cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the role of organizational motivations in cross-sector watershed collaboration

Watersheds are complex, dynamic and nested ecological systems that span across multiple jurisdictions. The complexity of watershed pollution requires adaptive and responsive strategies that incorporate government intervention along with community stakeholder engagement. This study explores the motivational determinants that drive local cross-sector watershed collaboration. Cross-sector collaboration offers local watershed stakeholders a holistic approach to address community watershed issues. These collaborative partnerships involve the voluntary engagement of member organizations from different industry sectors directing resources and working together to address local watershed issues of mutual interest. This research explores the social processes and the motivations that drive organizations in different industry sectors to engage in local watershed collaboration. Drawn from the motivational and interorganizational relationships literature, a conceptual framework is created to guide the investigation of the study. A single case study research design is utilized to answer the research questions. Data sources included: (1) interviews, (2) official government and organizational web sites and various media sources, and (3) field observations and memos. A total of twenty-nine organizations participated in the study. The composition of the organizations included 10 private sector organizations, 10 public sector organizations and 9 nonprofit sector organizations. Interviews were conducted with representatives from each of the member organizations that collaborate with Lynnhaven River Now. All of the organizations in the study are located within the boundaries of the Lynnhaven River watershed. The results of the study identify ten motivational determinants that drive local cross-sector watershed collaboration. These motivational determinants include asymmetry, catalytic actors, corporate/social consciousness, efficiency, instability, legitimacy, necessity, organizational interests, reciprocity, and stability. In addition, the results of the study identify variations in the level of prevalence in the motivations of organizations from the public, private and nonprofit sectors that collaborate with LRN. Finally, the results from the study identify three types of organizational motivation orientations in local cross-sector watershed collaboration: (1) transactional, (2) philanthropic and (3) symbiotic. Empirical evidence suggests that determinants in local cross-sector watershed collaboration are likely driven by the organizational motivational orientations of an organization.
Finding Treatments for Genetic Metabolic Disease

Genetic metabolic diseases are comprised of a vast array of single-gene disorders that affect critical cellular biochemical pathways. Various approaches have been taken to treating individual metabolic diseases, each aimed at mitigating specific biochemical pathway deficiencies through targeting facets of cellular function. These approaches include targeting at the gene, enzyme, and biochemical levels via methodologies such as direct gene modification, enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy, cofactor administration, dietary management, and organ transplantation. In this review, an overview of each of these approaches will be provided, and representative therapies in each category will be discussed.
Editorial Board Thoughts: Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – STEAM, Creative Abrasion, and the Opportunity in Libraries Today

By actively seeking out opportunities to bring art into traditionally STEM-focused activity, and vice-versa, we are deliberately increasing the diversity of the environment. Makerspace services and activities, to the extent they are open and visibly accessible to all, are a natural for the spontaneous development of trans-disciplinary collaboration. Within the spaces of the library, opportunities to connect individuals around shared avocational interest might range from music and spontaneous performance areas to spaces salted with LEGO bricks and jigsaw puzzles; the potential connections between our resources and the members of our communities are as diverse as their interests. Indeed, when a practitioner from one discipline can interact and engage with others from across the STEAM spectrum, the world becomes a richer place – and maybe, just maybe, we can fan the flames of curiosity along the way.
What Do We Know About High-Frequency Trading?

This paper reviews recent theoretical and empirical research on high-frequency trading (HFT). Economic theory identifies several ways that HFT could affect liquidity. The main positive is that HFT can intermediate trades at lower cost. However, HFT speed could disadvantage other investors, and the resulting adverse selection could reduce market quality.Over the past decade, HFT has increased sharply, and liquidity has steadily improved. But correlation is not necessarily causation. Empirically, the challenge is to measure the incremental effect of HFT beyond other changes in equity markets. The best papers for this purpose isolate market structure changes that facilitate HFT. Virtually every time a market structure change results in more HFT, liquidity and market quality have improved because liquidity suppliers are better able to adjust their quotes in response to new information.Does HFT make markets more fragile? In the May 6, 2010 Flash Crash, for example, HFT initially stabilized prices but were eventually overwhelmed, and in liquidating their positions, HFT exacerbated the downturn. This appears to be a generic feature of equity markets: similar events have occurred in manual markets, even with affirmative market-maker obligations. Well-crafted individual stock price limits and trading halts have been introduced since. Similarly, kill switches are a sensible response to the Knight trading episode.Many of the regulatory issues associated with HFT are the same issues that arose in more manual markets. Now regulators in the US are appropriately relying on competition to minimize abuses. Other regulation is appropriate if there are market failures. For instance, consolidated order-level audit trails are key to robust enforcement. If excessive messages impose negative externalities on others, fees are appropriate. But a message tax may act like a transaction tax, reducing share prices, increasing volatility, and worsening liquidity. Minimum order exposure times would also severely discourage liquidity provision.
Emerging Issues in Women’s Health

