cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractional Degrees of Freedom at Infinite Coupling in Large N f QED in 2 + 1 Dimensions

I consider quantum electrodynamics with many electrons in 2+1 space-time dimensions at finite temperature. The relevant dimensionless interaction parameter for this theory is the fine structure constant divided by the temperature. The theory is solvable at any value of the coupling, in particular for very weak (high temperature) and infinitely strong coupling (corresponding to the zero temperature limit). Concentrating on the photon, each of its physical degrees of freedom at infinite coupling only contributes half of the free-theory value to the entropy. These fractional degrees of freedom are reminiscent of what has been observed in other strongly coupled systems (such as N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory), and bear similarity to the fractional quantum Hall effect, potentially suggesting connections between these phenomena. The results found for (2+1)-dimensional QED are fully consistent with the expectations from particle-vortex duality.
An Exploratory Study on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Classroom Integration Training for Special Educators Who Work With Children With Complex Communication Needs in the Bahamas

Purpose In 2011, the United Nations estimated there were between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities living around the world, and 80% of them resided in developing countries. Over the last ...
Towards data literacy competencies: Business students, workforce needs, and the role of the librarian

Companies are looking to harness the power of data, both big and small, to take their business to new levels. One major hurdle for companies seeking to become data-centric is facing a lack of data ...
No Place I Would Rather Be: Roger Angell and a Life in Baseball Writing

As an inveterate reader of the New Yorker for decades and an enthusiastic follower of baseball for even longer, I have naturally been a fan of Roger Angell. His lengthy essays on baseball have help...
Reading George Counts’s “A Call to the Teachers of the Nation” as a Jeffersonian Text

The chapter examines George Counts’s understanding of the centrality of Jefferson’s thought to the American political and educational tradition. As a central feature of the chapter, the author offers a Jeffersonian reading of Counts’s classic pamphlet, A Call to the Teachers of the Nation (1931). A Call is the chapter’s primary focus owing to its comprehensive treatment of Jefferson and his legacy. While conceding that the Jeffersonian agrarian ideal had vanished by the 1930s, the chapter articulates how Counts’ still saw in Jefferson a figure who could speak to, and perhaps guide Americans through the cataclysm of the Great Depression. The final section draws striking parallels between Jefferson’s and Counts’s image of political knowledge, neither of which, it is argued, can be construed as politically neutral.
Cortical gyrification and its relationships with molecular measures and cognition in children with the FMR1 premutation

Neurobiological basis for cognitive development and psychiatric conditions remains unexplored in children with the FMR1 premutation (PM). Knock-in mouse models of PM revealed defects in embryonic cortical development that may affect cortical folding. Cortical-folding complexity quantified using local gyrification index (LGI) was examined in 61 children (age 8-12 years, 19/14 male/female PM carriers, 15/13 male/female controls). Whole-brain vertex-wise analysis of LGI was performed for group comparisons and correlations with IQ. Individuals with aberrant gyrification in 68 cortical areas were identified using Z-scores of LGI (hyper: Z ≥ 2.58, hypo: Z ≤ - 2.58). Significant group-by-sex-by-age interaction in LGI was detected in right inferior temporal and fusiform cortices, which correlated negatively with CGG repeat length in the PM carriers. Sixteen PM boys (hyper/hypo: 7/9) and 10 PM girls (hyper/hypo: 2/5, 3 both) displayed aberrant LGI in 1-17 regions/person while 2 control boys (hyper/hypo: 0/2) and 2 control girls (hyper/hypo: 1/1) met the same criteria in only 1 region/person. LGI in the precuneus and cingulate cortices correlated positively with IQ scores in PM and control boys while negatively in PM girls and no significant correlation in control girls. These findings reveal aberrant gyrification, which may underlie cognitive performance in children with the PM.
Editorial Commentary: Multiple-Strand Hamstring Autografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: If Graft Diameter Is at Least 8 Millimeters, Bigger May Not Be Better.

Anterior cruciate ligament graft diameter is of concern to every orthopaedic surgeon who's ever performed an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The current standard is to obtain a graft of at least 8 mm in diameter. The 5-bundle construct is an option to increase the graft diameter in the situation in which a smaller diameter 4-strand hamstring autograft is encountered. The question is whether bigger is better once one obtains an 8-mm diameter graft.
Evaluation of diagnostic tests for low prevalence diseases: a statistical approach for leveraging real-world data to accelerate the study.

