cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal Fluid as Reflection of Internal Milieu of Brain

Nature saw fit to provide nervous tissue, which generates and conducts electrical impulses, with a highly specialized environment that is sheltered from the blood, watery in composition, and chemically precise. To isolate this environment, the system was surrounded by a unique vascular membrane (the blood-brain barrier), and to contain the fluid within, a series of interconnecting channels was arranged that surround, support, and protect the nervous elements. The internal fluid of the system, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is maintained as a protein-poor product of the plasma and is an ideal milieu for the proper functioning of nerve cells.
Revision of Mezia (Malpighiaceae)

The Neotropical genus Mezia (Malpighiaceae) comprises 15 species of lianas (except M. huberi W.R.Anderson, a shrub or small tree). All have multibranched, densely brown-sericeous inflorescences with the ultimate unit a 4-flowered umbel of bilaterally symmetrical flowers. The distinctive pair of large cymbiform bracteoles subtends a rudimentary pedicel and encloses the floral bud. The flowers contain elongate sepals, the lateral four biglandular, yellow petals, the posterior often splotched with red, a heteromorphic androecium, and a tricarpellate gynoecium. The three styles are all free; the posterior pair is lyrate in five species but erect in the others. The samaras have an orbicular to oblate lateral wing and a much smaller dorsal wing; in most species, additional winglets and/or crests are present between the lateral and dorsal wings. Only Mezia mariposa W.R.Anderson has butterfly-shaped samaras lacking additional ornamentation. Four new species are proposed: Mezia andersonii C.E.Anderson, M. bahiana C.E.Anderson, M. fanshawei C.E.Anderson and M. sericea C.E.Anderson. One variety is elevated to species level and provided with a new name, Mezia peruviana C.E.Anderson; a lectotype is chosen for Diplopterys involuta var. ovata Nied. Full descriptions and synonymies are provided, as well as a distribution map. All species are illustrated.
In-Plane Homojunctions and Their Dominant Effects on Charge Transport in Vertical van der Waals Heterostructures

We report, for the first time, the direct observation of in-plane (lateral) homojunctions in vertical van der Waals heterostructures and their dominant effect on charge transport properties. Particularly, with an all-van der Waals metal–semiconductor vertical Schottky junction (MoS2/β-In2Se3) as a model system, we use scanning gate microscopy to directly visualize the in-plane homojunction in the MoS2 channel, the formation of which is a result of charge transfer between MoS2 and β-In2Se3, as supported by numerical simulations and electrical transport measurements. Importantly, we find that this gate-tunable in-plane junction controls the vertical Schottky junction characteristics under the forward-bias condition. This is in contrast to the common assumption that the charge transport across the vertical heterojunction interface is the dominant process. Our findings are universally relevant in vertical van der Waals heterostructures where the charge transfer occurs across the interface, providing new insig...
Abstract WP527: Chronic Environmental Circadian Disruption Accelerates Stroke Onset in Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke Prone Rats

Shift work is associated with a higher risk of stroke, but the mechanisms of this relationship are unknown. Photic cues to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are the primary source of environmental ...
Biliary tract cancer patient-derived xenografts: Surgeon impact on individualized medicine.

Background & Aims Biliary tract tumors are uncommon but highly aggressive malignancies with poor survival outcomes. Due to their low incidence, research into effective therapeutics has been limited. Novel research platforms for pre-clinical studies are desperately needed. We sought to develop a patient-derived biliary tract cancer xenograft catalog. Methods With appropriate consent and approval, surplus malignant tissues were obtained from surgical resection or radiographic biopsy and implanted into immunocompromised mice. Mice were monitored for xenograft growth. Established xenografts were verified by a hepatobiliary pathologist. Xenograft characteristics were correlated with original patient/tumor characteristics and oncologic outcomes. A subset of xenografts were then genomically characterized using Mate Pair sequencing (MPseq). Results Between October 2013 and January 2018, 87 patients with histologically confirmed biliary tract carcinomas were enrolled. Of the 87 patients, 47 validated PDX models were successfully generated. The majority of the PDX models were created from surgical resection specimens (n = 44, 94%), which were more likely to successfully engraft when compared to radiologic biopsies (p = 0.03). Histologic recapitulation of original patient tumor morphology was observed in all xenografts. Successful engraftment was an independent predictor for worse recurrence-free survival. MPseq showed genetically diverse tumors with frequent alterations of CDKN2A, SMAD4, NRG1, TP53. Sequencing also identified worse survival in patients with tumors containing tetraploid genomes. Conclusions This is the largest series of biliary tract cancer xenografts reported to date. Histologic and genomic analysis of patient-derived xenografts demonstrates accurate recapitulation of original tumor morphology with direct correlations to patient outcomes. Successful development of biliary cancer tumografts is feasible and may be used to direct subsequent therapy in high recurrence risk patients. Lay summary Patient biliary tract tumors grown in immunocompromised mice are an invaluable resource in the treatment of biliary tract cancers. They can be used to guide individualized cancer treatment in high-risk patients.
Household food insecurity and antepartum depression in the National Children's Study.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the association between household food insecurity (HFI) and elevated antepartum depressive symptoms (EADS) in the National Children's Study, 2009–2014, as well as standardize our results to the U.S. pregnant population. Methods HFI was collected at participants’ baseline visits using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module; antepartum depression symptoms were collected twice during pregnancy using the Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression scale. Generalized estimating equations for binary outcomes were used to estimate the association between HFI and EADS. Inverse probability weighting was used to generalize the effect to the U.S. population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results Among 746 participants, 20.6% were food insecure. Women who were food insecure were 3.39 times (95% confidence interval: 1.73, 6.62) as likely to report EADS compared with women who were food secure. This estimate was marginally strengthened in a weighted analysis (odds ratio: 3.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.43, 9.43). Conclusions This study suggests that women who are food insecure are at a greater risk of EADS, and HFI should be evaluated when assessing antepartum depression.
169 Examining the relationship between app usage and injury prevention behavior change

