cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Inhibitor of GSK3B and HDACs Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Slows Pancreatic Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Mice

Background & Aims Growth, progression, and drug resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) have been associated with increased levels and activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). We designed and synthesized molecules that simultaneously inhibit the activities of both enzymes. We tested the effects of one of these molecules, Metavert, in pancreatic cancer cells and mice with pancreatic tumors. Methods We tested the ability of Metavert to bind GSK3B and HDACs using surface plasmon resonance. MIA PaCa-2, Bx-PC3, HPAF-II, and HPDE6 cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of Metavert, with or without paclitaxel or gemcitabine, or with other inhibitors of GSK3B and HDACs; cells were analyzed for apoptosis and migration and by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Krasþ/LSLG12D;Trp53þ/LSLR172H;Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mice (2 months old) were given injections of Metavert (5 mg/kg, 3 times/week) or vehicle (control). B6.129J mice with tumors grown from UN-KPC961-Luc cells were given injections of Metavert or vehicle. Tumors and metastases were counted and pancreata were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Glucose metabolism was measured using 13C-glucose tracer and mass spectroscopy and flow cytometry. Cytokine levels in blood samples were measured using multiplexing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Metavert significantly reduced survival of PDAC cells but not nontransformed cells; the agent reduced markers of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stem cells in PDAC cell lines. Cells incubated with Metavert in combination with irradiation and paclitaxel or gemcitabine had reduced survival compared with cells incubated with either agent alone; Metavert increased killing of drug-resistant PDAC cells by paclitaxel and gemcitabine. PDAC cells incubated with Metavert acquired normalized glucose metabolism. Administration of Metavert (alone or in combination with gemcitibine) to KPC mice or mice with syngeneic tumors significantly increased their survival times, slowed tumor growth, prevented tumor metastasis, decreased tumor infiltration by tumor-associated macrophages, and decreased blood levels of cytokines. Conclusions In studies of PDAC cells and 2 mouse models of PDAC, we found a dual inhibitor of GSK3B and HDACs (Metavert) to induce cancer cell apoptosis, reduce migration and expression of stem cell markers, and slow growth of tumors and metastases. Metavert had synergistic effects with gemcitabine.
Does dynamic federalism yield compatible policies? A study of the designs of federal and state vehicle policies

AbstractGovernance systems that allow jurisdictions housed at different levels to develop policies pertaining to common issues can foster the development of innovative and contextually appropriate ...
Mimesis on the edge

ABSTRACTIn what follows I offer a perspective on how the ‘dialectical image’ might speak to what is revolutionary and catastrophic in our experiences and relations. It may be impossible to directly...
Achieving Social Optimum in Dynamic Weight Adaptation for Virus Mitigation: A Potential Differential Game Approach

Abstract In this paper, a differential game framework is proposed to provide a theoretic underpinning for decentralized mitigation of virus spreading in which each node determines its own control control policy based on local information. To reduce the inefficiency of the Nash equilibrium and allow the decentralized policy to achieve social welfare, we propose a mechanism through a penalty scheme for a class of potential differential games over networks. The differential game under the penalty scheme turns out to be a potential differential game. To investigate the long term behaviors of the weight adaptation scheme, we study their turnpike properties. Numerical experiments are used to corroborate the results and demonstrate how the weight adapts to mitigate virus spreading and turnpike properties of the potential differential game.
Conductive heat transfer in lamellar phase change material composites

Abstract Composite thermal energy storage materials consisting of highly thermally conductive and capacitive constituent elements can thermally buffer transient heat pulses. The ability to quantitatively describe these composite systems is valuable in the design of thermal management components to determine how a thermal load affects the necessary geometric aspects. Here, we develop numerical and analytical reduced-order solutions of 1D conductive heat transfer in lamellar multi-component thermal energy storage materials. Investigation of the limit in which conduction is the dominant term is important for the case where length-scales are small enough to limit convection or where the phase change material maintains a solid or high viscosity state at high temperatures. The response of lamellar PCM systems is herein described using (1) an effective medium approximation, and (2) a 1D “fin equation” approximation. Analytical solutions are compared against a higher resolution finite difference analysis numerical model in order to determine the length- and time- scales over which each expression is valid. The result of this work is a set of approximate solutions of transient thermal behavior in thermal energy storage composites, which can aid in the deliberate design of composite thermal energy storage materials to achieve desired performance characteristics. Remarkably, application of this approach predicts composite structures which absorb heat at much higher rates than pure metal conductors.
An adaptive solution to the chemical master equation using quantized tensor trains with sliding windows

