cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Panda: middleware to provide the benefits of active networks to legacy applications

Panda is middleware designed to bring the benefits of active networks to applications not written with active networks in mind. This paper describes the architecture and implementation of Panda, and provides data on the overheads incurred and performance benefits achieved. The paper also discusses some of the key issues of automatically and transparently intercepting data streams and converting them into active streams, including interception mechanisms, automated planning facilities, and allowing user and application control of the middleware.
Absorption and Luminescence Probes

Absorption and luminescent probes are compounds with an extensive variety of molecular structures. Despite their diversity and variations in their properties, they possess many similar general features. In solution they can form specific complexes with targets, leading to corresponding measurable changes in photophysical properties. Depending on the particular research need, there is a large choice of available probes absorbing and emitting light in ultraviolet (UV), visible, or near infrared (NIR) spectral ranges. They have been commonly used, for example, for pH measurements, the detection of gases, cations or anions, in the screening of metabolites, in monitoring macromolecular transformations, as well as in numerous other related chemical and biochemical processes. Keywords: luminescence; fluorescence; probes; dyes; proteins
Toll-like Receptor 2 Deficiency Results in Impaired Antibody Responses and Septic Shock During Borrelia Hermsii Infection

Overwhelming bacteremia is a leading cause of death. To understand the mechanisms involved in protective antibody and pathological inflammatory responses during bacteremia, we have been studying the murine model of Borrelia hermsii infection. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling plays an important role in generating the rapid anti-B. hermsii antibody responses required for the resolution of bacteremia. Using NF-κB reporter assays, we found that B. hermsii activates TLR2 and TLR9. However, TLR2−/− TLR9−/− mice exhibited an impairment in anti-B. hermsii antibody responses similar to that of TLR2−/− mice. Moreover, the impairment in the antibody responses of TLR2−/− mice or TLR2−/− TLR9−/− mice coincides with an order-of-magnitude-higher bacteremia, and death results from septic shock, as evidenced by a dysregulated systemic cytokine response and characteristic organ pathology. Since TLR2 appears to be the major extracellular sensor stimulated by B. hermsii, we hypothesized that during elevated bacteremia the activation of intracellular sensors of bacteria triggers dysregulated inflammation in TLR2−/− mice. Indeed, blocking the internalization of B. hermsii prevented the induction of inflammatory cytokine responses in TLR2-deficient cells. Furthermore, we found that B. hermsii activates the cytoplasmic sensor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2). Macrophages deficient in both TLR2 and NOD2 have impaired cytokine responses to B. hermsii compared to cells lacking TLR2 alone, and B. hermsii-infected TLR2−/− NOD2−/− mice exhibited improved survival compared to TLR2−/− mice. These data demonstrate that TLR2 is critical for protective immunity and suggest that, during heightened bacteremia, recognition of bacterial components by intracellular sensors can lead to pathological inflammatory responses.
A comparative study of the distribution of hair of the hand and the foot of White and Negro Males.

Hair patterns of the dorsum proper of the hand and foot are similar in occupying comparable anatomical positions. The more extensive hair patterns have a higher incidence in whites than in Negroes. And digital hair is more frequently absent on the lateral side of the hand and foot than on the medial side.
Bootstrapping semantic annotation for content-rich HTML documents

Enormous amount of semantic data is still being encoded in HTML documents. Identifying and annotating the semantic concepts implicit in such documents makes them directly amenable for semantic Web processing. In this paper we describe a highly automated technique for annotating HTML documents, especially template-based content-rich documents, containing many different semantic concepts per document. Starting with a (small) seed of hand-labeled instances of semantic concepts in a set of HTML documents we bootstrap an annotation process that automatically identifies unlabeled concept instances present in other documents. The bootstrapping technique exploits the observation that semantically related items in content-rich documents exhibit consistency in presentation style and spatial locality to learn a statistical model for accurately identifying different semantic concepts in HTML documents drawn from a variety of Web sources. We also present experimental results on the effectiveness of the technique.
A Wireless Embedded Sensor Based on Magnetic Higher Order Harmonic Fields: Application to Liquid Pressure Monitoring

