cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave holography of large reflector antennas--Simulation algorithms

The performance of large reflector antennas can be improved by identifying the location and amount of their surface distortions and then by correcting them. Microwave holography techniques are finding considerable applications as viable tools for performing this task. In these techniques, the complex (amplitude and phase) far-field pattern of the antenna is measured, using a reference antenna. Then, the Fourier transform relationship, which exists between the far field and a function related to the induced current, is invoked to result in the identification of the surface distortions. To critically examine the accuracy of the constructed surface profiles, simulation studies are required to incorporate both the effects of systematic and random distortions, particularly the effects of the displaced surface panels. In this paper, different simulation models are investigated with emphasis given to a model based on the vector diffraction analysis of a curved reflector with displaced panels. The simulated far-field patterns are then used to reconstruct the location and amount of displacement of the surface panels by employing a fast Fourier transform (FFT)/iterative procedure. The sensitivity of the microwave holography technique based on the number of far-field sampled points, level of distortions, polarizations, illumination tapers, etc., is also examined. In addition, the relationships between Az-El and u-v spaces are addressed in the Appendix. Most of the data are tailored to the dimensions of the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN) 64-m reflector antennas for which the result of a recent measurement is also presented.
Analysis of Voltammetric Half-Wave Potentials in Low Ionic Strength Solutions and Voltammetric Measurement of Ion Impurity Concentrations

Abstract : An analytic equation is presented that allows the prediction of steady-state voltammetric half-wave potentials as a function of electrolyte concentration in low ionic strength solutions for an electrode of arbitrary geometry and size. The equation is tested for the oxidation of ferrocene in acetonitrile at 2.4 - 20 micro m platinum microdisk electrodes for electrolyte (tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate) concentrations between 10(-1) and 4 x 10 to the 9th power M, and in acetonitrile solutions containing no intentionally added electrolyte. An analytical method for measuring ion impurity concentration, based on steady-state microelectrode voltammetry, is proposed and used to measure micro M ionic impurities in acetonitrile. The role of ionic solution impurities on voltammetric measurements in the absence of intentionally added electrolyte is quantified and a criterion for the minimum number of ions required to observe sigmoidally-shaped voltammetric curves at is proposed.
Modelling and mapping the distribution, diversity and abundance of freshwater mussels (Family Unionidae) in wadeable streams of Illinois, U.S.A.

Summary Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperilled animal groups in the world. Their effective conservation and restoration require a better understanding of their spatial distributions at a relevant scale and of their relationships with natural environmental factors and human disturbances. In this study, we sampled over 900 sites on wadeable streams throughout Illinois, U.S.A., and compiled environmental data for a wide range of natural and anthropogenic factors related to climate, geology, land use, and connections to large rivers, dams and ponds. Using random forest classification and regression, we modelled the presence–absence of mussels as a group (87% accuracy), the abundances of 29 individual mussel species (R2 = 0.2–0.51), species richness (R2 = 0.52) and total mussel abundance in a standard sample (R2 = 0.41). The abundances of most species increased with stream size, the proportion of agricultural land in the catchment and the distance to the nearest dam or pond, but decreased with increasing catchment or channel slope and the proportion of forest in the catchment. Species varied in their relationships with climate variables, suggesting that they respond differently to climate change. Geology, particularly bedrock depth, was important for many species. Species richness and total mussel abundance responded positively to stream size and negatively to the slope of streams or catchments. The models were applied to unsampled wadeable stream reaches to generate mussel distribution maps at the reach scale, useful tools for resource managers to effectively protect and restore mussel biodiversity. The models also improve our understanding of how mussel populations and assemblages are structured by natural factors and human disturbances at a broad scale.
Evidence against surface nucleation following pulsed melting of Si

Time-dependent measurements of the melt and solidification behavior of amorphous Si, formed by ion implantation of In, have been obtained following irradiation with ∼3 ns ruby laser pulses. The recently observed buried In sheets formed under such conditions are shown to result from internal nucleation of melt, contrary to previous interpretations. Under no conditions was surface nucleation of either amorphous or crystalline Si observed from a surface melt. These results resolve previous inconsistencies in the understanding of phase formation during rapid melting and solidification of Si.
Advanced analytics: opportunities and challenges

– Advanced analytics‐driven data analyses allow enterprises to have a complete or “360 degrees” view of their operations and customers. The insight that they gain from such analyses is then used to direct, optimize, and automate their decision making to successfully achieve their organizational goals. Data, text, and web mining technologies are some of the key contributors to making advanced analytics possible. This paper aims to investigate these three mining technologies in terms of how they are used and the issues that are related to their effective implementation and management within the broader context of predictive or advanced analytics., – A range of recently published research literature on business intelligence (BI); predictive analytics; and data, text and web mining is reviewed to explore their current state, issues and challenges learned from their practice., – The findings are reported in two parts. The first part discusses a framework for BI using the data, text, and web mining technologies for advanced analytics; and the second part identifies and discusses the opportunities and challenges the business managers dealing with these technologies face for gaining competitive advantages for their businesses., – The study findings are intended to assist business managers to effectively understand the issues and emerging technologies behind advanced analytics implementation.
The adsorption behavior of mixtures of styrene and butadiene polymers

