cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Requirements for activation of the signal-transduction network that leads to regulatory phosphorylation of leaf guard-cell phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase during fusicoccin-stimulated stomatal opening

Leaves regulate gas exchange through control of stomata in the epidermis. Stomatal aperture increases when the flanking guard cells accumulate K+ or other osmolytes. K+ accumulation is stoichiometric with H+ extrusion, which is compensated for by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31)-mediated malate synthesis. Plant PEPCs are regulated allosterically and by phosphorylation. Aspects of the signal-transduction network that control the PEPC phosphorylation state in guard cells are reported here. Guard cells were preloaded with [32P]orthophosphate (32Pi); then stomata were incubated with fusicoccin (FC), which activates the guard-cell plasma membrane H+-ATPase. [32P]PEPC was assessed by immunoprecipitation, electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and autoradiography. In -FC controls, stomatal size, guard-cell malate, and [32P]PEPC were low; maximum values for these parameters were observed in the presence of FC after a 90-min incubation and persisted for an additional 90 min. This high steady-state phosphorylation status resulted from continuous phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, even after the malate-accumulation phase. PEPC phosphorylation was diminished by approximately 80% when K+ uptake was associated with Cl- uptake and was essentially abolished when stomatal opening was sucrose--rather than K+--dependent. Finally, alkalinization by NH4+ in the presence of K+ did not cause PEPC phosphorylation (as it does in C4 plants). As discussed, a role for cytoplasmic protons cannot be completely excluded by this result. In summary, activation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase was essential, but not sufficient, to cause phosphorylation of guard-cell PEPC. Network components downstream of the H+-ATPase influence the phosphorylation state of this PEPC isoform.
Ecosystem services: Foundations, opportunities, and challenges for the forest products sector

The ecosystem service concept has been proposed as a meaningful framework for natural resource management. In theory it holds concomitant benefit and consequence for the forest product sector. However, numerous barriers impede practitioners from developing concrete and enduring responses to emerging ecosystem service markets, policies, and initiatives. Principle among these barriers is that the ecosystem service concept has a complex history, numerous definitions in use, and an astounding diversity in rationale and application. This article provides a conceptual review of ecosystem services and its economic foundations, distinguishes among several current definitions of the term and their relatedness to strategies in practical application, discusses diverse approaches to valuation, and explores potential for future relevance in forest product and other sectors.
The Ecology of Yeasts in the Bark Beetle Holobiont: A Century of Research Revisited

Yeasts are extremely common associates of scolytine bark beetles, yet the basic ecology of yeasts in the bark beetle holobiont remains poorly understood. Yeasts are present in all beetle life stages and consistently isolated from adult, larval, and pupal integuments and mycangial structures, but yeasts are also found in oviposition galleries, pupal chambers, larval and adult digestive tracts, as well as phloem and xylem tissues. Yeasts in the Saccharomycetaceae family are the most prevalent associates, and most individual beetles are associated with only one or several yeast species. Kuraishia capsulata and Ogataea pini are the most commonly encountered yeast species in surveys of Dendroctonus and Ips beetles; most beetles that have been surveyed are vectors for one or both yeasts. Yeasts have significant but often overlooked functional roles in bark beetle ecology. Infochemicals resulting from volatile production by yeast have wide-ranging bioactivity for arthropods: Yeast emissions attract beetles at low concentrations but repel beetles at high concentrations, and yeast emissions can also serve as cues to predators and parasites of bark beetles. In some cases, yeasts can modify tree chemistry over time or metabolize toxic terpenoids, though potential consequences for beetle performance or the growth of nutritional fungi remain to be demonstrated. Also, the presence of yeast species can restrict or promote the establishment and growth of filamentous fungi, including mutualists, entomopathogens, and opportunistic saprophytes. The role of yeasts as nutritional symbionts has received mixed support, though a nutritional hypothesis has not been extensively tested. Continued research on the functional ecology of bark beetle–yeast associations is needed to better understand the emergent properties of these complex symbiont assemblages.
Poverty and health.

The effect of poverty on the health of children is profound and enduring. Although the United States ranks seventh in per capita income among the world9s industrial societies, at least one in five American children currently lives in a family whose income is below the federal poverty level. The extent to which material deprivation of this magnitude harms these children can be measured through a variety of instruments, including vital statistics, population surveys based on parental report, and health examination surveys. Wise and Meyers provided a recent overview of the relationship between poverty and child health. They characterized a dual mechanism by which poverty may increase the risk of ill health among children: It can increase the probability of adverse events occurring and it can augment the impact that these events have on the children to whom they occur.
Frequent Blood-Feeding and Restrictive Sugar-Feeding Behavior Enhance the Malaria Vector Potential of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Western Kenya

