cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A case for the coexistence of heterogeneous wireless networks

As the ISM spectrum becomes crowded by various network devices, such as WiFi and ZigBee, the coexistence between them poses a critical challenge, due to their heterogeneous MAC/PHY layers. Recent measurement studies have shown moderate to high WiFi traffic to severely impair coexisting ZigBee's performance. We propose a new mechanism, called cooperative busy tone (CBT), that exploits the inherent cooperation among ZigBee nodes to harmonize their coexistence with WiFi devices. CBT employs a separate ZigBee node to emit a busy-tone concurrently with the desired data transmission, thereby improving the visibility of ZigBee devices to WiFi. It adopts an innovative way to concurrently schedule the busy-tone and a data packet without causing interference between them. To optimize CBT, we establish a theoretical framework that models the performance of coexisting ZigBee and WiFi networks, and analyzes the impact of key design parameters in CBT. Our analytical results and testbed implementation demonstrate CBT's significant throughput improvement over the legacy ZigBee protocol, with negligible performance loss to WiFi.
WindSat physically-based forward model: atmospheric component

WindSat is a satellite-based multi-frequency polarimetric microwave radiometer designed to measure the fully polarimetric radiometric brightness temperature (TB) at 10.7, 18.7, and 37.0 GHz, and linearly polarized TB at 6.8 and 23.8 GHz. The primary goal of WindSat is to demonstrate the capability of polarimetric microwave radiometry in remote sensing of the ocean surface wind vector. Sea surface temperature, water vapor, and cloud liquid water, are among some of the other geophysical parameters that can also be measured. Solution of an inverse method to retrieve these environmental parameters from the polarimetric radiometer measurements requires a forward model that characterizes the measured brightness temperature due to emission from the surface and the intervening atmosphere, and its transmission through the atmosphere. This paper concentrates predominantly on the atmospheric component of the Windsat forward model. This includes two separate but related algorithms. We have developed a complete radiative transfer model that calculates the upward and downward atmospheric radiation, including attenuation effects due to clear air (both resonant and continuum absorption by water vapor and molecular oxygen) and non-precipitating clouds. From calculations and analysis of using this full forward model and an extensive match-up dataset a computationally efficient one-layer parameterized model has been developed for use in the physically-based Windsat retrieval algorithm. A performance assessment of forward models which utilize surface and atmospheric models, NWP model data assimilation profiles, and environmental measurements from other satellites, by comparison with WindSat measurements, is presented.
Effects of assortative mating for pupa weight on genetic parameters of unselected Tribolium castaneum.

Effects of random (R) or positive assortative (A) mating for pupal weight (PW) on genetic parameters of pupation time (PT), pupal and larval weights (LW) were studied in unselected populations of Tribolium castaneum. Two groups, each with 50 males mated to 100 females in each of 5 replicates, were either R-mated or A-mated for 3 generations. Genetic parameters were estimated from covariances between sibs (R group) or by an iterative method (A group). Estimates of heritability in R and A groups were 0.30±0.12 and 0.39±0.02 (PW); 0.26±0.13 and 0.49±0.04 (LW); and 0.39±0.10 and 0.25±0.03 (PT). Estimates of genetic correlations in the R group were −0.21±0.23 (PW and LW); 0.45±0.10 (PW and PT); and −0.77±0.14 (LW and PT). Those in the A group were 0.27±0.10 (PW and LW); 0.15±0.14 (PW and PT); the genetic correlation between LW and PT was not estimable in this group. Within-family variances (grams squared) of PW by generation (1, 2, and 3) were, respectively: 0.048 (R) and 0.047 (A); 0.054 (R) and 0.041 (A); and 0.050 (R) and 0.046 (A). In agreement with theory, estimates of heritability of PW and LW were larger in the A group. Estimates of genetic correlations in the A group were inconsistent with expectations from theory. Assortative mating tended to decrease within-family variance of PW.
Amorphous Hf-based foams with aligned, elongated pores

Abstract Warm equal channel angular extrusion is used to consolidate a blend of amorphous Hf 44.5 Cu 27 Ni 13.5 Ti 5 Al 10 and crystalline W powders. Dissolution of the W phase results in ∼60% aligned, elongated pores within an amorphous Hf-based matrix exhibiting ductility in compression, but at lower strengths than similar amorphous Zr-based foams due to incomplete bonding between Hf-based powders.
The cytochromes of luminous bacteria and their coupling to bioluminescence

Vibrio fischeri andV. harveyi possess cytochromes a, b, and c, whereasPhotobacterium leiognathi andP. phosphoreum also contain cytochrome d. In all, cytochrome a as well as some of c binds carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide does not inhibit bioluminescence (in vivo or in vitro), but carbonyl cyanidem-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibits only in vivo bioluminescence. This inhibition is due to dissipation of the proton motive force which indirectly inhibits bioluminescence by interruption of aldehyde recycling. Bioluminescence is thereby indirectly coupled to the proton motive force.
Diazonium ion chemistry: replacement of H by alkyl at the central carbon accelerates an SN2 substitution reaction

