cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nerve fiber outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia: ion dependency of nerve growth factor action.

– Embryonic sensory neurons have an absolute requirement for the nerve growth factor to survive and grow fibers, at least in vitro. We have now shown that the inorganic cations, magnesium and potassium are also necessary for the survival of these cells. On the other hand, calcium is not needed for the survival of the sensory neurons, but is needed for the neurons to grow fibers. Therefore, by changing the concentration of calcium ions in the culture medium it is possible to separate the two actions (survival and fiber outgrowth) of the nerve growth factor on sensory neurons.
DISORDERED SOLIDS AS FILTERS FOR THE FAR INFRARED

Disordered solids such as ice i and vitreous silica have absorptivities that fall steeply with decreasing frequency in the far infrared, where the acoustic waves absorb radiant energy. These solids can be used as convenient far-infrared filters below 50 cm−1 and appear to be superior to the crossed transmission gratings and the wire reflection meshes commonly used.
Normality in a Kantor family

Abstract A Kantor family is a collection of subgroups from which a generalized quadrangle can be constructed using Kantor's idea. This paper considers the case in which some of the subgroups in the Kantor family or its related family are normal in the ambient finite group G. We show that if two members of a Kantor family are normal in G then G is elementary abelian and that if all members of the related family are normal then G is a p-group.
Finding patterns in behavioral observations by automatically labeling forms of wikiwork in Barnstars

Our everyday observations about the behaviors of others around us shape how we decide to act or interact. In social media the ability to observe and interpret others' behavior is limited. This work describes one approach to leverage everyday behavioral observations to develop tools that could improve understanding and sense making capabilities of contributors, managers and researchers of social media systems. One example of behavioral observation is Wikipedia Barnstars. Barnstars are a type of award recognizing the activities of Wikipedia editors. We mine the entire English Wikipedia to extract barnstar observations. We develop a multi-label classifier based on a random forest technique to recognize and label distinct forms of observed and acknowledged activity. We evaluate the classifier through several means including use of separate training and testing datasets and the by application of the classifier to previously unlabeled data. We use the classifier to identify Wikipedia editors who have been observed with some predominant types of behavior and explore whether those patterns of behavior are evident and how observers seem to be making the observations. We discuss how these types of activity observations can be used to develop tools and potentially improve understanding and analysis in wikis and other online communities.
Cranial morphology of the early tertiary Phenacolemur and its bearing on primate phylogeny.

An early Eocene skull of the paromomyid Phenacolemur, a plesiadapoid primate, is described with particular emphasis on the ear region. The auditory bulla is composed of the petrosal and of a large ectotympanic plate which is outside of the bulla. The preserved morphology of the middle ear is distinctly more primitive than that of the older Plesiadapis. It cannot be determined with certainty whether Phenacolemur had the carotid circulation enclosed in bony tubes or not. The auditory bulla of early primates and relevant living ones is discussed and it is suggested that an extrabullar ectotympanic, as seen in all non-lemuriform fossil and extant primates, was probably the primitive ordinal condition, rather than the intrabullar ring-like ectotympanic in the Lemuriformes. Aspects of the carotid circulation are discussed as they pertain to the relationship of early Tertiary primates, living Tarsiiformes, Lemuriformes and Lorisiformes.
Effect of body position on electrocardiographic recordings in dogs.

Objective To determine whether body position (standing vs right lateral recumbency) altered the quality of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and value of ECG variables in dogs when the ECG was recorded using American Heart Association guidelines for frequency response. Design Crossover study using a convenience sample. Methods ECGs were recorded twice in 65 sled dogs in random order with each dog standing or placed in right lateral recumbency. Lead II and three semi-orthogonal leads (I, aVF, and V10) were recorded and muscle tremor artefact was assessed. Results Lead II ECGs obtained from dogs in right lateral recumbency had less muscle tremor artefact and consequently a shorter QRS duration than ECGs obtained with the dogs standing. The P, Q, R and S wave amplitudes differed in selected leads and the mean electrical axis was shifted 20° to the right when dogs were in right lateral recumbency. Conclusions Right lateral recumbency improves the quality of ECG recording in dogs by decreasing muscle tremor artefact, alters the amplitude of P, R and S waves in specific leads and results in a rightward shift in the mean electrical axis, relative to standing.
Ascertaining the Role of Taiwan as a Source for the Austronesian Expansion

