cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of monoamine oxidase inhibition on catecholamine levels: evidence for synthesis but not storage of epinephrine in rat spinal cord

Abstract Epinephrine levels in the intermediolateral cell group in the rat spinal cord are very low, although there is a dense projection to this region from cells containing all the enzymes required for epinephrine biosynthesis. One explanation for this finding is that epinephrine in the nerve terminals is degraded as soon as it is synthesized, so that no epinephrine is actually stored in synaptic vesicles. To test this hypothesis, epinephrine levels were measured in spinal cord of rats pretreated with an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, the major enzyme involved in epinephrine degradation. Selected other tissues (i.e. brainstem, hypothalamus, adrenal gland, superior cervical ganglion) were examined for comparison. Pargyline treatment (75 mg/kg i.p., 4 h prior to sacrifice) increased catecholamine levels in spinal cord, hypothalamus, and brainstem. However, the percent increase in epinephrine in the spinal cord and brainstem was much larger than that for dopamine and norepinephrine in the 3 central nervous system regions studied, as well as larger than that for epinephrine in the hypothalamus. These results suggest that phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-containing terminals in the rat spinal cord can synthesize epinephrine, but that little if any epinephrine is stored in synaptic vesicles due to the rapid metabolism of cytoplasmic catecholamines by monoamine oxidase. In contrast, pargyline pretreatment had no effect on catechol levels in the adrenal gland, suggesting that little metabolism of catecholamines takes place in those epinephrine-synthesizing cells. Furthermore, since pargyline pretreatment increased norepinephrine levels but decreased dopamine levels in the superior cervical ganglion, it is suggested that most of the dopamine in that sympathetic ganglion is present as a precursor to norepinephrine in noradrenergic postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Additional studies were performed using neonatal rats, since it has been reported that spinal cord epinephrine levels are much higher in neonates than in adults. Epinephrine levels were found to be higher in the spinal cords of neonates compared to adults, but were increased to a lesser extent by monoamine oxidase inhibition. These results suggest that the interaction of monoamine oxidase with epinephrine synthesis is such that high monoamine oxidase activity can prevent the storage of epinephrine in certain nerve terminals containing the enzymes required to synthesize epinephrine. This raises the possibility that PNMT-containing catecholamine neurons may not necessarily be adrenergic.
TRANSVERSE VIBRATION OF SIMPLY SUPPORTED CIRCULAR PLATES HAVING PARTIAL ELASTIC CONSTRAINTS

Abstract For the problem of the free vibration of a simply supported circular plate elastically constrained along part of the boundary, a series-type solution is derived by the extension of a previously developed method. In the numerical study, some uniform rotational springs are equally spaced along the circumference of the plate. The natural frequencies and nodal patterns for the lowest five modes are presented for a range of spring parameters. The effect of varying stiffness and angle of the springs is discussed.
The New Indians Reconstructing Indian Identity in the United States

This article looks at the processes of identity formation among Indian immigrants in the United States in the decade of the 1970s. Using letters to the editor of the expatriate Indian newspaper India Abroad, the article draws attention to two themes of identity formation. The first theme focuses on Indian immigrants' attempts at forming a pan-Indian identity in the United States that was markedly different from India; this identity excluded ethnic, religious, or caste affiliations. Although this attempt failed, Indian immigrants were successful in formulating a religious pan-Indian identity. The second theme draws attention to discourse among the Indian community regarding becoming a racial/ethnic minority in the United States.
Correlation measurements in precipitation at linear polarisation using dual-channel radar

Correlation measurements at linear polarisation in dual-channel precipitation radars are investigated. It is shown that the correlation between orthogonal linearly polarised back-scatter components provides information on precipitation particle orientation and shape. Thus, as is the case at circular polarisation, correlation measurements can be a useful concept for particle identification. Preliminary results from measurements made at 9.6 GHz are presented.
A Novel Method for Designing and Fabricating Low-cost Facepiece Prototypes

In 2010, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published new digital head form models based on their recently updated fit-test panel. The new panel, based on the 2000 census to better represent the modern work force, created two additional sizes: Short/Wide and Long/Narrow. While collecting the anthropometric data that comprised the panel, additional three-dimensional data were collected on a subset of the subjects. Within each sizing category, five individuals’ three-dimensional data were used to create the new head form models. While NIOSH has recommended a switch to a five-size system for designing respirators, little has been done in assessing the potential benefits of this change. With commercially available elastomeric facepieces available in only three or four size systems, it was necessary to develop the facepieces to enable testing. This study aims to develop a method for designing and fabricating elastomeric facepieces tailored to the new head form designs for use in ...
Successful treatment of perianal giant condyloma acuminatum in an immunocompromised host with systemic interleukin 2 and topical cidofovir.