The rate constants for hydrolysis of diazomethane, diazoethane and 1-diazopropane in aqueous 5% acetonitrile at 25°C and ionic strength 1 M (NaClO4) were measured by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The pH-rate profile for diazomethane hydrolysis exhibits a pH-independent section in the lower pH range, 8–10, with a downward break at higher pH, as has been reported for slightly different reaction conditions. In the case of diazoethane and 1-diazopropane, the reaction remains pH independent up to pH > 13. General acid catalysis of the hydrolysis reactions of diazomethane and diazoethane were examined in the pH-independent regions. For a limited number of catalysts, the value of Bronsted α was 0.58 for both diazoalkanes. The downward break in the pH rate profile for diazomethane hydrolysis is consistent with what was previously concluded, rate-limiting protonation by H2O in the pH-independent region changing to rate-limiting attack of water on the diazonium ion in the pH-dependent region, the decrease in rate constant with increasing pH being attributed to deprotonation of the diazonium ion by hydroxide ion. The lack of a downward break in the pH–rate profiles for hydrolysis of the diazoethane and 1-diazopropane is attributed specifically to the increase, relative to the methyldiazonium ion, in the rate constant for water attack on the ethyl- and 1-propyldiazonium ions, perhaps by as much as >103-fold. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Religious Factors in Physical Health and the Prevention of Illness

Summary Many scientists often assume that religious preference and involvement have little effect on physical health, or that, if such effects exist, few studies have addressed this issue. In actuality, there is a long tradition of empirical research on the interconnections of religion and physical health. Theoretical speculation as to the reasons for such a salutary effect of religious belief or involvement has been prominent in the writings of distinguished scholars and physicians past and present. Furthermore, the existence of such religion-health connections is a nearly universal feature within the cosmologies of religious traditions and is supported by empirical evidence from various scientific disciplines. This essay surveys religious factors in physical health, discussing why religious indicators should be significantly related to health status, critically reviewing key empirical evidence, offering explanations for such findings, and noting their implications for the prevention of illness.
V beta gene repertoire in the aging mouse: a developmental perspective.

To define age-associated alterations in the immune system at the molecular level, we have analyzed TCR V beta gene expression patterns at the fetal, neonatal, adult, and advanced ages of mice. In contrast to V gamma and VH genes, V beta genes rearranged without any preference related to their chromosomal organization. Endogenous superantigen-mediated clonal deletions were registered for the first time at the neonatal stage, presumably reflecting the late developmental appearance of these molecules. Such deletions, once established, were maintained throughout life with little, if any, leakage in this process. Furthermore, bone marrow transplantation and other studies indicated that an involuted thymus maintained its capacity to perform both its functions, i.e. positive and negative selection. Although overall V beta repertoires showed remarkable stability with advanced age, modifications in expression levels for some V beta, particularly those associated with the CD8 subset and presumably reflecting antigenic stimulation, were recorded. Mice with lupus and early-life thymic involution were fully capable of deleting endogenous superantigen-reactive V beta clones, and even lupus mice with a genetic defect in the apoptosis-promoting Fas gene were normal in this regard. The results indicate that, aside from some anticipated clonal expansions induced by antigenic stimulation, age-associated alterations in immune functions are not caused by any profound changes in the overall TCR repertoire.
Thermal analysis of styrene–alkyl methacrylate polymers. I. Glass transition temperatures

The glass transition temperatures (Tg's) of several polystyrenes and styrene–alkyl methacrylate copolymers and terpolymers were measured using thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymers studied had number-average molecular weights from 3000 to 250,000 g/mole. The results indicate that the composition dependence of the Tg's for the copolymers and terpolymers can be satisfactorily described by a general Fox equation. In general, the measured Tg's of the copolymer and terpolymer samples depend more on the steric effects of the constituent pendent groups than on their molecular weights. The chain flexibility rather than the size of the pendent group is the determining factor in the glass transition properties of the styrene polymers.
Opposition of the thumb: An anatomic and biomechanical study of tendon transfers

Tendon transfers for opposition of the thumb were anatomically and biomechanically studied to help determine the optimal criteria for selecting the best motor unit for a transfer. Forearm and hand muscle volume, mean fiber length, and cross-sectional area were measured in eight fresh specimens of the upper extremity to determine which muscles best replace lost thenar muscle strength. In a separate group of 18 specimens, the effective moment arms for abduction and flexion of the first metacarpal were calculated in vitro and from biplanar radiographic techniques to determine the effect of eight different opposition transfers on thumb abduction, rotation, and strength. Results of these studies demonstrate that the transfers of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) of the long finger and extensor carpi ulnaris best replaced lost thenar muscle strength and provided maximal abduction and near full thumb rotation. The transfers of the extensor carpi radialis longus and the FDS of the ring finger replaced 60% and 40% of required thenar muscle strength, respectively. The palmaris longus was the least effective transfer, having good abduction but weak flexion and opposition. Motion, balance, and strength of tendon transfers must be considered for effective thumb opposition.
Measurements of illumination at great depths and at night in the Atlantic Ocean by means of a new bathyphotometer

