cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and theoretical study of the effects of wing geometry on a supersonic multibody configuration

An experimental and theoretical investigation of planform effects on a low-fineness ratio multibody configuration was conducted in NASA-Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at Mach number of 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.16. Experimental and theoretical values of lift, drag, and pitching moment as well as surface pressures were obtained on several configurations which varied in both outboard-wing panel and inboard-wing panel planforms. The three outboard-wing panels were a 65 -deg delta and two trapezoidal wing planforms. An unswept and a 60-deg swept inboard-wing panels were also tested. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of wing planform on the supersonic aerodynamics. The large trapezoidal wing provided increased performance over the small trapezoidal wing primarily due to a reduction in the zero-lift drag coefficient. The swept inboard-wing panel planforms provided a slightly higher L/D than the unswept inboard-wing panel due to a minimal improvement in zero-lift drag. Linear-theory aerodynamic codes were used to analyze the effect of planform on the supersonic aerodynamics and were found to generally produce adequate results.
The GNAS Locus: Quintessential Complex Gene Encoding Gsα, XLαs, and other Imprinted Transcripts

The currently estimated number of genes in the human genome is much smaller than previously predicted. As an explanation for this disparity, most individual genes have multiple transcriptional units that represent a variety of biologically important gene products. GNAS exemplifies a gene of such complexity. One of its products is the α-subunit of the stimulatory heterotrimeric G protein (Gsα), a ubiquitous signaling protein essential for numerous different cellular responses. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations within Gsα-coding GNAS exons are found in various human disorders, including Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy, pseudohypoparathyroidism, fibrous dysplasia of bone, and some tumors of different origin. While Gsα expression in most tissues is biallelic, paternal Gsα expression is silenced in a small number of tissues, playing an important role in the development of phenotypes associated with GNAS mutations. Additional products derived exclusively from the paternal GNAS allele include XLαs, a protein partially identical to Gsα, and two non-coding RNA molecules, the A/B transcript and the antisense transcript. The maternal GNAS allele leads to NESP55, a chromogranin-like neuroendocrine secretory protein. In vivo animal models have demonstrated the importance of each of the exclusively imprinted GNAS products in normal mammalian physiology. However, although one or more of these products are also disrupted by most naturally occurring GNAS mutations, their roles in disease pathogenesis remain unknown. To further our understanding of the significance of this gene in physiology and pathophysiology, it will be important to elucidate the cellular roles and the mechanisms regulating the expression of each GNAS product.
Changes in Leptin Expression Are Not Associated with Corresponding Changes in CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein-α

Abstract C/EBP-α binds a C/EBP consensus site in the leptin promoter and activates transcription in vitro. We assessed adipose tissue expression of C/EBP-α, leptin and β-actin in Sprague Dawley rats under conditions that modulate leptin mRNA abundance in order to study the relationship between leptin and C/EBP-α expression patterns. During acute fasting, which decreased the level of leptin and β-actin mRNA, C/EBP-α mRNA expression was unaltered. In leptin-treated and pair-fed animals, C/EBP-α mRNA was unaltered compared to ad libitum fed controls, while leptin and β-actin mRNA expression was again decreased. These results indicate that changes in the level of leptin gene expression are not directly associated with changes in the level of C/EBP-α abundance.
A new technique for single-person fascia lata harvest.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstitution of a watertight dural closure at the conclusion of most neurosurgical operations is a very important step to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leak, encephalocele formation, or infection. If sufficient native dura is not available to accomplish this goal, a dural substitute is required. METHODS: We have developed a system of single-person fascia lata harvest that is fast, safe, and easily mastered. Through a standard incision along the iliotibial band, the fascia lata is dissected from the underlying muscle, and with the use of a simple system of stainless steel plates, a tray, and 2 nonperforating towel clips, a large volume of fascia is harvested. RESULTS: We have used this technique on 23 patients in the past 12 months, with good results. We have had fewer postoperative pain complaints and less seroma formation compared with the standard technique. CONCLUSION: This technique requires only simple instrumentation and, because the harvesting is done by 1 person, it can proceed independently of the main operation, thus eliminating any added operative time and inconvenience. It reliably produces a large volume of high-quality fascia that can be used in a variety of neurosurgical procedures.
Conformational preferences of carbonic acid and its sulfur derivatives, H2C(=X)O2- nSn(X =O/S; n = 0-2)

Abstract Ab initio calculations have been performed to investigate the conformational stability of the carbonic acid and its five possible sulfur derivatives, H 2 C( X)O 2− n S n (X = O/S, n = 0–2). Transition states have been calculated for the interconversion of the different isomers by internal rotation or intramolecular proton transfer reactions. The structures and vibrational frequencies for the global and local minima as well as for the transition states were obtained at the MP2/6-311++G(3df, 3p) level, and energies were calculated at the QCISD(T)/6-311++G(3df, 3p) level. The natural bond orbital analysis method is used to rationalize the conformational preferences of the molecules in terms of the stabilizing orbital interactions of the n π , and n σ lone pairs of oxygen and sulfur atoms with the O C X or S C X moiety.
Quantum optimal control of ozone isomerization

