cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural network-based successive one-step-ahead control of nonlinear systems

In this paper, a new controller is designed for a class of nonlinear systems. With the proposed method, a nonlinear model is formulated in such a way that a successive one-step-ahead controller can be designed based on the one-step-ahead principle. A neural network version of the new controller is also developed so as to handle situations where the proposed model is not attainable. Computer simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the new methods.
The chemistry of bent bonds

Abstract The structure of the adduct obtained from the reaction of tetracyclo [3.2.0.02,704,6] heptane (quadrdicyclane with di-gm-chlorotetracarbonyldirhodium(I) has been established on the basis of chemical evidence. The structure proposed by Cassar and Halpern was confirmed on the basis of the tricyclic alcohol isolated from the lithium aluminum deuteride reduction of the initially formed rhodium containing adduct.
4‐Bromo‐2‐Heptene

4-bromo-2-heptene byproduct: succinimide product: 4-bromo-2-heptene Keywords: halogenation, bromination; flasks, claisen, modified
Improving Graduate STEM Education through Increased Use of the Case Study Method

The challenges confronting the United States and the world are increasingly scientific and technological in nature with corresponding solutions rooted in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Policymakers are increasingly soliciting input and advice from experts in the STEM disciplines. To be successful in a future advisory role requires that current graduate students become more than just authorities in their respective fields. To serve in a capacity to influence national policy and help craft solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges requires universities instill other qualities and attributes in their graduate students. This can be accomplished through greater adoption and more frequent use of the case study method. The case study approach to teaching, rarely used in STEM at the undergraduate level and even less frequently utilized at the graduate level, has the potential to help students thrive in graduate school and prepare them to later work with policymakers to address national and global challenges.
Fault Tolerant MPI for the HARNESS Meta-computing System

Initial versions of MPI were designed to work efficiently on multiprocessors which had very little job control and thus static process models. Subsequently forcing them to support a dynamic process model suitable for use on clusters or distributed systems would have reduced their performance. As current HPC collaborative applications increase in size and distribution the potential levels of node and network failures increase the need arises for new fault tolerant systems to be developed. Here we present a new implementation of MPI called FT-MPI that allows the semantics and associated modes of failures to be explicitly controlled by an application via a modified MPI API. Given is an overview of the FT-MPI semantics, design, example applications and some performance issues such as efficient group communications and complex data handling.
Preschoolers' quarantining of fantasy stories.

Preschool-aged children are exposed to fantasy stories with the expectation that they will learn messages in those stories that are applied to real-world situations. We examined children’s transfer from fantastical and real stories. Over the course of 2 studies, 3½- to 5½-year-old children were less likely to transfer problem solutions from stories about fantasy characters than stories about real people. A combined analysis of the participants in the 2 studies revealed that the factors predicting transfer differed for the fantasy and real stories. These findings are discussed within the context of their implications for preschoolers’ developing boundaries between fantasy and real worlds.
John R. Commons and the Origins of Legal Realism; or, the Other Tragedy of the Commons

This essay explores the intellectual trajectory of one 19th century precursor to the legal realist tradition - John R. Commons. Although Commons was a political economist rather than a legal scholar, his writings in the early 1890s about the relationship between law and the economy set out many of the themes that were later expressed by Robert Hale, Morris Cohen and other foundational legal realist writers. The essay focuses on Commons' first book, THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, that detailed the role that legal rules play in shaping power and coercion in a market economy. Commons argued that law, particularly the law of property, plays a prominent role in determining outcomes of the game of competition in a capitalist economy. The essay then describes the intense controversy within the economics profession that Commons' book engendered, a controversy that culminated in Commons' firing and banishment from academia. The essay also recounts Commons later re-entry into academic life, by which time his scholarship had moved from social critique to detailed classification and description of social conditions. It notes that Commons intellectual trajectory paralleled the movement within legal realism from political critique to a concentration on process, neutral principles and consensus.
Behavior Observation Scale: Preliminary Analysis of the Similarities and Differences between Autistic and Mentally Retarded Children:

35 autistic and 30 mentally retarded children matched for both mean chronological and mental age were observed in a playroom. The frequencies of occurrence of 67 objectively defined behaviors were coded on the Behavior Observation Scale. Implication for determining the objective diagnosis of autism is discussed.
A Factor Analytic Study of Religious Motivation