Taiwanese aborigines have been deemed the ancestors of Austronesian speakers which are currently distributed throughout two-thirds of the globe. As such, understanding their genetic distribution and diversity as well as their relationship to mainland Asian groups is important to consolidating the numerous models that have been proposed to explain the dispersal of Austronesian speaking peoples into Oceania. To better understand the role played by the aboriginal Taiwanese in this diaspora, we have analyzed a total of 451 individuals belonging to nine of the tribes currently residing in Taiwan, namely the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Tsou, and the Yami from Orchid Island off the coast of Taiwan across 15 autosomal short tandem repeat loci. In addition, we have compared the genetic profiles of these tribes to populations from mainland China as well as to collections at key points throughout the Austronesian domain. While our results suggest that Daic populations from Southern China are the likely forefathers of the Taiwanese aborigines, populations within Taiwan show a greater genetic impact on groups at the extremes of the current domain than populations from Indonesia, Mainland, or Southeast Asia lending support to the "Out of Taiwan" hypothesis. We have also observed that specific Taiwanese aboriginal groups (Paiwan, Puyuma, and Saisiyat), and not all tribal populations, have highly influenced genetic distributions of Austronesian populations in the pacific and Madagascar suggesting either an asymmetric migration out of Taiwan or the loss of certain genetic signatures in some of the Taiwanese tribes due to endogamy, isolation, and/or drift.
Debating the Responsibilities of Plant Scientists in the Decade of the Environment.

This month marks the 20-year anniversary of Earth Day and a new commitment to make the 1990s the Decade of the Environment. Maybe the flurry of media attention surrounding this event will shake us out of our sleep. In the last few years, I have become very frustrated by the feeling that we, as a civilization, are in the midst of a global crisis and are not responding appropriately to the scale of the events. Most of us seem numb to the claims of global climate change, ozone depletion, rainforest destruction, species extinctions, and so on. The changes being wrought by our way of life are so extensive, and the solutions so unimaginable, that the response is usually denial. I, for example, go on with life as usual or make minor concessions such as recycling or walking to work. But the really basic changes necessary to reverse the “inevitable” seem impossible. It is my opinion that the appropriate scale of my response should be to use a tenth of the resources I now use, rather
Trans−Cis Isomerization is Responsible for the Red-Shifted Fluorescence in Variants of the Red Fluorescent Protein eqFP611

An important class of red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) feature a 2-iminomethyl-5-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)imidazolinone chromophore. Among these proteins, eqFP611 has the chromophore in a coplanar trans orientation, whereas the cis isomer is preferred by other RFPs such as DsRed and its variants. In the photoactivatable protein asFP595, the chromophore can even be switched from the nonfluorescent trans to the fluorescent cis state by light. By using X-ray crystallography, we have determined the structure of dimeric eqFP611 at high resolution (up to 1.1 A). In the far-red emitting eqFP611 variant d2RFP630, which carries an additional Asn143Ser mutation, the chromophore resides predominantly (∼80%) in the cis isomeric state, and in RFP639, which has Asn143Ser and Ser158Cys mutations, the chromophore is found completely in the cis form. The pronounced red shift of excitation and emission maxima of RFP639 can thus unambiguously be assigned to trans−cis isomerization of the chromophore. Among RFPs, eqFP611 is thus...
Microbial ecology of the murine gut associated with the development of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis

Background Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is used to induce murine colitis. Although the exact mechanism by which DSS administration causes disease is unknown, evidence suggests that the resident bacteria play a role in the development of murine DSS colitis, analogous to their role in human inflammatory bowel diseases.
Inhibition of antidromic and substance P-induced vasodilatation by a substance P antagonist

Indirect evidence has abundantly been presented to support the view that substance P (SP) is involved in the vasodilatation following activation of fine calibre pain fibres (Lembeck & Holzer 1979). In this respect, the dental pulp is interesting since it is richly supplied with SP-immunoreactive nerves originating from the trigeminal system (Olgart et al. 1917b, Brodin et al. 1980). These nerves are in all probability related to nociception (Henry et al. 1980). Recent observations in the cat showing that electrical stimulation of the inferior alveolar nerve produces an atropine resistant vasodilatation (Gazelius & Olgart 1980), and a release of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the pulp (Olgart et al. 1977a, Brodin et al. 1980) are in accord with the suggested role of SP. In the present study, the availability of an antagonist to SP has made possible the further elucidation of the role of SP as a mediator of antidromic vasodilatation in the dental pulp and in the oral mucosa of the cat. We have also determined whether (D-Pro2, D-Phe7, D-Trp9)-SP specifically blocks the vascular effects of SP.
A Phenotypic Compound Screening Assay for Lysosomal Storage Diseases

The lysosome is a vital cellular organelle that primarily functions as a recycling center for breaking down unwanted macromolecules through a series of hydrolases. Functional deficiencies in lysosomal proteins due to genetic mutations have been found in more than 50 lysosomal storage diseases that exhibit characteristic lipid/macromolecule accumulation and enlarged lysosomes. Recently, the lysosome has emerged as a new therapeutic target for drug development for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases. However, a suitable assay for compound screening against the diseased lysosomes is currently unavailable. We have developed a Lysotracker staining assay that measures the enlarged lysosomes in patient-derived cells using both fluorescence intensity readout and fluorescence microscopic measurement. This phenotypic assay has been tested in patient cells obtained from several lysosomal storage diseases and validated using a known compound, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, in primary fibroblast cells derived from Niemann Pick C disease patients. The results demonstrate that the Lysotracker assay can be used in compound screening for the identification of lead compounds that are capable of reducing enlarged lysosomes for drug development.
A quantitative model of ground-water flow during formation of tabular sandstone uranium deposits