Women represent 51.3% of the total U.S. population: 123.8 million people (Bureau of the Census, 1987). They are the predominant consumers of health care in the United States, but they are a minority of health care providers (Bartuska, 1988;Davis, 1988;Weisman & Teitelbaum, 1989). This chapter explores the anatomy of women’s health and health care. By considering data on life expectancy, mortality, morbidity, and lifestyle among different groups of American women, we gain information on the nature of women’s health care needs. By examining the statistics on poverty and violence against women, we identify social conditions that engender poor health and create obstacles to effective health care. By documenting the status of women doctoral-level providers in medical schools, we raise concerns about the ability of these institutions to provide gender-sensitive health care and education.
Freedom and Environmental Quality

Technical factors associated with environmental quality are intimately interwoven with the human values and beliefs of people regarding rights, privileges, and obligations in a free society. Our government has been directed to show a concern for the welfare of society while preserving individual freedom of action and private property. Many persons believe these two concerns can best be reconciled by local government. Yet, many current environmental problems are beyond the capability of local government to effectively control. NEPA requires Federal actions to be evaluated as to their environmental impact. Engineering design must not only consider workable feasibility and efficient, economic operation, but also environmental quality. Planning is required to relate issues of energy, food production, resource conservation, human health, economic productivity, ecosystems, population, and quality of life. Pennsylvania has proposed a Master Plan to preserve environmental quality through land-use controls.
Biological removal of nutrients from treated sewage: laboratory experiments: With 3 figures and 2 tables in the text

1. Laboratory studies have been carried out to clarify or substantiate some of the data from stabilization pond studies.2. The type and quantity of algal growth attained in a stabilization pond wil...
Generation of Diversity Sets with High sp3 Fraction Using the Photoredox Coupling of Organotrifluoroborates and Organosilicates with Heteroaryl/Aryl Bromides in Continuous Flow.

The photoredox cross-coupling of aryl halides and potassium alkyl trifluoroborates is a very effective means to form Csp3–Csp2 bonds. However, this transformation is inefficient for the coupling of unactivated primary trifluoroborates. We have developed a generally useful, continuous flow Csp3–Csp2 coupling procedure for the synthesis of diverse product sets that is compatible with both trifluoroborates and silicate reagents. This universal protocol provides diversity sets from both primary and secondary coupling partners. This easily scalable procedure widens the substrate scope of the coupling reaction and is efficient for producing a greater range of analogues bearing a high sp3 fraction.
A reference autonomous mobility model

Mobility modeling is a critical aspect of the ground vehicle acquisition process. Mobility modeling for traditional ground vehicles is well-understood; however, mobility modeling tools for evaluating autonomous mobility are sparse. Users do not understand the performance capabilities of autonomous ground vehicles at a mission level because no mission-level mobility model exists for autonomous vehicles. Therefore, this paper proposes a Reference Autonomous Mobility Model (RAMM). The RAMM serves as the mission-level mobility modeling tool that is currently lacking in the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) community. The RAMM is built on the framework already established by trusted mobility modeling tools to fill the current analysis gap in the autonomous vehicle acquisition cycle. This paper gives a detailed description of the RAMM along with an example application of the RAMM for modeling autonomous mobility. Once fully developed, the RAMM could serve as an integral part in the development, testing and evaluation, and fielding of autonomous UGVs.
On the accuracy of low-cost motion capture systems for range of motion measurements

In this paper, we study low-cost motion tracking systems for range of motion (RoM) measurements in the tele-rehabilitation context using Augmented Reality. We propose simple yet effective extensions of the Microsoft Kinect SDK 2.0 skeleton tracking algorithm. Our extensions consist of temporal smoothing of the joint estimates as well as an intuitive, patient-specific adjustment of the bone lengths that is implemented as a quick, one-time calibration performed by the therapist. We compare our system to the Kinect v1, the non-modified Kinect v2, a marker-based optical tracking system, and the clinical gold standard set by two subject-matter-experts using a goniometer. We study the accuracy of all systems in RoM measurement on the elbow joints. We quantitatively compare angular deviation from the expert measurements and perform analysis on statistical confidence. The results indicate, that the proposed personalized setup substantially outperforms all competing systems and effectively corrects for the systematic error of the skeleton tracking, particularly at full flexion. The improved system matched the observations of both experts with a mean error of 3:78° We conclude, that the proposed, personalized method for RoM measurement with Augmented Reality feedback is promising for tele-rehabilitation scenarios. Future work will investigate whether similar strategies can be applied to more complex joints, such as the shoulder.
Trpc6 inactivation confers protection in a model of severe nephrosis in rats.