Purpose Safety in Seconds (SIS) is a smartphone app that has demonstrated effectiveness at changing injury prevention behaviors. The aim of this analysis was to understand how parents engaged with each component of the app and determine if there was an association between app usage and behaviors. Methods Parents of children aged 4–7 visiting the pediatric emergency room in the two participating sites (regardless of the reason for the visit) were recruited. Study participants downloaded the SIS app onto their smartphone and were randomized receive car seat or fire safety information. Both groups completed a 10-minute assessment about their safety knowledge and behaviors and received tailored feedback relevant to their study group. The app contained a portal with educational links and sent monthly push notification reminders for parents to interact with the app. Parents completed follow-up assessments at 3- months and 6-months. Results Among the 602 parents completing all follow up points, 37% visited each page of the report, 19% emailed the report to themselves or someone else, and 33% visited the Parent Portal. Among 555 parents reporting at least one unsafe behavior at baseline, 130 (23.5%) changed their safety behaviors and reported no unsafe behaviors at the 6-month follow up. Those changing their behavior had more mean clicks (24 vs. 18; p Conclusion Smartphone applications hold potential for changing behaviors that are known to improve child passenger safety.
Weak SINDy for partial differential equations

Abstract Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) is a method of system discovery that has been shown to successfully recover governing dynamical systems from data [6] , [39] . Recently, several groups have independently discovered that the weak formulation provides orders of magnitude better robustness to noise. Here we extend our Weak SINDy (WSINDy) framework introduced in [28] to the setting of partial differential equations (PDEs). The elimination of pointwise derivative approximations via the weak form enables effective machine-precision recovery of model coefficients from noise-free data (i.e. below the tolerance of the simulation scheme) as well as robust identification of PDEs in the large noise regime (with signal-to-noise ratio approaching one in many well-known cases). This is accomplished by discretizing a convolutional weak form of the PDE and exploiting separability of test functions for efficient model identification using the Fast Fourier Transform. The resulting WSINDy algorithm for PDEs has a worst-case computational complexity of O ( N D + 1 log ⁡ ( N ) ) for datasets with N points in each of D + 1 dimensions. Furthermore, our Fourier-based implementation reveals a connection between robustness to noise and the spectra of test functions, which we utilize in an a priori selection algorithm for test functions. Finally, we introduce a learning algorithm for the threshold in sequential-thresholding least-squares (STLS) that enables model identification from large libraries, and we utilize scale invariance at the continuum level to identify PDEs from poorly-scaled datasets. We demonstrate WSINDy's robustness, speed and accuracy on several challenging PDEs. Code is publicly available on GitHub at https://github.com/MathBioCU/WSINDy_PDE .
Novel platinum group metal-free catalyst ink deposition system for combinatorial polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance evaluation

Abstract A new system for rapid and precise fabrication of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) is introduced to facilitate rapid testing and characterization of platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts, with minimal waste of materials, using commercial combinatorial hardware and multi-channel potentiostat. The commercial combinatorial system, designed for high-throughput catalyst activity evaluation (i.e., low overpotential and current densities) using gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs), has been further developed to enable simultaneous evaluation of the high current density performance on air of twenty-five cathodes prepared by coating catalyst-ionomer inks directly onto the membrane using a newly-developed deposition system. A nanopipette or micropipette coupled to a precise peristaltic pump is being used for precise and even catalyst ink deposition onto the membrane in each of twenty-five circular electrodes with areas of
Artisanal Gold mining in Las Juntas de Abangares, Costa Rica: Approaches and barriers to achieving sustainability objectives