Tabular sandstone uranium deposits constitute the largest uranium resource type in the United States. A major point of contention has been the nature and direction of the ground-water flow. This paper presents a quantitative simulation of regional ground-water flow during uranium deposition in the Westwater Canyon Member and Jackpile Sandstone Member of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in the San Juan basin. Input for the four-layer finite-difference model was from thicknesses and sandstone/mudstone ratios in each layer from 1,600 drill holes and 100 measured sections and from palcotopographic reconstructions. Topographic slope, shoreline position, and density contrasts in the lake and pore fluids controlled the directions of flow and recharge-discharge areas. The most important results for uranium ore deposit formation are that regional ground water discharged throughout the basin, regional discharge was concentrated along the shore line or playa margin, flow was dominantly gravity driven, and compaction dewatering was negligible. A strong association is found between the tabular sandstone uranium deposits and major inferred zones of mixed local and regional ground-water discharge. The results of ground-water modeling favor the brine interface model over the lacustrine-humate model for uranium deposition.
Free riding: a new challenge to peer-to-peer file sharing systems

Most of the research in the field of peer-to-peer file sharing systems has concentrated on performance issues such as efficient file lookup, replicating files to improve file download speeds etc. However there is a new challenge that questions the very existence and usefulness of such systems in the form of "free riding". This paper studies the seriousness of the negative impact that free riding can have in a P2P file sharing system. We introduce the concept of utility function to measure the usefulness of peers to the system as a whole, and describe a scheme based on this concept to control free riding. A simple utility function is described to illustrate the scheme. We design and develop a simulation model to study various patterns of sharing behaviors among the peers in a file sharing community and their impact on the system. A set of experimental results is reported. The experiments indicate that the utility based free riding control can increase the lifetime of the system by 10 times, even with a simple utility function.
A model for optimization of the performance of frequency-Modulated DFB semiconductor laser

We have developed a model of frequency modulated distributed feedback laser with intracavity phase modulator and have shown that it can operate in two different regimes, only one of which has good frequency-modulated (FM) response. We have identified the combination of the laser parameters that forces laser to operate in high FM efficiency regime. The results of our initial experiments support these conclusions.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Elastomeric, Cellular Architectures with Negative Stiffness

Three-dimensional printing of viscoelastic inks to create porous, elastomeric architectures with mechanical properties governed by the ordered arrangement of their sub-millimeter struts is reported. Two layouts are patterned, one resembling a “simple cubic” (SC)-like structure and another akin to a “face-centered tetragonal” (FCT) configuration. These structures exhibit markedly distinct load response with directionally dependent behavior, including negative stiffness. More broadly, these findings suggest the ability to independently tailor mechanical response in cellular solids via micro-architected design. Such ordered materials may one day replace random foams in mechanical energy absorption applications.
MOCNESS estimates of the size and abundance of a pelagic gonostomatid fish Cyclothone pallida off the Bahamas

Depth patterns of size and abundance in a pelagic bristlemouth fish Cyclothone pallida (Stomiformes: Gonostomatidae) are reported. Sampling was conducted during the day and night at two sites in the Bahamas using a Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Electronic Sensing System (MOCNESS). All samples show peak abundance in the 500-700 m depth range irrespective of time or sampling location. The mean and variance of body length increased with depth, and size-depth patterns do not significantly differ among samples. Results suggest that these populations of C. pallida do not exhibit diel vertical migration.
A 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS UHF VCO with auto tuning for DCT AMPS and CDMA application

This paper presents a 1.3 GHz fully integrated differential LC VCO with /spl plusmn/20% tuning range (1.0 to 1.7 GHz: including coarse and fine tuning) and tank quality factor of 6 using differential spiral inductor. The measured phase noise at 60 kHz and 900 kHz offset frequency from a 1.3 GHz center frequency is -102 dBc/Hz and -123 dBc, respectively. It consumes 10 mA at 2.7 V supply. Fabricated in 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process with 78 GHz f/sub T/, the total chip area including VCO switch cap array is 360/spl times/700 /spl mu/m/sup 2/.
Spatial and temporal variations in the isotopic composition of bison tooth enamel from the Early Holocene Hudson-Meng Bone Bed, Nebraska

