cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localized plastic flow anisotropic mechanical properties and crystallographic texture in Zircaloy sheet

Mechanical properties of Zircaloys, like many other hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals, are sensitive to the textures developed during fabrication processes. These alloys exhibit highly anisotropic mechanical properties, a thorough knowledge of which is needed for selecting materials with good formability characteristics as well as for the predictability of inservice behavior. This paper describes texture analysis performed on recrystallized Zircaloy-4 sheet using x-ray diffraction techniques, crystallite orientation distribution function (CODF) analysis using pole figure intensity data, predictions on mechanical anisotropy and formability using CODF and appropriate plasticity models, and experimental characterization of mechanical anisotropy using grid technique. In addition, the localized plastic flow analysis, which gives the upper limits on the strains that the material can withstand without failure, is also considered. The texture based model predictions of the anisotropy parametersR andP and the formability parameterB show an excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. Analysis of the true stress-strain behavior indicates that necking in this material starts much earlier than the maximum load, and the localized plastic flow analysis gives the maximum strains along the rolling (RD) and transverse (TD) directions of the sheet that the material can be subjected to without the initiation of diffuse or local necking. The material parameters obtained in these analyses control the formability during thermomechanical processing, and the inservice behavior of the material.
Colorimetric Determination of Microgram Quantities of Thiosulfate and Tetrathionate

Abstract A simple and precise colorimetric method of determining thiosulfate and tetrathionate is described. It involves alkaline cyanolysis of thiosulfate S in the presence of Cu2+ or alkaline cyanolysis of tetrathionate S in the absence of Cu2+ and colorimetric determination of the thiocyanate formed as ferric thiocyanate complex. The method is rapid, sensitive, and accurate, and it permits determination of microgram quantities of thiosulfate or tetrathionate or both. The stability of the color formed is discussed, and the ratio of tetrathionate recovered in the presence and absence of Cu2+ is presented.
Relationship of attentional bias to anxiety sensitivity and panic

Panic disorder and panic attacks have been associated with selective attention to threatening information, a factor that may contribute to the maintenance of panic. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), or fear of anxiety-related symptoms, has been described as a cognitive risk factor for panic. It is of interest to understand the relationship between these cognitive correlates of panic, but the literature on the topic has been equivocal. In this study, 65 individuals completed measures of AS, anxiety symptoms and panic as well as the emotional Stroop task, a commonly used measure of attentional bias. We found that panic history and anxiety symptoms were associated with attentional bias for information related to physical and social threat. AS was not significantly associated with performance on the Stroop, suggesting that previous positive findings may have been a reflection of the confounding effect of panic.
Uniqueness of estimation and identifiability in mixture models

Further properties of the nonparametric maximum-likelihood estimator of a mixing distribution are obtained by exploiting the properties of totally positive kernels. Sufficient conditions for uniqueness of the estimator are given. This result is more general, and the proof is substantially simpler, than given previously. When the component density has support on N points, it is shown that all identifiable mixing distributions have support on no more than N/2 points. Identifiable mixtures are shown to lie on the boundary of the mixture model space. The maximum-likelihood estimate is shown to be unique if the vector of observations lies outside this space. Dans cet article, des proprietes additionnelles de l'estimateur non-parametrique du maximum de vraisemblance d'une distribution melangeante sont obtenues a partir des proprietes des noyaux totalement positifs. Des conditions suffisantes pour l'unicite de cet estimateur sont donnees. Ce resultat est plus general et la demonstration est considerablement plus simple qu'auparavant. Lorsque la fonction de densite de la composante a un support de N points, il est demontre que toutes les distributions melangeantes identifiables ont un support d'au plus N/2 points. Les melanges de lois identifiables se trouvent a la frontiere de l'espace du modele avec melange de loi. II est demontre que l'estimateur du maximum de vraisemblance est unique si le vecteur des observations se trouve a l'exterieur de cet espace.
Suppressed proliferation of lymphatic tissue in diabetic and adrenalectomized-diabetic rats

One week following induction of diabetes in rats by alloxan administration, the thymus and spleen showed marked involution and a highly significant depression of in vivo incorporation of [3H]deoxycytidine into the DNA of these tissues. Adrenalectomy of diabetic rats reduced the decline of lymphatic tissue weight, but uptake of [3H]deoxycytidine into thymic and spleen DNA remained suppressed. These results indicate that in alloxan-induced diabetes, the observed depressed lymphatic tissue weight and cellular proliferation are not simply due to the elevated plasma level of corticosteroids, but are either a result of the insulin deficiency per se or due to other metabolic alterations associated with the diabetic condition.
NO or no NO in asthma

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role as a vasodilator, neurotransmitter, and inflammatory mediator in the airways and is produced in increased amounts in asthma. It may have beneficial effects on airways function as a bronchodilator and is the neurotransmitter of bronchodilator nerves in human airways. On the other hand, NO may have deleterious effects on the airways as a vasodilator by increasing plasma exudation, and may also amplify the asthmatic inflammatory response. Proinflammatory cytokines and oxidants increase the expression of an inducible form of NO synthase (NOS) in airway epithelial cells in asthma, and this may underlie the increased levels of NO found in exhaled air of asthmatic patients. Inducible NOS is inhibited by glucocorticoids, but selective inhibitors of this enzyme may have therapeutic potential in asthma.
Variable pathologic interpretation of columnar lined esophagus by general pathologists in community practice.

