cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beauty, Genius, Epigenesis: The Kantian Origins of Contemporary Architecture

Abstract This essay explores parallels between computationally based architecture—here represented by the work of Greg Lynn—and three major themes in the aesthetic theory of Immanuel Kant: aesthetic value (beauty), artistic generation (genius), and natural generation (epigenesis). Further, it interprets architecture's place within Kant's aesthetics as antinomic—that is to say, inexorably contradictory—and suggests that this interpretation offers a theoretical basis for the entanglement of computational methods with typological concerns.
Analytic representation of nonelastic cross sections and particle-emission spectra from nucleon-nucleus collisions in the energy range 25 to 400 MeVa*

Analytic fits, obtain by the method of linear least squares, to the intranuclear-cascade data generated by H.W. Bertini are given. for both protons and neutrons incident on the elements C, O, AI, Cr, Cu, Ru, Ce, W, Pb, and U, analytic expressions are given for: 1) the nonelastic cross section as a function of energy; 2) the cascade neutron and proton-emission spectra in the angular intervals 0-30*, 30-60*, 60-90*, and 90-180* (laboratory system); 3) the evaporation neutron and proton-emission spectra (assumed isotropic in the laboratory system); 4) the cascade neutron- and proton-emission spectra integrated over all angles.
A combinatorial algorithm for the TDMA message scheduling problem

In this paper, we introduce a combinatorial algorithm for the message scheduling problem on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks. In TDMA networks, time is divided in to slots in which messages are scheduled. The frame length is defined as the total number of slots required for all stations to broadcast without message collisions. The objective is to provide a broadcast schedule of minimum frame length which also provides the maximum throughput. This problem is known to be $\mathcal{NP}$ -hard, thus efficient heuristics are needed to provide solutions to real-world instances. We present a two-phase algorithm which exploits the combinatorial structure of the problem in order to provide high quality solutions. The first phase finds a feasible frame length in which the throughput is maximized in phase two. Computational results are provided and compared with other heuristics in the literature as well as to the optimal solutions found using a commercial integer programming solver. Experiments on 63 benchmark instances show that the proposed method is able to provide optimal frame lengths for all cases with near optimal throughput.
Time-dependent transition density matrix

Abstract The transition density matrix (TDM) is a useful tool for analyzing and interpreting electronic excitation processes in molecular systems. For any transition between two eigenstates of a many-body system, the TDM provides a characteristic spatial map which indicates the distribution of the associated electron–hole pairs and allows one to identify their delocalization and coherence lengths. This is particularly useful for characterizing charge-transfer excitations in large molecular chains or light-harvesting molecules. We here extend these concepts into the real-time domain and define the time-dependent TDM and discuss it in the context of TDDFT. An approximation is proposed in terms of the Kohn–Sham Slater determinants. This provides a new tool for the real-time visualization of electronic excitation processes such as exciton formation, diffusion, recombination, or charge separation. We illustrate the time-dependent TDM for simple one-dimensional lattice systems with two spinless electrons which are either noninteracting of fully interacting.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL MICROSTRUCTURE OF SPIDER DRAGLINE : A STUDY BY ANALYTICAL TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

We report the first direct observations of the physical and chemical microstructure of spider dragline, revealed by analytical transmission electron microscopy. Individual crystallites were imaged within the amorphous matrix. They are irregularly shaped, approximately 70–100 nm in diameter, and uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. Electron diffraction determined their space group to be P21. The corresponding orthogonal cell has lattice parameters of a = 13.31 A (β-sheet repeat), b = 9.44 A (interchain repeat within β-sheets), and c = 20.88 A (repeat along polypeptide chain). Electron energy loss spectroscopy indicated compositional variations within the matrix, and between the crystallites and matrix. Most notably, calcium was found exclusively in the crystallites. Attempts to produce synthetic analogues of dragline, which exhibits an unparalleled combination of strength, stiffness, and toughness, cannot depend solely on duplicating the constituent proteins. The complex hierarchical microstructure of the natural material must be taken into account. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Specialized Program of Research Excellence in breast cancer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The breast cancer research program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is predicated on the founding principles of the SPORE concept, with its stated focus on translation, cooperation, and new ideas. We believe that our institution is uniquely suited to carry out the goals of the SPORE. Partly because of our programmatic youth, we have been able to develop a SPORE program that has bypassed many of the boundaries that classically separate disciplines. That ideas can freely pass between epidemiology and molecular biology, and between radiology and public health, is a reflection of the collaborative nature of the institution in general and of the SPORE in particular. We believe that this exchange of concepts and approaches from one discipline to another is the basis for higher order translational science. Because our SPORE investigators are recently assembled from different disciplines with different training experiences, as a group we are not dominated by a single entrenched school of thought. This has fostered novel thinking and has allowed us to experiment with fusing scientific approaches. The administrative freedom offered by the SPORE mechanism permits us to act on these novel approaches, stimulating not only advances in breast cancer knowledge, but their application to the clinic and the community. The overall goal of the SPORE at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is to uncover the root causes of breast cancer through molecular epidemiologic approaches and by investigating the basic cellular and molecular biology of signalling molecules. Furthermore, using comprehensive public health interventions, we plan to objectively improve breast cancer screening rates especially among African American women. This public health/epidemiologic focus makes our program unique among the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence currently funded. The examples below will briefly describe how we have designed our projects to build upon our strengths, and to develop a lasting infrastructure that will outlive the SPORE itself.
Constructing Almost Excellent Unique Factorization Domains