Summary.-An extended pool of religious motives was developed by asking a heterogeneous group of 302 volunteers to report three motives for their religious activity. Each of the 905 motives, compared to prior motivational lists, gave a list of 103 non-overlapping religious motives. Then homogeneous motivaciocal dimensions through a factor analysis of the 103 motives were identified by asking 220 individuals to rate the importance of each motive in their own religious activity. Eleven primary factors were extracted. Psychological studies of religion have focused on identifying the various dimensions of religious behavior. Studies of religious motivation have been characterized by the following shortcomings: (a) Limited lists of religious motives that do not include motives for important traditional and nontraditional religious behavior ( 1) and (b) the identification of motives or factors using samples limited in size or heterogeneity. Factor analyses have focused on extracting complex person-types (2, 3) rather than homogeneous dimensions perhaps useful in developing a religious motivation scale. These issues were addressed in two independent studies. Phase I focused on developing a more complete set of religious motives than those presently availrble by identifying motives for traditional and nontraditional religious behavior not included in previous research. 302 males and females from varied denominational backgrounds, and heterogeneous in age, socioeconomic status, and worship practices completed a Religious Mocivation Inquiry asking them to report three distinct reasons for their religious activity and to list the behavior they considered "religious." A procedure comparing a combination of the 905 resulting motives and those listed by Braden ( 1) with Gorlow and Schroeder's list of 87 items (2), a clustering of duplicate motives, and a review by five independent judges yielded 16 motives unrepresented in Gorlow and Schroeder's pool. These items were added to their pool, yielding a total of 103 motives. In Phase I1 the 103 items were factor analyzed. It was hypothesized that religious motivation is multidimensional and characterized by homogeneous dimensions. From varied denominational backgrounds 211 men and women heterogeneous in age, socioeconomic status and worship practices rated the importance of each of the 103 motives in their own religious activity. In all,
Improvements for the Odok Method to Measure the Cross Contact Resistance of a Squirrel-Cage Rotor

ABSTRACT This paper presents two methods to measure cross contact resistance. These methods will improve the Odok method and can raise the tested accuracy significantly.
Potentiostatic Depassivation of Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide Batteries on Mars Exploration Rovers

NASA's 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have been performing exciting surface exploration studies for the past 3 years, providing conclusive evidence for the presence of past water on Mars. Although the rovers are being powered by Li-ion batteries and solar arrays, their critical entry, descent, and landing (EDL) maneuvers were successfully supported by primary lithium-sulfur dioxide batteries. These batteries exhibited voltage delay at the end of cruise, which necessitated a depassivation of these batteries prior to EDL. In the absence of conventional depassivation across a specified load, a new method of depassivation via potentiostatic discharge was employed for the mission. Several simulation tests were performed on cells, cell strings, and battery assemblies, at different potentiostatic voltages and durations to characterize the depassivation process. Effects of repassivation of the lithium anode subsequent to depassivation were also studied, mainly to establish the timeline necessary for depassivation prior to use during the EDL process. Finally, a phenomenological model was developed for the potentiostatic depassivation of Li-SO 2 cells, based on dielectric properties of the surface film on Li, which gave voltage predictions in quantitative agreement with the experimental data. The laboratory results obtained were subsequently corroborated by the in-flight data received from the spacecraft.
Developing a Comprehensive Health Services Research Capacity in Physical Disability and Rehabilitation

The lack of an adequate capacity for policy-oriented disability research in the United States has hampered decision making in all aspects of disability policy. This article considers the development of a comprehensive Health Services Research (HSR) capacity in physical disability and rehabilitation, which would examine the organization, provision, and financing of health care services for persons with physical disabilities. Despite the substantial health care needs of such individuals, there have been relatively few HSR studies on the health care issues that affect their lives. This article considers why this is the case, and suggests a strategy for developing a comprehensive HSR/disability capacity. It further presents an agenda for HSR in the areas of trauma care and post-trauma acute care, medical rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation primary care, and long-term support services for persons with physical disabilities.
Evaluation of aminoaciduria in severely traumatized patients.

Abstract Background: It has been documented in the literature that hypocalcemia, hypoaminoacidemia, and hyperaminoaciduria are sequelae of trauma. The aminoaciduria of patients with different types and severity of traumatic injuries was investigated. Methods: Eight severely traumatized patients (ISS range, 20–43 years) and eight age-, gender-, and weight-matched controls were studied. Plasma and urine were collected 2.5–72 h after admission. Quantification of 28 amino acids in plasma and urine was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Urine concentrations of amino acids were indexed to creatinine. Results: The patients' mean serum concentrations of 4 amino acids (arginine, threonine, isoleucine, and glutamine) were significantly decreased, 2 others (tryptophan and glutamic acid) were significantly increased, and 22 were unchanged (p-value≤0.05). Fractional (urinary) excretion of 11 amino acids was increased in the patients. The patients' serum total calcium and albumin concentrations were decreased, but the mean ionized calcium concentration was not significantly different from the controls. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that aminoaciduria involving many amino acids is common for patients with different traumatic injuries and that the aminoaciduria is correlated with a reduction of the total serum calcium concentration.
A genetic linkage map of the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines.

