cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional Oscillatory Shear Stress Increases Pro-Atherogenic Gene Expressions (I-CAM1, E-Selectin and IL-6) in Endothelial Cells

Wall shear stress (WSS) plays a key role in altering intracellular pathways and gene expression of endothelial cells, and has significant impacts on atherosclerotic plaque development (1–3). Further, the atherogenic regulators Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have significant impacts on the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases. This study investigates the effects of oscillatory shear directionality on pro-atherogenic gene expression (I-CAM, E-Selectin, and IL-6) in the presence of LTB4 and LPS. An orbital shaker was used to expose the endothelial cells to oscillatory shear in culture dishes, and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was applied to quantify the shear stress on the bottom of the orbiting dish. Directionality of oscillatory shear was characterized by a newly developed hemodynamic parameter — Directional oscillatory shear index (DOSI), which was demonstrated in a previous study to significantly impact cell morphology (4). Results showed that DOSI significantly altered gene expression. Therefore, directionality of shear modulates atherosclerotic gene expression in vitro and thus, may influence the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in vivo.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A Physiological Basis for Some Suppressor Mutations and Possibly for One Gene Heterosis.

A mutant strain of Neurospora which requires sulfonamides for growth at 35° frequently becomes altered so that it can grow at that temperature without sulfonamides.(1) In each instance analyzed, the developed ability to grow without sulfonamides has resulted from mutation of genes distinct from that responsible for the sulfonamide requirement. Each "reverted" strain has proved to be a heterocaryon, composed of two kinds of nuclei, both of which carry the gene (sfo) for sulfonamide requirement, but one also carries a new "supressor" gene. At least two independent supressor genes have been involved in such reversions. Homocaryotic strains have been isolated, some carrying both sfo and the supressor, others carrying the supressor alone. None of these isolates has the growth characteristics of wild type, but each shows some peculiar relationship to the p-aminobenzoic acid requirement, the nature of which is still obscure. In a few instances, artifically constructed heterocaryons between the sulfonamide-requiring strain and a strain carrying both the sulfonamide-requiring gene and a supressor have resulted in better growth on minimal medium than either strain is capable of by itself, thus reconstituting the situation observed in the original "reverted" heterocaryons.
μ and κ Opioid Receptors Activate ERK/MAPK via Different Protein Kinase C Isoforms and Secondary Messengers in Astrocytes

Acute mu and kappa opioids activate the ERK/MAPK phosphorylation cascade that represents an integral part of the signaling pathway of growth factors in astrocytes. By this cross-talk, opioids may impact neural development and plasticity among other basic neurobiological processes in vivo. The mu agonist, [D-ala2,mephe4,glyol5]enkephalin (DAMGO), induces a transient stimulation of ERK phosphorylation, whereas kappa agonist, U69,593, engenders sustained ERK activation. Here we demonstrate that acute U69,593 and DAMGO stimulate ERK phosphorylation by utilization of different secondary messengers and protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms upstream of the growth factor pathway. Immortalized astrocytes transfected with either antisense calmodulin (CaM), a mutant mu opioid receptor that binds CaM poorly or a dominant negative mutant of PKCepsilon were used as a model system to study mu signaling. Evidence was gained to implicate CaM and PKCepsilon in DAMGO stimulation of ERK. DAMGO activation of PKCepsilon and/or ERK was insensitive to selective inhibitors of Ca2+ mobilization, but it was blocked upon phospholipase C inhibition. These results suggest a novel mechanism wherein, upon DAMGO binding, CaM is released from the mu receptor and activates phospholipase C. Subsequently, phospholipase C generates diacylglycerides that activate PKCepsilon. In contrast, U69,593 appears to act via phosphoinositide 3-kinase, PKCzeta, and Ca2+ mobilization. These signaling components were implicated based on studies with specific inhibitors and a dominant negative mutant of PKCzeta. Collectively, our findings on acute opioid effects suggest that differences in their mechanism of signaling may contribute to the distinct outcomes on ERK modulation induced by chronic mu and kappa opioids.
Inequalities involving the irredundance number of a graph

Abstract The chain of inequalities IR ( G ) ⩽ WP ( G ¯ ) ⩽ v + 1 - WP ( G ) ⩽ v + 1 - SW ( G ) ⩽ v - δ ( G ) is proved, where IR ( G ) , WP ( G ) and SW ( G ) denote the irredundance number, Welsh–Powell invariant and Szekeres–Wilf invariant of G , respectively.
A proof of Hume's separation thesis based on a formal system for descriptive and normative statements

A formal system ℒ for descriptive and normative statements is given based on first-order predicate calculus augmented by deontic operators. Hume's separation thesis is then given the following formulation and proved in ℒ: there is no theorem in ℒ of the form P ⊃ M where P is a consistent descriptive statement and M is a normative statement. We attempt to show that the formal system ℒ is actually true for the intended model by giving an interpretation of the formal system. It turns out that there are three mutually exclusive classes of statements; namely, descriptive statements, statements equivalent to purely normative statements, and hybrid statements. It is shown that theories that have not offered a proper treatment of hybrid statements have led to a great deal of confusion in the past. A brief discussion of the philosophical importance of the results is given.
Preclinical models of antipsychotic drug action

