cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of 4D polymer printing within a massively parallel flow-through photochemical microreactor

4D polymer micropatterning – where the position (x,y), height (z), and monomer composition of each feature in a brush polymer array is controlled with sub-1 micrometer precision – is achieved by combining a mobile, massively parallel flow-through photoreactor with thiol-acrylate photoinitiated brush polymerizations. Polymers are grown off the surface by introducing monomer, photoinitiator, and solvent into the microfluidic reaction chamber, and using light reflected onto the back of elastomeric massively-parallel tip arrays to localize reactions on the surface. The ability to form fluorescent patterns by the thiol-acrylate brush polymerization from a thiol-terminated glass surface was explored with respect to reaction time, light intensity, monomer:photoinitiator ratio, and compression between the elastomeric pyramidal tips and the substrate, resulting in feature diameters as small as 480 nm, and polymer heights approaching 500 nm. Subsequently, optimized printing conditions were used to create patterns containing multiple inks by introducing new monomers via the flow-through microfluidics. Because of the wide-functional group tolerance of the thiol-acrylate reaction, surfaces enabled by this printing strategy could possess emergent optoelectronic, biological, or mechanical properties that arise from synergies between molecular composition and nanoscale geometries.
Influence of Temperature on the Water Balance of Three Parapatric Species of Peromyscus

The water balance responses of Peromyscus maniculatus, P. leucopus , and P. polionotus were investigated to assess the significance of physiological adaptations in delimiting distributions. Daily ad libitum water consumption, urine volume, evaporative water loss, fecal water content, total urine osmolality, and urinary urea concentrations were measured for each species after acclimation at 5°, 15°, and 27°C. Evidence is not sufficient to conclude that one species may be physiologically excluded from the habitat of another; however, the data strongly indicate that P. polionotus is better adapted for a more xeric environment because of its smaller body size, low levels of water intake, reduced urine volume, and greater renal concentrating abilities. The greater urine volume and extremely low urinary urea concentrations observed for P. maniculatus nubiterrae at 5°C suggest that it may have adapted to the lower ambient temperatures of its montane habitat by developing the capacity to mobilize lipid reserves to a greater degree than the other two species. All three species displayed similar evaporative water losses at 27°C. Although P. polionotus occupies a mildly xeric habitat, this species apparantly lacks the ability to reduce evaporative losses significantly below those exhibited by P. maniculatus or P. leucopus , species occupying montane and piedmont habitats.
Altered light responses of single rod photoreceptors in transgenic pigs expressing P347L or P347S rhodopsin.

PURPOSE Numerous mutations of rhodopsin lead to rod cell death and ultimately to complete blindness, yet little is known about the alterations in the physiology of the light sensors containing the aberrant protein, the rod photoreceptors. METHODS Suction pipettes were used to record the light responses from single rod photoreceptors isolated from the retinas of transgenic pigs of various ages and at progressive stages of retinal degeneration. RESULTS We have observed changes in the photoresponse of transgenic porcine rods containing both wild type and mutant rhodospin. Our findings are consistent with the idea that substitutions at position proline 347 of rhodopsin interfere with the inactivation of R*. In addition the level of photoreceptor degeneration is positively correlated with an acceleration and desensitization of the photoresponse to dim flashes. CONCLUSIONS It appears that the phototransduction cascade, even when initiated by wild type rhodopsin molecules is altered in a way that is progressive with the level of retinal degeneration. A model consistent with our observations introduces the idea of a binding site for the carboxy terminus of rhodopsin on rhodopsin kinase.
Justice by Number: The International Law of Genocide and Its Implications

This article briefly surveys the development of genocide jurisprudence in international tribunals, the role of forensic science in prosecutions, and how the demands of the law sometimes are in tension with the preferences of victims' families for speedy identification and repatriation of victims' remains.
Tailoring Renal Clearance and Tumor Targeting of Ultrasmall Metal Nanoparticles with Particle Density

Identifying key factors that govern the in vivo behavior of nanomaterials is critical to the clinical translation of nanomedicines. Overshadowed by size-, shape-, and surface-chemistry effects, the impact of the particle core density on clearance and tumor targeting of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) remains largely unknown. By utilizing a class of ultrasmall metal NPs with the same size and surface chemistry but different densities, we found that the renal-clearance efficiency exponentially increased in the early elimination phase while passive tumor targeting linearly decreased with a decrease in particle density. Moreover, lower-density NPs are more easily distributed in the body and have shorter retention times in highly permeable organs than higher-density NPs. The density-dependent in vivo behavior of metal NPs likely results from their distinct margination in laminar blood flow, which opens up a new path for precise control of nanomedicines in vivo.
Scanning Probe Microscopy of Liquid-Solid Interfaces

