cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of cortisone on growth of chick embryos during early embryogenesis.

Cortisone acetate was administered on the initial day of incubation and at two or three day intervals thereafter to Cornish cross-White Hampshire chick embryos. The weight and length measurements were compared with controls on the fourth, seventh and tenth incubation days. A growth retarding effect of cortisone was demonstrated, which was more strikingly manifested in the alteration of the average length of the embryo in the earliest period, and in the alteration in average weight in the later periods. With this demonstration of growth retardation as early as the fourth day of incubation, it would appear unlikely that this effect is due to a suppression of somatotropin secretion by the hypophysis, since the latter is not fully differentiated prior to the tenth day. It would appear more likely that this effect represents a direct inhibition of protein synthesis and growth by cortisone.
Band gap radiation-induced photodesorption from polycrystalline powder surfaces of SrTiO3

Abstract The gas released from an oxygen-saturated powder surface of SrTiO 3 upon irradiation in the 310 to 430-nm wavelength region is carbon dioxide. It was found that greater-than-band gap photon energies cause desorption which is linearly proportional to the incident photon intensity, whereas smaller-than-band gap photon energies cause no desorption. The dependence of carbon dioxide photodesorption on net illumination time was also investigated and shows, at first, a rapid decrease in signal followed eventually by a lower constant level of desorption under prolonged exposure to uv radiation. The mechanism proposed is dependent on electron-hole pair production, followed by hole recombination with the bonding electron of a CO 2 − complex leading to thermal desorption of weakly bound CO 2 .
Numerical Performances of Explicit Cartesian Methods for Compressible Moving-Boundary Flow Problems

Cartesian method, which in some places is mentioned as Volume-Tracking Method, is one of the popular methods used in simulating transient flow problems involving complex moving boundaries. It has the advantage of being time-saving, efficient and robust for certain types of fluid-structure interaction problems. This method is featured by a Cartesian background Euler mesh discretizing the flow domain and a moving surface cutting through it. The most critical operation of this method is treating the cells cut by the moving boundaries accurately and stably. When the Cartesian methods are applied, the temporal discretization of the governing equations of the flow can be either implicit or explicit. For simulations cases in which time-accurately capturing wave propagation or flow evolution is essential, explicit approach still plays an important role among the researchers and currently available simulation codes. The current study is focused on the numerical performances of the explicit type of Cartesian methods when applied on the compressible flow cases. The accuracy of the simulation results, stability and grid-convergence problems resulted from a moving, impermeable boundary cutting through the background mesh are addressed. Example problems include the one-dimensional piston problem and the expanding sphere flow problems. In one case the sphere expands supersonically thus a spherical shock is generated. In another case it expands at a subsonic speed and works as a monople impulse noise source. To the best knowledge of the author, the problem of expanding-sphere generated acoustic impulse has not been reported anywhere else. Simple theoretical analyses are included and results of numerical experiments are reported.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The feasibility and educational value of Hear My Voice, a chaplain-led spiritual life review process for patients with brain cancers and progressive neurologic conditions.

Research continues to establish the importance of spirituality for many persons with medical illnesses. This paper describes a pilot study titled, “Hear My Voice,” designed to provide an opportunity for persons with progressive neurologic illnesses, including brain tumors and other neurodegenerative diseases, to review and discuss their spirituality with a board-certified chaplain, and to prepare a spiritual legacy document (SLD). First, we provide background information that underscores the importance of such a project for this patient population that is particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and communication difficulties. Second, we provide detailed methodology, including the semi-structured interview format used, the development of the SLD, and an overview of responses from participants and investigators. We also describe the quantitative and qualitative approaches to analysis taken with the aim of developing scientific validation in support of the Hear My Voice project.
Effect of tunicamycin on metabolism of unconjugated N-glycans in relation to regulation of tomato fruit ripening

Abstract The unconjugated N -glycans (UNGs) Man 3 (Xyl)GlcNAc(Fuc)GlcNAc and Man 5 GIcNAc influence tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv ‘Rutgers’) fruit ripening at nanomolar concentrations. In addition, we have shown a delaying effect on ripening of tomato pericarp discs by 10 ng per g fresh weight Man 5 GlcNAc, one of 10 UNGs purified from mature green tomato pericarp. In the present study, oligomannosidic UNGs from tomato fruit exhibited activity similar to Man 5 GlcNAc. However, complex UNGs isolated from tomato pericarp did not show the same inhibitory effect as Man 3 (Xyl)GlcNAc(Fuc)GlcNAc, a complex N -glycan not detected in tomato. The metabolism of UNGs was also studied by metabolic labelling with 14 C-glucosamine, revealing that the amount of oligomannosidic and complex type UNGs may change inversely during ripening. Both 14 C-labelled UNGs disappeared after treatment with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N -glycosylation. There was a correlation between the appearance of UNGs and recovery of ripening after tunicamycin treatment. Furthermore, application of 10 nM Man 5 GlcNAc with 40 μM tunicamycin prevented the delaying effect of tunicamycin. Our results indicate that endogenous unconjugated Man 5 GlcNAc may have a vital role in triggering and modulating tomato fruit ripening.
Effect of Bacteriophage Infection in Combination with Tobramycin on the Emergence of Resistance in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms

Bacteriophage infection and antibiotics used individually to reduce biofilm mass often result in the emergence of significant levels of phage and antibiotic resistant cells. In contrast, combination therapy in Escherichia coli biofilms employing T4 phage and tobramycin resulted in greater than 99% and 39% reduction in antibiotic and phage resistant cells, respectively. In P. aeruginosa biofilms, combination therapy resulted in a 60% and 99% reduction in antibiotic and PB-1 phage resistant cells, respectively. Although the combined treatment resulted in greater reduction of E. coli CFUs compared to the use of antibiotic alone, infection of P. aeruginosa biofilms with PB-1 in the presence of tobramycin was only as effective in the reduction of CFUs as the use of antibiotic alone. The study demonstrated phage infection in combination with tobramycin can significantly reduce the emergence of antibiotic and phage resistant cells in both E. coli and P. aeruginosa biofilms, however, a reduction in biomass was dependent on the phage-host system.
A CUTANEOUS NEMATODE INFECTION IN MONKEYS

A number of monkeys (Macacus rhesus) were found to be infected with a nematode which gave rise to several types of skin lesions, subcutaneous nodules, edema about the joints, and elongated serpiginous blisters of the palms and soles. In the subcutaneous nodules were found larval forms of the nematode and possibly adult male forms. The reaction about these worms consisted of proliferation of fixed cells, and invasion of eosinophils, with subsequent presence of giant cells, young blood vessels, and finally capsule formation; eventually the worms were killed, eliminated, and the nodule disappeared. In the skin of the palms and soles the adult female worm burrowed in the epidermis, producing an elongated serpiginous blood blister that eventually became purulent. In this blister the worm laid her eggs; and by the bursting of the blister the eggs were discharged into the outer world and placed in a position to infect new hosts. The reaction in the epidermis was evidently not severe enough to interfere seriously with the health of the host or with the continuation of the egg-bearing period of the female parasite. This condition of almost perfect parasitism is an ideal one for the continuation of the life of this species of nematode. In so far as we are able to determine this is the first description of a nematode that lays its eggs in the epidermis. The provisional name of the parasite is Trichosoma cutaneum, 1922.
Evaluation of aerobic bacteriologic culture of epidermal collarette specimens in dogs with superficial pyoderma.

Objective—To evaluate a method of aerobic bacteriologic culture of epidermal collarette specimens from dogs with superficial pyoderma and compare results with those for aerobic bacteriologic culture of abdominal skin specimens in healthy dogs. Design—Prospective study. Animals—22 dogs with epidermal collarettes and 24 healthy dogs. Procedure–Dry sterile cotton swabs were rolled across epidermal collarettes or hairless areas of abdominal skin in healthy dogs and submitted for aerobic bacteriologic culture. Hemolytic colonies of gram-positive–staining cocci were tested for catalase production, and if results were positive, a coagulase test was performed. Colonies with coagulase activity were tested for the ability to ferment mannitol. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on all Staphylococcus spp that were isolated. Results–S intermedius was isolated from collarettes in 18 of 22 dogs with superficial pyoderma but not from healthy dogs. Estimated sensitivity and specificity of the culture metho...
Hyperthermic modulation of radiolabelled antibody uptake in a human glioma xenograft and normal tissues