One of the main obstacles faced by translational neuroscience is the development of animal models of psychiatric disorders. Behavioural pharmacology studies indicate that psychedelic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and dissociative drugs, such as phencyclidine (PCP), induce in healthy human volunteers psychotic and cognitive symptoms that resemble some of those observed in schizophrenia patients. Serotonin 5-HT2A and metabotropic glutamate 2 receptors have been involved in the mechanism of action of psychedelic and dissociative drugs. Here we review recent advances using LSD-like and PCP-like drugs in rodent models that implicate these receptors in the neurobiology of schizophrenia and its treatment.
Can cocaine abuse exacerbate the cardiac toxicity of human immunodeficiency virus

Both cocaine use and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection alone have been associated with an increased incidence of cardiac dysfunction. Concomitant exposure to cocaine and HIV infection may exacerbate the cardiac toxicity of either agent alone, a hypothesis that is examined in this review article. A possible unifying hypothesis based on enhancement of adrenergic stimulation is proposed.
Fausto Fumi and the emergence of solid-state physics in Italy

This paper surveys the early history of solid-state physics, particularly the period 1949–58, and the seminal role of Fausto Fumi in establishing the first school of modern solid-state physics in Italy.
Agent-based modeling of a multi-room multi-floor building emergency evacuation

Abstract Panic during emergency building evacuation can cause crowd stampede, resulting in serious injuries and casualties. Agent-based methods have been successfully employed to investigate the collective human behavior during emergency evacuation in cases where the configurational space is extremely simple–usually one rectangular room–but not in evacuations of multi-room or multi-floor buildings. This implies that the effect of the complexity of building architecture on the collective behavior of the agents during evacuation has not been fully investigated. Here, we employ a system of self-moving particles whose motion is governed by the social-force model to investigate the effect of complex building architecture on the uncoordinated crowd motion during urgent evacuation. In particular, we study how the room door size, the size of the main exit, the desired speed and the friction coefficient affect the evacuation time and under what circumstances the evacuation efficiency improves.
Isometric representations of some quotients ofH ∞ of an annulus

Let\(\mathbb{A}\) denote an annulus,E a finite subset of\(\mathbb{A}\) with at least three elements, and\(\mathcal{I}_E\) the ideal of functions in\(H^\infty (\mathbb{A})\) which vanish at the points ofE. The quotient\(H^\infty (\mathbb{A})/\mathcal{I}_E\) does not have a completely isometric representation on a finite dimensional Hilbert space. This complements a result of [11] which implies that the quotient has an isometric representation on a Hilbert space of dimension twice the cardinality ofE.
Effect of constrained growth on defect structures in microgravity grown CdZnTe Boules

In a microgravity environment obtainable in an orbiting space shuttle, it is possible to virtually eliminate gravity related effects such as buoyancy driven convection and hydrostatic forces thus providing an ideal environment for diffusion-controlled, containerless crystal growth processes. Under such conditions, it is possible to investigate the effects of gravity independent growth parameters on crystal growth. Studies of CdZnTe boules grown on space shuttle mission USML-1 revealed that regions of the boules grown with wall contact were associated with a higher defect density than regions grown with partial or no wall contact. Defect densities in certain regions grown without wall contact were as low as 5 × 102/cm2 to 1.2 × 103/cm2. More detailed studies on the effects of wall contact were sought in the USML-2 mission. Two CdZnTe boules (GCRC-1 and GCRC-2) were grown by the seeded Bridgman-Stockbarger method. Boule GCRC-1 was grown under constrained conditions to force full wall contact while boule GCRC-2 had a tapered geometry designed to minimize wall contact. Defect distributions in the boules were investigated by synchrotron white beam x-ray topography. The sample GCRC-1 was characterized by the presence of large inhomogeneous strains, numerous grains and twins, all of which are caused by effects related to wall contact. On the other hand, a part of the boule GCRC-2 that grew free from wall contact revealed minimum surface strains, the absence of twins and a very high structural uniformity. Results clearly verify that ampoule wall contact plays an important role in determining the incidence of crystal imperfections.
A comparative survey of functional footprints of EGFR pathway mutations in human cancers