Four scanning probe microscopes, the scanning tunneling microscope (STM),1 the atomic force microscope (AFM),2 the scanning electrochemical microscope (SEM)3 and the scanning ion-conductance microscope (SICM)4 have all been used to image liquid-solid interfaces. Images in this report illustrate the variety of systems that can be studied: from iron corroding in salt water to selenium atoms in liquid nitrogen and from graphite covered with vacuum grease to proteins covered with oil. The technological and biological importance of liquid-solid interfaces has driven and will ensure rapid growth in this field.
Toxic Metal Pollution Abatement Using Sour Orange Biomass

In this work, Sour orange (SOR) peels waste was used as a solid adsorbent for removal of Cobalt (III) ions from aquatic ecosystem through batch techniques, the influence of biosorbent dose, initial concentration, temperature, contact time and pH on the Co (III) ions removal percentage were investigated. Optimum removal of Co(III) ions was achieved at biosorbent (2 gm),initial Co(III) ions (5 mg/l), temperature(30 Co), contact time(90 min.) and pH(2). Desorption experiments were performed due to the importance for the financial competitiveness of biosorption with other process, indicating that (0.1 M) Ammonium chloride is the most promising desorbing agent for efficient sorbent regeneration. The adsorbent was characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy detecting the changes in hydroxyl and carboxyl groups before and after biosorption confirming their involvement in Co (III) ions binding. Various parts of SOR were selected for comparative studies on the Co (III) ions removal percentage indicating that SOR peels has the highest Co (III) ions removal percentage, followed by the other parts. Bioactivity inquires revealed that the SOR peels has a bioactivity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of this study confirm that SOR peels waste can be used beneficially in treating aquatic ecosystem containing Co (III) ions.
INVESTIGATING THE SYNERGISTIC AND ANTAGONISTIC IMPACTS OF OUTCOME INTERDEPENDENCE, SHARED VISION AND TEAM REFLEXIVITY ON INNOVATION IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Reflexivity, the extent to which teams reflect upon and modify their functioning, is widely considered a key factor for engendering team innovation. In this study, we propose that reflexivity is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for team innovation. Outcome interdependence, defined as the extent to which team members perceive that attainment of goals by their colleagues will facilitate their own goal achievement, and shared team vision, will moderate the effect of team reflexivity on team innovation. An empirical study with 332 team members of 34 software projects reveals that as predicted high outcome interdependence and shared team vision magnified the positive impacts of team reflexivity on team innovation. However, an increase in team reflexivity at low outcome interdependence and shared team vision had a negative impact on team innovation. Further, in general, agile software teams consistently demonstrated higher outcome interdependence and team reflexivity and thereby higher team innovation...
1.5mm precision liquid level measurement using impedance spectroscopy

An impedance measurement based level sensor is proposed using a co-axial probe for sensing liquid level in a container. The co-axial sensing probe is made with a hollow stainless steel outer conductor enclosing an insulated inner conductor. The impedance of the co-axial probe varies with the water level in a nonlinear fashion. The supporting electronics was developed using MSP 432 microcontroller unit (MCU) platform from Texas Instruments (TI) and a newly designed Impedance Analyzer-Analog Front End (IA-AFE) developed at TI. An inverter amplifier based circuit was implemented within the IA-AFE for impedance measurement. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is calculated on the MCU platform from the sampled input and output square wave voltages of the IA-AFE. The proposed sensor shows a maximum error within ±1.5 mm, for the probe of length 40 cm. The proposed system offers an accurate and economical liquid level measurement platform outperforming the state-of-art level sensors to the best of our knowledge.
Du Bellay and the Space of Early Modern Culture

This examination of Joachim Du Bellay's Deffence et Illustration de la Langue Francoyse (1549) begins with a summary of the text's paradoxical thematic, namely, that its problem is not a problem: there is no need to defend French as a literary language against Latin, many have said, as there is already in the sixteenth century a thriving vernacular literature. However, there are some who insist on Latin's superiority: Du Bellay answers them, but also exaggerates their position in order to stage a defense that has legal and military overtones. He does so in order to bring French into a dialogical relationship with Latin, as well as with other European literary languages. Although some critics have pointed out that this procedure is but one of several put forth by Du Bellay, this reading of the Deffence shows that the author valorizes it over the others by engaging in it: Du Bellay incorporates into the Deffence a number of antecedent texts in order to respond to the conditions he faces. He situates France and the French language in relation to antiquity; the relation is sketched out as a spatial one, the space being that in which the shape of modernity is emerging.
A Parallel and Fair QoS Multicast Routing Mechanism in IP/DWDM Optical Internet

Quality of Service (QoS) requirement is denoted by the range to support the flexible and heterogeneous QoS. According to the microeconomics, a Kelly/PSPmodel-based pricing strategy is presented to support the inter-group fairness. The Equal Link Split Downstream (ELSD) method is adopted to support the intra-group fairness. Based on the parallelized Firing Coupled Neural Network (FCNN), the multi-constrained QoS multicast routing algorithm is designed. Simulation results have shown that the proposed mechanism is both effective and efficient, and its runtime efficiency is higher than the corresponding serialized one.
Keynote Speaker is Clinical Virtual Reality Ready for Primetime