Natural blood-feeding and sugar-feeding behaviors were investigated for populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus Giles at 2 sites in western Kenya. During peak levels of malaria parasite transmission, >85% of 1,569 indoor-resting females contained fresh blood meals. Findings that up to 55.4% of blood-fed resting females and 72.0% of hostseeking females had either stage IV or V oocytes provided strong evidence that females were refeeding before oviposition. Such gonotrophic discordance was common throughout the year for both An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus . Determinations of gonotrophic cycles for freshly blood-fed mosquitoes collected inside houses indicated that only 60.0% of 1,287 An. gambiae s.l. and 60.0% of 974 An. funestus oviposited eggs after a single blood meal. The timing of oviposition was irregular as indicated by relatively high coefficients of variation for An. gambiae s.l. (44.0%) and An. funestus (35.9%). Associated with frequent blood feeding was a surprisingly low rate of sugar feeding; only 6.3% of 1,183 indoor-resting and only 14.4% of 236 hostseeking anophelines were positive for fructose. Natural patterns of frequent blood feeding, year-round gonotrophic discordance, irregular oviposition cycles, and limited sugar feeding illustrate that anopheline mosquitoes have complex behavioral and physiologic means for adapting to their environment. In western Kenya, for example, adaptations for frequent blood feeding by An. gamlriae s.l. and An. funestus potentiates their ability to transmit malaria parasites, well beyond that predicted by standard measures of vectorial capacity.
Interactive physical programming : Tradeoff analysis and decision making in multicriteria optimization

This research focuses on multiobjective system design and optimization. The goal is to develop and test an interactive multi-objective optimization algorithm that takes into account the designers preferences during the design process. The Physical Programmingi (PP) methodology has been extended to develop an Interactive Physical Programming (IPP) framework which allows for design exploration by the designer or the Decision Maker (DM) at a given Pareto design. The IPP framework provides the DM with Pareto sensitivity information, a Pareto surface approximation and a formal decision making strategy for efficient design (or Pareto surface) exploration around a given Pareto design. The IPP has been successfully applied to two test problems. The first problem consists of a set of simple analytical expressions for its objectives and con
Administrator Perceptions of School Improvement Policies in a High-Impact Policy Setting

This study investigated school administrators’ perceptions of school improvement policies in a high-impact policy environment by measuring the impact of accountability, site-based management, professional development, and scheduling reform on the three dependent variables of a) academic outcomes, b) staff morale, and c) parent and community involvement. Using a convenience sampling method, 49 public school principals from Texas participated and an online survey was constructed to gather both quantitative (i.e., Likert scale) and qualitative (i.e., open ended response) data. The findings clearly point to principals, regardless of geographical district type and grade level school type, viewing less controversial and more intrinsically oriented policies (i.e., site-based management and professional development) as having a greater positive impact on outcomes as a whole than more radical alternatives (i.e., accountability and time and schedule reform). The evidence suggests that more aggressive school improvement policy approaches are likely failing to generate enough convincing outcomes to generate high commitment and confidence from school leaders. Further studies may look at the interaction of policy impact with minority student enrollments and with subgroup populations.
Two of a kind: Perceptions of own and partner's attachment characteristics

Because it is universally relevant, and because it is formed in infancy, giving it a strong preconscious quality, attachment was chosen for a study of Allport's (1924) construct of social projection. Individuals in 301 dating couples rated themselves and their partners on each of four continuous attachment dimensions (i.e., security, dismissiveness, preoccupation, fearfulness). The individual's own rating on a particular dimension significantly predicted the individual's perception of how the partner rated on the dimension, after controlling for the partner's self-rating on the dimension. Thus people perceived their partners to be more similar to themselves than they really were, demonstrating social projection. In general, the higher the degree of emotional intimacy was, the more social projection was demonstrated.
An Event-related fMRI Study of Exogenous Orienting: Supporting Evidence for the Cortical Basis of Inhibition of Return?

This event-related fMRI experiment examined the neural substrates of exogenous visuospatial attention. Exogenous attention produces a biphasic response pattern denoted by facilitation at short cue–target intervals and inhibition of return (IOR) at longer intervals. Whereas the volitional orienting of attention has been well described in the literature, the neural systems that support exogenous facilitation and IOR in humans are relatively unknown. In direct comparisons to valid facilitation trials, valid IOR trials produced unique foci of activation in the right posterior parietal, superior temporal, middle temporal, middle occipital, anterior cingulate, and dorsal medial thalamic areas. Valid IOR trials also resulted in activation of motor exploratory and frontal areas previously associated with inhibition and oculomotor control. In contrast, invalid IOR compared to facilitation trials only activated anterior cortical structures. These results provide support for both attentional and oculomotor theories of IOR and suggest that IOR may be mediated by two networks. One network may mediate the inhibitory bias following an exogenous cue, whereas a separate network may be activated when a response must be made to stimuli that appear in inhibited locations of space.
Lysozyme transgenic goats’ milk positively impacts intestinal cytokine expression and morphology