Mutations in canonical transient receptor potential-6 (TRPC6) channels give rise to rare familial forms of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here we examined a possible role for TRPC6 in the progression of chronic puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis in Sprague-Dawley rats, a classic model of acquired nephrotic syndromes. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to delete a 239-bp region within exon 2 of the Trpc6 gene (Trpc6del allele). Trpc6del/del rats expressed detectable Trpc6 transcripts missing exon 2, and TRPC6 proteins could be detected by immunoblot of renal cortex. However, the abundance of Trpc6 transcripts and TRPC6 protein in renal cortex was much lower than in Trpc6wt/wt littermates, and functional TRPC6 channels could not be detected in whole-cell recordings from glomerular cells cultured from Trpc6del/del animals, possibly because of disruption of ankyrin repeats 1 and 2. During the chronic phase of PAN nephrosis, Trpc6del/del rats had reduced urine albumin excretion, reduced serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and improved azotemia compared to wild-type Trpc6wt/wt littermates. Glomerulosclerosis was severe during chronic PAN nephrosis in Trpc6wt/wt rats but was markedly reduced in Trpc6del/del littermates. Trpc6del/del animals also had less severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis as assessed by several biochemical and histological analyses, as well as reduced foot process effacement and glomerular basement thickening compared to Trpc6wtt/wt controls. None of the manipulations in this study affected the abundance of TRPC5 channels in renal cortex. TRPC3 was increased in PAN nephrosis and in Trpc6del/del rats. These data support a role for TRPC6 channels in driving an acquired form of secondary FSGS.
Relationships—Share Your Brand

Martha was tasked with fixing her firm’s inefficient operational process, which was thought to be the reason why it was so difficult to onboard and retain clients. She told me how the owner had given this project to her out of desperation since he just couldn’t seem to fix it himself. He had tried before and often found that internal disagreements prevented the organization from making forward progress.
The Roles of Stomatal Conductance and Compound Volatility in Controlling the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds from Leaves

Plants emit more than 30,000 different volatile organic compounds and the extent to which stomata exert control over the emissions of these compounds varies widely. Each of these compounds has unique physico-chemical characteristics, including volatility that characterizes the partitioning between water/air and water/lipid phases. For different volatile compounds, volatility differs by over six orders of magnitude. The volatility of each compound, and to a lesser extent the anatomical characteristics of the leaf, determine for each compound the extent to which the aqueous and lipid phases within the leaf comprise temporary non-specific storage pools between the site of synthesis and the substomatal cavities. This chapter emphasizes that the pool size of each volatile in leaf lipid and water phases is the chief determinant of the strength of stomatal control as well as the responsiveness of emissions to rapid changes in light and temperature.
Novelty, Salience, and Surprise Timing Are Signaled by Neurons in the Basal Forebrain.

Summary The basal forebrain (BF) is a principal source of modulation of the neocortex [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ] and is thought to regulate cognitive functions such as attention, motivation, and learning by broadcasting information about salience [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, events can be salient for multiple reasons—such as novelty, surprise, or reward prediction errors [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]—and to date, precisely which salience-related information the BF broadcasts is unclear. Here, we report that the primate BF contains at least two types of neurons that often process salient events in distinct manners: one with phasic burst responses to cues predicting salient events and one with ramping activity anticipating such events. Bursting neurons respond to cues that convey predictions about the magnitude, probability, and timing of primary reinforcements. They also burst to the reinforcement itself, particularly when it is unexpected. However, they do not have a selective response to reinforcement omission (the unexpected absence of an event). Thus, bursting neurons do not convey value-prediction errors but do signal surprise associated with external events. Indeed, they are not limited to processing primary reinforcement: they discriminate fully expected novel visual objects from familiar objects and respond to object-sequence violations. In contrast, ramping neurons predict the timing of many salient, novel, and surprising events. Their ramping activity is highly sensitive to the subjects’ confidence in event timing and on average encodes the subjects’ surprise after unexpected events occur. These data suggest that the primate BF contains mechanisms to anticipate the timing of a diverse set of important external events (via ramping activity) and to rapidly deploy cognitive resources when these events occur (via short latency bursting).
Serial Cerebral Metabolic Changes in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Treated With Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mononuclear Cells