Abstract Background: Pathologic interpretation of biopsy specimens of columnar lined esophagus guides subsequent endoscopic surveillance and/or surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate pathologic interpretation of columnar lined esophagus by general pathologists in community practice. Methods: Five histologic slides representing different types of columnar lined esophagus were submitted for review by 20 randomly selected general pathologists in community practice. There were three cases with intestinal metaplasia (one with no dysplasia, one with low-grade dysplasia, and one with high-grade dysplasia) and two cases of gastric metaplasia (one fundic-type and one cardia-type). Results: High-grade dysplasia was identified as such by 30% of pathologists and was called invasive adenocarcinoma by 20%, low-grade dysplasia by 30%, and moderate dysplasia by the remaining 20%. Low-grade dysplasia was identified as such by 35% of pathologists and was called high-grade dysplasia by 20%, moderate dysplasia by 20%, and no dysplasia by 25%. Specialized columnar epithelium with no dysplasia was identified as such by 35%, called low-grade dysplasia by 35%, moderate dysplasia by 15%, indeterminate for dysplasia by 10%, and invasive adenocarcinoma by 5%. Gastric metaplasia without specialized columnar epithelium was identified as Barrett's esophagus in 38% of cases. Conclusions: Pathologic interpretation of columnar lined esophagus by community pathologists may be subject to marked interobserver variation. The term Barrett's esophagus is often used to describe columnar lined esophagus without goblet cells. Because this finding is not clearly associated with an increased risk of cancer, these data support recent suggestions that the term Barrett's esophagus be abandoned. Interpretations of both high-grade and low-grade dysplasia should be considered for review by experts in esophageal pathology. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50;23-6.)
Tidal Intrusion Fronts

A tidal intrusion front forms as a dense seawater inflow plunges (subducts) beneath ambient estuarine water during flood tide. The associated foam lines and color changes have been observed on many smaller estuaries with constricted mouths. Internal hydraulic theory and laboratory experiments are reviewed and expressions are obtained for the position of plunging and the amount of associated mixing. The existence of a tidal intrusion front and its structure are discussed in terms of densimetric Froude numbers. These fronts are particularly important in smaller estuaries in which the intrusion process may dominate wind and tidal mixing and thus determine the overall stratification of the estuary. Three classes of three-dimensional plunging flow are identified and discussed. In particular, it is suggested that the peculiar, cursive V-shape plunge line is characteristic of strongly plunging flow.
Evidence that spinal cord thyrotropin-releasing hormone is independent oft he paraventricular nucleus

Abstract To determine whether neuronal perikarya containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the paraventricular nucleus project to the spinal cord, this region of the hypothalamus was ablated by a midline electrolytic lesion and the spinal cord assayed for its content of TRH. In contrast to the marked diminution of TRH in the median eminence, there was no significant change in the TRH content in the spinal cord. These results indicate the absence of significant afferent input of TRH-containing perikarya in the paraventricular nucleus to the spinal cord.
Development of a miniaturized 3-DOF force sensing instrument for robotically assisted retinal microsurgery and preliminary results

Lack of force sensing is one of the most formidable technical challenges in retinal microsurgery. Incorporating high sensitivity force sensing into the ophthalmic tools has the potential to provide the surgeon useful force feedback and to enable safe robotic assistance. This paper presents a new design of a three degrees of freedom force sensing instrument based on fiber Bragg grating sensors. A new flexure is developed to achieve high axial force sensing sensitivity and low crosstalk noise. The force sensing segment of the tool, located directly proximal to the tool tip, is 00.9×8 mm. An extensive calibration shows that the force sensor can measure the transverse and axial force up to 21 mN with 0.5 mN and 3.3 mN accuracy, respectively. The new flexure design demonstrates the potential to improve axial force sensing. Analysis of the experiment results suggests improvements for the future iteration.
Original CIN: reviewing roles for APC in chromosome instability.