In addition to its well-recognized antimicrobial properties, lysozyme can also modulate the inflammatory response. This ability may be particularly important in the gastrointestinal tract where inappropriate inflammatory reactions can damage the intestinal epithelium, leading to significant health problems. The consumption of milk from transgenic goats producing human lysozyme (hLZ) in their milk therefore has the potential to positively impact intestinal health. In order to investigate the effect of hLZ-containing milk on the inflammatory response, young pigs were fed pasteurized milk from hLZ or non-transgenic control goats and quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess local expression of TNF-α, IL-8, and TGF-β1 in the small intestine. Histological changes were also investigated, specifically looking at villi width, length, crypt depth, and lamina propria thickness along with cell counts for intraepithelial lymphocytes and goblet cells. Significantly higher expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 was seen in the ileum of pigs fed pasteurized milk containing hLZ (P = 0.0478), along with an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.0255), and decrease in lamina propria thickness in the duodenum (P = 0.0001). Based on these results we conclude that consuming pasteurized milk containing hLZ does not induce an inflammatory response and improves the health of the small intestine in pigs.
Event-scale response of phytoplankton to watershed inputs in a subestuary: Timing, magnitude and location of blooms

Subestuaries receive direct runoff from a local w’atershed and exchange water at their mouth with a mainstem estuary. For subestuaries close to the headwaters of the mainstem estuary, the potential exists for a single rainfall event to supply nutrients to the subestuary on two time scales corresponding to arrival of flow from the two sources. We present a model of phytoplankton blooms based on the Rhode River-Muddy Creek subestuary of Chesapeake Bay which indicates that nutrient inputs from local sources should be capable of producing blooms of small scale and short duration, whereas influx from the mainstem estuary causes blooms of greater extent. Phytoplankton dynamics were simulated with a modification of models for nutrient-saturated standing crop, in which external nutrient inputs were assumed to favor growth of components of the community that have lower loss rates. Field data for two events during late spring and early summer 1989 demonstrated the initiation of blooms by the arrival of freshwater from local and remote sources. As predicted by the model, blooms initiated by the arrival of remote inputs were of larger spatial extent than those triggered by local inputs.
Seasonal changes in vertebrate immune activity: mediation by physiological trade-offs

Animals living in temporally dynamic environments experience variation in resource availability, climate and threat of infection over the course of the year. Thus, to survive and reproduce successfully, these organisms must allocate resources among competing physiological systems in such a way as to maximize fitness in changing environments. Here, we review evidence supporting the hypothesis that physiological trade-offs, particularly those between the reproductive and immune systems, mediate part of the seasonal changes detected in the immune defences of many vertebrates. Abundant recent work has detected significant energetic and nutritional costs of immune defence. Sometimes these physiological costs are sufficiently large to affect fitness (e.g. reproductive output, growth or survival), indicating that selection for appropriate allocation strategies probably occurred in the past. Because hormones often orchestrate allocations among physiological systems, the endocrine mediators of seasonal changes in immune activity are discussed. Many hormones, including melatonin, glucocorticoids and androgens have extensive and consistent effects on the immune system, and they change in systematic fashions over the year. Finally, a modified framework within which to conduct future studies in ecological immunology is proposed, viz. a heightened appreciation of the complex but intelligible nature of the vertebrate immune system. Although other factors besides trade-offs undoubtedly influence seasonal variation in immune defence in animals, a growing literature supports a role for physiological trade-offs and the fitness consequences they sometimes produce.
Maneuverability - general issues

Maneuvers may be defined as a series of changes in direction and position for a specified purpose (as in changing course, switching tracks, or docking). Although the definition excludes hovering, this is considered to be a maneuver by biologists. Maneuvers are typically complex, combining more than one translational and rotational component. They are usually driven by hydrodynamic forces, which may be classified as trimming (steering), driven by the kinetic energy of a moving animal, or powered forces, driven by force generation by the control surfaces themselves. Force production by effectors are affected by molecular structure, material properties, degrees of freedom for movement, the number of propulsors working together, and interactions with other organisms/objects, as well as time through a maneuver and/or a powered fin beat. The result is a large repertoire of maneuvering behaviors and high redundancy in control systems. There is no unanimity on quantifying maneuvering performance, but maximum capabilities appear to be most appropriate. Performance metrics will vary from maneuver to maneuver and the scaling product group seems unlikely even for specified maneuvers. An exception is relative volume swept out. Seeking inspiration from biology for the design of autonomous underwater vehicles requires explicit a priori statements of mission goals.
Management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) are a common finding, occurring in about 2% of the population, making them very likely to be seen by most practitioners, and present a challenge in the recommendations for optimal management and screening. The consequences of aneurysm rupture are dire, with high likelihood of significant morbidity and mortality. Most aneurysms do not rupture and patients harboring these lesions often remain asymptomatic. There are effective surgical and endovascular interventions to prevent rupture, but these procedures carry a risk of adverse complications. This article addresses the challenges of screening and management of UIAs.
Untutored song, reproductive success and song learning