A 46-year-old man presented for evaluation of large recurrent growths around the anus and rectum. He had been diagnosed as having chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 36 years and was treated with fludarabine phosphate, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab at age 42 years, with successful induction of remission. His disease returned 3 years later, and while undergoing chemotherapy with the same regimen, he developed perianal and penile skin lesions. The penile lesions cleared with serial treatment with cryotherapy, imiquimod, and sinecatechins, to which the perianal lesions were refractory. He underwent 2 surgical debulking procedures for the rapidly progressive perianal lesions, which exhibited aggressive regrowth within 2 weeks of each debulking. Physical examination revealed a large (>10 cm in diameter), circumferential (but not occluding the rectum), exophytic, friable perianal mass with punctate bleeding, consistent with giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA). An adjacent 3-mm papule with corymbiform surface consistent with a common wart was also noted (Figure 1). The patient reported considerable rectal pain and bleeding due to the anal condyloma. The perianal mass demonstrated severe squamous dysplasia, with focal areas concerning for squamous cell carcinoma in situ on histopathologic examination. The remaining findings from examination were unremarkable.
Protein kinase C inhibitor Gö6976 augments caffeine-induced reversal of chemoresistance to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II (CDDP) in a human ovarian cancer model.

Abstract Objectives Novel strategies for the treatment of chemoresistant ovarian cancer are needed. Caffeine and related compounds have been shown to over-ride G2/M arrest in ovarian cancer cells, increasing toxicity to chemotherapy. Newer compounds have been developed which may have the same effect as and exhibit synergism with caffeine, allowing the use of lower doses. Methods We investigated the effects of caffeine and Go6976 in the presence of CDDP in the SKOV3 and A2780 cell lines using proliferation, cell-cycle analysis, apoptosis, and AKT expression. Results Proliferation of cancer cells was decreased in a dose-dependent manner with caffeine and CDDP, but doses of caffeine required for significant inhibition were higher than that achievable in patients. Go6976, a global PKC inhibitor with G2/M over-ride capability similar to caffeine, when combined with caffeine and CDDP at doses below that required for cell-cycle over-ride produced the growth inhibitory effects of a ten-fold higher caffeine concentration in both cell lines. CDDP induced G2/M arrest was significantly abrogated by caffeine but not by Go6976 alone and no additional effect was seen on G2/M over-ride by the addition of Go6976 to caffeine. Addition of Go6976 to caffeine and CDDP did increase apoptosis but without altering phospho-AKT. Conclusions Go6976, when added to caffeine at doses below that required for cell-cycle over-ride, augments caffeine in overcoming CDDP resistance in this experimental system. G2/M over-ride is not the mechanism underlying the inhibition of proliferation. An AKT-independent apoptotic mechanism may be responsible.
Implementation and comparison of a suite of heat stress metrics within the Community Land Model version 4.5

Abstract. We implement and analyze 13 different metrics (4 moist thermodynamic quantities and 9 heat stress metrics) in the Community Land Model (CLM4.5), the land surface component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM). We call these routines the HumanIndexMod. We limit the algorithms of the HumanIndexMod to meteorological inputs of temperature, moisture, and pressure for their calculation. All metrics assume no direct sunlight exposure. The goal of this project is to implement a common framework for calculating operationally used heat stress metrics, in climate models, offline output, and locally sourced weather data sets, with the intent that the HumanIndexMod may be used with the broadest of applications. The thermodynamic quantities use the latest, most accurate and efficient algorithms available, which in turn are used as inputs to the heat stress metrics. There are three advantages of adding these metrics to CLM4.5: (1) improved moist thermodynamic quantities; (2) quantifying heat stress in every available environment within CLM4.5; and (3) these metrics may be used with human, animal, and industrial applications. We demonstrate the capabilities of the HumanIndexMod in a default configuration simulation using CLM4.5. We output 4× daily temporal resolution globally. We show that the advantage of implementing these routines into CLM4.5 is capturing the nonlinearity of the covariation of temperature and moisture conditions. For example, we show that there are systematic biases of up to 1.5 °C between monthly and ±0.5 °C between 4× daily offline calculations and the online instantaneous calculation, respectively. Additionally, we show that the differences between an inaccurate wet bulb calculation and the improved wet bulb calculation are ±1.5 °C. These differences are important due to human responses to heat stress being nonlinear. Furthermore, we show heat stress has unique regional characteristics. Some metrics have a strong dependency on regionally extreme moisture, while others have a strong dependency on regionally extreme temperature.
Polyfocal Photography of Conodonts and Other Microfossils Using Petrographic Microscopes