Purpose: Cell-based therapy offers new opportunities for the development of novel treatments to promote tissue repair, functional restoration, and cerebral metabolic balance. N-acetylasperate (NAA), Choline (Cho), and Creatine (Cr) are three major metabolites seen on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) that play a vital role in balancing the biochemical processes and are suggested as markers of recovery. In this preliminary study, we serially monitored changes in these metabolites in ischemic stroke patients who were treated with autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) using non-invasive MRS. Materials and Methods: A sub-group of nine patients (3 male, 6 female) participated in a serial MRS study, as part of a clinical trial on autologous bone marrow cell therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Seven to ten million mononuclear cells were isolated from the patient's bone marrow and administered intravenously within 72 h of onset of injury. MRS data were obtained at 1, 3, and 6 months using a whole-body 3.0T MRI. Single voxel point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) was obtained within the lesion and contralesional gray matter. Spectral analysis was done using TARQUIN software and absolute concentration of NAA, Cho, and Cr was determined. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was serially recoreded. Two-way analysis of variance was performed and p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: All metabolites showed statistically significant or clear trends toward lower ipsilesional concentrations compared to the contralesional side at all time points. Statistically significant reductions were found in ipsilesional NAA at 1M and 3M, Cho at 6M, and Cr at 1M and 6M (p < 0.03), compared to the contralesional side. Temporally, ipsilesional NAA increased between 3M and 6M (p < 0.01). On the other hand, ipsilesional Cho showed continued decline till 6M (p < 0.01). Ipsilesional Cr was stable over time. Contralesional metabolites were relatively stable over time, with only Cr showing a reduction 3M (p < 0.02). There was a significant (p < 0.03) correlation between ipsilesional NAA and NIHSS at 3M follow-up. Conclusion: Serial changes in metabolites suggest that MRS can be applied to monitor therapeutic changes. Post-treatment increasing trends of NAA concentration and significant correlation with NIHSS support a potential therapeutic effect.
Structural health assessment of fire damaged building using non-destructive testing and micro-graphical forensic analysis: A case study

Abstract After fire exposure the reinforced concrete structures lose strength and durability. Mapping the damage caused by fire exposure becomes extremely important to assess the serviceability of a fire exposed building. This case study covers in brief the structural health assessment of a fire damaged structure. To unravel the heating history various techniques were adopted. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods were employed to assess the residual durability properties. Similarly, core extraction tests were performed to evaluate the residual mechanical properties. Further, a framework was developed with the help of microstructural and thermal analyses to reasonably estimate the exposure temperatures of various structural units. This methodology has efficiently predicted the degraded quality of Reinforced concrete based on Microstructural Structural Analysis and Non-Destructive Testing.
The “Philosophy” in Japanese Buddhist Philosophy

The chapters in this book focus on a phenomenon that is named by a conjunction of three terms: Japanese, Buddhist, philosophy. Each of these terms implies a distinction demarcating one domain of inquiry from other related domains: Japanese as distinct from Chinese, Korean, or Indian; Buddhist as distinct from Confucian or Shintō; and philosophy as distinct from religion or psychology. Each of these terms, the three in question as well as their contrasts, reflects a distinctly modern category that abstracts from historical realities that blur the distinctions. With this qualification in mind, this chapter clarifies the terms in question, then selects two themes: language-reality-truth, and the nature of Buddhist practice, and gives a sample of philosophical methods and styles of argumentation that characterize “Japanese Buddhist philosophy.” For the most part, the selection here is limited to examples from pre-modern times, before Japanese Buddhists had encountered western philosophy and began to present Buddhism in its terms.
Development of a low-cost sensing platform for air quality monitoring: application in the city of Rome

Air pollution in urban areas is a problem of complex nature and one of its principal characteristics is the variability of pollutants concentrations even at short distances from main road arteries....
Crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of the fibronectin-binding protein PavA from Streptococcus pneumoniae

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major human pathogen, is a regular colonizer of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Pneumococcal adherence and virulence factor A (PavA), a fibronectin-binding bacterial protein, from S. pneumoniae is an important facilitator of its colonization of host cells. In this study, the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of PavA (SpPavA-N) determined at a resolution of 2.39 A is reported. Each monomer of the dimeric protein consists of two domains (domains I and II) and a short α-helix (α6) at the C-terminus that are connected by elongated loops. Comparison of the SpPavA-N structure with that of its homolog from Streptococcus suis (FBPS-N) revealed differences in α5, α6 and the domain II/α6 inter-loop region within domain II. The α5 helix of FBPS-N folds back toward domain I, whereas in SpPavA-N it adopts an elongated rod shape.
Positive allosteric modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 modulates Akt and GSK3β signaling in vivo

Background: Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) have behavioral effects predictive of antipsychotic activity in experimental models such as amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AHL). However, the signaling mechanisms that contribute to the antipsychotic-like properties of mGlu5 PAMs are not well understood. Methods: Because the Akt/GSK3{beta} pathway has been implicated in schizophrenia and is modulated by known antipsychotic drugs, we evaluated the effects of systemic administration of two mGlu5 PAMs on Akt and GSK3{beta} signaling using western blot analysis in both naive and amphetamine-treated adult male rats. Results: In the dorsal striatum, the mGlu5-selective PAM VU0092273 (30 mg/kg) significantly increased Akt phosphorylation at residues associated with enhanced kinase activity, Thr308 and Ser473. Inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3{beta} at Ser9 was also increased. Similar effects were observed with a second mGlu5 PAM, VU0360172 (56.6 mg/kg). VU0092273 increased Akt phosphorylation levels in amphetamine-treated rats. Effects on Akt/GSK3{beta} signaling were not limited to the striatum, as VU0092273 also increased Akt/GSK3{beta} phosphorylation in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mGlu5 PAMs that have antipsychotic-like efficacy in rats affect signaling pathways that are modulated by known antipsychotics, and raise the possibility that inhibition of GSK3{beta} might contribute to the antipsychotic-like effects of mGlu5 PAMs.
Hunting image: Taxi search strategy recognition using Sparse Subspace Clustering