Abstract Abstract. Female zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata , from one population were given a choice between males from their own population reared in aviaries, males from a different population reared in aviaries, or males from their own population reared without adult song tutors. Aviary-reared males from the same population as the females had higher reproductive success than did untutored males from the same population or aviary-reared males from a different population. Salience as a song model was related to the song type of the adult male as well as to the total number of young the adult male fledged. All male offspring copied significantly more syllables from their fathers' songs than from others' songs, but the sons of untutored males were the least likely to copy syllables from males other than their father. Young males copied qualities characteristic of untutored song both from their fathers and from other males. Although untutored song was associated with inferior reproductive success, it was accepted by young males as a valid song model.
A modified MODPEX model for MOSFET and parameter optimization using excel-based genetic algorithm

MODPEX is widely used in industry and universities to produce Pspice model for power semiconductor devices, including MOSFETs. However, the model generated by MODPEX for MOSFETs does not include channel charge at strong inversion condition. This paper presents a modified MODPEX model for MOSFETs, which includes channel charge at strong inversion condition. A process based on genetic algorithm (GA) implemented in Microsoft Office Excel is developed to optimize parameters of the modified MODPEX model. Static and dynamic validation proves that the modified MODPEX model improves simulation accuracy in both switching loss and driver loss.
Patients with an HbA1c in the prediabetic and diabetic range have higher numbers of circulating cells with osteogenic and endothelial progenitor cell markers.

Context: Vascular calcification, an important feature of diabetic vasculopathy, is an active process potentially mediated by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) coexpressing the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin (OCN). Objective: In this study we tested the hypothesis that cells expressing these markers are associated with the presence of elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Design, Setting, and Patients: This was a cross-sectional comparison. Patients (n = 133, aged 57.4 ± 15.7 yr) were divided into two groups according to the presence of an HbA1c in a (pre-)diabetic (>5.6) or normal range at the time of blood sampling. Methods: Using flow cytometry of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs), cells positive for OCN, the EPC markers (CD34/KDR and CD133+/CD34−/KDR+) and OCN+ EPCs were counted. Results: Patients with elevated HbA1c compared with those with normal HbA1c had a significantly higher percentage of circulating OCN+ MNCs [4.6 (interquartile range 2.68–7.81%) vs. 3.12 (0.99–7.81%), P = 0.035], hig...
Evaluation of a Fluidic Ventilator: A New Approach to Mechanical Ventilation

Fluid amplifiers and control devices have found wide application in industry when stability and reliability are required. This technology is now being applied to the construction of ventilators for medical use. The clinical and laboratory evaluation of a commercial fluidic ventilator ** indicates considerable promise for machines of this design.
Mortgage Prepayment and Default Decisions: A Poisson Regression Approach

This paper uses an extensive and geographically dispersed sample of single-family fixed rate mortgages to assess the prepayment and default behavior of individual homeowners. We make use of Poisson regression to efficiently estimate the parameters of a proportional hazards model for prepayment and default decisions. Poisson regression for grouped survival data has several advantages over partial likelihood methods. First, when dealing with time-dependent covar-iates, it is considerably more efficient in terms of computations. Second, it is possible to estimate full-hazard models which include, for example, functions of time as well as multiple time scales (i.e., age of the loan and calendar time), in a much more straightforward manner than partial likelihood methods for un-grouped data. Third, Poisson regression can be used to estimate non-proportional hazards models such as additive excess risk specifications. Taken together, our data and estimation methodology allow us to obtain a better understanding of the economic factors underlying prepayment and default decisions.
Low testosterone is associated with decreased function and increased mortality risk: a preliminary study of men in a geriatric rehabilitation unit

Objectives: To evaluate whether low testosterone levels are associated with greater depression or poorer function in a geriatric rehabilitation unit. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Geriatric rehabilitation unit. Measurements: Low testosterone levels were defined as total testosterone of 3.0 ng/mL or less or free testosterone of 9.0 pg/mL or less. Age, ethnicity, weight, depression, ambulation, length of rehabilitation, and 6-month rehospitalization and mortality rates were obtained. Overall illness severity was determined using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics. Results: Low testosterone levels were present in 29 of 44 (65.9%) men. There were no significant differences between men with low and normal testosterone levels in ethnicity, age, weight, depression, and overall illness severity. Lower testosterone levels were correlated with decreased ability to ambulate and transfer (Spearman P>.34; P<.05). There were no significant differences between men with low and normal testosterone in length of stay on the rehabilitation unit (mean±standard deviation= 19.6±11.6 vs 17.7±17.5 days, P=.68) or rehospitalization rates (41.4% vs 26.7%; P=.34). Men with low testosterone had a trend toward increased 6-month mortality (31.0% vs 6.7%; χ2=3.3, P=.07) and shorter survival time (log rank=3.2; df 1, P=.07). After entering testosterone and variables with potential prognostic significance for mortality in a stepwise manner in a Cox regression analysis, there was a significant mortality risk associated with low testosterone (hazard ratio=27.9, 95% confidence interval=2.0–384.0; P=.01). Conclusion: Low testosterone levels were correlated with decreased physical function and increased risk for 6-month mortality. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes and better standardized testosterone measures are needed to confirm these findings.
A small GSM power amplifier module using Si-LDMOS driver MMIC