Abstract The bathyphotometer described is a combination of a light-meter employing a photomultiplier tube and a depthmeter employing a bourdon tube. The spectral sensitivity of the instrument extends approximately from 320 mμ to 650 mμ with a maximum at 480 mμ. Illumination as low as 10−7 μw/cm2 (about 10−12 of full sunlight) and depths as great as 610 m can be read directly on deck. The instrument thus permits the direct investigation of the light factor in the sea at depths and intensities far below those measurable by photovoltaic photometers. Measurements of transparency made in the Florida Current off Miami gave extinction coefficients ranging from ·031 to ·056 for various strata between depths of 20 and 580 m. In the slope water about 200 miles SE of New York extinction coefficients of ·062 to ·072 were obtained for the upper 90 m and of ·032 to ·041 for layers extending to 596 m. These results, together with previous meagre information, indicate a uniform and high transparency for the water between 100 m and 600 m. Measurements made at night in both localities showed that the illumination decreased with depth in the upper layers at about the same rate as during the day. Flashes of light, presumably from luminescent animals, were observed, particularly in the lower strata. At depths greater than 300 m the background light remained about constant or tended to increase. In one instance the general illumination at night at 600 m was about as great as during the day with individual flashes almost one thousand times greater.
Comparison of photoreceptor-specific matrix domains in the cat and monkey retinas.

Abstract Two lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA), were used to compare domains within the interphotoreceptor matrices (IPM) of the cat and monkey, two species where the morphological relationship between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors is distinctly different. In the monkey, PNA labeling was heaviest over the cone outer segments and a discrete region of the interphotoreceptor matrix bordering the cone inner and outer segments—a region which has been termed the cone matrix sheath. Near the apical border of the RPE, the outer margin of the PNA-labeled matrix is surrounded by a circular array of apical microvilli. In the cat retina, PNA labeling was highest over a region of the IPM lying between the outer margin of the cone sheath processes and surrounding rod matrix. In contrast, intracellular labeling of cone inner and outer segments was sparse. The RPE apical processes forming the cone sheath were not labeled. In the monkey retina, WGA preferentially labeled rod outer segments and the region of the IPM around rod inner and outer segments. The cone matrix sheath was not preferentially labeled using this lectin. Rod inner segments and cone inner and outer segments were labeled moderately. In the cat retina, WGA labeling was dense over both rod outer segments and cone outer segments as well as the cone sheath. Rod and cone inner segments, as well as the IPM around both rods and cones, were moderately labeled. These observations suggest that the specialized processes arising from the apical surface of retinal pigment epithelial cells, together with photoreceptor-specific extracellular matrix domains, contribute to the formation of specific micro-environments around rod and cone photoreceptor cells.
The Art of Medicine through the Humanities: an overview of a one‐month humanities elective for fourth year students

Background The purpose of incorporating humanities teaching into medical education is to encourage students to develop into more sensitive and caring doctors who communicate well with their patients and colleagues. Content A unique 4th year student elective at the Medical College of Wisconsin incorporates reflective and writing activities. Small group sessions are facilitated by faculty with specific interest and expertise in the humanities. Evaluation Students keep a journal in which they record their reflections on personal issues, career planning and reactions to classroom discussions. Each student writes a poem and an essay or short story. The course is well received and oversubscribed. Conclusions Students increase their understanding of the humanities through readings, small group discussions, journal keeping and formal writing. By incorporating humanism into their professional lives, medical students can learn to care for their patients in a more humane and thoughtful manner.
A comparative study of the seed germination biology of a narrow endemic and two geographically-widespread species of Solidago (Asteraceae). 5. Effect of dry storage on after-ripening and survivorship

