cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Remaking the Brain with Stem Cells

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects over one million people in the United States. The key pathogenic process in Parkinson’s disease is a loss of cells that produce dopamine in the midbrain. Low dopamine levels disrupt the nigrostriatal pathway, causing a communication breakdown within the brain that leads to loss of motor control and the ability to generate smooth limb movements. The mainstays of therapy for Parkinson’s disease are treatments to boost dopamine signaling in the brain and to help control involuntary movements, but there are many side effects with these treatments. In a new study, Hayashi et al . use dopaminergic neurons derived from autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat Parkinson’s disease in monkeys. Cell-based therapies have shown promise in animal and human studies for treating Parkinson’s disease. Most notably, early studies found that the implantation of human fetal midbrain tissue into the brains of a few Parkinson’s patients improved symptoms of the disease in some patients. However, this approach remained impractical clinically because of the limited availability of tissues and ethical concerns. Therefore, there has been much interest in finding other sources of dopamine-producing cells. In their study, Hayashi et al. harvested MSCs from the bone marrow of 10 monkeys. These cells were cultured in vitro and differentiated into dopamine-producing neuron-like cells by transfecting the MSCs with the Notch1 intracellular domain and then stimulating the cells with a combination of growth factors and cytokines. The researchers induced unilateral Parkinson’s disease in the monkeys by injecting a neurotoxin into one-half of the brain. They then transplanted the MSC-derived dopamine-producing neuron-like cells at multiple brain locations and evaluated them for engraftment at time points up to 8 months. Monkeys treated with the cell transplants showed a substantial improvement in behavioral measurements of motor function. Using positron emission tomography and histological analysis, the authors found that there was a marked increase in dopamine activity in regions where cells had engrafted. Importantly, they did not find any evidence of tumorigenesis in the animals due to the cell therapy treatment. The Hayashi et al. study demonstrates the potential of cell-based therapy for treating a monkey model of Parkinson’s disease. Further work is needed to more fully evaluate this type of cell therapy and to improve it sufficiently so that ultimately it may be useful for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. T. Hayashi et al. , Autologous mesenchymal stem cell–derived dopaminergic neurons function in parkinsonian macaques. J. Clin. Invest. 123 , 272–284 (2013). [[ABSTRACT]][1] [1]: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/62516
Self esteem: moderator between role stress fit and satisfaction and commitment?

Many companies are having a difficult time satisfying and gaining commitment from IT workers. This study determines whether satisfying preferences for role ambiguity and conflict will increase satisfaction and commitment levels. Furthermore, this research seeks to determine if self-esteem moderates the relationship between satisfying employee preferences and levels of satisfaction and commitment. Preliminary findings supported these propositions.
It’s All About the Numbers… Or is it? Fiscal Stewardship in Ohio Public School Districts (WITHDRAWN)

Ohio’s school superintendents, treasurers and board of education members all play a significant role in the stewardship of public school district finances. Their judgment, values, biases, prioritie...
Reduction to parts: A semianalytical approach to the structural acoustics of a cylindrical shell with hemispherical endcaps

A reduction‐to‐parts (RTP) method has been developed to approximate the acoustic impedance of a cylindrical shell with hemispherical endcaps. The approximation greatly reduces the computational effort required to calculate the acoustic impedance as compared to discretization methods and a variational formulation. The shell is subdivided into three parts, two hemispheres and a finite‐length cylinder, which can be considered as subregions of separable geometric shapes. Surface displacements from the original shell are applied to these separable geometries, and the corresponding calculated surface pressure responses are mapped back to the original shell. An approximation to the acoustic impedance of the original shell is calculated using the prescribed displacements and the mapped surface pressures. The accuracy of the approximation is improved in the low‐frequency range when pressure generated on neighboring parts is taken into account. To verify the approximation, the surface and far‐field responses due to a point load are compared with the responses calculated using a variational formulation. The RTP method accurately predicts the near‐ and far‐field acoustic pressures.
Barrett's esophagus: a surgical disease