A genetic linkage map of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) Heterodera glycines was constructed using a population of F2 individuals obtained from matings between two highly inbred SCN lines, TN16 and TN20. The AFLP fingerprinting technique was used to genotype 63 F2 progeny with two restriction enzyme combinations (EcoRI/MseI and PstI/TaqI) and 38 primer combinations. The same F2 population was also genotyped for Hg-cm-1 (H. glycines chorismate mutase-1), a putative virulence gene, using real-time quantitative PCR. Some of the markers were found to be distributed non-randomly. Even so, of the 230 markers analyzed, 131 could be mapped onto ten linkage groups at a minimum LOD of 3.0, for a total map distance of 539 cM. The Hg-cm-1 locus mapped to linkage group III together with 16 other markers. The size of the H. glycines genome was estimated to be in the range of 630–743 cM, indicating that the current map represents 73–86% of the genome, with a marker density of one per 4.5 cM, and a physical/genetic distance ratio of between 124 kb/cM and 147 kb/cM. This genetic map will be of great assistance in mapping H. glycines markers to genes of interest, such as nematode virulence genes and genes that control aspects of nematode parasitism.
Dental management considerations for institutionalized geriatric patients

The elderly in general and the residents of nursing home facilities in particular are increasingly frail, old, and dentate. Dentists should be prepared to manage the oral health needs of elderly clients who are afflicted with complex medical, functional, and dental disabilities. Proper dental management requires a commitment to provide treatment of quality despite myriad obstacles. From the outset of evaluation, there must be recognition of the likelihood of compromised self-care and the development of proactive strategies to address dependence in oral care.
Treatment effects of the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance in patients with Class II skeletal malocclusions

Abstract Objective: To examine the changes produced by the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance (MARA) appliance and compare the treatment effects to an untreated Class II control group. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutively treated patients were matched with an untreated control group. Lateral cephalograms were taken at T1, 5 months pre-MARA (CVMS 2.7); T2, immediately after MARA removal and prior to placement of full fixed edgewise appliances (CVMS 4.2); and T3, at least 2 years after MARA removal and completion of edgewise treatment (CVMS 5.4). The mean age of the MARA patients was 11.9 years for boys and 10.8 years for girls. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess if the samples were morphologically comparable at the outset and to test if there were significant differences between the groups for the various increments of change. Given a significant ANOVA, the source of the difference was explored via Tukey-Kramer tests. Results: Restriction of maxillary growth a...
Resonant solitons from the 3 × 3 operator

Abstract The features of the resonant soliton of the 3 × 3 operator is studied and detailed. The scattering data of this operator contains four transmission coefficients, two in each half complex ζ-plane, where ζ is the spectral parameter. When the potential matrix has anti-hermitian symmetry ( Q α , β = − Q β , α * ), each of the two transmission coefficients in the lower half plane become equal to the complex conjugates of one of the two in the upper half plane, leaving only two independent transmission coefficients, which is taken to be those in the upper half plane. The bound state scattering data for this operator consists of the zeros of these two transmission coefficients (bound state eigenvalues) and a normalization coefficient associated with each eigenvalue. With two transmission coefficients, there is a wider variety of possible soliton solutions than in the Zakharov–Shabat (ZS) 2 × 2 case. First, the eigenvalues could belong to only one transmission coefficient, with the other transmission coefficient having none. In this case the soliton solution will only exist in one of the two conjugate pairs of components of Q lying next to the diagonal, with all other components of Q vanishing. These soliton solutions will be equivalent to those in the ZS case, up to scaling factors. If one would distribute the eigenvalues among both transmission coefficients so that each transmission coefficient would have at least one eigenvalue, the soliton structure becomes more complex. In this case, any one eigenvalue will be found to generally make contributions to all non-diagonal components of Q. Of particular interest, inside this class is a special class of solitons which exist only when these two transmission coefficients have exactly equal eigenvalues. Equality of eigenvalues from different transmission coefficients give rise to “resonant solitons”. This latter class is the case which is treated here. It is found that there are two different states for the resonant soliton solution, both of which arise from a bifurcation. The bifurcation is shown to arise from the algebraic structure of the 3 × 3 scattering matrix. The linear dispersion relations (the solution of the inverse scattering problem) are also extended to the case when resonant solitons are present. It is further shown that the same result could be obtained by taking the limit of the eigenvalues in each transmission coefficient approaching the other. The general soliton solution under anti-hermitian symmetry is studied when there is only one eigenvalue in each transmission coefficient, with each unequal to the other. The asymptotics of this solution is detailed and then the same is done when the eigenvalues are exactly equal, showing that the latter contains the well known parametric interactions of “up-conversion” and “down-conversion”. Lastly, it is pointed out how this equality of eigenvalues in different transmission coefficients can be interpreted as a “nonlinear resonance condition”.
Nucleation and growth rates of ammonium chloride in organic media: Development of an on-line measurement technique

Nucleation and growth rates of small ammonium chloride crystals precipitated from organic mother liquors were measured with an electronic particle counter using an on-line measurement and data reduction technique. Current values for nucleation and growth rates could be obtained within a period of 3 min, thus permitting rapid scanning of variables affecting crystal size distribution. Population average sizes of 1 to 3μ were typically measured in these organic liquors. The average size of particles increased with increase in ammonium chloride solubility. Addition of surfactants (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium oleate) either had no effect on nucleation or inhibited growth and nucleation equally, thus did not change particle size. The average size of particles was slightly increased with addition of magnesium chloride.
Receptors for chemotactic formyl peptides as pharmacological targets.