Abstract Let (T, M) be a complete local normal integral domain containing the rationals such that |T/M | ≥ c where c is the cardinality of the real numbers. Let p be a non-maximal prime ideal of T such that T p is a regular local ring. We construct a local Unique Factorization Domain (UFD) A such that the M-adic completion of A is T, p is maximal in the generic formal fiber and all fibers of A are geometrically regular except for those over some height one prime ideals. #Communicated by Sonja Mapes.
An investigation of pricing behavior in the municipal audit market

Several researchers have identified conditions in which incumbent auditors have the possibility of receiving abnormal profits, which is expected to result in lowballing on the initial engagement. The frequency with which incumbent auditors are able to extract economic rents is examined for governmental audits conducted by a regional audit firm. The results indicate that existing theory is not supported on approximately one third of the continuing engagements. The frequency of initial audit lowballing is also examined. The results indicate that lowballing frequently occurs but does not appear to be related to the availability of subsequent abnormal profits.
The effect of partial hepatectomy on the toxicity of ethylene glycol, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid and glycine.

Abstract Glycine, glycolate, ethylene glycol and glyoxylate were force-fed to male rats on which partial hepatectomy had been performed. Urine was collected for 48 hr and assayed for oxalate and glyoxylate. Partial hepatectomy increased the toxicity of glyoxylate, decreased the toxicity of ethylene glycol and glycolate, and increased the urinary oxalate of rats fed glyoxylate, but not of rats fed ethylene glycol, glycine and glycolate. Liver regeneration was not altered by the oxalate precursors employed. [U- 14 C]Glycine, [U- 14 C]ethylene glycol, [U- 14 C]-glycolate, and [U- 14 C]glyoxylate were oxidized to [U- 14 C]oxalate by the isolated perfused liver. The order for increased oxalate synthesis was glycine, ethylene glycol, glycolate and glyoxylate. The results suggest that the toxicity of ethylene glycol and glycolate is due to the formation of metabolic products such as glyoxylate or oxalate. The liver was identified as the major source of endogenous oxalate synthesis in the rat.
Wind Effect on Measured Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract Wind generated Pressure inside buildings, normally referred to as “internal pressure” in engineering literature, has a profound effect on the atmospheric pressure measured with indoor barometers during severe storms. The magnitude of the internal pressure is proportional to the dynamic pressure (stagnation pressure) which in turn increases with the square of the wind speed. Normally, this pressure is negative, and it has a magnitude in the neighborhood of 50% of the stagnation pressure. Its value changes drastically when an opening such as a door or window is opened or broken in high winds. The internal pressure also fluctuates readily with the fluctuations of the external pressure when a large opening exists. Surface pressure measurements taken in severe storms may contain serious errors if this internal pressure effect is not corrected. The paper summarizes latest research findings on internal pressure reported in the literature, and explores their implications to meteorology—especially to the ...
Revisiting the double-binary-pulsar probe of nondynamical Chern-Simons gravity

One of the popular modifications to the theory of general relativity is nondynamical Chern-Simons (CS) gravity, in which the metric is coupled to an externally prescribed scalar field. Setting accurate constraints to the parameters of the theory is important owing to their implications for the scalar field and/or the underlying fundamental theory. The current best constraints rely on measurements of the periastron precession rate in the double-binary-pulsar system and place a very tight bound on the characteristic CS length scale k_(cs)^(-1) ≲ 3×10^(-9) km. This paper considers several effects that were not accounted for when deriving this bound and lead to a substantial suppression of the predicted rate of periastron precession. It is shown, in particular, that the point-mass approximation for extended test bodies does not apply in this case. The constraint to the characteristic CS length scale is revised to k_(cs)^(-1) ≾ 0.4 km, 8 orders of magnitude weaker than what was previously found.
Computer-controlled-automated jumbo drilling robot manipulator

This programme involves the study of the technique of using a micro-computer to control a rock drilling machine. The motion of an existing jumbo machine has been successfully analysed. The kinematic control equations are established for any given geometrical configuration. The computer software has been written to demonstrate its feasibility. The needs of hardware implementation are also discussed.
SU-FF-I-23: Region-Of-Interest (ROI) Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Using Rotational Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Acquisition