Genes functioning in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways are among the most frequently activated oncogenes in human cancers. We have conducted a comparative analysis of functional footprints (that is, effect on signaling and transcriptional landscapes in cells) associated with oncogenic and tumor suppressor mutations in EGFR pathway genes in human cancers. We have found that mutations in the EGFR pathway differentially have an impact on signaling and metabolic pathways in cancer cells in a mutation- and tissue-selective manner. For example, although signaling and metabolic profiles of breast tumors with PIK3CA or AKT1 mutations are, as expected, highly similar, they display markedly different, sometimes even opposite, profiles to those with ERBB2 or EGFR amplifications. On the other hand, although low-grade gliomas and glioblastomas, both brain cancers, driven by EGFR amplifications are highly functionally similar, their functional footprints are significantly different from lung and breast tumors driven by EGFR or ERBB2. Overall, these observations argue that, contrary to expectations, the mechanisms of tumorigenicity associated with mutations in different genes along the same pathway, or in the same gene across different tissues, may be highly different. We present evidence that oncogenic functional footprints in cancer cell lines have significantly diverged from those in tumor tissues, which potentially explains the discrepancy of our findings with the current knowledge. Nevertheless, our analyses reveal a common inflammatory response signature in EGFR-driven human cancers of different tissue origins. Our results may have implications in the design of therapeutic strategies in cancers driven by these oncogenes.
Dopamine Depletion Does Not Protect against Acute 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine Toxicity In Vivo

Dopamine (DA) has been postulated to play a role in the loss of dopaminergic substantia nigra (SN) neurons in Parkinson's disease because of its propensity to oxidize and form quinones and other reactive oxygen species that can alter cellular function. Moreover, DA depletion can attenuate dopaminergic cell loss in vitro. To test the contribution of DA to SN impairment in vivo, we used DA-deficient mice, which lack the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase in dopaminergic cells, and mice pharmacologically depleted of DA by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine pretreatment. Mice were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a toxin that produces parkinsonian pathology in humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents. In contrast to in vitro results, genetic or pharmacologic DA depletion did not attenuate loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SN or dopaminergic neuron terminals in the striatum. These results suggest that DA does not contribute to acute MPTP toxicity in vivo.
Which Move to the Middle: Industry Consortia or Private Exchanges?

The move-to-the-middle hypothesis has been used to predict firm structures, suggesting that firms will move to more outsourcing but from a reduced set of stable partners (Clemons et al., 1993). Extending this hypothesis to predict electronic marketplace structures, we suggest that both industry consortia and private exchanges represent a move to the middle by reducing transaction costs and risks. In industries with highly interdependent relationships, industry consortia may be more successful because of their reduction of coordination costs without corresponding increases in transaction risk. Within an industry, companies may choose to participate in both types of marketplaces. Product characteristics moderate the relationships between the transactions costs and risk and the type of marketplace.
U.S. covert action: Does it have a future?

(1996). U.S. covert action: Does it have a future? International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 145-157.
Statistics of the Peak Maximum Amplitude of the Forced Response of a Mistuned Bladed Disk

This paper examines the nature of the statistical distribution of the peak maximum amplitude of the forced response of a mistuned bladed disk. A range of values of the structural coupling between blades and the standard deviation of mistuning have been used, and it is determined if it is correct to describe the distribution of the peak maximum amplitude as Weibull. Also, using a neural network, a functional relationship between the peak maximum amplitude distribution and input parameters (structural coupling between blades and standard deviation of mistuning) is sought via coefficients of Hermite polynomials and 99 percentile peak maximum amplitude.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Paid maternity leave and its impact on breastfeeding in the United States: an historic, economic, political, and social perspective.

make employment more compatible with breastfeeding include prenatal educational programs designed for working women, provision of “flex-time,” job-sharing, breaks for milk expression or breastfeeding, lactation rooms, on-site availability of electrical breast pumps and refrigerators for breast milk storage, work-based lactation counseling programs and support groups, and on-site or near-site child care centers.5 Left largely unaddressed, at least in the United States, is the issue of maternity leave. The gender character of the American work force has changed dramatically over the last half century (Fig. 1). In 1900, 19% of women were in the work force. Currently, the number has risen to 45%. There was a 200% increase in the number of working women from 1950 to 1990. Sixty-five percent (65%) of all mothers are currently working outside the home.6 In 2004, 52.9% of mothers with children under 1 year of age were in the work force.7 During the 1960s, it was the practice of most women (63%) to quit their jobs prior to giving birth. By the 1980s, only 27% of expectant women did so. In addition, only 17% of women during the 1960s returned to work by 12 months after delivery, compared with 60% in the early 1990s (52% by 6 months). Also in the 1990s, of those mothers who returned to work INTRODUCTION
Preparation and Characterization of Photopatternable BaTiO3 /Polymer Composites

The dielectric properties of acrylic resin composites filled with BaTiO3, have been evaluated over a broad frequency range. These materials were used as models to study the dielectric response in polymer composite films for de-coupling capacitance applications. A series of photocurable resin formulations were prepared and photocured into films of approximately 100 μm to 120 μm thick. Dielectric permittivity of the materials was investigated at frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 GHz and temperatures from –140 °C to +150 °C. The dielectric constant of the composites reached 35 at 1 GHz. A high frequency dielectric relaxation process was identified and related to the molecular structure of the polymer matrix.
The effect of sodium chloride on the surface area of calcined limestone. part 1