The Hudson‐Meng bone bed in northwestern Nebraska is an early Holocene deposit of hundreds of bison of diVering ages that were killed in a catastrophic event of unknown origin. The M 1 ,M 2 , and M 3 molars of individuals, ranging from ca. 1 to 7 years of age at the time of their death, were examined to determine inter- and intra-tooth isotopic variability, and to link this variability to time in order to better understand the environments that existed prior to the mass death event. The d13C value of molar structural carbonate increases by 2‐3‰ from the M 1 to M 3 molars, reflecting increasing direct forage signals, and decreasing maternal influences. The d18O value of molar structural carbonate in a given individual shows no consistent trend with time from birth, indicating a fairly direct linkage to ‘dietary water’ regardless of tooth ontogeny. Detailed ‘down-tooth’ isotopic measurements indicate a small seasonal signal in the d13C value of forage/maternal milk, which appeared to have been largely dominated by C 4 flora. In contrast, there was almost a 10‰ range in the isotopic composition of dietary water, a range that is within present-day summer versus winter precipitation in the region. The d18O value of bulk tooth enamel, arranged by approximate time prior to the death event, indicate a consistent increase in the d18O value of body water (2‐3‰), suggesting a long-term decrease in winter/spring precipitation and/or drought. The d18O trend with time, coupled with the high C 4 grass abundance, suggest environmental stresses on the herd preceding the catastrophic death event. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
HIV Status, Burden of Comorbid Disease, and Biomarkers of Inflammation, Altered Coagulation, and Monocyte Activation

Background. Biomarkers of inflammation, altered coagulation, and monocyte activation are associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population and among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected people. We compared biomarkers for inflammation, altered coagulation, and monocyte activation between HIV-infected and uninfected people in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS). Methods. Biomarkers of inflammation (interleukin-6 [IL-6]), altered coagulation (d-dimer), and monocyte activation (soluble CD14 [sCD14]) were measured in blood samples from 1525 HIV-infected and 843 uninfected VACS participants. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between HIV infection and prevalence of elevated (>75th percentile) biomarkers, adjusting for confounding comorbidities. Results. HIV-infected veterans had less prevalent CVD, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hazardous drinking, and renal disease, but more dyslipidemia, hepatitis C, and current smoking than uninfected veterans. Compared to uninfected veterans, HIV-infected veterans with HIV-1 RNA ≥500 copies/mL or CD4 count <200 cells/µL had a significantly higher prevalence of elevated IL-6 (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.14–2.09; OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.60–3.16, respectively) and d-dimer (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44–2.71, OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22–2.32, respectively) after adjusting for comorbidities. HIV-infected veterans with a CD4 cell count <200 cells/µL had significantly higher prevalence of elevated sCD14 compared to uninfected veterans (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.64–4.14). These associations still persisted after restricting the analysis to veterans without known confounding comorbid conditions. Conclusions. These data suggest that ongoing HIV replication and immune depletion significantly contribute to increased prevalence of elevated biomarkers of inflammation, altered coagulation, and monocyte activation. This contribution is independent of and in addition to the substantial contribution from comorbid conditions.
On the People's Terms: A Republican Theory and Model of Democracy, by Philip Pettit

In this ingenious book Philip Pettit elaborates a conception of democratic governance as part of the broad theory of political freedom that he has developed in a series of books and many articles. ...
Stabilized Ribavirin diphosphate analogs inhibit the vesicular stomatitis virus (Indiana) in vitro transcription reaction

Ribavirin or Virazole (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent whose molecular mode of action remains controversial. Results of earlier experiments indicated that ribavirin possesses a significant direct suppressive effect on the vesicular stomatitis virus (Indiana) (VSI) viral polymerase and that this inhibitory activity appears to block initiation of transcription. This direct effect can be mediated by the mono-and diphosphorylated forms of the drug as well as the triphosphorylated form. To confirm our previous results we examined the effects of analogs which stabilize as diphosphates on this VSI virus in vitro transcription reaction; all exhibited inhibitory activity to varying degrees. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to inhibition of primary transcription and its effect on decreased viral progeny production.
Three Mistakes About Democracy

Pettit addresses three claims that are often made among contemporary policy-makers, political scientists, and political theorists about democracy. The three claims are associated with the work of Isaiah Berlin, Joseph Schumpeter, and William Riker, respectively, and Pettit endeavours to show they are false and, indeed, revealingly false: they display a serious misunderstanding of the nature and appeal of democracy. Pettit does so from the perspective of the republican tradition that emerged in classical Rome, a tradition built around a conception of freedom as non-domination, one that requires a rich conception of democracy of a kind that the mistakes charted here would cause us to overlook.
Effect of penicillin on blood coagulation.