These experiments investigate the biodistribution of radiolabelled MAb in a human glioma xenograft model after 4 h of local hyperthermia (HT) with a twofold purpose: to maximize the ratio of cumulative isotope activity in tumour relative to normal tissues, and to examine the temperature dependence of the effect. Restrained, unanaesthetized athymic nude mice bearing 150-200 mm3 s.c. human glioma xenografts (D-54 MG) were given 5 micrograms 125I-labelled specific and 131I-labelled non-specific MAb immediately prior to HT (water bath) for 4 h. Cohorts of five animals were killed at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after HT, and normal and tumour tissues were analysed for activity of each isotope. MAb uptake in tumour was greater with HT than with controls, and greater for specific MAb than for non-specific MAb. Uptake in thyroid was not significantly affected by tumour HT, suggesting that HT does not increase the rate of dehalogenation. Uptake in several other normal tissues away from the heated site was significantly increased (as were reported previously in mice anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium during treatment; Cope et al. 1990), but the temporal pattern was different from that observed in tumour, suggesting that short-lived isotopes might lead to preferential dose deposition in heated tumour. Doses to various tissues were calculated for isotopes having a range of half-lives; the results clearly indicated that maximum differential in uptake between tumour and normal tissues would occur for isotopes with half-lives < 3 days. A separate series of experiments compared tumour uptake for 40, 42 and 44 degrees C HT. These results demonstrated that 42 and 44 degrees C HT created maximum enhancement in specific antibody uptake over controls. Specific MAb was retained over time in 42 degrees C-heated tumours, whereas significant washout occurred for non-specific MAb, which indicates that MAb retention was due to increased specific binding at this temperature and not vascular damage with antibody trapping. Retention of both specific and non-specific MAb was seen at 44 degrees C, suggesting that vascular damage becomes an important non-specific mechanism for antibody retention at higher temperatures.
Development of a fungus-specific PCR assay for detecting low-level fungi in an indoor environment.

A fungus-specific PCR assay using only one primer set has been developed for detecting indoor fungi. Four fungal primer sets, NS3/NS4, NS5/NS6, FF1/FR1 and FF2/FR1, were tested with DNA from humans, rats, mice, bacteria, pollens and six commonly found fungal species (Alternaria chamydospora, Aspergillus flavus, Candida famata, Cladosporium fermentans, Penicillium chrycoIgenum and Stachybotrys chartarum). Results indicated that, although all four primer sets could amplify the fungal DNA, only FF2/FR1 demonstrated no cross-amplification with non-fungal DNA. In addition, these amplified fragments were sequenced to ensure that they indeed matched known fungal DNA sequences. Furthermore, besides the tested fungi, eighteen more genera of fungal sequences were examined and found to match the FF2/FR1. Here, the method of bead-beating was identified as the most effective way for spore breakage and fungal DNA release. The PCR amplification efficiency and potential inhibition were examined using different process solutions and preparation procedures. It was found that, when using 20% nutrient media and homogenization-first procedure, a higher amplification efficiency with less inhibition was achieved. Although positive bands were observed at 0.2 fungal spore/reaction using the homogenization-first procedure, the sensitivity of this assay would be two fungal spores/reaction for environmental samples.
Efficient facet edge detection and quantitative performance evaluation

In this paper, we "rst introduce a recursive procedure for e$ciently computing cubic facet parameters for edge detection. The procedure allows to compute facet parameters in a "xed number of operations independent of kernel size. We then introduce an image independent quantitative criterion for analytically evaluating di!erent edge detectors (both gradient and zero-crossing based methods) without the need of ground-truth information. Our criterion is based on our observation that all edge detectors make a decision of whether a pixel is an edgel or not based on the result of convolution of the image with a kernel. The variance of the convolution output therefore directly a!ects the performance of an edge detector. We propose to analytically compute the variance of the convolution output and use it as a measure to characterize the performance of four well-known edge detectors. 2001 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Transforming growth factor-β induces Cdk2 relocalization to the cytoplasm coincident with dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein

Background The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway functions to prevent tumorigenesis, and loss of sensitivity to TGF-β-mediated cell cycle arrest is nearly ubiquitous among human cancers. Our previous studies demonstrated that rapamycin potentiates TGF-β-induced cell cycle arrest in nontransformed epithelial cells and partially restores TGF-β-induced growth arrest of some human cancer cell lines. Growth arrest correlated with increased binding of p21 and p27 to cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (Cdk2), and inhibition of Cdk2 kinase activity. However, it was unclear how TGF-β caused increased binding of p21 and p27 to Cdk2.
Virtual time synchronization over unreliable network transport

In parallel and distributed simulations, it is sometimes desirable that the application's time-stamped events and/or the simulator's time-management control messages be exchanged over a combination of reliable and unreliable network channels. A challenge in developing infrastructure for such simulations is to correctly compute simulation time advances despite the loss of some simulation events and/or control messages. The authors present algorithms for synchronization in distributed simulations, performed directly over best-effort network transport. The algorithms are presented in a sequence of progressive refinement, starting with all reliable transport and finishing with combinations of reliable and unreliable transport for both time-stamped events and time management messages. Performance results from a preliminary implementation of these algorithms are also presented. To our knowledge, this is the first work to solve asynchronous time synchronization performed directly over unreliable network transport.
Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Borate Glasses

Some common features of the “well known” dielectric relaxation in oxide glasses are discussed.
School Expectations for Parental Involvement and Student Mathematics Achievement: A Comparative Study of Middle Schools in the US and South Korea.

