cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Military Factionalism and Politicisation

On 30 August 1975 disgruntled Ecuadorian officers, acting under the leadership of General Raul Gonzalez Alvear, attempted a coup. Although the effort was aborted it paved the way for the initiation of a transition to civilian rule. Factionalism and politicisation lay at the heart of the failed coup and the military’s eventual withdrawal from power; the circumstances surrounding the coup attempt dramatised those central aspects of military rule in Ecuador which are addressed in this chapter.
Cerebellum: Associative Learning

It has now been established that the cerebellar system can support the encoding of novel associations. Traditionally, the cerebellum was thought to be only a modulator of motor control or involved in fine-tuning the execution of ongoing movements. Studies reporting the necessity of the cerebellum in the acquisition and expression of the classically conditioned eyeblink were the first to demonstrate that an associative memory trace is formed and stored in the cerebellum. Recently, the cerebellum has been shown to be involved in a wide range of cognitive processes and memory formation.
The Extended Abstract: The Growth and Mechanical Property of Mesolayer in Abalone Nacre

In the red abalone’s shell, a special structure which has the unique morphology is named “mesolayer”. Its mechanical property is concerned in this research. The mesolayer is built with three sublayers: the columnar-like layer, the organic layer, and the prismatic layer. The three sublayers are tested with nanoindentation test individually and the results are analyzed. And, the nanoindentations on each layer are characterized by SEM.
Does chronic ankle instability influence lower extremity muscle activation of females during landing

Much remains unclear about how chronic ankle instability (CAI) could affect knee muscle activations and interact with knee biomechanics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of CAI on the lower extremity muscle activation at the ankle and knee joints during landings on a tilted surface. A surface electromyography system and two force plates were used to collect lower extremity muscle activation of 21 young female individuals with CAI and 21 pair-matched controls during a double-leg landing with test limb landing on the tilted surface. In the pre-landing phase, compared to controls, CAI participants displayed a reduced ankle evertor activation that could place CAI at a high risk of giving way or sprain injury. In the landing phase, an increased tibialis anterior activation of CAI led to increased co-contraction of ankle muscles in the sagittal and frontal plane. A greater ankle muscle co-contraction could increase the ankle stability during landings but may adversely influence the knee muscle activations (e.g., a greater co-contraction ratio of quadriceps to hamstrings). Relevant training programs (e.g., increasing pre-landing peroneal activation, and optimizing activation ratio of quadriceps to hamstrings) may help individuals with CAI improving ankle stability and reduce atypical knee loading during landings.
The 10 Laws of Fogonomics

The economics of the cloud—Cloudonomics—can be extended, adapted, and contrasted with the economics of the fog and edge—Fogonomics. In some cases clouds have the upper hand, thanks to the statistics of workload aggregation and proximity to cloud-resident data. In other cases, the fog has the advantage, such as latency reduction and backhaul traffic reduction for interactive tasks supporting user devices and things.
Short- to Mid-Term Outcomes Following the Use of an Arthroereisis Implant as an Adjunct for Correction of Flexible, Acquired Flatfoot Deformity in Adults:

Background. The use of an arthroereisis implant for the treatment of adolescent flatfoot deformity has been described. However, data that address the outcomes of patients treated with an arthroerei...
Introduction: The Ethics of Control

This section introduction categorizes various forms of exercise of control over animals, ranging from control that might be exercised over an animal for his or her own interests to exercise of control that results in that animal’s annihilation. It discusses whether control should be exercised when human interests and animal interests conflict. The rightness or wrongness of human actions related to control over animals is best understood as a question of ethics, because existing legal and social structures are quite permissive of human use of animals, even when that use will harm animals or interfere with animals’ self-interests. Animals have their own self-interests, separate from human interests, and human beings can discern at least some of those interests. The essays in this section address the ethics of control. These essays both inform readers about specific factual issues and provide a foundation upon which readers can build their own efforts to end unethical forms of control over animals.
Interrelationships between molybdenum and copper in female rats

The antagonism between Mo and Cu in ruminants has been extensively studied for many years. The relationship between these two trace minerals in nonruminants has not been well defined. Ljutakova et al. reported that injection of 5 mg Cu/kg body weight (bw) into rats increased hepatic Cu content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity 48 h after the injection1. The objective of this study was to examine the possibility of Mo interference on Cu utilization by simultaneous injections of moderate levels of Mo with the Cu injection in female rats.
Absolute Sensitivity of Air, Light and Direct-Coupled Wideband Acoustic Emission Transducers