Since the mid-1990s, a significant scientific literature has evolved regarding the outcomes from the use of what we now refer to as Clinical Virtual Reality (VR). This use of VR simulation technology has produced encouraging results when applied to address cognitive, psychological, motor, and functional impairments across a wide range of clinical health conditions. This talk addresses the question, “Is Clinical VR Ready for Primetime?”. After a brief description of the various forms of VR technology, I will discuss the trajectory of Clinical VR over the last 20 years and summarize the basic assets that VR offers for creating clinical applications. The discussion then addresses the question of readiness in terms of the theoretical basis for Clinical VR assets, the research to date, the pragmatic factors regarding availability, usability, and costs of Clinical VR content/systems, and the ethical issues for the safe use of VR with clinical populations. My key take home message is that when reviewing the theoretical underpinnings and research findings to date, it is clear that Clinical VR will have a significant impact on future research and practice. Pragmatic issues that can influence adoption across many areas of psychology also appear favorable, but professional guidelines will be needed to promote its safe and ethical use. While there is still much research needed to advance the science in this area, it is predicted that Clinical VR applications will become indispensable tools in the toolbox of psychological researchers and practitioners and will only grow in relevance and popularity in the future.
Yeast Genetic Interaction Screens in the Age of CRISPR/Cas

The ease of performing both forward and reverse genetics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, along with its stable haploid state and short generation times, has made this budding yeast the consummate model eukaryote for genetics. The major advantage of using budding yeast for reverse genetics is this organism's highly efficient homology-directed repair, allowing for precise genome editing simply by introducing DNA with homology to the chromosomal target. Although plasmid- and PCR-based genome editing tools are quite efficient, they depend on rare spontaneous DNA breaks near the target sequence. Consequently, they can generate only one genomic edit at a time, and the edit must be associated with a selectable marker. However, CRISPR/Cas technology is efficient enough to permit markerless and multiplexed edits in a single step. These features have made CRISPR/Cas popular for yeast strain engineering in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering applications, but it has not been widely employed for genetic screens. In this review, we critically examine different methods to generate multi-mutant strains in systematic genetic interaction screens and discuss the potential of CRISPR/Cas to supplement or improve on these methods.
Expanded Worldwide Versus Territorial Taxation After the TCJA

One of the principal U.S. tax policy issues leading up to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was how foreign-source active business income of U.S. multinational enterprises should be taxed by the United States if the system of deferring U.S. tax on active foreign income of a foreign subsidiary was ended. Much of the U.S. multinational business community urged that the United States adopt a territorial or exemption system, while others, including many labor-backed groups, favored adopting an expanded worldwide tax regime. As others have observed, Congress chose both. This report takes a preliminary look at the extent to which the TCJA's purely outbound international provisions caused a degree of movement in either direction. The TCJA created a more complex international system that manages to include elements of territoriality, expanded worldwide taxation, and even deferral. Consequently, the TCJA does not resolve the territorial versus worldwide debate, but extends it. When the one-time acceleration of tax on deferred earnings is set aside, the TCJA's ongoing outbound rules are estimated to actually lose revenue, thus supporting a conclusion that the U.S. international tax system has shifted toward territoriality, although not nearly so much as territoriality advocates had hoped. The authors have concluded that expanded worldwide taxation is the normatively preferred position. The report explains how the new global intangible low-taxed income regime may serve as a platform to shift the U.S. international tax regime to expanded worldwide taxation and identifies steps that would accomplish that objective.
Good (K-means) clusterings are unique (up to small perturbations)

Abstract If we have found a “good” clustering C of a data set, can we prove that C is not far from the (unknown) best clustering C opt of these data? Perhaps surprisingly, the answer to this question is sometimes yes. This paper gives spectral bounds on the distance d ( C , C opt ) for the case when “goodness” is measured by a quadratic cost, such as the squared distortion of K-means clustering or the Normalized Cut criterion of spectral clustering. The bounds exist only if the data admit a “good”, low-cost clustering. The results in this paper are non-asymptotic and model-free, in the sense that no assumptions are made on the data generating process. The bounds do not depend on undefined constants, and can be computed tractably from the data.
Immunosuppression in experimental trypanosomiasis: effects of Trypanosoma equiperdum on the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).