Abstract This study proposes hunting image, an image-based representation, to describe and recognize taxi passenger-search strategies. Four features are selected to generate an image for each taxi, namely, the cruising speed, the cruising ratio, the difference in demand-supply ratios and the next passenger trip distance. These features can be easily computed for each taxi search trip using widely available data sources. Sparse subspace clustering (SSC), an unsupervised learning algorithm, is introduced to identify search strategies embedded in the hunting images. The proposed methodology is experimented on a large-scale taxi trajectory dataset collected in Shenzhen, China across five months in 2016. Twenty four clusters corresponding to different search strategies are identified from 885 taxis. The differences in search strategies are linked to the operational efficiency and profitability of individual taxis. The results also reveal common search patterns in the taxi market of Shenzhen. Specifically, we find most taxis: (1) prefer to cruise in the same region after dropping off the last passenger; (2) have trouble finding passenger at midnight and early in the morning; and (3) tend to gather at the ports between Shenzhen and Hong Kong during peak periods to serve short-distance trips.
Unprecedented generation of 3D heterostructures by mechanochemical disassembly and re-ordering of incommensurate metal chalcogenides.

Three-dimensional heterostructures are usually created either by assembling two-dimensional building blocks into hierarchical architectures or using stepwise chemical processes that sequentially deposit individual monolayers. Both approaches suffer from a number of issues, including lack of suitable precursors, limited reproducibility, and poor scalability of the preparation protocols. Therefore, development of alternative methods that enable preparation of heterostructured materials is desired. We create heterostructures with incommensurate arrangements of well-defined building blocks using a synthetic approach that comprises mechanical disassembly and simultaneous reordering of layered transition-metal dichalcogenides, MX2, and non-layered monochalcogenides, REX, where M = Ta, Nb, RE = Sm, La, and X = S, Se. We show that the discovered solid-state processes are rooted in stochastic mechanochemical transformations directed by electronic interaction between chemically and structurally dissimilar solids toward atomic-scale ordering, and offer an alternative to conventional heterostructuring. Details of composition–structure–properties relationships in the studied materials are also highlighted. 3D heterostructures offer properties that are inaccessible in bulk single-phase solids, but synthetic approaches are limited. The authors use mechanochemical reshuffling of binary precursors and subsequent annealing to design structurally aligned misfit heterostructures with well-defined atomic arrangements.
Social-environmental moderators of neurodevelopmental outcomes in youth born preterm: A systematic review

Objective: Preterm birth represents a significant medical event that places infants at a markedly greater risk for neurodevelopmental problems and delays. Although the impact of medical factors on ...
Haploinsufficiency of the essential gene RpS12 causes defects in erythropoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell maintenance

Abstract Ribosomal protein (Rp) gene haploinsufficiency can result in Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA), characterized by defective erythropoiesis and skeletal defects. Some mouse Rp mutations recapitulate DBA phenotypes, although others lack erythropoietic or skeletal defects. We generated a conditional knockout mouse to partially delete RpS12, which results in homozygous embryonic lethality. Rps12+/- mice have growth and morphological defects, pancytopenia and impaired erythropoiesis. A striking reduction in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors in the bone marrow (BM) was associated with decreased ability to repopulate the blood system after competitive and non-competitive BM transplantation. The mutants exhibited loss of HSC quiescence, which was associated with ERK and MTOR activation and increased global translation in HSC and progenitors. Thus, RpS12 has a very strong requirement in maintaining HSC quiescence and function, in addition to erythropoiesis that is affected in DBA patients.
Allogenic C57B/6->B6D2F1 Transplantation As a Model for Graft Versus Host Disease in the Brain