Abstract Polyfocal photography is a method for obtaining digital images that have great depth of focus. A series of photos are made at successive focal levels from the bottom to the top of a fossil using reflected light. Computer software takes the part of each image that is in focus and merges all of the parts into a composite image that is entirely in focus. Microscopes designed for this purpose are available but are expensive. A petrographic microscope with a digital camera can produce such a series of images, and they can be composited by an inexpensive computer program. Polyfocal photography appears to be superior to other methods of photography for illustrating conodonts. Composite images show internal features, such as basal cavities and white matter, and the software can convert one composite image into a stereoscopic pair.
Using choice to increase on-task behavior in individuals with traumatic brain injury.

An ABA′B design was used to evaluate the effects of choice on task engagement for 3 adults who had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. A yoked-control condition, in which tasks that were selected by each participant were assigned subsequently to that participant by a trainer, was implemented to help distinguish between the effects of task preference and choice. The results for all 3 participants indicated that permitting individuals to choose from a list of tasks increased on-task behavior.
Two crucial experimental tests of the resonating valence bond-Luttinger liquid interlayer tunneling theory of high-Tc superconductivity.

The resonating valence bond--Luttinger liquid theory for the high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ normal state permits some predictions about the effect of superconductivity on two measures of the one-particle Green's function: angle-resolved photoemission and tunneling for a high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$--insulator--high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ junction. These are compared to preliminary experimental data.
Pharmacokinetic considerations in obesity.

Obesity is a disease characterized as a condition resulting from the excess accumulation of body fat. In conjunction with increased stores of body fat, obesity has also been associated with increased mortality influenced by increased incidence of hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, diabetes, cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, endometrium, ovary, and cervix, and decreased overall survivability when compared with nonobese counterparts.1-5 As a consequence, obese individuals generally require more therapeutic intervention earlier in life than nonobese individuals. A very important consideration for pharmacological treatment of obese individuals is the possible discrepancies between obese and nonobese individuals in pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic activities of a drug. Changes in pharmacokinetic parameters such as volume of distribution or clearance can significantly alter the pharmacologic impact of a drug; therefore, it is important to characterize the properties of drugs in obese individuals. The direct causes of obesity are difficult to discern due to the plethora of physiological changes associated with obesity. Furthermore, characterizing metabolic and genetic differences between obese and nonobese individuals has proven complex resulting in broad scale attempts to study genetic and nutritional models of obesity in animals. These animal models can be used to help determine the possible causes and effects of obesity in humans resulting in possible agents to attenuate the causes and effects of obesity. There have been several references reviewing the causes and pharmacological implications of obesity.6-12 These show the effects of obesity on the pharmacokinetics of drugs in obese subjects; however, there have been considerable advances in the understanding of obesity, particularly in the genetic causes and changes in genetic expression asssociated with obesity. This article will attempt to comprehensively review current knowledge regarding obesity ranging from genetic and nutritional animal studies to pharmacokinetic studies of specific drugs in humans.
Rapid gas chromatographie assay for volatile anesthetics in blood

Abstract An equilibration/direct injection gas Chromatographie method has been developed for measurement of enflurane and halothane in whole blood. The method does not require extraction of anesthetic from blood or the use of pre-column devices for preparation of the sample for application to the gas Chromatograph column. By using an “anaerobic” serum vial unit, 1 ml, standards and samples are prepared, equilibrated at 37°C and 10 μl samples of the gas phase injected into the gas Chromatograph. Technical simplicity and reproducibility permit use of this assay under a variety of online conditions.
RAPID PROBABILISTIC HURRICANE SURGE AND DAMAGE FORECASTING USING SURGE RESPONSE FUNCTIONS

In this paper, a joint probability approach is used with scaling laws for hurricane surge to rapidly develop probabilistic based hurricane surge and damage forecasts. The method presented is demonstrated along the Texas, USA coastline for Hurricane Ike, which made landfall in September of 2008. The probabilistic approach presented here is both accurate and fast, with a single surge and percent damage forecast taking less than one minute while representing more than 170,000 distinct hurricane possibilities.
A Tablet Computer for Young Children? Exploring Its Viability for Early Childhood Education.

This study explored the viability of tablet computers in early education by investigating preschool children’s ease in acclimating to tablet technology and its effectiveness in engaging them to draw. A total of 41 three- to six-yearold children were videotaped while they used the tablets. The study found significant differences in level of tablet use between sessions, and engagement increased with age. Teachers reported high child interest and drawings as typical to above expectation. Children quickly developed ease with the stylus for drawing. Although technical issues in learning this new technology were encountered, children were interested and persisted without frustration. What seems to matter for children’s learning is the ways teachers choose to implement this technology. (Keywords: technology and young children, tablet computers, computers and early education, pentop computing)
Brain sex differences and hormone influences: a moving experience?