Previous work has compared the relative performance of various wide-band ultrasonic transducers used as receivers [1]. Studies have also been made comparing the merits of various optical sensors [2] and evaluating their applicability to acoustic emission (AE) [3]. In this paper, the calculated and measured sensitivities of such transducers are compared with the sensitivity of transducers capable of detecting low amplitude AE events in steels [4, 5]. While optical sensors appear to provide many practical advantages over contact sensors, particularly at very low frequencies, it is found that they cannot meet the sensitivity requirements for wide-band AE detection in metals. Furthermore, it is found that a new transducer, recently developed at NIST, has sufficient sensitivity for such applications. In particular, this high-fidelity, high-sensitivity (HFHS) sensor is found to exhibit sensitivity which approaches the “thermal rattle” limit in aluminum within 10 dB over the 250 kHz to 1 MHz region. Also, it is shown that the new transducer’s noise floor is well below both the necessary sensitivity level to monitor AE in metals and the sensitivity limits of both optical and airborne-sound transducers. Furthermore, its performance is in good agreement with the computer model used in its design.
The Effects of Prostaglandins on Sperm Motility

Inflammatory exudates around intrauterine devices were found to produce large concentrations of prostaglandin F2alpha. To evaluate the effect of this substance, 100 semen specimens were incubated in concentrations 100 times greater than that found in normal semen. Motility indices were calculated, and significant inhibition of sperm motility was found. The effect of prostaglandin E on sperm motility is also reviewed. The physiology of prostaglandins and their mechanism of action via the cyclic nucleotide system are discussed.
Recent Advances in Tuberculosis Immunodiagnostics

It is estimated that 2 billion people are infected wordlwide with the etiologic agent of tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb.). In approximately 90% of the infected individuals the infection remains quiescent (or latent; LTBI), and about 10% develop active disease in their lifetime. There are approximately 10.4 million new TB cases per year, and 1.7 million die. A majority of the TB patients have pulmonary TB (PTB). Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), that may affect organs other than lung (e.g., bone, skin, nervous system, urinogenital system), accounts for approximately 15–25% of all TB cases but in some regions, it may be over 40%. In addition to adult TB, children are highly vulnerable to infection with M. tb and there is a significant global burden of pediatric TB (PED-TB)TB. Anti-TB drugs are generally effective in treatment of properly diagnosed TB patients. However, current diagnostic methods are either not sensitive or efficient enough to help diagnose large numbers of TB patients that live in high-burden TB endemic countries. New, blood based immunodiagnostic approaches that can help diagnose not only PTB but also EPTB and PEDTB are critically needed.
Designing studies of predation risk for improved inference in carnivore-ungulate systems

Abstract Quantifying both the lethal and non-lethal (or “risk”) effects of predation has emerged as a major research focus in carnivore-ungulate systems. While numerous studies have examined predation risk and risk effects in recent decades, a lack of standardization in approaches has impeded progress in the field. We provide an overview of five major study design considerations involved in assessing predation risk and responses of prey in carnivore-ungulate systems, highlighting how different design choices can impact the strength and scope of inference. First, we stress the importance of distinguishing measures of predation risk (probability of being killed) from measures of risk effects (costs of antipredator behaviors in response to risk). Second, we recommend explicit consideration of spatial and temporal scales using a standardized framework to facilitate cross-study comparisons. Third, ungulates use visual, auditory, and olfactory sensory pathways to evaluate predation risk. Experiments that manipulate signals of risk (e.g., auditory playbacks or application of predator scent) can be powerful approaches, but the dosages and types of cues need to be carefully considered. Fourth, ungulates usually face threats from multiple predators simultaneously, and we highlight the potential for remote cameras and structural equation modeling to help address this challenge. Fifth, emerging technologies may substantially improve our ability to assess risk. We discuss several promising technologies, such as animal-borne video, unmanned aerial vehicles, and physiological sensors. We conclude with general recommendations for study design, which may improve the utility of predation risk research for the conservation and management of carnivore-ungulate systems.
Lack of Medical Treatment From a Medical Professional After an Ankle Sprain.

Context Despite the prevalence of ankle sprains and the potential for developing chronic ankle instability and ankle osteoarthritis, ankle sprains are often perceived as an innocuous injury. Object...
The least harm principle may require that humans consume a diet containing large herbivores, not a vegan diet

Based on his theory of animalrights, Regan concludes that humans are morallyobligated to consume a vegetarian or vegandiet. When it was pointed out to him that evena vegan diet results in the loss of manyanimals of the field, he said that while thatmay be true, we are still obligated to consumea vegetarian/vegan diet because in total itwould cause the least harm to animals (LeastHarm Principle, or LHP) as compared to currentagriculture. But is that conclusion valid? Isit possible that some other agriculturalproduction alternatives may result in leastharm to animals? An examination of thisquestion shows that the LHP may actually bebetter served using food production systemsthat include both plant-based agriculture and aforage-ruminant-based agriculture as comparedto a strict plant-based (vegan) system. Perhapswe are morally obligated to consume a dietcontaining both plants and ruminant(particularly cattle) animal products.
Emergencies of Demyelinating Diseases