Abstract Gold has been mined in the area surrounding the small town of Las Juntas de Abangares in Northwestern Costa Rica for over 100 years. Originally through large-scale foreign-based industrial mining operations, now gold is exclusively mined and processed by local, artisanal small-scale gold miners. With the increasing price of gold and the lack of alternative income generating activities over the past 20 years now more than 400 families in this region depend on artisanal gold mining as their only source of income. In this paper, I explore historical and current practices; and opportunities and barriers to achieving sustainability objectives regarding this mining activity within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Potential policy, technical, and community development efforts that protect the environment and public health while maintaining or improving income generation for this impoverished community are explored. These include the introduction of mercury-free processing techniques that also increase yield, the formation of cooperatives, vertical integration and product development, the development of gold related tourism, and sustainability certification programs.
Teaching About Homelessness Through Multicultural Picture Books and Virtual Reality in Preservice Teacher Education

Using multicultural children’s literature is one way to help preservice teachers build cultural knowledge and awareness about diversity. Another possible practice, not commonly used, is the additio...
Exploring Halo Substructure with Giant Stars IV: The Extended Structure of the Ursa Minor Dwarf Spheroidal

We present a large area photometric survey of the Ursa Minor dSph. We identify UMi giant star candidates extending to ~3 deg from the center of the dSph. Comparison to previous catalogues of stars within the tidal radius of UMi suggests that our photometric luminosity classification is 100% accurate. Over a large fraction of the survey area, blue horizontal branch stars associated with UMi can also be identified. The spatial distribution of both the UMi giant stars and the BHB stars are remarkably similar, and a large fraction of both samples of stars are found outside the tidal radius of UMi. An isodensity contour map of the stars within the tidal radius of UMi reveals two morphological peculiarities: (1) The highest density of dSph stars is offset from the center of symmetry of the outer isodensity contours. (2) The overall shape of the outer contours appear S-shaped. We find that previously determined King profiles with ~50' tidal radii do not fit well the distribution of our UMi stars. A King profile with a larger tidal radius produces a reasonable fit, however a power law with index -3 provides a better fit for radii > 20'. The existence of UMi stars at large distances from the core of the galaxy, the peculiar morphology of the dSph within its tidal radius, and the shape of its surface density profile all suggest that UMi is evolving significantly due to the tidal influence of the Milky Way. However, the photometric data on UMi stars alone does not allow us to determine if the candidate extratidal stars are now unbound or if they remain bound to the dSph within an extended dark matter halo. (Abridged)
Polyphase Coding for Weather Radars

In this paper, we describe the evolution of a pair of polyphase coded waveform for use in second trip suppression in a weather radar. The polyphase codes were designed and tested on NASA weather radar. The NASA dual frequency, dual polarization Doppler radar (D3R) was developed primarily as a ground validation tool for the GPM satellite dual frequency radar [1]. Recently, the D3R radar was upgraded with new versions of digital receiver hardware and firmware, which supports larger filter lengths and multiple phase coded waveforms, and also newer IF sub-systems (see [2], [3] and [4]). It has enhanced the capabilities of this radar manifolds.
The Failed Negotiations: What We Learned

This chapter first considers where things stand now given that negotiations between the United States and North Korea failed to disarm the North Korean nuclear threat and also failed to achieve the lifting of the crippling economic sanctions. Second, the chapter considers which nations and/or which national leaders might have benefited or lost ground in the negotiations. Finally, it summarizes the most significant lessons learned from the controversy and the implications for future public diplomacy efforts.
Implications of Attitudes and Beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines for Vaccination Campaigns in the United States: a Latent Class Analysis

Unprecedented global efforts in vaccine development have resulted in effective vaccines for COVID-19. The pandemic response in the US has been highly politicized, resulting in significant opposition to public health efforts, including vaccines. We aimed to understand patterns of attitudes and beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine to inform vaccination campaigns. 583 English speaking United States adults were surveyed November 18-29, 2020. Participants answered 11 questions about their attitudes and beliefs about a COVID-19 vaccine, including perceived vaccine effectiveness, likelihood of getting vaccinated, and concerns that vaccine development was rushed/influenced by politics. We conducted a latent class analysis to identify profiles of attitudes/beliefs about a COVID-19 vaccine. We identified four classes of COVID-19 vaccine beliefs. The pro-vaccine class (28.8%) was willing to get vaccinated and had broadly positive beliefs about the vaccine. The development concerns class (27.8%) was willing to get vaccinated but was concerned about the development process. The third class (22.6%) was largely unsure if they would get vaccinated and if their peer groups would be vaccinated. The forth class (anti-vaccine, 20.8%) was dominated by an unwillingness to get vaccinated, vaccine distrust, vaccine development concerns, and peers groups with negative vaccine intentions. Given the large proportion of individuals who were concerned about the COVID-19 vaccine development process, messaging about rigor and approval processes may be critical to securing this group's commitment to vaccination. Having scientific and cultural leaders endorse vaccination may also be influential.
The Draining Tank and Related Systems