We present a feasibility study of ozone isomerization based on a recent ab initio potential energy surface and a model Hamiltonian constructed by holding the bond lengths constant and using the valence angle as the isomerization coordinate. Optimal control theory is used to find an electric field that drives isomerization with a yield of 95% to the symmetric metastable triangular form of ozone. A frequency filter is applied as an additional spectral constraint limiting the field bandwidth. A post-facto analysis is performed showing a degree of inherent robustness of the isomerization yield to field noise.
Charge Transport and Recombination in Perovskite (CH3NH3)PbI3 Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells

We report on the effect of TiO2 film thickness on the charge transport, recombination, and device characteristics of perovskite (CH3NH3)PbI3 sensitized solar cells using iodide-based electrolytes. (CH3NH3)PbI3 is relatively stable in a nonpolar solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate) with a low iodide concentration (e.g., 80 mM). Frequency-resolved modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopies show that increasing TiO2 film thickness from 1.8 to 8.3 μm has little effect on transport but increases recombination by more than 10-fold, reducing the electron diffusion length from 16.9 to 5.5 μm, which can be explained by the higher degree of iodide depletion within the TiO2 pores for thicker films. The changes of the charge-collection and light-absorption properties of (CH3NH3)PbI3 sensitized cells with varying TiO2 film thickness strongly affect the photocurrent density, photovoltage, fill factor, and solar conversion efficiency. Developing alternative, compatible redox electrolytes is important for (CH3NH3)PbI3 o...
Effect of anesthesia on maximal cochlear microphonics.

Abstract During prolonged periods of pentobarbital anesthesia (6–8 h), cochlear microphonics (CM) in cats became reduced by approximately 6 dB, but only in the region of maximal responses (‘truncation’). For the following reasons, this change is held to be neurally mediated, specifically by an impairment of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB): 1. (1) Its onset coincided with the disappearance of efferent action potentials, normally superimposed on low-frequency CM. 2. (2) OCB stimulation augments CM by approximately 6 dB, once more only in the region of maximal responses [4]. 3. (3) Sectioning of the OCB reduces maximal CM responses [8]. 4. (4) Truncation was produced by two neural blocking agents, azide and DFP [10], most likely also resulting from OCB impairments. 5. (5) At the high input levels required to produce maximal responses, CM ought to become slightly elevated by acoustically-evoked OCB activity. This elevation should cease to occur on impairment of OCB under the effect of prolonged anesthesia; thus there would be an apparent truncation.
Stump appendicitis: surgical background, CT appearance, and imaging mimics

Stump appendicitis, also known as remnant appendicitis, is an uncommon entity with little radiologic literature. It is the result of unintentional incomplete appendectomy with subsequent inflammatory changes in the appendiceal remnant. A retrospective review of the radiology and pathology archives at our institution over an 8-year period yielded six surgically/pathologically confirmed cases. Imaging findings at presentation were evaluated, including appendiceal stump length, appendiceal stump diameter, presence or absence of surrounding stranding in the periappendiceal fat, and presence or absence of complication (perforation or abscess). The CT findings of the six cases had an average surgical specimen appendiceal stump length of 3.5 cm (range 2.0-5 cm) and an average appendiceal diameter of 12.3 mm (range 10-16 mm). All six cases demonstrated the presence of periappendiceal inflammatory fat stranding on the CT scan. Range of imaging presentation is reviewed with pictorial examples as well as examples of potential false-positive cases (mimics) including Crohn's disease, residual surgical drain tract, and epiploic appendagitis. Familiarity with stump appendicitis as well as its imaging mimics may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and prevent unnecessary complications.
Potential Role of Muscarinic Agonists in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder and a leading cause of death among the elderly. Recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of AD have provided scientific groundwork for the development of potentially more effective and less toxic treatment strategies for the disease. Some of the neuropathological hallmarks of AD include early and extensive degeneration of cortically projecting cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain, and a reduced number of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Of note, neocortical muscarinic receptors of the M1 subtype are relatively preserved in the brains of patients with AD, whereas the presynaptic receptors, which are of the M2 subtype, are reduced in number. Therefore, activation of relatively intact postsynaptic mechanisms by muscarinic M1 receptor-specific agonists could theoretically be more efficacious in the treatment of AD compared with agents (e.g. acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) that predominantly act on dysfunctional presynaptic terminals. The administration of muscarinic agonists can demonstrably enhance cognition and significantly improve some of the disturbing behaviours in patients with AD. Recent advances in our knowledge of the molecular biology of muscarinic receptors, together with a better understanding of signal transduction pathways in AD, are likely to result in the development of receptor-specific muscarinic agonists that are more efficacious and less toxic. Moreover, preliminary evidence concerning the effects of muscarinic agonists on the processing of amyloid precursor protein and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles suggests that these agents might favourably alter the pathobiology of AD.
Intra-industry specialization in a multi-country and multi-industry framework