Abstract Leukocytes accumulate at sites of inflammation and immunological reaction in response to locally existing chemotactic mediators. N-formyl peptides, such as fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLF), are some of the first identified and most potent chemoattractants for phagocytic leukocytes. In addition to the bacterial peptide fMLF and the putative endogenously produced formylated peptides, a number of novel peptide agonists have recently been identified that selectively activate the high-affinity fMLF receptor FPR and/or its low-affinity variant FPRL1, both of which belong to the seven-transmembrane (STM), G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. These agonists include peptide domains derived from the envelope proteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and at least three amyloidogenic polypeptides, the human acute phase protein serum amyloid A, the 42 amino acid form of β amyloid peptide and a 21 amino acid fragment of human prion. Furthermore, a cleavage fragment of neutrophil granule-derived bactericidal cathelicidin, LL-37, is also a chemotactic agonist for FPRL1. Activation of formyl peptide receptors results in increased cell migration, phagocytosis, release of proinflammatory mediators, and the signaling cascade culminates in heterologous desensitization of other STM receptors including chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4, two coreceptors for HIV-1. Thus, by interacting with a variety of exogenous and host-derived agonists, formyl peptide receptors may play important roles in proinflammatory and immunological diseases and constitute a novel group of pharmacological targets.
A fluorescent sensor for imaging reversible redox cycles in living cells.

We report the synthesis, properties, and biological applications of Redoxfluor-1 (RF1), a new fluorescent sensor for imaging reversible oxidation−reduction cycles in aqueous solution and in living cells. RF1 is comprised of a fluorescein reporter coupled to a disulfide/dithiol switch. The green fluorescent sensor features a reversible response to multiple oxidation or reduction events, a >50-fold fluorescence dynamic range, and excitation and emission profiles in the visible region to minimize cellular damage and autofluorescence. Confocal microscopy experiments show that RF1 can visualize multiple cycles of oxidation and reduction within living cells, establishing the potential value of this approach for probing dynamic oxidation biology events in natural systems.
An iterative implementation of rotated coordinates for inverse problems

A generalized inversion method is presented that uses a rotated coordinates technique [Collins and Fishman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98, 1637-1644 (1995)] in simulated annealing to invert for both the location of an acoustic source and parameters that describe the ocean seabed. The rotated coordinates technique not only aids in the inversion process but also indicates the coupling of the source and environmental parameters and the relative sensitivities of the cost function to changes in the various parameters. The information obtained from the rotated coordinates provides insights into how the inversion problem can be effectively decoupled. An iterative process consisting of multiple simulated annealing runs that each use a different set of rotated coordinates is demonstrated. This multistep algorithm is called systematic decoupling using rotated coordinates and is especially helpful when inverting for a large number of unknown parameters. The cost function minimized in the inversion algorithm is model-data cross-hydrophone spectra summed coherently over frequency and receiver pairs. The results of applying this inversion method to simulated data are presented in this paper.
Diffusion of gold in liquid silver

Abstract The temperature dependence of diffusion of trace amounts of gold in liquid silver measured in the temperature range 980–1260°C can also be expressed as D = (8.8 ± 1.2) × 10 −4 exp (− 8,960 ± 600 RT ) Compared with the reported diffusivities of Ag, In, Sn and Sb in liquid silver(2), it is observed that the activation energy of solute diffusion decreases in the order Au, Ag, In, Sn and Sb. To explain the observed diffusion behavior of gold in silver, gold was assumed to diffuse with a relative valence of −0.86 in liquid silver. The trend of activation energy of solute diffusion in liquid silver is essentially the same as observed for diffusion of these solutes in solid silver. The relative magnitude of gold diffusivity in liquid silver is satisfactorily explained by considering the additional coulomb interaction of the solute in terms of the Thomas Fermi Approximation using the fluctuation model, the modified critical fluctuation model and the hole theory of liquid diffusion. A thermodynamic correlation is established between the activation energy for solute diffusion and the solute binding energy derived from the quasi-chemical theory of alloys.
C. elegans STAT Cooperates with DAF-7/TGF-β Signaling to Repress Dauer Formation