Abstract The effect of sodium chloride on the specific surface area and average pore radius of limestone is studied. It is found that sintering takes place with increased calcination time, and sodium chloride addition. The specific surface area is inversely proportional to the amount of sodium chloride added to the Greer limestone. Therefore, mean pore radius is directly proportional to the amount of sodium chloride addition. The optimum amount of sodium chloride addition for the maximum sulfation capacity is 0.43 wt.%.
Why fifth- and seventh-graders submit off-task responses to a web-based reading comprehension tutor rather than expected learning responses

Abstract Research shows the students improve their reading comprehension with Intelligent Tutoring of the Structure Strategy (ITSS). One problem for ITSS is that some students are producing responses in the on-line instruction that are unrelated to learning and practicing the reading strategy. These types of disengaged responses can be referred to as system active off-task responses (“off-task”). In this study we characterize who produces off-task responses and why. Classification and Regression Trees (C&RT) and logistic regression analyses were used to answer the why question. Variables predicted to relate to gaming included reading strategy and skill variables, motivation, attitude, self-efficacy, and goal orientation variables, demographic variables, and type of computer feedback (simple versus elaborated). C&RT analysis could explain 66% of the variance in off-task responses. Students without off-task responses were higher in motivation to read and worked in ITSS to produce good main ideas. Students with higher off-task responses had low scores on work mastery goals. The highest producers of off-task responses in Grades 5 and 7 (averaging 24 off-task responses over 7 lessons) had low motivation to read and scored over 2 SD below average on recall tasks in ITSS. The logistic regression could explain 42% of the variance in off-task responses. Use of motivational scales prior to starting instruction as well as on-line performance measures could be used to flag students for early intervention to prevent system active off-task responses and increase on-line learning. The C&RT approach may be particularly helpful to designers in making software more appropriate for different types of students.
Optimizing Sensitivity of SIM Mode of GC/MS Analysis for EPA’s TO-14 Air Toxics Method

Guidelines for determining volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at ambient levels In air are published In Method TO-14 ol the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Compendium 01 Methods lor the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds In Ambient Air.” To achieve the sensitivity required for sub-part-per-bllllon-by-volume (ppbv) determinations of VOCs, TO-14 recommends selective Ion monitoring (SIM) mode of operation when a conventional quadru-pole mass spectrometer Is used as the analytical finish. This paper describes the Implementation of SIM mode of analysis and presents the rationale and methods for optimizing SIM parameters for maximum sensitivity when analyzing whole-air samples for trace levels of targeted VOCs.
Experimental investigation of the inclined interface Richtmyer–Meshkov instability before and after reshock

An experimental study on the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) is presented, which used a new experimental facility at Texas A&M University built for conducting shock-accelerated, inhomogeneous, inclined fluid interface experiments. The RMI develops from the misalignment of the pressure and density gradients for which the inclined shock tube facility is uniquely well suited since a fluid interface can be created at a prescribed angle to the incident shock. Measurements of the evolving RMI are taken using planar laser Mie scattering images for both the pre- and post-reshock regimes, which capture the qualitative evolution of the interface. Statistical measurements demonstrate that the inclined interface initial conditions have a high degree of run-to-run repeatability. The interface mixing width is scaled using the method developed in author’s previous work and shows that the non-dimensional mixing width grows linearly in the pre-reshock regime and then levels off at the onset of reshock, after which it grows linearly again. Mie scattering images at late times exhibit the evolution of a secondary shear instability on the primary vortex feature, which has never been resolved in simulations of the inclined interface RMI. A 2D velocity field is obtained for this feature using particle image velocimetry and processed to indicate the strength of the vorticity present. Images of the interface after reshock reveal the inversion of the bubble and spike features and the decay of prominent features toward a turbulent state.
The concept of the angular differential dose of ionizing radiation and its measurement

Abstract Radiation-induced effects often depend not only on the absorbed dose but also on the distribution of directions from which it is delivered. This distribution can be described by using the angular differential dose, whose integral over all angles equals the integrated dose. A directional sensor was developed to measure this quantity. The design of the sensor is based on a carbon fiber, self-reading, electrometer dosimeter. Its sensitivity to the direction of incident gamma rays or x-rays makes it possible to measure dose or dose rate as a function of the angle of incident radiation. Experiments to demonstrate the properties of this sensor (Directional Dosimeter, DD) were conducted, using point sources of 137 Cs. Results show that the sensor can detect and locate multiple 137 Cs sources and determine the angular differential dose or angular differential dose rate in physical units of gray (tissue) per degree or grays per degree per minute. The DD was also used to scan and image the back-scatter from a water target of monodirectionally incident 137 Cs 662 keV gamma rays.
Identification of Novel Pax-2 Binding Sites by Chromatin Precipitation