The paper tests alternative hypotheses as to the factors determining the extent of intra-industry trade, defined as the share of this trade in total trade, in a multi-country, and multi-industry framework. The empirical results show that the extent of intra-industry trade in a particular industry between any two countries depends on the characteristics of the industry and the countries concerned. The explanatory power of the regressions for the entire group of countries exporting manufactured goods, as well as for trade among the developed countries, is relatively high and practically all the hypotheses concerning the impact of industry trade are supported by the empirical results. Lower coefficients of determination have been obtained for trade between developed and developing countries and for trade among developing countries, but the estimates generally support the hypotheses put forward in the paper in these cases also.
GLOBALIZATION AND CHINA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract. This paper studies the nature and implications of globalization in China's economic development since 1978. It covers the four aspects of the flows of goods, capital, technology/information and of people to and from China. It also analyzes the role of the exchange rate of renminbi in transmitting the effects of foreign trade and investment to the Chinese macroeconomy.
ESL Versus Mainstream Classes: Contrasting L2 Learning Environments

Language minority students are often placed in mainstream, English-medium classrooms long before they develop the degree of language proficiency necessary to compete on an equal footing with native speakers of the school language. With the ever-increasing presence of such students in U.S. schools, ESL and content-area educators are working to better integrate their respective curricula and instructional roles. In order to accomplish this integration, significant instructional differences in these two contexts must be identified, and systematic comparisons must detail how L2 learners fare in each of these instructional environments. What do students lose and gain in their transition from ESL to the mainstream? This question was addressed in a 3 ½ year ethnography of the L2 learning experiences of newcomer students attending a high school in northern California. The study, which followed 4 Chinese ethnic immigrant students as they made the transition from ESL to mainstream classes, contrasted patterns of spoken and written language use in classrooms, identified significant differences in the content and goals of the ESL versus mainstream curricula, and documented language instruction and feedback in both contexts. Both contexts were also evaluated in terms of the socializing features of schooling, such as counseling and peer networks. As in many other U.S. public schools, the isolated and marginalized position of the ESL program in an institution that otherwise made no adjustment for nonnative speakers produced a makeshift system in which there was no appropriate instructional environment for learners of the school language.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Electromagnetic Fields Induced Inside Finite Biological Bodies

The total electric field inside some simulated biological bodies induced by an electromagnetic wave has been quantified by the recently developed tensor integral equation method and measured by an insulated probe. In general, the induced electric field inside a biological body was found to be quite complicated. An excellent agreement was obtained between theory and experiment.
Enumeration and characterization of culturable arsenate resistant bacteria in a large estuary.

Abstract Arsenic is a toxic element that exists in two major inorganic forms, arsenate and arsenite. A number of bacteria have been shown to resist arsenic exposure, and even more bacteria appear to possess the genes for arsenic resistance. In this study, the numbers of culturable arsenate-resistant bacteria present in water at three coastal sites in the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, Louisiana, was determined. Despite insignificant (less than 1.33 μM) levels of arsenic in this system, 20–50% of the viable count of bacteria showed appreciable arsenate resistance, suggesting that arsenic-resistant bacteria are common and widespread. A diverse array of arsenate-resistant isolates was obtained, with 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicating 37 different bacterial strains, representing six major bacterial groups. Many of these isolates were affiliated with groups of bacteria that have been poorly characterized in terms of arsenic resistance, such as the Betaproteobacteria or Flavobacteria. Some isolates were capable of tolerating very high (>100 mM) levels of arsenate, although arsenite resistance was generally much lower. The results suggest that arsenic-resistant bacteria are common, even in environments with insignificant arsenic contamination, and that many different groups of aquatic bacteria show appreciable arsenic resistance.
Positional candidate gene selection from livestock EST databases using Gene Ontology.

Motivation: The number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in GenBank has now surpassed 200 000 for cattle and 100 000 for swine. The Institute of Genome Research (TIGR) has organized these sequences into approximately 60 000 non-redundant consensus sequences (identified by TIGR Gene Indices) for cattle and 40 000 for swine. Anonymous ESTs are of limited value unless they are connected to function. Functional information is difficult to manage electronically because of heterogeneity of meaning and form among databases. The Gene Ontology (GO) Consortium has produced ontologies for gene function with consistent meaning and form across species. Linking livestock EST to gene function through similarity with sequences from other annotation-rich mammals could accelerate: (1) the discovery of positional candidate genes underlying a livestock quantitative trait locus (QTL) and (2) comparative mapping between livestock and other mammals (e.g. humans, mouse and rat). We initiated this investigation to determine if incorporation of the GO into the annotation process could accelerate livestock positional candidate gene discovery. Results: We have associated livestock ESTs with GO nodes through sequence similarity to the NCBI Reference Sequences (RefSeq). Positional candidate genes are identified within minutes that otherwise required days. The schema described here accommodates queries that return GO nodes from terms familiar to biologists, such as gene name, alternate/alias symbol, and OMIM phenotype. Availability: Scripts and schema are available on request from the authors.
Amphetamine‐evoked gene expression in striatopallidal neurons: regulation by corticostriatal afferents and the ERK/MAPK signaling cascade