A small quad-band Si-MOS high power amplifier module with a package size of 8x8 mm/sup 2/ includes a driver MMIC in an LDMOS process and provides a built-in power control loop employing a current sense method. The IC achieves 53% power efficiency at 35dBm output power over the 824 to 915MHz GSM band using a 3.6V supply.
Comparison of Model-Scale and Full-scale Deceleration of a Fully Skirted Air Cushion Vehicle in Sideslip

This article provides experimental results and shows comparisons of 90° sideslip performance of a fully skirted air cushion vehicle using theoretical predictions, 1/12th model-scale data, and full-scale data. The goal is to establish a relation among the three data sets and draw conclusions for use in future predictions. First, this article presents results and analysis of tow tank data obtained in late 2008. Then, the Froude scaled data are used to obtain an empirical drag coefficient. A comparison is made between this approach and a theoretical prediction proposed in previous work. An iterative, one-dimensional deceleration algorithm is then constructed using the coefficients to predict the deceleration of a full-scale craft having similar skirt characteristics. The predictions are performed for three craft weights and the resulting deceleration rates as a function of Froude number are presented. Data obtained from full-scale testing are then compared with the results of both the model-based algorithm and the theoretical prediction. In general, the model-based simulation overpredicts the deceleration rate for a full-scale craft, whereas the theoretical prediction is more accurate. The model simulation is recomputed using a developed correction factor and is plotted against the theoretical and full-scale deceleration, revealing favorable results. Lastly, a review of the technique is described and recommendations for improvements and following work are provided.
Journeys to the Other Shore: Muslim and Western Travelers in Search of Knowledge

Journeys to the Other Shore: Muslim and Western Travelers in Search of Knowledge. By Roxanne L. Euben. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. 330p. $29.95. Travel narratives, as Mikhail Bakhtin once noted, have a dialogic quality. Putting the unfamiliar into conversation with the familiar, they have the capacity to deepen our understanding of each. Travelers themselves have a third voice in this exchange, at times standing in each culture but never becoming located completely in either. At their best, then, travel narratives reflect multiple positions, connect multiple traditions, and speak to multiple audiences. They transgress the boundaries that most people take as given or fixed, and in the resulting blur of borders, they open new conceptual and imaginative spaces.
Homography-based coordinate relationships for unmanned air vehicle regulation

The Euclidean position and orientation (i.e., pose) of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) is typically required for autonomous navigation and control. In this paper, a collaborative visual servo controller is developed with the objective to regulate an UAV to a desired pose utilizing the feedback from a moving airborne monocular camera system. In contrast to typical camera configurations used for visual servo control problems, the control objective in this paper is developed using a moving on-board camera viewing a moving target. Multiview photogrammetric methods are used to develop relationships between different camera frames and UAV coordinate systems.
Computational identification of the normal and perturbed genetic networks involved in myeloid differentiation and acute promyelocytic leukemia

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a group of diseases characterized by the abnormal development of malignant myeloid cells. Recent studies have demonstrated an important role for aberrant transcriptional regulation in AML pathophysiology. Although several transcription factors (TFs) involved in myeloid development and leukemia have been studied extensively and independently, how these TFs coordinate with others and how their dysregulation perturbs the genetic circuitry underlying myeloid differentiation is not yet known. We propose an integrated approach for mammalian genetic network construction by combining the analysis of gene expression profiling data and the identification of TF binding sites.
Psoriatic Arthritis: An Update

Psoriatic arthritis is a debilitating condition, which affects approximately one-quarter of psoriasis patients. Recent findings have furthered our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of PsA. There have been major advances in the identification of genes associated with joint involvement but not with cutaneous disease alone. The elucidation of key immunologic pathways has allowed the development of novel targeted therapies that are in the research pipeline. Currently, good screening tests and biomarkers to diagnose early PsA and to guide therapy are limited. In this paper, we present recent findings with regard to the immunopathogenesis and genetics of PsA, biomarkers, and screening tools and review the targeted therapies currently in clinical trials.
Effect of the progesterone-induced serpin-like proteins of the sheep endometrium on natural-killer cell activity in sheep and mice.