A wireless sensor based on the magnetoelastic, magnetically soft ferromagnetic alloy was constructed for remote measurement of pressure in flowing fluids. The pressure sensor was a rectangular strip of ferromagnetic alloy Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 adhered on a solid polycarbonate substrate and protected by a thin polycarbonate film. Upon excitation of a time-varying magnetic field through an excitation coil, the magnetically soft sensor magnetized and produced higher order harmonic fields, which were detected through a detection coil. Under varying pressures, the sensor's magnetoelastic property caused a change in its magnetization, altering the amplitudes of the higher order harmonic fields. A theoretical model was developed to describe the effect of pressure on the sensor's higher order harmonic fields. Experimental observations showed the second-order harmonic field generated by the pressure sensor was correlated to the surrounding fluid pressure, consistent with the theoretical results. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the sensor exhibited good repeatability and stability with minimal drift. Sensors with smaller dimensions were shown to have greater sensitivity but lower pressure range as compared to their larger counterparts. Since the sensor signal was also dependent on the location of the sensor with respect to the excitation/detection coil, a calibration algorithm was developed to eliminate signal variations due to the changing sensor location. Because of its wireless and passive nature, this sensor is useful for continuous and long-term monitoring of pressure at inaccessible areas. For example, sensors with these capabilities are suitable to be used in biomedical applications where permanent implantation and long-term monitoring are needed.
Race, Gender, and Mortality in Adults ≥65 Years of Age With Incident Heart Failure (from the Cardiovascular Health Study)

In patients with heart failure (HF), mortality is lower in women versus men. However, it is unknown whether the survival advantage in women compared with men is present in both whites and African Americans with HF. The inception cohort consisted of adults ≥65 years with incident HF after enrollment in the CHS, a prospective population-based study of cardiovascular disease. Of 5,888 CHS subjects, 1,264 developed new HF and were followed up for 3 years. Subjects were categorized into 4 race-gender groups, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine whether 3-year total and cardiovascular mortality differed among the 4 groups after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, co-morbidities, and treatment. A gender-race interaction was also tested for each outcome. In subjects with incident HF, African Americans had more hypertension and diabetes than whites, and white men had more coronary heart disease than other gender-race groups. Receipt of cardiovascular treatments among the 4 groups was similar. Mortality rates after HF were lower in women compared with men (for white women, African-American women, African-American men, and white men, total mortality was 35.5, 33.6, 44.4, and 40.5/100 person-years, and cardiovascular mortality was 18.4, 19.5, 20.2, and 22.7/100 person-years, respectively). After adjusting for covariates, women had a 15% to 20% lower risk of total and cardiovascular mortality compared with men, but there was no significant difference in outcome by race. The gender-race interaction for either outcome was not significant. In conclusion, in older adults with HF, women had significantly better survival than men irrespective of race, suggesting that gender-based survival differences may be more important than race-based differences.
The management of dehydration and incontinence in nonambulatory geriatric patients

We evaluated a health care routine designed to decrease incontinence and improve the hydration level of nonambulatory nursing home patients. To implement this routine, a 3' X 4' cart was equipped with liquids and toileting equipment. A nurse's aid was assigned the task of taking the cart to each nonambulatory resident in a nursing home and offering specified assistance on a regular basis. Data demonstrated a decrease in physical dehydration, as well as in fecal and urinary incontinence.
Modelling age-related changes in information processing

Researchers in cognitive ageing seldom take advantage of explicit quantitative models of information processing to account for age differences in cognition. Where quantitative models have been used, these models typically remain silent about the details of information processing. The lack of explicit cognitive models has consequences for the interpretation of a number of empirical results. Using a specific class of models called random walk models, I review evidence showing that the empirical relations taken as support for global age-related changes are consistent with a number of possible age effects on information processing. In addition, I demonstrate that these models can be used to account for age differences within the context of individual experiments and such modelling has important implications for the interpretation of age differences in performance.
Latitude-Longitude Grid Suitable for Numerical Time Integration of a Global Atmospheric Model

Abstract A simple, free-surface, barotropic model and a nine-level, baroclinic model are numerically time integrated on both latitude-longitude grids and on Kurihara-type grids to compare the results obtained from the two grid systems. The prognostic variables are Fourier space-filtered in the longitudinal direction on the latitude-longitude grids to permit the use of the same time-step length on both grids. With respect to geopotential height and zonal wind distributions and to the phase speed of wave propagation, the results from the barotropic model, time-integrated on a sector latitude-longitude grid, agree better with a high-resolution control run than those computed on a modified Kurihara grid, particularly at high latitudes. The barotropic model is also time-integrated on a hemispheric, latitude-longitude grid, and the results compare well with a high-resolution control. The latter comparison is performed on initial data having strong cross-polar flow. The mean sea-level pressure distribution obtai...
Health care needs of women immediately post-incarceration: a mixed methods study.