You may have seen the bumper sticker “Eve was framed.” Thousands of years of being blamed for original sin and still many wonder, where's the evidence? Today, the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) may have the same complaint about accusations of a different type of CIN, chromosome instability. A series of recent papers, including three in this journal, propose that loss of APC function plays an important role in the CIN seen in many colon cancer cells. However, a closer look reveals a complex story that raises more questions than answers.
A cloud middleware for assuring performance and high availability of soft real-time applications

Applications are increasingly being deployed in the cloud due to benefits stemming from economy of scale, scalability, flexibility and utility-based pricing model. Although most cloud-based applications have hitherto been enterprise-style, there is an emerging need for hosting real-time streaming applications in the cloud that demand both high availability and low latency. Contemporary cloud computing research has seldom focused on solutions that provide both high availability and real-time assurance to these applications in a way that also optimizes resource consumption in data centers, which is a key consideration for cloud providers. This paper makes three contributions to address this dual challenge. First, it describes an architecture for a fault-tolerant framework that can be used to automatically deploy replicas of virtual machines in data centers in a way that optimizes resources while assuring availability and responsiveness. Second, it describes the design of a pluggable framework within the fault-tolerant architecture that enables plugging in different placement algorithms for VM replica deployment. Third, it illustrates the design of a framework for real-time dissemination of resource utilization information using a real-time publish/subscribe framework, which is required by the replica selection and placement framework. Experimental results using a case study that involves a specific replica placement algorithm are presented to evaluate the effectiveness of our architecture.
External hordeolum (sty) caused by infection with trichophyton mentagrophytes.

: A 6-year-old boy developed a sty of his right eye lid. This was proven to be caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes which was also recovered from a pet guinea pig.
Imipramine decreases oesophageal pain perception in human male volunteers

Background —Visceral hyperalgesia is a hallmark of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Antidepressants improve symptoms in these patients, although their mode of action is unclear. Antidepressant, anticholinergic, and analgesic mechanisms have been proposed. Aims —To investigate whether imipramine, which has a visceral analgesic effect, increases pain thresholds to experimental visceral pain. Methods —Visceral perception for first sensation and pain was measured with intraoesophageal balloon distension in 15 male volunteers. The effect of imipramine was studied in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study. Imipramine was given in ascending doses for 12 days (25 mg days 1–3, 50 mg days 4–6, 75 mg days 7–12), with oesophageal perception studied on day 13. Results —Inflation volumes and intraballoon pressures at first sensation were not different between placebo and imipramine. Balloon inflation volume at pain threshold was higher on imipramine (p=0.015). Median intraballoon pressures were not different at pain threshold for placebo and imipramine. Oesophageal wall compliance was not affected by imipramine. Conclusion —Increased pain thresholds on imipramine in this group of normal male volunteers in the absence of changes in oesophageal tone imply the presence of a visceral analgesic effect.
The role of mechanical forces in dextral rotation during cardiac looping in the chick embryo

Cardiac looping is a vital morphogenetic process that transforms the initially straight heart tube into a curved tube normally directed toward the right side of the embryo. While recent work has brought major advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular pathways involved in looping, the biophysical mechanisms that drive this process have remained poorly understood. This paper examines the role of biomechanical forces in cardiac rotation during the initial stages of looping, when the heart bends and rotates into a c-shaped tube (c-looping). Embryonic chick hearts were subjected to mechanical and chemical perturbations, and tissue stress and strain were studied using dissection and fluorescent labeling, respectively. The results suggest that (1) the heart contains little or no intrinsic ability to rotate, as external forces exerted by the splanchnopleure (SPL) and the omphalomesenteric veins (OVs) drive rotation; (2) unbalanced forces in the omphalomesenteric veins play a role in left-right looping directionality; and (3) in addition to ventral bending and rightward rotation, the heart tube also bends slightly toward the right. The results of this study may help investigators searching for the link between gene expression and the mechanical processes that drive looping.
Necrotizing panencephalitis in puppies infected with La Crosse virus

Arboviral encephalitis in domestic animals in the United States is rare with the exception of equine encephalomyelitis in horses. This report describes 2 cases in which La Crosse virus (LACV) was isolated from canine littermates with acute clinical encephalitis or sudden death. Both cases occurred in the southern region of the state of Georgia and were submitted as cadavers for necropsy to the Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory (VDIL) in Tifton, Georgia. On May 9, 1988, 4 2-week-old mixed-breed littermate puppies exhibited acute signs of central nervous system disease and were taken to a veterinarian. Three of the puppies had repeated seizures during the clinical examination. Because the clinical signs were compatible with a diagnosis of canine distemper virus encephalitis, the veterinarian issued a poor prognosis; the 3 puppies were euthanized and submitted to the VDIL for necropsy. The fourth puppy was mildly affected and was sent home without follow-up. On May 28, 1991, illness and deaths occurred in a litter of 7 8-day-old Brittany spaniel puppies. Two puppies were found dead and were taken to a veterinarian, who submitted the cadavers to the VDIL for necropsy. A third puppy was moribund and experienced breathing difficulty and died within the following hour. The veterinarian examined the 4 remaining puppies later that day and found them to be healthy. The same veterinarian had examined the entire litter 5 days previously. At that time, the animals appeared healthy, and tail docking was performed. A necropsy was performed on each of the 3 mixed-breed and 2 Brittany spaniel puppies submitted to the VDIL. Macroscopically, the brain of each puppy was severely and diffusely malacic. Other tissues appeared normal. Representative sections of lung, heart, liver, kidney, urinary bladder,
Fasting vs dietary restriction in cellular protection and cancer treatment: from model organisms to patients