Barrett's metaplasia can develop in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and metaplasia can evolve into dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. The optimal treatment for Barrett's metaplasia and dysplasia is still being debated. The study reported herein was designed to assess the following: (1) the incidence of Barrett's metaplasia among patients with GERD; (2) the ability of laparoscopic fundoplication to control symptoms in patients with Barrett's metaplasia; (3) the results of esophagectomy in patients with high-grade dysplasia; and (4) the character of endoscopic follow-up programs of patients with Barrett's disease being managed by physicians throughout a large geographic region (northern California). Five-hundred thirty-five patients evaluated between October 1989 and February 1997 at the University of California San Francisco Swallowing Center had a diagnosis of GERD established by upper gastrointestinal series, endoscopy, manometry, and pH monitoring. Thirty-eight symptomatic patients with GERD and Barrett's metaplasia underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. Eleven other consecutive patients with high-grade dysplasia underwent transhiatal esophagectomies. Barrett's metaplasia was present in 72 (13%) of the 535 patients with GERD. The following results were achieved in patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication (n = 38): Heartburn resolved in 95% of patients, regurgitation in 93% of patients, and cough in 100% of patients. With regard to transhiatal esophagectomy (n = 11), the average duration of the operation was 339 +/- 89 minutes. The only significant complications were two esophageal anastomotic leaks, both of which resolved without sequelae. Mean hospital stay was 14 +/- 5 days. There were no deaths. The specimens showed high-grade dysplasia in seven patients and invasive adenocarcinoma (undiagnosed preoperatively) in four (36%). These results can be summarized as follows: (1) Barrett's metaplasia was present in 13% of patients with GERD being evaluated at a busy diagnostic center; (2) laparoscopic fundoplication was highly successful in controlling symptoms of GERD in patients with Barrett's metaplasia; (3) in patients with high-grade dysplasia esophagectomy was performed safely (invasive cancer had eluded preoperative endoscopic biopsies in one third of these patients); and (4) even though periodic endoscopic examination of Barrett's disease is universally recommended, this was actually done in fewer than two thirds of patients being managed by a large number of independent physicians in this geographic area.
Electromechanical and electrothermal behaviours of carbon whisker reinforced elastomer composites

The electromechanical and electrothermal properties of conducting carbon whisker reinforced thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composites were investigated. The carbon whiskers were derived by a catalytic chemical vapour Deposition (CCVD) process and the TPE was a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) block copolymer. The electrical resistivity (ϱ) of the composites can be varied either by uniaxial deformation (101–108 Ω cm) or by temperature (101–105 Ω cm). The temperature-resistivity studies indicated that the resistivity of these composites was influenced by the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the TPE. The ϱ versus 1/T curves exhibited two distinct regimes each with a different negative slope which intersected at the Tg of the elastomer. This was correlated to the Tgof the EB segments in the S-EB-S block copolymer (∼ -50°C) by the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Further, uniaxial deformation studies at room temperature (20 °C) demonstrated that the resistivity increased exponentially with the deformation. Processing technique considerations and electron micrographs of the morphology of the composites indicated the formation of polymeric film on the carbon whiskers. Thus, the electrical conduction between carbon whiskers in these highly loaded (33 and 52 vol % fraction) composites occurred through the elastomeric film by electron tunnelling. This is explained on the basis of Mott's electron hopping theory, for conduction through several carbon-polymer-carbon (C-P-C) junctions. Further studies by scanning electron microscopy, dielectric thermal analysis and voltage-current characteristics confirmed this observation. Mechanical and electrical properties of the composites indicated that CCVD carbon whiskers can be used to improve the strength and electrical conductivity of TPEs. The change in resistivity (up to five orders of magnitude) of the composites with respect to the deformation or temperature can find use in electromechanical and electrothermal device applications.
Pleistocene reduction of polar ice caps: Evidence from Cariaco Basin marine sediments

Sea level is projected to rise between 13 and 94 cm over the next 100 yr due to continued climate warming. The sea-level projections assume that polar ice sheets will remain stable or even increase on time scales of centuries, but controversial geologic evidence suggests that current polar ice sheets have been eliminated or greatly reduced during previous Pleistocene interglacials indicating that modern polar ice sheets have become unstable within the natural range of interglacial climates. Sea level may have been more than 20 m higher than today during a presumably very warm interglacial about 400 ka during marine isotope stage 11. Because of the implications for future sea level rise, additional study of the conflicting evidence for warmer conditions and higher sea level during marine isotope stage 11 is needed. Here we present microfossil and isotopic data from marine sediments of the Cariaco Basin supporting the interpretation that global sea level was 10–20 m higher than today during marine isotope stage 11. The increased sea level requires reduction in modern polar ice sheets and is consistent with the interpretation that the West Antarctic ice sheet and the Greenland ice sheet were absent or greatly reduced during marine isotope stage 11. Our results show a warm marine isotope stage 11 interglacial climate with sea level as high as or above modern sea level that lasted for 25 to 30 k.y. Variations in Earth9s orbit around the sun (Milankovitch cycles) are considered to be a primary external force driving glacial-interglacial cycles. Current and marine isotope stage 11 Milankovitch forcing are very similar, suggesting that the present interglacial (Holocene) that began ca. 10 ka will continue for another 15 to 20 k.y. Therefore any anthropogenic climate warming will accelerate the natural process toward reduction in polar ice sheets. The potential for increased rates of sea level rise related to polar ice sheet decay should be considered as a potential natural hazard on centennial time scales.
Characteristics of Emergent Leaders of Continuing Problem-Solving Groups