To cope with an extremely large or even infinite state space when solving the chemical master equation in biological problems, a potent strategy is to restrict to a finite state projection (FSP) and represent the transition matrix and probability vector in quantized tensor train (QTT) format, leading to savings in storage while retaining accuracy. In an earlier adaptive FSP-QTT algorithm, the multidimensional state space was downsized and kept in the form of a hyper rectangle that was updated when needed by selectively doubling some of its side dimensions. However, this could result in a much larger state space than necessary, with the effect of hampering both the execution time and stepping scheme. In this work, we improve the algorithm by enabling sliding windows that can dynamically slide, shrink or expand, with updates driven by a number of stochastic simulation algorithm trajectories. The ensuing state space is a considerably reduced hyper rectangle containing only the most probable states at each time step. Three numerical experiments of varying difficulty are performed to compare our approach with the original adaptive FSP-QTT algorithm.
Relational Contracts in Agriculture: Theory and Evidence

We appraise the current status of relational contract theory, along with associated empirical studies, with the goal of providing an orientation to the field to economists who may not have expertis...
Dissemination of Evidence-Based School Asthma Management Programs: Piloting Asthma 411 in an Urban Texas School District

Background The dissemination and implementation (DI service categories included: a consulting physician, enhanced school asthma services, and support for links to community health resources. Data was collected on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls, aggregated nursing services, demographic characteristics, availability of medication provided through existing policies, and informal interviews. Results During the pilot, school-day asthma-related Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls were eliminated. Documented asthma self-management education, authorization for rescue medication, and efforts to communicate with parents and health providers increased. Between year-1 and year-2, the gap between unadjusted, weighted mean absences among students with and without asthma was reduced by 1.1 days. However, this difference was not seen in a fully adjusted negative, binomial regression model. Conclusions Evaluation of the Asthma 411 pilot suggests many EBI benefits were retained and identifies factors that may facilitate D&I of school health EBIs. Future research will clarify impacts on absenteeism and determine if observed benefits are sustained.
A three-level mixed model to account for the correlation at both the between-day and the within-day level for ecological momentary assessments

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) studies aim to explore the interaction between subjects' psychological states and real environmental factors. During the EMA studies, participants can receive prompted assessments intensively across days and within each day, which results in three-level longitudinal data, e.g., subject-level (level-3), day-level nested in subject (level-2) and assessment-level nested in each day (level-1). Those three-level data may exhibit complex longitudinal correlation structure but ignoring or mis-specifying the within-subject correlation structure can lead to bias on the estimation of the key effects and the intraclass correlation. Given the three-level EMA data and the time stamps of the responses, we proposed a linear mixed effects model with random effects at each level. In this model, we accounted for level-2 autocorrelation and level-1 autocorrelation and showed how structural information from the three-level data improved the fit of the model. With real time stamps of the assessments, we also provided a useful extension of this proposed model to deal with the issue of irregular-spacing in EMA assessments.
Benefit-Risk Summary of Nivolumab for the Treatment of Patients with Unresectable Advanced, Recurrent, or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Prior Fluoropyrimidine- and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

On June 10, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nivolumab (OPDIVO; Bristol Myers Squibb, New York, NY) for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. Approval was based on the results of a single, randomized, active-control study (ATTRACTION-3) that randomized patients to receive nivolumab or investigator's choice of taxane chemotherapy (docetaxel or paclitaxel). The study demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival (OS; hazard ratio = 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.62-0.96; p = .0189) with an estimated median OS of 10.9 months in the nivolumab arm compared with 8.4 months in the chemotherapy arm. Overall, fewer patients in the nivolumab arm experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade, grade 3-4 TEAEs, and serious adverse events compared with the control arm. The safety profile of nivolumab in patients with ESCC was generally similar to the known safety profile of nivolumab in other cancer types with the following exception: esophageal fistula was identified as a new, clinically significant risk in patients with ESCC treated with nivolumab. Additionally, the incidence of pneumonitis was higher in the ESCC population than in patients with other cancer types who are treated with nivolumab. This article summarizes the FDA review of the data supporting the approval of nivolumab for the treatment of ESCC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The approval of nivolumab for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy was based on an overall survival (OS) benefit from a randomized, open-label, active-controlled study called ATTRACTION-3. Prior to this study, no drug or combination regimen had demonstrated an OS benefit in a randomized study for patients with ESCC after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
Predicting Relationship Satisfaction in LGBQ + People Using Internalized Stigma, Outness, and Concealment