The evaluation of diagnostic tests usually involves statistical inference for its sensitivity. As sensitivity is defined as the probability that the test result will be positive when the target con...
Application of Machine Learning in Hardware Trojan Detection

Hardware Trojans (HTs), maliciously inserted in an integrated circuit during untrusted design or fabrication process pose critical threat to the system security. With the ever increasing capabilities of an adversary to subvert the system during run-time, it is imperative to detect the manifested Trojans in order to reinforce the trust in hardware. In this regard, Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, with their intrinsic capability to execute feature engineering at high learning rates, are emerging as promising candidates to be utilized by system defenders. In this paper, we explore Trojan detection mechanisms that are based on ML, and thereby investigate the prowess of the ML algorithms in bolstering system security. Furthermore, we analyze the efficiency of each proposed Trojan detection strategy based on the underlying ML algorithm. Finally, we underline some problems with existing Trojan detection approaches and discuss future research in the interest of improved performance of the employed ML algorithms, thus aiding in enhancing the intended hardware security.
Self-Referencing Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor for Structural Damage Detection

We demonstrate a self-referencing FBG sensor for damage detection. The sensor compensates for changing environmental conditions by measuring the reference and distorted signal simultaneously and uses traveling acoustic waves in optical fibers.
Wavelet Linkages of Global Housing Markets and Macroeconomy

This paper proposes a novel approach to uncover the linkages of the housing market and macroeconomy for fifteen OECD countries. One of the limitations of conventional approach is that it does not distinguish the time domain from the frequency domain. However, econometric and economic rationale suggests that this distinction is crucial. We address this issue by proposing a semi/non-parametric approach of Wavelets which capture the relationship in the time-frequency space. The Cross-Wavelet coherence plots clearly show that the relationship varies significantly across countries, time, frequencies, and the direction of causation. Overall, house price movements are related to interest rates at the higher frequencies (short-run) and per capital income growth at the lower frequencies (long-run). Furthermore, the role of industrial production and income growth is found to switch over time at lower frequencies, particularly in Finland, France, Sweden, and Japan. The stock market's nexus with the housing market is significant mainly at high to medium frequencies around the recent financial crisis. However, throughout the 1976-2016 period, the U.S. stock market's relationship is significant, although it has gradually transitioned from medium to low-frequency movements. The direction of causation between the housing market and macroeconomic variables also differs across time and frequencies.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Contamination Sensitivity Training

The following packet is a contamination control training intended for personnel handling or coming to contact with Lunar Reconnaissance Or biter (LRO) flight hardware. This training is being implemented to f amiliarize personnel, coming into contact with LRO hardware, what its contamination sensitivities are and what can be done by all to maint ain its cleanliness levels.
Psychophysical Correlates of Parvo Channel Function

The identification of magnocellular and parvocellular channels within the primate visual system has prompted attempts to correlate the results of psychophysical experiments with the properties of these channels. Despite the relatively clear differences in channel properties, there is currently disagreement about the assignment of various tasks to the different channels.
Automated Cyber Situation Awareness Tools and Models for Improving Analyst Performance

An ever increasing number of critical missions rely today on complex Information Technology infrastructures, making such missions vulnerable to a wide range of potentially devastating cyber-attacks. Attackers can exploit network configurations and vulnerabilities to incrementally penetrate a network and compromise critical systems, thus rendering security monitoring and intrusion detection much more challenging. It is also evident from the ever growing number of high-profile cyber-attacks reported in the news that not only are cyber-attacks growing in sophistication but also in numbers. For these reasons, cyber-security analysts need to continuously monitor large amounts of alerts and data from a multitude of sensors in order to detect attacks in a timely manner and mitigate their impact. However—given the inherent complexity of the problem—manual analysis is labor-intensive and error-prone, and distracts the analyst from getting the “big picture” of the cyber situation.
Quantum Chemistry, and Eclectic Mix: From Silicon Carbide to Size Consistency

Chemistry is a field of great breadth and variety. It is this diversity that makes for both an interesting and challenging field. My interests have spanned three major areas of theoretical chemistry: applications, method development, and method evaluation. The topics presented in this thesis are as follows: (1) a multi-reference study of the geometries and relative energies of four atom silicon carbide clusters in the gas phase; (2) the reaction of acetylene on the Si(100)-(2x1) surface; (3) an improvement to the Effective Fragment Potential (EFP) solvent model to enable the study of reactions in both aqueous and nonaqueous solution; and (4) an evaluation of the size consistency of Multireference Perturbation Theory (MRPT). In the following section, the author briefly discusses two topics central to, and present throughout, this thesis: Multi-reference methods and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics (QM/MM) methods.
Production of fetal asphyxia in the rhesus monkey by administration of catecholamines to the mother.