This chapter extends the analyses that one can do well beyond the simple systems. It provides a fairly simple problem, the gravity-driven flow of fluid from a tank that led to Torricelli's Law. With this in the tool box, one would be able to step smartly through a series of systems with input and out fluid flows that are increasingly more complex, culminating in the proportional control of the level of a tank with sinusoidally driven input flow. This chapter uses Mathematica in ever more sophisticated ways and provides new problem-solving techniques. In the models based on analyses of systems that had simple inputs, the right hand side was either a constant or it was simple function of time. In those systems, one cannot consider the cause of the mass flow; it was literally external to both the control volume and the problem. The case of the flow was left implicit. The pump or driving device was upstream from the control volume, and all one needed to know was the magnitude of the flow that the device caused, and its time dependence. Given that information, one could replace the right hand side of the balance equation and integrate to the functional description of the system.
Passive Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage (Wetlands)

Starting in about 1985, passive treatment has been increasingly used as a method of remediating acid mine drainage (AMD). A passive treatment facility uses natural reactions such as microbial oxidation or reaction with a bed of crushed limestone to improve water quality, with only minimal human attention after construction. Keywords: passive treatment; acid mine drainage; net alkaline; anaerobic wetlands
Optimal Pooling in Claims Resolution Facilities

The various claims resolution facilities discussed in this symposium exhibit a number of distinctive qualities and governing principles. A common characteristic of many of these facilities, however, is an attempt to avoid the litigation costs of individualized proof of damages by channeling mass tort claims into rough categories for compensation. All claimants within a particular category receive similar compensation, even though they might be able to prove disparate damages through litigation. This article seeks to analyze the efficiency of pooling disparate claims through the categorical compensation of claims facilities.
The Proslavery Origins of the Electoral College

In this article, Professor Finkelman reflects on the origins of the Electoral College in light of the results of the 2000 election. In 2000, although George W. Bush lost the popular vote, he was still able to capture the presidency due to his majority in the Electoral College. Professor Finkelman dispels the two most common myths about the creation of the Electoral College: (1) that it was meant to protect the smaller states and (2) that the Founders mistrusted the general public. In fact, Professor Finkelman holds that the Electoral College is directly related to the 3/5 compromise and is an antiquated relic of slavery that is in need of reevaluation.
Long-lived complexes and chaos in ultracold molecular collisions

Estimates for the lifetime of collision complexes formed during ultracold molecular collisions based on density-of-states arguments are shown to be consistent with similar estimates based on classical trajectory calculations. In the classical version, these collisions are shown to exhibit chaos and their fractal dimension is calculated versus collision energy. From these results, a picture emerges that ultracold collisions are likely classically ergodic, justifying the density-of-states estimates for lifetimes. These results point the way toward using the techniques of classical and quantum chaos to interpret molecular collisions in the ultracold regime.
Pseudospongioplasty Using Periurethral Vascularized Tissue to Support Ventral Buccal Mucosa Grafts in the Distal Urethra

Purpose: For ventral buccal mucosa graft onlay during bulbar urethroplasty, spongioplasty with advancement and closure of the corpus spongiosum is ordinarily performed to stabilize the graft. In the pendulous and distal bulbar urethra the spongiosum is often too thin to allow complete graft coverage. We describe the results of what to our knowledge is a novel technique for ventral graft coverage using periurethral vascularized tissue. We compared these results to those of conventional spongioplasty.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all urethroplasties performed by 2 surgeons at separate tertiary care facilities from July 2007 to July 2012. One-stage urethroplasties involving ventral buccal mucosa graft placement were selected for analysis. Conventional spongioplasty was performed when possible. When spongiosal tissue was inadequate for graft coverage, periurethral tissue flaps were mobilized bilaterally and sutured together in the midline as pseudospongioplasty to provide coverage. We com...
Inhibition of carotenoid synthesis as a mechanism of action of amitrole, dichlormate, and pyriclor

Amitrole (3-amino-s-triazole), dichlormate (3,4-dichlorobenzyl methylcarbamate), and pyriclor (2,3,5-trichloro-4-pyridinol) inhibited normal carotenogenesis in etiolated wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Coker 65-20) seedlings. Carotenoid precursors accumulated in treated plants. In dichlormate-treated plants, ζ-carotene accumulated, whereas phytofluene, phytoene, and ζ-carotene accumulated in amitrole- and pyriclor-treated plants. None of the herbicides interfered with protochlorophyllide synthesis or its conversion to chlorophyllide when etiolated plants were illuminated. Chlorophyll accumulated in treated plants exposed to light at 60 foot candles, but was unstable and partially destroyed by illumination at 4000 foot candles. These data suggest that the phytotoxicity of amitrole, pyriclor, and dichlormate is due to inhibition of the synthesis of carotenoids and to the consequent photodestruction of chlorophyll and chloroplast disruption.
DIO2 modifies inflammatory responses in chondrocytes.