Natural killer (NK)-like cells have been implicated as an important component of the endometrial ymphoid cell population and have been suggested to play roles in resistance to viral infection, in abortion, and in fetal growth. Inhibition of endometrial NK cell activity may be an important aspect of successful pregnancy because of the potential for actions directed against the conceptus. The aim of the study reported here was to test the hypothesis that the uterine milk proteins (UTM-proteins) inhibit activity of NK cells. Physiological concentrations of enriched preparations of UTM-proteins, which are a pair of related proteins that represent the major lymphocyte-inhibitory molecules in uterine fluid of pregnant and progesterone-treated ewes, were found to inhibit cytotoxic activity of cultured sheep and mouse NK cells. Furthermore, injection of the proteins into mice reduced activity of basal and poly(l)-poly(C)-induced NK activity in spleen and prevented a slight increase in fetal loss caused by injection of poly(l)-poly(C). These results further implicate the UTM-proteins as important regulators of uterine immune function.
Toward legal argument instruction with graph grammars and collaborative filtering techniques

This paper presents an approach for intelligent tutoring in the field of legal argumentation. In this approach, students study transcripts of US Supreme Court oral argument and create a graphical representation of argument flow as tests offered by attorneys being challenged by hypotheticals posed by Justices. The proposed system, which is based on the collaborative modeling framework Cool Modes, is capable of detecting three types of weaknesses in arguments; when it does, it presents the student with a self explanation prompt. This kind of feedback seems more appropriate than the “strong connective feedback” typically offered by model-tracing or constraint-based tutors. Structural and context weaknesses in arguments are handled by graph grammars, and the critical problem of detecting and dealing with content weaknesses in student contributions is addressed through a collaborative filtering approach, thereby avoiding the critical problem of natural language processing in legal argumentation. An early version of the system was pilot tested with two students.
A Role for Neural Integrators in Perceptual Decision Making

Decisions based on uncertain information may benefit from an accumulation of information over time. We asked whether such an accumulation process may underlie decisions about the direction of motion in a random dot kinetogram. To address this question we developed a computational model of the decision process using ensembles of neurons whose spiking activity mimics neurons recorded in the extrastriate visual cortex (area MT or V5) and a sensorimotor association area of the parietal lobe (area LIP). The model instantiates the hypothesis that neurons in sensorimotor association areas compute the time integral of sensory signals from the visual cortex, construed as evidence for or against a proposition, and that the decision is made when the integrated evidence reaches a threshold. The model explains a variety of behavioral and physiological measurements obtained from monkeys.
Explaining Calcium-Dependent Gating of Anoctamin-1 Chloride Channels Requires a Revised Topology

Rationale: Ca 2+ -activated Cl channels play pivotal roles in the cardiovascular system. They regulate vascular smooth muscle tone and participate in cardiac action potential repolarization in some species. Ca 2+ -activated Cl channels were recently discovered to be encoded by members of the anoctamin (Ano, also called Tmem16) superfamily, but the mechanisms of Ano1 gating by Ca 2+ remain enigmatic. Objective: The objective was to identify regions of Ano1 involved in channel gating by Ca 2+ . Methods and Results: The Ca 2+ sensitivity of Ano1 was estimated from rates of current activation, and deactivation in excised patches rapidly switched between zero and high Ca 2+ on the cytoplasmic side. Mutation of glutamates E702 and E705 dramatically altered Ca 2+ sensitivity. E702 and E705 are predicted to be in an extracellular loop, but antigenic epitopes introduced into this loop are not accessible to extracellular antibodies, suggesting this loop is intracellular. Cytoplasmically applied membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagents alter the Ca 2+ sensitivity of Ano1 E702C and E705C as expected if E702 and E705 are intracellular. Substituted cysteine accessibility mutagenesis of the putative re-entrant loop suggests that E702 and E705 are located adjacent to the Cl conduction pathway. Conclusions: We propose an alternative model of Ano1 topology based on mutagenesis, epitope accessibility, and cysteine-scanning accessibility. These data contradict the popular re-entrant loop model by showing that the putative fourth extracellular loop (ECL 4) is intracellular and may contain a Ca 2+ binding site. These studies provide new perspectives on regulation of Ano1 by Ca 2+ .
Byte Is Mightier Than The Sword: Egypt Revolution Of 2011

The concept of online activism is as old as human history. The current “online” technology has simply evolved from the more traditional media known to human experience. It has transcended into an instant, digitized and easily accessible form. Historical facts indicate that the very first planned community action took place in the mid-12 th century BC by the Egyptian artisans who carved and painted in the royal tombs and demanded proper pay. On the third day, the royal architects from the court of Pharaoh Rameses, III caved in and gave the workers what they demanded. More than 3,000 years later, that strategy still works. Technology empowered the Arab people to communicate, organize, implement, broadcast, and propel the revolution in many ways never thought to be possible. This is an amazing story.
Functions and Development of Cell Receptors for IgE

It has been established that IgE is present on basophil granulocytes and mast cells and that the immunoglobulin combines with these cells through the Fc portion of the molecules (1,2). Earlier studies on the cell-bound IgE was carried out in human basophil system using E myeloma protein. The isolation of rat E myeloma protein by Bazin (3) made the rat mast cell system as useful as human basophils for the studies on the mechanisms of sensitization. An advantage of the rat system is that isolation of normal rat mast cells is much easier than purification of human basophils (4). Furthermore, a basophilic leukemia cell line became available for the studies of IgE-binding (5). In this Symposium, I would like to summarize available information on cell-bound IgE and receptors on basophils and mast cells, and present our recent findings on the development of rat mast cells and their receptors by a long-term culture of thymus cells.
Simultaneous Stabilization of Pitch and Yaw of a Gliding Robotic Fish Using Sliding Mode Control