Abstract The effects of the administration of epinephrine and norepinephrine to the pregnant rhesus monkey near term has been investigated with particular regard to alterations in the performance of the cardiovascular system and in the acid-base state of the fetus. It was found that either of the catecholamines can produce severe asphyxia of the fetus when given in amounts that elicit a distinct increase in maternal blood pressure. When spontaneous activity of the uterus was high, both agents (but particularly norepinephrine) increased the work output of the organ. The quiescent uterus, on the other hand, relaxed further during the administration of epinephine. Vasoconstriction in the uterine circulation was identified as the central factor responsible for the impairment in fetal oxygenation, since administration of catecholamines directly to the fetus produced no adverse effects on fetal acid-base state, and fetal asphyxia could be produced in the presence of a decrease in uterine activity.
Nonlinear Scheduling Approach for H-Infinity/Mu-Synthesis Controllers

A recently-developed technique for gain scheduling is illustrated by application to an autopilot design problem for a pitch-axis model of a highly-maneuverable missle. Using H-Infinity designs at widely-spaced operating conditions, we develop a nonlinear gain-scheduled controller that achieves closed-loop specifications throughout the operating range. Various theoretical issues that arise are discussed in terms of the design example.
Ozone and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Time-Series Studies and Comparison to a Multi-City Study (The National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study)

While many time-series studies of ozone and daily mortality identified positive associations,others yielded null or inconclusive results. We performed a meta-analysis of 144 effect estimates from 39 time-series studies, and estimated pooled effects by lags, age groups,cause-specific mortality, and concentration metrics. We compared results to estimates from the National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study (NMMAPS), a time-series study of 95 large U.S. cities from 1987 to 2000. Both meta-analysis and NMMAPS results provided strong evidence of a short-term association between ozone and mortality, with larger effects for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, the elderly, and current day ozone exposure as compared to other single day lags. In both analyses, results were not sensitive to adjustment for particulate matter and model specifications. In the meta-analysis we found that a 10 ppb increase in daily ozone is associated with a 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.53, 1.12%) increase in total mortality, whereas the corresponding NMMAPS estimate is 0.25%(0.12, 0.39%). Meta-analysis results were consistently larger than those from NMMAPS,indicating publication bias. Additional publication bias is evident regarding the choice of lags in time-series studies, and the larger heterogeneity in posterior city-specific estimates in the meta-analysis, as compared with NMAMPS.
Long-Range Coupling of Prefrontal Cortex and Visual (MT) or Polysensory (STP) Cortical Areas in Motion Perception

To investigate how, where and when moving auditory cues interact with the perception of object-motion during self-motion, we conducted psychophysical, MEG, and fMRI experiments in which the subjects viewed nine textured objects during simulated forward self-motion. On each trial, one object was randomly assigned its own looming motion within the scene. Subjects reported which of four labeled objects had independent motion within the scene in two conditions: (1) visual information only and (2) with additional moving-auditory cue.
Cereal imports by developing countries: Trends and determinants

Abstract After reviewing recent trends of cereal imports of developing countries by region, by income group, and by commodity, the determinants of these imports are analysed by investigating both structural, long-term factors as well as temporary, short-term factors. Level of economic development and population density on arable land are found to be statistically the most significant long-run factors explaining cereal imports by developing countries, while food aid is statistically the most significant short-run factor.
Chronic Conjunctivitis and "Warts".

A 10-year-old boy presented to a cornea subspecialty clinic with a 6-month history of intermittent redness, swelling, and itching of the right eye.Hehad seasonal allergies butwas otherwise healthy. He had not beenwearing his contact lenses since the episodes started. The patient’s symptoms persisted despite previous treatment regimenswith topical corticosteroids foratopicconjunctivitis andtopical antibiotics for staphylococcalblepharitis.Conjunctival cultures forbacteriaorviruses (includingadenovirusandherpessimplexvirus)were negative. The patient’s visual acuity with eyeglasses was 20/20OU. Findings from examination of the right eye were significant for lower eyelid follicles andmild conjunctival injection. A nontender preauricular lymph nodewas noted aswell as a raised erythematous papule on the patient’s upper cheek (Figure 1A). Findings fromexamination of the skin revealedmultiple raised papules on the right elbow and knee that were diagnosed as warts by the patient’s dermatologist (Figure 1B). Thesepapules hadbeenpresent for about6months and, despite the use of topical salicylic acid and cryotherapy, they continued to spread. A B
The primary structure of the core protein of the small, leucine-rich proteoglycan (PG I) from bovine articular cartilage