The DAF-7/TGF-beta pathway in C. elegans interprets environmental signals relayed through amphid neurons and actively inhibits dauer formation during reproductive developmental growth . In metazoans, the STAT pathway interprets external stimuli through regulated tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and gene expression , but its importance for developmental commitment, particularly in conjunction with TGF-beta, remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the nematode STAT ortholog STA-1 accumulated in the nuclei of five head neuron pairs, three of which are amphid neurons involved in dauer formation . Moreover, sta-1 mutants showed a synthetic dauer phenotype with selected TGF-beta mutations. sta-1 deficiency was complemented by reconstitution with wild-type protein, but not with a tyrosine mutant. Canonical TGF-beta signaling involves the DAF-7/TGF-beta ligand activating the DAF-1/DAF-4 receptor pair to regulate the DAF-8/DAF-14 Smads . Interestingly, STA-1 functioned in the absence of DAF-7, DAF-4, and DAF-14, but it required DAF-1 and DAF-8. Additionally, STA-1 expression was induced by TGF-beta in a DAF-3-dependent manner, demonstrating a homeostatic negative feedback loop. These results highlight a role for activated STAT proteins in repression of dauer formation. They also raise the possibility of an unexpected function for DAF-1 and DAF-8 that is independent of their normal upstream activator, DAF-7.
Ligand up-regulation does not correlate with a role for CCR1 in pathogenesis in a mouse model of non-lymphocyte-mediated neurological disease

CCR1 ligands, including CCL3, CCL5, and CCL7, are up-regulated in a number of neurological disorders in humans and animal models. CCR1 is expressed by multiple cell types in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting that receptor signaling by neuronal cell types may influence pathogenesis. In the current study, the authors used a mouse model of retrovirus infection to study the contribution of CCR1 to neuropathogenesis in the absence of lymphocyte recruitment to the CNS. In this model, infection of neonatal mice with the neurovirulent retrovirus Fr98 results in increased expression of proinflammatory chemokines in the CNS, activation of glial cells, and development of severe neurological disease. Surprisingly, no difference in neuropathogenesis was observed between CCR1-sufficient and CCR1-deficient mice following infection with the neuropathogenic virus Fr98. CCR1 was also not necessary for control of virus replication in the brain or virus-induced activation of astroglia. Additionally, CCR1 deficiency did not affect the up-regulation of its ligands, CCL3, CCL5, or CCL7. Thus, CCR1 did not appear to have a notable role in Fr98-induced pathogenesis, despite the correlation between ligand expression and disease development. This suggests that in the absence of inflammation, CCR1 may have a very limited role in neuropathogenesis.
FRET-based direct detection of dynamic protein kinase A activity on the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiomyocytes

The second messenger cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) plays an important role in the various cellular and physiological responses. On the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in cardiomyocytes, PKA regulates the calcium cycling for exciting-contraction coupling, which is often dysfunctional in a variety of heart diseases including heart failure. Here, we have developed a novel FRET-based A-kinase activity biosensor (AKAR), termed SR-AKAR3, to visualize the PKA dynamics on the SR. Activation of adrenergic receptor induces a rapid and significant increase in SR-AKAR3 FRET ratio, which is dependent on agonist occupation of the receptor and inhibited by H-89, a PKA inhibitor. Interestingly, direct activation of adenylyl cyclases or application of a cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP induced much slower and smaller increases in SR-AKAR3 FRET ratio. These data indicate that the signaling induced by adrenergic stimulation displays a preferential access to the SR in comparison to those by direct activation of adenylyl cyclases. More, SR-AKAR3 mimics endogenous protein phospholamban on the SR for PKA-mediated phosphorylation and myocyte contraction response under adrenergic stimulation. Together, this new PKA activity biosensor provides a useful tool to directly visualize the dynamic regulation of PKA activity on the SR in cardiomyocytes under various physiological and clinical conditions.
GROWTH HORMONE-INDUCED KETOSIS IN THE COW.

Abstract Crystalline bovine growth hormone (GH) in daily doses of 1 mg/kg was injected intramuscularly into two lactating cows for ten days starting 2 wk after parturition. In both cows, plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and acetone-plus-acetoacetate rose during the period of GH administration, and fell after GH administration ceased. Decreased incorporation of acetate-C 14 (injected intracisternally) into milk fat during GH-induced ketosis resembled that seen previously during spontaneous ketosis. Since exogenous GH can induce ketosis in the cow, excessive secretion of endogenous GH could conceivably play a role in the pathogenesis of naturally occurring bovine ketosis.
A Quantitative Oil Dot Streak Method for Measuring Near-Wall Shear Stresses Applied to the Heartquest™ LVAD