Summary This study evaluated the characteristics of emergent leaders of problem-solving groups with use of semantic differential scales. Subjects were 64 American university undergraduates. Each subject rated all subjects in his group, self included, at each of five sessions. Persons selected as leaders were found by a Q factor analytic technique to cluster on the basis of the following common characteristics: higher than nonleaders in giving directions, formulating goals, and being self-assured; lower than nonleaders in being more quarrelsome and less sensible. The qualities characteristic of emergent leaders are assigned to them early, remain relatively consistent, and seem independent of personality characteristics. Whether they can be taught to participants who will subsequently be perceived as leaders is currently under investigation.
Graphical abstract help

We explore the use of abstracted versions of screenshots as part of an interface to support giving help to the user. Graphstract, the software implementation of this graphical help system, extends the ideas of textually oriented Minimal Manuals to the use of screenshots, enabling multiple small graphical elements to be shown in a small space. This enables the user to get an overview of a complex sequential task as a whole.Graphical hints, such as jagged edges, red dots, and icons are also explored. The idea has been developed by iterative prototyping. In cases where the minimalist help is insufficient, ways of providing more detailed information on demand are investigated.
Synthesis and characterization of (2′-5′)ppp3′dA(p3′dA) n , an analogue of (2′-5′)pppA(pA) n

The secretion of Interferon after viral infection enhances antiviral resistance in other cells characterized by increased activity of certain enzymes, a protein kinase, an endoribonuclease and a (2′-5′) (A)n synthetase1–6. The biochemical function of the synthetase is to convert ATP into oligonucleotides called genetically (2′-5′)pppA(pA)n, which are characterized by the 2′,5′-phosphodiester bond (see Table 1 legend for abbreviations used). The function of these (2′-5′) oligonucleotides seems to be the activation of the latent endoribonuclease whose consequence is to inhibit protein synthesis. As part of our study of the development of the antiviral/antitumour state, we have set out to synthesize analogues of (2′-5′)pppA(pA)n, in the expectation that these analogues would also activate a latent endoribonuclease, yet be metabolically more stable. We now describe the enzymatic conversion of 3′dATP (cordycepin 5′-triphosphate) to the 5′-triphosphate trimer, (2′-5′)ppp3′dA(p3′dA)2, the effectiveness of the latter in the inhibition of translation and its resistance to hydrolysis by 2′,5′-phosphodiesterase7. The enzymatic synthesis of the 2′,5′-phosphodiester bond with 3′dATP by (2′-5′) (A)n synthetase is an extension of our earlier report on the formation of a 2′,5′-phosphodiester bond following the incorporation of 3′dAMP from [G-3H]cordycepin into the internucleotide linkage of RNA of H.Ep. 1 cells8.
Charm and beauty tomography of the sQGP

Heavy quark production and attenuation provide unique tomographic probes of QCD matter produced at ultrarelativistic heavy ion experiments. In these proceedings we study the suppression pattern of open charm and beauty in Au + Au collisions at RHIC energies based on the DGLV formalism of radiative energy loss.
The effects of barge shocks on soybean basis levels in Arkansas: A study of market integration

The response of Arkansas Delta and Gulf soybean basis levels to barge rate shocks is investigated. Results suggest basis levels react negatively to an increase in the barge rate, implying the burden of higher transportation costs are at least in part transmitted to the farm level. Internal Arkansas Delta markets are highly integrated with the Gulf export market. For example, Gulf soybean shocks, which reflect unexpected increases in soybean export demand, are simultaneously transmitted to internal markets, and result in correspondingly higher Arkansas Delta basis levels. Domestic market disturbances such as crush margin and financial storage cost shocks are found to immediately affect barge rates and to subsequently impact both Gulf and internal basis levels. [EconLit citations: F150.] © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 21: 37–52, 2005.
Operation of a superconducting nanowire quantum interference device with mesoscopic leads

A theory describing the operation of a superconducting nanowire quantum interference device (NQUID) is presented. The device consists of a pair of thin-film superconducting leads connected by a pair of topologically parallel ultranarrow superconducting wires. It exhibits intrinsic electrical resistance, due to thermally activated dissipative fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter. Attention is given to the dependence of this resistance on the strength of an externally applied magnetic field aligned perpendicular to the leads, for lead dimensions such that there is essentially complete and uniform penetration of the leads by the magnetic field. This regime, in which at least one of the lead dimensions---length or width---lies between the superconducting coherence and penetration lengths, is referred to as the mesoscopic regime. The magnetic field causes a pronounced oscillation of the device resistance, with a period not dominated by the Aharonov-Bohm effect through the area enclosed by the wires and the film edges but, rather, in terms of the geometry of the leads, in contrast to the well-known Little-Parks resistance of thin-walled superconducting cylinders. A detailed theory, encompassing this phenomenology quantitatively, is developed through extensions, to the setting of parallel superconducting wires, of the Ivanchenko-Zil'berman-Ambegaokar-Halperin theory of intrinsic resistive fluctuations in a current-biased Josephson junction and the Langer-Ambegaokar-McCumber-Halperin theory of intrinsic resistive fluctuations in a superconducting wire. In particular, it is demonstrated that via the resistance of the NQUID, the wires act as a probe of spatial variations in the superconducting order parameter along the perimeter of each lead: in essence, a superconducting phase gradiometer.
Outside-in: peptide versus integrin.