While schools play a major role in promoting parental involvement in schooling in many countries, few comparative studies examined the level of school expectation for parental involvement and its effect on student achievement. Using the TIMSS 1999 dataset, this study examined the level of school expectation for various types of parental involvement in the US and South Korea and the relationship among school characteristics, expectations for parental involvement, and 8th grade students' mathematics achievement. The study showed that teacher collaboration and school disorder problems were two school factors associated with the level of school expectations for parental involvement in both countries. The study also found that school expectations for parental involvement were significantly associated with higher student achievement in mathematics in the US but not in South Korea. Policy implications for US schools and South Korean schools are discussed.
Stress hormones and the fitness consequences associated with the transition to a novel diet in larval amphibians

SUMMARY Closely related species often specialize on different types of prey, but little is known about the fitness consequences of making an evolutionary transition to a novel diet. Spadefoot toad larvae provide a unique opportunity to reconstruct these evolutionary events. Although most anuran larvae feed on detritus or plankton, Spea larvae have also evolved the ability to consume large anostracan fairy shrimp. To investigate the changes that may have accompanied the shift to shrimp prey, we compared shrimp-induced physiological responses of Spea larvae with those of its sister genus, Scaphiopus , that has not made this transition. Although Spea larvae performed equally well on either diet, shrimp-fed Scaphiopus larvae experienced reduced growth and developmental rates, as well as elevated levels of the stress hormone corticosterone when compared with those that ate the ancestral detritus diet. These results suggest that ancestral Spea likely experienced reduced fitness when they first adopted a carnivorous feeding strategy.
Evaluation of functional architectures for cognitive radio systems

This paper proposes and compares two new physical layer architectures for cognitive radio. The idea of cognitive radio has been proposed for a while, but little research has been done on detailed architectural design and complexity analysis of physical layer functions and systems. Two cognitive radio functional architectures are proposed: one is based on the traditional communication components and the other is based on blind signal separation. Complexities of critical cognitive radio functions are evaluated and the two proposed architectures are compared.
The role of sand/shale interfaces in saturated zone NAPL trapping

Abstract Spilled nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) can be trapped by relatively small-scale structures at sand/shale interfaces just as hydrocarbons are naturally trapped in larger scale structures in oil and gas fields. We measured microscale closure at the upper sand/shale interface for 62 locations at three sites for fluvial/alluvial and tidal flat depositional environments and found that closure volume ranged from 0.56 to 2.9 L/m2 and averaged 1.2 L/m2. The area of each measurement ranged between 1024 and 2090 cm2. We could not measure closure height for individual features, so we measured the topographic variation at each of the 62 locations. Topographic variation ranged up to a maximum of 3.3 cm, and site means ranged between 1.3 and 2.4 cm. We also conducted sand box experiments to see if microscale features have NAPL trapping potential. Our results suggest that for NAPL to be trapped at greater than residual saturation, the trap closure height must be greater than the capillary rise of water into the NAPL. A closure height of 4.0 cm effectively trapped Marvel Mystery Oil when the average grain size was 1.5 mm but failed to do so at smaller grain sizes. Our experimental results are reproduced adequately by Hobson’s Formula which states that the height of capillary rise is inversely proportional to grain size and is also a function of the physical properties of the NAPL. Further calculations using Hobson’s Formula suggest that traps containing coarse-grained material are effective for some NAPLs at closure heights approaching 1 cm, whereas fine-grained sands require minimum closure heights of slightly <1 to 5 m or more to trap NAPLs.
Reduction of neurovascular damage resulting from microelectrode insertion into the cerebral cortex using in vivo two-photon mapping.

Penetrating neural probe technologies allow investigators to record electrical signals in the brain. The implantation of probes causes acute tissue damage, partially due to vasculature disruption during probe implantation. This trauma can cause abnormal electrophysiological responses and temporary increases in neurotransmitter levels, and perpetuate chronic immune responses. A significant challenge for investigators is to examine neurovascular features below the surface of the brain in vivo. The objective of this study was to investigate localized bleeding resulting from inserting microscale neural probes into the cortex using two-photon microscopy (TPM) and to explore an approach to minimize blood vessel disruption through insertion methods and probe design. 3D TPM images of cortical neurovasculature were obtained from mice and used to select preferred insertion positions for probe insertion to reduce neurovasculature damage. There was an 82.8 ± 14.3% reduction in neurovascular damage for probes inserted in regions devoid of major (>5 µm) sub-surface vessels. Also, the deviation of surface vessels from the vector normal to the surface as a function of depth and vessel diameter was measured and characterized. 68% of the major vessels were found to deviate less than 49 µm from their surface origin up to a depth of 500 µm. Inserting probes more than 49 µm from major surface vessels can reduce the chances of severing major sub-surface neurovasculature without using TPM.
Transitioning from Traditional to Digital Content: An Examination of Opinion Leadership and Word-of-Mouth Communication across Various Media Platforms