Sex differences in the nervous system come in many forms. Although a majority of sexually dimorphic characteristics in the brain have been described in older animals, mechanisms that determine sexually differentiated brain characteristics often operate during critical perinatal periods. Both genetic and hormonal factors likely contribute to physiological mechanisms in development to generate the ontogeny of sexual dimorphisms in brain. Relevant mechanisms may include neurogenesis, cell migration, cell differentiation, cell death, axon guidance and synaptogenesis. On a molecular level, there are several ways to categorise factors that drive brain development. These range from the actions of transcription factors in cell nuclei that regulate the expression of genes that control cell development and differentiation, to effector molecules that directly contribute to signalling from one cell to another. In addition, several peptides or proteins in these and other categories might be referred to as ‘biomarkers’ of sexual differentiation with undetermined functions in development or adulthood. Although a majority of sex differences are revealed as a direct consequence of hormone actions, some may only be revealed after genetic or environmental disruption. Sex differences in cell positions in the developing hypothalamus, and steroid hormone influences on cell movements in vitro, suggest that cell migration may be one target for early molecular actions that impact brain development and sexual differentiation.
Construction of two-dimensional phase fraction charts from ternary phase diagrams

An introduction is presented on how to read two-dimensional, phase fraction charts. Then, a graphical method is outlined that describes how to construct phase fraction charts from ternary phase diagrams.
Vascular abnormalities in primary amyloidosis

Aims Primary amyloidosis (AL) is a systemic disease; however, there is limited information regarding the presence and character of vascular abnormalities. Methods and results Validated ultrasound techniques were used to prospectively determine carotid artery intimal–medial thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in 59 consecutive AL patients and 17 age-similar, healthy, asymptomatic volunteers (CON). Carotid IMT was increased in AL when compared with CON (0.07 ± 0.02 vs. 0.04 ± 0.01 mm, P < 0.01). Similarly, brachial artery FMD was significantly lower in AL when compared with CON subjects (3 ± 7 vs. 12 ± 8%, P < 0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that AL was associated with larger IMT and lower FMD after controlling for several confounding variables. However, within AL cases, there was not a significant association of cardiac vs. non-cardiac involvement with IMT or FMD ( P = 0.1 and 0.2, respectively). Conclusion AL is associated with abnormal vascular morphology and endothelial dysfunction. Vascular abnormalities do not appear to be related to echocardiographic evidence of cardiac involvement.
The Astronomical Tradition Of Maragha: A Historical Survey And Prospects for Future Research

This paper surveys the results established so far by the on-going research on the planetary theories in Arabic astronomy. The most important results of the Maragha astronomers are gathered here for the first time, and new areas for future research are delineated. The conclusions reached demonstrate that the Arabic astronomical works mentioned here not only elaborate the connection between Arabic astronomy and Copernicus, but also that such activities, namely the continuous reformulation of Greek astronomy, were not limited to a specific group of astronomers or to a specific geographical area. It is shown that such activities were spread over a period of more than seven hundred years, from the early eleventh till the sixteenth century, and over an area stretching from the Andalusian peninsula in the west to the farthest reaches of Central Asia in the east.
TVIS: Tactical Voice Interaction Services for dismounted urban operations

Voice automated computing and speech recognition technology are beginning to revolutionize the commercial industry as speech recognition systems are becoming widely used in many real world applications, such as commercial banking and airline reservations. Speech has many advantages over other forms of communication, which make speech recognition systems useful to businesses and customers. We show the utility of speech recognition technology to support the command, control and information fusion needs of dismounted soldiers engaged in specialized tactical operations. In order to facilitate that, we propose developing the Tactical Voice Interactive System (TVIS). In this paper, we present the operational and systems architecture and vocabulary, grammar and sample voice choreographies that may occur when the system is used. These artifacts are used to illustrate autonomous voice access, which is defined as a soldierpsilas ability to voice authenticate, access, search and retrieve tactical information assets from backend systems equipped with speech recognition services. The authors believe that as voice and data networks continue to converge, speech recognition and integrated voice response (IVR) technology will drive the evolution of voice-enabled tactical communication portals, thus enabling soldiers to remotely access information through specialized voice enterprise services.
Pre-emptive analgesia in gynecologic surgical procedures: preoperative wound infiltration with ropivacaine in patients who undergo laparotomy through a midline vertical incision.