The dietary recommendation for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, as described by the American Cancer Society, is to increase calorie and protein intake. Yet, in simple organisms, mice, and humans, fasting—no calorie intake—induces a wide range of changes associated with cellular protection, which would be difficult to achieve even with a cocktail of potent drugs. In mammals, the protective effect of fasting is mediated, in part, by an over 50% reduction in glucose and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) levels. Because proto-oncogenes function as key negative regulators of the protective changes induced by fasting, cells expressing oncogenes, and therefore the great majority of cancer cells, should not respond to the protective signals generated by fasting, promoting the differential protection (differential stress resistance) of normal and cancer cells. Preliminary reports indicate that fasting for up to 5 days followed by a normal diet, may also protect patients against chemotherapy without causing chronic weight loss. By contrast, the long-term 20 to 40% restriction in calorie intake (dietary restriction, DR), whose effects on cancer progression have been studied extensively for decades, requires weeks–months to be effective, causes much more modest changes in glucose and/or IGF-I levels, and promotes chronic weight loss in both rodents and humans. In this study, we review the basic as well as clinical studies on fasting, cellular protection and chemotherapy resistance, and compare them to those on DR and cancer treatment. Although additional pre-clinical and clinical studies are necessary, fasting has the potential to be translated into effective clinical interventions for the protection of patients and the improvement of therapeutic index.
Using a reconfigurable field programmable gate array to demonstrate boundary scan with built in self test

The XC4000 Logic Cell Array Family of field programmable gate arrays developed by Xilinx includes support for the IEEE Standard 1149.1 Test Access Port and Boundary Scan Architecture. Boundary-scan with built-in self-test is known to provide tests of high quality. The design and implementation of boundary-scan with built-in self-test that conforms fully to the IEEE Standard 1149.1 for the XC4000 device is presented. Fault simulation was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the built-in self-test. Hardware was realized with the XC4003PC84-6 used on the Xilinx demo board. The boundary scan and self test logic was controlled via the widely available parallel printer port of an IBM compatible PC. This results in an ideal hardware/software combination for use in teaching and demonstrating boundary scan and self-test principles.
The WTO Dispute Settlement System: How Have Developing Countries Fared?

This chapter analyzes the experience of developing countries in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) dispute settlement system and evaluates on a country-by-country basis how they have fared in (1) in the specific cases in which they were involved and (2) in advancing their major trade policy concerns. The chapter then briefly considers several possible reforms to the WTO system that would be of particular interest to developing countries. In order to place the chapter’s analysis in context, an introductory section briefly describes the system and overviews its operation during its first ten years — from 1995 to 2004.1
Virtual Reality Simulation of Humanoid Robots

We developed a virtual reality system to simulate humanoid robots. Currently most humanoid simulation systems require manual manipulation of body parts or require capturing movements enacted by a person. We aim to describe humanoid motions using high-level language and created a humanoid motion description language. We defined new motion primitives and new syntax that allows programmers to easily describe complex humanoid motions. To make the motion specification possible, we defined a humanoid framework that models humanoid robots by specifying their capacities and limitations. Furthermore, we developed a simulation system that can execute the humanoid motion description language and can automatically handle conflicting motion statements and ensure that the described motions are within the limitations of humanoid robots. Our simulation results show that the proposed system has great future potentials.
Why do Univalve Shells of Gastropods Coil so Tightly? A Head-Foot Guidance Model of Shell Growth and its Implication on Developmental Constraints

Tight coiling with whorl overlap is the most frequent mode of shell coiling in gastropods. A new model of shell growth, the “head-foot guidance model”, implies that the contact of the head-foot mass with the mantle edge plays the main role in producing tight coiling. Computer simulation of the model suggests that the head-foot guidance mechanism imposes developmental constraints on the evolution of gastropods; 1.) bilaterally symmetric coiling is associated with bilaterally symmetric musculature of the foot mass; 2) tight coiling is associated with the contact of the head-foot mass and the mantle edge; 3) insertion of the foot muscle occurs in gastropods with an uncoiled shell.
Kinetic investigations of alkoxysilane sol-gel processing

Effective control of sol-gel glass processing requires a detailed understanding of the kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the process. We have investigated structural evolution at the molecular level in the tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) hydrolysis reaction by various spectroscopic techniques. Development of structure at the macromolecular level and evolution of particle/network dimensionality have been studied by small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) in both hydrogenated and fully deuterated reactions for silica macromolecular structural development.
Constraining the pickup ion abundance and temperature through the multifluid reconstruction of the Voyager 2 termination shock crossing