In this issue of Blood , Su and colleagues report that a myristolyated cell-permeable peptide, RGT, corresponding to the extreme carboxyl terminus of the integrin subunit β3, specifically inhibits αIIbβ3-dependent Src-mediated “outside-in” signaling in platelets. Depending on the strength of
Detection of reperfusion within 1 hour after coronary recanalisation by analysis of isoforms of the MM creatine kinase isoenzyme in plasma

Abstract Early non-invasive detection of recanalisation within 1 hour of its implementation pharmacologically is needed to facilitate optimal selection of patients requiring further aggressive management of acute myocardial infarction. Recent results from studies of experimental animals suggest that prompt detection of reperfusion is possible based on analysis of sequential changes in the relative activities of individual isoforms of the MM isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK) in plasma. To determine whether analogous changes occur in patients and whether they distinguish patients with from those without reperfusion, we evaluated CK isoform activities serially in plasma samples from 18 patients with reperfusion induced pharmacologically or by angioplasty and compared them with changes seen in 12 patients with infarction without reperfusion. In 11 of the 12 patients without reperfusion, the percentage in plasma of the MM CK isoform released from the heart, MM, did not change or decreased in the first hour. In contrast, among 17 of 18 patients with reperfusion, the percentage of MM, increased markedly over the first hour from a mean of 38 ± 2% to 53 ± 4%. Thus, 94% of patients ultimately shown to exhibit and 92% of those ultimately shown to fail to exhibit reperfusion were distinguished correctly. Accordingly, assessment of activities of MM CK isoforms in plasma should prove useful in differentiating patients with and without reperfusion at a time when additional interventions needed to consolidate the gains accompanied by initial pharmacological treatment can still be initiated effectively.
Sexual jealousy in young women and men: Aggressive responsiveness to partner and rival

Two studies compared judgments about aggressive components of jealous reactions to the partner and to the rival, specifically, emotional (anger), cognitive (blame), and behavioral components. The first study randomly assigned 172 young women and men to two questionnaires on jealous reactions to mild (flirting) and serious (cheating) transgressions. One questionnaire assessed standards for appropriate behavior and perceptions of how people usually react. The second questionnaire asked people to report how they had reacted or, if not experienced with a sexual transgression, how they would react. The second study asked 113 people to imagine a situation in which they knew their partner had been sexually unfaithful. There were three major findings that were interpreted in the context of courtship, a time when attention is focused on the qualities of one's potential long-term partner. First, the jealous individual's anger and blame were focused more on the partner than the rival. Second, mean anger and blame scores given the partner were well matched. In contrast, the rival received more anger and blame than deemed appropriate and considerably more anger than blame. These data suggest that, in the context of courtship, a rival is not simply a competitor. Third, men were more inclined to think about aggressive action against the rival but women were more emotionally and behaviorally reactive to the rival. The latter result implies that, in the context of competition for an established romantic partner, a rival is more salient for women than for men.
Optimized Design of Distributed Power Systems for High Efficiency, High Power Density and Low EMI Noise

This paper first discussed the EMI issues and solutions for boost PFC converters. The parasitic cancellation technique is then introduced to improve EMI filter's high frequency performance. A two-stage PFC topology is introduced to improve the power density of PFC. LLC topology is recommended for front-end DC/DC converters due to it high efficiency. For onboard DC/DC converters, one-stage approach is first proposed. A self-driven full-bridge resonant circuit and a current tripler are introduced to improve the current density and switching frequencies. The paper also discussed the two-stage approach and intermediate bus architecture.
Advanced detection, isolation and accommodation of sensor failures: Real-time evaluation

The objective of the Advanced Detection, Isolation, and Accommodation (ADIA) program is to improve the overall demonstrated reliability of digital electronic control systems for turbine engines by using analytical redundancy to detect sensor failures. The results of a real-time hybrid computer evaluation of the ADIA algorithm are presented. Minimum detectable levels of sensor failures for an F100 engine control system are determined. Also included are details about the microprocessor implementation of the algorithm as well as a description of the algorithm itself.
Discordant tumor necrosis factor-α superfamily gene expression in bacterial peritonitis and endotoxemic shock