Experimental investigation of the fluid dynamics inside any blood pumping device is necessary for several reasons. First, improved understanding about the flow near the walls of a blood pump is important since thrombus formation (blood clotting) may occur when the shear stress is nearly zero. If the shear stress is in the opposite direction to the main body of the flow, a region of stagnation or recirculation is indicated, which may also lead to thrombosis. A second problem of importance to blood flows is hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells. Hemolysis can be caused by high shear stresses imposed on the blood cells by the flow. Since hemolysis is a function of at least shear stress and residence time, an understanding of how these two variables are coupled is desirable. Third, an accurate measurement of wall shear stress and flow patterns is also necessary to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions in the design of blood pumps. It is widely known that improper meshing of the numerical pump model, the use of an incorrect turbulence model, or errors in choosing boundary conditions can lead to a model that is in contradiction to experimental results. Quantitative oil streaking has been implemented in order to measure the wall shear stresses in the pump and supply the necessary information needed to ensure a good pump design.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Wear and Friction Testing of Hard and Soft Lubricious Coatings in Dry Sliding for Use in Small Arms Action Components

Use of liquid lubricants in dry and dusty environments can lead to malfunction or jamming of small arms weapon actions. To eliminate the need for liquid lubricants, dry or “lubricious” coatings are desired for various key interfaces of such components. The tribological performance of a variety of coatings was assessed under unlubricated sliding conditions to simulate a pin-in-slot component geometry. Coating screening tests were run using a cylinder-on-flat geometry and self-mated coated couples. Tests were run in both reciprocating and unidirectional modes, with sliding velocities up to 3.6 m/s, at room temperature and 150°C. Progressive wear of the coating was monitored using a replicating technique and the measured width of the wear scar on the cylindrical pin, from which the wear coefficient was determined. Failure of the coating was determined not by visual wear-through of the coating, which can be misleading, but by an increase in the coefficient of friction (COF) and/or the occurrence of galling. In the high speed unidirectional tests, friction could be measured directly. However, in the reciprocating tests, test rig design limited the speed at which the COF could be determined. An improved rig design resulted from this work. The screening tests ranked the tribological performance of the coatings using the coefficient of friction, the wear coefficient, and number of cycles to coating failure. The coating types assessed covered a broad range of hardness, composition, and deposition methods. Coating types investigated included hard vapor-deposited TiCN coatings, relatively soft organic PTFE-filled resin-bonded coatings, modified anodized coatings (for aluminum), electroless nickel alloy coatings, PTFE-filled electroless nickel coatings, phosphate pre-treatment combined with dry-film burnished MoS2, and a ferritic nitro-carburizing treatment. Substrates included medium carbon steel, D2 tool steel, and 6061-T6 aluminum.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection of BSC-1 fibroblast cells causes cytoskeletal disruption and changes in intracellular calcium levels

The disruption of vimentin and actin filaments of host BSC-1 fibroblast cells by Trypanosoma cruzi was investigated using a mouse monoclonal anti-vimentin antibody and rhodamine phalloidin, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that infection of BSC-1 cells by T. cruzi caused disruption of both cytoskeletal components. The disruption was greater as infection progressed. Mechanisms other than mechanical ones may play a role in the disruption since disrupted cytoskelelal elements were well removed from the parasites. In the determination of intracellular calcium concentrations using Fura-2 AM, infected and uninfected cells both showed an initial increase in intracellular calcium levels. At later times of infection (3 to 5 days), intracellular calcium levels of infected cells were significantly lower than those of control cells. There was no specific localization of intracellular calcium in the infected host cells as determined by image analysis.
Reproductive responses of Microtus montanus to plants and plant extracts in the diet.

Breeding experiments with Microtus montanus indicate that small dietary supplements of either sprouted wheat or acetone-ether extracts of sprouted wheat elicited improved reproductive performance. The improvement resulted primarily in more frequent postpartum matings and lower rates of litter loss. Spinach extract, fed to 4-week-old female Microtus , stimulated an increase in uterine weight and in number of developing follicles in the ovaries. Sprouted wheat, fed to immature females, stimulated immediate onset of estrus, as well as an increase in uterine and adrenal weights. It is suggested that hormone-like substances in plants may influence reproduction in natural populations of Microtus montanus .
Inhibition of rabbit monoamine oxidase by doxepin and related drugs

