cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women in ocean sciences: A status report

Science has long been dominated by men, but women are now entering the sciences [Widnall, 1988[, including ocean sciences, in large numbers. Indeed, women constitute 64% of the entering work force [Task Force, 1988]—white women 42%, nonwhite women 13%, and immigrant women 9%. Thus, meeting oceanography's human resource needs requires that it attract and retain women. This paper addresses the question, How are we doing? I hope also to stimulate discussion on these issues, leading to identification of activites appropriate for research-funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, to undertake.
A General Adaptive Control Structure with a Missile Application

A general adaptive control structure is described which includes, as a special case, conventional model reference adaptive controllers. The relationship between controller parameter errors and measured signal errors are described in a form suitable for application of many parameter estimation techniques. A simplified missile pitch-axis example is given to illustrate the application of the general structure.
Testing the Application of a Western Scientific Theory of AIDS Risk Behavior Among Adolescents in Ethiopia

Objective: To test whether a theoretical scheme developed in the United States within the framework of Western science could be applied to a study of HIV risk behaviors among Ethiopian youths. Methods: Informal interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to determine the relevance of particular AIDS-related risk and protective factors suggested by Jessor’s theoretical framework and to generate additional risk and protective factors that were not suggested by a review of the (predominantly Western) literature on adolescent risk behavior. Data from informal interviews and focus group discussions were used to develop survey instruments and procedures for administering survey instruments Apilot study among 99 youths was conducted to examine the reliability and construct validity of the survey instrument. Results: Based on information from focus group discussions and informal interviews, we confirmed the relevance of particular AIDS-related risk and protective factors. The definition of existing constructs was expanded and additional risk and protective factors were incorporated into the existing framework. Existing items and procedures for administering survey instruments were improved and new items were generated. The reliability of survey instruments was determined and improved whenever possible. Conclusions: We discuss the value of these preliminary steps for securing external validity by identifying theoretical constructs that are relevant to the population at hand and the use of a survey instrument that adequately captures these constructs and provides reliable information.
The mate choice brain: comparing gene profiles between female choice and male coercive poeciliids

Genes that mediate mate preferences potentially play a key role in promoting and maintaining biological diversity. In this study, we compare mate preference behavior in two related poeciliid fishes with contrasting behavioral phenotypes and relate these behavioral differences to gene profiles in the brain. Results reveal that one poeciliid fish, the Northern swordtail, exhibits robust mate preference as compared to the Western mosquitofish, which utilizes a coercive mating system. Female swordtails display no significant difference in association time between male- and female-exposure trials, whereas female mosquitofish spend significantly less time associating with males relative to females. Furthermore, the preference strength for large males is significantly lower in female mosquitofish relative to swordtails. We then examine expression of three candidate genes previously shown to be associated with mate preference behavior in female swordtails and linked to neural plasticity in other vertebrates: neuroserpin (NS), neuroligin-3 (NLG-3) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R). Whole brain gene expression patterns reveal that two genes (NS and NLG-3) are positively associated with mate preference behavior in female swordtails, a pattern opposing that of the mosquitofish. In mosquitofish females, these genes are downregulated when females express biases toward males yet are elevated in association with total motor activity patterns under asocial conditions, suggesting that the presence of males in mosquitofish species may inhibit expression of these genes. Both gene expression and female behavioral responses to males exhibit opposing patterns between these species, suggesting that this genetic pathway may potentially act as a substrate for the evolution of mate preference behavior.
Indirect measurements of differential gene expression with cDNA microarrays

The use of universal RNA reference sets is an increasingly common approach to molecular classification studies with cDNA microarrays. Here we evaluated the reliability of indirect measurements of fluorescence ratios with a common RNA reference as a means of identifying differentially expressed genes. Comparisons of direct and indirect measures of differential gene expression showed a strong overall correlation in fluorescence ratio measurements but also a high degree of false positives in our indirect measurements. These results indicated that the application of more stringent ratio filters may be required when assessing differential gene expression utilizing a common RNA reference in classification studies.
The loaded line phase shifter-a rigorous approach

A detailed description is given of a rigorous procedure that incorporates both lossy and imperfectly matched diodes. As an example, it is shown how to choose the values of the design parameters of a phase reflection modulator, an important component in the imbedding networks. Simple design equations are derived which include mismatched and lossy diode characteristics. These are developed using the invariant properties of the diode's Q factor and hyperbolic geometry on the Smith Chart. >
Serum-free cultures of murine adrenal cortical cells