Abstract Objective Selenium neutralizes interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes. We investigated potential mechanisms for this through in vitro knock down of three major selenoproteins, Iodothyronine Deiodinase-2 (DIO2), Glutathione Peroxidase-1 (GPX1), and Thioredoxin Reductase-1 (TR1) in primary human chondrocytes. Methods Primary human chondrocytes were transfected with scrambled small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) or siRNA specific for DIO2, GPX1 and TR1. After 48h, transfected cells were cultured in serum free media for 48h, with or without 10pg/ml IL-1β for the final 24h. The efficiency of siRNAs was confirmed by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The gene expression, by qRT-PCR, of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), IL-1β, and Liver X receptor (LXR) alpha and beta was evaluated to determine the impact of selenoprotein knockdown on inflammatory responses in chondrocytes. Results The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of DIO2, GPX1, and TR1 was significantly decreased by the specific siRNAs (reduced 56%, P =0.0004; 96%, P P P =0.0005) and IL-1β induced ( P P =0.0056) and resulted in a 32% ( P =0.0044) decrease in LXRα gene expression but no effect on LXRβ. Conclusions Suppression of the selenoprotein DIO2 resulted in strong pro-inflammatory effects with increased expression of inflammatory mediators, IL-1β and COX2, and decreased expression of LXRα suggesting that this may be the upstream target through which the anti-inflammatory effects of DIO2 are mediated.
The Solubility of Water and Effects of Oxygen Fugacity and Water Content on Crystallization in Mafic Magmas

The solubility of water in a basaltic and in an andesitic melt has been determined in the pressure range from approximately 1,000 to 6,000 bars at 1,100° C. The solubility in basaltic melt is 3.1 weight percent at 1,000 bars and 9.4 weight percent at 6,000 bars; in the andesitic melt it is 4.5 weight percent at 1,000 bars and 10.1 weight percent at 5,300 bars. The temperatures of appearance of the primary, secondary, and tertiary phases in the basalt have been determined at 1,000 bars water pressure and at the fo2's of the magnetite+hematite (MH), magnetite+fayalite+quartz (MFQ) and magnetite+wustite (MW) buffers. Results are as follows: Buffer Pyroxene Plagioclase Ore mineral MH 1,095°C 1,065°C 1,230°C MFQ 1,040° 1,015° 1,010° MW 1,020° 1,010° 995° A comparison of the solubility of water at 1,100°C and up to approximately 6,000 bars pressure in several silicate melts, ranging in composition from granitic to gabbroic, indicates that the spread of solubility is narrower than has been supposed. The marked effect of fo2's on the crystallization sequence in the Columbia River basalt confirms the importance of this factor in determining liquid lines of descent. In experiments with low fo2's (MW buffer) and 1,000 bars water pressure, the basalt was completely liquid at the relatively low temperature of 1,020° C.
The pathogenesis of lead encephalopathy in the rat pup: effects of maternal PbCO3 feedings from birth.

Summary: Rat pups received PbCO3 via maternal feedings from the day of birth. Pb-fed pups showed decreased weight gain, decreased activity, and delayed neurologic development compared to controls in the first 2 weeks of life. The highest frequency of spontaneous deaths and of gross hemorrhagic cerebellar encephalopathy occurred in the second week of Pb feedings. Packed red blood cell volumes decreased progressively in Pb-fed animals, compared to controls, during the 4 weeks of Pb feedings. The increase in Pb content, expressed as a function of homogenate protein, was greater in the cerebellum than the cerebrum after 2 and 4 weeks of Pb feedings. In the first 2 weeks of life, respiration was affected more in mitochondria isolated from the cerebrums than from the cerebellums of Pb-fed animals. Respiratory control ratios with NAD-linked substrates were depressed due to inhibition of state 3 respiration. With succinate as substrate, both state 3 and state 4 respirations were inhibited. In cerebral mitochondria from animals surviving the first 2 weeks of Pb feedings, control ratios and respiratory rates returned toward normal values. Cerebellar mitochondria from Pb-fed animals showed no significant changes in respiration in the first 2 weeks. After 3 and 4 weeks of Pb feedings, control ratios in cerebellar mitochondria were decreased due to a marked increase in state 4 rates with the NAD-linked substrates. Similar but smaller changes occurred with succinate as substrate. Cytochrome oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) activity showed a progressive increase in both cerebellar and cerebral mitochondria from Pb-fed animals throughout the 4 weeks of lead feedings. Speculation: The age-dependent differences in brain regional mitochondrial sensitivity to Pb effects may be due to regional differences in the time course of maturation. The cerebral mitochondrial effects of early Pb feedings may be important in the changes in learning performance and behavior attributed to early Pb feedings in the neonatal rat and the human infant or fetus.
The policy/procedure manualpart I: making and abiding by good policies