Abstract The psychotherapeutic agent, doxepin, inhibits both the B and A forms of rabbit lung mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO). The K i values for doxepin inhibition of phenylethylamine (PEA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) deamination is 3 × 10 −5 and 2 × 10 −4 M, respectively. Doxepin is, thus, similar to other tricyclic antidepressant drugs in that it has a greater affinity for the B form of the rabbit oxidase. The ability of doxepin and imipramine and its mono and didesmethyl derivatives to inhibit rabbit MAO is decreased as the pH is raised above 8.0. However, results suggest that the basicity of the propylamine side chain has little or no influence on the ability of these drugs to inhibit the rabbit oxidase. In addition, it is demonstrated that 7 × 10 −6 M doxepin inhibits PEA deamination by human platelet MAO approximately 50%.
Increased erythrocyte aggregation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Alterations of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and plasma viscosity are major contributors to the changes in blood rheologic properties that cause an increase in peripheral vascular resistance during the development of hypertension. Although basic research and clinical study have provided considerable understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension, the objective of this study was to determine whether an increase in RBC aggregability and plasma viscosity precede or accompany the development of high arterial blood pressure. To address this question, RBC aggregation and plasma viscosity were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) at 3 and 12 weeks of age. The plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and fibronectin (FN) were also analyzed in both age groups. RBC aggregability and plasma viscosity were increased in both young and mature SHR compared to age-matched normotensive WKY rats. Mean arterial blood pressure and diastolic pressures were increased in mature hypertensive rats, whereas in young SHR only diastolic pressure was elevated significantly. The concentration of fibrinogen was higher only in the mature hypertensive rats, whereas plasma FN content was greater in both 3- and 12-week-old SHR compared to age-matched WKY. These results show the existence of increased RBC aggregability and plasma hyperviscosity not only during the established phase of hypertension, but also during the early stage of hypertension development, when mean arterial blood pressure is not yet significantly elevated in the genetically hypertensive rat model. These changes may be related to significant increase in the plasma protein FN, which occurs at the same time as the RBC aggregability and plasma viscosity changes. These results may increase attention to changes in the rheologic properties and to the mechanisms involved in these processes in the early stages of hypertension development.
Decoding the Epigenetic Language of Neuronal Plasticity

Neurons are submitted to an exceptional variety of stimuli and are able to convert these into high-order functions, such as storing memories, controlling behavior, and governing consciousness. These unique properties are based on the highly flexible nature of neurons, a characteristic that can be regulated by the complex molecular machinery that controls gene expression. Epigenetic control, which largely involves events of chromatin remodeling, appears to be one way in which transcriptional regulation of gene expression can be modified in neurons. This review will focus on how epigenetic control in the mature nervous system may guide dynamic plasticity processes and long-lasting cellular neuronal responses. We outline the molecular pathways underlying chromatin transitions, propose the presence of an "epigenetic indexing code," and discuss how central findings accumulating at an exponential pace in the field of epigenetics are conceptually changing our perspective of adult brain function.
Kink-pair mechanisms for a/2 〈111〉 screw dislocation motion in bcc tantalum

Abstract The structure, energetics, and multiplicity of kinks on an a /2 〈111〉 screw dislocation in bcc Ta have been studied in detail via atomistic computer simulation, using quantum-based multi-ion interatomic potentials derived from model generalized pseudopotential theory (MGPT) together with a robust Green's function simulation technique. The stable core structure of the rigid screw dislocation is predicted to be weakly polarized and spread out on three {110} planes in 〈112〉 directions, with two energetically equivalent configurations. This double degeneracy leads to the possibility of anti-phase defects forming on the dislocation line as well multiple kinks and kink pairs. The zero-stress formation energies of 16 possible kink-pair configurations for bcc Ta have been calculated and are in the range 0.67–1.84 eV. The lowest kink-pair energy of the perfect screw is in good agreement with the best current empirical estimate. Under an applied stress, the corresponding kink–kink interaction energy displays a λ −1 elastic attraction when the separation λ is larger than 7 b =20 A, while the stress needed to maintain the kink pair varies as λ −1.5 .
Anti‐CD11b monoclonal antibody reduces ischemic cell damage after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rat

We investigated the effect of an anti-CD11b monoclonal antibody (1B6c) on ischemic cell damage after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. We divided animals into three groups: MAb 1 group (n = 5)--rats were subjected to 2 hours of transient occlusion and 1B6c (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously at 0 and 22 hours of reperfusion; MAb 2 group (n = 5)--same experimental protocol as MAb 1 group, except that the initial dose of 1B6c was increased to 2 mg/kg; and control group (n = 5)--same experimental protocol as MAb 2 group, except that an isotype-matched control antibody was administered. Animals were weighed and tested for neurological function before and after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Forty-six hours after reperfusion, brain sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histology evaluation. We observed a significant reduction of weight loss and improvement in neurological function after ischemia in the MAb 2 animals compared to MAb 1 and vehicle-treated animals (p < 0.05). The lesion volume was significantly smaller in the MAb 2 group (19.5 +/- 1.9%) compared to MAb 1 (29.9 +/- 2.6%) and vehicle-treated (34.2 +/- 5.4%) groups (p < 0.01). Tissue polymorphonuclear cell numbers were reduced in both 1B6c-administered groups. Our data demonstrate that administration of anti-CD11b antibody results in a dose-dependent, significant functional improvement and reduction of ischemic cell damage after transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.
Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist blocks somnogenic and pyrogenic responses to an interleukin 1 fragment.