Abstract Purpose The feasibility of culturing murine adrenal cortical cells before transplantation was investigated in this study. Method Primary murine adrenal cortical cells were maintained in either fetal bovine and horse sera–containing media or serum-free media. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the levels of adrenal cortical gene expression in the cultured cells. Results The use of sera-containing media led to the growth of many cells in the culture, but the expression of Sf-1 , Dax-1 , and Cyp11b1 in such cultures declined rapidly. In contrast, there was no significant cell growth in the serum-free culture medium. Culturing murine adrenal cortical cells in the serum-free medium resulted in higher levels of Sf-1 , Dax-1 , and Cyp11b1 gene expression. In the serum-free medium, adrenal cortical cells also responded to adrenocorticotropic hormone by increasing the expression of Cyp11b1 and suppressing the expression of Dax-1 in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of basic fibroblast growth factor to the serum-free medium maintained the expression of Sf-1 , Dax-1 , and Cyp11b1 for 4 weeks. Conclusion Adrenal cortical cells isolated from adult mice were successfully maintained in a serum-free culture medium with basic fibroblast growth factor. This culture system may be suitable for further manipulation of adrenal cortical cells in vitro before transplantation.
Portable run-time type description for conventional compilers

Many useful programming language extensions and system support libraries require knowledge of the locations of fields within objects at run time. Examples include orthogonal persistent object stores, precise garbage collectors, data structure picklers, and parameter marshaling schemes.For clean and efficient implementation as libraries, these systems require run-time knowledge of in-memory layouts of data objects, which is unavailable in most traditionally compiled and linked programming languages, such as C, C++, and Ada. Even the recently standardized run-time type identification (RTTI) feature in C++ is insufficient, because it describes only language-level features of the type hierarchy and not the compiler-dependent object layout decisions.We present a facility for run-time type description, or RTTD, which extracts low-level layout information from debugging information generated by conventional compilers, and makes it available to user programs. We believe this to be the simplest and most portable approach to run-time type description, requiring no changes to existing compilers. In this paper, we describe the basic strategies and present details of our implementation for C++. We also sketch some extensions that we have implemented, including special treatment of C++'s virtual function table pointers to match persistent or foreign data objects with the actual code in a particular application.Our implementation of run-time type description is freely available. It is in regular use with multiple operating systems and compilers, in both free and commercial products, including a high-performance persistent object storage system for C++ and a real-time garbage collector.
Cleanroom software engineering for zero-defect software

Cleanroom software engineering is a theory-based, team-oriented process for developing very high quality software under statistical control. Cleanroom combines formal methods of object-based box structure specification and design, function-theoretic correctness verification, and statistical usage testing for quality certification to produce software that has zero defects with high probability. The process of cleanroom development and certification is carried out incrementally. Interface and design errors are rare because at each stage the harmonious operation of future increments at the next level of refinement is predefined by increments already in execution. The cleanroom process is being successfully applied in IBM and other applications. Quality results from several cleanroom projects are summarized. >
A unified spectral analysis of generalized time-hopping spread-spectrum signals in the presence of timing jitter

This paper characterizes the power spectral density (PSD) of various time-hopping spread-spectrum (TH-SS) signaling schemes in the presence of random timing jitter, which is characterized typically by a discrete-time stationary random process (independent of the TH sequences and data sequence) with known statistical properties. A flexible model for a general TH-SS signal is proposed and a unified spectral analysis of this generalized TH-SS signal is carried out using a systematic and tractable technique. The key idea is to express the basic baseband pulse in terms of its Fourier transform which allows flexibility in specifying different TH formats throughout the general derivation. The power spectrum of various TH-SS signaling schemes can then be obtained as a special case of the generalized PSD results. Although general PSD results are first obtained for arbitrary timing jitter statistics, specific results are then given for the cases of practical interest, namely, uniform and Gaussian distributed jitter. Applications of this unified spectral analysis includes: (1) clocked TH by a random sequence; (2) framed TH by a random sequence; and (3) framed TH by a pseudorandom periodic sequence. Detailed descriptions of these different TH techniques are given where the first two techniques employ a random sequence (stochastic model) and the third technique employs a pseudorandom sequence (deterministic model).
The effect of antimycin A on cytochromes b561, b566, and their relationship to ubiquinone and the iron-sulfur centers S-1 (+ N − 2) and S-3☆

Abstract The effects of antimycin A on the behavior of the respiratory chain components at phosphorylation site II, cytochrome b561, b566, ubiquinone, iron-sulfur centers S-1 (+ N − 2) and S-3, were examined. The apparent half-reduction potential (Em) values of these components were calculated from their steady-state reduction levels in the presence of antimycin A assuming equilibrium with the succinate/fumarate couple and compared with those obtained in the presence of cyanide. (i) In the aerobic, antimycin Ainhibited steady state the calculated Em value for cytochrome b561 became 30 mV more positive and that of cytochrome b566 more than 130 mV more positive than the respective values in the cyanide-inhibited state. (ii) The calculated Em values for ubiquinone and iron-sulfur centers S-1 (+ N − 2) and S-3 were approximately 30 mV more negative in the antimycin A-inhibited steady state than in the cyanide-inhibited steady state. (iii) Antimycin A addition stimulated production of H2O2 and Superoxide anion by mitochondria. The highest rates of production of these compounds were found under conditions where the shifts in the calculated Em values of cytochrome b561 ubiquinone and iron-sulfur proteins away from their values in the presence of cyanide were maximal. (iv) The experimental results suggest that antimycin A exerts multiple effects on the carriers of phosphorylation site II.
Troubleshooting coextrusion film problems by considering process–property relationships