The environmental context in which psychostimulant drugs are experienced influences their ability to induce immediate early genes (IEGs) in the striatum. When given in the home cage amphetamine induces IEGs predominately in striatonigral neurons, but when given in a novel test environment amphetamine also induces IEGs in striatopallidal neurons. The source of the striatopetal projections that regulate the ability of amphetamine to differentially engage these two striatofugal circuits has never been described. We report that transection of corticostriatal afferents selectively blocks, whereas enhancement of cortical activity with an ampakine selectively augments, the number of amphetamine-evoked c-fos-positive striatopallidal (but not striatonigral) neurons. In addition, blockade of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade preferentially inhibits the number of amphetamine-evoked c-fos-positive striatopallidal neurons. These results suggest that glutamate released from corticostriatal afferents modulates the ability of amphetamine to engage striatopallidal neurons through an ERK/MAPK signaling-dependent mechanism. We speculate that this may be one mechanism by which environmental context facilitates some forms of drug experience-dependent plasticity, such as psychomotor sensitization.
Delay Composition Algebra: A Reduction-Based Schedulability Algebra for Distributed Real-Time Systems

This paper presents the delay composition algebra: a set of simple operators for systematic transformation of distributed real-time task systems into single-resource task systems such that schedulability properties of the original system are preserved. The transformation allows performing schedulability analysis on distributed systems using uniprocessor theory and analysis tools. Reduction-based analyses techniques have been used in other contexts such as control theory and circuit theory, by defining rules to compose together components of the system and reducing them into equivalent single components that can be easily analyzed. This paper is the first to develop such reduction rules for distributed real-time systems. By successively applying operators such as PIPE and SPLIT on operands that represent workload on composed subsystems, we show how a distributed task system can be reduced to an equivalent single resource task set from which the end-to-end delay and schedulability of tasks can be inferred. We show through simulations that the proposed analysis framework is less pessimistic with increasing system scale compared to traditional approaches.
Optimization Models of Discrete-Event System Dynamics

A methodology is given for modeling the dynamics of discrete-event stochastic systems as optimization problems. The intent is to provide a means to utilize the rich mathematical theory and algorithms of optimization in the study of this important class of systems. A procedure for mapping a simulation event relationship graph into a mixed-integer program is presented, along with examples of queueing networks and manufacturing systems that illustrate the approach. Several potential applications are examined, including automatic constraint generation for optimal resource scheduling, representations of max-plus algebra models for queueing system dynamics, response gradient estimation, and an unconventional technique for simulating queueing systems using virtual resources that are identified from the optimization models for these systems.
Late rectal toxicity after prostate brachytherapy: influence of supplemental external beam radiation on dose-volume histogram analysis.

Abstract Purpose To describe the rate of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity after prostate brachytherapy and describe how external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) may influence the association of rectal dose–volume histogram (DVH) parameters with rectal toxicity. Methods and Materials One hundred ten patients with prostate cancer were treated with I-125 brachytherapy alone ( n = 62, 144 Gy) or as a boost ( n = 48, 108 Gy) after 45-Gy EBRT. CT-based dosimetry was performed a median of 29 days after implantation. GI toxicity was evaluated by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. Median followup was 41 months. Results Eleven patients developed Grade 2 + GI toxicity. Men treated with EBRT had an increased risk of GI toxicity, with freedom from Grade 2+ toxicity of 82% vs. 91% for implant alone, but this difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.3044). Of the DVH parameters analyzed, only the rectal volume receiving the prescription dose (r V 100 % ) was associated with late Grade 2 + GI toxicity. Men with r V 100% ≥ 0.05 cc had a 4-year freedom from Grade 2+ toxicity of 77% vs. 100% for those with an r V 100% p = 0.0248). However, this relationship was only significant for the subset of patients treated with EBRT, where men with r V 100% ≥ 0.05 cc had a 26% risk of Grade 2+ toxicity compared with 0% for r V 100% p = 0.0199), 1% ( p = 0.0086), and 3% ( p = 0.0043), were also associated with GI toxicity but only in men treated with EBRT. Conclusions Supplemental EBRT may lower the threshold for rectal toxicity after prostate brachytherapy. Morbidity can be minimized by observing rectal constraints.
Communications Requirements for Telemetering and Supervisory Control