Minority stress has a range of negative and protective outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other sexual minority (LGBQ+) people. The internalization of societal stigma associated with s...
A patient-focused survey to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social guidelines on people with muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: In this study, we examined the social and health impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and social guidelines on people with muscular dystrophies. METHODS: A prospective de-identified electronic survey was distributed to adults with self-reported facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), myotonic dystrophy (DM), and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) enrolled in national registries or with patient advocacy groups. The COVID-19 Impact Survey was developed by muscular dystrophy experts in association with patient collaborators and advocacy groups. The Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure perceived stress. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 774: 56% FSHD; 35% DM, and 9% LGMD) were mostly women and middle-aged (range 19-87 y). Rates of COVID-19 infections were low (<1%), compliance with local social distancing guidelines and policies high (98%). Major challenges reported during the pandemic included: obtaining treatment (40%), managing stress (37%), social distancing (36%), and obtaining essentials (34%). The majority reported a slight worsening in their disease state. Respondents reported moderate stress levels (stress score = 15.4; range = 0-35), with higher stress levels reported by women and those under age 30 y. Three-quarters of participants who participated in telemedicine visits were satisfied with the encounters; however, most reported a preference for in-person visits. DISCUSSION: People with muscular dystrophy reported moderate stress and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions such as exercise and stress-coping strategies, including strategies specific to women or individuals <30 y, may be important. Further investigation is needed into the role of telemedicine in the care of individuals with muscular dystrophy.
Engineering a 3D Vascularized Adipose Tissue Construct Using a Decellularized Lung Matrix

Critically sized defects in subcutaneous white adipose tissue result in extensive disfigurement and dysfunction and remain a reconstructive challenge for surgeons; as larger defect sizes are correlated with higher rates of complications and failure due to insufficient vascularization following implantation. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, a method to engineer perfusable, pre-vascularized, high-density adipose grafts that combine patient-derived adipose cells with a decellularized lung matrix (DLM). The lung is one of the most vascularized organs with high flow, low resistance, and a large blood–alveolar interface separated by a thin basement membrane. For our work, the large volume capacity within the alveolar compartment was repurposed for high-density adipose cell filling, while the acellular vascular bed provided efficient graft perfusion throughout. Both adipocytes and hASCs were successfully delivered and remained in the alveolar space even after weeks of culture. While adipose-derived cells maintained their morphology and functionality in both static and perfusion DLM cultures, perfusion culture offered enhanced outcomes over static culture. Furthermore, we demonstrate that endothelial cells seamlessly integrate into the acellular vascular tree of the DLM with adipocytes. These results support that the DLM is a unique platform for creating vascularized adipose tissue grafts for large defect filling.
Muscle Synergies in People With Chronic Ankle Instability During Anticipated and Unanticipated Cutting Tasks.

Context Although neuromuscular deficits in people with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been identified, previous studies mostly investigated the activation of multiple muscles in isolation. Investigating muscle synergies in people with CAI would provide information about the coordination and control of neuromuscular activation strategies and could hold important information for understanding and rehabilitating neuromuscular deficits in this population. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle synergies in people with CAI and healthy controls as they perform different cutting tasks. Design Cross-sectional study Setting: Laboratory Participants: Eleven people with CAI (22 ± 3 years, 1.68 ± 0.11 m, 69.0 ± 19.1 kg) and 11 healthy controls (CON) (23 ± 4 years, 1.74 ± 0.11 m, 66.8 ± 15.5 kg) participated in the current study. Main outcome measures Muscle synergies were extracted from the EMG of the soleus, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and fibularis longus muscles during anticipated and unanticipated cutting tasks. The number of synergies, activation coefficients, and muscle-specific weighting coefficients were compared between groups and across tasks. Results The number of muscle synergies were the same for each group and task. The CAI group exhibited significantly greater (p = 0.023) tibialis anterior weighting coefficients within Synergy 1 compared to the CON group. In addition, both groups exhibited greater fibularis longus (p = 0.029) weighting coefficients within Synergy 2 during unanticipated cutting compared to anticipated cutting. Conclusion These results suggest that while both groups used a neuromuscular control strategy of similar complexity / dimensionality to perform the cutting tasks, people with CAI exhibited different muscle-specific weightings characterized by greater emphasis on tibialis anterior function within Synergy 1, which may reflect an effort to increase joint stability to compensate for the presence of ankle instability.
Immobilization of Enzymes at Biosensor Surfaces Using Spontaneous Self-Assembly Phenomena

This chapter presents details related to immobilization of enzymes at biosensor surfaces using spontaneous self-assembly phenomenon. Biosensor devices require the coupling of biomolecules with physical or chemical transducers. Many biomolecule immobilization strategies have been developed including nonspecific adsorption, physical entrapment, chemical cross-linking, electropolymerization, and covalent attachment schemes. As demand increases for reliable, sophisticated, and economical biosensors, so will incentives for mass fabricating integrated biosensor arrays. Future generations of biosensors will require immobilization chemistries that are: (1) compatible with microelectronic fabrication procedures; (2) facilitate patterned immobilization of multiple biomolecules; and (3) produce biomembranes with nanometer to micrometer dimensions. The strong and selective binding of up to four biotin molecules by avidin enables this protein to be used as a molecular “glue” to bridge two biotin-functionalized species. It is anticipated that the mild reaction conditions, nanoscale dimensions, and spontaneous character of molecular self-assembly processes will facilitate the immobilization and patterning of biomolecules in mass fabricated biosensor arrays.
SWMM Stormwater Pollutant Washoff Functions