The Pax genes encode a family of developmental transcription factors that bind to specific DNA sequences via the paired domain and are necessary for the morphogenesis of a variety of tissues. The murine Pax-2 gene, through alternative splicing, encodes two nuclear proteins, Pax-2A and Pax-2B, which are transiently expressed during the differentiation of specific neural cell types and early kidney formation. In order to identify potential in vivo Pax-2 target sequences, chromatin from embryonic neural tube was immunoprecipitated with Pax-2 specific antibodies and cloned. Two unique immunoprecipitated clones containing three specific Pax-2 binding sites were identified by functional binding assays using Pax-2 proteins produced in both Escherichia coli and eukaryotic cells. In vitro DNA binding assays, using Pax-5 and Pax-8 DNA recognition sequences as well as the three immunopurified Pax-2 binding sites, demonstrated that both forms of the Pax-2 protein bind DNA with a similar specificity and that this binding is mediated by the paired domain. The binding sites identified in this report share significant homology among themselves and with previously defined consensus sequences for Pax-5 and Pax-2. The genomic clones can now be used as sequence tags to identify potential target loci.
Some remarks on nonlocal interactions and hysteresis in phase transitions

This paper examines models of shape memory alloys in which the usual multiwell, nonconvex elastic energy is modified by the addition of a nonlocal interaction term. It is shown that minimizing such an energy over uniform Young-measures yields a good prediction of hysteresis in a material subjected to biaxial loading. In addition, the relationship between the nonlocal interaction energy and the coherency energy is discussed.
Early onset scoliosis: current concepts and controversies

Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) may be associated with long-term pulmonary morbidity, which is not commonly seen in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Initial evaluation is based on determining any underlying etiology related to congenital or syndromic conditions. Assessing the impact of scoliosis on thoracic development may help guide treatment, which is often required at a young age in these children to prevent irreversible pulmonary insufficiency. Treatment is based on multiple factors but may include non-surgical strategies, such as casting or bracing, along with growth-sparing surgical procedures using growing rods or chest wall expansion. Definitive fusion is rarely indicated in young patients. This chapter will cover the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of children with EOS.
Application of Dynamic Spatial Ordered Probit Model: Patterns of Ozone Concentration in Austin, Texas

Although a wide variety of transportation data sets involve discrete values scattered across space and time, there are currently few techniques for properly analyzing such data. This paper describes a new dynamic spatial ordered probit (DSOP) model and demonstrates the model's use in a case of ozone concentration categories. With outputs of photochemical models for the Austin, Texas, region from a 24-h period, model parameters are estimated with Bayesian techniques. The results illuminate key relationships, many intuitive but generally obscured by complex upstream model systems. Through the use of 132 4- x 4-km surface grid cells as observational units, values that exhibit strong patterns of temporal autocorrelation but appear strikingly random in a spatial context (after controlling for local land cover, transportation, and temperature conditions) are found. Although transportation and land cover conditions appear to influence ozone levels, their effects are neither as instantaneous nor as practically si...
Structural Solutions for Dynamic Scheduling in Wireless Multimedia Transmission

In this paper, we propose a systematic solution to the problem of scheduling delay-sensitive media data for transmission over time-varying wireless channels. We first formulate the dynamic scheduling problem as a Markov decision process that explicitly considers the users' heterogeneous multimedia data characteristics (e.g., delay deadlines, distortion impacts and dependences, and so on) and time-varying channel conditions, which are not simultaneously considered in state-of-the-art packet scheduling algorithms. This formulation allows us to perform foresighted decisions to schedule multiple data units for transmission at each time in order to optimize the long-term utilities of the multimedia applications. The heterogeneity of the media data enables us to express the transmission priorities between the different data units as a priority graph, which is a directed acyclic graph. This priority graph provides us with an elegant structure to decompose the multidata unit foresighted decision at each time into multiple single-data unit foresighted decisions which can be performed sequentially, from the high priority data units to the low priority data units, thereby significantly reducing the computation complexity. When the statistical knowledge of the multimedia data characteristics and channel conditions is unknown a priori, we develop a low-complexity online learning algorithm to update the value functions, which capture the impact of the current decision on the future utility. The simulation results show that the proposed solution significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art scheduling solutions.
Addendum to ‘Excitation of the normal modes of a rotating earth model by an earthquake fault’

In Dahlen (1978), hereafter referred to as ENMRE, the normal mode excitation problem on a rotating earth model has been solved completely, in closed form. A peculiarity of that solution is that the normal mode excitation amplitudes appear to depend explicitly upon the change tiQ in the rate of rotation. The purpose of this addendum is to show that in fact there is no such dependence. All of the results obtained in ENMRE can, as a consequence, be simplified substantially. The apparent dependence arises via the coefficients g,, defined in equation (12) of ENMRE. That equation can, however, be rewritten in the form
Effect of Solids Loading and Dispersant Concentration on Strain Mismatch and Deformation of Slip‐Cast Green Bodies