The effect of dry storage under ambient laboratory conditions on after-ripening and survivorship was tested on seeds of the geographically-widespread Solidago altissima and S. nemoralis and the narrow-endemic S. shortii. Freshly-matured seeds of S. altissima collected in 1991 and in 1992 germinated to low or moderate percentages in light at 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15°C and to high percentages at 30/15 and 35/20°C, whereas those of S. nemoralis and S. shortii germinated to low percentages over the range of temperature regimes. After 0.8–1.8 years of storage, 1991 seeds of S. altissima incubated in light germinated to high percentages at 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C, those of S. nemoralis did so at 30/15 and 35/20°C and those of S. shortii at 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C; 1992 seeds of all three species germinated to high percentages at 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 and 35/20°C. Freshly-matured 1991 and 1992 seeds of the three species germinated to low percentages in darkness over the range of temperature regimes, and only seeds of S. shortii germinated to high percentages after 0.8–1.8 years of storage. Compared with cold stratification, dry storage was only moderately effective in breaking dormancy in these three species. The primary difference in after-ripening of seeds of the three species was that seeds of the narrow endemic germinated to higher percentages in darkness than those of its two geographically-widespread congeners. Survivorship curves for 1991 and 1992 seeds of S. altissima and S. nemoralis and for 1992 seeds of S. shortii were of Deevey Type I; the survivorship curve for 1991 seeds of S. shortii was closest to Type II. Longevity of 1991 seeds of S. altissima, 1992 seeds of S. nemoralis and 1991 and 1992 seeds of S. shortii was <4.0 years, whereas that of 1991 seeds of S. nemoralis was <2.3 years; 5% of 1992 seeds of S. altissima were viable after 4.0 years.
Comparison study of sustained-release theophylline products: Slo-bid capsules versus Theo-Dur tablets in 20 children and young adults with asthma

Because there are few published studies on capsulized sustained-release theophylline (SRT) products in children, we compared Slo-bid capsules to Theo-Dur tablets in a group of school age children and young adults with asthma in an 8-week randomized crossover study design with patients maintaining daily symptom diary cards and peak expiratory flow rates. Theophylline levels were obtained at 8 hours after the morning dose on day 7, 14, and 28 of each study period. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, regression equation, and Student's t test. Both products were demonstrated to have grossly similar absorption characteristics and efficacy at 12-hour intervals in the age group studied. Average daily dose requirement was 717 mg/day. Considerable week-to-week intrapatient variation in 8-hour theophylline levels was noted in both products, implying that precise dose adjustments cannot be made from a given level. Our literature review reveals the need for more data to support the current widespread practice of dosing children less than 8 years of age at 12-hour intervals. A retrospective review of ingestion before and after breakfast revealed no variation between the seven patients ingesting SRT before breakfast compared to 13 patients routinely ingesting SRT after a typical childhood breakfast.
Design and Evaluation of an Autonomous, Obstacle Avoiding, Flight Control System Using Simulated Visual Sensors

In an effort to field smaller and cheaper Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the U.S. Army has expressed an interest in an ability of the vehicle to autonomously detect and avoid obstacles. Current systems are not suitable for small aircraft. NASA Langl ey Research Center has developed a vision sensing system that uses small semiconductor cameras. The feasibility of using this sensor for the purpose of autonomous obstacle avoidance by a UAV is presented. The vision sensor characteristics are modeled and incorporated, with guidance and control algorithms, into a flight control system designed to generate flight commands based on obstacle information received from the vision sensor. The system is evaluated by simulating the response to these flight comman ds using a six degree -of -freedom, non -linear simulation of a small, fixed wing UAV. The simulation is written using the MATLAB application and runs on a PC. Simulations were conducted to test the longitudinal and lateral capabilities of the flight contro l for a range of airspeeds, camera characteristics, and wind speeds. Results indicate that the control system is suitable for obstacle avoiding flight control using the simulated vision system. In addition, a method for evaluating the performance of such a system has been developed that allows the user to rapidly change component characteristics and evaluate new systems through simulation.
Current concepts of climbing fiber function.

This review examines several of the current postulates regarding the function of one of the most intriguing afferent systems in the brain, the climbing fiber system. The fact that these afferents are activated under a variety of conditions has contributed substantially to the diversity of postulates that have been proposed. In part because of the unique anatomical relationship between individual climbing fibers and the dendritic tree of Purkinje cells, these afferents have been proposed as a key input in establishing long-term plastic changes in the cerebellar cortex. This concept is contrasted with other postulates proposing that the heterosynaptic action of this system produces a short-lasting enhancement rather than a long-term depression of Purkinje cell responsiveness. Although a generally accepted view regarding climbing fiber function does not exist, this review emphasizes the extensive functional insights that have been reported and supports the notion that progress toward a complete understanding of these afferents will require an integration of their morphological characteristics with the fundamental physiological properties of their responses assessed in a variety of contexts and conditions. Anat. Rec. (New Anat.) 253:118–126, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sulfate oxygen-17 anomalies in desert varnishes

Rock varnishes are ubiquitous in arid regions on Earth, and are believed to be commonly present on Mars. Here we report high water-soluble sulfate and nitrate contents in desert varnishes from the Death Valley region of southwestern U.S.A., and that sulfate in varnishes possess δ17O/δ18O ratios that do not fall on terrestrial mass-dependent fractionation line. Sulfate from wet and dry atmospheric deposition is probably the source of the δ17O anomalies. The anomalies are only moderately lower than that of aerosol sulfates collected from the greater Los Angeles area, indicating probably more than half of the sulfate in desert varnish is supplied by atmospheric deposition. This finding suggests that Earth surface environments are constantly accumulating δ17O-anomalous sulfate from the atmosphere; arid and stable conditions facilitate the preservation of these atmospheric signatures. This finding also indicates that different δ17O/δ18O ratios found in different components in the Martian meteorites may result from atmospheric chemical processes.
Ferroelectric memories: A comparison with other high-speed digital devices