Background. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a member of a large family of predominantly homotrimeric type II membrane-associated proteins with both proinflammatory and apoptosis-inducing properties. Although TNF-α expression has been studied extensively, little is known about the expression of other members of the TNF-α superfamily during acute inflammatory processes. Methods. TNF-α, Fas ligand (FasL), and TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were examined in liver, lung, spleen, and kidney after either a cecal ligation and puncture or endotoxemic shock with use of semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results. Cecal ligation and puncture increased TNF-α mRNA in lung and liver (both P <.05) within 3 hours, which was paralleled by increased FasL mRNA. In the spleen TNF-α and FasL mRNA significantly declined (both P <.05). In contrast to TNF-α and FasL, TRAIL mRNA levels were unchanged in all organs except lung, where it was reduced at 24 hours (P <.05). Endotoxemic shock also increased lung TNF-α and FasL mRNA levels (both P <.05). Conclusions. In acute inflammatory processes TNF-α and FasL mRNA increase concordantly in several solid organs. In contrast, TRAIL mRNA levels do not consistently change during these acute inflammatory processes, suggesting that its expression is under independent and discordant regulatory control.
Magnetic Susceptibility of Indium Antimonide

The magnetic susceptibility of both $n$- and $p$-type InSb has been measured by the Faraday method from 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 650\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The carrier contribution has been obtained by subtracting the lattice component in both the intrinsic range and the extrinsic range. These data indicate that the energy gap at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is 0.262 ev and that the electron effective mass is 0.028 ${m}_{0}$. The hole contribution to the susceptibility in the extrinsic range for the $p$-type specimen used was too small to permit a determination of the effective mass of holes.
Myocardin and Prx1 Contribute to Angiotensin II-Induced Expression of Smooth Muscle α-Actin

Previous studies demonstrated that angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was associated with increased transcription of SM α-actin gene. The aim of the present s...
Overview of the ORBIT radio grid testbed for evaluation of next-generation wireless network protocols

This paper presents an overview of the ORBIT (open access research testbed for next-generation wireless networks) radio grid testbed, that is currently being developed for scalable and reproducible evaluation of next-generation wireless network protocols. The ORBIT testbed consists of an indoor radio grid emulator for controlled experimentation and an outdoor field trial network for end-user evaluations in real-world settings. The radio grid system architecture is described in further detail, including an identification of key hardware and software components. Software design considerations are discussed for the open-access radio node, and for the system-level controller that handles management and control. The process of specifying and running experiments on the ORBIT testbed is explained using simple examples. Experimental scripts and sample results are also provided.
Trehalose Maintains Phase Separation in an Air-Dried Binary Lipid Mixture

Mixing and thermal behavior of hydrated and air-dried mixtures of 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) and 1,2-distearoyl-d70-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPCd-70) in the absence and presence of trehalose were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mixtures of DLPC:DSPCd-70 (1:1) that were air-dried at 25°C show multiple phase transitions and mixed phases in the dry state. After annealing at high temperatures, however, only one transition is seen during cooling scans. When dried in the presence of trehalose, the DLPC component shows two phase transitions at −22°C and 75°C and is not fully solidified at −22°C. The DSPCd-70 component, however, shows a single phase transition at 78°C. The temperatures of these transitions are dramatically reduced after annealing at high temperatures with trehalose. The data suggest that the sugar has a fluidizing effect on the DLPC component during drying and that this effect becomes stronger for both components with heating. Examination of infrared bands arising from the lipid phosphate and sugar hydroxyl groups suggests that the strong effect of trehalose results from direct interactions between lipid headgroups and the sugar and that these interactions become stronger after heating. The findings are discussed in terms of the protective effect of trehalose on dry membranes.
Causes of mortality of free-ranging Florida panthers.

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is one of the most endangered mammals, with the entire population estimated to consist of only 30–50 adult animals. Between 1978 and 1999, 73 free-ranging Florida panther carcasses were submitted for postmortem evaluation, of which 47 (64%) were radiocollared and 26 (36%) were uncollared cats. Overall, mortality of panthers <6-mo-old was due to vehicular trauma in 25 (35%), intraspecific aggression in 19 (26%), illegal kill in seven (10%), research activities in two (3%), infectious diseases in two (3%), esophageal tear in one (1%), pleuritis in one (1%), pyothorax in one (1%), aortic aneurysm in one (1%), atrial septal defect in one (1%), and causes of death were undetermined in 13 (18%) due to autolysis. Of the 25 panthers that were killed by vehicular trauma, 20 (80%) died between October and April. This coincides with increased number of winter visitors to south Florida. Among radiocollared panthers, intraspecific aggression was the primary cause of mortality ...
Benzodiazepines Modulate Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channels in GH3 Pituitary Cells at Sites Distinct from Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors

Benzodiazepines (BZs) have been shown to modulate voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in a number of neuronal and nonneuronal cell types and to competitively antagonize TRH binding to receptors on cells of the nervous system and anterior pituitary gland. Because interaction of TRH with its receptor is known to cause enhanced influx of Ca2+ through voltage-sensitive channels in rat pituitary GH3 cells, it was determined whether BZs and TRH were interacting with the same binding site on these cells. The potencies of three BZs, Ro 5–4864, diazepam (DZP), and chlordiazepoxide (CDE), were compared as modulators of Ca2+ channels and as inhibitors of TRH binding in GH3 cells. Modulation of Ca2+ channel activity was measured as the inhibition by BZs of K+ depolarizationinduced Ca2+ influx using intracellularly trapped quin 2 or 4BCa2+ uptake. The three BZs caused dose-dependent inhibition of Ca2+ influx with an order of potency of Ro 5-4864 > DZP > CDE. In contrast, the order of potency of the three BZs to inhibit [3...
Channel delay impact on TCP and SCPS-TP over LEO/GEO-stationary space links

A substantially long round trip time (RTT) in space channel hurts TCP interactions between the sending and receiving sides, and limits the usefulness and effectiveness of TCP feedback from the remote endpoint for space communications. Space communication protocol standards-transport protocol (SCPS-TP) is a set of extensions to transmission control protocol (TCP) aimed at improving TCP performance in space communications. Some work has been done on performance comparison between SCPS-TP and the widely used TCP. It is expected to have an evaluation of SCPS-TP in coping with long channel delay which is one of the primary features in space communications. This paper describes an experimental evaluation of channel delay impact on throughput performance of SCPS-TP over LEO/GEO-stationary space links using a test-bed, by comparing it with the widely used TCP
Walking and Surface Film Locomotion in Terrestrial and Semi-Aquatic Spiders

SUMMARY The walking and surface film locomotion of a terrestrial spider, Lycosa rabida Walckenaer, and a semi-aquatic spider, Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer), are compared. Stepping patterns during locomotion on a solid substrate resemble an alternating tetrapod in both species. L. rabida retains elements of the terrestrial gait when moving on water: propulsive thrusts are concentrated at the tarsi and intrasegmental legs step in alternation. However, protraction/retraction (p/r) values are generally greater and phase values of adjacent ipsilateral legs are lower compared to values for walking animals. D. triton shows greater behavioural specialization for aquatic locomotion: propulsive forces are generated along the length of the leg, intrasegmental legs move in synchrony and leg 4 (which is not used for propulsion on water) functions in yaw correction. Changes in p/r value and ipsilateral phase accompanying the transition from a solid substrate to the water surface are similar to those found in L. rabida. The fact that coordination within a segment and coordination between segments can be altered independently in both proximate and evolutionary time suggests that interleg coupling in spiders is governed by two distinct mechanisms: intrasegmental and intersegmental mechanisms. It is suggested that proximate changes in p/r value and ipsilateral phase in both spiders may be the effect of sensory modulation of similar motor control mechanisms and that certain specializations for aquatic locomotion in D. triton (such as yaw corrective movements of leg 4) are derived from elements of the primitive terrestrial motor programme.
Gradient plasticity for thermo-mechanical processes in metals with length and time scales

A thermodynamically consistent framework is developed in order to characterize the mechanical and thermal behavior of metals in small volume and on the fast transient time. In this regard, an enhanced gradient plasticity theory is coupled with the application of a micromorphic approach to the temperature variable. A physically based yield function based on the concept of thermal activation energy and the dislocation interaction mechanisms including nonlinear hardening is taken into consideration in the derivation. The effect of the material microstructural interface between two materials is also incorporated in the formulation with both temperature and rate effects. In order to accurately address the strengthening and hardening mechanisms, the theory is developed based on the decomposition of the mechanical state variables into energetic and dissipative counterparts which endowed the constitutive equations to have both energetic and dissipative gradient length scales for the bulk material and the interfac...
Time trends and periodic cycles in rem sleep eye movements