In the classical theory of elasticity, one of the celebrated methods for solving boundary value problems regarding an isotropic homogeneous linear elastic continuum is the method of Galerkin's vector. However, the set of governing equations to be solved is a system of N partial differential equations, N being the number of spatial dimension.
Safety Benefit of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Traffic and Weather Uplink Services

The automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system serves a dual role for general aviation operators, allowing integration with modern surveillance systems and providing an uplink of traffic, we...
Chapter 12 An overview of temporal and spatial patterns in satellite-derived chlorophyll-a imagery and their relation to ocean processes

Abstract Satellite measurements of water-leaving radiance, from which estimates of phytoplankton chlorophyll- a are derived, began with the launch of the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) in 1978. Global CZCS data were widely distributed beginning in 1988, providing oceanographers a new tool for studying temporal and spatial variability in surface waters of the global ocean. CZCS imagery, and that from more recently launched sensors, has been extensively used for studies of variability at spatial scales from 10 km to the global ocean and for temporal scales ranging from days to years. Ocean margin waters have particularly strong signatures in chlorophyll- a images, and the imagery has been effectively used to study a wide range of environments, including coastal upwelling systems and river plumes. chlorophyll- a imagery is the only tool for observing the mean-and time-varying components of a biological variable at ocean basin to global ocean scales. Basin-to-global scale composite images are used as input to calculate primary production and to describe and quantify seasonal cycles on a global scale. Such images are also one of the important data sources for understanding how physical processes affect biological distributions on ocean basin and global scales, e.g., the impact of major ocean perturbations such as El Nino. Future sensors, as well as new capabilities to merge data from different sensors, will provide better accuracy and better coverage, thereby extending scientific and other applications in coastal and open ocean waters.
Observation of Time-reversal Violation at BABAR

The BABAR and Belle experiments have made detailed studies of time-dependent CP violation in the B meson sector. If CPT is conserved, CP violation should imply the presence of time-reversal violation. Production of entangled neutral B mesons in definite flavor states (B0 or anti-B0) decaying to J/psi K_L or c anti-c K_S final states permit comparisons between the probabilities of four pairs of T-conjugated transitions as a function of the time interval between the two B decays. Using 468 million B anti-B pairs produced in Y(4S) decays collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-factory at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, we find non-zero values for T-violating parameters. This represents the first direct observation of T violation in the B meson system via the exchange of initial and final states in transitions that can only be related by a T-symmetry transformation.
Business Students' Perceptions of Potential Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Faculty

Because students' ethical behavior may be modified through socialization contact with faculty, the perspectives of students relating to faculty ethics is an important topic. Prior research on business schools and ethics has not included students' perceptions of ethical dilemmas that often confront faculties of business schools. Student questionnaire data provides two important insights into students' perceptions of the ethics of faculty behavior. In the aggregate, students viewed 29 potential ethical issues as more serious than did faculty. Based on students' perceptions, four factors of ethical dilemmas were isolated: Regulations, Academic Job Performance, Dating, and Personal Benefits.
The Asymptotic Behaviour of the Maximum Likelihood Estimates for a Class of Diffusion Processes

Let the 2-dimensional process (X t ) satisfy the stochastic differential equation \(d{{X}_{t}} = \theta J{{X}_{t}} + d{{W}_{t}},X\left( 0 \right) = \xi \), where (W t ) is a 2-dimensional Wiener process starting at zero, \(J = ({}_{1{\text{ 0}}}^{0{\text{-1}}})\) and θ is an unknown real-valued parameter. Let \(\hat \theta {}_T\) denote the maximum likelihood estimate of θ given the observations (X s ) up to time T. We shall show that $$_{T \to \infty }^{\lim {\text{ sup}}}\left[ {\frac{T}{{\lg \lg T}}} \right.\left. {\left| {{{\hat \theta }_T} - \theta } \right|} \right] \leqslant 1{\text{ a}}{\text{.e}}{\text{.}}$$
Prevalence of Painful Peroneal Tubercles in the Pediatric Population