The effects of Trypanosoma equiperdum infections on the immunological and pathological responses of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) to influenza virus exposure were investigated. Mice carrying a 5 week trypanosome infection along with an age- and sex-matched trypanosome-free control group were simultaneously exposed to influenza Ao (WSN) virus. T.equiperdum infection significantly (P < 0.01) converted a sub-lethal virus attack into a fatal pneumonic process in a small proportion of animals. In addition, the trypanosome caused a reduction (p < 0.1) in virus replication on PID 1 and 2, accompanied later by a tendency towards virus persistence in the lungs of affected mice. This tendency was manifested by a log reduction in virus titres between PID 2 and 4 and PID 4 and 6 in the lungs of trypanosome-infected mice, compared to 2 log drops over the same periods in the lungs of control mice. T.equiperdum infection also significantly (p < 0.001) depressed serum and pulmonary neutralizing antibody titres to influenza virus.
Blind Validation Study of Parametric Cost Estimation Tool SEER-H for NASA Space Missions

Abstract One of the primary parametric cost modeling tools used by NASA and the aerospace industry to estimate the development and production cost of future spacecraft hardware is SEER-H by Galorath. To date, no independent validation of this tool for cost estimation of space missions has been reported in the literature. In the present validation study, cost estimators used SEER-H to estimate the cost of twelve different past NASA science missions. The estimators were prevented from knowing the actual cost of the missions in an effort to minimize cognitive biases. The point estimates of SEER-H had an average error of 23%, median error of −0.3%, and a standard deviation of 43%. Nine of the twelve mission's actual costs fell within the 80% confidence interval of SEER's probabilistic estimates. Several factors independent of SEER that may have affected the accuracy of the results have been identified and are discussed; these include: uncertainty in the technical data used for the estimates, the methods used to estimate uncertainty in spacecraft component mass and numbers of prototypes, and the experience of the estimators.
A novel multi-technique approach used in the petrophysical characterization of the Maquoketa Group (Ordovician) in the southeastern portion of the Illinois Basin: Implications for seal efficiency for the geologic sequestration of CO2

Abstract Quantifying the petrophysical properties of low-permeability sedimentary units helps to determine the possibility of upward flow of supercritical carbon dioxide when evaluating a site for safe confinement of geologic carbon storage. This research examines fine-scale pore characteristics that affect the sealing capacity of the Upper Ordovician Maquoketa interval, a thick and heterogeneous sequence of carbonates, siltstones, and clay-rich rock units in the Illinois Basin. This unit has been previously identified as a regional caprock that would likely isolate and effectively store any CO2 injected into underlying reservoirs. We applied a multi-technique approach to quantify pore-size distribution, pore surface area, porosity, permeability, and capillary entry pressure. These laboratory-based techniques include mercury porosimetry, gas adsorption, portable X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, total organic carbon analyses, and, to a lesser extent, scanning electron microscopy and petrography. In addition, we developed a lithofacies model that interpreted the combined wireline responses from multiple well locations. This model confirms that the Maquoketa Group is dominated by muddy limestone, dolomitic/calcitic shale, and silty shale. The results of these evaluations indicate that these sequences have low porosity (0.4–3.1 %) and low permeability (0.04–7.1 mD) values and capillary entry pressures adequate to inhibit invasion of supercritical CO2 driven by buoyancy forces. Laboratory results also indicate that portions of the Maquoketa Group may also function as a low-volume reservoir for CO2. That is, should supercritical CO2 migrate upward and percolate into this unit, most of the CO2 will likely be securely trapped by means of capillary mechanisms.
Transition-related social support of high school students with emotional and behavioral disorders

This article explores the roles of potential transition team members as expressed by students via a social support survey and semi-structured interviews. The sample included eight male students wit...
IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3 Receptor System as an Anti-Tumor and Anti-Metastatic Signaling in Cancer

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a p53 tumor suppressor-regulated protein and a major carrier for IGFs in circulation. Among six high-affinity IGFBPs, which are IGFBP-1 through 6, IGFBP-3 is the most extensively investigated IGFBP species with respect to its IGF/IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR)-independent biological actions beyond its endocrine/paracrine/autocrine role in modulating IGF action in cancer. Disruption of IGFBP-3 at transcriptional and post-translational levels has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many different types of cancer including breast, prostate, and lung cancer. Over the past two decades, a wealth of evidence has revealed both tumor suppressing and tumor promoting effects of IGF/IGF-IR-independent actions of IGFBP-3 depending upon cell types, post-translational modifications, and assay methods. However, IGFBP-3′s anti-tumor function has been well accepted due to identification of functional IGFBP-3-interacting proteins, putative receptors, or crosstalk with other signaling cascades. This review mainly focuses on transmembrane protein 219 (TMEM219), which represents a novel IGFBP-3 receptor mediating antitumor effect of IGFBP-3. Furthermore, this review delineates the potential underlying mechanisms involved and the subsequent biological significance, emphasizing the clinical significance of the IGFBP-3/TMEM219 axis in assessing both the diagnosis and the prognosis of cancer as well as the therapeutic potential of TMEM219 agonists for cancer treatment.
Ribbed Mussels Continue to Feed and Biodeposit in the Presence of Injured Conspecifics and Predators