Objective(s) This study examined the health status of women with a recent history of incarceration and explored if/how women were accessing health care resources at the time immediately following release. Design and Sample This mixed methods study utilized two phases: (1) a quantitative survey; and (2) qualitative interviewing. Thirty-four women (18 years of age and older, released from incarceration in the last 12 months) participated in the quantitative phase; 11 of those completed the qualitative interviews. Measures In phase 1, data were collected on demographics, health history, health status, and health-promoting behaviors. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were used. Results Women in the study reported below average health status compared with the general population. The major health issues identified by participants included specific health problems affected by incarceration, mental health needs, routine health promotion and maintenance, recovery from substance abuse as a major health concern, and social and environmental barriers to care. Conclusions Women leaving jail or prison have significant and complex health care needs. This period of transition appears to be an opportune time to offer support, services, and other health-promoting interventions.
Purification and biochemical characterization of interchromatin granule clusters

Components of the pre-mRNA splicing machinery are localized in interchromatin granule clusters (IGCs) and perichromatin fibrils (PFs). Here we report the biochemical purification of IGCs. Approximately 75 enriched proteins were present in the IGC fraction. Protein identification employing a novel mass spectrometry strategy and peptide microsequencing identified 33 known proteins, many of which have been linked to pre-mRNA splicing, as well as numerous uncharacterized proteins. Thus far, three new protein constituents of the IGCs have been identified. One of these, a 137 kDa protein, has a striking sequence similarity over its entire length to UV-damaged DNA-binding protein, a protein associated with the hereditary disease xeroderma pigmentosum group E, and to the 160 kDa subunit of cleavage polyadenylation specificity factor. Overall, these results provide a key framework that will enable the biological functions associated with the IGCs to be elucidated.
Al Umchaimin depression, western Iraq: An impact structure?

Al Umchaimin, in Arabic 'hiding place' or 'place of ambush', is located at latitude 32 degrees 35.5 N and longitude 39 degrees 25 E. The nearly circular depression averages 2.75 km in diameter and is 33-42 m deep. It is floored with fine-grained, clay-rich deposits, estimated to be 36 m thick, the surface of which shows well-developed desiccation fissures or mudcracks when dry. Because of its nearly circular planimetric shape and its apparent isolation from other surface and subsurface features, it has been considered by some to be a possible meteorite impact structure and by others to be a surface collapse feature that originated following removal of magma from the subsurface as the magma extruded elsewhere. Al Umchaimin was listed in the U.S. Geological Survey tabulation of 110 structures worldwide for which a meteorite impact origin had been suggested. It was placed in Category 6 Structures for which more data are required for classification. It is concluded that, on the basis of the studies that have been made of Al Umchaimin and on the basis of the brief site visit made, Al Umchaimin probably is not an impact structure but most likely resulted from the enlargement and coalescence of sink holes and eventual collapse of the roof material into the resulting cavity.
Analysis of Linsker's Simulations of Hebbian Rules

Linsker has reported the development of centre--surround receptive fields and oriented receptive fields in simulations of a Hebb-type equation in a linear network. The dynamics of the learning rule are analysed in terms of the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of cell activities. Analytic and computational results for Linsker's covariance matrices, and some general theorems, lead to an explanation of the emergence of centre--surround and certain oriented structures.
Light-Activated Nuclear Translocation of Adeno-Associated Virus Nanoparticles Using Phytochrome B for Enhanced, Tunable, and Spatially Programmable Gene Delivery.

Gene delivery vectors that are activated by external stimuli may allow improved control over the location and the degree of gene expression in target populations of cells. Light is an attractive stimulus because it does not cross-react with cellular signaling networks, has negligible toxicity, is noninvasive, and can be applied in space and time with unparalleled precision. We used the previously engineered red (R)/far-red (FR) light-switchable protein phytochrome B (PhyB) and its R light dependent interaction partner phytochrome interacting factor 6 (PIF6) from Arabidopsis thaliana to engineer an adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform whose gene delivery efficiency is controlled by light. Upon exposure to R light, AAV engineered to display PIF6 motifs on the capsid bind to PhyB tagged with a nuclear localization sequence (NLS), resulting in significantly increased translocation of viruses into the host cell nucleus and overall gene delivery efficiency. By modulating the ratio of R to FR light, the gene de...
Functional correlates of military sexual assault in male veterans

Despite research findings that similar numbers of male and female veterans are affected by military sexual trauma (MST), there has been considerably less research on the effects of MST specific to male veterans. The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary data describing functional correlates of military sexual assault (MSA) among male Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans to identify potential health care needs for this population. We evaluated the following functional correlates: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression symptoms, alcohol use, drug use, suicidality, social support, violent behavior in the past 30 days, incarceration, disability eligibility status, and use of outpatient mental health treatment. We compared 3 groups: (a) male veterans who endorsed a history of MSA (n = 39), (b) a general non-MSA sample (n = 2,003), and (c) a matched non-MSA sample (n = 39) identified by matching algorithms on the basis of factors (e.g., age, education, adult premilitary sexual trauma history, childhood sexual and physical trauma history, and race) that could increase veterans' vulnerability to the functional correlates examined. MSA in men was associated with greater PTSD symptom severity, greater depression symptom severity, higher suicidality, and higher outpatient mental health treatment, above and beyond the effects of vulnerability factors. These findings suggest that, for male veterans, MSA may result in a severe and enduring overall symptom profile requiring ongoing clinical management. (PsycINFO Database Record Language: en
Human Senescence: Human variation: growth, development, life history, and senescence