Abstract Objective: We tested the hypothesis that local anesthetic that is injected before a vertical midline abdominal incision would decrease the use of postoperative opioids. Study Design: Patients who would undergo abdominal surgical procedures with general anesthesia by a planned vertical midline incision were enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 0.5% ropivacaine or normal saline solution placebo that was injected in the subcuticular tissue and fascia before the incision of each. All patients received morphine after the operation with a patient-controlled analgesia device. Morphine consumption was measured during the postoperative period at intervals of 0 to 6 hours, 6 to 12 hours, 12 to 24 hours, and 24 to 48 hours. Postoperative pain was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the conclusion of the procedure with a visual analog scale. Results: Eighty-four patients were enrolled in the study; 16 patients were excluded; therefore, 68 patients had useable data. The two treatment groups did not differ in age, height, weight, the length of the operation, the length of the incision, the position of the incision, the placement of drains, or the procedure that was performed. There was no significant difference in morphine consumption for any of the four intervals. The visual analog scale was not significantly different between the two groups at 6, 12, or 24 hours after operation. The visual analog scale at 48 hours was lower in the group that received ropivacaine (2.69 vs 4.26, P =.02). Data were analyzed by the Student t test. Conclusion: Pre-emptive analgesia with 0.5% ropivacaine given before skin incision does not decrease the postoperative analgesic use in patients who undergo laparotomy by a midline vertical skin incision.
Chicago, Post-Chicago, and Beyond: Time to Let Go of the 20th Century

We clarify and defend the Chicago School of antitrust against incorrect and uninformed claims that it represents a narrow set of inefficiency impossibility theorems based on free market ideology. The Chicago School arose decades ago as a reaction to the then current antitrust policies. Chicago prevailed, both as a methodology and in changing antitrust law for the better. That triumph was based primarily on scholarship before 1980, work that focused largely on overthrowing the old order, not on the myriad details that are necessary to implement policy. Moreover, to the extent they addressed implementation issues, prominent Chicago scholars often disagreed. Despite Chicago’s successes, we argue for the term’s demise. The current popular understanding of the Chicago School of Antitrust as a narrow and uniform ideological approach to antitrust is inaccurate. As a result, the term Chicago, as well as the derivative terms Post- and Neo-Chicago, add little value and are frequently misused to make normatively incorrect points. We therefore add our voices to those who doubt the continuing usefulness of such labels, outside of discussions of antitrust history. We hope to hasten the demise of using labels like Chicago pejoratively and as a substitute for the economic analysis that has been at the core of the Chicago School of Antitrust.
Item Response Theory and Classical Test Theory: An Empirical Comparison of their Item/Person Statistics

Despite theoretical differences between item response theory (IRT) and classical test theory (CTT), there is a lack of empirical knowledge about how, and to what extent, the IRT- and CTT-based item and person statistics behave differently. This study empirically examined the behaviors of the item and person statistics derived from these two measurement frameworks. The study focused on two issues: (a) What are the empirical relationships between IRT- and CTT-based item and person statistics? and (b) To what extent are the item statistics from IRT and those from CIT invariant across different participant samples? A large-scale statewide assessment database was used in the study. The findings indicate that the person and item statistics derived from the two measurement frameworks are quite comparable. The degree of invariance of item statistics across samples, usually considered as the theoretical superiority IRT models, also appeared to be similar for the two measurement fireworks.
Stability and robustness analysis of a class of adaptive controllers for robotic manipulators

The stability and robustness properties of the adaptive control scheme proposed by Sadegh and Horowitz (1987) are stud ied. The properties include the global exponential stability and Lpinput/output stability of the nonadaptive (i.e., fixed- parameter) control system and the global asymptotic stability of the adaptive control scheme. Sufficient conditions for the convergence of the estimated parameters to their true values are also given. A computationally efficient adaptation scheme that is a modified version of the original scheme is proposed. The modified scheme utilizes the desired trajectory outputs, which can be calculated a priori, instead of the actual joint outputs in the parameter adaptation algorithm and the non linearity compensation controller. Sufficient conditions for guaranteeing all the stability properties of the original scheme in the modified scheme are also explicitly derived. A com puter simulation study of the performance of both schemes in the presence of noise disturbances is cond...
Faster Rates in Regression via Active Learning

This paper presents a rigorous statistical analysis characterizing regimes in which active learning significantly outperforms classical passive learning. Active learning algorithms are able to make queries or select sample locations in an online fashion, depending on the results of the previous queries. In some regimes, this extra flexibility leads to significantly faster rates of error decay than those possible in classical passive learning settings. The nature of these regimes is explored by studying fundamental performance limits of active and passive learning in two illustrative nonparametric function classes. In addition to examining the theoretical potential of active learning, this paper describes a practical algorithm capable of exploiting the extra flexibility of the active setting and provably improving upon the classical passive techniques. Our active learning theory and methods show promise in a number of applications, including field estimation using wireless sensor networks and fault line detection.
Validation and Implementation of the GeneXpert MRSA/SA Blood Culture Assay in a Pediatric Setting