The expanding field of supervisory control and digital telemetering has brought with it an increase in the speed at which data must be transmitted over communication channels with an accompanying increase in the complexity of such channels. This paper reviews the techniques currently used to transmit data over communication channels and some of the problems encountered when using such channels with supervisory and telemetering equipment.
Lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) Is a tumor-associated immunomodulatory ligand for CD33-related Siglecs

Lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP, also called Mac-2 binding protein) is a heavily glycosylated secreted molecule that has been shown previously to be up-regulated in many cancers and has been implicated in tumor metastatic processes, as well as in other cell adhesion and immune functions. The CD33-related subset of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) consists of immunomodulatory molecules that have recently been associated with the modulation of immune responses to cancer. Because up-regulation of Siglec ligands in cancer tissue has been observed, the characterization of these cancer-associated ligands that bind to inhibitory CD33-related Siglecs could provide novel targets for cancer immunomodulatory therapy. Here we used affinity chromatography of tumor cell extracts to identify LGALS3BP as a novel sialic acid-dependent ligand for human Siglec-9 and for other immunomodulatory Siglecs, such as Siglec-5 and Siglec-10. In contrast, the mouse homolog Siglec-E binds to murine LGALS3BP with lower affinity. LGALS3BP has been observed to be up-regulated in human colorectal and prostate cancer specimens, particularly in the extracellular matrix. Finally, LGALS3BP was able to inhibit neutrophil activation in a sialic acid- and Siglec-dependent manner. These findings suggest a novel immunoinhibitory function for LGALS3BP that might be important for immune evasion of tumor cells during cancer progression.
Stability and compatibility of admixtures of intravenous ciprofloxacin and selected drugs

The stability and compatibility of ciprofloxacin with selected drugs in intravenous admixtures were studied. Ciprofloxacin 2 mg/mL in 5% dextrose was combined with each of 22 other drugs at concentrations commonly used in clinical practice. Each combination was maintained at room temperature (approximately 22 degrees C) in constant fluorescent light. Immediately after preparation and at 6 and 24 hours, each admixture was examined visually in normal fluorescent room light and the pH value was determined. For samples lacking visible precipitates or having pH changes of not more than 1 unit, ciprofloxacin concentration was assayed by using high-performance liquid chromatography. When combined with ciprofloxacin, 14 of the study drugs did not alter the concentration of ciprofloxacin, including amikacin sulfate, atracurium besylate, aztreonam, cimetidine hydrochloride, dobutamine hydrochloride, fluconazole, gentamicin sulfate, metronidazole (intravenous, ready to use), midazolam hydrochloride, norepinephrine bitartrate, pancuronium bromide, potassium chloride, tobramycin sulfate, and vecuronium bromide. There were five drugs that were determined to be incompatible with ciprofloxacin because of precipitate formation (amphotericin B, ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium, cefuroxime sodium, piperacillin sodium, and sodium bicarbonate). Incompatibility with ciprofloxacin based on pH changes of more than 1 unit was found with four drugs: ampicillin sodium/sulbactam sodium, ceftazidime, metronidazole hydrochloride (powder only), and ticarcillin disodium/clavulanate potassium. Intravenous ciprofloxacin 2 mg/mL admixed in 5% dextrose was stable and compatible with 14 of the 22 test drugs for up to 24 hours at room temperature. The other eight drugs should not be combined with ciprofloxacin.
A Multi-Objective Optimization of Imperfect Preventive Maintenance Policy for Dependent Competing Risk Systems With Hidden Failure

This paper studies a multi-objective maintenance optimization embedded within the imperfect preventive maintenance (PM) for one single-unit system subject to the dependent competing risks of degradation wear and random shocks. We consider two kinds of random shocks in the system: 1) fatal shocks that will cause the system to fail immediately, and 2) nonfatal shocks that will increase the system degradation level by a certain cumulative shock amount. Also, an improvement factor in the form of quasi-renewal sequences is introduced to modulate the imperfect maintenance by raising the degradation critical threshold proportionally. Finally, the two decision variables for maintenance scheduling, the number of PMs to replacement, and the initial PM interval, are determined by simultaneously maximizing the system asymptotic availability, and minimizing the system cost rate using the fast elitist non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Sensitivity analysis for two parameters, including imperfect PM degree, and quasi-renewal coefficient of imperfect PM interval, is performed to provide insight into the behavior of the proposed maintenance policies. The comparison results show that the optimization solution is consistent between one-objective and multi-objective optimization, and the Pareto frontier for the maintenance optimization problem can provide alternative solutions according to customer preference and resource constraints.
Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Longitudinal studies offer opportunities for studying children whose parents have Alzheimer's disease. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) has examined adult cognitive performance but has not systematically recruited participants' children. We initiated studies of dementia in the 1980s. This work suggested that hormone replacement and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease and that risk for Alzheimer's disease could be predicted from cognitive performance as many as 20 years prior to its onset. More recently, we showed that premorbid levels of free testosterone were lower in men who developed Alzheimer's disease and premorbid depressive symptomatology was a risk for Alzheimer's disease in men but not women as many as 6 years before the onset of dementia. Participants in the BLSA include family members with a variety of degrees of relationship, but there is no systematic effort to collect data from relatives of participants.
Surface cracks on glass