Coextrusion of plastics into a multilayer film is a complex process where many processing and structure design factors affect performance. As a result, problems can be difficult to troubleshoot. We...
The role of materials research in ceramics and archaeology

▪ Abstract Materials research has been applied successfully to the study of archaeological ceramics for the last fifty years. To learn about our history and the human condition is not just to analyze and preserve the objects but also to investigate and understand the knowledge and skills used to produce and use them. Many researchers have probed the limits and methods of such studies, always mindful that a glimpse at ancient reality lies in the details of time and place, context of finds, and experimentally produced data, usually compared with standards that were collected in an equivalent ethnographic setting or that were fabricated in a laboratory in order to elucidate the critical questions in a technology that could be understood in no other way. The basis of most studies of ancient technology has been established as microstructure; composition and firing; methods and sequence of manufacture; differentiation of use; use-wear and post-depositional processes; technological variability that can be interp...
The nature and cause of polarization anomalies of surface waves crossing northern and central Eurasia

SUMMARY Results of a pilot experiment preliminary to a systematic study of surface-wave polarization across Eurasia are presented. Long-period fundamental Rayleigh and Love waves recorded by the broad-band seismic stations KIV (Kislovodsk) and OBN (Obninsk) of the IRIS/IDA network deployed in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) were analysed from 14 events to the north-east, east and south-east of these stations in search of particle-motion anomalies using a technique called Frequency-Time Polarization Analysis (FTPAN). All anomalies indicate deviations of wave-propagation paths to the north relative to the great circle paths. Polarization anomalies at OBN are uniformly small (<5°). Significant frequency-dependent polarization anomalies (5°–20°) are found for Rayleigh and Love waves arriving at KIV from teleseismic events at a wide range of backazimuths (26°–103°). Polarization measurements are repeatable (both for a number of nearly degenerate events and for reciprocal paths) and vary smoothly and continuously as epicentral location is moved. Consequently, such measurements are robust and can provide useful structural information. The systematics of the frequency dependence of the polarization anomalies as epicentral position is moved from north to south display sensitivity to structures at a number of length-scales. Results from synthetic experiments using coupled normal-mode and Gaussian-beam synthetics reveal that: (1) recently constructed long-wavelength aspherical models produce polarization anomalies that are significantly smaller (<5° at KIV) but of the same sign (negative) as the observed anomalies, and (2) the frequency dependence of the observed anomalies must result from a combination of structures of differing wavelengths, with scale-lengths ranging from regional to global. Thus, polarization measurements provide new information about currently unmodelled structures. A model that fits the polarization anomalies observed at KIV includes a regional-scale low-velocity feature near to KIV in order to fit the large-magnitude, short-period polarization anomalies and a smaller magnitude, continent-scale increase in upper mantle velocities and/or the reduction of crustal thickness from south to north in central Eurasia in order to fit the broad-band, longer period anomalies. The small-scale, low-velocity feature is a model of the sedimentary basin of the sub-Caspian depression. We conclude that measurements of polarization anomalies can be obtained accurately, that they are reproducible, that they contain currently unmodelled information, and that they should prove to be useful in combination with velocity and amplitude information in future tomographic inversions, especially to help focus global-scale models to regional wavelengths.
Study of High Energy Emission from Relativistic Jets with VERITAS

VERITAS is an imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope array carrying out observations of the gamma-ray sky at energies above 100 GeV. Located in southern Arizona, VERITAS consists of an array of four telescopes, and carries out a comprehensive observing program for Galactic and extragalactic high energy sources. Observations of astrophysical objects in the TeV band are sensitive probes of highly energetic processes occurring in these sources. The majority of the extragalactic sources detected at TeV energies are active galaxies of the blazar class, sources where we view the jet nearly along its axis. In this report we present recent results from the VERITAS extragalactic program, focusing on blazars.
A model of glucose transport and conversion to lactate in the renal medullary microcirculation

In this study, we modeled mathematically the transport of glucose across renal medullary vasa recta and its conversion to lactate by anaerobic glycolysis. Uncertain parameter values were determined...
A photoswitchable orange-to-far-red fluorescent protein, PSmOrange