Abstract Bone marrow transplants are a common and reliable treatment for many disorders; however, in roughly 50% of patients, graft versus host disease (GvHD) occurs, causing significant morbidity and mortality. GvHD is an immune mediated disorder in which donor T cells recognize host antigens as foreign, causing donor T cells to proliferate and attack healthy host tissue. Though the pathogenesis of GvHD in organs such as the skin and colon has been well-documented, little is known about the effects of GvHD on the brain. Some clinical case studies have associated extensive neurological issues with onset of GvHD, with symptoms such as seizures, cognitive dysfunction, and cerebellar impairment including hemiparesis. Yet research involving the brain in GvHD lags behind research in other tissues. Our lab, working with a MHCII mismatched GvHD murine model, has studied GvHD in the brain in an effort to better understand the neurological effects of GvHD. It has been established that an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in GvHD causes much of the autoimmune reaction associated with the disease. Because of this, we sought to determine if these cell types infiltrate the brain, and if so, where. Using histochemical staining in a C57BL/6->B6D2F1 model (syngenically transplanted B6D2F1 mice were healthy controls), we saw significantly increased populations of CD3+ T cells (p Since an increase in CD8+ T cell populations suggests a pro-inflammatory Th1 immune response, we also investigated B226+ (B-cell) and IBA1+ (macrophage/microglia) cell populations in the brain. B-cells are associated with a Th2 response, while Th1 responses increase IBA1+ cell populations. We found no increase in numbers of B226+ cells in GvHD vs healthy mice, but found a significant increase in the number of IBA1+ cells (p Finally, since behavioral changes are often the first indicator of neurological involvement in GvHD, we wanted to assess whether our GvHD mouse model showed any notable changes in behavior. We found no motor deficits as measured through inverted grid and pole walk, nor did we see any difference in Morris Water Maze learning and recall between GvHD and control mice. However, we saw slower swimming speeds for GvHD mice (p In conclusion, our data suggest that the epithelial and ependymal cells surrounding the brain are a target of GvHD. Additionally, we found data supporting the theory that acute GvHD is associated with a Th1 response, as well as elevated serum ICAM-1 and VEGF levels. Our data indicate that GvHD may play a role in the brain of GvHD patients, an organ that has not previously been implicated in the pathology of GvHD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Improved Probe-Flaw Interaction Modeling, Inversion Processing, and Surface Roughness Clutter

In Reference 1 a first comparison was made of measured eddy current signals with calculations based on nonuniform probe-field interaction theory. These calculations followed the basic analysis developed in Reference 2. They used interrogating field distributions calculated by Dodd and Deeds theory for the air core coils of Reference 3. (Note that Fig. 6 in Reference 1 and Fig. 7 in Reference 3 should be interchanged). In Reference 1 theoretical and experimental plots of the flaw profile curve (a plot of △Z versus distance along the mouth of a surface breaking flaw) were found to be in good agreement, with regard to shape, for several selected EDM notch samples in aluminum. An iterative procedure was also developed for systematically varying the length, depth, and opening width to obtain a best fit to the experimental data.4 In the present paper a full inversion procedure is developed and illustrated for approximately rectangular-shaped EDM notches. The mathematical structure of the inversion problem is first examined and a solution is proposed. Physical reasoning, based on the form of the flaw profile curves, is then used to simplify the approach and to provide guidance in selection of the most suitable probe geometry. Other topics briefly addressed include, possible improvements in the theory for the region with a/§ close to unity and for more realistic flaw shapes (i.e., semi-elliptical, rather than rectangular), inaccuracies due to errors in the probe scan path, and background clutter due to surface roughness, machining marks, and micro-structure.
Gravity-Driven Micropump with a Steady Flow Rate

This paper describes a MIcrofluidic Gravity pump (MIG-pump). Unlike conventional microscale gravity-driven systems where flow rates change with decrease in fluid volume at the supply reservoir, the MIG-pump can deliver fluid at a steady flow rate over extended periods of time. The flow rate is maintained by the use of horizontally oriented reservoirs, which allow a constant hydraulic pressure to be maintained between the inlet and outlet. The MIG-pump is useful for a variety of applications including multiple laminar flow generation and cell sorting.
Significance of Chromogenic Variants in Studies of Virulence Factors of Staphylococcus aureus

Parisi, Joseph T. (Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa.). Significance of chromogenic variants in studies of virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus. J. Bacteriol. 92:589–591. 1966.—Large numbers of chromogenic variants were isolated from cultures of a parent strain of Staphylococcus aureus growing in Brain Heart Infusion (Difco). The parent strain and four selected chromogenic variants were tested for either quantitative or qualitative differences in the production of extracellular substances associated with virulence. Quantitative differences were found in the ability of these strains to produce coagulase and hyaluronidase, whereas qualitative differences were found in the production of plate hemolysins, bound coagulase, opacity in an egg yolk medium, and a proteinase. In view of the rate and extent of the occurrence of these chromogenic variants, their presence in an inoculum could lead to inaccurate results in in vitro studies of staphylococcal virulence.
Cold Plasma Rapid Decontamination of Food Contact Surfaces Contaminated with Salmonella Biofilms