Abstract The adsorption behavior of polymer mixtures containing various styrene (S) and butadiene (B) polymers has been examined at 25°C using flame-hydrolyzed silica as the adsorbent and perchloroethylene (C2C14) as the solvent. The silica particle size and molecular weights of the polymers involved were varied. It was found that silica preferentially adsorbs polystyrene (PS) relative to polybutadiene (PBD) from C2C14. This effect is attributed to a stronger interaction of the styrene segments with the silica surface sites and not geometric or molecular sieve effects. Experiments with mixtures containing S/B di-block or S/B/S tri-block copolymers established that PS is preferentially adsorbed relative to either type of block. Displacement experiments showed that PBD is rapidly displaced by S/B/S tri-block and S/B/S tri-block is displaced by PS. These results suggest that adsorption experiments can be used to characterize block copolymer samples with regard to their homopolymer content.
Self-Consistent Pseudopotential Calculation for a Metal-Semiconductor Interface

The electronic structure of a jellium-Si interface is calculated with use of a jellium density corresponding to Al and self-consistent Si pseudopotentials. Local densities of states and charge densities are used to study states near the interface. The states which exist in the Si fundamental gap are bulklike in jellium and decay into Si with high concentration in the dangling-bond free-surface-like Si state. The calculated barrier height is in excellent agreement with experiment.
Geologically Constrained Migration Velocity Analysis: Field Example

In areas of complex geology, prestack depth migration is the only way to produce an accurate image of the subsurface. Prestack depth migration requires an accurate interval velocity model. With few exceptions, the subsurface velocities are not known beforehand and should be estimated. When the velocity structure is complex with significant lateral variations, reflection tomography methods should be applied. Unfortunately, reflection tomography often converges slowly, to a model that geologically unreasonable, or not at all. The large null space of reflection tomography problems forces a sparse parameterization of the model and/or regularization criteria to be added to the estimation. Standard tomography schemes tend to create isotropic features in velocity that are inconsistent with geology. These isotropic features are due in large part to the use of symmetric regularization operators or by the choice of a poor model parameterization. By replacing these symmetric operators with operators that tend to spread information along structural dips, more geologically reasonable velocity models can be estimated. In addition, by forming these operators in helical 1D space and performing polynomial division, the inverse of these space-varying anisotropic operators can be applied. These inverse operators can be used as a preconditioner to a standard tomography problem, significantly improving convergence speed compared to the typical, regularized inversion problem. Results from 2-D field data are shown. The velocity obtained improves the focusing of the migrated image.
Synaptic interaction between the giant interneuron and the giant motorneuron in the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus

1. 1. An anatomical and physiological investigation was made of several components in the withdrawal escape response of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus. 2. 2. In the fused last thoracic-first abdominal ganglion, the giant axon (GA) synapses with the giant motor (GM) neuron which innervates the abdominal flexor muscles. 3. 3. The synapse is unidirectional, conducting impulses only from the GA to the GM. 4. 4. The synaptic delay time is less than 0.4 msec. 5. 5. Concentrations of MgCl2 and MnCl2 which normally block chemical synapses were ineffective in interfering with GA-GM transmission. 6. 6. The GA-GM synapse was reversibly blocked by 0.5 mM DNP. 7. 7. It is concluded that GA-GM connection is a rectifying electrical synapse.
Cooling of the Earth

In Part I observational data and hypotheses pertinent to the colling problem of the Earth are reviewed. The possible importance of heat-transport by slow thermal convection-currents is indicated. In Part II the theory of the cooling of a solid radioactive Earth is presented by a simple method which identifies this problem with an equivalent one in the cooling of a non-radioactive Earth. The facts as to slowness of cooling for temperature-perturbations of long wave-length are reviewed. The importance of the large heat-capacity of the Earth is emphasized by means of simple examples. If the Earth is cooling the rate must be very small, but, if heating occurs, higher rates are possible. Thermal considerations indicate that solidification of the mantle probably occurred from the bottom up. Because the steady-state temperatures in a radioactive Earth are significant in determining whether the Earth is heating or cooling at depth, such temperature-distributions have been computed for a dozen or more types of radioactive earths. It is probable that thermal equilibrium in the Earth as a whole is far from achieved. The Earth may be heating everywhere—cooling everywhere—or heating at some depths and cooling at others. The transient temperatures are expressed, and the transient heat-flows computed for a number of types of suitable radioactive earths which are amenable to convenient computation. The case of heat-flow in layered earths is especially examined. The observed surface heat-flows fix definite upper limits to the total heat-generation which may exist within about 100 or 200 km of the surface. It is important to improve the reliability and scope of present information concerning (1) surface heat-flows, (2). the structure and composition of the crust, and (3) the association of heat-generation with crustal layers. Until better knowledge of all three of these factors in the same region is available, estimates of the amount of radioactivity existing in and below the crust will involve large uncertainties. Even granting excellent thermal information about the crust, it is possible to deduce by thermal theory only very limited information about regions below a depth of 200 or 300 km. Little correlation exists between the radioactivity at depth and observed surface heat-flux. Heat-generation of the order 10−14 cal/cc/sec, or 10 per cent of that observed in plateau basalts, may exist at all depths, to the enter, without producing effects contrary to the facts of observation. No need is found for a drastic rate of decrease of radioactive substance with depth. The oft-expressed idea that the indicated amounts of radioactivity in the Earth are embarrassingly large and greatly exceed the amounts to be expected from observed surface heat-flows is fallacious.
The political and socioeconomic context of legal and illegal Mexican migration to the United States (1942-1984).