Usually, demyelinating diseases of human central nervous system manifest as chronic illnesses with episodic exacerbations followed by remissions, which may be spontaneous or follow treatment with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents. Yet, occasionally inflammatory demyelinating diseases manifest acutely with a rapidly progressive course that may even cause life-threatening complications, thus demanding drastic treatment decisions. Such potentially disabling and lethal complications stem from extensive brain, brainstem, and spinal cord involvement in a number of pathologic processes, such as edema with mass effect, herniation syndrome, progressive weakness with its adverse impact on respiratory function, and other medical complications. The present chapter reviews a wide range of acute inflammatory demyelinating diseases, including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, neuromyelitis optica, optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis. Imitators of these acute demyelinating events are also discussed. Diagnostic procedures and optimal treatment options are presented.
Measurement of chemical emission rates from cigarette butts into air

This study examined airborne emissions from cigarette butts for styrene, 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, naphthalene, triacetin, and nicotine. Ten experiments were conducted by placing butts in a stainless steel chamber and measuring the chemical concentrations in chamber air. Emission rates were determined from the concentrations. Triacetin and nicotine concentrations were roughly 50% of initial concentrations after 100 hours, while concentrations of other chemicals decayed to less than 10% of initial concentrations within 24 hours. Initial emission rates per cigarette butt ranged from 200 to 3500 ng h-1 . Triacetin and nicotine emission rates at 25°C were 1.6 to 2.2 times higher than the rates at 20°C, while the emission rates of other chemicals at 25°C were 1.1 to 1.3 times higher than the rates at 20°C only during the first sampling period. The chemical concentrations and emission rates at 30°C were comparable or lower than the values at 25°C, possibly due to different batches of cigarettes used. The 24-hours emitted mass of nicotine from a cigarette butt at 25°C could be up to 14% of the literature reported nicotine masses emitted from a burning cigarette.
Teaching NeuroImages: Imaging phenotype of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers

A 17-year-old girl presented with subacute decline in ambulation, ataxia, generalized weakness, dysphagia, and asymmetric hearing loss. MRI findings include abnormal signal in medial thalami, mesencephalon, posterior pons, and medulla oblongata (figure). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed elevated lactate and decrease in N -acetylaspartate (figure, F). DNA isolated from muscle biopsy showed A8344G mutation of mitochondrial DNA (tRNA [Lys] gene), associated with 80% of patients with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). MERRF is a rare mitochondrial disorder with variable onset and clinical presentation. Neuroradiologic findings of MERRF are reported rarely, with brainstem and cerebellar degeneration being the main feature of MERRF.1
Choose your words wisely: Optimizing impacts on standardized performance testing.

Abstract Background The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning identifies motivational (enhanced expectancies, EE, and autonomy support, AS) and attentional (an external attentional focus, EF) factors that affect motor performance and learning [ 1 ]. One implication of this theory is that standardized clinical and laboratory assessments of physical capacity and motor performance that do not incorporate optimizing conditions may underestimate true maximal capabilities. The influence of "optimized" conditions on a clinical-applied test of balance control was examined with healthy participants. Given the motor performance benefits of optimized conditions predicted by the OPTIMAL theory, it was hypothesized that providing participants with information that induced EE, provided them with AS, and promoted their use of EF would reduce balance errors and postural sway. Methods We used as an exemplar assessment, the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and center-of-pressure (COP) velocity measurements of postural sway. Participants performed under two different conditions, separated by two days: an optimized (EE, AS, and EF) condition and a control (“neutral”) condition, with sample-wide order counterbalancing. In each condition, participants performed three stances (double-leg, single-leg, and tandem) on two support surfaces (firm and foam). Stance order was participant-determined in the optimized condition and, for the control condition, yoked to a participant in the optimized condition. Results Participants committed fewer balance errors in the optimized condition than in the control condition (p Significance Our results demonstrated the impact of implementing optimized, as opposed to “neutral” control, conditions for better insight into balance capabilities in normal and challenging situations. Practitioners’ roles in mediating test situations and using subtle wording to promote optimized performance may have consequential impacts on motor assessment outcomes.
Comparison of Estimators of Equity Return Standard Deviation Using Pitman Closeness Criterion and Control Charting Applications

Measurement of dispersion and variation have been studied and evaluated in many applications. Volatility in the field of finance is an important measure as it directly impacts allocation, risk management, and valuation. Pitman Closeness criterion is used to compare estimators of standard deviation from equity returns in a control charting application. Three estimators are evaluated over the 30 DJIA component stocks in an effort to determine if one method of estimation has better performance within an application of control charting for identifying outliers. The study uses three sample sizes to also determine if the better estimator is sample size dependent.
Concept Analysis of Relatedness in Physical Activity Among Adolescents