Blood cultures positive for gram-positive cocci in clusters can pose a dilemma for empiric antimicrobial therapy because they could represent coagulase-negative staphylococcus or Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. The GeneXpert MRSA/SA BC Assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) is a polymerase chain reaction-based method for identifying S aureus and methicillin resistance that has been approved for use in adults, but data on its use in samples from pediatric patients is limited. We validated the Xpert MRSA/SA BC Assay for use with anaerobic and polymicrobial specimens from pediatric patients and implemented it for routine presumptive identification of S aureus in our pediatric hospital. The assay was 100% sensitive and specific for methicillin-resistant S aureus and 100% sensitive and 99.5% specific for methicillin-susceptible S aureus. Time to presumptive identification of S aureus bacteremia and determination of methicillin susceptibility was reduced by more than 24 hours. We found the Xpert MRSA/SA BC Assay to be a rapid, accurate tool for detecting methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible S aureus in positive pediatric blood cultures, including polymicrobial cultures and those recovered in anaerobic blood culture media.
Tailored Fuel Injection for Pulsed Detonation Engines via Feedback Control

An architecture is developed for feedback regulation of liquid volume fraction proe les in an air jet cone ned in a tube. The application to the controlled injection of fuel in detonation tubes for pulsed detonation engines is considered.Thearchitectureconsistsoflaserattenuationsensing ofliquidvolumefractionalongthetube,actuation on the liquid injection pressure through an array of solenoidal valves, and proportional‐ integral feedback. The architecture is validated by means of cold-e ow experiments regulating the concentration proe le of water droplets along the detonation tube to desired values.
RNA polymerase V transcription guides ARGONAUTE4 to chromatin

Craig Pikaard and colleagues show that AGO4 is recruited to target loci through physical interactions with nascent RNA polymerase V transcripts. They also show that the SMC hinge-domain protein DMS3 functions in the assembly of Pol V transcription complexes.
"A case to which no parallel exists": The influence of Darwin's Different Forms of Flowers.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Research on the subject of heterostyly is often traced back to 1877 when Charles Darwin published the landmark book The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species. This book synthesized heterostyly research at the time, much of which Darwin conducted, and it continues to be a major contribution to the study of the breeding system. In this book, Darwin discussed the ecology, morph-specific differences, self- and intramorph-incompatibility, evolution and origin, and floral development of heterostyly. Many of the hypotheses he proposed have been and continue to be tested. KEY RESULTS Throughout the 20(th) and 21(st) centuries, researchers have continued to identify new and different morph-specific floral characters, discover the mechanisms that underlie heteromorphic self-incompatibility, use phylogenies to examine the evolution of heterostyly, and determine novel floral developmental patterns in heterostylous species. From all of these studies, we have learned a great deal about the function, evolution, and development of heterostyly. CONCLUSIONS However, almost 150 years after Darwin's publications on the subject of heterostyly, we still have a great deal to learn concerning the breeding system, and new technologies and techniques are allowing for new advances in heterostyly research to occur.
Sex Allocation in Hermaphrodites

Organisms in which individuals can reproduce both as males and females are called hermaphrodites. Sex allocation in hermaphrodites involves the division of reproductive resources between the male and female function, and presents an interesting contrast to species that alter sex allocation by adjusting offspring sex ratio. Theoretical and empirical research in the past four decades have largely attempted to explain when hermaphroditism is favoured, and how sex allocation in hermaphrodites is controlled. Furthermore, the application of endocrinological methods has elucidated some of the molecular processes that underlie hermaphroditic sex allocation, especially in sequential hermaphrodites. Despite significant advances in our understanding of hermaphrodites, some fundamental predictions such as the adaptiveness of changes in sex allocation have not been tested, and some basic questions on hermaphroditism have not been answered. Key concepts: In hermaphroditic organisms, individuals are capable of reproducing as both males and females. Simultaneous hermaphrodites have male and female reproductive organs that are functional at the same time, and are both involved in a mating event. Simultaneous hermaphroditism is favoured, when an increase in male and female reproduction yields diminishing fitness returns. Factors such as limited mobility, low density or self-fertilization can result in diminishing fitness returns for males, and favour simultaneous hermaphroditism. However, local resource competition and physiological limitations could saturate fitness through female function. Simultaneous hermaphrodites can adjust sex allocation according to the social environment (e.g. mating group size), and the amount of resources available for reproduction (e.g. body size). Sequential hermaphrodites, or sex changers, reproduce as one sex for a part of their lifetime, and then switch to reproducing as the opposite sex. Sequential hermaphroditism is favoured in mating systems where individuals have consistently greater reproductive success as one sex earlier and as the other sex later in life. Sequential hermaphrodites can adjust the optimal timing of sex change according to relative size or social status in a mating group. There are also mixed hermaphroditic systems where individuals can repeatedly switch between sexes, or simultaneous hermaphrodites coexist with pure sexes. Sex change in fishes involves complex behavioural and morphological changes that are regulated by an endocrine gland system conserved across all vertebrates. Keywords: sex allocation; hermaphroditism; reproduction; life history
Effect of Cure Systems and Reinforcing Fillers on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Chlorobutyl Elastomers for Potential Vibration-Control Applications