Abstract Two forms of small, interstitial proteoglycans have been isolated from bovine articular cartilage and have different core proteins, based on NH2-terminal analysis and peptide mapping (Choi, H. U., Johnson, T. L., Pal, S., Tang, L-H., Rosenberg, L. C., and Neame, P. J. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 2876-2884). These proteoglycans have been called PG I and PG II. Since they were first described, they have also been called "biglycan" (PG I), "decorin," and "DS-PG" (PG II). This report describes the primary structure of PG I from bovine articular cartilage. The protein core consists of 331 amino acids with a molecular mass of 37,280 Da. The amino acid sequence shows 55% identity to the cDNA-derived sequence of PG II from bovine bone. There are four discrete domains in the amino acid sequence. Domain 1, at the NH2 terminus (approximately 23 amino acids), contains two sites of attachment of dermatan sulfate, both of which match the consensus sequence of Asp/Glu-X-X-Ser-Gly-hydrophobic. Neither of these sites is substituted to 100% with glycosaminoglycan in native PG I. Domain 2, near the NH2 terminus and containing approximately 28 amino acids, has a cysteine pattern similar to a domain near the COOH terminus of mouse metallothionein and contains at least one disulfide bond (between the first and fourth cysteine residues). The majority of the core protein of PG I (domain 3) is a leucine-rich domain containing ten repeating units (approximately 231 amino acids). Patthy [1987) J. Mol. Biol. 198, 567-577) has shown that for PG II, the majority of domain 3 shows considerable similarity to leucine-rich alpha 2-glycoprotein (LRG) from serum. Domain 2 of PG I or PG II also has an analog in LRG, in that it has two cysteines in a similar place. The major motif in the PG I described here, in PG II and in LRG, is a series of leucine-rich repeats. PG I and PG II both contain 10 leucine-rich repeats which are 14 amino acids long and which are somewhat irregularly spaced, while LRG contains 9 leucine-rich repeats spaced 10 amino acids apart. Other proteins which contain leucine repeats are the platelet glycoprotein Ib, which is involved in platelet adherence to subendothelium (eight repeats in the alpha chain and two in the beta chain), the protein encoded by the Toll gene (involved in lateral and ventral spatial organization in Drosophila) and chaoptin (a protein involved in Drosophila photoreceptor morphogenesis).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The detailed structure of a frontal zone

A detailed analysis of a frontal zone located south of Denver, Colorado, on 30 March, 1977 was made using radiosonde data. This zone revealed a multiple structure which also showed up in the distributions of O3 and condensational nuclei concentrations measured with the Sabre-linear aircraft of the National Center of Atmospheric Research.
Frost and Chilling Injury to Growing Plants

Publisher Summary Freezing injury in plants represents a major economic loss to agriculture. Early research on freezing phenomena in plants centered on plant selection and classification according to their ability to become cold hardy and survive freezing temperatures. Recent work has centered on the differentiation between plants with or without the ability to harden. This chapter concentrates on the effects of low-temperature stress on cell membranes and other macromolecules in the cell and relates these to the overall plant response to chilling or frost injury. The freezing temperature of plant material is determined by the chemical potential of the plant water. The freezing point drops approximately 1°C for each 12 bars equivalent negative pressure (in the range of 0 to -10°C). Ice does not form spontaneously as the temperature drops to the freezing point of the plant water. Rather, the solution tends to undercool to variable and somewhat unpredictable temperatures. When nucleation does occur, it will generally be in the extracellular space. When tender plants show immediate frost injury from temperatures not lower than -3 or -4°C, the damage is caused primarily by ruptured cell membranes. Some nonhardy plants, such as peas and lettuce, can survive temperatures of -3 or -4°C for a few hours, even though ice is present in the plant tissue.
A supersymmetric Model for Mixed Dark Matter

The idea that the large scale structures seen today evolved from very small primeval density inhomogeneities has been strenghtened by the recent detection of large scale anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background [1]. Nevertheless, one of the necessary ingredients for the structure formation, namely the nature of dark matter, remains unknown.
Balancing the books on energy pricing

The author argues that public policy decisions regarding energy in China must reflect real relative costs, but explains that implementing them can be complicated by economic disparities among regions and consumer groups.
THE SEPARATION OF LOWER BOILING ALCOHOLS BY EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION

The following pairs of close boiling alcohols were separated by means of extractive distillation. The pairs separated and an effective agent were: ethanol from isoprepanol with methyl benzoate; ethanol from t-butanol with methyl salicylate; allyl alcohol from n-propanol with dimethylsulfoxide; isopropanal from t-butanol with methyl benzoate; n-propanol from 2-butanol with methyl salicylate; n-propanol from t-amyl alcohol with methyl benzoate; 2-butanol from t-amyl alcohol with methyl salicylate and t-amyl alcohol from isobutanol with dimethylsulfoxide.
Chemical analysis experiment for the Surveyor lunar mission.