Abstract Eye movements during REM sleep episodes were tabulated in 16 young adults. REM episodes were then broken down into four ranges according to length in min: (1) 11.0–21.3; (2) 21.7–29.7; (3) 30.0–42.3; (4) 42.7 or longer. These data were then analyzed for linear and quadratic trends. Eight episodes had a significant linear trend, 10 had a significant quadratic trend, 7 had both linear and quadratic trends, while 12 had no trend. The residuals from the best-fitting polynomial curve were then subject to a spectral analysis. In addition, 2 long periods of pre-sleep wakefulness (approximately 2 h each) were also analyzed. In general, the spectral analysis revealed the dominant presence of a slow cycle (period of 10 min to about 30 min) the exact period of which varied according to the length of the REM episode. A binomial probability test indicated that the presence of slow cycles was significant in REM episodes except for those in the 21–30 min range. For the episodes of wakefulness, a dominant slow cycle was found in both cases. The results give the impression of similarity in the periodic organization of eye movements during REM sleep and waking. The data also indicated that an ultradian (70–150 min) cycle was present in eye movements during sleep and waking. Further, the finding of a decrease in eye movements before sleep onset, coupled with previous reports of an increase in eye movement after sleep onset, indicate the presence of a circadian cycle.
Distributed scheduling based on due dates and buffer priorities

Several distributed scheduling policies are analyzed for a large semiconductor manufacturing facility, where jobs of wafers, each with a desired due date, follow essentially the same route through the manufacturing system, returning several times to many of the service centers for the processing of successive layers. It is shown that for a single nonacyclic flow line the first-buffer-first-serve policy, which assigns priorities to buffers in the order that they are visited, is stable, whenever the arrival rate, allowing for some burstiness, is less than the system capacity. The last-buffer-first-serve policy (LBFS), where the priority ordering is reversed, is also stable. The earliest-due-date policy, where priority is based on the due date of a part, as well as another due-date-based policy of interest called the least slack policy (LS), where priority is based on the slack of a part, defined as the due date minus an estimate of the remaining delay, are also proved to be stable. >
Measuring and Understanding Variation in Benchmark Performance

Runtime irreproducibility complicates application performance evaluation on today’s high performance computers. Performance can vary significantly between seemingly identical runs; this presents a challenge to benchmarking as well as a user, who is trying to determine whether the change they made to their code is an actual improvement. In order to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon, we measure the runtime variation of two applications, PARAllel Total Energy Code (PARATEC) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), on three different machines. Key associated metrics are also recorded. The data is then used to 1) quantify the magnitude and distribution of the variations and 2) gain an understanding as why the variations occur. Using our lightweight framework, Integrated Performance Monitoring (IPM), to understand the performance characteristics of individual runs, and the Inca framework to automate the procedure measurements were collected over a month’s time. The results indicate that performance can vary up to 25% and is almost always due to contention for network resources. We also found that the variation differs between machines and is almost always greater on machines with lower performing networks.
Development of stochastic partial differential equations for subsurface hydrology

The use of stochastic models in subsurface hydrology is growing at a logistic pace. To tie together a number of different stochastic methodologies for deriving subsurface transport equations, we have put together a brief review of some of the more common techniques. Our attention is confined to a few select methodologies so that we might delve in detail into assumptions required by the various approaches and their strengths and weaknesses. The methods reviewed include: Martingale, stochastic-convective, stochastic-relativist, spectral-integral, perturbative, statistical-mechanical, and generalized hydrodynamics. Within this list, we also have included a few stochastic methodologies which have been used solely to develop expressions for the dispersion tensor.
Design and implementation of a DSP based digital controller for a dual half bridge isolated bi-directional dc-dc converter

This paper describes the design and implementation of a digital control system for a dual half bridge isolated bi-directional dc-dc converter. A PID controller with anti-windup protection is designed and implemented in DSP. Due to the absence of phase shift controller in adopted DSP hardware, a software based phase shift modulation (PSM) scheme is developed to implement phase shift control. Software and hardware implementation issues are described and experimental results show a good dynamic response achieved.
Interactions Between the American White Pelican and Aquaculture in the Southeastern United States: an Overview

Abstract The eastern metapopulation of the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) breeds mainly in the Northern Great Plains, migrates through the Great Plains and along the Mississippi River and winters in the lower Mississippi River Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico. The production of farm-raised Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in the southeastern United States has increased dramatically in the last 25 years. In 1990, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services offices in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi began receiving complaints concerning the foraging of pelicans in commercial Channel Catfish ponds. Because of the relatively shallow depth and high fish-stocking rates used by most catfish producers, these ponds provide an ideal foraging environment for the American White Pelican. Although the impact of foraging pelicans can be economically significant, the potential for pelicans to transmit trematode infections and other diseases to aquaculture facilities can be more destru...
The 2-D Riemann problem and Pseudo-Characteristics

We propose our general Riemann problem for 2-D systems of conservation laws and present our approach philosophically.
(\pm)-Tartaric acid

(\pm)-Tartaric acid, C4H6O6, crystallized from ethanol in space group P\overline 1. The structure is characterized by five hydrogen bonds, including the formation of a centrosymmetric carbox­ylic acid dimer which forms infinite chains along the body diagonal. These chains form sheets via hydrogen bonding between α-hydroxyl groups. The sheets are connected through a bifurcated hydrogen bond. Structural comparisons are made with homochiral (2R,3R)-(+)-tartaric acid.
Lighting Quality Contributions from Biopsychological Processes

(2001). Lighting Quality Contributions from Biopsychological Processes. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society: Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 3-16.
Mycorrhizal infection of adventitious roots of leek seedlings inoculated with one sporeling of Glomus monosporum.