The US manpower shortage in industry and agriculture during World War II combined with Mexicos burden of an excess number of unemployed laborers provided the basis for serious labor negotiations between the US and Mexico. The result was the Bracero Agreement of 1942 a bilateral agreement involving annual quotas for the temporary hiring of Mexican braceros. On the surface the program worked well. However there were points of contention between the 2 countries: 1) in opposition to Mexicos policy of placing recruitment centers in the interior of the country US policy called for placing the centers near the border to reduce transportation costs; 2) Texas which received no braceros because of racial discrimination relied upon illegal aliens for manual labor; 3) Texas flagrantly violated a 1948 agreement when the Border Patrol welcomed aliens across the river despite Mexican officials threats to close the border; 4) legal braceros were confronted with competition from illegals who were willing to work for a lower wage; 5) in 1954 the Border patrol physically helped aliens across the border while Mexican policy were physically restraining them; 6) with the conclusion of a new Bracero agreement in March 1954 illegal aliens were no longer needed so more than 1 million were apprehended and deported to Mexicos interior. The termination of the Bracero Program in 1964 gave new impetus to illegal trafficking and the number of illegals apprehended began to increase steadily in 1965. The migration flow after 1964 was influenced by the following socioeconomic conditions in Mexico: 1) unemployment 2) very large disparities in income distribution 3) a discrimination of the rural sector in favor of the urban in the allocation of government funds and 4) a dependency on foreign capital and technology. Also it was cheap labor for the US. Neither the US nor Mexico has adopted policies related to either economic development or immigration that would systematically curtail or regulate the flow of Mexican migrants to the US. However conflicting pressures limit the policy-making process. President Carter was limited in his policy options by the needs of large-scale commercial agriculture. President Reagans idea of a guest-worker program did not develop into legislation. Mexicos Lopez Portillo administration counted on migration to the US as a substitute for redistributive land reform in its handling of rural political pressures; the migratory flow functioned as an "escape valve" helping to dilute the effects of rapid demographic increase and preserving the status quo.
Expenditure Patterns Under the Four Major Public Cash Benefit and Health Insurance Programs for Working-Age Adults With Disabilities

Using linked administrative records, we examined expenditure patterns under cash benefit and health insurance programs for 68,794 individuals first eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2000. Expenditures were tracked until death, age 65, or December 31, 2006. Cumulative per capita expenditures averaged US$111,160 in 2006 constant dollars, with 54% incurred under DI, 5% under SSI, and about 20% each under Medicare and Medicaid. SSI and Medicaid expenditures were somewhat higher early on. We concluded that SSI is a relatively low-expenditure program, but it has a major impact on total expenditures by providing access to Medicaid. An important role of SSI and Medicaid is to provide a temporary safety net supporting DI beneficiaries during their DI and Medicare waiting periods. The linkage of expenditure data under these four programs may be useful for evaluating the potential savings of initiatives to encourage individuals with disabilities to re...
Analysis of pyramidal neuron morphology in an inducible knockout of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Background The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a regulator of pyramidal neuron dendritic spine density during development, is decreased in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia, and the level of BDNF mRNA expression is positively correlated with dendritic spine density in the same subjects. Methods To determine whether reduced BDNF mRNA expression might account for decreased spine density in schizophrenia, a knockout of the BDNF gene was induced in mice during embryogenesis or at 12 weeks of age. Quantitative assessments were made of the dendritic arbor of Golgi-impregnated pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic and anterior cingulate cortices in adulthood. Results Despite an 80% reduction in BDNF mRNA levels in both knockouts, neither spine density nor other dendritic or somal measures were decreased compared with wild-type animals. Conclusions A reduction in BDNF expression alone does not seem to be sufficient to alter pyramidal neuron morphology in mice. This finding suggests that other molecular abnormalities are also required to produce the pyramidal neuron dendritic spine abnormalities observed in schizophrenia.
Reference MPO connectors with Pre-angled MT ferrules and measurements of fiber core position