A comparison of two- and three-terminal digital devices, especially those used for memories, is given, Emphasis is placed on parameters important for large-volume commercialization, as opposed to laboratory demonstrations of individual units. Transistors, Josephson junction “cryotrons”, optically bistable and spectral hole-burning systems are compared with ferroelectrics.
The conversion of carboxylic acids into acid bromides on BBr3-modified alumina

Abstract Carboxylic acids are converted into acid bromides on alumina which has been modified with boron tribromide. A different reaction occurs in solution.
Long-term sexual allocation in herbivore resistant and susceptible pinyon pine ( Pinus edulis )

Chronic herbivory by the stem-boring moth (Dioryctria albovittella) alters the sexual expression of a monoecious tree, pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) by reducing female function and increasing male function. Observations and long-term moth removal experiments show that 55% of susceptible trees can lose all female function. Moth herbivory has little effect on male function in young trees, but has an important effect on older trees, where moth-susceptible trees produced 1.5 times more pollen than moth-resistant trees. Susceptible trees were 6.5 times more likely to exhibit male-only function than either resistant trees or susceptible trees that have had their moths experimentally removed. This herbivore-induced sex change is caused primarily by differential moth attack and the resulting mortality of the shoots that bear female reproductive structures. Moth attack rates were positively correlated with individual stem biomass (female stems >non-reproductive stems >male stems). Moth attack also increased conelet abortion on unattacked shoots, indicating that moths indirectly reduce female function. Moth-induced altering of sexual function is also expressed at the population level. Male function is relatively greater in stands with high moth densities on stressful soils than in stands with few moths. Under certain conditions, sexual selection theory suggests that the negative effects on female function could be overcome with greater investment in male function. Because susceptible trees produce large amounts of pollen and are more abundant than moth-resistant trees, frequency-dependent selection may counteract selection against susceptible genotypes. Plant-herbivore interaction studies typically examine negative impacts of herbivory on female function, but not positive effects on male function. Here we demonstrate that herbivory may have important effects on the evolutionary ecology of pinyon by both promoting male function and depressing female function.
Higher order phase corrected transition amplitudes for time dependent semiclassical surface hopping calculations

Abstract A trajectory based, surface hopping expansion of the time dependent quantum propagator has recently been shown to satisfy the multi-state Schrodinger equation to all orders in ℏ . Higher order transition amplitudes for hops between states within an interval of fixed length along the trajectory are presented. These amplitudes include contributions from terms corresponding to any number of hops in the interval. They also account for the dependence of the phase associated with the trajectory and the time taken to cross the interval on the location of the hops within the interval. The higher order amplitudes allow for the use of wider intervals in numerical surface hopping calculations. More of the interference between different hopping trajectories is analytically accounted for when the higher order amplitudes are used with wider intervals. Monte Carlo procedures must generally be employed in deciding whether to hop or not in each interval for multi-dimensional problems. Numerical calculations on a model system indicate that the use of the higher order amplitudes can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of these methods.
Twenty-four-Hour Periodicity in the Mechanism of Pituitary Gonadotrophin Release for Follicular Maturation and Ovulation in the Chicken

Coupled ovulation cycles include a single day of lapse between ovulations or sequences of 2 or more consecutive daily ovulations. The release of gonadotrophic hormone (GTH) for ovulation of the terminal follicle of one cycle also leads to maturation of the first or C1 follicle of the succeeding cycle. As the number of members (n) in coupled cycles increases from 1 to about 7, the GTH release for maturation of the C1 follicle takes place at progressively later hours. A main factor in this relationship appears to be the decreasing interval (or decreasing lag) between consecutive daily GTH releases with increasing n. Uncoupled cycles are separated from preceding cycles by 2 days or more on which ovulation fails to occur. GTH release for maturation of the C1 follicle therefore takes place in the absence of those factors which appear to be associated with GTH release for maturation of C1 follicles in coupled cycles at progressively later hours as n increases from 1 to about 7. Theoretically, at least, it seeme...
Antagonism of NF-κB-up-regulated micro RNAs (miRNAs) in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD)-anti-NF-κB vs. anti-miRNA strategies.