We report a photoswitchable monomeric Orange (PSmOrange) protein that is initially orange (excitation, 548 nm; emission, 565 nm) but becomes far-red (excitation, 636 nm; emission, 662 nm) after irradiation with blue-green light. Compared to its parental orange proteins, PSmOrange has greater brightness, faster maturation, higher photoconversion contrast and better photostability. The red-shifted spectra of both forms of PSmOrange enable its simultaneous use with cyan-to-green photoswitchable proteins to study four intracellular populations. Photoconverted PSmOrange has, to our knowledge, the most far-red excitation peak of all GFP-like fluorescent proteins, provides diffraction-limited and super-resolution imaging in the far-red light range, is optimally excited with common red lasers, and can be photoconverted subcutaneously in a mouse. PSmOrange photoswitching occurs via a two-step photo-oxidation process, which causes cleavage of the polypeptide backbone. The far-red fluorescence of photoconverted PSmOrange results from a new chromophore containing N-acylimine with a co-planar carbon-oxygen double bond.
Monoamine, amino acid and cholinergic interactions in slices of rat cerebral cortex.

Interactions of monoamine, amino acid and cholinergic transmitter systems were studied in slices of rat cerebral cortex using a superfusion procedure and measuring release of endogenous dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), GABA, glutamate (GLU) and aspartate (ASP). Depolarizing concentrations of K+ were used to induce a Ca2+-dependent, Mg2+-inhibited release of the monoamines and amino acids. Submaximal release of the monoamines and amino acids was observed at 35 mM K+, which permitted studies of possible excitatory or inhibitory actions of the added agents. The 35 mM K+-stimulated, Ca2+-dependent release of GABA was inhibited 40, 30 and 25% by 100 μM NE, DA and 5-HT, respectively. The release of GLU was potentiated by NE and reduced by DA. Both DA and 5-HT inhibited the release of ASP. The Ca2+-dependent, K+-stimulated release of endogenous NE, DA and 5-HT was not altered by 100 μM GABA, GLU or ASP. However, 100 μM GLU did enhance the stimulated release of GABA. The cholinergic agonist, carbachol, enhanced the stimulated release of NE, 5-HT and GLU 10, 60 and 40%, respectively. On the other hand, carbachol attenuated the release of DA and GABA approximately 20%. One interpretation of the data is that the amino acid transmitter pathways in slices of the cerebral cortex of the rat can be controlled by monoaminergic and cholinergic systems while the monoamine afferents appear to have a cholinergic regulation but not a major direct amino acid transmitter influence.
Individual differences in the development of early peer aggression: Integrating contributions of self-regulation, theory of mind, and parenting

This prospective longitudinal study focused on self-regulatory, social-cognitive, and parenting precursors of individual differences in children's peer-directed aggression at early school age. Participants were 199 3-year-old boys and girls who were reassessed following the transition to kindergarten (5.5-6 years). Peer aggression was assessed in preschool and school settings using naturalistic observations and teacher reports. Children's self-regulation abilities and theory of mind understanding were assessed during a laboratory visit, and parenting risk (corporal punishment and low warmth/responsiveness) was assessed using interview-based and questionnaire measures. Individual differences in children's peer aggression were moderately stable across the preschool to school transition. Preschool-age children who manifested high levels of aggressive peer interactions also showed lower levels of self-regulation and theory of mind understanding, and experienced higher levels of adverse parenting than others. Our main finding was that early corporal punishment was associated with increased levels of peer aggression across the transition from preschool to school, as was the interaction between low maternal emotional support and children's early delays in theory of mind understanding. These data highlight the need for family-directed preventive efforts during the early preschool years.
Research Note: Courthouse Shootings 1907-2007

As long as there have been courthouses, there has been a danger of violence surrounding them. Courthouses are a place where people take conflicts to be solved. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 by foreign terrorists and the earlier 1995 attack against the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City by domestic terrorists has increased the awareness of the need for more security in public buildings. In this descriptive study of 500 sheriff’s departments across the United States, 114 courthouse shootings are examined for motive, weapon availability, and casualties occurred.
Glucose stimulates protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs through an AMPK- and mTOR-independent process

Skeletal muscle protein synthesis is elevated in neonates in part due to an enhanced response to the rise in insulin and amino acids after eating. In vitro studies suggest that glucose plays a role...
Categorization in 3- and 4-month-old infants: an advantage of words over tones.