Abstract Aim This analysis seeks to clarify the concept of relatedness in physical activity (PA) among adolescents. Background Health-related behavior research highlights the importance of focusing on individual psychological needs such as relatedness in PA to improve adolescents' motivation toward PA. Although relatedness in PA has been associated with PA participation among adolescents, a thorough analysis of the concept is lacking. Conceptual clarification of relatedness in the context of PA is needed for promoting consistency between conceptual and operational definitions and refining empirical measurement. Design The 6-steps of Rodgers' (2000) evolutionary method of concept analysis was used to analyze the data and identify attributes, surrogate/related terms, antecedents, and consequences of the relatedness concept. Method Several databases were used to extract relevant articles. A total of 113 were identified. Forty articles met the inclusion criteria. In addition, twenty-six articles were included through other sources. The review process yielded a final set of 66 articles. Result A refined definition of relatedness in PA is an adolescent's perception of feeling socially connected with significant people in a reciprocal, caring, and trusting relationship that is a self-system process and promotes a sense of belonging and internalization within PA contexts. Attributes, surrogate/related terms, antecedents and consequences of relatedness in PA were identified from extant literature. Conclusion This comprehensive analysis provides a clarification of the conceptual definition of relatedness in PA among adolescents. The concept can guide nurses in designing interventions to improve health behavior or promoting changes in health policy. Future research is needed to refine operational definitions of relatedness so that they represent the defining attributes of the concept.
Treg–inducing capacity of genomic DNA of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis

Background: Allergic and autoimmune diseases comprise a group of inflammatory disorders caused by aberrant immune responses in which CD25+ forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells (Treg) cells that normally suppress inflammatory events are often poorly functioning. This has stimulated an intensive investigative effort to find ways of increasing Tregs as a method of therapy for these conditions. Commensal microbiota known to have health benefits in humans include the lactic acid-producing, probiotic bacteria B. longum subsp. infantis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Mechanistically, several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how probiotics may favorably affect host immunity, including the induction of Tregs. Analysis of emerging data from several laboratories, including our own, suggest that DNA methylation may be an important determinant of immune reactivity responsible for Treg induction. Although methylated CpG moieties in normal mammalian DNA are both noninflammatory and lack immunogenicity, unmethylated CpGs, found largely in microbial DNA, are immunostimulatory and display proinflammatory properties. Objective: We hypothesize that microbiota with more DNA methylation may potentiate Treg induction to a greater degree than microbiota with a lower content of methylation. The purpose of the present study was to test this hypothesis by studying the methylation status of whole genomic DNA (gDNA) and the Treg-inducing capacity of purified gDNA in each of the probiotic bacteria B. longum subsp. infantis and L. rhamnosus, and a pathogenic Escherichia coli strain B. Results: We showed that gDNA from B. longum subsp. infantis is a potent Treg inducer that displays a dose-dependent response pattern at a dose threshold of 20 µg of gDNA. No similar Treg-inducing responses were observed with the gDNA from L. rhamnosus or E. coli. We identified a unique CpG methylated motif in the gDNA sequencing of B. longum subsp. infantis which was not found in L. rhamnosus or E. coli strain B. Conclusion: Although the literature indicates that both B. longum subsp. infantis and L. rhamnosus strains contribute to health, our data suggest that they do so by different mechanisms. Further, because of its small molecular size, low cost, ease of synthesis, and unique Treg-inducing feature, this methylated CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) from B. longum would offer many attractive features for an ideal novel therapeutic vaccine candidate for the treatment of immunologic diseases, such as the allergic and autoimmune disorders, in which Treg populations are diminished.
Optimising word learning in post-secondary students with Developmental Language Disorder: The roles of retrieval difficulty and retrieval success during training.

Learning words to the level that they can be readily retrieved and produced can be challenging. The primary aim of the current study is to determine how retrieval difficulty, based on the level of ...
Pott's puffy tumor caused by Actinomyces naeslundii

Pott's puffy tumor is characterized by forehead swelling from subperiosteal abscess and frontal bone osteomyelitis. It is encountered mainly in children; rarely in adults. When it does occur in the latter population, the most common risk factors include head trauma, sinusitis, or cocaine abuse. Generally, the organisms thought to be involved include streptococci, staphylococci and oral anaerobic flora. We present a case of a 53 year old female who presented with forehead swelling of 3 month duration after a dental procedure, found to be secondary to Actinomyces naeslundii. Actinomyces is a very rare etiology of this disease and has been reported only twice earlier in the literature. We present an uncommon infectious disease along with summary of clinical characteristics of this entity in the adult population.
Discovery of Potent Inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm with Antivirulence Activity.