A method has been developed to identify low levels of strain mismatch present in bodies in the green state. High-aspect-ratio beams of alumina were slip cast at 35–50 vol% solids over a range of poly(acrylic acid) concentrations. After sintering in an unconstrained manner, the beams deform into an arc. The magnitude and direction of curvature was observed to depend on both the solids loading and the concentration of polyelectrolyte. Model calculations indicate that strain mismatch within the beams of 1%, which corresponds to green density variations of up to 2.5%, would account for the observed degree of bending. The direction of bending was rationalized in terms of the competing effects of cake compressibility and particle velocity.
Figure/ground segregation from human cues

This paper presents a new embodied approach for object segmentation by a humanoid robot. It relies on interactions with a human teacher that drives the robot through the process of segmenting objects from arbitrarily complex, non-static images. Objects from a large spectrum of different scenarios were successfully segmented by the proposed algorithms.
Generics and the ways of normality

I contrast two approaches to the interpretation of generics such as ‘ravens are black:’ majority-based views, on which they are about what is the case most of the time, and inquiry-based views, on which they are about a feature we focus on in inquiry. I argue that majority-based views face far more systematic counterexamples than has previously been supposed. They cannot account for generics about kinds with multiple characteristic properties, such as ‘elephants live in Africa and Asia.’ I then go on to sketch an inquiry-based view.
Local Electrostatics within a Polyelectrolyte Multilayer with Embedded Weak Polyelectrolyte

We investigate local electrostatics within a polyelectrolyte multilayer formed from layer-by-layer self-assembly of QPVP/PSS (quaternized poly(vinylpyridine)/poly(styrenesulfonate)), through the strategy of embedding, within this multilayer, a weak polyacid, PMA (poly(methacrylic acid)). The methods mainly involved infrared measurements of these multilayer films using FTIR-ATR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection, after deposition at several solution concentrations and ionic strength. A key finding is that the ionization of PMA, measured at pH = 6.0 (near its pKa), executed giant oscillations, between 30% and 80% ionization, each oscillation being in linear proportion to the quantity of strong polyelectrolyte deposited in the outermost layer of the polyelectrolyte multilayer. These oscillations persisted with a decay length (>10 layers) that far exceeded the Debye length of the aqueous solution, suggesting that this long-range electrostatic coupling stemmed from the pres...
A metric for the study of evolutionary trends in the complexity of serial structures

Little empirical work has been done to see what sort of patterns of change in morphological complexity ocrur in evolution, mainly because the complexity of whole organisms has been so hard to define and to measure. For serial structures within organisms, there are fewer difficulties; this paper introduces a set of complexity metrics that are designed especially for serial structures, and then explores some of the properties of the new metrics. Also, a principle proposed in the last century by Herbert Spenrer, and offered recently in a new form by the thermodynamic school of evolutionary thought, predicts that complexity should increase in evolution as a consequence of the accumulation of perturbations. Here, simulations in which perturbations are introduced to ideal and real series of vertebral measurements show how the complexity increase predicted by Spencer’s principle would be captured by the new metrics.
Treatment of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) raceway effluent using baffled sedimentation and artificial substrates

Abstract The treatment performance of a 6 m wide by 67 m long by 0.8 m deep, baffled sedimentation basin receiving rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) raceway effluent was evaluated with and without the installation of artificial substrates (Aquamats ® ). Treatment efficiency was also determined using normal rearing condition effluent loading versus cleaning and harvesting events. Total suspended solids (TSS) removal for the total basin averaged 79% and 71% during normal rearing conditions, as compared to 92% and 79% during cleaning and harvesting operations, when the Aquamats ® were installed versus removed, respectively. Total phosphorus (TP) removal by the total basin, with and without Aquamats ® , was 20% and 23% during normal rearing conditions as compared to 55% and 65% under cleaning and harvesting conditions, respectively. Higher TP removal during cleaning operations was attributed to sedimentation of particulate fractions. Dissolved nutrient removal ( ortho -phosphate (OP), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrate, nitrite, and total organic carbon (TOC)) was not consistent throughout the basin and did not improve when the Aquamats ® were installed. A short contact time and periphyton grazing by isopods may have limited the capacity of the Aquamats ® . Calculated retention times with and without Aquamats ® for the first half and total basin were 37% and 32% and 27% and 17% less than theoretical values, respectively based on a rhodamine WT dye study. Average surface overflow rates were adjusted accordingly and measured 19.1 m 3 /m 2 day when the Aquamats ® were installed, versus 14.8 m 3 /m 2 day when the Aquamats ® were removed for the overall basin. These rates are lower than previous recommendations for treating aquaculture effluents, but resulted in high solids removal and consistently low TSS effluent (average 2 mg/L by 50%. For the first half of the sedimentation basin, the overflow rate averaged 44.1 m 3 /m 2 day with Aquamats ® versus 35.8 m 3 /m 2 day without Aquamats ® . The majority of effluent treatment occurred within the first half of the basin, which was responsible for 84% and 94% of overall TSS removal, 42% and 100% of overall NH 3 -N removal and 61% and 80% of overall TP removal during normal and cleaning/harvesting conditions, respectively.
Analysis of the effect of mixing vane geometry on the flow in an annular centrifugal contactor