This paper describes the single mode 12-fiber reference MPO connector with insertion loss of no more than 0.15dB and core eccentricity of no more than 0.45μm.
Metal-adsorbate-induced Si(111)-(1×3) reconstruction

The (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3) phases generated by the adsorption of silver and alkali-metal atoms on the Si(111)-(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7) surface are confirmed as a substrate reconstruction through the measurements of low-energy electron diffraction I-V curves for the (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3) structures. The metal adsorbates which induce the (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3) reconstruction are all at coverages below (1/3 and have no long-range order.
General convergence analysis for two-step projection methods and applications to variational problems

Abstract First a general model for two-step projection methods is introduced and second it has been applied to the approximation solvability of a system of nonlinear variational inequality problems in a Hilbert space setting. Let H be a real Hilbert space and K be a nonempty closed convex subset of H . For arbitrarily chosen initial points x 0 , y 0 ∈ K , compute sequences { x k } and { y k } such that x k + 1 = ( 1 − a k ) x k + a k P K [ y k − ρ T ( y k ) ] for ρ > 0 y k = ( 1 − b k ) x k + b k P K [ x k − η T ( x k ) ] for η > 0 , where T : K → H is a nonlinear mapping on K , P K is the projection of H onto K , and 0 ≤ a k , b k ≤ 1 . The two-step model is applied to some variational inequality problems.
Accelerator measurement of NaI response to medium energy neutrons and application to a Satellite-Borne Spectrometer

We report on the response of a prototype detector to medium energy neutrons. The neutrons were produced by n-p scattering of a neutron beam on a hydrogen target. The measurements provide unique data on the efficiency and response of large NaI scintillators to neutrons in the energy range 36-709 MeV. We apply the results to the high-energy mode of the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite by estimating its efficiency for neutron detection. This estimate is compared to earlier Monte Carlo calculations of the GRS efficiency.
Processing and Characterization of Ultra-Small Silicon Devices

Processing, design, and characterization issues are discussed for advanced field-effect (FET) and bipolar transistors. Results are presented from work on N-channel FET's with gate lengths below 0.1 ?m, and on the role that polysilicon emitter contacts play in high current, high speed bipolar devices. For FET's over 750mS/mm transconductance was achieved at liquid nitrogen temperature operation. In the case of bipolar devices it was found that maximizing the gain enhancement derived from the polycrystalline/single-crystal interface without regard to resistive effects does not lead to the highest performance in submicron transistors. Based on previous experience and on our recent work, we believe that silicon technology faces no insurmountable obstacles as it progresses into the deeply submicron regime.
Moritz Katzenstein: the father of meniscus repair surgery.

Abstract Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 5 (May-June), 2003: E39
Total Mesorectal Excision: Open, Laparoscopic or Robotic

Goals Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard technique for the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. Despite the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic TME (LTME) is a technically challenging procedure with a long learning curve. Robotic TME (RTME) has been advocated as an alternative to conventional LTME, but large studies supporting the efficacy or RTME are scarce. This work will review the current literature on minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer and discuss future directions in the field. Methods A review of recent large single and multicenter studies on minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer was conducted. Results Based on two large randomized clinical studies (CLASICC (Green et al. 2013) and COLOR II (van der Pas et al. 2013)). LTME is safe and feasible for the treatment of rectal cancer. Compared to open surgery, LTME has been shown to result in superior postoperative outcomes and similar oncologic results. However, the conversion rate of LTME is around 17 %. The literature supporting RTME is more limited. Robotic rectal resection appears to have similar postoperative and oncologic outcomes compared to LTME. RTME results in higher costs and possibly lower conversion rates. A large randomized clinical trial (ROLARR) comparing robotic to laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is underway. Conclusions Despite the technical challenges, current data supports the use of minimally invasive technique for rectal cancer surgery with superior short-term outcomes compared to an open approach. The use of robotic surgery is promising, but still limited and awaiting the conclusion of randomized clinical trials.
Melanic Facial Patterns and their Significance in the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

The relationship between the patterns present on the pronotum and the elytron of the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis was investigated. In males elytron size was a significant predictor of pronotal intensity and in females the fraction of the pronotum covered in black was related to their elytral spot brightness. Other significant sex differences included females having more of their pronota covered by melanins and the pigments deposited there being more intense than in males. The potential significance of these sex differences is discussed as well as the potential for these signals to serve in a mate choice context.
Use of the hydrated rat to assay diuretic and antidiuretic activity of drugs