The sodium vapour etching experiments of Andrade & Tsien (1937) were repeated with chemical Pyrex glass. By employing a ball indenter in conjunction with the vapour etching, it was possible to determine with greater accuracy the real nature of the surface cracks that were developed. Thereby, it was established that the surface stressing action of the sodium vapour not only dilates the existing cracks, but also forms additional extensive networks. Furthermore, the ball indenter is capable of distinguishing the real from the artificial cracks. Glasses other than chemical Pyrex were found resistant to etching.
Evidence for prenatal competition among the central arbors of trigeminal primary afferent neurons

Previous studies have shown that damage to vibrissa follicles in newborn rats and mice does not alter the brainstem representations of the remaining vibrissa as demonstrated by staining for mitochondrial enzymes such as cytochrome oxidase (CO) succinic dehydrogenase. This study asked whether this lack of effect might be due to the fact that the trigeminal primary afferents in rodents are already quite well developed at birth. We assessed this possibility by using CO staining the evaluate patterns in the brainstems of pre- and postnatal rats. A vibrissa-related pattern began to emerge in trigeminal nucleus principalis and subnucleus interpolaris (Spl) by embryonic day (E-) 19 and appeared fully developed by the day of birth (P-0). We also made partial lesions of the vibrissa pad on E-15–20 and on P-0, killed pups on P-5–7, and measured the size of the CO-stained patches in Spl on both sides of the brainstem. The correspondence between CO patches and clusters of primary afferent terminal arbors was verified in some animals by combining transganglionic horseradish peroxidase tracing and CO staining. Vibrissa pad damage on E-15–18 resulted in significant (20.1–36.9%) increases in the average area of the remaining CO patches in Spl ipsilateral to the lesion. Vibrissa pad damage on E-19, E-20, and P-0 produced small (6.2–8.9%), but insignificant, increases in patch size in Spl ipsilateral to the lesion. We used anatomical and electrophysiological methods to determine whether our lesions altered the trigeminal innervation of surviving vibrissa follicles. We recorded single trigeminal ganglion cells from 12 rats that sustained vibrissa pad lesion on E-17. As in normal rats, all of the 49 vibrissa-sensitive ganglion cells isolated in the lesioned animals were responsive to deflection of one and only one vibrissa. We also dissected 11 deep vibrissal nerves from intact follicles in adult rats that sustained fetal vibrissa pad damage on E-17, and counted numbers of myelinated axons in 1 microns plastic sections. These data were compared with counts from corresponding follicles on the intact side of the face. The average number of myelinated axons innervating follicles in the damaged vibrissa pads was 196.8 +/- 27.9, and that for the corresponding contralateral nerves was 194.6 +/- 25.7. These data suggest that competitive interactions among the central arbors of trigeminal primary afferents in fetal life may influence the development of central vibrissa representations and, further, that lesion-induced central changes need not be correlated with alterations in the peripheral innervation of undamaged follicles.
Host-Parasite Interactions with Macrophages in Culture

The macrophage is an indispensible component in host defenses against invading agents. Phagocytosis and digestion are the most widely recognized function of macrophages. Macrophages respond to chemotactic stimuli to migrate to sites of physiologic and morphologic damage, such as infection, inflammation, delayed hypersensitivity reactions, tumors, and foreign grafts. This chapter discusses host-parasite interactions involving live microorganisms with macrophages in culture. Peroxidative metabolism may be the mechanism of intracellular killing by macrophages through the formation of hydrogen peroxide, various labile intermediates, or peroxide-induced aldehyde formation. The ability of parasites to survive and replicate in macrophages and to injure macrophages has been compared with virulence in vivo. This has been used to evaluate the macrophage culture system as a model of in vivo interaction. Changes in activity of macrophages enabling them to phagocytize and kill invading microorganisms more efficiently has been central to understanding acquired cell-mediated immunity to the intracellular parasites.
Ultra-thin-walled III-arsenide microtubes with embedded QW light emitters: Room temperature PL characteristics

Arsenide-based III–V microtubes are formed by a strain-induced self-rolling process. We report room-temperature photoluminescence characteristics of such microtubes with embedded GaAs quantum-well structure that is only 38 nm in total wall thickness.
Bait Shop Owners as Opinion Leaders A Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Pro-Environmental Outreach Behaviors and Intentions