As research into micro RNA (miRNA) speciation, complexity, and biological activity progresses, it is becoming clear that a selective subset of all so far characterized miRNAs utilized by human cells and tissues is under the transcriptional control of the pro-inflammatory and immune system-linked transcription factor NF-κB (Sen and Baltimore, 1986; Lukiw and Bazan, 1998; Taganov et al., 2006; Lukiw, 2007, 2012a,b,c; Bazzoni et al., 2009; Ma et al., 2011; Boldin and Baltimore, 2012; Cremer et al., 2012; Li et al., 2012; Lukiw and Alexandrov, 2012; Zhao et al., 2013). The inducible up-regulation of NF-κ B-sensitive miRNAs is by virtue of single, and often multiple, NF-κB-DNA binding recognition sites in the regulatory regions of miRNA-containing genes that drive RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription of pre-miRNA species (Ambros, 2004; Taganov et al., 2006; Baltimore et al., 2008; Cui et al., 2010; Guo et al., 2010; Bredy et al., 2011; Lukiw, 2012a). In neurodegenerative disease research, stress-triggered up-regulation of these NF-κ B-induced miRNAs appear to be playing pathogenic roles in the down-regulation of brain-essential messenger RNAs (mRNA), and the initiation and propagation of pathological gene expression programs that are, for example, characteristic of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) process (Figure ​(Figure1).1). NF-κB-mediated up-regulated miRNAs and down-regulated mRNA targets thereby form a highly integrated, pathogenic NF-κ B-miRNA-mRNA signaling network that can explain much of the observed neuropathology in AD, including deficits in phagocytosis (Niemitz, 2012; Zhao et al., 2013), NF-κ B-mediated innate-immune signaling and chronic inflammation (Cui et al., 2010; Heneka et al., 2010; Lukiw and Bazan, 2010; Lukiw et al., 2012), impairments in neurotransmitter packaging and release, neurotrophism and amyloidogenesis (Xu et al., 2009; Lukiw, 2012a,b,c). Under homeostatic conditions, NF-κ B activation involves a coordinated, sequential, and self-limiting sequence of events controlled by positive and negative regulatory mechanisms, however, this does not appear to be the case in early, moderate or especially advanced stages of sporadic AD. In sporadic AD, once initiated, NF-κ B-mediated disruption of homeostatic gene expression can be self-perpetuating due, in part, to the chronic re-activation of NF-κ B activities via up-regulation of interleukin-1β receptor associated kinase-2 (IRAK-2) signaling pathways (Cui et al., 2010). Selective inhibition of the actions of NF-κ B and specific NF-κ B-sensitive miRNAs therefore seems a plausible therapeutic strategy towards neutralizing their combined effects in sporadic AD, and related progressive, age-related neurological diseases with an innate-immune and inflammatory component.
Determination of the sites of posttranslational modifications in the charge isomers of bovine myelin basic protein by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectroscopy.

The posttranslational modifications in each of the 18.5 kDa bovine myelin basic protein charge isomers C-1 to C-6 have been determined by the use of capillary electrophoresis-mass spectroscopy. The pattern of modifications is viewed as being unique to each charge isomer and is thought to reflect a specific placement and function for each isomer in the myelin membrane. Several of the sites of posttranslational phosphorylation were found to differ from a number of the reported sites that were phosphorylated in vitro by various kinases. These differences suggest that an extremely cautious approach be taken in identifying in vivo posttranslationally modified amino acid residues from residues that have been modified in vitro by various kinases. We have identified the following posttranslationally phosphorylated and deamidated, modified sites in the bovine MBP components C1-C6. C1 has no modification; C2 represents a deamidation of Gln 146; in C3, Thr 97 and Ser 164 are phosphorylated; in C4, Ser 54, Thr 97, and Ser 160 are phosphorylated; in C5 Ser 7, Ser 54, Thr 97, and Ser 164 are phosphorylated; and in C6, Ser 7, Ser 54, Thr 97, Ser 160, and Ser 164 are phosphorylated. The role of posttranslational modification such as acyla- tion, phosphorylation, methylation, glycosylation, deamida- tion, and attachment of fatty acids has been shown to play a significant role in directing the function of various proteins. In CNS myelin basic protein, these modifications include (1) the phosphorylation of specific serine and threonine residues, (2) the acylation of the N-terminal amino acid, (3) the methylation of a specific arginine residue, (4) the deamidation of a glutamine residue, and (5) the conversion of arginine residues to citrulline in MBP components C6 and C8. All of these modifications contribute to the introduction of charge microheterogeneity into the protein. The identi- fication of the spectrum of individual in vivo sites modified in each of the charge isomers has not been reported. We now identify many of these sites, in bovine MBP, by a technique that combines capillary electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy. Bovine CNS myelin basic protein (MBP) 1 was initially purified and sequenced by Eylar et al. (1, 2, 3). Shortly
Variability of the Northern Annular Mode's signature in winter sea ice concentration

Historical winter sea ice concentration data are used to examine the relation between the Northern Annular Mode (NAM) and the sea ice concentration in the Nordic seas over the past 50 years. The well known basic response pattern of a seesaw between the Labrador Sea and the Greenland, Iceland and Barents seas is being reproduced. However, the response is not robust in the Greenland and Iceland seas. There the observed variability has a more complex relationship with surface temperatures and winds. We divide the sea ice response into three spectral bands: high (P 15 year) filtered NAM indices. This division is motivated by the expected slow response of the ocean circulation which might play a significant role in the Greenland and Iceland seas. The response to the NAM is also examined separately for the periods before and after 1976 to identify variations due to the relocation of the northern centre of the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Analysis of Hybrid Electric/Thermofluidic Control for Wet Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