The annular centrifugal contactor is a compact mixer/centrifuge developed for solvent extraction processes for recycling used nuclear fuel. This research effort couples computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling with a variety of experimental observations to provide a valid detailed analysis of the flow within the centrifugal contactor. CFD modeling of the free surface flow in the annular mixing zone using the volume-of-fluid method combined with large eddy simulation of turbulence was found to have very good agreement with the experimental measurements. A detailed comparative analysis of the flow and mixing with different housing vane geometries (four straight vanes, eight straight vanes, and curved vanes) was performed. Two additional variations on the eight straight vane geometry were also simulated. This analysis determined that at the simulated moderate flow rate the four straight mixing vane geometry has greater mixing and fluid residence time as compared to the other mixing vane configurations. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Subsets of axonally transported and periaxonal polypeptides are released from regenerating nerve

: Using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel elec-trophoresis to analyze proteins, we have found subsets of periaxonal and fast-transported axoplasmic proteins that are released in vitro from regenerating sciatic nerve into a surrounding bath. Of the fast-transported proteins that are released from nerve, there is a subset of at least five polypeptides that appears in greater relative abundance in the bath than in the nerve. Some of these released, fast-transported proteins are glycosylated. Several periaxonally synthesized polypeptides are released in significantly greater amounts from regenerating nerve, and of these polypeptides, two are released in greater amounts from nerve only at regions of regeneration or distal to regeneration. These released polypeptides do not represent the most abundant of the locally synthesized proteins. The released, fast-transported and periaxonal proteins may play a role in intercellular signaling or in modulation of the extracellular environment during nerve regeneration.
Migration of Silver from Silver-Loaded Polyimide Adhesive Chip Bonds at High Temperatures

A degradation mechanism found at high temperatures in a commercial silver-loaded polyimide chip adhesive is discussed. The adhesive was used to attach semiconductor diodes to headers for potential use in the geothermal well probe program. Aging the mounted devices at 300°C for 1100 h resulted in a bias dependent migration of the silver out of the adhesive. This effect was accompanied by an increased series resistance and weakened bond strength.
Temporal behavior of density perturbations in the polar wind

The time-dependent continuity and momentum equations for H(+) are solved in order to study the temporal evolution of density perturbations in the supersonic, collisionless polar wind. The results indicate that the sophisticated computer models of small-scale plasma expansions are indeed applicable to large-scale flow problems. The important prediction of the production of superthermal ions from small-scale simulations by the process of plasma expansion is borne out by the calculations in this paper. Energetic ions are produced for each type of density perturbation through the plasma expansion process. In the case of an extended density depletion, the forward-reverse shock pair forms when the depletion is very strong, but otherwise only the forward shock forms. In the case of localized density depletions, the density cavity evolves into two rarefaction waves joined by a forward-reverse shock pair. In the case of localized density enhancements, the shock pair evolves from compressive waves.
Disturbance attenuation of a class of non-linear systems via output feedback

This paper studies the problem of disturbance attenuation with internal stability via output feedback for a family of non-linear systems. Using a feedback domination design which substantially differs from the separation principle, we explicitly construct a dynamic output compensator attenuating the disturbance's effect on the output to an arbitrary degree of accuracy in the L2-gain sense, and achieving global asymptotic stability in the absence of disturbance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A non-voxel based feature extraction to detect cognitive states in fMRI

Over the past few decades, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has evolved into an important utilitarian tool for analyzing brain activity and detecting the cognitive states of a subject. The design and development of effective dimensionality reduction schema for the discovery of discriminatory features for cognitive state classification has become an area of vital interest toward enhanced decision support applications for patients with various brain disorders. In this paper, we present a unique non-voxel based approach using wavelet descriptor differentiation and principal components to extract unique features that reduce slice variability in fMRI data for the enhanced classification of cognitive states. The set of cognitive states that we attempt to classify are ‘a person reading a sentence’ and ‘a person reading a picture.’ The discovered feature vector is small and achieves significant classification accuracy using different classifiers and under different Regions of Interest (ROI) constraints. Experimental results using this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach when compared to previous voxel-based approaches.
Correlation of CD3 and CD34 cell dose with incidence of acute GVHD in myeloablative stem cell transplantation

6553 Background: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is used to treat different types of hematologic malignancies. The target stem cell dose typically is based on the recipient’s ideal body weight...
The 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation Challenge: Problem Statement

This paper presents a case study in utilizing information from experiments, models, and verification and validation (V&V) to support a decision. It consists of a simple system with data and models provided, plus a safety requirement to assess. The goal is to pose a problem that is flexible enough to allow challengers to demonstrate a variety of approaches, but constrained enough to focus attention on a theme. This was accomplished by providing a good deal of background information in addition to the data, models, and code, but directing the participants' activities with specific deliverables. In this challenge, the theme is how to gather and present evidence about the quality of model predictions, in order to support a decision. This case study formed the basis of the 2014 Sandia V&V Challenge Workshop and this resulting special edition of the ASME Journal of Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification.
A Cost-effective Method for Recovery of Herpes Simplex Virus