UNLABELLED Cross-contamination of foods from persistent pathogen reservoirs is a known risk factor in processing environments. Industry requires a rapid, waterless, zero-contact, chemical-free method for removing pathogens from food contact surfaces. Cold plasma was tested for its ability to inactivate Salmonella biofilms. A 3-strain Salmonella culture was grown to form adherent biofilms for 24, 48, or 72 h on a test surface (glass slides). These were placed on a conveyor belt and passed at various line speeds to provide exposure times of 5, 10, or 15 s. The test plate was either 5 or 7.5 cm under a plasma jet emitter operating at 1 atm using filtered air as the feed gas. The frequency of high-voltage electricity was varied from 23 to 48 kHz. At the closer spacing (5 cm), cold plasma reduced Salmonella biofilms by up to 1.57 log CFU/mL (5 s), 1.82 log CFU/mL (10 s), and 2.13 log CFU/mL (15 s). Increasing the distance to 7.5 cm generally reduced the efficacy of the 15 s treatment, but had variable effects on the 5 and 10 s treatments. Variation of the high-voltage electricity had a greater effect on 10 and 15 s treatments, particularly at the 7.5 cm spacing. For each combination of time, distance, and frequency, Salmonella biofilms of 24, 48, and 72 h growth responded consistently with each other. The results show that short treatments with cold plasma yielded up to a 2.13 log reduction of a durable form of Salmonella contamination on a model food contact surface. This technology shows promise as a possible tool for rapid disinfection of materials associated with food processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Pathogens such as Salmonella can form chemical-resistant biofilms, making them difficult to remove from food contact surfaces. A 15 s treatment with cold plasma reduced mature Salmonella biofilms by up to 2.13 log CFU/mL (99.3%). This contact-free, waterless method uses no chemical sanitizers. Cold plasma may therefore have a practical application for conveyor belts, equipment, and other food contact surfaces where a rapid, dry antimicrobial process is required.
Cooperative and Antagonistic Networks: Multidimensional Affinity and Intervention in Ongoing Conflicts, 1946–2001

In recent years (social) network approaches have been gaining ground in the field of international relations. Networks between states effectively explain patterns of international conflict and cooperation. One issue where conflict and cooperation converge—and where network analysis finds fruitful application—is the issue of third-party states’ intervention in conflicts. This study investigates whether, and how, conflict expands in the international social space through the cooperative and antagonistic networks generated by states’ supportive and oppositional interventions in international disputes. The study adopts a sociological theory of social units’ interaction in the social space as a function of their multidimensional affinity to investigate further how such networks form. The hypotheses derived from this theoretical framework are tested using data on third-party non-neutral intervention in post-World War II militarized interstate disputes from [Corbetta and Dixon (2005)][1]. Proximity in the international social space effectively predicts the creation of cooperative ties (supportive interventions) between states, while social distance predicts antagonistic ties (oppositional interventions). [1]: #ref-15
Narcotic poisoning of children (1) through accidental ingestion of methadone and (2) in utero.

Narcotics have been known to man since prehistoric times, and they continue to be among the most used analgesics in the practice of medicine. They comprise a group of drugs whose analgesic effect is coupled with euphoria and somnolence. In addition, their spasmogenic effect on smooth muscle has made them useful agents in the alleviation of certain gastrointestinal tract symptoms. For most narcotics, therapeutic dosage does not produce serious untoward effects. Unfortunately, they have a depressant effect on respiration by directly influencing the respiratory center of the brain. This may be life threatening when recommended dosages are exceeded. Narcotics have been abused since the recognition that they can induce euphoria and a feeling of well being. Tolerance and physical and psychological dependence result from their repeated use. The occurrence of withdrawal symptomatology in humans using these drugs repeatedly helps to produce a pattern of drug dependence; an individual has but to repeat a dose of drug in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Abuse liability is thus great. All narcotics share this addiction potential. Those most frequently prescribed in clinical medicine are morphine, trieperidine, codeine and methadone. Heroin (diacetylmorphine), the most commonly abused narcotic, available only illicitly, is not prescribed in clinical practice. After injection, it is hydrolyzed to morphine which produces its pharmacological action. While morphine and heroin are absorbed only following parenteral administration, some narcotics are absorbed readily from the gastrointestinal tract as well as after injection (methadone, codeine, meperidine). Regardless of the mode of administration, narcotics taken by a pregnant addict readily pass the placental barrier and are capable of producing effects on the infant in utero and after birth.
Relationship between protein rotational dynamics and phosphoenzyme decomposition in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase.

We have investigated the role of large-scale protein rotational mobility in the reaction mechanism of the Ca-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum using conditions that have previously been found to inhibit selectively phosphoenzyme decomposition, i.e. 1) partial delipidation (by detergent extraction or phospholipase treatment) and 2) the addition of nonaqueous solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, and sucrose). Using saturation-transfer electron paramagnetic resonance to probe the microsecond rotational motion of the spin-labeled Ca-ATPase, we find that both calcium-dependent ATPase activity and protein rotational mobility decrease in parallel, suggesting that protein mobility is important to the enzymatic step(s) involving phosphoenzyme decomposition. Using conventional EPR to measure the nanosecond rotational dynamics of spin-labeled lipid hydrocarbon chains, we find that neither the removal of lipid nor the addition of nonaqueous solvents significantly affects the lipid dynamics. We propose that the physical mode of inactivation under these conditions is the reduction in protein mobility through enforced protein-protein interactions, the result of which is a reduction in a motion essential for Ca-ATPase activity.
The Nonlinearity Seen for LDL-Cholesterol with Lyophilized Material Is a Matrix Effect