A wet shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is characterized by an SMA wire embedded within a compliant fluid-filled tube. Heating and cooling of the SMA wire produces a linear contraction and extension of the wire. Thermal energy can be transferred to and from the wire using combinations of resistive heating and free/forced convection. This paper analyzes the speed and efficiency of a simulated wet SMA actuator using a variety of control strategies involving different combinations of electrical and thermofluidic inputs. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is used in conjunction with a temperature‐strain model of the SMA wire to simulate the thermal response of the wire and compute strains, contraction/extension times and efficiency. The simulations produce cycle rates of up to 5 Hz for electrical heating and fluidic cooling, and up to 2 Hz for fluidic heating and cooling. The simulated results demonstrate efficiencies up to 0.5% for electric heating and up to 0.2% for fluidic heating. Using both electric and fluidic inputs concurrently improves the speed and efficiency of the actuator and allows for the actuator to remain contracted without continually delivering energy to the actuator, because of the thermal capacitance of the hot fluid. The characterized speeds and efficiencies are key requirements for implementing broader research efforts involving the intelligent control of electric and thermofluidic networks to optimize the speed and efficiency of wet actuator arrays. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Superconductivity in PdHx(Dx) from 0.2 K to 4 K

Abstract The superconducting transition temperature of palladium hydride (deuteride) is studied as a function of H(D) concentration in the temperature range from 0.2 K to 4 K. The data join smoothly with those reported previously by Miller and Satterthwaite1 at higher temperatures, and the composite data are described by the empirical relation, Tc = 150.8(x - x0)2.244, where x0 = 0.715 for hydride and 0.668 for deuteride samples.
Phosphorylation of Phospholamban by cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Enhances Interactions between Ca-ATPase Polypeptide Chains in Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Membranes†

We have used spin-label EPR spectroscopy to examine possible alterations in protein-protein interactions that accompany the activation of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-ATPase following the phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLB). Using a radioactive derivative of a maleimide spin label (MSL), we have developed conditions for the selective spin-labeling of the Ca-ATPase in both native cardiac and skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The rotational dynamics of the cardiac and skeletal Ca-ATPase isoforms in native SR membranes were measured using saturation transfer EPR. We report that the phosphorylation of PLB in cardiac SR results in a (1.8 +/- 0.2)-fold reduction in the overall rotational mobility of the Ca-ATPase. The alteration in the rotational dynamics of the Ca-ATPase is the direct result of the phosphorylation of PLB, and is not related to the phosphorylation of the Ca-ATPase or any other SR proteins since no alteration in the ST-EPR spectrum is observed as a result of conditions that phosphorylate the cardiac Ca-ATPase with ATP. Neither do the use of conditions that activate the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR result in the alteration of the rotational dynamics or catalytic properties of the Ca-ATPase in skeletal SR where PLB is not expressed. Measurements of the rotational dynamics of stearic acid spin labels (SASL) incorporated into cardiac SR membranes with a nitroxide at the 5- and 12-positions using conventional EPR indicate that there is virtually no difference in the lipid acyl chain dynamics in cardiac SR membranes upon the phosphorylation of PLB. These results indicate that the decrease in the rotational dynamics of the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR membranes associated with the phosphorylation of PLB is related to enhanced interactions between individual Ca-ATPase polypeptide chains due to (i) an alteration in the spatial arrangement of cardiac Ca-ATPase polypeptide chains within a defined oligomeric state or (ii) increased protein-protein associations. We suggest that altered interactions between Ca-ATPase polypeptide chains and PLB serves to modulate the activation barrier associated with calcium activation of the Ca-ATPase in cardiac SR membranes.
Surface phonon dispersion of p(2 × 2)O/Ni(111)

Abstract Using inelastic electron scattering we have mapped the salient surface phonon features of the p(2 × 2)O/Ni(111) system along the \ gGP-M' direction of the surface Brillouin zone. Because of the diffuse scattering properties of the system, we have developed a maximum entropy deconvolution routine to extract enhanced spectroscopic information from the data. With this routine a set of experimental dispersion curves were successfully obtained for the O/Ni system. We have additionally developed a lattice dynamical model of the system and used spectral density curves from this to produce theoretical dispersion curves for comparison to the experimentally generated curves. From these comparisons we conclude that the bonding interactions in the topmost nickel layers are well described by a scaling relation which relates intermetallic force constants and bond length, and that the various bond lengths present in the surface region can be referenced to a single force constant description of the bulk Ni-Ni interaction. The surface force field derived in this way for p(2 × 2)O/Ni(111) differs significantly from that of the clean Ni(111) interface.
Short-duration, single-agent antibiotic prophylaxis for meningitis in trans-sphenoidal surgery