Neonates prefer human speech to other nonlinguistic auditory stimuli. However, it remains an open question whether there are any conceptual consequences of words on object categorization in infants younger than 6 months. The current study examined the influence of words and tones on object categorization in forty-six 3- to 4-month-old infants. Infants were familiarized to different exemplars of a category accompanied by either a labeling phrase or a tone sequence. In test, infants viewed novel category and new within-category exemplars. Infants who heard labeling phrases provided evidence of categorization at test while infants who heard tone sequences did not, suggesting that infants as young as 3 months of age treat words and tones differently vis-a-vis object categorization.
Food Habits and Dietary Preferences of Attwater's Pocket Gopher, Geomys attwateri

Fifty-one plant species were available in the habitat of Geomys attwateri . Thirtysix of these species were common to diets of both sexes; five additional species were unique to the diet of males. Species richness of the diet generally reflected that of the habitat, important dietary species were similar, and the amount of root material in the diets was similar (about 60% annually) for both sexes. Few plant species were preferred or avoided. Both sexes avoided annual dicots in winter and preferred perennial dicots seasonally. Females preferred perennial monocots in spring and males avoided them in summer. Thirty-four plant species were common to the diets of reproductive and non-reproductive females; one additional, minor species was unique to the diet of the former. Species richness of the diets reflected that of the habitat and important dietary species were similar for both groups. Reproductive females preferred perennial dicots and avoided annual monocots, whereas non-reproductive females did not.
A Comparison of Chemoembolization Endpoints Using Angiographic Versus Transcatheter Intraarterial perfusion/MR Imaging Monitoring

Purpose Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an established treatment for unresectable liver cancer. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that angiographic endpoints during TACE are measurable and reproducible by comparing subjective angiographic versus objective magnetic resonance (MR) endpoints of TACE. Materials and Methods The study included 12 consecutive patients who presented for TACE for surgically unresectable HCC or progressive hepatic metastases despite chemotherapy. All procedures were performed with a dedicated imaging system. Angiographic series before and after TACE were reviewed independently by three board-certified interventional radiologists. A subjective angiographic chemoembolization endpoint (SACE) classification scheme, modified from an established angiographic grading system in the cardiology literature, was designed to assist in reproducibly classifying angiographic endpoints. Reproducibility in SACE classification level was compared among operators, and MR imaging perfusion reduction was compared with SACE levels for each observer. Results Twelve patients successfully underwent 15 separate TACE sessions. SACE levels ranged from I through IV. There was moderate agreement in SACE classification (κ = 0.46 ± 0.12). There was no correlation between SACE level and MR perfusion reduction ( r = 0.16 for one operator and 0.02 for the other two). Conclusions Angiographic endpoints during TACE vary widely, have moderate reproducibility among operators, and do not correlate with functional MR imaging perfusion endpoints. Future research should aim to determine ideal angiographic and functional MR imaging endpoints for TACE according to outcome measures such as imaging response, pathologic response, and survival.
Web search steganalysis: some challenges and approaches

This work presents some important issues in searching the Internet for covert messages. Several related theoretical and practical problems are discussed. Web search is formulated as a mathematical optimization problem and solutions are proposed. Two algorithms: coordinated search and random search are discussed within this optimization framework along with their pros and cons.
Assessing The Markets Reaction To The Dodd-Frank Act

In this paper, we exam how the financial markets reacted to the emergence of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as it developed through the legislative process from policy concept to signed law. We find that investors, on the one hand, desired clarity and sustainable oversight of market activities, but simultaneously feared the possibility of over-burdensome regulation. As the legislative process developed, markets cheered any watering down of perceived over-restrictive provisions with a positive response. We also empirically noted the smaller banks stocks were generally unaffected by the entire emergence of Dodd-Frank, with nearly all of the market reaction (positive and negative) occurring with larger banks stocks.
The quest for wisdom: lessons from 17 tsunamis, 2004-2014.