Abstract The effects of four different types of cure systems upon the physical and viscoelastic properties of chlorobutyl elastomers have been investigated. Five different types of carbon black fillers have also been evaluated. Effects of carbon black loading were also studied. The basic conclusions that may be drawn from the experimental determination of the viscoelastic properties of these elastomers and the subsequent use of these to evaluate their potential in various vibration-control applications are as follows: (1) Both the red lead-thiourea cure system, and the resin-cure system give vulcanizates with very similar physical and dynamic mechanical properties. Use of a resin cure is preferable to a red lead-thiourea cure due to the much shorter cure time and lower cure temperature. (2) Chlorobutyl elastomers possess suitable viscoelastic properties for vibration-control applications, due to the diffuse nature of the glass-rubber transition in this class of polymer. Use of other types of fillers, such...
The Bromodomain BET Inhibitor JQ1 Suppresses Tumor Angiogenesis in Models of Childhood Sarcoma

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitor JQ1 has marked antitumor activity against several hematologic malignancies as well as solid tumor models. Here, we investigated its activity in vitro and in vivo against models of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. In vitro, JQ1 (but not the inactive enantiomer JQ1R) inhibited cell proliferation and increased G1 fraction of cells, although there was no correlation between cell line sensitivity and suppression of c-MYC or MYCN. In vivo, xenografts showed significant inhibition of growth during the period of treatment, and rapid regrowth after treatment was stopped, activity typical of antiangiogenic agents. Furthermore, xenografts derived from cell lines intrinsically resistant or sensitive to JQ1 in vitro had similar sensitivity in vivo as xenografts. Further investigation showed that JQ1 reduced tumor vascularization. This was secondary to both drug-induced downregulation of tumor-derived growth factors and direct effects of JQ1 on vascular elements. JQ1 suppressed VEGF-stimulated vascularization of Matrigel plugs in mice, and in vitro suppressed differentiation, proliferation, and invasion of human umbilical cord vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). In HUVECs, JQ1 partially suppressed c-MYC levels, but dramatically reduced AP-1 levels and activity through suppression of the AP-1-associated protein FOSL1. Our data suggest that the antitumor activity of JQ1 in these sarcoma models is largely a consequence of its antiangiogenic activity. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 1018-28. ©2016 AACR.
Determinants of Aspiration Levels in a Simulated Goal Setting Environment of the Firm

The article presents research which examined the theory of aspiration levels in a simulated goal setting environment of a firm. The study included four tasks which were selected to test the primary...
Comprehensive Review of Stability Criteria for DC Power Distribution Systems

Power-electronics-based dc power distribution systems, consisting of several interconnected feedback-controlled switching converters, suffer from potential degradation of stability and dynamic performance caused by negative incremental impedances due to the presence of constant power loads. For this reason, the stability analysis of these systems is a significant design consideration. This paper reviews all the major stability criteria for dc distribution systems that have been developed so far: the Middlebrook Criterion, the Gain Margin and Phase Margin Criterion, the Opposing Argument Criterion, the Energy Source Analysis Consortium (ESAC) Criterion, and the Three-Step Impedance Criterion. In particular, the paper discusses, for each criterion, the artificial conservativeness characteristics in the design of dc distribution systems, and the formulation of design specifications that ensure system stability. Moreover, the Passivity-Based Stability Criterion is discussed, which has been recently proposed as an alternative stability criterion. While all prior stability criteria are based on forbidden regions for the polar plot of the so-called minor loop gain, which is an impedance ratio, the proposed criterion is based on imposing passivity of the overall bus impedance. A meaningful simulation example is presented to illustrate the main characteristics of the reviewed stability criteria.
Abstract 1634: Metabolomic profiling for early detection of colorectal neoplasia