Purpose – This article's purpose is to show the importance of making and sticking to well‐made policies and how to make them.Design/methodology/approach – The article starts with the importance of good policies and procedures, differentiates between the two and then lays out points on how to make and abide by good policies.Findings – The findings are that making and abiding by good policies reflects the library leader's management style and the values of the institution and they are necessary for any organization to be effective in carrying out its mission.Practical implications – Libraries need to have and abide consistently by good policies in order to function properly.Social implications – Libraries need to have and abide consistently by good policies in order to truly benefit their constituents.Originality/value – The value of the article is in learning how to firmly establish a basic aspect of good library management that will help the library director make sound management decisions in diverse situ...
Throwing Down The Gauntlet: A Discussion Of Techniques For Bounding Advanced Tracking Algorithm Performance

For many applications of radar and sensor based filtering, simulations can not represent the sole estimate of performance, provide points where threats become engageable, or determine when to use weapons' platform based sensors effectively in an engagement, etc... No significant advances have been proposed to analytically characterize performance or at least bound performance of the Kalman filter other than the use of simple two or three state constant gain filters. This paper suggests methods for characterizing filter algorithms that can be used to bound the advanced tracking algorithms that are used in a single sensor or muli-sensor environment.
Nilpotence in physics: Generalized uncertainty principles and Tsallis entropy

Background and Objectives: The objective of this work is to illustrate concepts and applications of nilpotent structures in physics. To that end, we will use two examples, both of which have attracted considerable attention recently: the generalized uncertainty principle, in its various forms, and the Tsallis entropy. The former has been motivated and extensively used in string theory and black hole physics during the last two decades. There are almost 4000 papers written on the latter during the last 20 years, reflecting a considerable interest in Tsallis entropy as an alternative to the Boltzmann-Gibbs-Shannon (BGS) entropic form. The Tsallis entropy has been having a considerable impact in re-examining the foundations of statistical mechanics for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes. Nilpotent structures have a long presence in various branches of mathematics, especially in group theory and geometry with the works of Malcev and Gromov standing out as particularly pertinent for our purposes. We also consider the subRiemannian aspects of nilpotent structures which have applications in a variety of fields ranging from examining how a cat falls to analyzing human vision. Results: Both the generalized uncertainty principles and the Tsallis entropy indicate that the dynamical structure of spacetime and the statistical methods used to quantize it may benefit considerably if one uses general nilpotent structures instead of the two-stage Heisenberg model or the abelian group of the BGS entropy. Conclusions: Nilpotent structures are flexible enough to generalize aspects of quantum theory and statistical mechanics. At the same time, they are understood well enough to allow us to obtain results of potential physical significance. Hence they are worth taking a look at and exploring their consequences. Notes:
Oxidative stress and cardiac repair/remodeling following infarction.

ABSTRACT Extensive cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) contributes significantly to ventricular dysfunction. Factors regulating left ventricular remodeling at different stages after MI are under investigation. There is growing recognition and experimental evidence that oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species plays a role in the pathogeneses of myocardial repair/remodeling in various cardiac diseases. After acute MI, oxidative stress is developed in both infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress participates in several aspects of cardiac repair/remodeling after infarction that include cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inflammatory/fibrogenic responses, and hypertrophy. The exact pathways on reactive oxygen species–mediated myocardial remodeling are under investigation. The therapeutic potential of oxidative stress-directed drugs in myocardial remodeling after infarction has not been fully realized.
G-protein coupled receptors: SAR analyses of neurotransmitters and antagonists.

Summary Background: From the deductive point of view, neurotransmitter receptors can be divided into categories such as cholinergic (muscarinic, nicotinic), adrenergic (α- and β-), dopaminergic, serotoninergic (5-HT1∼5-HT5), and histaminergic (H1 and H2). Selective agonists and antagonists of each receptor subtype can have specific useful therapeutic applications. For understanding the molecular mechanisms of action, an inductive method of analysis is useful. Objective: The aim of the present study is to examine the structure–activity relationships of agents acting on G-protein coupled receptors. Method: Representative sets of G-PCR agonists and antagonists were identified from the literature and Medline [P.M. Walsh (2003) Physicians’ desk reference; M.J. O'Neil (2001) The Merck index]. The molecular weight (MW), calculated logarithm of octanol/water partition coefficient (C log P) and molar refraction (CMR), dipole moment (DM), Elumo (the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, a measure of the electron affinity of a molecule and its reactivity as an electrophile), Ehomo (the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital, related to the ionization potential of a molecule, and its reactivity as a nucleophile), and the total number of hydrogen bonds (Hb) (donors and receptors), were chosen as molecular descriptors for SAR analyses. Results: The data suggest that not only do neurotransmitters share common structural features but their receptors belong to the same ensemble of G-protein coupled receptor with seven to eight transmembrane domains with their resultant dipoles in an antiparallel configuration. Moreover, the analysis indicates that the receptor exists in a dynamic equilibrium between the closed state and the open state. The energy needed to open the closed state is provided by the hydrolysis of GTP. A composite 3-D parameter frame setting of all the neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists are presented using MW, Hb and μ as independent variables. Conclusion: It appears that all neurotransmitters examined in this study operate by a similar mechanism with the G-protein coupled receptors.
Surveying a subsea lava flow using the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE)