This study compared oral renal excretory effects of several agents in three rat strains with that reported in man to assess predictive value of this species in cardiorenal drug development. Sprague-Dawley (SD), Wistar-Kyoto (WK), and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were hydrated and 3 hr urine volume, Na+, and K+ were measured, Normotensive SD and WK rats responded similarly, i.e., hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and aminophylline were diuretic, while hydralazine and milrinone caused Na+ retention. Accordingly the more economical SD rat was then compared with SHR. Aminophylline (3–30 mg/kg) and the more effective HCTZ (1–30 mg/kg) achieved dose-related diuresis and kaliuresis in both strains, increasing Na+ excretion by a maximum of 5–14-fold, whereas the vasodilators hydralazine (3–30 mg/kg) and milrinone (1–10 mg/kg) reduced Na+, K+ and volume dose-relatedly with Na+ output being 5–50% of control values. Verapamil promoted Na+ excretion in both strains by 1.5- to 4-fold at 30 mg/kg, but was antinatriuretic at 80 mg/kg. Conversely, nifedipine had qualitatively differents effects in SHR and SD rats. That is, it elicited diuresis in the SHR at 10mg/kg (Δ Na+ = +155%) and no change in urine volume or Na+ and K+ cutput at 30 mg/kg, where as the Ca++-antagonist provoked dose-related volume, Na+, and K+ retention in the normotensive rat with 3 hr output being ca. 15–22% of that of vehicle-treated controls. Accordingly the SD rat predicted the renal effects typically seen clinically for all agents except milrinone (Cody et al.: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 39: 128–135, 1986), supporting use of the economical SD rat as a primary assay for effects on renal excretion with the SHR strain reserved for assessing Ca++-channel blockers in the hypertensive state.
UTEX 1336: PERIDINIUM CINCTUM OR PERIDINIUM VOLZII (DINOPHYCEAE)?1

Plate pattern variation in UTEX clone 1336 and published photographs using this clone indicate the presence of two taxa: Peridinium cinctum and Peridinium volzii. All subclones established from UTEX 1336 contain the same two cell types. The identification of UTEX 1336 and its future use by researchers are discussed.
Thermodynamics and NMR of Internal G·T Mismatches in DNA

Thermodynamics of 39 oligonucleotides with internal G·T mismatches dissolved in 1 M NaCl were determined from UV absorbance versus temperature profiles. These data were combined with literature values of six sequences to derive parameters for 10 linearly independent trimer and tetramer sequences with G·T mismatches and Watson−Crick base pairs. The G·T mismatch parameters predict ΔG°37, ΔH°, ΔS°, and TM with average deviations of 5.1%, 7.5%, 8.0%, and 1.4 °C, respectively. These predictions are within the limits of what can be expected for a nearest-neighbor model. The data show that the contribution of a single G·T mismatch to helix stability is context dependent and ranges from +1.05 kcal/mol for AGA/TTT to −1.05 kcal/mol for CGC/GTG. Several tests of the applicability of the nearest-neighbor model to G·T mismatches are described. Analysis of imino proton chemical shifts show that structural perturbations from the G·T mismatches are highly localized. One-dimensional NOE difference spectra demonstrate tha...
Comprehension of software analysis data using 3D visualization

The paper presents a software visualization application-framework that utilizes a variety of 3D metaphors to represent large software system and related analysis data. The 3D representation is based on the SeeSoft pixel representation and extends that original metaphor by rendering the visualization in a 3D space. Object-based manipulation methods and simultaneous alternative mappings are available to the user. The visual elements, mappings, and user interactions implemented and used by the framework are described with respect to their support for software understanding tasks. Examples are presented and discussed to demonstrate how the system's current features support the needs of the user.
Changing roles and identities of midwives in rural Costa Rica

The roles and social identities of rural midwives in Costa Rica reflect the changing history of local birth practices vis-a-vis pragmatic local needs as well as the changing relation of the nation-state to the production of birth. This article explores how midwifery practices changed over time in relation to Costa Rican state policy and why prenatal massage (an important element of prenatal care historically) retains its importance despite the massive hospitalization of birth. Home birth's history as a heterogeneous, flexible model for care, combined with the pragmatic needs of women, make midwives and prenatal massage central in the production of hospital birth. Costa Rican midwives survive in the interstices of the biomedical model of care, providing interventions demanded by women (although demeaned by biomedicine) and serving as a safety net for pregnancy crises in hinterland communities. While acknowledging the potential for maternal or child death during pregnancy crises in isolated regions, midwives generate acute critiques of the biomedical model of birth and clearly articulate the practical need for (and continuing importance of) their practices in rural areas. This case study illustrates the obstacles to international awareness faced by midwives in so-called Third World countries like Costa Rica-midwives who must overcome not only geographic and socioeconomic marginalization, but also overwhelming opposition from the state and multilateral "reproductive development" policies.
Arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD)-containing peptides inhibit the force production of mouse papillary muscle bundles via α5β1 integrin