ConclusionsWe viere able to demonstrate any vitro or in vivo effect of penicillin on the blood coagulation reaction. No signiiicant changes Tyere observed in coagulation time, clot retraction, prothrombin concentration. fibrinogen concentration, platelet count or bleeding time of normal or hemophiliac subjects.We are indebted to Clare Wilcox for the penicillin determination.
Study of Deep Levels by Admittance Spectroscopy in High Resistivity P-Type 6H-SiC Single Crystals

Deep levels in high resistivity p-type 6H-SiC has been studied using optical admittance spectroscopy ( OAS ). Besides the conductance peak due to the band to band transitions, there are three conductance peaks in the spectra of most of the samples. The conductance peak due to the vanadium donor (0/+) level at EV+ 1.55 eV is identified. The persistent photoconductance (PPC) at this defect was also studied. The decay kinetics of the PPC follow the stretched exponential form. The potential barrier against recapture of carriers was determined to be 220 meV for the vanadium donor level.
A new method for the establishment of diploid fibroblast cell cultures from human foreskins.

SummaryA method is described for the establishment of diploid fibroblast cell cultures from human foreskins. Foreskins are minced and digested for a relatively long period of time in standard tissue culture medium containing trypsin and antibiotics. Undigested tissue is removed by filtration, and the cells are isolated by centrifugation and dispensed in culture vessels. This procedure circumvents the explanation of large amounts of minced tissue fragments and yields larger numbers of cells in a short period of time.
Property of Fe52Cr48 Alloy Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering of Mechanical Alloyed Powder

Fe52Cr48+5mass%X(X=Si, C) were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of the elemental powders of Fe, Cr and Si/C using a planetary ball milling for 180ks under 1.33kPa argon gas atomosphere. These MA powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process.The X-ray diffraction patterns of mechanical alloyed Fe52Cr48+5mass%Si and Fe52Cr48+5mass%C powders were almost similar with that of mechanical alloyed Fe52Cr48 powder. The σ-phase was obtained by only SPS of Fe52Cr48+5mass%Si. In this MA-SPS process, Fe52Cr48 alloy without σ-phase was synthesized and formed because of the few Si contamination in this process. The sintered Fe52Cr48 alloy without σ-phase had a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of SUS304 stainless steel.
Decision-making participation patterns: the role of organizational context.

Patterns of employees' participation in a number of specific decisions were studied in 101 Oregon nursing homes. The inquiry concerned whether such patterns vary according to the contextual propert...
Political Theory on Climate Change

This article focuses on discussions in political theory on climate change in the period 2005–2015, setting them in the context of broader discussions in political theory on the environment and ecology in the period 1990–2005. The themes of justice, politics, and expertise are used to organize the review. It is argued that discussions of justice and climate change could benefit from a richer connection to the literature on historical injustice; that in discussions of the politics of climate change, a comparative advantage of political theory lies in further development of the role of ethos and imagination in reshaping our understanding of the place of the status quo; and that more research into the relationship between expertise and democracy is needed. In conclusion, the idea of the Anthropocene is considered, with the need for further consideration of politics in specifying how humans are transforming the nature of the earth and atmosphere.
Analysis of Epidemiological Characteristics of Mumps in Henan Province in 2012

Objective This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Henan province in 2012 and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of mumps. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the data of mumps collected from national disease information reporting system in 2012. Results A total of 39 236 cases of mumps were reported in Henan Province in 2012 with no death, the incidence was 24.32/105, the mumps incidence of the male and the female were 16.96/105 and 31.18/105, respectively. The mumps incidence was reported all over the province, and the highest incidence was observed in Jiaozuo City(44.80/105). Mumps mainly occurred in spring, from April to June(8 835 cases, 38.69%) and winter, from December to January(3738 cases, 16.37%). Children between 3 and 10 years old(19 349 cases, 84.73%) were more susceptible to mumps. The ratio of male patients to female was 1.98: 1. The majority of patients were students(12, 570 cases, 55.05%). Conclusion The incidence of mumps in Henan Province in 2012 was higher than in 2011. To prevent the spread of mumps, besides improving the rate of MMR vaccination, emphasis should be put on the border areas where more mumps cases were reported. A more sensitive surveillance system is necessary for the detection and treatment of mumps in children between 3 to 10 years old.
Epidemiology Analysis of Infectious Diseases in Nanshan District of Shenzhen in 2011

