cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The gonad-brain relationship: effects of female sex hormones on electroshock convulsions in the rat.

The effects of ovariectomy and ovarian hormones on brain excitability were investigated in rats by measuring: (a) minimal electroshock seizure threshold, and (b) maximal electroshock seizure pattern. Increased excitability or greater convulsive reactivity is indicated by a decreased threshold and by alterations in the duration of the tonic and clonic components of a maximal seizure, i.e., shortening of tonic flexion and/or lengthening of tonic extension. These procedures and treatments were studied: (a) ovariectomy, before and after puberty, with or without hormonal replacement therapy; (b) administration of estradiol and progesterone, alone or in combination, in intact, castrated or hypophysectomized male or female rats; and (c) administration of testosterone and methylandrostenediol to compare the central nervous effects of male and female sex steroids. Body and organ weights were measured and compared with the changes in convulsability. The main results were: (a) Ovariectomy. After sexual maturation in...
EFFECT OF GROWTH SUBSTANCES ON “APICAL DOMINANCE” IN SPHACELARIA FURCIGERA (PHAEOPHYTA)1

Gibberellic acid (GA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and kinetin (K) were tested individually and in combinations on the development of filaments of Sphacelaria furcigera Kutz. Unbranched tips from filaments with or without intact apical cells were grown in the presence or absence of growth substances to study their effects on an apical-dominance-like response previously observed in this genus. Removal of the apical cell resulted in lateral branches developing significantly closer to the tip than in uninjured controls. GA and K had no effect on location of lateral branches of uninjured filaments, but exerted some control as evidenced by increases in the distance from a punctured apical cell to the nearest lateral branch. NAA had no positive effects and was toxic in even moderate concentrations. The three growth substances in all combinations could not fully replace the apical cell in repressing branch development. GA and K presented simultaneously were no more effective than either presented alone.
Spatial and temporal variability in aggregated grain-size distributions, with implications for sediment dynamics

The grain-size distribution of bottom sediments has important implications for diverse aspects of sediment dynamics, including prediction of the critical boundary shear stress and calibration of suspended sediment sensors. Past sampling strategies to obtain estimates of the seabed grain-size distribution typically have not considered spatial and temporal variability, and have been insufficient to resolve potential millimeter-scale vertical variations in grain size. Moreover, laboratory analyses have been predicated on chemically and/or ultrasonically disaggregating the sediments before resolving particle diameter, therefore the more dynamically relevantin situ grain-size spectrum is not measured. To test for such effects, three sites on the northern California continental shelf comprising a cross-shelf transect from a sandy, inner-shelf (60 m) site, to a muddy, mid-shelf (90 m) site and a relict, outer-shelf (130 m) site were studied. Replicate box cores were collected over two winter field seasons, and multiple subcores from each box core were vertically sectioned at 2-mm intervals. Gentle wet sieving techniques were used to determine the mass fraction in the 300,um size classes. In addition, a lesser number of standard disaggregated grain-size analyses were performed using a Coulter Counter. Results from the sandy, inner-shelf site indicate the presence of an ephemeral fine-grained (<20 μm) surface layer (0–2 mm) that substantively alters the grain-size distribution “seen” by the flow. In addition, there is evidence for a progressive and substantial winnowing of fine-grained sediment from the surface layer over the course of a winter storm season. At the deeper sites, the upper 2 mm of the bed contained 5–20% more material <20 μm than deeper portions of the sediment column. At all three sites, the level of small- (10s of centimeters) and intermediate- (10s of meters) scale spatial variability is modest. In addition, the disaggregated grain-size distribution at the two muddy sites is, in all cases, markedly finer than the in situ grain-size distribution. Therefore, calibrations and predictions based on a knowledge of the size distribution of the primary (i.e. disaggregated) particles could be in serious error.
Regulation of Hippocampal and Behavioral Excitability by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in learning, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmission, and numerous neurological disorders. We previously showed that conditional loss of Cdk5 in adult mice enhanced hippocampal learning and plasticity via modulation of calpain-mediated N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) degradation. In the present study, we characterize the enhanced synaptic plasticity and examine the effects of long-term Cdk5 loss on hippocampal excitability in adult mice. Field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) from the Schaffer collateral CA1 subregion of the hippocampus (SC/CA1) reveal that loss of Cdk5 altered theta burst topography and enhanced post-tetanic potentiation. Since Cdk5 governs NMDAR NR2B subunit levels, we investigated the effects of long-term Cdk5 knockout on hippocampal neuronal excitability by measuring NMDAR-mediated fEPSP magnitudes and population-spike thresholds. Long-term loss of Cdk5 led to increased Mg2+-sensitive potentials and a lower threshold for epileptiform activity and seizures. Biochemical analyses were performed to better understand the role of Cdk5 in seizures. Induced-seizures in wild-type animals led to elevated amounts of p25, the Cdk5-activating cofactor. Long-term, but not acute, loss of Cdk5 led to decreased p25 levels, suggesting that Cdk5/p25 may be activated as a homeostatic mechanism to attenuate epileptiform activity. These findings indicate that Cdk5 regulates synaptic plasticity, controls neuronal and behavioral stimulus-induced excitability and may be a novel pharmacological target for cognitive and anticonvulsant therapies.
Correlation of Patient Perception of Pad Use with Objective Degree of Incontinence Measured by Pad Test in Men with Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence: The SUFU Pad Test Study