Integrins are considered to be an important mechanosensor in cardiac myocytes. To test whether integrins can influence cardiac contractile function, the force-frequency relationships of mouse papillary muscle bundles were measured in the presence or absence of a synthetic integrin-binding peptide, GRGDNP (gly-arg-gly-asp-asn-pro). Results demonstrate that in the presence of an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-containing synthetic peptide, contractile force was depressed significantly by, 28% at 4 Hz, 37.7% at 5 Hz and 20% at 10 Hz (n = 6, P < 0.01). Treatment of myofibres with either protease-generated fragments of denatured collagen (Type I) or denatured collagen that contain the RGD motif, also reduced force production significantly. An integrin-activating antibody for beta(1) integrin inhibited the force similar to synthetic RGD peptide. Function-blocking integrin antibodies for alpha(5) and beta(1) integrins reversed the effect of the RGD-containing peptide, and alpha(5) integrin also reversed the effect of proteolytic fragments of denatured collagen on contractile force, whereas experiments with function-blocking antibody for beta(3) integrin did not reverse the effect of RGD peptide. Force-[Ca(2)(+)](i) measurements showed that the depressed rate of force generation observed in the presence of the RGD-containing peptide was associated with reduced [Ca(2)(+)](i). Data analyses further demonstrated that force per unit of Ca(2)(+) was reduced, suggesting that the myofilament activation process was altered. In addition, inhibition of PKC enzyme using the selective, cell-permeable inhibitor Ro-32-0432, reversed the activity of RGD peptide on papillary muscle bundles. In conclusion, these data indicate that RGD peptide, acting via alpha(5)beta(1) integrin, depresses the force production from papillary muscle bundles, partly associated with changes in [Ca(2)(+)](i) and the myofilament activation processes, that is modulated by PKCepsilon.
The tongue as it relates to complete dentures

Denture base design and artificial tooth placement must permit the tongue to function properly in speech, mastication, and deglutition and to aid in stabilizing the mandibular complete denture. For fabrication of complete dentures, the anatomy and physiologic characteristics of the tongue and its environment must be evaluated thoroughly. Any abnormalities will jeopardize the success of such dentures. The tongue must engage in the normal physiologic acts of speech, mastication, and deglutition and at the same time help stabilize the complete denture. Fabrication of the denture base and artificial tooth placement are important in aiding or hindering the tongue in accomplishing its tasks.
Breakdown of Tolerance to a Neo-Self Antigen in Double Transgenic Mice in Which B Cells Present the Antigen

Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing a foreign Ag, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), under control of the αA-crystallin promoter (“HEL-Tg” mice) develop immunotolerance to HEL attributed to the expression of HEL in their thymus. In this paper we analyzed the immune response in double (Dbl)-Tg mice generated by mating the HEL-Tg mice with Tg mice that express HEL Abs on their B cells (“Ig-Tg” mice). The B cell compartment of the Dbl-Tg mice was unaffected by the HEL presence and was essentially identical to that of the Ig-Tg mice. A partial breakdown of tolerance was seen in the T cell response to HEL of the Dbl-Tg mice, i.e., their lymphocyte proliferative response against HEL was remarkably higher than that of the HEL-Tg mice. T-lymphocytes of both Dbl-Tg and Ig-Tg mice responded to HEL at concentrations drastically lower than those found stimulatory to lymphocytes of the wild-type controls. Cell mixing experiments demonstrated that 1) the lymphocyte response against low concentrations of HEL is due to the exceedingly efficient Ag presenting capacity of the Ab expressing B cells and 2) breakdown of tolerance in Dbl-Tg mice can also be attributed to the APC capacity of B cells, that sensitize in vivo and stimulate in vitro populations of T cells with low affinity toward HEL, assumed to be escapees of thymic deletion. These results thus indicate that T cell tolerance can be partially overcome by the highly potent Ag presenting capacity of Ab expressing B cells.
Update on Time-of-Flight PET Imaging

Time-of-flight (TOF) PET was initially introduced in the early days of PET. The TOF PET scanners developed in the 1980s had limited sensitivity and spatial resolution, were operated in 2-dimensional mode with septa, and used analytic image reconstruction methods. The current generation of TOF PET scanners has the highest sensitivity and spatial resolution ever achieved in commercial whole-body PET, is operated in fully-3-dimensional mode, and uses iterative reconstruction with full system modeling. Previously, it was shown that TOF provides a gain in image signal-to-noise ratio that is proportional to the square root of the object size divided by the system timing resolution. With oncologic studies being the primary application of PET, more recent work has shown that in modern TOF PET scanners there is an improved tradeoff between lesion contrast, image noise, and total imaging time, leading to a combination of improved lesion detectability, reduced scan time or injected dose, and more accurate and precise lesion uptake measurement. Because the benefit of TOF PET is also higher for heavier patients, clinical performance is more uniform over all patient sizes.
Effects of Deposits on Film Cooling of a Vane Endwall Along the Pressure Side