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of infectious diseases,and provide scientific evidences for preventive strategy. Method A statistical analysis was conducted according to the reported data on infectious diseases from the Diseases Reporting Information System. Results In 2011,a total of 6 691 cases in 24 categories with type B and C of communicable disease were reported in Nanshan district with an incidence rate of 615.03/100 000,and the total reported deaths of infectious diseases were 3 cases with a mortality rate of 0.18/100 000. No type A communicable disease was found. Communicable diseases were mainly composed of the intestine, blood and STD and the diseases of respiratory tract infection. Hand-foot-mouth disease, infectious diarrhea, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis and scarlatina were the major types of the diseases. Conclusions More effective control measures for prevention should be taken for the disease of the intestine, blood and STD and the diseases of respiratory tract infection. The prevention and control work, especially on hand-foot-mouth disease, infectious diarrhea, tuberculosis, should also be strengthened.
Fault-tolerant Coverage in Dense Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we present methods to detect and recover from sensor failure in dense wireless sensor networks. In order to extend the lifetime of a sensor network while maintaining coverage, a minimal subset of the deployed sensors are kept active while the other sensors can enter a low power sleep state. Several distributed algorithms for coverage have been proposed in the literature. Faults are of particular concern in coverage algorithms since sensors go into a sleep state in order to conserve battery until woken up by active sensors. If these active sensors were to fail, this could lead to lapses in coverage that are unacceptable in critical applications. Also, most algorithms in the literature rely on an active sensor that is about to run out of battery waking up its neighbors to trigger a reshuffle in the network. However, this would not work in the case of unexpected failures since a sensor cannot predict the occurrence of such an event. We present detection and recovery from sensor failure in dense networks. Our algorithms exploit the density in the recovery scheme to improve coverage by 4-12% in the event of random failures. This fault tolerance comes at a small cost to the network lifetime with observed lifetime being reduced by 6-10% in our simulation studies.
Effects of supplementation on intake, growth rate, and fleece production by female Angora kid goats grazing rangeland.

Ninety-eight and 88 female Angora kid goats (6 mo of age) were grazed/browsed on Edwards Plateau rangeland in 92- and 88-d trials in 1989 and 1990, respectively. The goats were either not supplemented (negative control, NC) or fed isoenergetic amounts of corn (C), a corn/cottonseed meal/molasses mixture (C/CSM), or a corn/cottonseed meal/fish meal/molasses mixture (C/CSM/FM). The C/CSM and C/CSM/FM supplements provided equal CP but different amounts of ruminally undegraded protein (UDP). The goats were allowed to graze/browse in a common pasture and were separated into treatment groups three times each week for feeding. Intakes of supplement and forage were measured using a dual-marker technique. Forage intake was not increased with supplemental feeding (P = .21), but tended (P = .08) to be greater with high-protein supplements than with C. Total digestible DMI was greater (P < .01) for supplemented goats and was not affected by supplement type. Supplemental feeding increased BW gain (P < .01) and clean fleece weight (CFW; P < .01). High-protein supplements increased BW gain (P < .01), CFW (P = .07), fiber diameter (FD; P < .01), and staple length (P < .01) compared with C. Greater amounts of UDP (C/CSM/FM) did not increase BW gain (P = .99) but tended to increase CFW (P = .12) and FD (P = .15). Supplemental feeding increased total digestible DMI by partial substitution (corn) for forage or addition (high-protein supplements) to forage, and both energy and protein increased BW gain and CFW and influenced mohair traits.
High frequency of p53 protein accumulation without p53 gene mutation in human juvenile pilocytic, low grade and anaplastic astrocytomas

We analysed 31 non-glioblastoma astrocytomas for alterations in p53 protein expression and for mutations in the p53 gene. Immunohistochemistry detected p53 protein accumulation in 71% (five of seven) of juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I), 63% (five of eight) of astrocytomas (WHO grade II), and 63% (10 of 16) of anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO grade III). The single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) assay of exons 2-11 of the p53 gene and direct DNA sequencing identified p53 mutations in 14% (one of seven) of grade I, 25% (two of eight) of grade II, and 19% (three of 16) of grade III astrocytomas. This is the first report of a p53 mutation in grade I juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas. Immunohistochemistry and SSCP analyses gave concordant results in 55% (17 of the 31) of the tumors. A total of 14 tumors, 60-80% within each grade, showed p53 protein accumulation in the absence of detectable mutations of the p53 gene. No mdm-2 gene amplification was found in these tumors. The similar frequency of p53 alterations in tumors of grades I-III suggests that the p53 gene plays a significant role early in the formation of astrocytomas rather than late in tumor progression to higher grade. The data suggest that mechanisms other than p53 gene inactivation by mutation or mdm-2 complex formation result in the accumulation of P53 protein in > 70% of non-glioblastoma astrocytomas.
Development of Mechanical and Failure Properties in Sheep Cerebral Arteries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating problem for people of all ages, but the nature of the response to such injury is often different in children than in adults. Cerebral vessel damage and dysfunction are common following TBI, but age-dependent, large-deformation vessel response has not been characterized. Our objective was to investigate the mechanical properties of cerebral arteries as a function of development. Sheep middle cerebral arteries from four age groups (fetal, newborn, juvenile, and adult) were subjected to biaxial loading around physiological conditions and then to failure in the axial direction. Results show little difference among age groups under physiological loading conditions, but response varied significantly with age in response to large axial deformation. Vessels from all age groups reached the same ultimate stretch level, but the amount of stress carried at a given level of stretch increased significantly with age through the developmental period (fetal to juvenile). Our results are the first to identify changes in cerebral vessel response to large deformations with age and may lead to new insights regarding differences in response to TBI with age.
Thermal radiation modeling using the LES–ODT framework for turbulent combustion flows