Boaters and anglers who move between bodies of water are a primary cause of the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS), which are non-native plants or animals that pose a threat to water quality, disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and cause economic harm. Research suggests that engagement with these individuals through opinion leaders within their social networks has the potential to encourage attitude and behavior change. Using the theory of planned behavior as a framework, this article explores factors that may enhance AIS outreach behaviors among opinion leaders, namely, bait shop owners and their employees, to communicate with their customers. The results of this study suggest that perceptions about normative social pressures are a strong predictor of intentions to engage in outreach activities, but perceived behavioral control is a stronger predictor of actual engagement with their customers.
Contribution of the musculature to rotatory laxity and torsional stiffness at the knee

The relationships between the mean rectified EMG from two muscle groups crossing the knee joint and the rotational stiffness and laxity about the longitudinal axis of the lower leg were investigated. The EMG signals from three of the quadricep muscle group and two of the hamstring muscle group were monitored using surface electrodes. Each subject sustained self-induced muscle activity from specific muscle combinations while the foot was twisted internally and externally by the researcher. Joint rotation was measured using an electrogoniometer. Analyses of the data showed increased joint stiffness with increased numbers of active muscles. The stiffness measurements ranged from 0.16 to 2.54 Nm degree-1 depending upon the combination of active muscles. The stiffness measured in different tests were very repeatable with standard deviations ranging from 0.02 to 0.25 Nm degree-1. Increases in joint stiffness of over 400% by activation of these muscles were measured.
To Do?, Or not to Do?: Both are the Questions

Safety communications are most commonly considered in terms of warnings to avoid certain behaviors thus reducing the occurrence of accidents. Use of symbols is helpful when the target individuals are not literate or do not read the language in which the warnings are written. Two factors are relevant to the use of symbols. A symbol that is not understood will not serve the purpose. Further, almost all warning symbols involve prohibition of some act or object. There are also circumstances that require communicating that something should be done. This paper describes approaches to a symbol for "to do" items and shows that in some cases they may enhance understanding the prohibition. Language: en
Heritability and repeatability of behavioural attributes affecting foraging success and fitness in water striders

Abstract Abstract. Heritabilities and repeatabilities are presented for various behavioural attributes affecting foraging performance and fitness in Aquarius (Gerris) remigis (Heteroptera: Gerridae) females. These behavioural attributes were patch choice, foraging success, capture accuracy, and measures of mobility, activity, skittishness and aggressiveness. Most heritabilities were not significantly different from zero, which may be related to the low sample size. Conclusions as to the potential of direct selection on behaviour in this species were consequently limited. In contrast, with a few exceptions (capture accuracy, foraging success), most repeatabilities were significant and at times high (range=0·22-0·79), indicating consistent, stereotypical individual behaviour. The life history or reproductive state of the daughter generation individuals significantly affected the magnitude of the repeatabilities as well as the mean values of many of the variables (notably mobility and aggressiveness), the latter in a manner consistent with field observations. This indicates that the state of the organism affects the general environmental variance, thus contributing to the discrepancies between the repeatabilities and the heritabilities obtained. It is suggested that common physiological processes (e.g. hormones) may underlie several of the behavioural attributes examined, resulting in possible pleiotropic effects and constraints on selection in a heterogeneous environment. It is further suggested that field studies of selection on behavioural attributes may be a more fruitful approach in this species, whose suitability for genetic analysis is limited.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Pathways in the Cerebellum Studied by Retrograde and Anterograde Transport of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Antibody After In Vivo Injections

Injections of characterized antibody against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), were made into the cerebellum. Small cortical injections of anti-GAD antibody produced labeled stellate, basket, Purkinje, and Golgi cells and their processes at the injection site. Anterograde transport of GAD antigen-antibody complexes in Purkinje cell axons caused intense labeling of terminals in deep cerebellar and several vestibular nuclei. Small groups of mossy fiber rosettes labeled and produced retrograde labeling and GAD immunoreactivity in a small number of pleomorphic neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei. Injections into the dentate nucleus produced retrograde labeling in Purkinje cell bodies and anterograde label in a small number of mossy fiber rosettes. All projections conformed to previously reported topographic distributions of corticonuclear and nucleocortical cerebellar pathways. These findings confirm the GABA content of most Purkinje cell-deep nuclei connections and provide new evidence for a GABA component in part of the nucleocortical pathway in the cerebellum. Immunocytochemical controls for specificity were conducted by injections of preimmune rabbit serum as a substitute for GAD antibody. Only nonspecific labeling was obtained in these cases. Colchicine caused a cumulative enhancement of GAD immunoreactivity in all cases. The present studies indicate that the method of in vivo antibody injections can be utilized to study chemically specific connections in nervous tissue.
Morphology-enhanced conductivity in dry ionic liquids