Film cooling is influenced by surface roughness and depositions that occur from contaminants present in the hot gas path, whether that film cooling occurs on the vane itself or on the endwalls associated with the vanes. Secondary flows in the endwall region also affect the film-cooling performance along the endwall. An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of surface deposition on film cooling along the pressure side of a first-stage turbine vane endwall. A large-scale wind tunnel with a turbine vane cascade was used to perform the experiments. The vane endwall was cooled by an array of film-cooling holes along the pressure side of the airfoil. Deposits having a semielliptical shape were placed along the pressure side to simulate individual row and multiple row depositions. Results indicated that the deposits lowered the average adiabatic effectiveness levels downstream of the film-cooling rows by deflecting the coolant jets toward the vane endwall junction on the pressure side. Results also indicated that there was a steady decrease in adiabatic effectiveness levels with a sequential increase in the number of rows with the deposits.
Short-Term Depression at Thalamocortical Synapses Contributes to Rapid Adaptation of Cortical Sensory Responses In Vivo

In vivo whole-cell recordings revealed that during repeated stimulation, synaptic responses to deflection of facial whiskers rapidly adapt. Extracellular recordings in the somatosensory thalamus revealed that part of the adaptation occurs subcortically, but because cortical adaptation is stronger and recovers more slowly, cortical mechanisms must also contribute. Trains of sensory stimuli that produce profound sensory adaptation did not alter intrinsic membrane properties, including resting membrane potential, input resistance, and current-evoked firing. Synaptic input evoked via intracortical stimulation was also unchanged; however, synaptic input from the somatosensory thalamus was depressed by sensory stimulation, and this depression recovered with a time course matching that of the recovery of sensory responsiveness. These data strongly suggest that synaptic depression of thalamic input to the cortex contributes to the dynamic regulation of neuronal sensitivity during rapid changes in sensory input.
Collocational Links in the L2 Mental Lexicon and the Influence of L1 Intralexical Knowledge

This article assesses the influence of L1 intralexical knowledge on the formation of L2 intralexical collocations. Two tests, a primed lexical decision task (LDT) and a test of receptive collocational knowledge, were administered to a group of non-native speakers (NNSs) (L1 Swedish), with native speakers (NSs) of English serving as controls on the LDT. The tests assessed collocations in three critical conditions: (i) collocations with translation equivalents in Swedish and English (L1–L2), (ii) collocations that were acceptable in English but not in Swedish (L2-only), and (iii) unrelated items for baseline data. Our results showed that the L1 may have considerable influence on the development of L2 collocational knowledge. NNSs both processed [with faster reaction times (RTs) on the LDT] and recognized (with higher receptive scores) L1–L2 collocations more effectively than L2-only collocations. However, the results of the LDT also showed considerable variability for the L2-only condition, suggesting that the overall slower RTs in this condition might have been linked more to a lack of priming for individual items rather than slower RTs for this condition as a whole.
Catalytic behavior of graphene oxide for cement hydration process

Abstract Hydration is a critical step that determines the performance of cement-based materials. In this paper, the effect of GO on the hydration of cement was evaluated by XRD and FTIR. It was found that GO can remarkably accelerate the hydration rate of cement due to its catalytic behavior. This happened because the oxygen-containing functional groups of GO provide adsorption sites for both water molecules and cement components.
A Study Of HRMs Response To The Events Of 9/11

The 9/11 terrorist attacks leveled the twin towers of New Yorks World Trade Center, caused serious damage to the Pentagon, and disrupted the national economy. The response by corporate organiza-tions, hardest hit by the events of 9/11, has turned the familiar phrase business as usual into an anachronism. Effective human resource management (HRM) practices are critical for any organization to appropriately respond and recover from catastrophic events, such as those of 9/11. In the aftermath of 9/11, corporate organizations have recognized the need to change many of their HRM practices. Possible explanations for recent changes in HRM practices are twofold: 1) as precautionary measures intended to avert man-made disasters, and 2) to enhance the organizations capability to immediately and effectively respond should a disaster strike. Irrespective of the reasons organizations are changing their HRM practices, they are placing more importance than ever on the need to optimally utilize and safeguard their most valued asset employees. Exploratory research on the initial responses by corporate organizations to the events of 9/11 reveals: 1) that many did not have disaster plans in place, and 2) that an even larger number were poorly prepared to deal with the disasters immediate impact on employees, particularly the negative psychological consequences engendered by such a disaster. This exploratory paper culminates in a proposed HRM Practices Disaster Recovery Diagnostic Tool. This tool would allow an organization to assess the adequacy of their HRM practices in responding to man-made disasters.
Dynamic dosing assay relating real-time respiration responses of staphylococcus aureus biofilms to changing microchemical conditions

Bacterial biofilms are a metabolically heterogeneous community of bacteria distributed in an extracellular matrix comprised primarily of hydrated polysaccharides. Effective inhibitory concentrations measured under planktonic conditions are not applicable to biofilms, and inhibition concentrations measured for biofilms vary widely. Here, we introduce a novel microfluidic approach for screening respiration inhibition of bacteria in a biofilm array morphology. The device geometry and operating conditions allow antimicrobial concentration and flux to vary systematically and predictably with space and time. One experiment can screen biofilm respiratory responses to many different antimicrobial concentrations and dosing rates in parallel. To validate the assay, onset of respiration inhibition following NaN₃ exposure is determined optically using an O₂-sensing thin film. Onset of respiration inhibition obeys a clear and reproducible pattern based on time for diffusive transport of the respiration inhibitor to each biofilm in the array. This approach can be used for high-throughput screening of antimicrobial effectiveness as a function of microbial characteristics, antimicrobial properties, or antimicrobial dosing rates. The approach may also be useful in better understanding acquired antimicrobial resistance or for screening antimicrobial combinations.
Design Repository and Analogy Computation via Unit Language Analysis (DRACULA) Repository Development