Lunar surface chemical composition analysis by Surveyor-borne instrument based on alpha interaction with matter
Racial Authenticity in Rap Music and Hip Hop

This article reviews the history of scholarship on racial authenticity within studies of rap music and hip hop. The concept of authenticity currently enjoys a central place in sociological work on popular music, subcultures, and racial identity. As a music and cultural form that straddles all three of these fields, the debates surrounding authenticity within rap and hip hop are as contentious as any. Using the year 2000 as an arbitrary dividing line, this article presents the late 20th century foundations of research on authenticity and race within hip hop, then moves on to discuss more recent developments in the academic literature. Despite hip hop scholars’ increased emphases on discourses of space and place, and processes of culture and identity formation, the field continues to be framed through notions of essential blackness, and critical interrogations of white hip hop legitimacy. After providing an overview of the state of the field, it is argued that greater attention to language use among hip hop enthusiasts, and a particular emphasis on hip hoppers who fall outside the black–white racial binary will prove fruitful in reinvigorating these longstanding debates. Ethnographic studies of local underground hip hop scenes within the Unites States are recommended as a logical place to begin.
Tests for regulability of 2-D systems

Regulability tests of 2-D systems are transformed into stability tests of one-variable polynomials in this paper. The method can be used in regulability tests of multi-dimensional systems without any substantial modification.
Vulvitis and vulvovaginitis : cutaneous considerations

Vulvar dermatoses (previously dystrophies) include psoriasis, allergic or irritant reactions, lichen sclerosus, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen planus, and tinea. Some of these have bullous or erosive forms, but they differ from the immune-mediated vesiculobullous disease group, which includes vulvar pemphigus, benign familial pemphigus, pemphigoid, linear IgA disease, and dermatitis herpetiformis. Vulvar ulcers can occur in dermatoses resulting from systemic disease (Behcet's syndrome, lupus, pellagra, and Reiter's disease) or malignancies resembling dermatoses (extramammary Paget's disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia). Many vulvar dermatoses itch or burn. Vulvodynia occurs with irritant and allergic dermatitis, vulvar dermatoses, complications of steroid use, candidiasis, papillomatosis, vestibulitis, or essential (dysesthetic) vulvodynia. Diagnostic tests (potassium hydroxide, cultures, and biopsy) should establish the diagnosis and therapy should be specific. Few skin diseases are curable but all are treatable; effective management is defined by whether a medication reliably controls outbreaks or symptoms when it is used. Patience is recommended, because treatment may take weeks or months.
Optimality conditions and duality models for generalized fractional programming problems containing locally subdifferentiable and ρ:-convex functions

Both parametric and nonparametric necessary and sufficient optimality conditions are established for a class of nonsmooth generalized fractional programming problems containing ρ-convex functions. Subsequently, these optimality criteria are utilized as a basis for constructing two parametric and four parameter-free duality models and proving appropriate duality theorems. Several classes of generalized fractional programming problems, including those with arbitrary norms, square roots of positive semidefinite quadratic forms, support functions, continuous max functions, and discrete max functions, which can be viewed as special cases of the main problem are briefly discussed. The optimality and duality results developed here also contain, as special cases, similar results for nonsmooth problems with fractional, discrete max, and conventional objective functions which are particular cases of the main problem considered in this paper
Sequential Assembly of Homogeneous Magnetic Prussian Blue Films on Templated Surfaces

Thin homogeneous films of the Prussian blue analogues with idealized formulas KFeIII[FeII(CN)6], KNiII[FeIII(CN)6], CsNiII[CrIII(CN)6], and KCrII[CrIII(CN)6] have been prepared through the sequential adsorption of the appropriate metal ions and hexacyanometalate complexes onto hydrophobic surfaces that were first templated with an Fe−CN−Ni two-dimensional grid network deposited as a Langmuir−Blodgett monolayer. The template is essentially one layer of the cubic Prussian blue structure and provides a well-matched surface for the deposition of the bulk cubic solids. The effectiveness of the method is verified by the exceptional surface coverage indicated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) using synchrotron radiation confirms the face-centered cubic structures of the product films. Magnetic measurements of the thin films prepared on Mylar substrates yield behavior similar to that observed in the analogous powders, with t...
Bilateral optic nerve drusen and gliomas in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) consists of a vascular nevus involving an extremity, varicosities of that extremity, and hypertrophy of bone and soft tissue. When arteriovenous malformation is also present, it is called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS). Ophthalmic features of these syndromes include vascular anomalies of the orbit, iris, retina, choroid, and optic nerve. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl with KTS who was found to have bilateral optic nerve and chiasmal gliomas, optic disk drusen, and acquired myelination of the retinal nerve fiber layer. These findings have not been previously reported to be associated with KTS or KTWS.
Effects of chronic intraventricular nerve growth factor treatment on vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y levels in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex following fimbrial transections.