Dental caries is a bacterial infectious disease characterized by demineralization of the tooth enamel. Treatment of this disease with conventional antibiotics is largely ineffective as the cariogenic bacteria form tenacious biofilms that are resistant to such treatments. The main etiological agent for dental caries is the bacterium Streptococcus mutans. S. mutans readily forms biofilms on the tooth surface and rapidly produces lactic acid from dietary sucrose. Glucosyl transferases (Gtfs) secreted by S. mutans are mainly responsible for the production of exopolysaccharides that are crucial for the biofilm architecture. Thus, inhibiting S. mutans' Gtfs is an effective approach to develop selective biofilm inhibitors that do not affect the growth of oral commensals. Herein, we report a library of 90 analogs of the previously identified lead compound, G43, and exploration of its structure activity relationships (SAR). All compounds were evaluated for the inhibition of S. mutans biofilms and bacterial growth. Selected compounds from this library were further evaluated for enzyme inhibition against Gtfs using a zymogram assay and for growth inhibition against oral commensal bacterial species such as Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis. This study has led to the discovery of several new biofilm inhibitors with enhanced potency and selectivity. One of the leads, III F1 , showed marked reduction in buccal, sulcal, and proximal caries scores in a rat model of dental caries.
STEM Leadership and Training for Trailblazing Students in an Immersive Research Environment

Educating the workforce of tomorrow is an increasingly critical challenge for areas such as data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These core skills may revolutionize progress in areas such as health care and precision medicine, autonomous systems and robotics, and neuroscience. Skills in data science and artificial intelligence are in high demand in industrial research and development, but we do not believe that traditional recruiting and training models in industry (e.g., internships, continuing education) are serving the needs of the diverse populations of students who will be required to revolutionize these fields. Our program, the Cohort-based Integrated Research Community for Undergraduate Innovation and Trailblazing (CIRCUIT), targets trailblazing, high-achieving students who face barriers in achieving their goals and becoming leaders in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence research. Traditional recruitment practices often miss these ambitious and talented students from nontraditional backgrounds, and these students are at a higher risk of not persisting in research careers. In the CIRCUIT program we recruit holistically, selecting students on the basis of their commitment, potential, and need. We designed a training and support model for our internship. This model consists of a compressed data science and machine learning curriculum, a series of professional development training workshops, and a team-based robotics challenge. These activities develop the skills these trailblazing students will need to contribute to the dynamic, team-based engineering teams of the future.
Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling fibre content of sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids spp.)

The fibre content (FC) of sugarcane millable stalks is important for both sugar and bioenergy production. Higher FC favours the energy producer while lower FC facilitates the efficient sugar extraction. A molecular marker for FC helps select improved sugarcane cultivars with favourable partitioning of FC for both sugar and energy production industries. A quantitative trait loci (QTL) study was conducted using an enriched linkage map of LCP 85‐384 and FC data from two crop cycles (plant cane and first ratoon) of its self‐progeny population. A total of five unique QTL were identified across both crop cycles and combined, of which three QTL (qFC020, qFC044 and qFC053) were common explained a total of 22.46%, 23.93% and 25.14% of the phenotypic variances for plant cane, first ratoon and combined data, respectively. As FC values increased gradually, the QTL allele combination effect also increased. Using markers linked to these putative common QTL alleles would benefit the breeders to select sugarcane lines for sugar and bioenergy production.
Age differences in allostatic load among veterans: The importance of combat exposure.

The current study examinedage differences in allostatic load among nonveterans, noncombat veterans, and combat veterans. Participants included 280 individuals from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) survey, including 164 veterans (n = 48 combat veterans; n = 116 noncombat veterans) and 116 nonveterans. Age differences in allostatic load were similar among nonveterans and noncombat veterans, B = 0.002, SE = .011, p = .878, with older adults showing higher levels of allostatic load than their comparatively younger counterparts. Among combat veterans, however, a different pattern emerged. In this group, levels of allostatic load were similar across age, seemingly due to higher levels of allostatic load among younger combat veterans, B = -0.029, SE = .014, p = .031, ƞp2 = .022. Results reveal the importance of considering combat exposure when examining health outcomes of military veterans, particularly in the context of age.
Japan's Regulation of Large Retail Stores: Political Demands Versus Economic Interests

One of the most visible and hotly debated Japanese trade barriers in the 1990s was the Large-Scale Retail Stores Law ("LSL").1 For years, no list of impediments to Japan's market was complete without a reference to the LSL. It was a leading topic in bilateral talks between Japan and the United States under the Structural Impediments Initiative. The LSL was also a key element in the U.S.-initiated film dispute in the World Trade Organization ("WTO"). In 1998, with little advance notice, Japan finally repealed the LSL, and enacted a replacement. This Article examines the tight control that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI")2 has exercised over retail-
Detectability of Tones in Quiet and in Noise by Rats and Monkeys