Abstract A novel multiscale Monte-Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) model in the large eddy simulation–one-dimensional turbulence (LES–ODT) framework for participating gray media is developed. LES–ODT is based on a hybrid simulation of the large scales within LES and 1D ODT fine-resolution solutions embedded in the LES. Radiation is solved within the ODT domain at the subgrid scale where a combination of stochastic and deterministic solutions allows the treatment of different processes governing the transport and chemistry for scalars and momentum. The MCRT model is implemented in a non-homogeneous auto-ignition isotropic turbulence simulation and compared to direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the same configuration. This configuration exhibits complex coupling between turbulent transport and molecular processes, diffusion, reaction and radiation, under highly transient conditions. Implementation in the LES–ODT framework is performed for different cases of optical thicknesses. Results of the simulations are compared to DNS statistics. The comparison of the different statistics shows a satisfactory agreement.
Asian Carp in the Diet of River Otters in Illinois

Abstract Populations of invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis), collectively known as “Asian carp,” are growing rapidly in Illinois and may make up a large fraction of available prey for river otters (Lontra canadensis) in larger waterbodies. Our goals were to assess the frequency of Asian carp in otter diets and compare the frequency of occurrence of prey groups (fish, crayfish, and amphibians) in otter diets between land cover types and seasons. We searched for Asian carp otoliths and pharyngeal teeth, as well as parts of other fishes, crayfish, and amphibians in 155 otter scats collected from 43 stream sites in central and southern Illinois during January−April 2013 and 2014. Consistent with previous studies, fish and crayfish were primary prey items for otters, followed by amphibians. The proportion of crayfish increased from January−February to March−April, but the occurrence of the other prey types remained similar between those periods. Land cover type did ...
One-Health: a Safe, Efficient, Dual-Use Vaccine for Humans and Animals against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and Rabies Virus

ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2012 and is a highly pathogenic respiratory virus. There are no treatment options against MERS-CoV for humans or animals, and there are no large-scale clinical trials for therapies against MERS-CoV. To address this need, we developed an inactivated rabies virus (RABV) that contains the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein expressed on its surface. Our initial recombinant vaccine, BNSP333-S, expresses a full-length wild-type MERS-CoV S protein; however, it showed significantly reduced viral titers compared to those of the parental RABV strain and only low-level incorporation of full-length MERS-CoV S into RABV particles. Therefore, we developed a RABV-MERS vector that contained the MERS-CoV S1 domain of the MERS-CoV S protein fused to the RABV G protein C terminus (BNSP333-S1). BNSP333-S1 grew to titers similar to those of the parental vaccine vector BNSP333, and the RABV G–MERS-CoV S1 fusion protein was efficiently expressed and incorporated into RABV particles. When we vaccinated mice, chemically inactivated BNSP333-S1 induced high-titer neutralizing antibodies. Next, we challenged both vaccinated mice and control mice with MERS-CoV after adenovirus transduction of the human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4) receptor and then analyzed the ability of mice to control MERS-CoV infection. Our results demonstrated that vaccinated mice were fully protected from the MERS-CoV challenge, as indicated by the significantly lower MERS-CoV titers and MERS-CoV and mRNA levels in challenged mice than those in unvaccinated controls. These data establish that an inactivated RABV-MERS S-based vaccine may be effective for use in animals and humans in areas where MERS-CoV is endemic. IMPORTANCE Rabies virus-based vectors have been proven to be efficient dual vaccines against rabies and emergent infectious diseases such as Ebola virus. Here we show that inactivated rabies virus particles containing the MERS-CoV S1 protein induce potent immune responses against MERS-CoV and RABV. This novel vaccine is easy to produce and may be useful to protect target animals, such as camels, as well as humans from deadly MERS-CoV and RABV infections. Our results indicate that this vaccine approach can prevent disease, and the RABV-based vaccine platform may be a valuable tool for timely vaccine development against emerging infectious diseases.
Game Theory-Based Control System Algorithms with Real-Time Reinforcement Learning: How to Solve Multiplayer Games Online

Complex human-engineered systems involve an interconnection of multiple decision makers (or agents) whose collective behavior depends on a compilation of local decisions that are based on partial information about each other and the state of the environment [1]-[4]. Strategic interactions among agents in these systems can be modeled as a multiplayer simultaneous-move game [5]-[8]. The agents involved can have conflicting objectives, and it is natural to make decisions based upon optimizing individual payoffs or costs.
Clock Tree Construction based on Arrival Time Constraints