This paper summarizes results from the first science deployment of the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE), conducted on the Juan de Fuca Ridge (46°N, 129°W) at depths between 2200 and 2400 m. Using long baseline acoustic transponders, the ABE descended with precision to a preassigned starting point, then executed dead-reckoned tracklines. It followed the bottom at distances between 7 and 20 m using an acoustic fathometer as a reference sensor. The ABE mapped a new subsea lava flow with a magnetometer, imaged the seafloor with a stereo snapshot video system, and mapped a hydro thermal plume with conductivity and temperature sensors. The ABE completed 7 successful dives and covered over 35 km of tracklines. Detailed power records were logged, which permits extrapolation of the ABE's performance to other missions and higher capacity batteries.
Percutaneous Treatment of Aortic and Mitral Valve Paravalvular Regurgitation

Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure represents a small but important niche in structural interventions in the current era of interventional cardiology. It is estimated that paravalvular regurgitation affects 5–17 % of all surgically implanted prosthetic heart valves (which equates to 500 to 10,200 cases annually). Patients may present with clinical signs and evidence of heart failure, hemolysis or both. Due to the increased morbidity and mortality, reoperation is often best avoided, especially if the underlying perivalvular tissue is friable or heavily calcified. Perimitral defects are usually approached in an antegrade approach via a transeptal puncture; periaortic defects usually in a retrograde approach. Depending on the number, size and shape of the defect(s) - as determined by 2D and 3D echocardiography - one or multiple closure devices are deployed using various wiring and anchor techniques. This brief review provides a summary of the currently applied paravalvular leak closure techniques.
Effect of Aminophylline on Urinary Excretion of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in Man

The excretion of catecholamines and the changes in plasma concentration of free fatty acids during aminophylline administration were explored. The relationships between cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac rate, and change in blood pressure under the conditions of these experiments were defined. Eighteen experiments were performed on eight volunteers. Blood pressures and heart rates before and during aminophylline infusion were recorded at frequent intervals, and urine and blood were collected during the control and infusion periods and in some subjects after the infusion. Loading with ethanol, glucose, or placebo before administration of aminophylline was used. These studies demonstrated that intravenous infusion of aminophylline increases the urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine in man, the rate of excretion of epinephrine being greater than that of norepinephrine. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma.
Prolonged incubation time in sheep with prion protein containing lysine at position 171

Sheep scrapie susceptibility or resistance is a function of genotype, with polymorphisms at codon 171 in the sheep prion gene playing a major role. Glutamine (Q) at codon 171 contributes to scrapie susceptibility, while arginine (R) is associated with resistance. In some breeds, lysine (K) occurs at codon 171, but its effect on scrapie resistance has not been determined. Charge and structural similarities between K and R suggest that they may contribute to prion disease susceptibility in a similar way, but studies have not been performed to confirm this. The purpose of the current study was to compare susceptibility and incubation times of AA136RR154QQ171 (where the letter denotes the amino acid and the number the position) with AA136RR154QK171 sheep after inoculation with scrapie. Barbado AA136RR154QQ171 and AA136RR154QK171 sheep were inoculated with scrapie intracerebrally to assess their susceptibility to scrapie. After inoculation, sheep were observed daily for clinical signs and were euthanized and n...
Altered Glycosylation Sites of the δ Subunit of the Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR) Reduce αδ Association and Receptor Assembly

We have used mutagenesis to investigate the potential N-glycosylation sites in the delta subunit of the mouse muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Of the three sites, Asn76, Asn143, and Asn169, only the first two were glycosylated when the delta subunit was expressed in COS cells. Because the heterologously expressed delta subunit was similar in its properties to that expressed in C2 muscle cells, the sites of glycosylation are likely to be the same in both cases. In COS cells, mutations of the delta subunit that prevented glycosylation at either of the sites did not change its metabolic stability nor its steady-state level. These results are in contrast to those found previously for the alpha subunit, in which glycosylation at a single site metabolically stabilized the polypeptide (Blount, P., and Merlie, J. P. (1990) J. Cell Biol. 111, 2613-2622). Mutations of the delta subunit that prevented glycosylation, however, decreased its ability to form an alpha delta heterodimer when the alpha and delta subunit were expressed together. When all four subunits of the AChR (alpha, beta, delta, and epsilon) were coexpressed, mutation of the delta subunit to prevent glycosylation resulted in a reduced amount of fully assembled AChR and reduced surface AChR levels, consistent with the role of the heterodimer in the assembly reaction. These results suggest that glycosylation of the delta subunit at both Asn76 and Asn143 is needed for its efficient folding and/or its subsequent interaction with the alpha subunit.
Early morphogenesis of tumours induced by Nosema acridophagus in Melanoplus sanguinipes