The present study determined whether chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment alters the hippocampal content of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rats with unilateral fimbrial transections. In addition, effects of chronic NGF treatment on cortical VIP and NPY levels were determined. Following partial and full fimbrial transections, hippocampal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was reduced by 41% and 60% ipsilateral to the lesioned side, respectively. Chronic NGF treatment partially attenuated (by 48%) the reduction of ChAT following partial lesions, but not full lesions. Neither the hippocampal contents of VIP or NPY were altered by partial or full fimbrial transections nor by chronic NGF treatment. However, in the NGF-treated rats, significant increases not only in cortical ChAT activity (by 28%), but also cortical VIP levels (by 68%) were observed. Cortical NPY levels remained unchanged following chronic NGF administration. In summary, the results suggest that the increases in cortical VIP levels observed in chronic NGF-treated rats may be specific to this tissue and consequent to the enhanced cholinergic tone exerted by this neurotrophin in the basalocortical pathway. Additionally, it appears that NGF when administered in pharmacological doses is not involved in the regulation of NPY synthesis in the hippocampus or cortex despite the presence of an NGF-responsive element associated with the rat NPY gene.
Building thermal network model and application to temperature regulation

Residential and commercial facilities account for over 40% of energy consumption in the US. Our work shows how fine grain modeling and sensing of this consumption can lead to substantial savings. We construct a thermal network model of a building with the temperatures of the various rooms as states; with the room thermal capacitances and thermal resistances between the rooms as parameters; the external or ambient temperatures as uncontrolled input and heating and cooling loads as control inputs. We show the effects on energy consumption of the random opening and closing of doors or windows. We show that active management of room temperature set points saves up to 20% of energy costs . We also demonstrate the substantial savings-up to 30%-through strategies of keeping certain doors and windows closed.
Second-generation calcium antagonists: search for greater selectivity and versatility.

Abstract Calcium antagonists have a variable specificity for cardiac and peripheral activity. Based on such activity, these compounds, new and old, can be classified into 4 categories. Type 1 agents, typified by verapamil, its congeners (tiapamil and gallopamil) and diltiazem, prolong atrioventricular nodal conduction and refractoriness with little effect on ventricular or atrial refractoriness. These actions, to a large extent, account for the antiarrhythmic properties of this type of calcium antagonists. Type 2 agents include nifedipine and other dihydropyridines. In vivo, these agents are devoid of electrophysiologic effects in usual doses and concentrations. They are potent peripheral vasodilators with some selectivity of action for different vascular beds; their overall hemodynamic effects are dominated by this peripheral vasodilatation and reflex augmentation of sympathetic reflexes. Type 3 agents are flunarizine and cinnarizine (piperazine derivatives); in vitro and vivo, they are potent dilators of peripheral vessels, with no corresponding calcium-blocking actions in the heart. Type 4 agents (perhexiline, lidoflazine and bepridil) have a broader pharmacologie profile; they block calcium fluxes in the heart, in the peripheral vessels or in both. They may inhibit the fast channel in the heart and have other electrophysiologic actions. A clear understanding of the varied pharmacologic properties of the different classes of calcium antagonists is likely to provide a rational basis for the use of the newer agents in clinical therapeutics. Future development may produce agents with a greater tissue selectivity on the one hand and a broader pharmacologie profile and therapeutic spectrum of activity on the other.
Haptic Feedback Applied to Pneumatic Walking

This paper presents a proposed control method for controlling the foot positions of two robotic legs through direct operator inputs with haptic feedback. The robot consists of two 3-DoF legs driven by pneumatic actuators. A demonstration of the controller shows the tracking performance enhancements of the proposed force-based position controller over a simple differential pressure gain scheduler-based position controller. The proposed controller incorporates pressure feedback to create supplementary force control. Foot position tracking remains within 10% of the commanded reference position, even through the sharp disparities of loading conditions as the actuators are either lifting the weight of the legs or supporting the weight of the robot itself. An operator gives direct foot position commands to the controller through two PHANToM haptic devices. Bilateral teleoperation of the system provides directional force feedback to the operator as a function of foot position error. The proposed controller also decreases the ambient and false forces reflected to the operator while moving the legs through gait cycles.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Genetic Transformation of an Entomopathogenic Nematode by Microinjection

We report the first successful transformation of an entomopathogenic nematode. Foreign genes were introduced in Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HP88 by microinjection using vectors carrying the Caenorhabditis elegans genes coding for the roller phenotype and 16-kDa heat shock protein (hsp16) gene. A translational fusion made by inserting lacZ in frame into hsp16 was expressed in the body musculature, hypodermis, and pharyngeal muscles. The transcription of the hsp16/lacZ transgenes resulted in the rapid synthesis of detectable levels of β-galactosidase. This research opens new avenues for genetic modification of entomopathogenic nematodes.
Inhibition of human skin fibroblast proliferation by histamine and phorbol esters is mediated by protein kinase C