Perioperative bacterial meningitis after trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary and parasellar lesions is an uncommon but serious complication. Little evidence guides the choice of chemoprophylaxis in this setting. To begin to address this deficiency, we investigated the incidence of perioperative meningitis in 442 patients who underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery and received a short chemoprophylaxis regimen with a single agent and did not require lumbar drainage. In 2005 we instituted a standardized antibiotic prophylaxis protocol for trans-sphenoidal surgery that utilized intravenous cefuroxime, a second-generation cephalosporin with broad coverage and excellent spinal fluid penetration, administered 30 min before surgery and 8 h later. The primary endpoint was the incidence of perioperative (within 30 days of surgery) bacterial meningitis. Data from The Barrow Pituitary Outcomes Project, a prospectively maintained patient research database, were supplemented with review of medical records and hospital discharge codes. There were no cases of perioperative meningitis. Three patients developed delayed meningitis associated with persistent or recurrent spinal fluid leakage 2–8 months after surgery. Perioperatively, seven patients received additional antibiotics for urinary tract infections. A single-agent, short-duration chemoprophylaxis regimen for trans-sphenoidal surgery is effective at preventing perioperative meningitis in patients who do not require lumbar drainage after surgery. The results of this regimen compare favorably to historical rates achieved with longer regimens that use two antibiotics. Future studies will investigate the role prophylactic antibiotics play in nasal mucosa healing and sinusitis.
Minority Control of Court Decisions in Ohio

The experience of Ohio with the requirement of concurrence of an extraordinary majority of the Supreme Court to declare a statute invalid is an illuminating commentary on the desirability of such a restriction. Much has been spoken and written on both sides of the question. Those who have seen laws embodying worth-while reforms invalidated by the courts, many times by bare majority decisions, have campaigned for a curtailment of the judicial prerogative. Publicists have expatiated on the evils of the situation. Textbook writers have embodied the arguments in their discussions. Teachers, it is to be feared, have quite glibly enlarged upon the necessity of unseating our “judicial obligarchy.”The late President Theodore Roosevelt, addressing the Ohio constitutional convention in 1912, urged that body to propose an amendment providing for the recall of judicial decisions. He failed to convince the convention of the desirability of his remedy, but he succeeded in creating a feeling that something must be done; and an amendment to the judiciary article was adopted, reading as follows: “No law shall be held unconstitutional and void by the Supreme Court without the concurrence of at least all but one of the judges, except in the affirmance of a judgment of the court of appeals declaring the law unconstitutional and void.” Since the Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice and six associate justices, the restriction amounts to a requirement of the concurrence of six justices in decisions of this kind.
Behavior and ecology of a small group of urban dogs (Canis familiaris)

Abstract A group of three feral dogs (two males, one female) living in vacant buildings in St. Louis City was studied. They avoided close proximity with people and were active earlier and later in the day than the people and loose pets in the area. They found food while scavenging through human trash. The group's activities were usually initiated by the female of the group though otherwise there was no clear linear hierarchy and few ritualized displays of dominance or greeting. Specific “roles” within the group were observable. Though the female appeared to be pregnant during the study, puppies were never noted.
Selection, acquisition, and allocation of manufacturing technology in a multi-period environment

Abstract This paper addresses a multi-period investment problem for selection, acquisition, and allocation of alternative technology choices to meet the demand of a number of product families over a long-range planning horizon. The problem captures the essential features of many existing models for analyzing long-term trade-offs between dedicated and flexible technologies in the chemical, manufacturing, telecommunications, and service industries. We show that the general problem is NP -hard and present a solution strategy based upon perturbing the linear programming (LP) relaxation solution of a multi-period mixed-integer linear programming formulation for the problem. The key feature of the proposed strategy is a temporal capacity shifting heuristic, whereby capacity expansions are shifted to earlier time periods from amongst those periods chosen for capacity expansion by the LP relaxation solution. With mild assumptions on the problem parameters, we carry a probabilistic analysis which proves that the proposed solution approach is asymptotically optimal almost surely . Our analysis provides a sound theoretical basis for incorporating capacity shifting in existing LP relaxation-based heuristics for long-term technology planning problems in a variety of industries.
Diurnal variation of α1‐acid glycoprotein concentration in normal volunteers

The serum concentration of α1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) was determined hourly for 25 h in male and female volunteers. Subjects were carefully selected to control for age, weight, health status, smoking history, medication use, and, for females, estrus cycle and oral contraceptive use. Studies were performed under conditions closely controlled for sleep, daytime environment, and diet. All mean concentrations were within the range reported as normal, but the deviation around individual means varied from 6.4 to 48.9%. Males had higher mean AAG concentrations than females, 59.9 versus 52.4 mg/dL, but the difference was not statistically significant. Studies which compare changes in AAG concentration or the degree of basic drug protein binding over time within individuals or between groups should consider intrasubject variability in AAG for accurate interpretation of results.