Ionic liquids exhibit fascinating nanoscale morphological phases and are promising materials for energy storage applications. Liquid crystalline order emerges in ionic liquids with specific chemical structures. Here, we investigate the phase behaviour and related ionic conductivities of dry ionic liquids, using extensive molecular dynamics simulations. Temperature dependence, properties of polymeric tail and excluded volume symmetry of the amphiphilic ionic liquid molecules are investigated in large scale systems with both short and long-range Coulomb interactions. Our results suggest that by adjusting stiffness and steric interactions of the amphiphilic molecules, lamellar or 3D continuous phases result in these molecular salts. The resulting phases are composed of ion rich and ion pure domains. In 3D phases, ion rich clusters form ionic channels and have significant effects on the conductive properties of the observed nano-phases. If there is no excluded-volume asymmetry along the molecules, mostly lamellar phases with anisotropic conductivities emerge. If the steric interactions become asymmetric, lamellar phases are replaced by complex 3D continuous phases. Within the temperature ranges for which morphological phases are observed, conductivities exhibit low-temperature maxima in accord with experiments on ionic liquid crystals. Stiffer molecules increase the high-conductivity interval and strengthen temperature-resistance of morphological phases. Increasing the steric interactions of cation leads to higher conductivities. Moreover, at low monomeric volume fractions and at low temperatures, cavities are observed in the nano-phases of flexible ionic liquids. We also demonstrate that, in the absence of electrostatic interactions, the morphology is distorted. Our findings inspire new design principles for room temperature ionic liquids and help explain previously-reported experimental data.
Optimal Trade-Offs between Construction Cost and Traffic Delay for Highway Work Zones

AbstractHighway work zones often cause traffic congestion, resulting in increased road-user delays and vehicle emissions. These negative impacts of highway work zones can be minimized by a number of mitigating measures such as reducing the length of work zone segments, using the shoulder temporarily for traffic, and working during low-traffic nighttime hours. These work zone layout measures, however, cause an increase in highway construction cost. Accordingly, these tradeoffs between reducing work zone delays and minimizing construction cost need to be analyzed to establish an optimal balance between these two critical and conflicting objectives. This paper presents the development of a novel multiobjective optimization model for highway work zone layouts that is capable of generating optimal tradeoffs between minimizing traffic delays and construction cost. The model was developed in three main phases: formulation, implementation, and performance evaluation. First, the model was formulated to (1) identif...
Complications of Rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis involves inflammation of the upper airways. An association with comorbid conditions, such as rhinosinusitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, has been commonly observed in epidemiologic studies. The underlying pathogenesis of these disorders may be similar. Complications of rhinitis include sleep disturbances, learning impairment, and decreased quality of life. It is vital to recognize the complications of rhinitis so that treatment strategies can address rhinitis as well as its comorbidities and complications in a coordinated manner.
Abstract 1549: Diet-induced obesity increases tumor levels of MCP-1, macrophage infiltration and microvessel density in a murine model of breast cancer.

Epidemiological studies indicate that obesity is associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer. In our previous work, we demonstrated that a chronic consumption of a high fat diet increases solid tumor growth and metastasis in a spontaneous mammary cancer mouse model. In addition to higher tumor burdens and rates of metastases, mice fed a high fat diet showed elevated levels of adipocyte derived monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the blood. We hypothesized that diet-induced obesity promotes mammary carcinogenesis by inducing an inflammatory and tumor-supportive microenvironment. We further compared chow fed lean MMTV(PyMT) mice with those fed 45.0% (w/w) high fat (HF) to investigate the impact of body adiposity and dietary nutrient overload on levels of MCP-1 in tissue, tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and for the degree of microvessel density. We analyzed early and late carcinoma stage tumors together with adipose tissue from mice fed HF and control diets in order to identify possible sources of MCP-1 production. MCP-1 levels in tumors of mice differed significantly by cancer stage and diet, with late stage tumors showing more MCP-1 (P Citation Format: Emily Ngan, Alessandra Pacilli, Eva Marshall, Kirstie Cutlip, James Coad, Amanda Ammer, Linda Vona-Davis. Diet-induced obesity increases tumor levels of MCP-1, macrophage infiltration and microvessel density in a murine model of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1549. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1549
Robust Adaptive Control Allocation for an Octocopter under Actuator Faults

This paper addresses the problem of adaptive fault tolerant control of a co-axial octocopter. Due to the redundancy of the actuators, octocopters preserve controllability even when one or more rotors fail for some time interval, or do not function for all times. We propose an adaptive fault tolerant control allocation scheme which copes with rotor failures and ensures stability and full control of the vehicle despite actuators failures. The proposed architecture exhibits a multi-loop control structure: an L1 adaptive controller produces moment commands to track desired angular speeds, and it deals with model uncertainties and disturbances; an adaptive control allocation algorithm computes propeller’s speed in order to track the given commanded moment and desired total thrust, and it deals with partial or total failures of the rotors. Theoretical and simulation results are presented and discussed in order to validate the proposed approach.