Species interactions may mediate the ability of organisms and communities to provide valued services but are rarely considered in forecasting how service provisioning will change as restored communities mature and change in species composition. Bivalves are foundational species in many communities that contribute to services such as habitat provisioning, water filtration, and denitrification but that also may respond to predator presence by reducing activity. Filtering and biodeposition rates of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) in the presence of predators (blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), oyster drills (Urosalpinx cinerea)), injured conspecifics, or other local species (mud snails, Tritia obsoleta) were compared in laboratory experiments conducted in July–August 2019 in the Hudson River estuary (New York, USA). The effect of predator diet on ribbed mussel responses was also considered. Although mussels tended to be less active in the presence of predators and injured conspecifics, significant decreases were observed in few traits, and there was no evidence that predator diet influenced mussel responses. Variability in feeding rates and other factors such as water quality may play a larger role than predator presence in determining mussel activity. These results suggest that G. demissa will continue to provide positive impacts on water clarity and quality and increase denitrification rates via biodeposition even as restored communities attract predators.
A High-Reliability Organization Framework for Health Care: A Multiyear Implementation Strategy and Associated Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES Applying high-reliability organization (HRO) principles to health care is complex. No consensus exists as to an effective framework for HRO implementation or the direct impact of adoption. METHODS The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center for Patient Safety established the high-reliability hospital (HRH) model for HRO adoption and piloted HRH in collaboration with the Truman VA Medical Center (Truman) during a 3-year intervention period (January 1, 2016-December 31, 2018). High-reliability hospital components are as follows: annual patient safety (PS) assessment, annual PS culture survey, annual root cause analysis training, daily leadership walk-arounds, monthly PS forum, annual processes standardization review, Just Culture training, unit-based Clinical Team Training, unit-based continuous improvement projects, and annual Clinical Team Training simulation education. The impact of HRH was examined using a PS Culture Survey, PS event reporting, and quality outcomes of standardized mortality rate and complication rate. RESULTS Truman internally improved PS culture and PS event reporting rates resulting in outcomes better than all VHA facilities (All VHA; P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Low-harm PS event reporting increased (P < 0.001); however, serious safety event rate remained unchanged versus All VHA. Significant improvement in Truman standardized mortality rate and complication rate versus All VHA occurred immediately and were sustained through intervention (slopes, P < 0.001 and P < 0.020; respectively). CONCLUSIONS High-reliability hospital is an effective framework for HRO implementation and will be applied to 18 additional VHA sites. Based on these results, the expected outcome will be improved PS culture and overall PS event reporting. The impact of HRH on serious safety event rate and quality measures requires further study.
Massive black holes flaring up time and again

The short and regular bursts in massive black hole systems known as quasi-periodic eruptions have intrigued — and puzzled — astronomers since their discovery. Two such sources recently discovered by SRG/eROSITA suggest that they could be the electromagnetic counterparts to a type of gravitational-wave sources called extreme mass-ratio inspirals.
The ACF Chromatin Remodeling Complex is Essential for Polycomb Repression

Establishing and maintaining appropriate gene repression is critical for the health and development of multicellular organisms. Histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methylation is a chromatin modification associated with repressed facultative heterochromatin, but the mechanism of this repression remains unclear. We used a forward genetic approach to identify genes involved in transcriptional silencing of H3K27-methylated chromatin in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We found that the N. crassa homologs of ISWI (NCU03875) and ACF (NCU00164) are required for repression of a subset of H3K27-methylated genes and that they form an ACF chromatin remodeling complex. This N. crassa ACF complex interacts with chromatin throughout the genome, yet association with facultative heterochromatin is specifically promoted by the H3K27 methyltransferase, SET-7. H3K27-methylated genes that are upregulated when iswi or acf1 are deleted show a downstream shift of the +1 nucleosome, suggesting that proper nucleosome positioning is critical for repression of facultative heterochromatin. Our findings support a direct role for the ACF complex in Polycomb repression.
Autonomy and international organisations.

For two decades scholars have used insights from constructivist approaches and principal-agent (P-A) theory to understand the relationship between states and international organisations (IOs). Together, these works identify the conditions under which IOs can operate independently of states, although they have yet to explain when and why IO bureaucrats are likely to do so. Nor do they articulate a clear and consistent definition of autonomy. In this article, we seek to fill these gaps. We advance a narrow understanding of autonomy that distinguishes unintended behaviour from the intended independence of IO bureaucrats, before developing a three-stage, integrative explanation for the conditions under which IO bureaucrats act autonomously. First, we borrow from constructivist approaches a focus on staffing rules and the identity of IO bureaucrats to explain the sources of these agents’ preferences. Second, we add insights from work on exogenous pressures for change—crises and critical junctures—to explain when and why IO bureaucrats will advance their preferences. Third, we incorporate P-A theory’s attention to an IO’s institutional design, along with insights from literature on domestic institutions, to explain when bureaucrats can implement their preferences. Case studies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) illustrate our argument.
"I Have Nothing Else to Give": A Qualitative Exploration of Emergency Medicine Residents' Perceptions of Burnout.