Many emphasize the uniqueness of humans among animals, while others see them as simply another mammal in the order primates. To understand current patterns of life and death, one must first examine human evolutionary history, the type of creatures from which we evolved, how their adaptations shaped their ancestors' physiology and function, and how these led to our current long lives and extended infant, child, adolescent, reproductive, and late-life periods compared with other similarly sized primates (Figure 3.1). Over the past several million years, hominids (hominins; members of the family Hominidae including bipedal primate mammals, and modern humans and their immediate ancestors and relatives) have comprised a primate group that was relatively terrestrial and mobile and likely exploited marginal environments for subsistence, while, over time, adopting a material–cultural life style (Dunbar 1988; Hunt 1994). Most primates are omnivorous, what set later hominids apart was the inclusion of gathering/scavenging/hunting in their behavioral repertoire. Given a reliance on marginal environments with scattered resources, early hominids may have experienced strong selective pressures for enhanced memory (remembering landmarks and resources), group cohesion (recognizing relatives and kin), and communication skills. Extension of life stages and life span improves such traits by allowing enhanced opportunities for learning through experience and for retaining group knowledge. These various trends coincided and co-evolved during hominid and, ultimately, human evolution. Specific patterns of inter-relationships among these trends remain unclear.
Adaptive Sensing for Improving Detection of Unexploded Ordnances

Unexploded ordnances (UXOs) are a big problem in this country and in the world. They are often buried in unknown locations, and therefore need to be found before they can be excavated. Currently, a major focus of UXO related research is reducing the large number of false positive detections to each true positive detection. This paper proposes a new step to the current detection and localization strategy. This addition develops a suboptimal trajectory that will maximize the amount of information returned when a vehicle revisits a suspected UXO location and reexamines the area. The resulting adaptive sensing technique utilizes either the sigma-point Kalman filter or the extended information filter to quantify the estimated information obtained in each sensor run. The algorithm is first tested with a range sensor and then implemented with a magnetometer. The results show improvements in UXO detection. The sigma-point Kalman filter approach produces a more accurate solution while the extended information filter algorithm runs faster.
The Role of Adsorbates on the Field Emission Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Two field-emission states of single-walled carbon nanotubes were identified according to their respective emission current levels. The state yielding increased emission current was attributed to the presence of adsorbates on the nanotubes as confirmed by electron emission measurements at different background pressures. Application of high electric fields induced large emission currents and a transition between the two states. During this transition, a current drop to 10% of the original value was observed. Under a constant applied electric field, the current took around 1000 s to recover its original level at a background pressure of 10-10 Torr, while it took half that time at 10-6 Torr. For the high current state, field-emitted electrons originated from states located up to 1 eV below the Fermi level, as was determined by field-emission energy distribution measurements. This suggested that adsorbates introduced a resonant state on the surface that enhanced the tunneling probability of electrons. The adsorbed states are removed at high applied electric fields, presumably due to ohmic heating caused by large emission currents. This adsorption/desorption process is completely reversible.
Blockade of Cocaine or σ Receptor Agonist Self Administration by Subtype-Selective σ Receptor Antagonists

The identification of sigma receptor (σR) subtypes has been based on radioligand binding and, despite progress with σ1R cellular function, less is known about σR subtype functions in vivo. Recent findings that cocaine self administration experience will trigger σR agonist self administration was used in this study to assess the in vivo receptor subtype specificity of the agonists (+)-pentazocine, PRE-084 [2-(4-morpholinethyl) 1-phenylcyclohexanecarboxylate hydrochloride], and 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) and several novel putative σR antagonists. Radioligand binding studies determined in vitro σR selectivity of the novel compounds, which were subsequently studied for self administration and antagonism of cocaine, (+)-pentazocine, PRE-084, or DTG self administration. Across the dose ranges studied, none of the novel compounds were self administered, nor did they alter cocaine self administration. All compounds blocked DTG self administration, with a subset also blocking (+)-pentazocine and PRE-084 self administration. The most selective of the compounds in binding σ1Rs blocked cocaine self administration when combined with a dopamine transport inhibitor, either methylphenidate or nomifensine. These drug combinations did not decrease rates of responding maintained by food reinforcement. In contrast, the most selective of the compounds in binding σ2Rs had no effect on cocaine self administration in combination with either dopamine transport inhibitor. Thus, these results identify subtype-specific in vivo antagonists, and the utility of σR agonist substitution for cocaine self administration as an assay capable of distinguishing σR subtype selectivity in vivo. These results further suggest that effectiveness of dual σR antagonism and dopamine transport inhibition in blocking cocaine self administration is specific for σ1Rs and further support this dual targeting approach to development of cocaine antagonists.
The Multimodal Approach to the Treatment of Minor Depression