Oceanic sustainability has been a growing global concern due to the increase of potential threats to the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. As a result, more attention has been paid to the monitoring of such environments, leading to the need for autonomous aquatic robots that are capable of monitoring them in an efficient and accurate manner. A gliding robotic fish is a type of underwater robot that stems from combining the energy-efficient underwater glider with the highly maneuverable robotic fish. For accurate trajectory control and precise sensor measurement, stabilization of both pitch and yaw during gliding is of great importance. In this paper we propose a multi-input-multi-output sliding mode controller for simultaneous stabilization of pitch and yaw. In this design, the outputs of both actuators, tail angle and center of gravity, are determined by the errors in both pitch and yaw. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated via simulation with comparison to several alternative designs, including a pair of sliding mode controllers dealing with yaw and pitch separately, and a PI controller.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Novel design of non-enzymatic sensor for rapid monitoring of hydrogen peroxide in water matrix

Abstract A simple and reliable design of the non-enzymatic sensor capable of instant detection of broad range of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) concentrations in various water-based matrixes has been presented. Manufacturing of the sensor was based on the manganese dioxide (MnO 2 )-non-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) - Nafion nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (MnO 2 /SWCNTs-Nf/GCE). The electrochemical behavior of hydrogen peroxide at this sensitive platform was verified by the cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The obtained results have demonstrated that the modified GCE exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide. The parameters related to this sensor, such as amount of MnO 2 , applied potential and pH value were optimized to attain a broad working linear range 5.0 × 10 − 6 to 3.0 × 10 − 3 M, with detection limit of 0.52 × 10 − 6 M (17.7 ppb) of detection H 2 O 2 . Developed electrode was tested for stability and accuracy measurements in environmental/biological conditions, such as pH and interference of common ions, namely calcium, magnesium, nickel, copper, bicarbonate and citrate, showing an excellent stability and repeatability in tested ranges.
Prior Day's Intake Has Macronutrient-Specific Delayed Negative Feedback Effects on the Spontaneous Food Intake of Free-Living Humans

A fundamental issue in understanding how energy balance is accomplished involves comprehending how changes in intake affect subsequent intake. This was investigated in free-living humans by reanalyzing the data previously collected from 733 adults who were paid to maintain a 7-d diary of everything they ate and when they ate it. Food energy intake during a day was found to only mildly affect intake on the subsequent day (mean r = -0.07, P < 0.001), but was more strongly negatively related to intake occurring on the second (mean r = -0.18, P < 0.001) and third day (mean r = -0.10, P < 0.001) afterward. Each macronutrient was shown to have a maximal negative relationship with subsequent intake of that same macronutrient, with 2-d lag mean autocorrelations equal to -0.11, P < 0.001 for carbohydrate, equal to -0.18, P < 0.001 for fat, and equal to -0.13, P < 0.001 for protein. These effects on daily intake were found to result from separate negative feedback effects on meal size and frequency. The results suggest that intake affects subsequent intake by persistently setting a long-term bias that, integrated over time, produces a net shift in intake.
Abstract 80: Central Rho Kinase Inhibition Lowers Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Restores Baroreflex Sensitivity and AT1R Protein Expression in Conscious Rabbits with Chronic Heart Failure

Rho-Associated protein kinase (RhoK) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in calcium sensitization and vascular smooth muscle cell contraction. RhoK overactivation is implicated in chronic heart failure (CHF) and a potential contributor to the heightened sympathetic nerve activity seen in CHF. Thus, we investigated the effect of central RhoK blockade on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in a pacing rabbit model of CHF. CHF was induced by rapid ventricular pacing and characterized by an ejection fraction of ∼45%. Renal nerve recording electrodes, an ICV cannula and osmotic minipump (rate: 1 μL/h) containing sterile saline or 1.5 mg/kg/mL fasudil (Fas, a RhoK inhibitor) were implanted. Arterial baroreflex control was determined by IV infusion of sodium nitroprusside (100μg/kg) until mean arterial pressure (MAP) was lowered to ∼40 mmHg and phenylephrine (80μg/kg) until MAP was raised to ∼100 mm Hg. Fas infusion significantly lowered resting heart rate and improved maximal HR/MAP baroreflex gain in CHF (Fas:2.20 ± 0.13 vs Veh:2.84 ± 0.12). Administration of metoprolol prior to performing baroreflex analysis restored HR to sham levels and increased slope in the Fas group, suggesting Fas improves vagal tone. Change in RSNA response to oropharyngeal smoke was increased in CHF Fas animals vs CHF Veh. Fas decreased AT1R and phospho-RhoA (a readout of RhoK activity) protein expression and increased eNOS expression in the RVLM of CHF animals. These data suggest that central RhoK activation may contribute to sympatho-excitation in the setting of CHF and that Fas restores vagal tone and decreases sympathetic outflow. *p
Differential salt deposition and excretion on leaves of Avicennia germinans mangroves