This study demonstrates that online product user reviews create opportunities for customer involvement with product and brand. It focuses on the resultant benefits to the firm, such as the attraction of valuable opinion leaders to the brand, positive word-of-mouth (WOM) communication about the brand, and brand preference. We examine subscribers of a leading paid subscription Web site and print magazine, as well as product review contributors, all customers of a major consumer product rating media organization. Results indicate a strong relationship between online contributors and opinion leadership, and increased WOM and brand preference for Web site subscribers.
Editorial and Publishing Policies of Major Management Journals

The article discusses the various aspects related to the publishing policies of management journals. According to the author, it is the responsibility of management journals to keep management exec...
Prediction of protein conformation on the basis of a search for compact structures: Test on avian pancreatic polypeptide

Based on the concept that hydrophobic interactions cause a polypeptide chain to adopt a compact structure, a method is proposed to predict the structure of a protein. The procedure is carried out in four stages: (1) use of a virtual-bond united-residue approximation with the side chains represented by spheres to search conformational space extensively using specially designed interactions to lead to a collapsed structure, (2) conversion of the lowest-energy virtual-bond united-residue chain to one with a real polypeptide backbone, with optimization of the hydrogen-bond network among the backbone groups, (3) perturbation of the latter structure by the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo (EDMC) procedure, and (4) conversion of the spherical representation of the side chains to real groups and perturbation of the whole molecule by the EDMC procedure using the empirical conformational energy program for peptides (ECEPP/2) energy function plus hydration. Application of this procedure to the 36-residue avian pancreatic polypeptide led to a structure that resembled the one determined by X-ray crystallography; it had an alpha-helix starting at residue 13, with the N-terminal portion of the chain in an extended conformation packed against the alpha-helix. Similar structures with slightly higher energies, but looser packing, were also obtained.
Metabolic Control Analysis under Uncertainty: Framework Development and Case Studies

Information about the enzyme kinetics in a metabolic network will enable understanding of the function of the network and quantitative prediction of the network responses to genetic and environmental perturbations. Despite recent advances in experimental techniques, such information is limited and existing experimental data show extensive variation and they are based on in vitro experiments. In this article, we present a computational framework based on the well-established (log)linear formalism of metabolic control analysis. The framework employs a Monte Carlo sampling procedure to simulate the uncertainty in the kinetic data and applies statistical tools for the identification of the rate-limiting steps in metabolic networks. We applied the proposed framework to a branched biosynthetic pathway and the yeast glycolysis pathway. Analysis of the results allowed us to interpret and predict the responses of metabolic networks to genetic and environmental changes, and to gain insights on how uncertainty in the kinetic mechanisms and kinetic parameters propagate into the uncertainty in predicting network responses. Some of the practical applications of the proposed approach include the identification of drug targets for metabolic diseases and the guidance for design strategies in metabolic engineering for the purposeful manipulation of the metabolism of industrial organisms.
Effect of femoral head surface roughness on the wear of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups

We studied the effect of femoral head surface roughness on the wear of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cups using a hip joint simulator and a reciprocating wear tester. Compared with the hip simulator, the reciprocating wear tester severely exaggerates the effect of counterface roughness on UHMWPE wear and drastically underestimates the wear rate of the UHMWPE against smooth undamaged counterfaces. According to the hip simulator test results, the wear rate of the UHMWPE cups is approximately proportional to the square root of the femoral head roughness Ra (center-line-average roughness) rather than to Ra raised to a power greater than one as predicted by pin-on-disk studies. Roughening of the femoral heads by an order of magnitude results in a 2- to 3-fold increase in the wear rate. Therefore, the much wider clinical variations of wear cannot be fully explained by variations in surface roughness of the femoral heads.
Symmetry breaking in self-assembled monolayers on solid surfaces: Anisotropic surface stress

This paper models the self-assembly dynamics of a two-phase monolayer on an elastic substrate. The two phases coarsen to reduce the phase boundary energy and refine to reduce the elastic energy. To minimize the total free energy, the two phases can order into nanoscale patterns. We combine the continuum phase field model of spinodal decomposition and the anisotropic surface stress. The numerical simulation shows various patterns, such as interwoven stripes, parallel stripes, triangular lattice of dots, and herringbone structures. The surface stress anisotropy causes a transition from the parallel stripes to the herringbone structures. We show that this symmetry breaking mesophase transition obeys the classical theory of Landau.
Differentiation of nephrotensin from the renin angiotensin system.