There are striking differences between constructing clock trees based on dynamic implied skew constraints and based on static arrival time constraints. Dynamic implied skew constraints allow the full timing margins to be utilized, but the constraints are required to be updated (with high time complexity). In contrast, static arrival time constraints are decoupled and are not required to be updated. Therefore, the constraints can be obtained in constant time, which facilitates the exploration of various tree topologies. On the other hand, arrival time constraints do not allow the full timing margins to be utilized. Consequently, there is a trade-off between topology exploration and timing margin utilization. In this paper, the advantages of static arrival time constraints are leveraged to construct clock trees with useful skew while exploring various tree topologies. Moreover, the constraints are specified and respecified throughout the synthesis process reduce the cost of the constructed clock trees. It is experimentally demonstrated that the proposed approach results in clock trees with 16% lower average capacitive cost compared with clock trees constructed based on dynamic implied skew constraints.
CNS bioavailability and radiation protection of normal hippocampal neurogenesis by a lipophilic Mn porphyrin-based superoxide dismutase mimic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5

Although radiation therapy can be effective against cancer, potential damage to normal tissues limits the amount that can be safely administered. In central nervous system (CNS), radiation damage to normal tissues is presented, in part, as suppressed hippocampal neurogenesis and impaired cognitive functions. Mn porphyrin (MnP)-based redox active drugs have demonstrated differential effects on cancer and normal tissues in experimental animals that lead to protection of normal tissues and radio- and chemo-sensitization of cancers. To test the efficacy of MnPs in CNS radioprotection, we first examined the tissue levels of three different MnPs - MnTE-2-PyP5+(MnE), MnTnHex-2-PyP5+(MnHex), and MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+(MnBuOE). Nanomolar concentrations of MnHex and MnBuOE were detected in various brain regions after daily subcutaneous administration, and MnBuOE was well tolerated at a daily dose of 3mg/kg. Administration of MnBuOE for one week before cranial irradiation and continued for one week afterwards supported production and long-term survival of newborn neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. MnP-driven S-glutathionylation in cortex and hippocampus showed differential responses to MnP administration and radiation in these two brain regions. A better understanding of how preserved hippocampal neurogenesis correlates with cognitive functions following cranial irradiation will be helpful in designing better MnP-based radioprotection strategies.
A randomized pilot evaluation of individual-level abortion stigma resulting from Pennsylvania mandated abortion counseling

Abstract Objective The objective was to investigate the effect of mandated abortion counseling requirements intended to dissuade women from having abortions on patients' individual-level abortion stigma. Methods We randomized women presenting for abortion to complete a demographic survey and the validated Individual Level Abortion Stigma (ILAS) scale either before (unexposed) or after (exposed) hearing the mandatory Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act counseling via a standardized video. A sample size of 46 (23 per group) allowed us to detect a 1-standard-deviation difference in mean ILAS score between the groups. The ILAS scale ranges from 0 to 3.5, with higher scores indicating greater stigma. Results From November 2015 to April 2016, 46 participants completed the study. All baseline characteristics were balanced except that the unexposed group had a greater proportion of low-income participants. The mean ILAS score among all participants was 1.02±0.60. ILAS scores were significantly higher among the unexposed group (median 1.25, interquartile range [IQR] 0.7–1.9) compared to the exposed group (median 0.75, IQR 0.5–1.05; p=.016). However, when controlling for participant income category, the effect of the mandated counseling on stigma scores was no longer present (p=.068). Conclusions In this randomized trial, stigma scores were higher among women who had not heard the mandated abortion counseling when compared with stigma scores for those who had heard the script, but this effect was confounded by participants' income category. Implications Despite the small sample size in this pilot study, differences in stigma scores for women exposed and unexposed to mandated counseling approached significance even after controlling for income category. Women who heard the mandated counseling had reduced stigma scores. A larger study is needed to better characterize this effect. Further research is needed to understand how state policies, counseling interactions and socioeconomic status are related to abortion stigma.
Conjugate Heat Transfer Analysis of Thermal Management of a Li-Ion Battery Pack

Author(s): Chalise, D; Shah, K; Prasher, R; Jain, A | Abstract: Thermal management of Li-ion battery packs is a critical technological challenge that directly impacts safety and performance. Removal of heat generated in individual Li-ion cells into the ambient is a considerably complicated problem involving multiple heat transfer modes. This paper develops an iterative analytical technique to model conjugate heat transfer in coolant-based thermal management of a Li-ion battery pack. Solutions for the governing energy conservation equations for thermal conduction and convection are derived and coupled with each other in an iterative fashion to determine the final temperature distribution. The analytical model is used to investigate the dependence of the temperature field on various geometrical and material parameters. This work shows that the coolant flowrate required for effective cooling can be reduced significantly by improving the thermal conductivity of individual Li-ion cells. Further, this work helps understand key thermal-electrochemical trade-offs in the design of thermal management for Li-ion battery packs, such as the trade-off between temperature rise and energy storage density in the battery pack.