Sensory systems in humans have been investigated by means of psychophysical methods. These methods define the rules for systematic presentation of stimuli to the subject and for the analysis of the subject’s responses from which various characteristics of the particular sensory system can be abstracted. Human psychophysical experiments rely heavily on language for instruction of the subject in his task and for his cooperation throughout the study. A crucial difference between human and animal psychophysics is the absence of language in animals. Thus, a systematic investigation of sensory characteristics in animals requires application of techniques which evolved not only from psychophysics, but also from another branch of psychology, namely, conditioning. In order to instruct animals in their task in a psychophysical experiment and maintain their behavior during these experiments, conditioning techniques have been required. Both classical and instrumental conditioning techniques have supplied appropriate precedures, although instrumental conditioning has been the more prevalent source of these techniques.
Coordination with Constrained Resources; A Modeling Framework

Many of today's large scale systems require dynamic coordination among distributed decisionmakers. A crucial element in the coordination involves the use of resources which have finite setup times and are constrained by their effective durations. The presence of these constraints may induce human cognitive limitations and biases and lead to coordination failure. This paper presents a quantitative methodology for identifying the impact of resource constraints on distributed team coordination in a dynamic and uncertain task processing environment. The approach uses Petri net as the formalism to model team decisionmaking process. By incorporating rational decisionmaking strategies and recognizable human limitations, various resource and task conditions are simulated. Hypotheses on the impact of resource constraints are then generated based on simulation results, and a distributed human team task processing experiment has been designed and conducted to help validate the hypotheses. Experimental data are currently being analyzed, and model-data comparison will help examine the impact of the resource constraints on human team decisionmaking and coordination processes, and identify human cognitive limitations and biases.
Protein Requirements: From Nitrogen Balance to Functional Impact

Today because of tools capable of probing the details of metabolism, we are able to study the utilization of amino acids in specific, physiologically important processes. Such information may lead to recommended dietary allowances for each amino acid specific for subpopulations and perhaps individuals. These new findings identify the metabolic end-products of some amino acids as crucial intermediates in the maintenance of a variety of physiological functions that bear no direct relationship to protein metabolism. The precursor amino acids for these intermediate compounds are either non-essential or conditionally essential and thus may play a specific, non-protein, role in amino acid requirements in individuals close to nitrogen equilibrium. Another exciting area arises from the marked dissimilarity between the amino acid composition of milk proteins and other body proteins, suggesting that some milk proteins may have evolved to serve unique functions through specific digestion products. Such products may be important in micronutrient absorption in the neonate. Thus, amino acid requirements appear to reach beyond the tradition areas of nitrogen and protein metabolism.
Materials response to large plastic deformation

Many important practical applications of metals require a knowledge of the plastic response at large deformations and at high strain rates. For example, metal forming processes and impact or penetration problems combine the effects of large strain, high rate and temperature. Accurate modeling of such processes requires a good constitutive description of material behavior. However, controlled laboratory experiments at large strains are difficult because most involve large geometry changes accompanied by either deformation gradients (such as barreling in compression) or plastic instability (such as necking in tension). High rate deformation adds the complication of an uncontrolled temperature rise. In the strain rate regime of 1 to 103sec-1, deformation may be neither completely isothermal nor adiabatic, but a combination.
Cyclin E-Mediated Human Proopiomelanocortin Regulation as a Therapeutic Target for Cushing Disease

Context: Cushing disease, due to pituitary corticotroph tumor ACTH hypersecretion, drives excess adrenal cortisol production with adverse morbidity and mortality. Loss of glucocorticoid negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis leads to autonomous transcription of the corticotroph precursor hormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC), consequent ACTH overproduction, and adrenal hypercortisolism. We previously reported that R-roscovitine (CYC202, seliciclib), a 2,6,9-trisubstituted purine analog, suppresses cyclin-dependent-kinase 2/cyclin E and inhibits ACTH in mice and zebrafish. We hypothesized that intrapituitary cyclin E signaling regulates corticotroph tumor POMC transcription independently of cell cycle progression. The aim was to investigate whether R-roscovitine inhibits human ACTH in corticotroph tumors by targeting the cyclin-dependent kinase 2/cyclin E signaling pathway. Methods: Primary cell cultures of surgically resected human corticotroph tumors were treated with or without R-rosc...
The communication attitude test: A test-retest reliability investigation

Abstract Research with the Communication Attitude Test and a Dutch translation (C.A.T.-D.) has shown that, from age 6 to 14, children who stutter show significantly more malattitudes toward speech than nonstutterers. Investigations also have shown that the test procedure has inter-item reliability and items that correlate significantly with the total score. Yet to be determined, however, is the C.A.T.'s test-retest reliability and its sensitivity to attitudinal change. To determine this, forty-four Dutch speaking Belgian grade-schoolers responded to the questionnaire's items on three separate occasions. The test was re-administered again 1 and 12 weeks later. The reliability coefficients for the subjects' test scores following a hiatus of 1, 11 and 12 weeks was +.83, +.81 and +.76, respectively. These statistically significant correlations show that the speech- associated attitudes of the stuttering children were positionally stable. Over a 1 week period their attitudes also evidenced absolute stability. However, with respect to the test's sensitivity, the significant absolute mean differences following an 11 and 12 week time period suggest that the test is capable of reflecting a change in speech-associated attitudes.
Proton exchange membranes based on PVDF/SEBS blends