Purpose: Region‐of‐interest (ROI) cone‐beam computed tomography(CBCT) can reduce dose to the patient. To provide data outside the ROI and overcome the truncation artifacts due to lack of data, we propose a new technique in which a material filter attenuates the beam except in a central ROI. DSA is used to subtract background bone and tissue as well as much of the ROI filter. Method and Materials: A ROI filter was made by making a 1 cm diameter aperture in 0.21 g/cm2gadolinium screens. The ROI filter was fixed to the x‐ray tube assembly of a standard C‐arm gantry. Mask and contrast acquisitions were performed. Misregistration between the mask and contrast projections were corrected to reduce artifacts at the edge of the ROI. The intensities inside and outside the ROI were further equalized to adjust for the beam hardening effects of the filter outside the ROI. After corrections, reconstruction was performed with the acquisition system's software.Results: DSA‐ROI‐CBCT data were comparable to those obtained with standard DSA‐CBCT with registration and equalization each resulting in artifact reduction at the edge of the ROI. Data outside the ROI was noisier due to fewer photons. Since the x‐ray intensity in the periphery was reduced, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio of the iodinated vessels in the projections inside the ROI was approximately 40% higher than outside. The calculated integral dose reduction for the 12″ acquisition mode with the ROI filter was approximately 85% compared to a full‐field acquisition. Conclusion: By providing data outside the ROI, the new DSA‐ROI‐CBCT technique provides reconstructions inside the ROI comparable to standard DSA‐CBCT with minimal artifacts and significantly reduced integral dose compared to full‐field acquisition. This technique may be easily implemented in the clinical environment for DSA‐ROI‐CBCT reconstruction during ROI image‐guided interventions. (Support: NIH Grants R01‐NS43924, R01‐EB002873, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation).
An Interactive Preliminary Design System of High Speed Forebody and Inlet Flows

This paper demonstrates a simulation-based aerodynamic design process of high speed inlet. A genetic algorithm is integrated into the design process to facilitate the single objective optimization. The objective function is the total pressure recovery and is obtained by using a PNS solver for its computing efficiency. The system developed uses existing software of geometry definition, mesh generation and CFD analysis. The process which produces increasingly desirable design in each genetic evolution over many generations is automatically carried out. A generic two-dimensional inlet is created as a showcase to demonstrate the capabilities of this tool. A parameterized study of geometric shape and size of the showcase is also presented.
Computer-assisted image-averaging strategies for the topographic analysis of in situ hybridization autoradiographs.

Abstract We report the application of a computer-based image-averaging strategy to the quantitative topographic analysis of in situ hybridization autoradiographs, based upon a disparity-analysis algorithm. We illustrate this approach for a representative antisense riboprobe — the astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) — in the setting of fluid-percussion brain injury in rats. Sequential coronal autoradiographs in individual animals are first digitized and aligned by disparity analysis. Next, coronal sections of all brains of a given experimental group are placed in register with one another, using a common anatomic reference level. One brain of the series serves as a template, and corresponding sections of other brains are mapped into its contour at each level. In this manner, average and standard deviation image data sets may be generated. With thresholding techniques, individual data sets can be dichotomized with respect to a chosen threshold, and frequency maps can be generated at each coronal level, displaying numbers of brains showing supra-threshold levels of mRNA at each pixel location. Pixel-by-pixel statistical comparison of data sets obtained under two different conditions (e.g., 30 min vs. 24 h following brain trauma) is then feasible. A digitized functional-anatomic brain atlas may be fitted to the images to assist analysis. Computer-based image analysis of in situ hybridization autoradiographs greatly extends the utility and applicability of this technique.
‘Stress’ protein synthesis in pea root meristem cells?

Abstract Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of polypeptides from root meristem cells of Pisum sativum shows that when excised root tips are grown in medium lacking a carbohydrate source, there is a prominent increase in the relative amount of at least one polypeptide species. This increase is a consequence of a highly preferential synthesis of the polypeptide in cells of starved meristems, at a time when cell proliferation is arrested and when overall protein synthesis is decreasing. The resemblance between this response and that displayed by a range of other cell types to environmental changes suggests a common mechanism of coping with environmental stress.
Psychotherapy with South Asian Women: Dilemmas of the Immigrant and First Generations

Immigration imposes changes in gender role expectations and sexual expression that can contribute to acculturative stress and intergenerational conflicts. This article focuses on how immigrant and first-generation South Asian women in the United States negotiate losses incurred in immigration and navigate multiple cultural contexts. Immigrant women, having been raised in the country of origin and migrating to the United States as adults, face unique acculturative stressors, such as language/communication barriers, separation from close friends and family, and adapting to new cultural norms. First-generation women face challenges related to navigating across South Asian and mainstream cultural values that may significantly vary between their parental homes and their lives outside of the home. Despite these challenges and related psychological distress, the mental health needs of South Asian women across generations tend to be overlooked. This paper addresses the unique ways in which South Asian women cope ...
Some Problems and Caveats in ‘Communicative’ Discourse: Toward a Conceptualization of the Foreign Language Classroom