Engineering designs are typically constrained by requirements and specifications. The Design Analogy Performance Parameters System (D-APPS) project seeks to provide engineers with a means to transform these product requirements and specifications into functional analogies. D-APPS employs design-by-Analogy (DbA) via critical functionality and the engineering performance parameters from the specifications to produce functional alternative options to design engineers.Repositories, or databases, provide structured storage of information for retrieval by users in an systemic manner. D-APPS utilizes a repository to store analogy entries, capable of being polled by the developed algorithm. Analogous matches are formulated with the weighting scheme of the algorithm. This research investigates the structures of three alternative repositories, and the current D-APPS database with its interface to the algorithm and design engineer. The architecture of the repository is discussed with example entries and rationale for inclusion.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Case report: Improvement of GAD65-Associated Autoimmune Epilepsy with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (P2.166)

OBJECTIVE: Report a unique case of immunotherapy and anti-epileptic drug (AED)-resistant Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65)-associated autoimmune epilepsy demonstrating improvement with exogenous testosterone replacement. BACKGROUND: Treatment response in autoimmune epilepsy is variable, often dependent on the specific neuronal antibody involved, with GAD65-associated epilepsy amongst the most challenging to treat. There have been reports of improvement in seizure frequency in non-autoimmune epilepsy following administration of testosterone; however, an association between sex steroids and autoimmune epilepsy has not been reported previously. DESIGN/METHODS: Case Report RESULTS: A 47-year-old Caucasian man with treatment refractory GAD65-associated autoimmune epilepsy (CSF and serum GAD65 titer >250 IU/mL) and primary hypogonadism was admitted for long-term video EEG monitoring to objectify the patient9s observation that the testosterone replacement prescribed by his primary physician resulted in a reduction in seizure frequency. Through weekly monitoring of his testosterone levels, he elucidated a pattern of increased seizure frequency, 15-20 seizures daily, at a testosterone level 700 ng/dL (reference range 240-950 ng/dL). Testosterone therapy was discontinued the week prior to admission, but he was otherwise maintained on his home regimen of immunosuppression and AEDs. During the 15-day admission, 43 electrographic episodes were recorded and localized to the broad right fronto-temporocentral areas. Testosterone levels were monitored, with an increase in seizure frequency noted with decreasing serum testosterone levels. As a result, on day 9 (testosterone level 394 ng/dL), 200 mg of IM testosterone was administered, yielding a dramatic reduction in electrographic seizure frequency and duration, correlating with increasing serum testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the need for increased attention to the possible role of endocrinologic abnormalities in patients with autoimmune epilepsy and the need to address such abnormalities, as they may play a role in worsening the epilepsy, particularly in autoimmune epilepsies that are less responsive to immunosuppressive therapy. Disclosure: Dr. Heiry has nothing to disclose. Dr. Afra has received research support from UCB Pharma, Sunovion, and Cyberonics. Dr. Matsuo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Greenlee has received royalty payments from MedLink and Merck. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation for activities with the DAVICK Group and Trinity Partners. Dr. Clardy9s spouse holds stock and/or stock options in Quadex. Dr. Clardy has received research support from Western Institue for Biomedical Research
Analysis of HIV antibody test results in Wenzhou City

Objective:To know about the HIV crowd′s infectious feature and HIV epidemic status of Wenzhou,providing the basis for the work of the AIDS monitoring,investigation and control.Methods:The ELISA method for HIV antibody test of the 1376 cases with detailed age and sex information in Wenzhou,HIV antibody positive samples were re-screened by Western blot(WB) test to confirm.Results:Among the samples of 1,376 cases,20～29 age group submitted the largest number of people,followed by 30～39 Age group,But the positive rate of 30～39 and 40～49 Age group were higher than 20～29 age group.Men were slightly more than women,but positive rate was of no significant difference.Among the crowd detected,a relatively large number of people were VCT,detainees and STD patients,for a ratio of 49.57%,15.26%,13.81%,respectively.The high positive constitute ratio population were pre-operative testing,VCT and drug addicts,for a ratio of 31.82%,21.42%,11.69%.Conclusion:The infectious population becomes more older than ever,HIV infection from high-risk groups to the general population,HIV infection situation is worrying,the situation of control is grim,we should strengthen education on young people′s way of life,popularize the knowledge of security of sex,make greater propaganda and enlarge the scope of screening the crowd.