SummaryAn investigation of the relationship between nephrotensin and the renin angiotensin system was carried out.Nephrotensin was found in the plasma of rats with renal clip hypertension and with chemically induced kidney damage. There was no demonstrable correlation between presence of nephrotensin and plasma renin activity, and the pressor activity of nephrotensin was not altered by previous immunization of test animals with angiotensin II nor by pretreatment with angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor. These results indicate that nephrotensin is different from the components of the renin-angiotensin system.
ErsatzPasswords: ending password cracking

In this work we present a simple, yet effective and practical, scheme to improve the security of stored password hashes rendering their cracking detectable and insuperable at the same time. We utilize a machine-dependent function, such as a physically unclonable function (PUF) or a hardware security module (HSM) at the authentication server. The scheme can be easily integrated with legacy systems without the need of any additional servers, changing the structure of the hashed password file or any client modifications. When using the scheme the structure of the hashed passwords file, etc/shadow or etc/master.passwd, will appear no different than in the traditional scheme.1 However, when an attacker exfiltrates the hashed passwords file and tries to crack it, the only passwords he will get are the ersatzpasswords --- the "fake passwords". When an attempt to login using these ersatzpasswords is detected an alarm will be triggered in the system that someone attempted to crack the password file. Even with an adversary who knows the scheme, cracking cannot be launched without physical access to the authentication server. The scheme also includes a secure backup mechanism in the event of a failure of the hardware dependent function. We discuss our implementation and provide some discussion in comparison to the traditional authentication scheme.
Biometric Modeling of Gene-Environment Interplay: The Intersection of Theory and Method and Applications for Social Inequality.

Abstract For more than a decade, biometric moderation models have been used to examine whether genetic and environmental influences on individual differences might vary within the population. These quantitative Gene × Environment interaction models have the potential to elucidate not only when genetic and environmental influences on a phenotype might differ, but also why, as they provide an empirical test of several theoretical paradigms that serve as useful heuristics to explain etiology-diathesis-stress, bioecological, differential susceptibility, and social control. In the current article, we review how these developmental theories align with different patterns of findings from statistical models of gene-environment interplay. We then describe the extant empirical evidence, using work by our own research group and others, to lay out genetically informative plausible accounts of how phenotypes related to social inequality-physical health and cognition-might relate to these theoretical models.
Characteristics of Rg waves recorded from quarry blasts in central Texas

Abstract Chemical blasts from quarrying operations in central Texas are routinely recorded by the W. M. Keck Foundation Seismological Observatory near China Spring, Texas. The Keck Observatory consists of a single, broadband, three-component, borehole seismograph system. Five quarries, located at distances ranging from 16 to 101 km from the observatory, each detonate from 1 to 6 tons of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil explosive on the average of twice per week. For every quarry for which the orientation of the working face could be determined, dispersed Rg waves are recorded at the Keck Observatory from those quarries at which the working face is directed away from the observatory, but are not observed or are severely attenuated from those quarries at which the working face is directed toward the observatory. Seismograms containing the dispersed Rg are easily recognized as quarry blasts, but those in which the dispersed Rg is absent look like small earthquakes.
Geometrically-Exact Extension of Theodorsen’s Frequency Response Model

The classical unsteady theory of Theodorsen is revisited relaxing some of the major assumptions such as (1) flat wake, (2) small angle of attack, (3) small disturbances to the mean flow components, and (4) time-invariant free-stream. A semi-analytical, geometricallyexact, unsteady potential flow model is developed for airfoils undergoing large amplitude maneuvers. The numerical implementation of the developed model is presented. The unsteady predictions of the developed model are validated against experimental and computational results. Then, the frequency response of the flow dynamics is determined at different angles of attack. While good agreement is shown with Theodorsen’s function at small angle of attack, considerable qualitative and quantitative discrepancies between the obtained frequency response at large angles of attack and Theodorsen’s function are observed.
Digital simulation of initial temperature profile in rock and soil for underground engineering