This article argues for a conceptualization of the foreign language classroom that matches descriptions of real functional language for communication within a cultural group. Teaching and learning are conceptualized as linguistic or communicative processes and the classroom is conceptualized as an emerging culture, that is, as a “linguistic community” within which students are learning both academic and social dimensions of language and language use. The social interaction that takes place in the classroom serves to shape and maintain both the classroom community and the goals of foreign language instruction. The article ends with suggestions for needed kinds of classroom-based research from a social interaction perspective to help us better understand what actually goes on in the foreign language learning environment.
Powering Ganymede's dynamo

[1] It is generally believed that Ganymede's core is composed of an Fe-FeS alloy and that convective motions inside it are responsible for generating the satellite's magnetic field. Analysis of the melting behavior of Fe-FeS alloys at Ganymede's core pressures suggests that, besides the growth of a solid inner core, convection can be driven by two novel mechanisms: Fe snow and FeS flotation. To advance our understanding of magnetic field generation in Ganymede, we construct dynamo models in which deep inner core growth, Fe-snow and FeS flotation drive convection. Although a dynamo can be found in each of these cases, the dynamos have different characteristics. For example, some dynamos are dipole dominant and others are not. It is found that multipole-dominant magnetic fields are generated in all Fe-snow cases, while dipole dominant dynamos are found in FeS flotation cases and in inner core growth cases. Ganymede's present dipole-dominant magnetic field suggests that the Fe-snow process does not play a primary role in driving Ganymede's core convection. The reason that Fe-snow driven convection does not produce a dipole-dominant dynamo can be related to the buoyancy flux. In Fe-snow cases, the buoyancy source is located at the core-mantle boundary (CMB), and the buoyancy flux peaks there, while in the other two cases, the buoyancy source is located at the inner core boundary where the buoyancy flux peaks.
Cutaneous Histopathology of Southwestern American Indian Mummies

Des etudes anatomopathologiques sont faites a partir de specimens cutanes de 8 momies amerindiennes
Dynamic shipment planning in an automobile shipment yard using real-time radio frequency identification (RFID) information

Wireless communication technology has been increasingly adopted in various business environments of supply chains. Radio frequency identification technology provides real-time information of vehicle movements and, associated shipment operations can benefit from it for better, efficient load makeup. A Markov decision process model is proposed for dynamically building the shipment loads using real-time information of the wireless tracking system. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of dynamic decision approach compared to conventional shipment practices in terms of reducing vehicle dwell time, improving customer fulfillment, and increasing utilization of the transportation carriers.
Calibration and Demonstration of the New Virginia Tech Anechoic Wind Tunnel

A unique new removable anechoic system and new acoustic treatment for the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel is described. The new system consists of a Kevlar-walled acoustic test section flanked by two anechoic chambers. In its new configuration the facility is closed aerodynamically and open acoustically, allowing far-field acoustic measurements with a flow quality comparable to that of a hardwalled wind tunnel. An extensive program of experiments has been conducted to examine the performance of this new hardware under a range of conditions, both to examine the effects of acoustic treatment on overall test-section noise levels and to ascertain the aerodynamic characteristics of the new test section. Noise levels in the test section of the anechoic facility are down by as much as 25 dB compared to the original hard-walled configuration. Lift interference corrections (for a baseline NACA 0012 airfoil) are less than half those expected in an open-jet wind tunnel. Acoustic measurements of airfoil trailing edge noise using a microphone phased array are compared to past experiments conducted on similar airfoils in an open-jet facility.
The making of a pest: the evolution of a fruit-penetrating ovipositor in Drosophila suzukii and related species

Evolutionary innovation can allow a species access to a new ecological niche, potentially reducing competition with closely related species. While the vast majority of Drosophila flies feed on rotting fruit and other decaying matter, and are harmless to human activity, Drosophila suzukii, which has a morphologically modified ovipositor, is capable of colonizing live fruit that is still in the process of ripening, causing massive agricultural damage. Here, we conducted the first comparative analysis of this species and its close relatives, analysing both ovipositor structure and fruit susceptibility. We found that the ovipositor of the species most closely related to D. suzukii, Drosophila subpulchrella, has a similar number of enlarged, evolutionarily derived bristles, but a notably different overall shape. Like D. suzukii, D. subpulchrella flies are capable of puncturing the skin of raspberries and cherries, but we found no evidence that they could penetrate the thicker skin of two varieties of grapes. More distantly related species, one of which has previously been mistaken for D. suzukii, have blunt ovipositors with small bristles. While they did not penetrate fruit skin in any of the assays, they readily colonized fruit interiors where the skin was broken. Our results suggest that considering evolutionary context may be beneficial to the management of invasive species.
The Price Elasticity of Mass Preferences.