The multimodal approach endeavors to achieve rapid remission of depressive symptoms and significant relapse prevention. It is predicated on the assumption that it is usually insufficient to facilitate the acquisition of insight, dispute irrational ideas, and change negative automatic thoughts. In addition to the foregoing, behavioral deficits, sensory overloads, and negative imagery must be identified and remedied, and antidepressant medication should be considered. This paper outlines a seven-pronged approach in the treatment of "minor" depression. Some of the procedures include: assertiveness training, a "sensate focus" of enjoyable events, coping imagery, time projection, cognitive disputation, role-playing, desensitization, family therapy, and biological prophylaxis. In essence, this broad-based approach recommends that attention be paid not only to cognitive issues, but also to specific behaviors, sensations, images, interpersonal relationships, and other interactive effects. The multimodal framework (BASIC I.D.) enables the practitioner to administer the necessary measures in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
Physical Examination and Clinical Investigation of the Handicapped Child

In the examination of the handicapped child, as in any physical examination, the primary goals are the elucidation of possible causes for the disorder and a search for signs and symptoms that will differentiate a static from a progressive lesion. In this review, considerable attention is given to examination of the cranium and cranial nerves, and evaluation of movement disorders and abnormalities of tone and muscle power.
Secondary Electron Transmission Studies of the Electron Diffusion and Thermalization Processes in Thin CVD Diamond Films

Secondary electron transmission measurements are used to examine the electron diffusion and thermalization processes in B-doped nanocrystalline diamond membranes of thickness 2.3 μm and 650 nm. Specifically, transmitted energy spectra are measured following impact by an electron beam that penetrates deeper in the membrane as the beam energy Eo increases. A fully-thermalized emission peak is observed for Eo ≤ 16 keV and Eo ≤ 7 keV from the 2.3-μm-thick and 650-nm-thick films, respectively, with a small high-energy tail beginning to emerge at higher Eo. These measurements are analyzed using Monte Carlo simulations that generate constant-energy contour lines (down to 0.05 Eo) as a function of beam depth into the film. From these simulations, we deduce that secondary electrons have a minimum thermalization length of ~ 630 nm and ~ 260 nm in the 2.3-μm-thick and 650-nm-thick films, respectively. Further insight into the secondary-electron transport behavior is gained from the analysis, and this understanding is applied to the design of a transmission electron-current amplifier device.
Toward active sensor placement for activity recognition

The development of ubiquitous sensing strategies in home environments underpins the promise of adaptive architectural design, assistive robotics, and services which would support a persons ability to live independently as they age. In particular, the ability to infer the actions, behavioral patterns and preferences of the individual from sensor data is key to effective design of such components for aging in place. Very often, sensing for recognition of human activity utilizes vision based sensors. However, it has been seen that many home users find the presence of cameras to be invasive. Hence, we seek to develop a sensing system which uses non-vision based sensors to discreetly discern occupant position, activity, and user context in the home environment. This paper describes initial experimentation to determine optimal sensor placement for detection of specific activities. Three essential reaching motions typical of individuals lying in bed are examined. Action data was collected using IR motion sensors positioned at an array of vantage points on a virtual sphere surrounding the motion space. Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOGs) are used to extract motion representations from Self-Similarity Matrices (SSMs) for each action. It is shown that mean HOGs can serve as exemplars and allow us to choose a preferred sensor position for each motion type. Using these exemplars, motions can be classified with a promising level of accuracy (> 75% for our data set), with improved outcomes observed through aggregation of sensor readings.
Identification and subsequent studies of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease virus, type A, strain 119, (FMDV-A 119) was purified from infectious tissue culture fluid, bovine vesicular fluid, and tongue epithelium and identified by analytical electron microscopy as a particle approximately 23 mμ in diameter. In addition, a smaller particle (8 ± 2 mμ) closely associated with the virus particle, particularly in animal-derived material, was found in centrifugally-separated fractions which possessed complement-fixing activity.
Biomarkers Predictive of Exacerbations in the SPIROMICS and COPDGene Cohorts