Abstract Proton-conductive polymer membranes are used as an electrolyte in the so-called proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Current commercially available membranes are perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, a class of high-cost ionomers. This paper examines the potential of polymer blends, namely those of styrene–(ethylene-butylene)–styrene block copolymer (SEBS) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), in the proton exchange membrane application. SEBS/PVDF blends were prepared by twin-screw extrusion and the membranes were formed by calendering. SEBS is a phase-segregated material where the polystyrene blocks can be selectively functionalized offering high ionic conductivity, while PVDF insures good dimensional stability and chemical resistance to the films. Proton conductivity of the films was obtained by solid-state grafting of sulfonic acid moieties. The obtained membranes were characterized in terms of conductivity, ionic exchange capacity and water uptake. In addition, the membranes were characterized in terms of morphology, microstructure and thermo-mechanical properties to establish the blends morphology–property relationships. Modification of interfacial properties between SEBS and PVDF was found to be a key to optimize the blends performance. Addition of a methyl methacrylate–butyl acrylate–methyl methacrylate block copolymer (MMA–BA–MMA) was found to compatibilize the blend by reducing the segregation scale and improving the blend homogeneity. Mechanical resistance of the membranes was also improved through the addition of this compatibilizer. As little as 2 wt.% compatibilizer was sufficient for complete interfacial coverage and lead to improved mechanical properties. Compatibilized blend membranes also showed higher conductivities, 1.9 × 10 −2 to 5.5 × 10 −3 S cm −1 , and improved water management.
A Mouse Model of Orthotopic Vascularized Aerated Lung Transplantation

Outcomes after lung transplantation are markedly inferior to those after other solid organ transplants. A better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to lung graft injury will be critical to improve outcomes. Advances in this field have been hampered by the lack of a mouse model of lung transplantation. Here, we report a mouse model of vascularized aerated single lung transplantation utilizing cuff techniques. We show that syngeneic grafts have normal histological appearance with minimal infiltration of T lymphocytes. Allogeneic grafts show acute cellular rejection with infiltration of T lymphocytes and recipient-type antigen presenting cells. Our data show that we have developed a physiological model of lung transplantation in the mouse, which provides ample opportunity for the study of nonimmune and immune mechanisms that contribute to lung allograft injury.
Multi-point sensing in gas turbines using fiber-based intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers

It is well known that using a single-mode lead-in fiber, a multi-mode fiber section as a Fabry-Perot cavity, and an additional single-mode fiber as the tail results in a structure that generates strong interference fringes while remaining robust. Due to their compact size, sensitivity, and ability to be multiplexed, intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers (IFPIs) are excellent candidates for almost any multi-point temperature or strain application. Four of these sensors were to be installed on a 2"x2" coupon for installation in a simulated gas turbine environment. Though the basic principles behind these sensors are well known, serious issues associated with geometric constraints resulting from the size of the test coupon, sensor placement, and mechanical reinforcement of the fiber arose; fabricating a sensor chain with appropriate sensor spacing and excellent temperature response characteristics proved a significant challenge. Issues addressed include inter-sensor interference, high-temperature mechanical reinforcement for bare fiber sections, and high bending losses. After overcoming these problems, a final sensor chain was fabricated and characterized. This chain was then subjected to a battery of tests at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Final results are presented and analyzed.
Viability of lattice perturbation theory.

In this paper we show that the apparent failure of QCD lattice perturbation theory to account for Monte Carlo measurements of perturbative quantities results from choosing the bare lattice coupling constant as the expansion parameter. Using instead "renormalized" coupling constants defined in terms of physical quantities, such as the heavy-quark potential, greatly enhances the predictive power of lattice perturbation theory. The quality of these predictions is further enhanced by a method for automatically determining the coupling-constant scale most appropriate to a particular quantity. We present a mean-field analysis that explains the large renormalizations relating lattice quantities, such as the coupling constant, to their continuum analogues. This suggests a new prescription for designing lattice operators that are more continuumlike than conventional operators. Finally, we provide evidence that the scaling of physical quantities can be asymptotic or perturbative already at (quenched) $\ensuremath{\beta}'\mathrm{s}$ as low as 5.7, provided the evolution from scale to scale is analyzed using renormalized perturbation theory. This result indicates that reliable simulations of QCD are possible at these same low $\ensuremath{\beta}'\mathrm{s}$.
Low-Na+ medium increases the activity and the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