To calculate the heat transfer in rock and soil for underground engineering accurately,the initial temperature profile mathematical model of rock and soil for underground engineering with the first and third boundary conditions was derived.Based on this,a toolkit for calculating the initial temperature profile was developed to compute the soil and/or rock temperatures at different depths and time which avoided the difficulties in the field test.Finally,the toolkit was validated by the measured data in Nanjing.The results show that it may take some time for the third kind boundary condition to achieve the measured results,that the annual temperature fluctuate disappears at the depth of about 15 m in Nanjing,that the convection heat transfer coefficient influences the temperature profile more in the shallow layer of the soil than in the deep layer and that the influence decreases as the depth increases.
Study on Reactive Power Optimization of Distribution Networks in View of BPA

Mounting position of compensation equipment and compensation capacity in reactive power optimization of distribution networks are studied.Principles and methods for reactive power compensation are introduced first and the four compensation schemes for distribution networks are analyzed and compared in detail.It is believed that,for low power factor substations and lines,the compensation scheme of fixing the distribution lines should be adopted.Also,the county-level power system in south Hebei power networks is taken as an example and calculation of reactive power optimization is made by utilizing reactive power optimization modules of power flow calculation software BPA(Bonneville Power Administration) as well as Two-thirds rule usually used for reactive power optimization of distribution networks.The mounting position and compensation capacity of compensation equipment are determined,and optimization performance is analyzed.Finally,resonable suggestions for reactive power optimization of distribution networks are given.
Interoperability In Radiography Data: The Impossible Dream

Background: Technology in healthcare is changing at a very rapid pace. To ensure that technology is used efficiently to combat rising healthcare costs and new federal policies and laws, all technology must be able to communicate with each other. Therefore, interoperability must be obtained. Radiography is no exception considering all the different types of equipment manufactured routinely used today. Some barriers need to be overcome to achieve interoperability within radiography departments. Purpose: To review the literature on the interoperability of healthcare data to determine the barriers that Radiography departments would have to overcome to improve interoperability of their healthcare data. Methods: The methodology of this literature review follows the fundamental principles of a systematic search, conducted in separate stages, but is not a comprehensive systematic review, which was not reasonable due to resource constraints. The stages of the literature search included defining the search strategy, identifying the inclusion criteria, assessing the relevance and validity of the studies retrieved, and data extraction and synthesis. Results: There were attempts to ensure interoperability, such as the use of the Nationwide Health Information Network (NwHIN), but roadblocks such as financial incentives for physicians and costs of implantation have hindered the adoption of the NwHIN. Other barriers that limit interoperability exist. These obstacles included inconsistency of the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard for medical imaging departments and a complete lack of norms for certain data points such as the exposure index between different vendors. Discussion: Multiple viable options for the improvement of interoperability are prevalent in radiography departments. One such option is cloud computing, which uses multiple various types of hardware and software as resources to help interoperability of healthcare data. Agent-based technologies, which can be used to distribute management of different standards, can also be utilized to communicate between standards. The largest need to ensure interoperability is standards that are well defined and stringent with an infrastructure to map different terminologies across different standards. Conclusion: Various technological advances can be used to improve interoperability such as agent-based technology and cloud computing. However, until a standardization of terms within the DICOM protocol and a standard across vendors, and all data points standardized, it will be impossible to obtain true interoperability.
Development: Acting your cellular age.

Plant researchers have speculated about the need for mechanisms to lock-down cell fate in late development. In PRC2 mutants, specialized, endoreplicated root hair cells differentiate normally but later revert to an embryo-like state.
Polyclonal anti-Candida antibody improves phagocytosis and overall outcome in zebrafish model of disseminated candidiasis.

Fungal infections are a major cause of animal and plant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective biological therapeutics could complement current antifungal drugs, but understanding of their in vivo mechanisms has been hampered by technical barriers to intravital imaging of host-pathogen interactions. Here we characterize the fungal infection of zebrafish as a model to understand the mechanism-of-action for biological antifungal therapeutics through intravital imaging of these transparent animals. We find that non-specific human IgG enhances phagocytosis by zebrafish phagocytes in vivo. Polyclonal anti-Candida antibodies enhance containment of fungi in vivo and promote survival. Analysis suggests that early phagocytic containment is a strong prognostic indicator for overall survival. Although polyclonal anti-Candida antibodies protect against disease, this is not necessarily the case for individual monoclonal anti-Candida antibodies. Thus, the zebrafish appears to provide a useful model host for testing if a biological therapeutic promotes phagocytosis in vivo and enhances protection against candidemia.
Note on a Paper by Ooguri and Vafa