I compare the price elasticity of economic and political preferences. My central hypothesis is that willingness to pay, whether expressed verbally or through cash transactions, is more price-elastic for economic consumption goods than for public goods. I find that increases in price greatly diminish the proportion of people willing to pay for consumer goods, such as housing or hardback books; whereas the proportion willing to pay more in taxes to support a public good, such as environmental protection or shelter for the homeless, is much less responsive to changes in price. I conclude by discussing the theoretical and political implications of willingness to pay for public and private goods.
The use of model networks with reptating chains to study extraction efficiencies

It is possible to prepare “model” elastomeric networks having known values of the molecular weight Mc between crosslinks by endlinking functionally terminated polymer chains having number-average molecular weights Mn equal to the desired values of Mc. If chains having chemically inert groups at both ends are intentionally included during the preparation of such a system, they will remain unattached, merely reptating through the subsequently formed network structure. This technique was used to prepare a series of tetrafunctional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) networks having essentially the same degree of crosslinking (10−3Mc = 11.3 g mol−1) and constant amount of diluent in the form of unattached PDMS chains having molecular weights of 10−3Md = 26.4, 18.6, 15.8, 9.8, 6.7, 1.2, and 0.70 g mol−1. Because of the very high mobility of PDMS, it was also possible to introduce essentially the same amount of the same diluents into already formed PDMS networks having the same Mc. Extractions carried out using tetrahydrofuran at room temperature showed that the diluent (“sol fraction”) introduced by swelling the network is more easily removed than that present during the endlinking, possibly because of less convoluted arrangements within the network structure. Chains with the largest values of Md which were present during the endlinking were found to be very difficult to remove entirely. It is therefore extremely important to carry out exhaustive extractions to obtain reliable values of network sol fractions, particularly when such data are to be used to estimate extents of reaction in the preparation of end-linked elastomers.
Pulse-train instabilities of a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser: experimental phase plots

We present experimental phase plots of the pulse-train instability that occurs in synchronously pumped mode-locked dye lasers. From these plots we infer that the instability is of a quasi-periodic, nonlinear dynamical nature. Further, we note that the information lost in this two-dimensional representation is precisely the periodic-versus-erratic character and therefore is of considerable importance.
Bispecific and Trispecific Killer Cell Engagers Directly Activate Human NK Cells through CD16 Signaling and Induce Cytotoxicity and Cytokine Production

This study evaluates the mechanism by which bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers (BiKEs and TriKEs) act to trigger human NK cell effector function and investigates their ability to induce NK cell cytokine and chemokine production against human B-cell leukemia. We examined the ability of BiKEs and TriKEs to trigger NK cell activation through direct CD16 signaling, measuring intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, secretion of lytic granules, induction of target cell apoptosis and production of cytokine and chemokines in response to the Raji cell line and primary leukemia targets. Resting NK cells triggered by the recombinant reagents led to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization through direct CD16 signaling. Co-culture of reagent-treated resting NK cells with Raji target cells resulted in significant increases in NK cell degranulation and target cell death. BiKEs and TriKEs effectively mediated NK cytotoxicity of Raji target cells at high and low effector-to-target (E:T) ratios and maintained functional stability after 24 and 48 hours of culture in human serum. NK cell production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IL-8, MIP-1α and RANTES was differentially induced in the presence of recombinant reagents and Raji targets. Moreover, significant increases in NK cell degranulation and enhancement of IFN-γ production against primary ALL and CLL targets were induced with reagent treatment of resting NK cells. In conclusion, BiKEs and TriKEs directly trigger NK cell activation through CD16, significantly increasing NK cell cytolytic activity and cytokine production against tumor targets, demonstrating their therapeutic potential for enhancing NK cell immunotherapies for leukemias and lymphomas.
Modeling for defects impact on electrical performance of power packages

The electrical performance (such as electrical resistance, inductance and fusing current capability) is a key factor for a power electronic product. Studying the impact of the defect on package electrical performance, especially for the parasitic effect is very important. It can help to understand the potential root causes and failure mechanisms, as well as to ensure the electrical performance meets the product requirements by optimizing the package design and assembly process. The objective of this paper is to study the impact of wire bonding-related defects and the die attach solder voids for the electrical resistance, inductance and fusing current capability of the power packages. The major work in this paper consists of two parts. One is the impact of wire bonding-related defects on the electrical performance of the power package. The other is the impact of die attach (DA) solder void. Both electrical and coupled thermal electrical simulations are conducted to study the wire bonding-related defects and DA solder voids of different levels. Simulation results show that the resistance and inductance of the package are not sensitive to the wire bond defects. However, the wire bond defects may induce significant impact on the fusing current capability of the package. For die attach voids, the inductance of the package seems not sensitive to the die attach voids while the electrical resistance has been affected significantly.
Intracellular Mycoplasma genitalium infection of human vaginal and cervical epithelial cells elicits distinct patterns of inflammatory cytokine secretion and provides a possible survival niche against macrophage-mediated killing

Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen that has been associated with significant reproductive tract inflammatory syndromes in women. In addition, the strong association between severity of M. genitalium infection and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) shedding from the cervix suggests that innate responses to M. genitalium may influence pathogenesis of other sexually transmitted infections. Epithelial cells (ECs) of the reproductive mucosa are the first cells contacted by sexually transmitted pathogens. Therefore, we first characterized the dynamics of intracellular and extracellular localization and resultant innate immune responses from human vaginal, ecto- and endocervical ECs to M. genitalium type strain G37 and a low-pass contemporary isolate, M2300. Both M. genitalium strains rapidly attached to vaginal and cervical ECs by 2 h post-infection (PI). By 3 h PI, M. genitalium organisms also were found in intracellular membrane-bound vacuoles of which approximately 60% were adjacent to the nucleus. Egress of M. genitalium from infected ECs into the culture supernatant was observed but, after invasion, viable intracellular titers were significantly higher than extracellular titers at 24 and 48 h PI. All of the tested cell types responded by secreting significant levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in a pattern consistent with recruitment and stimulation of monocytes and macrophages. Based on the elaborated cytokines, we next investigated the cellular interaction of M. genitalium with human monocyte-derived macrophages and characterized the resultant cytokine responses. Macrophages rapidly phagocytosed M. genitalium resulting in a loss of bacterial viability and a potent pro-inflammatory response that included significant secretion of IL-6 and other cytokines associated with enhanced HIV-1 replication. The macrophage-stimulating capacity of M. genitalium was independent of bacterial viability but was sensitive to heat denaturation and proteinase-K digestion suggesting that M. genitalium protein components are the predominant mediators of inflammation. Collectively, the data indicated that human genital ECs were susceptible and immunologically responsive to M. genitalium infection that likely induced cellular immune responses. Although macrophage phagocytosis was an effective method for M. genitalium killing, intracellular localization within vaginal and cervical ECs may provide M. genitalium a survival niche and protection from cellular immune responses thereby facilitating the establishment and maintenance of reproductive tract infection.
THIN-FILM DOSIMETRY FOR NEUTRONS AND ALPHA PARTICLES

ABSTRACT We discuss the principles and advantages of a new method of detecting charged particles of very short range. The dosimeter consists of a submicron film of a track-recording polymer that has been spin-coated onto a readout system consisting of a very thin, alkali-resistant metal film evaporated onto a rugged transparent base. Two stages of etching of the irradiated dosimeter lead to large holes in the metal film that can easily be counted in a fiche reader or a microscope or read out electronically with a simple device such as a Reticon. With a polyethylene cover, neutrons down to 10 or 20 keV can be detected; with a bare dosimeter, alphas down to −100 keV can be detected.
Lipid Metabolism in Hibernators: The Importance of Essential Fatty Acids'

SYNoPSIS. Two polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, are important for their inherent energy during lipid oxidation. In addition, they influence the length of hibernation bouts and the metabolic rates of mammals that hibernate. Hibernators that lack linoleic acid in their diet or that are fed a diet high in saturated fatty acids have significantly shorter bouts of hibernation and have a higher mass specific metabolic rate. The decrease in the length of a bout of hibernation is significant because the animal arouses from hibernation more frequently, using more of its energy stores. This could result in a decreased chance of survival. How the essential fatty acids exert their actions in hibernators is just beginning to be elucidated. Essential fatty acids are the sole precursors for the eicosanoids that influence thermoregulation. Thus, studies of eicosanoid function during hibernation are warranted. The recent discovery and characterization of the protein leptin, which can regulate energy balance and may be regulated by polyunsaturated fatty acids, may prove to be important to hibernation and the regulation of body mass. Future investigations of the regulation of body mass during hibernation should consider the fatty acid composition of the diet and the effect of the essential fatty acids on gene transcription.
Growth Curves and Survival Characteristics of the Animals Used in the Biomarkers of Aging Program