Pain isolated to the lateral aspect of the heel can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in the growing child. Peroneal tendinopathy or frank tears of the peroneal tendons secondary to an enlarged peroneal tubercle has been implicated as a potential source of pain in adults. Neither the prevalence of enlarged peroneal tubercles in the pediatric population nor the number of symptomatic tubercles in children has been elucidated. We conducted a review of children who presented to our institution with foot and/or ankle pain and who underwent 3-dimensional computed tomography. Initially, a radiographic review was undertaken of all computed tomography scans to determine the prevalence of peroneal tubercles in children. The peroneal tubercles were measured and then classified according to height. The children with tubercles 3 mm or greater in height (adult mean height) underwent a more detailed chart review to evaluate for the incidence of painful tubercles. During the study period, 2,689 children were seen for foot and ankle pain, and 367 underwent a computed tomography scan during their treatment course. Of these 367 patients, 57% had a measurable peroneal tubercle, and 162 (44%) met the criteria for chart review. Only 3 adolescents (1.9%) were found to have clinical symptoms and ultimately underwent surgical excision with successful relief of symptoms. Peroneal tubercle hypertrophy appears to exist in the pediatric population; however, in contrast to adults with associated peroneal tendinopathy and tears, the children in our series had isolated painful tubercles without significant tendinopathy. The clinical examination is important in the diagnosis, and treatment by excision appears to be successful. Although a relatively rare etiology of pain, it is important that treating physicians keep this pathologic process in the differential diagnosis, because conservative management might not reduce the pain in these children.
Measurements of the ground acoustic environments for small solid rocket motor firings

During the ground launch of a space vehicle, the mobile launcher deck and tower are exposed to severe acoustic environments. These environments, if not properly managed, can weaken ground support equipment and result in structure failure. The ground acoustic environments are different than the vehicle acoustic environments. They are typically more severe because of the close proximity of the rocket plume, which often involves direct impingement. They are more difficult to predict, and their measurement and data reduction remain challenging. This paper discusses these challenges and describes the methods of processing ground acoustic data during a series of static firings of a 5-percent scale solid rocket launch vehicle and mobile launcher, known as the Ares Scale Model Acoustic Test.
Description and immature stages of Hirtodrosophila batracida sp. n. (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a predator of frog embryos

The unique biology of a drosophilid whose larvae are predators of the Central American glass frog, Centrolenella fleischmanni (Boettger), was presented in detail by Villa. Here, the correct assignment of the species is made to the genus Hirtodrosophila Duda (previously identified as a species of Zygothrica Wiedemann), the species is described, and fine morphological features of the larvae are described. The species is described from specimens from Nicaragua, although there are other unconfirmed records from throughout Central America. Relationships of H. batracida, n.sp. with several other species in the genus are briefly discussed. Hirtodrosophila are only known to be mycophagous; the only conceivable host shift was from fungi to frog's eggs.
Restriction analysis of the nontranscribed spacers of Xenopus laevis ribosomal DNA.

Abstract We have studied sequence organization in the nontranscribed spacer regions of four cloned fragments of Xenopus laevis ribosomal DNA. Each clone contains a spacer of different length. The distribution of cleavage sites for several restriction endonucleases have been investigated in these spacers. We conclude that much of each spacer is comprised of highly repeated sequences and thus resembles simple sequence satellite DNAs. Superimposed on short repeating sequences there are levels of higher order repeating elements. Restriction endonucleases that have many sites in the spacers like Hae III and Hpa II digest most parts of the spacers of all four clones into a similar set of repetitive fragments. Most of these fragments have sizes that are multiples of about 15 bp, suggesting the derivation of the spacer from an ancestral 15 bp unit. Restriction enzymes that recognize fewer sites like Bam HI and Sma I allow the conclusion that the spacers are subdivided into three distinguishable regions. Region A is immediately adjacent to the 28S end of the gene near the transcription termination site, is 500 bp long and is conserved among the four clones examined. Adjacent is region B, which has multiple sites for Sma I. Region B varies slightly in length from 1000–1200 bp among the four clones. The remaining region D has few Sma I sites and varies from 890–3800 bp in length. In long spacers, region D has a higher order repeating unit as recognized by Bam HI and Sma I. Although regions B and D may have arisen from the same ancestral 15 bp repeat, the sequences in these regions have since diverged due to an apparent barrier at the B-D boundary.
MICRORAPTOR: A LOW-COST AUTONOMOUS QUADROTOR SYSTEM

This paper describes Microraptor, a complete low-cost autonomous quadrotor system designed for surveillance and reconnaissance applications. The Microraptor ground station is custom-made and features a graphical user interface that presents and allows the manipulation of various flight parameters. The aerial vehicle is a 4-rotor vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that features the advantages of traditional helicopters with significant reduction in mechanical complexity. The vehicle frame is a handmade magnesium and carbon fiber structure. The onboard avionics system is a custom dual processor design capable of autonomous path navigation and data exchange with the ground station. The vehicle is outfitted with a video and still-photo system that provides real-time images to the system operator through the GUI. The system is being developed at Oakland University by a team of multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Microraptor placed 5th at the 2008 Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Competition and is set to compete again in June of 2009.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Russian Cannibals: The Case of the Downed Korean Airliner