: Incubation of the rat superior cervical ganglion in Na+-free or low-Na+ medium increased the rate of synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in the ganglion fourfold and caused a concomitant stable activation of tyrosine hydroxylase. DOPA synthesis was half-maximal in medium containing about 20 mM Na+. Low-Na+ medium also increased the incorporation of 32Pi into tyrosine hydroxylase; the dependence of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation on the Na+ concentration resembled that of DOPA synthesis. The stimulatory effects of low-Na+ medium on DOPA production and on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in vitro were dependent on extracellular Ca2+. The stimulation of DOPA synthesis in low-Na+ medium was inhibited by methoxyverapamil, an inhibitor of Ca2+ uptake, and was partially blocked by tetrodotoxin, but it was not affected by the cholinergic antagonists hexamethonium and atropine. Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, stimulated DOPA synthesis to about the same extent as low-Na+ medium and also increased the incorporation of 32Pi into tyrosine hydroxylase. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP (1 mM) also stimulated DOPA production in the ganglion, and this stimulation was more than additive with that produced by low-Na+ medium. These data support the hypothesis that low-Na+ medium stimulates DOPA synthesis by raising intracellular Ca2+, which then promotes the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase.
Vanadia-silica sol-gel derived glass : Factors affecting homogeneity and morphology

The chemical and processing conditions under which multicomponent vanadia−silica sol−gel derived glass is synthesized have been investigated to determine the factors leading to homogeneity in the final material. In conjunction, studies were also conducted to assess changes in the morphological properties (porosity) of the silica xerogel due to the presence of vanadium. It was found that both the water content of the initial sol and the humidity under which aging of the gel was carried out dramatically affected the homogeneity of the final material. High initial water content or high humidity aging conditions resulted in the formation of green gels containing partially reduced vanadia, which, upon drying at 500 °C, yielded opaque orange xerogels. Vanadia−silica gels made with low water and aged at low humidity remained transparent after drying. The amount of vanadium that could be incorporated while still maintaining homogeneity was increased significantly if low water and low humidity conditions were used...
Does autologous transplantation directly increase the risk of secondary leukemia in lymphoma patients

Patients who undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for lymphoma have a significant risk of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia (t-AML/MDS). Compared to that seen in other indications such as breast cancer, multiple myeloma or germ cell tumors, there is a substantially increased risk for t-AML/MDS following ASCT for lymphoma. This risk has largely been attributed to the extent of pre-transplant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In many of the larger series to date, it has not been possible to directly implicate autologous transplantation itself as a risk factor for t-AML/MDS. Although pre-transplant therapy is certainly an important factor in the development of t-AML/MDS, specific components of the autologous transplantation procedure itself may also contribute to the risk of t-AML/MDS. Specifically, priming chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and the extensive cellular proliferation which occurs during engraftment may all play a role in the development of t-AML/MDS. Furthermore, there is an increasing body of evidence that certain inherited polymorphisms in genes governing drug metabolism, DNA repair and leukemogenesis may influence susceptibility to t-AML/MDS. In this paper, we review the evidence implicating the above risk factors for t-AML/MDS, present a potential mechanism for t-AML/MDS and propose interventions to reduce the rate of t-AML/MDS in lymphoma patients.
Direct measurement of nitric oxide in headspace gas produced by a chicken macrophage cell line in a closed culture system.

Abstract A simple and rapid method was applied for direct measurement of nitric oxide (NO) gas produced by cultured macrophages using a modified chemiluminescence detector, the thermal energy analyzer (TEA). HD 11 chicken macrophages (1–3 × 10 6 /ml) were cultured on microcarrier beads (100 mg/ml) in 140 ml air-tight glass jars (5 ml cell suspension per jar) containing 0.5 μg/ml of LPS and different concentrations of l -arginine. Headspace gas was sampled at 24 hours of culture via a rubber septum and directly injected into a TEA with a liquid nitrogen trap set at −130 to −140°C. The concentration of NO in the gas sample was quantified using a standard gas mixture of NO (2 μl/L) in nitrogen. Gas samples from l -arginine-supplemented cultures contained NO (0.028 – 0.066 p l/μl), whereas NO was not detected in samples from controls. These results suggest that chicken macrophages synthesize NO gas in a dose-dependent manner relative to l -arginine concentration.
The Phalaborwa story: Archaeological and enthnographic investigation of a South African iron age group

Abstract An archaeological investigation of Iron Age sites in the Phalaborwa district, Transvaal, South Africa provides a chronological sequence which begins perhaps as early as the eighth century A.D., and can be positively documented from the tenth century to the late 1900s. A concurrent ethnographic investigation among the BaPhalaborwa, a Sotho group, provides conclusive evidence to link the tribe with the archaeological sequence, especially through the continuity of the ceramic tradition. Oral traditions of the BaPhalaborvva provide valuable data for the interpretation of the archaeological record, leading to an account which integrates archaeology, ethnography and ethnohistory.