Since the catastrophic Sumatra-Andaman tsunami took place in 2004, 16 other tsunamis have resulted in significant damage and 14 in casualties. We review the fundamental changes that have affected our command of tsunami issues as scientists, engineers and decision-makers, in the quest for improved wisdom in this respect. While several scientific paradigms have had to be altered or abandoned, new algorithms, e.g. the W seismic phase and real-time processing of fast-arriving seismic P waves, give us more powerful tools to estimate in real time the tsunamigenic character of an earthquake. We assign to each event a 'wisdom index' based on the warning issued (or not) during the event, and on the response of the population. While this approach is admittedly subjective, it clearly shows several robust trends: (i) we have made significant progress in our command of far-field warning, with only three casualties in the past 10 years; (ii) self-evacuation by educated populations in the near field is a key element of successful tsunami mitigation; (iii) there remains a significant cacophony between the scientific community and decision-makers in industry and government as documented during the 2010 Maule and 2011 Tohoku events; and (iv) the so-called 'tsunami earthquakes' generating larger tsunamis than expected from the size of their seismic source persist as a fundamental challenge, despite scientific progress towards characterizing these events in real time. Language: en
Abstract 2584: Inhibition of Mitochondrial Permeability Transition with NIM811 Improves Functional Recovery after Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Introduction: Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a seminal role in acute ischemic neuronal degeneration, the signature injury in stroke. A selective inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) may prevent collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby inhibiting the intrinsic pathway to neuronal death. Hypothesis: A novel mPT inhibitor, NIM811, will reduce infarct volume and improve functional recovery after focal cerebral ischemia. Methods: NIM811 was obtained as a gift from Novartis Pharma Ltd. (Basel, Switzerland). Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by unilateral carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hrs in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). During post-ischemic reperfusion, animals received NIM811 (50 mg/kg at 1- and 24-hrs of post-ischemic reperfusion) or drug-free vehicle. Infarct volume was measured at 24 hrs or 7 days. Functional performance was assessed with 2 measures, fall latency time (FLT) in a Rotarod device and Removal Delay (RD) in a tape removal task, over 28 days. Results: When given after 1 hr of post-ischemic reperfusion, 50 mg/kg NIM811 reduced 24-hr infarct volume (63.6 ± 18.7 [SD] v. 89.3 ± 12.5 mm 3 in controls; n = 8 - 10/group; p ≤ 0.01; unpaired t -test). Serial dosing of NIM811 lowered 7-day infarct volume compared to controls (51.9 ± 7.4 v. 61.9 ± 10.3 mm 3 ; n = 13 - 16/group; p ≤ 0.01; unpaired t -test). In the Rotarod task, NIM811-treated animals had prolonged FLT over controls at all examination times up to 28 days (n = 7 per group; p ≤ 0.0001; ANOVA/Scheffe’s test). NIM811-treated SHRs also had shorter RD for discarding tape applied to the paretic forelimb, compared to controls (n = 7 per group; p ≤ 0.002; ANOVA/Scheffe’s test). Conclusions: Inhibition of mPT with NIM811 significantly reduced infarct volume, when given within a clinically relevant post-ischemic interval. Serial dosing of NIM811 achieved neuroprotective resilience at 7 days. Reductions in infarct volume by NIM811 were complemented by improved functional performance up to 28 days after ischemia. These promising results highlight the potential of NIM811 for neuroprotective treatment of stroke in man.
The hindgut ultrastructure, and excretory products of larvae of the imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren

The ultrastructure and excretions of the hindgut of larvae of the imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren, is described. The anterior or base of the hindgut is closed and rooted (via the “dome”) in the posterior wall of the midgut, and is composed of basal cells of both the malpighian tubules and the small intestine (ileo-colon). The ileo-colon opens via a rectal valve into the rectum and transfers uric acid (white excretion) secreted by the malpighian tubules, into the rectum. The thin walled rectal epithelium has three rectal pads composed of large, cuboidal cells. The excretory product of larvae consists of 2 components, a white precipitate composed of uric acid and a clear liquid consisting of water and salts. Ultrastructural and observational studies suggest that the rectal pads and malpighian tubules secrete the clear fluid from the hemolymph. Results of experiments with the waste products indicate that larval excretions are not ingested by other members of the colony except adults which under water stress do consume some of the clear liquid. The adults do participate in the removal of the excretory products from the brood chamber.
Athermal avalanche in bilayer superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

We demonstrate that two superconducting nanowires separated by a thin insulating barrier can undergo an avalanche process. In this process, Joule heating caused by a photodetection event in one nanowire and the associated production of athermal phonons which are transmitted through the barrier cause the transition of the adjacent nanowire from the superconducting to the normal state. We show that this process can be utilized in the fabrication of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, reduce system jitter, maximize device area, and increase the external efficiency over a very broad range of wavelengths. Furthermore, the avalanche mechanism may provide a path towards a superconducting logic element based on athermal gating.
Discovering and Characterizing Abandoned Waste Disposal Sites Using LIDAR and Aerial Photography

Currently there are 1,908 active landfills across the United States; however, in the 1970s, prior to the modern era of sanitary landfills, there may have been as many as 100,000 landfills and dumps. Most of these landfills and dumps were unregulated and were abandoned, and details about their locations and characteristics are poorly documented. The Abandoned Landfill Inventory produced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lists 2,620 waste facilities in the state, of which 1,309 are described as “landfills” or “abandoned landfills.” There are 157 reported facilities in Lancaster County, PA. Seventeen are “landfills” or “abandoned landfills”; however, it is clear that most of the landfills and dumps that existed in Lancaster are not listed. A 1971 report documented approximately 23 land disposal sites, including eight landfills (one of which was a licensed sanitary landfill), 15 dumps, approximately 44 identified informal dumps, and perhaps 200 to 300 additional unidentified informal dumps. This study uses LIDAR and historical aerial photography integrated into a GIS database to investigate three dump sites in Lancaster County, PA. The sites had varying degrees of available information about their location and extent. The techniques discussed here can be used to investigate other ‘known’ and possible abandoned sites in order to significantly increase the robustness of the available data about these sites, leading to better monitoring and even remediation in extreme cases. As land-use pressures increase with an expanding population abandoned landfill sites need to be avoided or used in appropriate ways.
Surveillance Report Of Water-drinking Endemic Fluorosis In Fuyang City In 2010