Validation of the Arens atrocity attribution theory was reported. Subjects read a fictitious passage about the crash of a New Zealand airliner en route to the South Pole, with passengers representing 21 different nationalities. Paired comparisons were used to evaluate subjects' perceptions of the likelihood that survivors of each nationality would commit anthropophagy during the period of privation following the crash. The measurements were conducted prior to and following the downing of a Korean airliner by the Soviet Air Force. This incident provided the abrupt change in the attitudes of the American public toward the Soviet Union, necessary for empirical validation of the theory. Implications of the obtained results were discussed within the historical context of the use of the attribution of atrocity for attainment of political goals.
Predicting Surfactant Cloud Point from Molecular Structure

A general empirical relationship has been developed for estimating the cloud point of pure nonionic surfactants of the alkyl ethoxylate class. For a set of 62 structures, composed of linear alkyl, branched alkyl, cyclic alkyl, and alkylphenyl ethoxylates, cloud points can be estimated to an accuracy of ±6.3°C (3.7°C median error) using the logarithm of the number of ethylene oxide residues and three topological descriptors that account for hydrophobic domain variation.
Analog metal-to-nonmetal exciton transition: Effect of isotopic alloying on naphthalene triplet transport

A low-temperature investigation of the rate of triplet exciton transport within the guest (${\mathrm{C}}_{10}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$) quasilattice of the ${\mathrm{C}}_{10}$${\mathrm{D}}_{8}$-${\mathrm{C}}_{10}$${\mathrm{H}}_{8}$ crystal system has demonstrated a transition from bandlike to hoppinglike motion upon reduction of the guest-to-host concentration ratio. The analog metal and nonmetal regimes are characterized, respectively, by a negative and a positive transport temperature coefficient. In addition, reducing the naphthalene concentration by a factor of 5 reduces the transport rate by five orders of magnitude.
COMEDIANS, PASTORS, AND THE MIRACULOUS AGENCY OF CHARISMA IN GHANA

This essay traces Charismatic preaching and the moral importance of the fake pastor across public spaces and genres in Accra, Ghana. I argue that fear of the fake pastor creates a local theory of moral performance that sets the conditions of possibility for the legitimacy of the pastor as a public figure. Although rapid circulation generates anxiety about spiritual sincerity, it also produces continual hope for the miraculous and the potential for morally legitimate agency. The specter of the fake pastor provides a symbolic nexus for the transformation of spiritual into economic value in privatizing Ghana. This transformation occurs in the language of public moral belonging. A pastor's moral authority relies on public style and performance to connect spiritual power, moral sincerity, and economic potency. Fakery appears as the margin, the horizon against which a moral center is clarified. The fake's centrality to public moral discourse is rooted in the possibilities and dangers of individuated agencies associated with Ghana's liberalization.
Electronic properties and band model of carbons

Abstract The early electronic energy band model of carbon, as proposed in 1950, and its later modifications such as faster collapse of energy gap and the presence of band overlap in graphites are recalled to introduce the main topic of the paper. The problem of the band structure in the range between the collapse of the energy gap and the development of the overlap, that is for fine crystalline turbostratic and for disordered structures, was in recent years attacked in our laboratory by four different experimental techniques. Two of these turned out to furnish interesting results, which unfortunately, cannot yet be related to the band structure. However, the two other techniques, the electron spin resonance and the Hall coefficient studies, have yielded definite and concordant information: starting from well graphitized material as the disorder increases the overlap decreases at first, but after passing through a minimum it starts to increase again. The possible sources of such overlap and the general requirements for a band theory of disordered structures are discussed. Two additional new results, namely, the absence of the Hall minimum at HTT 1650° for the soft Kendall coke, and the reversal in the effect of boronation and of H2SO4 doping below HTT 1850°C, are mentioned.
Calculating Cumulene/Poly-yne Isomerization Energies