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations are associated with disease progression, higher healthcare cost, and increased mortality. Published predictors of future exacerbations include previous exacerbation, airflow obstruction, poor overall health, home oxygen use, and gastroesophageal reflux.Objectives: To determine the value of adding blood biomarkers to clinical variables to predict exacerbations.Methods: Subjects from the SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes Measures in COPD Study) (n = 1,544) and COPDGene (Genetic Epidemiology of COPD) (n = 602) cohorts had 90 plasma or serum candidate proteins measured on study entry using Myriad-RBM multiplex panels. We defined total exacerbations as subject-reported worsening in respiratory health requiring therapy with corticosteroids and/or antibiotics, and severe exacerbations as those leading to hospitalizations or emergency room visits. We assessed retrospective exacerbations during the 12 months before enrollment and then...
College students and credit card companies: Implications of attitudes

More knowledge and understanding is needed regarding the mechanisms influencing college student attitudes toward credit card companies and the behavior that students exhibit using credit cards. Prior literature in the area has been sparse. The current article is an attempt to fill the gap in existing literature. Using survey data, we try to find the determinants of college student attitude toward credit card companies and the responsible use of credit cards. Our findings indicate that a strong positive link exists between student attitude toward credit card companies and responsible credit behavior. Two distinct groups of students are identified – one with a positive attitude toward credit card companies and positive credit use behaviors; the other with the opposing attitude and behavior. Reward cards, payment behavior, number of credit cards, modes of acquisition, awareness about credit card policies, purpose for using credit cards, impulsiveness and certain student characteristics are all indicated as variables that help discriminate between the two different student groups. Our findings have implications for both higher education institutions and credit card firms.
Hybrid perturbations in stacked ring-patch antennas for wide beamwidth circular polarization

A wideband single probe-fed stacked patch-ring antenna is presented in this paper, which uses hybrid perturbations to generate circular polarization radiation. A wide beamwidth is obtained when a combination of a square ring with negative perturbation and a square patch with positive perturbation is used as parasitic and driven elements, respectively. This arrangement provides circular polarization with improved performance. A simulated impedance bandwidth (VSWR < 2) of 12%, 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of 6.5%, a peak RHCP gain of 8.1 dBic, and a beamwidth of 116° are obtained from this antenna.
The Neurovascular Unit

Abstract The neurovascular unit is a conceptual framework that emphasizes the importance of cell–cell signaling between neuronal, glial, and vascular cells for CNS function and dysfunction. During development, interactions between these multiple cell types provide the signals and substrates for CNS growth and maturation. In healthy adult brains, cross talk within the neurovascular unit underlies cerebral metabolic–hemodynamic coupling, neurotransmitter release–reuptake, blood–brain barrier function, and synaptic plasticity. In the context of acute stroke, perturbations in neurovascular unit signaling may mediate the progression of acute injury and delayed neuroinflammation. During stroke recovery, analogous mechanisms of cell–cell signaling within the neurovascular unit may contribute to remodeling as the damaged brain transitions from initial injury into subsequent repair. Rigorous dissection of the balance between injury signals and help-me signals in the neurovascular unit should lead to potential opportunities for pursuing therapies in stroke.
Modifications in Group Psychotherapy with Antisocial Adolescents

(1957). Modifications in Group Psychotherapy with Antisocial Adolescents. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 310-317.
Survival of Different Life Stages of the Southern Chinch Bug (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) Following Insecticidal Applications

Survival of different life stages of the southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, was measured after insecticidal applications of acephate, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin. Adults and ny...
Converting wastewater sludge and lime-treated sugarcane bagasse to mixed carboxylic acids – a potential pathway to ethanol biofuel production

Abstract Sludge is the solids recovered from wastewater treatment. Its high content of organic matter makes it a potential biomass resource for renewable energy production. In this study, batch and continuous countercurrent fermentations were performed with a 60:40 mixture (dry weight basis) of lime-treated bagasse:sludge. This combination provides an optimal C/N ratio and therefore enhances yield. Two trains of continuous fermentations were performed using different volatile solids loading rates (VSLR) and liquid retention times (LRT). The highest total carboxylic acids concentration obtained was 60.8 g L −1 with a total acid yield of 420 g kg −1 of VS added and an acid productivity of 2.31 g L −1 d −1 . In studies on co-fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass, this acid concentration is the highest reported in MixAlco™ (a patented process that converts biomass to a mixture of alcohols). This study shows that wastewater sludge is a valuable resource for liquid transportation fuels, and provides an attractive replacement for fossil fuels.
Performance analysis of a generalized motion capture system using microsoft kinect 2.0