Voyager 2 observations revealed that the hot solar wind ions (the so-called pickup ions) play a dominant role in the thermodynamics of the termination shock and the heliosheath. The number density and temperature of this hot population, however, have remained unknown, since the plasma instrument on board Voyager 2 can only detect the colder thermal ion component. Here we show that due to the multifluid nature of the plasma, the fast magnetosonic mode splits into a low-frequency fast mode and a high-frequency fast mode. The coupling between the two fast modes results in a quasi-stationary nonlinear wave mode, the “oscilliton,” which creates a large-amplitude trailing wave train downstream of the thermal ion shock. By fitting multifluid shock wave solutions to the shock structure observed by Voyager 2, we are able to constrain both the abundance and the temperature of the undetected pickup ions. In our three-fluid model, we take into account the nonnegligible partial pressure of suprathermal energetic electrons (0.022–1.5 MeV) observed by the Low-Energy Charged Particle Experiment instrument on board Voyager 2. The best fitting simulation suggests a pickup ion abundance of 20 ± 3%, an upstream pickup ion temperature of 13.4 ± 2 MK, and a hot electron population with an apparent temperature of ~0.83 MK. We conclude that the actual shock transition is a subcritical dispersive shock wave with low Mach number and high plasma β.
Strategies for Improving Visualization During Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

The nasal cavity has a robust vascular supply, and bleeding is a primary obstacle to the minimally invasive skull base technique. Venous bleeding, including the cavernous sinus, can be managed with various techniques using hemostatic materials and pressure. A thorough understanding of the skull base vascular anatomy is vital for avoiding injury to major arteries and having confidence to control venous bleeding to optimize the endoscopic view and tumor resection.
cAMP-independent activation of CFTR Cl channels by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein

Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, activates the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in transfected NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that express the CFTR (3T3-CFTR). CFTR activity was assayed by 125I efflux and by patch clamping in the cell-attached mode. Both forskolin and genistein stimulated 125I efflux and activated a 9-10 pS anion channel in 3T3-CFTR cells but failed to activate 125I efflux in mock-transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Genistein, unlike forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, did not increase intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) above control levels. This demonstrates that genistein-dependent activation does not involve inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity and suggests that stimulation does not involve a direct activation of protein kinase A. Genistein stimulated 125I efflux to approximately 50% of the maximal rate with forskolin. Genistein did not increase 125I efflux at saturating forskolin but decreased the concentration of forskolin required for half-maximal stimulation. Orthovanadate (VO4), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, inhibited genistein-induced channel activation with an inhibition constant of approximately 20 microM. These effects suggest that, in addition to activation by protein kinase A, the CFTR is regulated by a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway.
India And China Vying For World Economic Supremacy

Under Deng’s liberalized economic policies, foreign direct investment (FDI) started pouring into China, and since then, the Chinese economy is rising at the dizzy annual rate of about 10%. In the early 1990s, India also embarked on a major economic reform policy, liberating the economy and opening it to foreign investors. Substantial foreign capital came into India during the last decade, but the amount of FDI that went into China during the same period can be compared to a tsunami. The world had never witnessed this rare phenomenon of two relatively poor countries that together consist of one third of the world’s population, simultaneously taking off on a steep ascent in their economies. The unprecedented economic growth in these two countries is being noticed by the rest of the world with awe and disbelief. It is being widely predicted that these two countries would soon become the next world economic super powers. This paper presents the several factors of the phenomenal growth taking place in India and China and investigates the possibility of either country attaining world economic supremacy.
Neonatal Ethanol Exposure Impairs Trace Fear Conditioning and Alters NMDA Receptor Subunit Expression in Adult Male and Female Rats.

Background Ethanol (EtOH) exposure in neonate rats during a period comparable to the human third trimester, postnatal days (PD) 4 to 9, leads to persistent deficits in forebrain-dependent cognitive function—modeling the dysfunction seen in individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. EtOH-exposed adult rats are impaired in auditory trace fear conditioning (TFC), a form of Pavlovian conditioning in which a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; tone) is followed by an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; footshock), with both stimuli separated in time by a stimulus-free “trace” interval (TI). TFC acquisition depends on N-methyl-d-aspartate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation in the dorsal hippocampus (DH), ventral hippocampus (VH), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods Male and female rat pups were sham-intubated (SI) or intragastrically intubated with EtOH (5E; 5 g/kg/d) over PD 4 to 9 and, as adults, submitted to TFC with a 15-second tone CS and 30-second TI. Whole-cell tissue lysates from the DH, VH, and mPFC of TFC rats and DH synaptic/extrasynaptic membrane fractions from experimentally naive animals were analyzed via Western blot for NMDAR subunit (GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B) expression. Results Freezing behavior during CS-alone test trials was significantly reduced in both male and female 5E rats, relative to same-sex controls. Western blot results based on DH tissue samples revealed a greater proportion of GluN2A to GluN2B subunits in 5E rats, relative to SI rats, and significantly reduced synaptic GluN2B and PSD-95 expression. Conclusions EtOH-induced changes in DH NMDAR subunit expression—particularly synaptic GluN2B, which is critical for TFC—are proposed to weaken long-term memory consolidation and, during behavioral testing, diminish CS-evoked freezing behavior.
Impacts on Sirtuin Function and Bioavailability of the Dietary Bioactive Compound Dihydrocoumarin