Recently, Genzyme Corporation (Cambridge, MA) developed and patented a direct method for LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) determination. The method uses an antibody to separate LDL from VLDL and HDL. Because the method is analogous to that for HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in that it requires a separation step and that matrix effects have been documented to interfere with the assessment for linearity for that analyte, we investigated the effect matrix has on the evaluation of linearity for the direct measurement of LDL-C (1). We determined LDL-C on the Cobas FARA (Roche Diagnostic Systems), using cholesterol reagents: cholesterol esterase and oxidase (Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics) and an LDL-C kit (Sigma Diagnostics). We tested linearity, using the following materials: CAP Linearity Survey material LN2–21 (College of American Pathologists, Northfield, IL); reconstituted according to instructions, mixed high- and low-concentration vials to make five, equally-spaced in concentration solutions; HDL-C and LDL-C control material (Sigma Diagnostics); and Enzyme diluent (DuPont Clinical Diagnostic …
Apropiación simbólica y reconfiguración identitaria del espacio urbano en Metepec, Estado de México

Los cambios experimentados en la realidad urbana durante las ultimas decadas han derivado en innumerables estudios desde distintas ramas de las Ciencias Sociales como la Sociologia, la Antropologia y la Psicologia Ambiental. De manera especifica, las investigaciones que versan sobre el analisis de las implicaciones sociales de tales cambios nos ofrecen primeramente las herramientas para comprender la forma en la que los individuos viven, simbolizan, y se apropian del espacio urbano como parte de su identidad, al tiempo que nos brindan una radiografia de la complejidad de las relaciones socioculturales presentes en la ciudad, para en ultima instancia permitirnos superar la vision fragmentada que desde la arquitectura nos habiamos formado en cuanto a su diseno y construccion. Es decir, el panorama de la realidad de la ciudad y de su complejidad socio-espacial es ampliado por la perspectiva arquitectonica y urbana. Ademas, se hace posible tambien incorporar al analisis de la ciudad las variables sociales, economicas, politicas y culturales subyacentes a los procesos de reconfiguracion y expansion del fenomeno urbano para asi, finalmente enriquecerlo con una carga simbolica que permite comprender los rasgos identitarios de los objetos urbano-arquitectonicos de la ciudad. Desde esta perspectiva, surgen dos importantes planteamientos. Por un lado, en cuanto a la naturaleza simbolica de los espacios que conforman el paisaje urbano y su papel en la conformacion de la identidad social. Por otro lado, en lo concerniente a las repercusiones que los recientes procesos de crecimiento urbano y de vinculacion social tienen (a traves de las nuevas tecnologias de la informacion y comunicacion) sobre la reestructuracion formal y funcional de dichos espacios urbanos. Tomando como caso de estudio al municipio de Metepec, perteneciente a la Zona Metropolitana de Toluca, en el Estado de Mexico, el presente trabajo busca introducirnos a la reflexion teorico-conceptual de los ultimos anos sobre las implicaciones que los procesos de transformacion urbana tienen sobre las formas de coexistencia social en un espacio urbano. De igual forma, pretende ofrecer una reflexion critica sobre los impactos identitarios surgidos de los procesos de expansion urbana y sobre los usos de suelo asociados con tendencias globales de actividades terciarias en localidades con fuertes lazos tradicionales que en las ultimas decadas se han visto integradas a la dinamica metropolitana en Mexico.
Applying Financial Modeling Techniques: To Value, Structure, and Negotiate Mergers and Acquisitions

This chapter explores application of financial modeling techniques in context of mergers and acquisitions. Financial modeling refers to the application of spreadsheet software to define simple arithmetic relationships among variables within the firm's income, balance sheet, and cash-flow statements and to define the interrelationships among the various financial statements. The primary objective of applying financial modeling techniques is to create a computer-based model, which facilitates the acquirer's understanding of the effect that changes in certain operating variables have on the firm's overall performance and valuation. Once in place, these models can be used to simulate alternative plausible valuation scenarios to determine which one enables the acquirer to achieve its financial objectives without violating identifiable constraints. This chapter illustrates a process for building a financial model in the context of a merger or acquisition. The process allows the analyst to determine the minimum and maximum prices for a target firm and the initial offer price. The chapter also provides a simulation model for assessing the impact of various offer prices on postmerger EPS and discusses how this capability can be used in the negotiating process. The flexibility of these modeling techniques is illustrated by showing how they may be applied to special situations, such as when the acquirer or target is part of a parent firm or when the objective is to value, structure, and negotiate a joint venture or business alliance.