Resident physicians experience high degrees of burnout. Medical educators are tasked with implementing burnout interventions, however they possess an incomplete understanding of residents’ lived ex...
Endocrine Regulations of Protein Synthesis by the in Vitro Fat Body from BlaberusDiscoidalis Cockroaches

Juvenile hormone (JH) is the principal endocrine regulator of ovarian maturation in most insects. JH stimulates the fat body to synthesize vitellogenic proteins that are transported and deposited in the yolk of maturing oocytes. Neurohormones also affect vitellogenesis but their action is less well defined. In the tropical cockroach, Blaberus discoidalis, JH was essential for ovarian maturation, but the administration of corpora cardiaca (CC) extracts as a neuroendocrine source enhanced the amount of protein deposited in the ovaries in response to JH (Keeley and McKercher, 1985). The present investigations examined the interactions between JH and neurohormones as regulators of fat body protein synthesis and ovarian maturation in B. discoidalis.
Electronic noses and their applications

Electronic/artificial noses are being developed as systems for the automated detection and classification of odors, vapors, and gases. An electronic nose is generally composed of a chemical sensing system (e.g., sensor array or spectrometer) and a pattern recognition system (e.g., artificial neural network). We are developing electronic noses for the automated identification of volatile chemicals for environmental and medical applications. In this paper, we briefly describe an electronic nose, show some results from a prototype electronic nose, and discuss applications of electronic noses in the environmental, medical, and food industries.
The structure and organization of immunoglobulin genes in lower vertebrates

Publisher Summary There is a major variation in the organization of immunoglobulin (Ig) gene loci among different taxa. The genetic elements and recombination mechanisms that promote the formation of an antigen-combining site, capable of expressing multiple specificities, are highly conserved. This chapter focuses on the structure and organization of Ig genes in non-mammalian vertebrate species, with emphasis on the coldblooded vertebrates. It also describes the remarkable conservation of recombining segmental elements that typifies Ig gene structure and organization in the extant jawed vertebrates. There are at least four major Ig heavy chain gene organizational motifs, demonstrated by studies of divergent vertebrate species—sharing homologous variable (V) and constant (C) region elements and highly conserved recombination signal sequences (RSSs). The similarities and differences among Ig genes of species representing divergent points in vertebrate evolution are also outlined. The molecular genetics of antigen-binding molecules, such as Igs and T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) from widely divergent species have important implications in understanding the overall nature and developmental regulation of adaptive immunity.
IFN-γ Is Necessary But Not Sufficient for Anti-CD40 Antibody-Mediated Inhibition of the Th2 Response to Schistosoma mansoni Eggs

The injection of Schistosoma mansoni eggs into the footpads of mice results in a localized Th2 cytokine response and tissue eosinophilia. We examined whether treatment with CD40-activating Abs would block the development of Th2 cytokine responses and eosinophilic tissue pathology in this model. Seven days after C57BL/6 mice were injected with eggs and the FGK45 anti-CD40 Ab, Ag-specific synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in lymph node culture was reduced (>10-fold) relative to control mice treated with eggs and rat IgG. In contrast, IFN-γ and IL-12 were increased in both culture supernatants and in the serum. Similar changes in lymph node cytokine mRNA were observed in vivo, and tissue eosinophilia was reduced nearly 20-fold. Th2 cytokine responses in anti-CD40-treated IFN-γ−/− and IL-12 p40−/− C57BL/6 mice were unaffected, although anti-CD40 induced high levels of systemic and local IFN-γ production in both wild-type and IL-12 p40−/− mice. We conclude that CD40-activating treatments strongly reverse the immune phenotype generated in response to a classic, Th2-biasing stimulus and stimulate IFN-γ through a novel IL-12-independent pathway. This model for Th1-deviating immune therapy may have relevance to the treatment of Th2-dependent diseases in general.
Optical rotatory dispersion of sugar

Abstract The direction of optical rotatory dispersion curves in the far-ultraviolet spectral region has been related to configuration and conformation of the ring forms of sugars. Rules have been proposed for the study of ketoses, higher-carbon sugars, and furanoid forms of sugars. Agreement has been established with previous treatments of optical rotatory dispersion data for aldopyranoses. Changes in the direction of rotation or inflection points near 210 mμ have been observed for some additional sugars. These transitions did not represent the first peak of a Cotton effect, but were related to specific structural aspects of the ring. Because of neighboring-group interaction, it was not possible to sum, accurately, the rotational contributions of individual configurations on the ring. Nevertheless, it was possible to estimate the magnitude and direction of rotations associated with certain configurational alignments.
Knowledge compilation with empowerment