The plant secondary metabolite and common food additive dihydrocoumarin (DHC) is an inhibitor of the Sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent deacetylases. Sirtuins are key regulators of epigenetic processes that maintain silent chromatin in yeast and have been linked to gene expression, metabolism, apoptosis, tumorogenesis and age-related processes in multiple organisms, including humans. Here we report that exposure to the polyphenol DHC led to defects in several Sirtuin-regulated processes in budding yeast including the establishment and maintenance of Sir2p-dependent silencing by causing disassembly of silent chromatin, Hst1p-dependent repression of meiotic-specific genes during the mitotic cell cycle. As both transient and prolonged exposure to environmental and dietary factors have the potential to lead to heritable alterations in epigenetic states and to modulate additional Sirtuin-dependent phenotypes, we examined the bioavailability and digestive stability of DHC using an in vivo rat model and in vitro digestive simulator. Our analyses revealed that DHC was unstable during digestion and could be converted to melilotic acid (MA), which also caused epigenetic defects, albeit less efficiently. Upon ingestion, DHC was observed primarily in intestinal tissues, but did not accumulate over time and was readily cleared from the animals. MA displayed a wider tissue distribution and, in contrast to DHC, was also detected in the blood plasma, interstitial fluid, and urine, implying that the conversion of DHC to the less bioactive compound, MA, occurred efficiently in vivo.
Regional regulation of choroidal blood flow by autonomic innervation in the rat.

Regional influences of parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation on choroidal blood flow were investigated in anesthetized rats. Parasympathetic pterygopalatine neurons were activated by electrically stimulating the superior salivatory nucleus, whereas sympathetic neurons were activated by cervical sympathetic trunk stimulation and uveal blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Parasympathetic stimulation increased flux in the anterior choroid and nasal vortex veins but not in the posterior choroid. Vasodilation was blocked completely by the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole but was unaffected by atropine. Sympathetic stimulation decreased flux in all regions, and this was blocked by prazosin. Parasympathetic stimulation did not affect vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic stimulation in the posterior choroid but attenuated the decrease in blood flow through the anterior choroid and vortex veins via a nitrergic mechanism. We conclude that sympathetic α-noradrenergic vasoconstriction occurs throughout the choroid, whereas parasympathetic nitrergic vasodilation plays a selective role in modulating blood flow in anterior tissues of the eye.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: what are the risks?

UNLABELLED Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a relatively new technique used at the time of in vitro fertilization to fertilize human oocytes, has provided couples with very severe male factor infertility the ability to conceive their own biologic children. Many men with severe oligospermia or azoospermia can now pass their genes on to their progeny, an event that might not have been possible for them just a few years ago. Recent studies now suggest that there may be genetic and developmental differences in some children conceived through intracytoplasmic sperm injection. It is likely that genetic testing and counseling will be recommended for all couples with male factor infertility in the near future. TARGET AUDIENCE Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completion of this article, the reader will be able to describe the various indications for the use of ICSI in the treatment of infertility, to identify the potential long-term risks associated with the use of ICSI, and to estimate the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in this population of infertile patients.
LOSS OF CHLORIDE INTRACELLULAR CHANNEL PROTEIN 4 PREVENTS CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY IN ISOPROTERENOL INDUCED PRESSURE OVERLOAD IN MOUSE MODELS

Chloride Intracellular Channel Proteins (CLICs) have been implicated in cardiovascular diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and abnormal angiogenesis. However, no studies have explored the direct role of expression of CLICs on cardiac function or the effect of CLIC-dysregulation in
Coprime Sampling and Arrays in One and Multiple Dimensions

This chapter gives an overview of the concept of coprime sampling. The basic idea is that a continuous-time (or spatial) signal is sampled simultaneously by two sets of samplers, with sampling rates 1∕MT and 1∕NT where M and N are coprime integers and T>0. One of the results is that it is possible to estimate the autocorrelation of the signal at a much higher rate (\(= 1/T\)) than the total sampling rate. Thus, any application which is based on autocorrelation will benefit from such sampling and reconstruction. One example is in array processing, in the context of estimation of direction of arrival (DOA) of sources. Traditionally, an array with L sensors would be able to identify L − 1 independent sources, but with a pair of coprime arrays, one can identify O(L 2) sources. It is also shown how to use two DFT filter banks, one in conjunction with each sampling array, to produce a much denser tiling of the frequency domain than each filter bank would individually be able to do. This chapter also discusses the extension of coprime sampling to multiple dimensions by using sampling geometries that are defined based on lattices. In this context the generation of coprime pairs of integer matrices is a very interesting mathematical problem and is dealt with in detail. The use of coprime samplers in system identification is also elaborated upon. A brief review of fractionally spaced equalizers in digital communications, in the context of coprime sampling, is included.
The effects of fescue toxicosis on beef cattle productivity