Objective To learn the prevalence status of water-drinking endemic fluorosis in its popular areas in Fuyang,compare the variation of fluorine content in drinking water sources between in endemic areas with higher fluorine which had and had not completed the drinking water safety engineering,and provide scientific basis for improving water quality and decreasing fluorine content.Methods All work of endemic fluorosis monitoring was conducted according to the monitoring scheme of water-drinking endemic fluorosis of Anhui province(Amendment in 2010).Results : 841 files of fluorosis villages were built.The water fluorine content still exceeded the standard in 42 areas among 52 water-renovation rural areas.2850 children were investigated in all,and the incidence of dental fluorosis among them was 20.41%.There were 9 photos with Roentgenogram skeletal signs of fluorosis among 1200 X-ray photos.Conclusion There were fluorosis cases in all counties and districts of Fuyang city.The problem of fluorine excess of rural drinking water was still serious in endemic fluorosis areas.
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease and Circular Distribution of its Onset Time in Changde City in 2009-2011

Objective To analyze the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD)and explore the regularity of its onset time so as to provide evidence for its prevention and control. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD,and the seasonal trend of onset was analyzed by using circular distribution analysis. Results The average incidence rate of HFMD was 125.45/100,000 in Changde City from 2009 to 2011,including 332 severe cases and 3 death cases.The cases reported from April to July accounted for 66.27%of the annual total cases.The top four regions were Deshan District,Wuling District,Linli District,Dingcheng District,and their average annual incidence rates were all higher than that in Changde City.The average annual incidence rate in males(156.75/100,000)was higher than that in females(93.21/100,000).94.67%of the patients were scattered children and preschool children aged 6 months to 5 years.There were statistically significant differencesin the pathogens detected between common cases and severe cases.As compared with the common cases,the relative risk(RR)for human enterovirus 71(EV 71),Coxsackie virus 16(Cox A16)and other enteroviruses was 4.67,0.24,and 0.42,respectively.The circular distribution analysis showed that there was a certain central tendency of the incidence rate of HFMD,with the average peak time on June 10th,and the average peak time zone from March 22rd to August 28th(159 days).The severe HFMD showed a strong central tendency,with the average peak time on May 26th and the average peak time zone form April 9th to July 11th(93 days). Conclusions The epidemiological characteristics of HFMD in Changde City show obvious region,gender and age differences.Children aged 6 months to 5 years are the major high-risk population.The incidence of HFMD and severe HFMD reveals a seasonal feature.We should pay more attention to the peak time zone and strengthen the targeted prevention and control of HFMD.
Robust and artifact-free mounting of tissue samples for atomic force microscopy

Immobilization of tissue-samples for atomic for microscopy (AFM) is typically done using either semi-dry tissue or by gluing the tissue sample down, both of which can introduce artifacts. Here, we describe the design of a Soft- Clamping Immobilizing Retainer of Tissue (SCIRT) for consistent and nondestructive immobilization of tissues for AFM analysis. We compare the performance of our SCIRT method with glue-immobilization for two difficult to handle tissue types: human trabecular meshwork (HTM) and rabbit cornea (RC). Our results demonstrate that the SCIRT method has several advantages, including: (i) allowing for small sample sizes, (ii) enabling continuous hydration, (iii) eliminating contact with glue or associated solvents, (iv) permitting sample recovery following measurement, and (v) ease of use. In conclusion, the SCIRT method is a simple and effective means of immobilizing soft, hydrated tissue samples consistently and without artifacts.
Appearance-Based Retrieval of Mathematical Notation in Documents and Lecture Videos

Large data collections containing millions of math formulae in different formats are available on-line. Retrieving math expressions from these collections is challenging. Based on the notion that visually similar formulas are related, we propose a framework for appearance-based formula retrieval in two different modalities: symbolic for text documents and image-Based for videos. We believe that we can achieve high quality formula retrieval results using the visual appearance of math notation without complex formula semantic analysis. We represent mathematical notation using different graph types to take advantage of the information available on each domain. For symbolic formula retrieval, math expressions in text formats like LaTeX are parsed to generate Symbol Layout Trees. For image-based formula retrieval, image processing techniques are used to create a graph-based image content representation. We store these graphs using an inverted index of pairs of primitives defined by the triplet (p, q, r), where p and q are the labels of two primitives connected in the graph by the path r. Retrieval is a two-stage process: candidate selection and reranking. The first stage uses pairs of primitives from the query graph to find matches in the inverted index. Each match is given an initial score using the Dice coefficient of matched pairs of primitives. The best top-K candidates from the first stage are selected for re-ranking using a detailed similarity metric. Two steps are performed for each candidate: matching and scoring. The matching step is done by searching for the largest common substructure between query and candidate graphs. Matching is related to the problem of finding the maximum common subgraph isomorphism (MCS) between two graphs. In addition, we consider label unification for symbolic formula retrieval, and our wildcard query nodes can match entire subgraphs. In the scoring step, multiple similarity criteria define a score vector used to sort candidates, either by lexicographic order or by a function of these scores. Different datasets and benchmarks will be required to evaluate each modality. For symbolic formula retrieval, we will use the most recent versions of the NTCIR MathIR Tasks benchmarks. To the best of our knowledge, there are no benchmarks for large scale image-based formula retrieval. However, the same collections used for symbolic formula retrieval could be adapted by rendering math expressions to images. In addition, we will use datasets of math lecture videos for image-based formula retrieval. Traditional graded-scales of relevance used for evaluation of retrieval systems have been shown to have inconsistency issues. We plan to use pairwise candidate comparisons during our evaluation phase. Some aggregation methods exist that generate relevance scores and ideal rankings using these pairwise candidate comparisons. The proposed framework can be adapted to work for other domains like chemistry or technical diagrams where visually similar elements are usually related.
Nerve Conduction Through Dendrites via Proton Hopping.