Abstract Previously it was shown that human interleukin 1 (huIL-1) and a huIL-1 fragment, huIL-1 beta 208-240, are somnogenic and pyrogenic in rabbits. However, the amino acid sequences for IL-1 are species-specific and it was unknown whether rabbit (rb) IL-1 beta 208-240 and rat (rt) IL-1 beta 208-240 were active in their respective species. Furthermore, it was unknown whether these fragments elicited their effects via the IL-1 receptors. Two doses of rbIL-1 beta 208-240 (6.0 and 12.0 nmol) were intracerebroventricularly administered to rabbits. The 6.0-nmol dose had little effect, whereas the 12.0-nmol dose greatly increased non-rapid-eye-movement sleep across a 6-hr recording period and induced a febrile response. Rats injected intracerebroventricularly with rtIL-1 beta 208-240 at dark onset responded to three doses of the peptide (1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 nmol). The 1.2-nmol dose did not greatly affect sleep but did induce a moderate febrile response. The 2.4- and 4.8-nmol doses increased non-rapid-eye-movement sleep across the 12-hr recording period. Maximal brain temperature elevations relative to controls after the 2.4- and 4.8-nmol doses of the peptide were 0.9 +/- 0.2 degrees C and 0.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C, respectively. These responses in both rabbits and rats were completely blocked or significantly attenuated when the animals were pretreated with an IL-1 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that the biological activities of IL-1 beta 208-240 are mediated via the IL-1 beta receptors.
Characterization of copulatory behavior in female mice: Evidence for paced mating

In this study we characterized female mouse sexual behavior using a pacing paradigm similar to that used to evaluate sexual behavior in female rats. A pacing chamber was designed for use with mice and we compared the sexual behavior of female mice that were tested in both pacing and nonpacing paradigms and under different hormone conditions. We found that, like rats, female mice do pace their copulatory behavior by altering the temporal sequence of copulatory events. Female mice take longer to return to the male after an ejaculation, compared to either a mount or intromission. However, it is still unclear if female-paced mating serves the same functions as it does in female rats. More work is needed to confirm that paced mating induces hormonal changes needed for pregnancy as is the case in rats.
Neuroprostheses for the upper extremity.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) neuroprostheses can be used to replace lost motor and sensory function in persons with neurological disorders. FES technology has subsequently been shown effective and safe in restoring hand function in adults with spinal cord injury. The freehand system consists of an implanted receiver-stimulator, an external shoulder position sensor, and an external control unit. Commands are originated by voluntary movement of the contralateral shoulder and are measured by the sensor. There are several types of electrodes: epimysial, intramuscular, nerve cuff, and intraneural. Neuroprostheses are recommended within the context of all available reconstructive options for the upper limbs. Voluntary tendon transfers are the first choice. The clinical outcomes as measured by improvement on scales of impairment, activities of daily living, and satisfaction are rewarding. The next step in improvement of the motor function of person with spinal cord injury will be the addition of a controllable second upper extremity and the elimination of additional external hardware.
Adsorption-desorption characteristics of explosive vapors investigated with microcantilevers.

Abstract Understanding the kinetics of adsorption and desorption of explosive vapors such as TNT from surfaces is important in the design of sensors. We report for the first time, the adsorption–desorption characteristics of TNT from a Si-microcantilever exposed to vapors of TNT. It was observed that TNT readily sticks to the exposed Si surface with the adsorption kinetics showing an initial exponential behavior followed by roughly linear kinetics. It was also observed that for cantilever temperatures close to room temperature, TNT desorbs spontaneously from the surface with decaying exponential kinetics. Based on the known equilibrium partial vapor pressures of TNT, the “effective” sticking coefficient for the silicon oxide surface at room temperature under the experimental conditions was calculated to be about 0.02. This information can be very useful in the design of sensors and that of vapor-delivery systems.
Commentary on Emmy E. Werner's 1968 Article, “Women in the State Legislatures”:

This commentary examines the contributions of Emmy W. Werner's classic article to the study of women and politics and to knowledge about women in state legislatures, placing the article in the context of its time and highlighting its continuing relevance.
Effect of wave-function localization on the time delay in photoemission from surfaces

We investigate streaking time delays in the photoemission from a solid model surface as a function of the degree of localization of the initial-state wave functions. We consider a one-dimensional slab with lattice constant alatt of attractive Gaussian-shaped core potentials of width σ . The parameter σ/alatt thus controls the overlap between adjacent core potentials and localization of the electronic eigenfunctions on the lattice points. Small values of σ/alatt � 1 yield lattice eigenfunctions that consist of localized atomic wave functions modulated by a “Bloch-envelope” function, while the eigenfunctions become delocalized for larger values of σ/alatt 0.4. By numerically solving the time-dependent Schr¨ odinger equation, we calculate photoemission spectra from which we deduce a characteristic bimodal shape of the band-averaged photoemission time delay: as the slab eigenfunctions become increasingly delocalized, the time delay quickly decreases near σ/alatt = 0.3 from relatively large values below σ/alatt ∼ 0.2 to much smaller delays above σ/alatt ∼ 0.4. This change in wave-function localization facilitates the interpretation of a recently measured apparent relative time delay between the photoemission from core and conduction-band levels of a tungsten surface.