Consumption of tall fescue forage infested with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum can result in a condition termed "fescue toxicosis," which is characterized by decreased weight gains, milk production, conception, and serum prolactin and an inability to dissipate body heat by beef cattle. These decreases in productivity have been estimated to cost beef producers more than $600 million annually. The unthrifty appearance of cattle consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) is most evident during periods of environmental heat or cold stress, suggesting an interaction with environmental conditions. Without temperature stress, cows consumed similar amounts of E+ and endophyte-free tall fescue (E-). But, when temperatures exceeded 32 degrees C, cows that grazed E+ consumed less forage than cows that grazed E-. After removal of E+ from the diet of steers, compensatory growth was observed, indicating no long-term negative effects of E+. A decrease in serum prolactin but apparently little change in other hormones has been measured after consumption of E+. Under periods of heat stress, animals had reduced ability to dissipate body heat, and blood flow to peripheral (rib skin), core-body (duodenum colon), and brain (cerebellum) tissues was decreased. Due to the depressive effects of E+ on prolactin and heat dissipation, dopamine antagonist therapy has been used in an attempt to rectify these changes. Dopamine antagonists have increased serum prolactin but there is limited evidence to suggest an improvement in heat dissipation. Experiments to elucidate the effects of E+ on alpha-1 and -2 adrenergic receptors may also offer insights into developing strategies to overcome the negative effects of E+ consumption. Preliminary results suggest that injections of an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist (prazosin) in rats fed E+ under 32 degrees C conditions increased DM intake and reduced rectal temperature.
High efficiency dual-integrated stacked microstructured solid-state neutron detectors

Silicon diodes with large aspect ratio perforated microstructures backfilled with 6LiF show a dramatic increase in neutron detection efficiency beyond that of conventional thin-film coated planar devices. Described in this work are advancements in the technology using detector stacking methods to increase thermal neutron detection efficiency. The highest efficiency devices thus far have delivered over 42% intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency by device-coupling stacking methods. The detectors operate as conformally diffused pn junction diodes each having 1cm2 square-area. Two individual devices were mounted back-to-back with counting electronics coupling the detectors together into a single dual-detector device. The solid-state silicon device operated at 3V and utilized simple signal amplification and counting electronic components. The intrinsic detection efficiency for normal-incident 0.0253 eV neutrons was found by calibrating against a calibrated 3He proportional counter.
Tribal Enrollment Councils: Lessons on Law and Indian Identity

O N THE COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION in October 1915, Superintendent J. M. Johnson opened a special council of residents with these words: "There have been many councils and you all understand the purpose of this one." Then he described the purpose anyway. One by one, he would summarize the applications of nineteen people who wished to be on the official roll of Colville Reservation Indians. "You decide," he told the men in the room, "whether each applicant is a Colville Indian. If the applicant is of Colville blood he should be admitted, provided he has no established rights elsewhere. If the applicant is not of Colville blood or if long disassociated for generations from life among the Indians of the Colville Reservation the question is whether you desire to adopt the applicant into the tribe."1 A council member named Little Alex probably had the superintendent's words in mind when he said, "First time when we began this council business us Indians we don't know how to act on this.... Here now we learn and understand what this is for and for this reason we should do just right." Indians at the meeting did seem to
Parametric cycle analysis of an ideal pulse detonation engine – Supersonic branch

Abstract The purpose of this note is to present a mathematical description of an ideal pulse detonation engine (PDE) based on parametric cycle analysis for supersonic heat addition. The parametric cycle analysis is presented in terms of parameters similar to those for the well-known parametric cycle analyses for the ideal ramjet engine. The performance characteristics of specific thrust, thrust-specific fuel consumption, fuel-to-air ratio, thermal efficiency, propulsive efficiency, overall efficiency, and thrust flux are illustrated as functions of the two parameters: inlet/diffuser exit Mach number, M2 > 1, and freestream Mach number, Mo. This work provides algebraic equations which can be used quickly to investigate the ideal supersonic combustion PDE performance as a function of a variety of input parameters. It is hoped that this work will aid in exploring the performance of the ideal supersonic combustion PDE from a big picture perspective.
Detailed performance model of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal system utilizing selective spectral nanofluid absorption