Description d'une methode de laboratoire d'infection mycorhizienne des racines des jeunes plantes dans le sol
High Power Gyrotrons

High power gyrotrons have been developed for application to plasma heating in the program of magnetically confined nuclear fusion research. Gyrotron power levels of up to 1 MW in long pulse operation (>ls) and up to 200 kW in true continuous operation (CW) have been demonstrated at frequencies in the 8 to 140 GHz range. The status of high power gyrotron development is reviewed. One current goal of the worldwide gyrotron effort is the development of 1 MW,CW gyrotrons at a frequency of about 170 GHz for heating the proposed international tokamak ITER to ignition. Gyrotrons are also now being used in a variety of other applications including materials processing. Improved gyrotrons with features such as wide range tuning could be developed for industrial applications.
Improvement on Generator Loss of Excitation Protection Based on Impedance Principle

The current situation of generator loss of excitation protection and the usual scheme of loss of excitation protection based on impedance principle are introduced. By analyzing the defects of the usual scheme, the feasibility of improving the performance of impedance principle based protection is analyzed and discussed. The improved scheme of generator loss of excitation protection based on impedance principle is detailed focusing on the operation characteristics of the impedance circles, low excitation current element and accelerating element. At last, the dynamic model test of a real digital protection relay is briefly introduced.
Surveillance of Laribacter hongkongensis contamination status in freshwater fish in Taizhou

Objective:To learn the contamination status of L.hongkongensis in freshwater fish collected from Taizhou.Methods:L.hongkongeris was isolated by modified Mac-Lonkey Agar(with 32 μg cefoperazone/ml),and identified by API 20NE.Results:3 strains of L.hongkongensis were isolated from the 40 samples.The over-all positive rate was 7.5%.ALL isolated from grass carp.Conclusion:There exists contamination source of L.hongkongensis in Taizhou.Administration and early warning were urgently needed.
Treatment of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder with Hematoporphyrin Derivative Phototherapy

AbstractThe demonstration that intravenously administered hematoporphyrin derivative concentrates preferentially in dysplastic and neoplastic transitional cells in the human bladder prompted a trial of hematoporphyrin derivative phototherapy in patients with transitional cell cancer of the bladder. A dose of 2.5mg. per kg. was given intravenously 3 to 48 hours before treatment with light of a wavelength of 630nm. from an argon ion pumped dye laser. Total light dose approximated 150joules per cm.2. Four patients with resistant carcinoma in situ have been treated and all have had disappearance of the tumors proved by biopsy. Although there are many technical problems we believe that hematoporphyrin derivative phototherapy holds promise as an effective treatment modality, primarily for patients with resistant, recurrent in situ transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Collision and Collusion: The Public, Nuclear Weapons, and Arms Control

On 8 January 1985 US Secretary of State George Schultz and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko announced in Geneva that the United States and the Soviet Union would resume the arms control talks that had been interrupted in December 1983, when the Soviets walked out of negotiations to protest NATO’s deployment of intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF). The new round of talks revived negotiations on both strategic and INF systems and initiated negotiations on the limitation of defensive weapons systems.
NR1H3 p.Arg415Gln is not associated to multiple sclerosis risk

A recent study by Wang et al claims the low-frequency variant NR1H3 p.Arg415Gln is pathological for multiple sclerosis and determines a patient's likelihood of primary progressive disease. We sought to replicate this finding in the International MS Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) patient collection, which is 13-fold larger than the collection of Wang et al, but we find no evidence that this variant is associated either with MS or disease subtype. Wang et al also report a common variant association in the region, which we show captures the association the IMSGC reported in 2013. Therefore, we conclude that the reported low-frequency association is a false positive, likely generated by insufficient sample size. The claim of NR1H3 mutations describing a Mendelian form of MS - of which no examples exist - can therefore not be substantiated by data.
Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome

Though there is no standardized definition for Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome (PMPS), it is considered a chronic pain condition involving the chest wall, axilla, and/or upper extremity beginning after complete or partial mastectomy. Criteria for duration of pain vary in the literature, but a time period of 3 months is most commonly cited. The incidence after surgery has been estimated to range from 25 to 60 %. Symptoms are thought to have a strong neuropathic component. Persistent discomfort affecting the chest wall, axilla, and ipsilateral upper extremity can affect mental health, activities of daily living, and social functioning.