Abstract When the early morphogenesis of tumours induced during infections by Nosema acridophagus Henry in Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.) was investigated in tissues prepared 20, 48, and 72 hr after inoculation, the initial development was found to consist of cellular proliferation in some regenerative nidi of the midgut and gastric caecae followed by a migration of these cells to the tumours. As the tumour grew, the epithelia of the midgut and caecae showed pronounced vacuolization and occasional degradation in the vicinity of the tumours due to the change in the function of the nidi cells. The cells in some larger tumours in tissue prepared 72 hr after inoculation had a characteristic swirling pattern around an occasional melanotic core.
Two ethical issues in mergers and acquisitions

With the recent rash of mergers and friendly and unfriendly takeovers, two important issues have not received sufficient attention as questionable ethical practices. One has to do with the rights of employees affected in mergers and acquisitions and the second concerns the responsibilities of shareholders during these activities. Although employees are drastically affected by a merger or an acquisition because in almost every case a number of jobs are shifted or even eliminated, employees at all levels are usually the last to find out about a merger transaction and have no part in the takeover decision. Second, if shareholders are the fiduciary beneficiaries of mergers and acquisitions, then it would appear that they have some responsibilities or obligations attached to these benefits, but little is said about such responsibilities. In this essay I shall analyze these two ethical issues, and at the end of the paper I shall suggest how they are related.
Baseline studies on iontophoretic transport in hairless mouse skin: the effect of applied voltage drop and ph on the iontophoresis of a model weak electrolyte

Abstract A physical model for the iontophoretic transport of a weak electrolyte across hairless mouse skin has been examined. The stratum corneum is modelled as parallel lipoidal and aqueous pore pathways for diffusion and is in series with a porous matrix representing the dermis-epidermis. It was assumed that only the undissociated species could penetrate the lipid phase while both charged and uncharged species could permeate the pore route. The applied electric field is assumed to influence only the charged species in the aqueous pore according to the Nernst-Planck theory. Experiments were done over a wide pH range using a four-electrode potentiostat system to control the voltage drop across the membrane. Butyric acid was chosen as the model weak electrolyte. Glucose was used to independently assess membrane damage and solvent flow effects. Permeability coefficients as a function of pH were determined both for butyric acid and glucose before, during and after iontophoresis. Experimental permeability coefficients semi-quantitatively followed the theoretical predictions.
Combining Predicted Differences for Economic Sire Selection

Abstract A method of combining predicted differences for milk and fat into an economic index for bull selection is explained. The relative emphasis to place on milk and fat will depend on the price of milk and on the fat differential of the payment schedule.
Second virial coefficient for the dipolar hard sphere fluid

The dipolar hard sphere fluid is a useful model for a polar fluid. Some years ago, the second virial coefficient, B2, of this fluid was obtained as a series expansion in the inverse temperature or (dipole strength) by Keesom. Little work on this problem seems to have been done since that time. Using a result of Chan and Henderson for the spherical average of the Boltzmann factor of this fluid, more complete results are obtained for B2. The more complete results are more negative than the Keesom series, as one would expect, but his expansion is remarkably accurate. This method can be used to obtain the second virial coefficient of the dipolar Lennard-Jones (Stockmayer) or dipolar Yukawa fluids.
Decay of113Sn to levels of113In

Abstract A ground state branch for the 646.75 keV 3/2− level of113In has been measured to be 2.0 × 10−6. This value is discussed with respect to recent Coulomb excitation experiments. In addition, the decay of113Sn has been found to populate the 1029-keV 1/2+ level. This and other low-spin positive parity levels in the odd mass indium nuclei are discussed in relation to the rotation-aligned coupling model.
STANDING CROP, VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION, AND MORPHOMETRICS OF AMMONIA BECCARII (LINNÉ)1

Certain aspects of the ecology and the biology of the foraminifera Ammonia beccarii were investigated. The top 4 cm c replicate core samples from near the entrance to the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, taken in 1963 were individually examined; presumed living and dead specimens were found at all four levels. Data on over 5,000 living and 7,500 dead specimens were collected from 283 samples. The use of a two-stage sampling technique for determination of an optimum number of samples is described. The frequency distributions of the numbers of both presumed living and dead A. beccarii could be normalized successfully with a log (X + 1) transformation. At each of the four levels, the numbers of both living and dead individuals remained statistically constant, and the number of presumed living A. beccarii was the same in the three top 1-cm levels but significantly greater there than at the fourth, while there were significantly fewer dead specimens in the first centimeter than in the third and fourth.
Darlington's contributions to transistor circuit design

Darlington is credited with the discovery and initial demonstration in the early 1950's of what ever since has been known as the Darlington transistor pair, or simply the Darlington transistor or Darlington pair. This article provides examples of Darlington's wide-ranging technical interests and his creativity addressed to the solution of real engineering problems.