The proliferation of human skin fibroblasts in culture was examined using a [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. Histamine inhibited thymidine incorporation with an IC50 of about 0.2 microM. This effect was blocked by the H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine but not by the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. Protein kinase C activators, including several phorbol esters and mezerine, also inhibited thymidine incorporation. The IC50 for beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate was less than 0.1 nM. The alpha-isomer of this compound was inactive. Long-term treatment of cells with the beta-isomer eliminated the ability of both histamine and phorbol ester to inhibit thymidine incorporation, presumably due to downregulation of protein kinase C. Our results suggest that histamine H1 receptors are linked to activation of protein kinase C and that activation of this enzyme leads to an inhibition of cell proliferation.
Condensation Thermography - A Novel Approach for Locating Short Circuits and Determing Surface Temperatures in Semiconductor Die

A simple and inexpensive technique for locating shorts/hot spots and measuring surface temperatures of semiconductor die is described and detailed with some examples. The technique involves the visual observation of the point at which liquid evaporation (shorts/hot spots) or gaseous condensation (surface temperature) occurs on the surface of the semiconductor die. A 16 mm motion picture film has been made which vividly demonstrates these effects.
On using satellite altimetric heights to provide a spatial context for the Hawaii Ocean Time-series measurements

Abstract It is assumed that the Hawaiian Ocean Time-series (HOT) measurements would be usefully complemented by datasets capable of providing a spatial context for the variability observed at the HOT site. The potential usefulness of high quality sea surface heights from satellite altimeters is evaluated by analyzing data from the Topex/Poseidon ( T P ) mission. Three signals are examined: an intra-annual oscillation, the annual variability, and an interannual sea level drop observed at the HOT site during 1993. The intra-annual signal observed at the HOT site is shown to be part of a propagating disturbance that moves energy to the northwest, but propagates phase to the southwest. Farther to the northwest, however, the energy and phase propagate nearly due west. At the annual period, the small amplitude observed at the HOT site is confirmed, but this is not true of the larger scale, where annual amplitudes reach 5–10 cm. The annual phase is largely consistent with the sea surface response to annual heating. Although the interannual event is barely resolved by the T P series, the drop of dynamic height observed at the HOT site is shown to be part of a larger-scale event. This event is stationary in space and is initially characterized by positive height anomlies near the ridge and negative anomalies further offshore. The signs of these two anomalies reverse in just over 1 year. The observed pattern gives rise to significant meridional sea surface height gradients, and the associated mass transport anomalies are estimated to be 8 Sv. In all three cases the T P time series, although less than 2 years in duration, provide information about the spatial structure of the signals that extends the descriptions that would be possible using the HOT data alone.
Military experience strongly influences post-service eating behavior and BMI status in American veterans.

Abstract In-depth interviews were conducted with veterans (n = 64) with an average age of 57 years to investigate eating behavior and food insecurity during military service and examine if it affects post-war eating behavior, and if this contributes to the high incidence of obesity found in veterans. About half of the subjects served during the Vietnam War, while smaller numbers served in WWII, the Korean War, Desert Storm, or other conflicts. The mean BMI was 30.5 ± 6.7 kg/m2. Only 12.5% of participants were classified as normal weight, while 37.5% were overweight, 46.9% were obese, and 3.1% were classified as excessively obese. Five major themes were identified including, (a) military service impacts soldier’s food environment, (b) food insecurity influences eating behavior and food choices, (c) military impacts weight status during and post-service, (d) military service has health consequences, and (e) post-service re-adjustment solutions are needed to ease re-entry into civilian life.
Abstract C63: Identification of NAC1 as a novel regulator of autophagy: Its implication in cisplatin resistance

NAC1 is a nuclear factor belonging to the BTB gene family. The BTB domain of NAC1 is responsible for its homodimerization and interaction with other proteins to form a complex that plays an important role in maintaining the pluripotency of ES cells and in the development of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying how NAC1 contributes to drug resistance is fundamental to improve clinical outcome in recurrent postchemotherapy ovarian cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether autophagy, a conserved response to several types of stresses including therapeutic stress, was involved in NAC1-mediated resistance to cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We found that treatment with cisplatin caused a robust activation of autophagy in NAC1-expressing ovarian cancer cell lines including A2780, OVCAR3, and SKOV3, based on the alteration of LC3-II and p62 by Western blot analysis, and the presence of GFP-LC3 puncta by microscopic observation. We further demonstrated that knockdown of NAC1 expression by RNA interference or inactivation of NAC1 by inducing the expression of NAC1 deletion mutant that contains only the BTB domain significantly inhibited the cisplatin-induced autophagy, resulting in increased cisplatin cytotoxicity as measured by MTT viability assay. Moreover, we observed that inhibition of autophagy and sensitization to cisplatin by NAC1 knockdown or inactivation were accompanied by induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by increases in Annexing V staining and in the levels of proapoptotic proteins caspase-3 and PARP. To confirm that the sensitizing effect of NAC1 inhibition on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was mediated through suppression of autophagy, we assessed the effects of autophagy inhibitors, 3-MA and chloroquine, on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Treatment of cancer cells with 3-MA and chloroquine also enhanced the sensitivity of SKOV3, A2780, and OVCAR3 cells to cisplatin, indicating that suppression of autophagic response indeed renders the NAC1-expressing ovarian cancer cells more sensitive to cisplatin. The regulation of autophagy by NAC1 appeared to be mediated via HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1), as NAC1 could regulate the expression, translocation and release of HMGB1, which is known to activate autophagy by disrupting the interaction between beclin 1 and bcl-2. The results of our study not only revealed a new mechanism governing cisplatin sensitivity but also identified NAC1 as a novel regulator of autophagy. Thus, the NAC1-mediated autophagy may be exploited as a new target for enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer or other types of malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr C63.
Conservation of Pteropus livingstonii based on roost site habitat characteristics on Anjouan and Moheli, Comoros islands