The collaborative Interagency Agreement between the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) was aimed at identifying and validating a panel of biomarkers of aging in rodents in order to rapidly test the efficacy and safety of interventions designed to slow aging. Another aim was to provide a basis for developing biomarkers of aging in humans, using the assumption that biomarkers that were useful across different genotypes and species were sensitive to fundamental processes that would extrapolate to humans. Caloric restriction (CR), the only intervention that consistently extends both mean and maximal life span in a variety of species, was used to provide a model with extended life span. C57BI/6NNia, DBA/2JNia, B6D2F1, and B6C3F1 mice and Brown Norway (BN/RijNia), Fischer (F344/NNia) and Fischer x Brown Norway hybrid (F344 x BN F1) rats were bred and maintained on study. NCTR generated data from over 60,000 individually housed animals of the seven different genotypes and both sexes, approximately half ad libitum (AL) fed, the remainder CR. Approximately half the animals were shipped to offsite NIA investigators internationally, with the majority of the remainder maintained at NCTR until they died. The collaboration supplied a choice of healthy, long-lived rodent models to investigators, while allowing for the development of some of the most definitive information on life span, food consumption, and growth characteristics in these genotypes under diverse feeding paradigms.
Economic evaluation of a small-scale recirculating system for ongrowing of captive wild black sea bass Centropristis striata in North Carolina

An economic analysis of a hypothetical small-scale marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is conducted for ongrowing small, wild black sea bass Centropristis striata at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Center for Marine Science (UNCW-CMS) aquaculture facility in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (NC). The analysis is based on production data from field trials and marketing data from the sale of tank-grown product. The growout facility consists of four 16.7-m3 (dia. x ht. = 5.58 × 1 m) fiberglass tanks supported by state-of-the-art RAS components, including particle traps and swirl separators, drum screen filter, trickling biological filter, UV sterilizer, heat pump, protein skimmer, and oxygen cone. Wild-caught, above minimum legal size black sea bass (24.2 cm TL, 350 g, 0.77 lb) were purchased from a commercial fisherman for $3.14/ kg ($1.4011b), stocked at a density of 21.1 kg/m3, and grown to a final weight of 1 kg (2.24 lb) in 200 d at 23 C resulting in 1.8 production cycles per year. Fish were fed a commercial pelleted diet ($0.94/kg; $0.42/Ib) with a feed conversion ratio of 1.5. Final harvest density was 60 kg/m3 (0.50 lb/gal), and total harvestable weight was 3,982 kg (8,919 Ibs) of fish per cycle, or 6,760 kg (15,022 lb) per year. The economic analysis assumes that the facility owner manages and operates the system on coastal property zoned commercial/industrial, where full strength seawater is available on demand from natural sources. Under the base case scenario, initial investment in construction and equipment is $84,506 (10-yr life), fish are grown to a harvestable weight of lkg/fish (2.24 lb/fish), product price (farm gate basis) is $10.10/kg ($4.50/lb), and breakeven price is $7.02/kg ($3.13/lb). Depreciation, fingerlings, interest paid, electricity, and feed, account for 19.6%,17.4%, 16.9%, 16.6%, and 12.3%, respectively, of total annual costs. Measures of financial performance for the base case, 10-yr scenario are: annual return to management, $18,819; net present value (5% discount rate), $145,313; internal rate of return on initial investment, 37%; and discounted payback period on initial investment, 3.2 yr. Sensitivity analysis showed that product price changes have the largest impact on annual returns, while changes in daily growth rate, initial weight, and survival have a strong impact on financial performance. Moderate effects are seen with changes in fingerling costs, feed costs, feed conversion ratio (FCR), final weight, and interest rates.
Divide and Conquer: How Object Files Adapt When a Persisting Object Splits Into Two

Coherent visual experience requires not only segmenting incoming visual input into a structured scene of objects, but also binding discrete views of objects into dynamic representations that persist across time and motion. However, surprisingly little work has explored the principles that guide the construction and maintenance of such persisting object representations. What causes a part of the visual field to be treated as the same object over time? In the cognitive development literature, a key principle of object persistence is cohesion: An object must always maintain a single bounded contour. Here we demonstrate for the first time that mechanisms of adult midlevel vision are affected by cohesion violations. Using the object-file framework, we tested whether object-specific preview benefits-a hallmark of persisting object representations-are obtained for dynamic objects that split into two during their motion. We found that these preview benefits do not fully persist through such cohesion violations without incurring significant performance costs. These results illustrate how cohesion is employed as a constraint that guides the maintenance of object representations in adult midlevel vision.
An analytical formulation of phase noise of signals with Gaussian-distributed jitter

The output of many oscillatory systems can be approximated by a stochastic square-wave signal with noise-free amplitude and Gaussian-distributed jitter. We present an analytical treatment of the phase noise of this signal with white and Lorentzian jitter spectra. With a white jitter spectrum, the phase noise is nearly Lorentzian around each harmonic. With a Lorentzian jitter spectrum, it is a sum of several Lorentzian spectra, a summation that has a 1/f/sup 4/ shape at far-out frequencies. With a combination of the two, it has 1/f/sup 4/ and 1/f/sup 2/ shapes at close-in and far-out frequencies, respectively. In all cases, the phase noise at the center frequency and the total signal power are both finite. These findings will improve our understanding of phase noise and will facilitate the calculation of phase noise using time- domain jitter analysis.
A frequency compensation scheme for LDO voltage regulators