When we encode constraints as Boolean formulas, a natural question is whether the encoding ensures a "propagation completeness" property: is the basic unit propagation mechanism able to deduce all the literals that are logically valid? We consider the problem of automatically finding encodings with this property. Our goal is to compile a naive definition of a constraint into a good, propagation-complete encoding. Well-known Knowledge Compilation techniques from AI can be used for this purpose, but the constraints for which they can produce a polynomial size encoding are few. We show that the notion of empowerment recently introduced in the SAT literature allows producing encodings that are shorter than with previous techniques, sometimes exponentially.
Analysis of event-related fMRI data using diffusion maps

The blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in response to brief periods of stimulus can be detected using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (ER-fMRI). In this paper, we propose a new approach for the analysis of ER-fMRI data. We regard the time series as vectors in a high dimensional space (the dimension is the number of time samples). We believe that all activated times series share a common structure and all belong to a low dimensional manifold. On the other hand, we expect the background time series (after detrending) to form a cloud around the origin. We construct an embedding that reveals the organization of the data into an activated manifold and a cluster of non-activated time series. We use a graph partitioning technique–the normalized cut to find the separation between the activated manifold and the background time series. We have conducted several experiments with synthetic and in-vivo data that demonstrate the performance of our approach.
On Modeling User Associations in Wireless LAN Traces on University Campuses

In this paper we analyze wireless LAN (WLAN) traces collected from four different sources, including three university campus WLANs and one corporate WLAN to compare the similarities and differences of user association behavior to access points (APs) in these environments. This study provides extensive comparison of multiple WLAN traces, and outlines a basis for creating models for user association patterns in WLANs. We propose a set of important metrics for modeling the association patterns of wireless LAN (WLAN) users. Specifically, we look into (a) Activeness of users, (b) Macro-level mobility, (c) Micro-level mobility and (d) Repetitive association patterns. We find that (1) A significant portion of users are offline for non-neligible fraction of time (on average, the online time fraction is between 87.68% and 14.12% for the traces we studied). (2) Users visit only a small subset of APs (on average less than 5%, and the maximum is less than 35%), and (3) Users show periodic pattern of visiting the same APs in some traces. The findings along these aspects show similar trends among the traces, with differences in details due to both underlying user population/environments and methodologies of trace collection.
Secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Pituitary Receptors for LH-Releasing Hormone as Modified by the Proestrous Surge of Progesterone*

Pituitary glands of proestrous (PRO) rats display enhanced LH secretory response to LHRH when compared to pituitary glands of estrous (EST) rats. In addition proestrous pituitary glands display a self-potentiating (priming) response to LHRH, whereas estrous pituitary glands do not. This study addresses the role of the proestrous surge of progesterone in converting the proestrous-like LH secretory responses of the pituitary gland to those of estrus. Anterior pituitary glands were obtained from PRO and EST rats. In addition, Pro rats were treated with pentobarbital alone (PRO/PB) or with pentobarbital plus progesterone (PR0/PB-P4). Pentobarbital was given to prevent proestrous surges of LH and progesterone. Pentobarbital- treated animals were killed the day after treatment, estrus. Pituitary glands from each group were tested for LH secretory response in a superfusion chamber with exposure of two 15-min pulses of 10 nM LHRH separated by 90 min, or assayed for LHRH receptor content using iodinated D-Ala6-LHR...
Results on Newton methods: part II: perturbed Newton-like methods in generalized Banach spaces

In this paper, we provide convergence results and error estimates for perturbed Newton-like methods in generalized Banach spaces. We use the idea of a generalized norm which is defined to be a map from a linear space into a partially ordered Banach space. We find out that this way the metric properties of the examined problem can be analyzed more precisely. The convergence results are improved compared with the real norm theory. Since the iterates can rarely be computed exactly, we have considered perturbed Newton-like methods which converge to a solution of a nonlinear operator equation. We have achieved that by managing to control the ''size'' of the allowable error. Special cases of our results reduce to ones already in the literature, but even then our results are simpler and easier to apply. Finally applications to nonlinear integral and differential equations are suggested.
Investigation of the Inaccuracy of NIOSH Method 5505 for Estimating the Concentration of Isocyanate in Air

Abstract NIOSH Method 5505 for estimating isocyanate in workplace air is based on sampling air with an impinger containing a standard solution of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine in toluene and relating the measured loss of reagent from the sample to the total quantity of isocyanate trapped from the air. An experiment, in which 0–740 L of isocyanate-free air was sampled at 0.4–1.6 L/min and analyzed following Method 5505, demonstrated a loss of reagent which increased with the volume of air sampled. Entrainment of reagent in the exit stream was shown to be at least a minor cause of this loss. The results dictate against further use of Method 5505.
Experiences of Pediatric Oncology Nurses: The First Year of Hire