BACKGROUND In our previous studies of nerve conduction conducted by proton hopping, we have considered the axon, soma, synapse and the nodes of Ranvier. The role of proton hopping described the passage of information through each of these units of a typical nerve system. The synapse projects information from the axon to the dendrite and their associated spines. METHODS We have invoked the passage of protons via a hopping mechanism to illustrate the continuum of the impulse through the system, via the soma following the dendrites. This is proposed to be a continuum invoked by the proton hopping method. RESULTS With the proposal of the activity through the dendrites, via proton hopping, a complete model of the nerve function is invoked. At each step to the way, a water pathway is present and is invoked in the proposed model as the carrier of the message via proton hopping. The importance of the dendrites is evident by the presence of a vast number of spines, each possessing the possibility to carry unique messages through the nervous system. CONCLUSION With this model of the role of dendrites, functioning with the presence of proton hopping, a complete model of the nerve system is presented. The validity of this model will be available for further studies and models to assess it's validity.
Extreme Modification of the Tetrapod Forelimb in a Triassic Diapsid Reptile

Summary The tetrapod forelimb is one of the most versatile structures in vertebrate evolution, having been co-opted for an enormous array of functions. However, the structural relationships between the bones of the forelimb have remained largely unchanged throughout the 375 million year history of Tetrapoda, with a radius and ulna made up of elongate, paralleling shafts contacting a series of shorter carpal bones. These features are consistent across nearly all known tetrapods, suggesting that the morphospace encompassed by these taxa is limited by some sort of constraint(s). Here, we report on a series of three-dimensionally preserved fossils of the small-bodied ( Drepanosaurus , from the Chinle Formation of New Mexico, USA, which dramatically diverge from this pattern. Along with the crushed type specimen from Italy, these specimens have a flattened, crescent-shaped ulna with a long axis perpendicular to that of the radius and hyperelongate, shaft-like carpal bones contacting the ulna that are proximodistally longer than the radius. The second digit supports a massive, hooked claw. This condition has similarities to living "hook-and-pull" digging mammals and demonstrates that specialized, modern ecological roles had developed during the Triassic Period, over 200 million years ago. The forelimb bones in Drepanosaurus represent previously unknown morphologies for a tetrapod and, thus, a dramatic expansion of known tetrapod forelimb morphospace.
A New Approach to Decrease the RES Uptake of Nanodrugs by Pre-administration with Intralipid® Resulting in a Reduction of Toxic Side Effects

The number of different nanoparticle drug-delivery systems currently being developed is increasing rapidly. A major limitation for the translation of nanodrugs to clinical applications is their rapid uptake by the cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), in particular liver and spleen. This can reduce the efficacy at the target tissue and increase the nano-toxicity to these off-target organs. Unfortunately, the accumulation of nanodrugs in tumors represents a small fraction of total injected dose (1–10 %). The majority (40–80 %) of injected nanodrugs end up in the RES. Many studies have been conducted to try to decrease the RES uptake and to increase the tumor targeting of nanodrugs by modifying nanoparticle characteristics, such as size, shape, charge, surface property, and composition. Our new strategy is to temporarily blunt the uptake of nanodrugs by the RES using Intralipid® 20 %, which has been used as a safe nutrition source for four decades. We have found that, in rodents, pre-treatment with Intralipid® 20 % (using a clinical route and dosage, 2 g/kg) can change the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of nanoparticles. A single dose of Intralipid® can reduce RES uptake by ~50 % and increase blood half-life by ~3-fold of nano- and micron-sized iron-oxide particles. Recently, we have applied this finding to the delivery of a platinum (Pt)-containing anti-cancer nanodrug. Pre-administration with Intralipid® can increase the bioavailability of the Pt-nanodrug and reduce the toxicity in liver, spleen, and kidney. Our method is a general one applicable to any approved and in-development nanodrugs without additional modification of the nano-carriers.