A stable low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator topology for low equivalent series resistance (ESR) capacitive loads is presented. The proposed scheme generates a zero internally instead of relying on the zero generated by the load capacitor and its ESR combination for stability. It is demonstrated that this scheme realizes robust frequency compensation, facilitates the use of multilayer ceramic capacitors for the load of LDO regulators, and improves transient response and noise performance. Test results from a prototype fabricated in AMI 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology provide the most important parameters of the regulator viz., ground current, load regulation, line regulation, output noise, and start-up time.
Regulation of vascular physiology and pathology by the S1P2 receptor subtype.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is now recognized as a lipid mediator that acts via G-protein-coupled receptors. S1P receptors couple to various heterotrimeric G-proteins and regulate downstream targets and ultimately cell behaviour. The prototypical S1P1 receptor is known to couple to Gi and regulates angiogenesis, vascular development, and immune cell trafficking. In this review, we focus our attention on the S1P2 receptor, which has a unique G-protein-coupling property in that it preferentially activates the G12/13 pathway. Recent studies indicate that the S1P2 receptor regulates critical intracellular signalling pathways, such as Rho GTPase, the phosphatase PTEN, and VE-cadherin-based adherens junctions. Analysis of mutant mice has revealed the critical role of this receptor in inner ear physiology, heart and vascular development, vascular remodelling, and vascular tone, permeability, and angiogenesis in vertebrates. These studies suggest that selective modulation of S1P2 receptor function by pharmacological tools may be useful in a variety of pathological conditions.
Searching memory for congruent or incongruent information

Previous work shows that when individuals construct an ordering (e.g., ABC) from pair-wise relationships (e.g., AB and BC), congruent sentences are processed quicker and easier than incongruent sentences. The present work indicates that the source of this congruent—incongruent difference is in the search of memory for information matching the new input rather than in the actual integration of new with old information. In two experiments no support for an integration hypothesis was found. The search hypothesis was supported by evidence which indicates that eliminating the need to search eliminates the congruent—incongruent difference, and that increasing the number of items to be searched increases the size of the congruent—incongruent difference. The relevance of the search hypothesis for other tasks demanding the integration of new with old information is discussed.
Distributed flow control and buffer management for Wireless Network-on-Chip

To bridge the widening gap between computation requirements of ubiquitous application and communication efficiency faced by gigascale multi-processor system-on-chip (MP-SoC) devices, a new on-chip communication system, dubbed Wireless Network-on-Chip (WNoC), is proposed by using the recently developed CMOS ultra wideband (UWB) intrachip wireless communication. In this work, we propose a distributed flow control and buffer management strategy to improve WNoC end-to-end performance due to the close coupling between shared medium contention and network congestion. Such a strategy involves multiple mechanisms such as fast forwarding by prioritized contention, congestion aware traffic admission control, dynamic virtual output queuing with a shared buffer. The simulation results demonstrate the promising performance of the approach.
Concentration tuning mediated by spare receptor capacity in olfactory sensory neurons: a theoretical study

The olfactory system is capable of detecting odorants at very low concentrations. Physiological experiments have demonstrated odorant sensitivities down to the picomolar range in preparations from the sensory epithelium. However, the contemporary model for olfactory signal transduction provides that odorants bind to olfactory receptors with relatively low specificity and consequently low affinity, making this detection of low-concentration odorants theoretically difficult to understand. We employ a computational model to demonstrate how olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) sensitivity can be tuned by modulation of receptor-effector coupling and/or by other mechanisms regulating spare receptor capacity, thus resolving this conundrum. The EC10–90 intensity tuning ranges (ITRs) of whole olfactory glomeruli and postsynaptic mitral cells are considerably broader than the commensurate ITRs of individual OSNs. These data are difficult to reconcile with certain contemporary hypotheses that convergent OSNs in mammals ex...
Coherence sensing and signal processing

Coherence measurements enable sources of radiation to be distinguished, rather than just measure power as in conventional incoherent imaging. Instruments that sample the partially coherent field are discussed with numerical algorithms to separate the fields from sources and achieve infinite depth-of-field imaging.
Critical Theory, Negative Theology, and Transcendence

The members of the Frankfurt school, though influenced by Marx, are not as hostile as Marx was towards religion. They do not necessarily advocate religious belief or practice, yet they are interested in analyzing these items as an element of culture from an historical and sociological position. Their own orientations, however, are informed by their Jewish backgrounds, and tend towards an idiosyncratic interpretation of Messianism and the utter historical unrealizability of the utopian ideals toward which it aspires.