As the number of specialty pediatric oncology units increases, many units are hiring increasing numbers of newly graduated registered nurses. Intense specialty training and an emotionally demanding work environment place new nurses at risk for job frustration and early job resignation. The purpose of this study is to investigate experiences of pediatric oncology nurses during their first year of hire using a phenomenological approach. Participants were 6 nurses employed on an inpatient pediatric oncology unit in a tertiary care center located in the Intermountain West. A purposive sampling approach was used. Data were collected via semistructured interviews, which were analyzed for specific statements and themes providing description and meaning to nurses' experiences. Eleven themes in the categories of professional role development, a unique practice, and personal reflection were identified. Practice implications include supporting new nurses beyond the acquisition of skills and knowledge and including opportunities for personal reflection as part of the orientation experience. Successful role development is essential to ensure the retention of new pediatric oncology nurses as well as their future achievements within the subspecialty.
Flow and heat transfer in a micro-cylindrical gas-liquid Couette flow

Analytic solutions for the gas and liquid velocity and temperature distribution are determined for steady state one-dimensional microchannel cylindrical Couette flow between a shaft and a concentric cylinder. The solution is based on the continuum model and takes into consideration the velocity slip and temperature jump in the gaseous phase defined by the Knudsen number range of 0.001 < Kn < 0.1. The two fluids are assumed immiscible. The gas layer is adjacent to the shaft which rotates with angular velocity xs and is thermally insulated. The outer cylinder rotates with angular velocity xo and is maintained at uniform temperature. The governing parameters are identified and the effects of the Knudsen number and accommodation coefficients on the velocity and temperature profiles, reduction in the overall temperature rise due to the gas layer, the Nusselt number and shear reduction are examined. It was found that the required torque to rotate the liquid in the annular space is significantly reduced by introducing a thin gas layer adjacent to the shaft. Also, reduction in shaft temperature is enhanced through a combination of high energy accommodation coefficient and low momentum accommodation coefficients. Results also indicate that the gas layer becomes more effective in reducing the shaft temperature when the housing angular velocity is much larger than the shaft angular velocity.
Partially bridge-fluorinated dimethyl bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylates: preparation and NMR spectra.

Direct fluorination of dimethyl bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylate, obtained from [1.1.1]propellane prepared by an improved synthetic procedure, furnished esters of 14 of the 15 possible bridge-fluorinated bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acids, isolated by preparative GC. Calculated geometries reflect the substitution pattern in a regular fashion compatible with Bent's rules. Considerable additional strain is introduced into the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane cage by polyfluorination; it is calculated to be as high as 33−35 kcal/mol for hexasubstitution. Three arrangements of the fluorine substituents are especially strain-rich: geminal, proximate, and W-related. The 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR spectra exhibit a striking variety of chemical shifts and long-range coupling constants. These are in good agreement with results calculated with neglect of the bridgehead substituents for all of the chemical shifts by the GIAO-RHF/6-31G*//RHF/6-31G* and GIAO-RHF/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* methods and for many of the coupling...
Significance of appendiceal thickening in association with typhlitis in pediatric oncology patients.

Background The management of pediatric oncology patients with imaging evidence of appendiceal thickening is complex because they are generally poor surgical candidates and often have confounding clinical findings.
SMALL VOLUME ON BIG n-SPHERES

We consider Riemannian metrics on the n-sphere for n > 3 such that the distance between any pair of antipodal points is bounded below by 1. We show that the volume can be arbitrarily small. This is in contrast to the 2-dimensional case where Berger has shown that Area > 1/2.
Local Soviets, Public Order, and Welfare After Stalin: Appeals from Moscow's Kiev Raion

After Anastasia Dmitrievna Poliakova's husband disappeared at sea in 1962, she turned to the social welfare department in the far-eastern city of Ussuriisk (formerly Voroshilov) for assistance. Her husband had been the sole breadwinner in the family, so Poliakova requested a dependent-survivor pension to compensate for her lost income. But the social welfare department rejected her application on a technicality: because her husband had lost his labor book, Poliakova could not provide proof of employment and salary history. Like tens of thousands of her contemporaries, however, Poliakova did not accept the decision idly. She appealed first to the soviet of the Primor'e krai, and when that failed, to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet in Moscow. When the chairman of the Supreme Soviet, Leonid Brezhnev, rebuked his subordinates in the far east over the telephone, they quickly overturned the decision, but not before weathering criticism in the press. "Why did Anastasia Dmitrievna have to turn to Moscow for help?" a journalist asked. "Surely her concerns could have been more quickly resolved at the local level."' Poliakova's story is archetypical of one of the principal categories of public letterwriting in the Soviet Union: a disgruntled person writes to the capital hoping to rectify a seemingly unjust predicament, frequently the decision of a callous or incompetent local official.2 This practice of turning to authorities at the highest level with personal grievances-particularly issues of justice and charity-has deep roots in Russian history. In