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Colonoscopy is widely used for early detection and removal of colorectal neoplasia to prevent CRC. However, it is both invasive and costly underscoring the need for new strategies to identify subjects for whom colonoscopy is most appropriate. Metabolomics is a high throughput method of detecting small molecules which provides a platform for identifying novel biomarkers of colorectal neoplasia. In this study, we investigated whether metabolic changes could be identified in the feces and plasma in a model of experimental CRC. Methods: Five week old male A/J mice were administered six weekly intraperitoneal injections of either azoxymethane (AOM) (10mg/kg) (n=40) or 0.9% saline (n=35). Following injections, feces, plasma and tumor tissue or normal colonic mucosa were collected and stored at −80oC for metabolomic analysis. Five mice from the AOM injected group were sacrificed at each of three time points (three, five and seven weeks after the last injection) to assess tumor burden. UPLC/MS/MS and GC/MS were used to quantify metabolite levels in feces, plasma and tissue. Results: Histological analysis of tumor burden in the colon showed a progressive increase as a function of time after AOM administration. Metabolomic analysis revealed a large number of significantly changed metabolite levels in both the feces and plasma during colon carcinogenesis. These included amino acids and peptides in feces as well as bile acids in the plasma. A select number of these metabolites were found to progressively change as a function of time in both feces and plasma in relation to increased tumor burden. Significantly, certain metabolites changed in the same direction in feces and tumor tissue, plasma and tumor tissue as well as across all three matrices, suggesting that these may be tumor-derived. For example, samples from AOM injected mice showed increased levels of sarcosine and 2-hydroxyglutarate, metabolites previously implicated in prostate cancer and gliomas/AML, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential utility of metabolomic analyses for the early detection of colorectal neoplasia. Additionally, the finding of increased levels of two onco-metabolites (sarcosine, 2-hydroxyglutarate) in colorectal neoplasia suggests their potential involvement in colon carcinogenesis. Future studies in humans will be required to determine the significance of these findings. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1634. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1634
Persistent infection of cells in culture by respiratory syncytial virus.

SummaryThe virus-cell relationship of RS virus and the HEp-2 cell line has been examined. The production of cytopathic effect (c.p.e.) on HEp-2 cells has been found to be dependent upon the passage level of the cell line. Cells at lower passage levels exhibit c.p.e. in the form of syncytium formation, while those at higher passage levels no longer exhibit this effect. Cells infected at higher passage levels are covertly infected and continue to produce large amounts of infectious virus which remains cell-associated. On continued passage, these cells remain infected with virus but show no c.p.e. and release little if any infectious virus into the medium.Examination of the RNA species present in infected cells revealed that similar species are present in both the overtly and covertly infected cells.
Can undergraduate electrical engineering students assess each other's presentations effectively?

Assessment plays a vital role in the education process since it is the first step for continuous improvement. Students are the most important constituency of the education process and their input is very important to be considered. Unfortunately, students usually play a passive role in the assessment process. Therefore, in this paper, we discussed the viability of students' peer assessing each other's project presentations effectively. To do so, we conducted a study to understand the dynamics of students' peer assessment and compared it to the instructor's assessment. We also analyzed what could influence the students' performance while conducting peer assessments and devised recommendation to improve the reliability of peer assessment. To validate our findings, we conducted a quantitative analysis taking into consideration all the pertinent parameters involved in this model. Assessment results indicated that students on average tend to overrate peer performance. Additionally, we found that there is a correlation between the assessment results and the rubrics used for the assessment.
Culex pipiens pallens resistance to eight insecticides in Shaanxi province

Objective To evaluate the resistance in Culex pipiens pallens to commonly used insecticides in different areas of Shaanxi province.Methods Larval mortality for 4 insecticides and LC50 of 8 insecticides determined via the dosing method and median lethal dose method,respectively.Results The resistance level of Cx.pipiens pallens in all five areas was high except the population in Yulin city,which had elementary resistance to permethrin.The LC50 values for larvae to β-cypermethrin,permethrin,deltamethrin,cypermethrin,DDT,DDVP,parathion and propoxur were 0.001 82-0.012 24,0.008 16-0.094 19,0.000 58-0.005 59,0.002 76-0.020 17,0.100 96-1.296 86,0.144 11-0.512 40,0.001 47-0.007 06,and 0.234 60-1.182 37 mg/L,respectively.The highest resistance level to all pesticides was found in Baoji city,except for deltamethrin,cypermethrin and parathion,while the lowest level was found in Yulin city,except for parathion and propoxur.Conclusion The development of mosquito resistance was closely related with the use of insecticides.Therefore,it is important to ensure appropriate administration and regular resistance surveillance to defer and prevent the occurrence of resistance in mosquitoes.