Livingstone's fruit bats, Pteropus livingstonii, (Pteropodidae: Chiroptera) are endemic to only two islands, Moheli and Anjouan of the Comoros Islands in the West Indian Ocean. With an estimated population of less than 2000 individuals, P. livingstonii is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List. Yet the habitat characteristics of these giant fruit bats, or flying foxes, are poorly known. I conducted field research during 5 months in 1998 focused on finding new roost sites, measuring characteristics of both roost sites and roost trees at new as well as previously identified roost sites, and recording the same characteristics for a set of absence sites. I identified six new roost sites allowing me to measure the characteristics of 15 known roost sites and seven absence sites. The study spanned both dry and rainy seasons and I found a significant increase in the number of individuals at roost sites during the rainy season. Bat roost sites were associated with presence of water, southeast aspect, steep slopes, and presence of several native tree species. Roost habitat was characterized based on biotic, abiotic and human factors. This research on habitat characteristics is contributing to the development of a conservation action plan for the Livingstone's fruit bats. However, further research on dry season roost sites and distribution as well as feeding sites is necessary in order to better understand their seasonal habitat requirements and therefore ensure the conservation of P. livingstonii.
Highly fluorescent semiconducting polymer dots for single-molecule imaging and biosensing

This paper describes the preparation of semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) and their application for single-molecule imaging and biosensing. The Pdots possessed high fluorescence brightness, with a 16 nm Pdot being ~9 times brighter than 13 nm Quantum Dots (Qdots). The surface of Pdots was successfully conjugated with streptavidin, which made Pdots suitable for specific subcellular labeling and targeting. The interior composition of Pdots was also successfully modified, through which the Pdots obtained additional functionalities. We demonstrated the utility of gold nanoparticle embedded Pdots in dual-modality imaging. We also demonstrated that Rhodamine B embedded Pdots were able to function as ratiometric temperature sensor in live-cell imaging mode.
Effect of the decarbonization cycle for dolomite and magnesite on the sintering of powders

A study was made of the effect of the decarbonization schedule for dolomite and magnesite on the activity of the powders in relation to sintering. During rapid heating and with the minimum soaking at the final temperature of calcination, in. conditions of complete decarbonization for the original materials, it is possible to obtain caustic powders with a high specific surface and defect concentration in the lattices of MgO and CaO, which predetermines their hydration and sintering activity. With the optimum conditions of decarbonization for the powdered dolomite and magnesite the maximum densities of the fired briquets based on hydrated powders (respectively, 3.34 and 3.42 g/em3) are obtained with moderate firing temperatures (1500 and 1600°C).
Evaluation of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inocula in a sand/peat medium

Eight commercial inocula of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were tested for their ability to colonize plant roots in the sand/peat medium specified by the U.S. Golf Association for use in putting greens. Using the standard assay for potency of inocula (Zea mays grown for 6 weeks in containers), inocula were added at the rate recommended by the manufacturer as well as at five and ten times the recommended rate. To ensure that growth conditions were conducive to AM formation, a soil-based inoculum of native AMF also was assessed for inoculum potential. Only three of the commercial inocula formed mycorrhizas when used at the recommended rate, and the extent of colonization ranged from 0.4 to 8%. Increasing the amount of inoculum resulted in colonization levels of 8.6 to 72.5% at the highest rate (10×). Mean colonization using the native AMF was 60%. One inoculum that did not form mycorrhizas at the recommended rate or at 5× produced 8.6% colonization at 10×. An inoculum that did not produce mycorrhizas at any application rate did contain a fungus tentatively identified as a root pathogen (Olpidium brassicae) that colonized the corn roots. The failure of five of the eight commercial inocula to colonize roots when applied at the recommended rate suggests that preliminary trials should be made before commercial AMF inocula are used in important plantings.