Abstract This work explores recent advancements of a concentrating hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (CPV/T) system, with an emphasis on detailed modeling and parametric performance studies. This system combines two widely researched methods of harnessing solar energy: photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal. The CPV/T system proposed here uses a nanoparticle-based heat transfer fluid to spectrally absorb bands of the solar spectrum not efficiently utilized by the PV cell or below the bandgap of the cell with the remaining light transmitted to the PV. The fluid's spectral absorption characteristics can be tuned depending on the PV cell bandgap. A unique architecture designed in this study allows the fluid to be pumped through a transparent glass structure where it absorbs wavelengths not effectively utilized by the PV cell. This work documents the development of a 2-D thermal model of a hybrid CPV/T system. The novel model accounts for the temperature dependent PV bandgap and temperature variations along the length of the system. The thermal interactions between the filter fluid and PV, caused by the physical parameters of the system are of interest here. This includes the exergy, thermal efficiency, and PV efficiency. In this numerical study the influence of system length, mass flow rate in both the absorbing filter loop, and concentration ratio are varied parametrically to understand the potential operational space of this type of collector. Two common cell materials are also studied, crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide. In addition, this is the first study that investigates the role of heat transfer on system performance when the working fluid flows in a cascaded fashion through the PV and filter channel, and when these flow rates are decoupled. Results show that decoupling these flowrates is an important factor as lower convective heat transfer is advantageous in the filter versus the PV cooling side. At a concentration ratio of 25x the cSi system achieves an exergetic efficiency of 41.3% with 71.3% coming from heat versus 42.3% exergetic efficiency with 57.7% coming from heat for the GaAs system.
Host–Host Interactions Control Self‐assembly and Switching of Triple and Double Decker Stacks of Tricarbazole Macrocycles Co‐assembled with anti‐Electrostatic Bisulfate Dimers

Hierarchical assembly provides a route to complex architectures when using building blocks with strong and structurally well-defined recognition elements. These rules are traditionally expressed using cationic templates with reliable metal-ligand bonding but use of anions is rare on account of weak anion-host contacts. We investigate an approach that relies on host-host interactions to fortify assemblies formed between bisulfate anion dimers, [HSO4⋅⋅⋅HSO4]2- , and shape-persistent macrocycles called tricarbazole triazolophanes. These macrocycles have significant self-association. In chloroform, they form high fidelity, triple-decker stacks with bisulfate dimers. The strength of host-host interactions allows for preferential formation of the 3:2 tricarb:bisulfate architecture over an ion-paired architecture seen with analogous macrocycles with much weaker self-association. Solvent was expected and found to tune host-host contacts enabling formation of a 2:2 complex and solvent-driven switching between triple- and double-stacked structures. Crystallography of the 2:2:2 complex supports the idea that significant host-host interactions with tricarb arises from dipole-stabilized π-stacking. Computational studies were also conducted further highlighting the importance of host-host interactions in stacked complexes of tricarb. These findings unambiguously verify the importance of host-host interactions in the assembly and stability of discrete, responsive anion-templated architectures.
A Physically-Based, Control-Oriented Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) Model for the Applications of NO/NO2 Ratio Estimation Using a NOx Sensor

NO and NO2 are generally considered together as NOx in engine emissions. Since NO2 /NOx ratio is small in diesel engine exhaust gas, very often, existence of NO2 is ignored in studies/applications. However, current diesel aftertreatment systems generally include diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) at upstream of other catalysts such as diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). DOC can significantly increase the NO2 fraction in the exhaust NOx . Because NO2 and NO have completely different reaction characters within catalysts, e.g. NO2 can assist DPF regeneration while NO cannot, and SCR De-NOx rate can be increased with higher NO2 /NOx ratio (no more than 0.5), considerations of NO2 in aftertreatment systems are becoming necessary. Nevertheless, current onboard NOx sensors cannot differentiate NO and NO2 from NOx . This induces an interest in the method of estimating the concentrations of NO and NO2 in the exhaust gas by available measurements. In this paper, a physically-based, DOC control-oriented model which considers the NO and NO2 related dynamics and an engine exhaust NO/NO2 prediction method were proposed for the purposes of NO/NO2 ratio estimation in diesel engine aftertreatment systems, and the developed model was validated with experimental data.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Cell-Mediated Immunity on Secretory Surfaces

The existence of local cellular immunity on secretory surfaces has been recently recognized. Like the humoral arm, it seems to function, at least partially, independently of systemic CMI. However, because of technical reasons, progress in this area has been slow, since it is difficult to obtain lymphoid cells in sufficient quantities from secretions. In addition, although various functional assay systems have been developed for determining CMI, their significance in terms of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) in vivo is not clear.
Outcomes of adult urethroplasty with commercially available acellular matrix

Background:Reconstruction for complex urethral strictures may necessitate grafting. Buccal mucosal graft (BMG) harvest involves additional morbidity, making ‘off-the-shelf’ options attractive. Mult...