In a recent paper, Ooguri and Vafa [arXiv:1610.04564] argued that a mild extension of the Weak Gravity conjecture\cite{weakgrav} led to the conclusion that the only models of quantum gravity in AdS space with "radius large compared to the string scale" were models with exact AdS-SUSY. This note clarifies certain obscure parts of their argument by reinterpreting it as a statement about brane configurations in flat space. In that context the statement is that stable non-supersymmetric configurations of branes are characterized by charges in the torsion subgroup of K-theory and their only long range fields are gravitational and scalar. The field equations do not have large radius near horizon AdS solutions. Instead the horizons are Schwarzschild black branes. This leads us to conjecture that for $d \leq 11$ the K theory charges are bounded by a small integer, and there can be no large gravitational back reaction in the near horizon limit, for stable configurations. Unbounded values of these discrete charges would violate the Covariant Entropy Bound. We discuss a counterexample to the conjecture in $AdS_3$. We find similar counterexamples in higher dimensional AdS spaces, but argue that none of them lead to SUSY violating models of quantum gravity in Minkowski space.
Nighttime Execution of Warrants: An Analysis Under Wilson v. Arkansas and Virginia v. Moore

The daytime warrant requirement has become a surprisingly complex issue since the circuit courts have been unable to come to any cohesive conclusion on the issues surrounding the requirement. Most of the circuit courts have refused to acknowledge the substantive Fourth Amendment question, instead finding a separate Fourth Amendment violation in the violation of the terms of the warrant or the local rules governing warrants. This Article provides an original case collection regarding the circuit split surrounding the issue and is the first scholarly article to attempt to answer both Fourth Amendment and exclusionary rule questions, thereby paving a path for the Supreme Court to ultimately decide these issues. Appendix A of this Article also provides an overview of each state’s statutes, rules of criminal procedure, and/or case law regarding the time at which warrants may be executed in that state.Since the daytime warrant requirement was derived from the same common law interests of protecting people, property, and privacy as the knock and announce rule, it follows that a search executed at nighttime under a valid daytime warrant would fall under the same exclusionary rule attenuation as the knock and announce rule. This Article argues that the daytime warrant requirement should follow the same path as Wilson v. Arkansas, Richards v. Wisconsin and Hudson v. Michigan in finding that the daytime executions of warrants are required by the Fourth Amendment, subject to certain exceptions, but no exclusionary rule consequences follow from violations of the requirement.For the courts that have decided not to answer the substantive Fourth Amendment violation and instead found a separate Fourth Amendment violation in the terms of the warrant or violation of the local laws governing warrants, Virginia v. Moore and the courts finding in Richards v. Wisconsin should govern that analysis. Violating local rules governing purely procedural requirements in warrants should not invoke the exclusionary rule.
Natural resource revenues: Effect on the pattern of domestic investments relative to international assets investments

The question of interest in this essay is whether the presence of natural resource rents detracts from or contributes to domestic investments and economic diversification vis-a-vis international investments. In general, there is a positive relation between natural resource rents and domestic investments. However, evidence suggests that albeit resource-dependent economies are capital scarce, they tend to invest more in international markets proportional to domestic markets. We use a panel quantile regression to model the influence of natural resource revenues on the evolution of investments and precisely on the ratio of domestic capital investments relative to total international assets investments (Investment Pattern). Our results show that natural resource rents as percentage of GDP are negatively related to the ratio of domestic capital relative to foreign assets investments only in countries with resource rents per GDP above12.5%. Further, after adding an index for absorptive capacity, we confirm that in capital scarce economies, absorptive capacity plays an important role to bringing investments home at all quantiles of the investment patterns.
Sequence-based US population data for the SE33 locus

A set of 1036 U.S. Population Samples were sequenced using the Illumina ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit. This sample set has been highly characterized using a variety of marker systems for human identification. The FASTQ files obtained from a ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit experiment include several STR loci that are not reported in the associated software. These include SE33, DXS8377, DXS10148, DYS456, and DYS461. The sequence variation within the autosomal STR marker SE33 was evaluated using a customized bioinformatic approach to identify and characterize the locus in the 1036 data set. The analysis identified 53 unique alleles by length and 264 by sequence. An additional 10 alleles were detected when selected extended flanking regions were examined to resolve discordances. Allele frequencies and SE33 sequence motif patterns are reported for the 1036 data set. The comparison of numerical allele calls derived from sequence data to the allele calls obtained from commercial capillary electrophoresis-based STR typing kits resulted in 100% concordance, after manual data review and confirmation sequencing of three flanking region deletions. The analysis of this data set involved significant manual sequence curation and information support from length-based genotypes to ensure high confidence in the sequence-based allele calls. The challenges of interpreting the sequence data for SE33 consisted of high sequence noise, allele-size dependent variance in coverage, and heterozygote imbalance. As allele length increased, sequence depth of coverage and quality decreased at the terminal end. Accordingly, heterozygous genotype imbalance increased in proportion to increased distance between alleles.