Abstract This work presents a fine-grained analysis of the performance and limitations of the Microsoft Kinect sensor for tracking human movement in the context of biomechanical research and clinical applications. Earlier work in this field has focused on scalar summary measures or ad-hoc metrics with respect to specific movements that do not generalize well across clinical applications. In this work, the performance of the Microsoft Kinect is compared to motion tracking from a concurrently sampled professional grade Qualisys motion capture system. Subjects performed a range of clinically relevant tasks such as Sit-to-Stand and Timed Up-and-Go. Captured data included both three-dimensional joint center displacements and joint angles as recorded from both systems. Kinect performance was measured using cross correlation coefficients (CCR), root mean squared error (RMSE) relative to the Qualisys gold-standard and a new summary metric (SM) that combines both. Our results show that the Kinect-based system provides adequate performance when tracking joint center displacements in time, with overall CCR = 0.78, RMSE = 3.35 cm and SM = 1.21. On the contrary, lower accuracy was measured when tracking joint angles, with CCR = 0.58, RMSE = 24.59°, and SM = 3.76. Although performance differences for various movements and motion planes have been found, the results suggest that the Kinect is a viable tool for general biomechanical research, with specific limits on what levels of performance can be expected under various conditions.
Updates in nutrition and polypharmacy.

Purpose of reviewMedications have the potential to affect nutritional status in negative ways, especially as the number of medications increase. The inter-relation between polypharmacy and malnutrition is complex and not fully delineated in previous studies. More research has been done and compiled
Reconstituting the Industrial Worker: Precarity in the Indian Auto Sector:

In the past 15 years, insecure employment relations as well as militant labor unrest have marked the Indian automobile sector. Through a case study of four final assembly automobile firms, from thr...
How Broad Are Thematic Roles? Evidence From Structural Priming

Abstract Verbs that are similar in meaning tend to occur in the same syntactic structures. For example, give and hand, which denote transfer of possession, both appear in the prepositional-object construction: “The child gave/handed the ball to the dog.” We can call the child a “giver” in one case and a “hander” in the other, or we can refer to her more generally as the agent, or doer of the action. Similarly, the dog can be called the recipient, and the ball, the theme. These generalized notions of agent, recipient, and theme are known as thematic roles. An important theoretical question for linguists and psycholinguists is what the set of thematic roles is. Are there a small number of very broad roles, perhaps with each one mapping onto a single canonical syntactic position? Or are there many distinct roles, several mapping to the same syntactic position but conveying subtly different meanings? We investigate this question across eleven structural priming experiments on Amazon Mechanical Turk (total N = 2914), asking whether speakers treat the thematic roles recipient and destination (i.e., location or spatial goal) as interchangeable, suggesting the broad role of goal, or distinct, suggesting two separate roles. To do so, we look for priming between dative sentences (e.g., “The man gave the ball to the dog”), which have a recipient role (dog), and locative sentences (e.g., “The man loaded hay onto the wagon”), which instead have a destination role (wagon). Our pattern of findings confirms that thematic role mappings can be primed independent of syntactic structure, lexical content, and animacy. However, we find that this priming does not extend from destinations to recipients (or vice versa), providing evidence that these two roles are distinct.
Chapter 13 Molecular aspects of intestinal brush-border Na+/glucose transport

Abstract The intestinal brush-border membrane protein that plays a major part in the absorption of d -glucose from the diet is the Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1). The transporter also plays a major role in salt and water absorption, and provides the basis for oral rehydration therapy used to combat secretory diarrhea. Mutations in the gene coding for SGLT1 cause malabsorption of glucose and galactose, and this results in life-threatening diarrhea. In this chapter I review the status of research on the structure and function of the cotransporter, and highlight our current concept of how Na+ and sugar transport are coupled by SGLT1 and how water transport is linked to sugar transport.
Autocrine and paracrine Müllerian inhibiting substance hormone signaling in reproduction.

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily are polypeptide growth factors that exhibit diverse effects on normal cell growth, adhesion, mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, cell differentiation, and programmed cell death. This chapter will discuss the work of ourselves and others on one member of this large superfamily, Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS, or anti-Mullerian hormone, AMH) and its role in reproductive tract development and the adult gonad. Using recombinant MIS protein, it is possible to begin unraveling the molecular mechanism of duct involution in the embryo. Our recent results suggest that MIS triggers cell death by altering mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. In addition to the developmental effects of MIS in secondary sexual differentiation, expression studies of the MIS ligand and the MIS type II receptor (MISIIR) suggest a potential regulatory role for MIS in adult germ cell maturation and gonadal function. Recent data from others suggest that MIS may act in a paracrine manner to block differentiation of interstitial cells of the adult gonad by repressing all or some steps of steroidogenesis. Our studies are highly suggestive of direct repression of steroidogenic enzyme gene expression by activation of the MIS signaling pathway. Thus, for the first time, an opportunity to define fully target genes and components of the MIS signaling pathway may be possible.
An Analysis of Video Games Using the Dimensions of Human-Agent Interaction:

Designers of human-agent interaction techniques may benefit from an analysis of existing video games that include aspects of human-agent teaming. Many popular multi-player video games have been des...
Merging Visualization, Event Driven, and Animation: A Game WheelVideo

No doubt, the animation technique is directly related with the development of video games. We are going to make a transition from event-driven-based games to animation- based games. As an example, this chapter intends to apply the animation technique for enhancing the game WheelForture in-text (Chap. 4) to be a video game as WheelVideo. The GUI of the new video game has three pieces: a board, a player panel, and an animated wheel. The three pieces cover the three general techniques of visualization, event driven, and animation. They are needed for almost all of video games. The synchronization of the three pieces is illustrated through a UML sequence diagram.
Shooting from singularity to singularity and a semilinear Laplace–Beltrami equation

For surfaces of revolution we prove the existence of infinitely many rotationally symmetric solutions to a wide class of semilinear Laplace–Beltrami equations. Our results extend those in Castro and Fischer (Can Math Bull 58(4):723–729, 2015) where for the same equations the existence of infinitely many even (symmetric about the equator) rotationally symmetric solutions on spheres was established. Unlike the results in that paper, where shooting from a singularity to an ordinary point was used, here we obtain regular solutions shooting from a singular point to another singular point. Shooting from a singularity to an ordinary point has been extensively used in establishing the existence of radial solutions to semilinear equations in balls, annulii, or $$\mathbb {R}^N$$ .
Lysosomal Regulation of Inter-mitochondrial Contact Fate and Motility in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2

Properly regulated mitochondrial networks are essential for cellular function and implicated in multiple diseases. Mitochondria undergo fission and fusion events, but the dynamics and regulation of a third event of inter-mitochondrial contact formation remain unclear. Using super-resolution imaging, we demonstrate that inter-mitochondrial contacts frequently form and play a fundamental role in mitochondrial networks by restricting mitochondrial motility. Inter-mitochondrial contact untethering events are marked and regulated by mitochondria-lysosome contacts, which are modulated by RAB7 GTP hydrolysis. Moreover, inter-mitochondrial contact formation and untethering are further regulated by Mfn1/2 and Drp1 GTP hydrolysis, respectively. Surprisingly, endoplasmic reticulum tubules are also present at inter-mitochondrial contact untethering events, in addition to mitochondrial fission and fusion events. Importantly, we find that multiple Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease-linked mutations in Mfn2 (CMT2A), RAB7 (CMT2B), and TRPV4 (CMT2C) converge on prolonged inter-mitochondrial contacts and defective mitochondrial motility, highlighting a role for inter-mitochondrial contacts in mitochondrial network regulation and disease.
Theory of Hydrophobic Bonding

A method described in a previous paper has been applied here to the calculation of hydrophobic interactions between hydrocarbon pairs and aggregates. Generally a small barrier is found at a distance of less than a water molecule diameter. At minimal contact between hydrocarbon pairs, there is little or no binding energy. Two hydrocarbon chains may be arranged side by side in such a fashion so that binding is substantial, having a maximum upper limit of — 800 cal per ethylene unit pairs. As molecules aggregate binding increases. A model receptor may be constructed by arranging several hydrocarbon chains to form a cleft. The hydrophobic binding between such a cleft and a molecule of ethane is found to be about —2.5 kcal.
Synthesis of Carboxy ATTO 647N Using Redox Cycling for Xanthone Access

A synthesis of the carbopyronine dye Carboxy ATTO 647N from simple materials is reported. This route proceeds in 11 forward steps from 3-bromoaniline with the key xanthone intermediate formed using a new oxidation methodology. The step utilizes an oxidation cycle with base, water, iodine, and more than doubles the yield of the standard permanganate oxidation methodology, accessing gram-scale quantities of this late-stage product. From this, Carboxy ATTO 647N was prepared in only four additional steps. This facile route to a complex fluorophore is expected to enable further studies in fluorescence imaging.
Salvage after Retroperitoneal Kidney Allograft Torsion

Torsion of a transplanted kidney into the retroperitoneal space is a rare occurrence, with only three other reported cases. Failure after kidney transplantation is caused by surgical, immunological, and infective complications. Torsion is a complication that poses a serious risk of ischemic graft failure, and, if suspected, sonographic evaluation helps ascertain the diagnosis. Here, we present the case of a 69-year-old transplant recipient whose routine postoperative ultrasound confirmed vessel patency, however subsequently developed clinical signs of renal allograft compromise. Repeat ultrasound showed signs of vascular compromise and the patient was emergently re-explored. Torsion of the renal allograft about its pedicle was encountered and corrected by manual detorsion and nephropexy to the retroperitoneal wall. Clinicians should recognize pedicle torsion as a potential cause of renal allograft failure and the role of nephropexy in its management.