use social media as a strategy for maintaining relationships with customers and offer pricing deals that promote loyalty and high-frequency tanning.
Protective effect of prenylamine against vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation in the normal and ischemic canine myocardium.

SummaryObstruction and reestablishment of coronary artery flow both markedly lower the threshold for ventricular fibrillation (VF). This reduction in threshold is partially reversed by infusion of Prenylamine, a drug with slow channel blocking and coronary artery vasodilating properties. Mean blood pressure and heart rate were unaltered. Prenylamine administration also elevated the VF threshold in the nonischemic myocardium. Its effect on reperfusion VF threshold is unique, since commonly used antiarrhythmic drugs exert no such effect.
Eye movements and perceptual error: A developmental study

This study is concerned with the direction of eye movements during the occurrence of perceptual error. The hypothesis is that there is a positive relationship between eye-movement directionality and location of a stimulus in a particular field, and that this relationship holds for children and adults. One test of this hypothesis is that perceptual errors are associated partially with errors in eye movements themselves. Postexposural eye movements were studied in a sample of 24 7-year-old children and 36 adults. The stimuli comprised families of geometric figures; members of a family differed from each other only on one side (distinguishing feature). These figures were presented tachistoscopically in four orientations, the distinguishing feature appearing randomly at the top, bottom, left, and right of the figure. Multiple-choice arrays were presented in four orientations. The results are consistent with the proposal that errors in the perception of the distinguishing feature are associated with in itial eye movements to the opposite field of the distinguishing feature.
Insects Overwintering in the Warm Microenvironment of Drainage Ditches in Central Washington

Drainage ditches in central Washington that are fed by warm springs during the winter provided successful overwintering sites for many insects including both injurious and beneficial species. These insects and the host plants or habitat were identified. Six orders of insects were represented: Hemiptera (Heteroptera) (6 families), Hemiptera (Homoptera) (2 families), Diptera (15 families), Coleoptera (5 families), Hymenoptera (1 family), and Lepidoptera (2 families).
Sulfur-carbon nanocomposite cathodes improved by an amphiphilic block copolymer for high-rate lithium-sulfur batteries.

A sulfur–carbon nanocomposite consisting of a commercial high-surface-area carbon (i.e., Black Pearls 2000, BET surface area >1000 m2 g–1) and sulfur has been synthesized by an in situ deposition m...