Specimens submitted for recovery of herpes simplex virus (HSV) were each inoculated to two Cultureset (CS) cultures and a single primary rabbit kidney (RK) cell culture. The first CS was stained after 24 to 48 hours at 35°C. The second CS was similarly processed at three to four days if the first CS was negative. RK cultures were incubated at 35°C for six days with daily inspection for cytopathic effects (CPEs). All CS cultures and only those RK cultures with CPEs were stained with a direct immunoperoxidase procedure. RK cells were stained within the tubes. HSV was detected in 95 (18%) of the 529 specimens processed. Of the positive specimens, 77 (81%) were found with CS within two days, and 13 (14%) more were detected at three or four days; 90 (95%) were found with RK, 46 (48%) within two days. Inexperienced technologists can be easily trained to detect CPEs from HSV in RK cultures. A combination of one CS and one RK cell culture per specimen would provide a rapid, comprehensive, and cost-effective alternative to the routine use of two CS cultures per specimen.
Analyzing the Vibration and the Noise of the Mini-car Driving Line System

This thesis is to analyzing the theory of the vibration and the noise of the mini-car driving line system,Imitating the detail phe-nomenon of our Co.vehicles’transmission and rear axle producing vibration and the noise,Quantitative detecting the vibration and the noise producing by the powertrain,also providing some feasible methods to solve the issue.
Research on reasoning model of hypertension diagnosis and treatment system based on ontology

To use computers as an assistant way of diagnosis and treatment of hypertension,a model of hypertension diagnosis and treatment system based on ontology and case-based reasoning (CBR) is put forward.Firstly,hypertension domain ontology and reasoning rules are constructed.Next,Jess,which is an inference machine,is used to reason.The knowledge base is enriched by reasoning to acquire the new knowledge and some instances of the ontology are extracted as a small case base.Then,Jena is used to complete the parallel query of ontology base and case base.Finally,the query and reasoning results are returned and a prescription of drug treatments and non-drug treatments is given,which is suitable for the patient.The experimental results prove that the proposed method is applicable and it is of great value for research of hypertension diagnosis and treatment system.
Update on tendon repair.

Successful repair of injured tendons—both flexors and extensors—remains one of the ongoing challenges facing the hand surgeon. The latest information on surgical techniques, postoperative rehabilitation, and the role of pharmacologic adjuncts in tendon repair surgery are presented. Pertinent tendon anatomy, physiology of tendon healing, and historical aspects are covered as well. Controversial issues, including indications for repair of partial tendon lacerations and whether or not the tendon sheath should be repaired, are addressed. Illustrated examples of individual tendon repair techniques are included.
Water regimes: an approach of mitigation arsenic in summer rice ( Oryza sativa L.) under different topo sequences on arsenic-contaminated soils of Bengal delta

Arsenic (As)-contaminated groundwater has been widely used in agricultural purposes especially for summer rice cultivation in South East Asia. Therefore, the present experiments were carried out at low (diara) and medium land topo sequences with the eight water regimes to reduce the As accumulation in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.). Experimental results revealed that the intermittent ponding of 2–4 days after disappearance (DAD) were significantly reduced the As accumulation in root, stem, leaves, flag leaf, husk, and grain (21.86–31.78, 23.55–37.20, 14.83–30.93, 23.53–31.19, 21.33–28.19, and 22.98–25.37 %, respectively), which was followed by aerobic rice (21.34–22.08, 22.49–30.72, 12.21–23.02, 22.06–27.52, 20.14–23.94, and 22.12–22.30 %, respectively), and saturation of top soil (17.43–17.85, 21.91–28.01, 10.76–20.27, 20.59–24.77, 18.96–23.14, and 20.75–21.15 %, respectively) as compared to continuous ponding or farmer practice, where the As accumulation in root: 13.43–17.20 mg/kg; stem: 8.64–10.36 mg/kg; leaves: 2.91–3.44 mg/kg; flag leaf: 0.68–1.09 mg/kg; husk: 1.88–2.11 mg/kg; and grain: 0.52–0.67 mg/kg. However, aerobic rice and saturation of top soil recorded significantly higher grain yield at diara land (7,104–7,141 kg/ha) and only in saturation of top soil at medium land topo sequence (6,654–6,717 kg/ha). The correlation study showed the positive correlation in between grain As and root, straw, husk As, grain Zn, and grain Fe (R2 = 0.893–0.976, p > 0.01), but the negative correlation with the grain P, soil P, soil Fe, and soil Zn (R2 = 0.633–0.841, p > 0.01). About 3.904–6.063 kg/ha of As was added on the surface soil by the contaminated groundwater and most of the added As was accumulated and remained on the top soil (0–30 cm).