We report the isomerization energies of cumulene and poly-yne oligomeric sequences calculated using several different theoretical methods in an attempt to evaluate both the performance of these methods and their potentialapplication to similar systems. We find that the recently developed KMLYP density functional theory method reproduces the CCSD(T) benchmark relative energies better than other commonly used quantum chemical methods. Furthermore, the KMLYP relative energies scale significantly better with molecule length with an average error of 0.6 kcal/mol per additional C 2 monomer. The B3LYP, B3PW91, mPW I PW91, and BXLYP methods scale with errors of 2.3, 2.4, 2.0, and 2.1 kcal/mol per additional C 2 monomer, respectively, while the MP2, MP4(SDQ), and CCSD methods scale with errors of 2.6, 1.4, and 1.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Consequently, these methods have large errors for chain lengths above C 5 . The Hartree-Fock (HF) method is surprisingly successful in calculating the enthalpy difference between shortest cumulene/poly-yne isomers, allene and propyne. This appears to be the result of a fortuitous equivalence of correlation energies for these two molecules as HF adds an additional error of 5.1 kcal/mol per additional C 2 unit. We point out how this equivalence makes the allene/propyne system useful as a testing ground for the ability of quantum chemical methods to capture correlation energy.
Molecular mechanisms governing reading frame choice of immunoglobulin diversity genes

Abstract The key elements of antigen-binding immunoglobulin (lg) variable regions are primarily encoded by diversity (D H ) genes. Although D H genes can be used in all three reading frames, the majority of peripheral lg molecules carry a D H element in a single reading frame. Here, Frank Raaphorst, C. Raman, Barry Nall and Judy Teale discuss the particular demands imposed by the structure of the antigen-binding site, which determine the choice of reading frame.
Number theory as gadfly

(1991). Number Theory as Gadfly. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 98, No. 7, pp. 593-610.
Geometric properties of boundary sections of solutions to the Monge–Ampère equation and applications

Abstract In this paper, we establish several geometric properties of boundary sections of convex solutions to the Monge–Ampere equation: the engulfing and separating properties and volume estimates. As applications, we prove a covering lemma of Besicovitch type, a covering theorem and a strong type p – p estimate for the maximal function corresponding to boundary sections. Moreover, we show that the Monge–Ampere setting forms a space of homogeneous type.
The evolution of multiple male traits in the yellow-browed leaf warbler

Abstract I examined how male competition and female choice influence the evolution of multiple male traits in the yellow-browed leaf warbler,Phylloscopus inornatus, by investigating the roles of colour patches, territory size, body weight and song rate in sexual selection. Comparison of 3 years of observational studies and 3 years of experimental studies, in which the colour patches on the wings of males were experimentally altered, suggest several mechanisms that may explain the evolution of multiple characters in males. First, females based their choice of mates on several male characters, not a single character. Second, the male characters preferred by females were different in observational and experimental studies. Females apparently preferred high-quality males as mates, and were able to vary the characters used in mate choice to distinguish these individuals under both experimental and observational conditions. Third, the characters important in male competition differed from those that formed the basis of female choice: the manipulation of colour patch size directly affected male territory size but was not associated with female choice. These results may provide an explanation for the diversity of sexual ornaments shown by males of many species.
Design and Development Process for a Range Extended Split Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virginia Tech (HEVT) is participating in the 2009–2011 EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition series organized by Argonne National Lab (ANL), and sponsored by General Motors Corporation (GM) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The goal of EcoCAR is for student engineers to take a GM-donated crossover SUV and re-engineer it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum energy use, while maintaining performance, safety and consumer appeal. Following GM’s Vehicle Development Process (VDP), HEVT established team goals that meet or exceed the competition requirements for EcoCAR in the design of a plug-in range-extended hybrid electric vehicle. HEVT is split up into three subteams to complete the competition and meet the requirements of the vehicle development process. The Mechanical subteam is tasked with modifying and refining the Year 1 component specifications and designs for packaging in the vehicle. The Electrical subteam is tasked with implementing a safe high voltage system on the vehicle including the design and development of a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 ) energy storage subsystem (ESS) donated by A123 Systems. The Controls subteam is tasked with modeling the Vehicle Technical Specifications (VTS) so that the subteams can make intelligent design decisions. The Controls subteam also used a controller Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) simulation setup running a real-time vehicle model against the controller hardware to test the HEVT-designed Hybrid Vehicle Supervisory Controller (HVSC). The result of this design process is an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) that uses grid electric energy and E85 fuel for propulsion. The vehicle design is predicted to achieve an SAE J1711 utility factor-corrected fuel consumption of 2.9 l(ge)/100 km (82 mpgge) with an estimated all-electric range of 69 km (43 miles). Using corn-based E85 fuel in North America for the 2015 timeframe and an average North American electricity mix, the well-to-wheels petroleum energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 90% and 30% respectively when compared to the stock vehicle: a 4-cylinder, gasoline-fueled Vue XE.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Determination of dissolution profiles for several commercially available therapeutic [131I]sodium iodide capsules.

Abstract The dissolution profiles for [ 131 I]sodium iodide therapeutic capsules from three commerical vendors were studied. The 131 I release rate in water was rapid for the capsules with 100% release attained within 35 min. There was no significant difference in dissolution profiles for the capsules from the three vendors.
Cyberbullying among adolescents: Measures in search of a construct.