Abstract. We examined the control of salt excretion by leaves of the mangrove Avicennia germinans. Endogenously secreted salt on intact leaves was compared to exogenously deposited salt spray on excised leaves. Lower salt excretion was observed on seaward leaves with high salt deposition, and higher salt excretion was found on landward leaves with low salt deposition. Similar total salt loads accumulated on leaves located throughout the tree crown, suggesting that Avicennia germinans controls salt excretion at the foliar level by responding to variation in salt deposition. We propose that the salt excretion rate in leaves is a response to the gradient of salt between the xylem and leaf surface.
Electrical properties of MBE grown Si-doped Al x Ga 1−x N as a function of nominal Al mole fraction up to 0.5

Hall-effect measurements were conducted on Si-doped Al x Ga 1−x N films grown on sapphire substrate by gas source molecular beam epitaxy. The Al mole fraction in the 1 [.proportional]m thick Al x Ga 1−x N was 0.0, 0.3, and 0.5, and the Si doping concentration was kept at a nominal value of 10 18 cm −3 . Variable temperature Hall-effect measurements reveal a presence of a highly degenerate n-type region at the Al x Ga 1−x N /sapphire interface. This degenerate interfacial layer dominates the electrical properties below 30 K and significantly affects the properties of the Al x Ga 1−x N layer. Thus, by using a two-layer conducting model, the carrier concentration and mobility of the Al x Ga 1−x N layer alone are obtained.
Profile of Sustainability in Additive Manufacturing and Environmental Assessment of a Novel Stereolithography Process

Additive manufacturing has emerged as an arena that is receiving intense interest from numerous technology domains, traditional and non-traditional manufacturers. With this growing interest, concerns have arisen regarding the relative performance of these novel processes compared to conventional techniques from economic, environmental, and social perspectives. Sustainability-related benefits can be realized through additive manufacturing, and it is often promoted as a sustainable technology. For appropriate future development and application, however, it will be important to understand relative costs, environmental impacts, and human health effects of processes and materials. Prior research addressing sustainability and additive manufacturing is briefly reviewed. A life cycle assessment is then conducted to understand the environmental performance of a novel additive manufacturing process known as fast mask-image-projection based stereolithography (Fast MIP-SL). In Fast MIP-SL, projection light is patterned by a digital micromirror device as a mask image to selectively cure liquid photopolymer resin, and a two-way movement design is adopted to quickly recoat material. The cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment considers the impacts related to the curing of one resin type and the consumption of electricity in the production of parts of various geometries. Using the ReCiPe 2008 method (hierarchist weighting), it is found that damage to resource availability dominates ecosystems and human health damage types for each part assessed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
6(5H)-phenanthridinones. III. halo-6(5H)phenanthridinones†

Halogenation of 6(5H)-phenanthridinone or its 3,8-dihalo derivatives with N-bromo or N-chlorosuccinimide in dimethylformamide gives the corresponding 2-halophenanthridinones (I,V,XI-XIV). Further halogenation of 2-halo-6(5H)-phenanthridinone with the appropriate N-halosuccinimide, in the same medium, gives the corresponding 2,4-dihalo derivatives (II,VI). NXS/DMF is found to be a very convenient halogenating system in these preparations. 1,3,8-Trihalo-6(5H)-phenanthridinones (XIX,XX) are prepared from the 1-nitro derivatives which are obtained by a Schmidt rearrangement of 2,7-dihalo-4-nitro-9-oxofluorenes. Similarly, rearrangement and further reaction of 2-nitro-5-chloro-9-oxofluorene (XXI) leads to 3,10-dichloro-6(5H)-phenanthridinone (XXIV). UV absorptions as well as selected IR absorptions of these 6(5H)-phenanthridinones are described.
Role of aureomycin and citrovorum factor in "folic acid" deficiencies.

Summary1. “Folic acid” deficiencies induced by aminopterin and by sulfa drugs in rats have been compared. 2. Aureomycin can counteract the toxic effects of 50, 75 and 100 μg of aminopterin/100 g of diet. The antibiotic is equally effective whether fed in the diet or given intraperitoneally. 3. Aureomycin is without effect on growth in rats made “folic acid deficient” on a sulfa diet. 4. Citrovorum factor concentrates are able to completely overcome the deficiency produced on either type of diet.
Calculation of the muonic 3 He hyperfine structure

A calculation of the ground-state hyperfine splitting in muonic $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ is given. It is based on a perturbative approach that was applied to the analogous calculation in muonic $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. The result for the hyperfine splitting is $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}=4164.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.0$ MHz. A semiempirical value for this splitting, based on the measured splitting in muonic $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, is $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\nu}=4166.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4$ MHz.