Objective: This review focuses on the literature on cyberbullying among adolescents. Currently, there is no unified theoretical framework to move the field of cyberbullying forward. Due to some unique features of cyberbullying, researchers have generally assumed that it is distinct from aggression perpetrated in person. Many measures of cyberbullying have been developed based on this assumption rather than to test competing models and inform a theoretical framework for cyberbullying. Approach: We review current theory and research on cyberbullying within the context of the broader literature on aggression to explore the usefulness of the assumption that cyberbullying represents a distinct form of aggression. Associations between cyberbullying and general forms of aggression and psychosocial predictors of cyberbullying are discussed. Conclusions: Based on the empirical research, we suggest that the media through which aggression is perpetrated may be best conceptualized as a new dimension on which aggression can be classified, rather than cyberbullying as a distinct counterpart to existing forms of aggression. Research on cyberbullying should be considered within the context of theoretical and empirical knowledge of aggression in adolescence. Using this approach will create a theoretical framework for understanding cyberbullying, focus future research, and guide prevention efforts.
Sputter coated nanocrystalline ZnO for fabrication of thin film transistors

Fabrication of zinc oxide based thin-film transistors (ZnO-TFT), by RF magnetron sputtering at room temperature has been realized on thermally oxidized silicon wafer followed by the metal evaporation and lift-off process. The configuration of the TFT was bottom gate with the gold contacts on P-doped silicon. The device was observed to be a “normally on” device. Electrical characteristics, mainly, channel mobility, on/off ratio, and threshold voltage were extracted from the electrical characterization of TFT. The ZnO-TFT was found to operate with a threshold voltage of 12.075 V, channel mobility of 110.44 cm2/Vs, and an on/off ratio of approximately 105. Thickness of the ZnO film was confirmed by the UV spectrometer. No photo effect was observed, making it an ideal material for flat-panel displays. X-ray diffraction was performed to find out the orientation of the ZnO layer on the substrates. Preferred orientation was in the 002 plane. The high mobilities, ease of fabrication and cost-effectiveness make the ZnO-TFT a very desirable electronic device for futuristic flexible electronics.
Pool boiling enhancement through microporous coatings selectively electrodeposited on fin tops of open microchannels

Abstract Open microchannels and microporous coatings have been individually employed by previous investigators for enhancing pool boiling heat transfer. In this paper, their combined effect is investigated by electrodepositing microporous coatings on the fin tops of microchannels. The microporous coatings were applied using the optimal electrodeposition parameters developed in an earlier study. The effect of microchannel geometry on heat transfer performance for water boiling at atmospheric pressure on 10 mm × 10 mm copper chips is reported here. A maximum critical heat flux (CHF) of 3250 kW/m 2 was obtained for Chip 9 with fin width = 200 μm, channel width = 500 μm and channel depth = 400 μm at a wall superheat of 7.3 °C. A maximum value of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) of 995 kW/m 2 °C was achieved for Chip 12 with a different channel width of 762 μm for a heat flux of 2480 kW/m 2 at a wall superheat of 2.5 °C. Bubble growth and heat transfer processes are altered when nucleation takes place preferentially on the fin tops. Visual studies indicate a microconvective mechanism in which bubbles leaving from the fin tops induce strong localized liquid circulation currents in the microchannels. A liquid microcirculation based theoretical model is developed to predict heat transfer under this mechanistic description. The preliminary results are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Contextual Inhibitory Gating of Impulse Traffic in the Intra-amygdaloid Network

New data on the organization of the intra-amygdaloid circuit is reviewed, beginning with the basolateral (BL) complex, the main input station of the amygdala for sensory afferents, and concluding with the central (CE) nucleus, an important source of projections to brain-stem structures mediating fear responses. The BL complex is endowed with a highly divergent system of intrinsic glutamatergic connections. Yet, BL projection cells have unusually low firing rates. This apparent contradiction is explained by the presence of powerful inhibitory pressures in the BL amygdala: (1) interneurons that generate large-amplitude inhibitory synaptic potentials and (2) projection cells that express a Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) current that can be activated by subthreshold synaptic inputs. Likewise, excitatory projections from the BL amygdala to the CE nucleus are controlled by clusters of GABAergic neurons, termed the intercalated (ITC) cell masses. In response to BL inputs, ITC cells generate feedforward inhibition in CE neurons. However, ITC neurons exhibit properties that allow them to modify the amount of inhibition they generate depending on the distribution of BL activity in space and time. Indeed, ITC cell masses can inhibit each other via lateromedial connections. Moreover, they express an unusual K(+) conductance that modifies their response to BL inputs depending on their recent firing history. Thus, inhibitory mechanisms of the amygdala allow for flexible, context-dependent gating of BL impulses to the CE nucleus.