Purpose: Many investigators have used the number of pads to determine the severity of post-prostatectomy incontinence and yet the accuracy of this tool remains unproven. We determined whether the patient perception of pad use and urine loss reflects actual urine loss. We also identified a quality of life measure that distinguishes patients by severity of incontinence.Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 235 men from a total of 18 sites 6 months or more after radical prostatectomy who had incontinence requiring protection. Patients completed a questionnaire on the perception of pad number, size and wetness, a quality of life question, several standardized incontinence questionnaires and a 24-hour pad test that assessed pad number, size and weight. SPSS® was used for statistical analysis.Results: Perception of the number of pads used closely agreed with the number of pads collected during a 24-hour pad test. Perceived and actual pad size had excellent concordance (76%, p <0.001). Patients with w...
Resonance absorption for heavy moderators in homogeneous media

Abstract Resonance absorption is investigated in homogeneous media with heavy moderators. An intermediate resonance approximation is developed in which intermediate parameters are introduced for both the absorber and the moderator scattering, and a method for calculating these intermediate parameters is developed. Monte Carlo calculations of resonance capture are done for some 238 U resonances and for a set of moderator masses. The second-order methods of Chernick and Vernon and of Spinney, the intermediate resonance method of Forti and the intermediate resonance approximation developed in this paper are compared against Monte Carlo calculations. It is found that the intermediate resonance method developed in this paper compares best with the Monte Carlo results. Doppler coefficients calculated by the intermediate resonance approximation method of this paper are generally in agreement with the Monte Carlo calculations. An equivalence among homogeneous systems is established which states that homogeneous media with moderators of different mass but having the same effective moderator scattering cross section per absorber atom have the same resonance absorption for an individual resonance.
Nanosurface enhanced Raman scattering fluctuation dynamics

Here, we report our results on excitation intensity and nanoscale Ag cluster dependent spectral fluctuation dynamics of surface enhanced Raman scattering. We have studied single-Ag-cluster surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensity fluctuations under low molecule surface coverage of rhodamine 6G (R6G) and cytochrome c. By applying both experimental and theoretical approaches, we observed that spectral fluctuation phenomena are associated with SERS not only from single-molecule loaded nanoclusters but also from submonolayer molecule loaded nanoclusters. The nanoscale confinement of the local electric field enhancement under the laser excitation defines the SERS fluctuation. A new AFM-coupled two-channel photon time-stamping system, enabling in situ correlation of the topographic and spectroscopic information for single nanoparticle clusters, was used to record Raman intensity fluctuation trajectories at sub-μs resolution. Experimentally, we found that SERS fluctuation dynamics are highly inhomogeneous amongst nanocluster interstitial sites. Although the fluctuation above ~50 W/cm2 excitation is dominated by photoinduced processes, spontaneous fluctuation can be observed at lower excitation intensity. Although a single Raman-active molecule confined within the volume of an electric field excitation gives a significant Raman spectral fluctuation, observation of the fluctuation alone may not be sufficient in identifying a single-molecule origin of a Raman spectrum. The Raman signal comes predominately from the localized electric field enhancement at interstitial sites, occuring in a very small volume at nanoscale (capable of holding only one or a few molecules), as estimated from finite-element methods simulations of an electric field enhancement using a classical electrodynamics approach. Such a small number of molecules, which are presumably under discrete diffusion and exposed to interactions with a locally strong electric field, results in the observed Raman fluctuation. The fluctuation autocorrelation amplitude is proportional to the reverse number of molecules confined at the volume of the electric field enhancement.
Solvent Extraction of Eu, Th, U, Np and Am with N, N′-Dimethyl-N, N′-dihexyl-3-oxapentanediamide and Its Analogous Compounds

The diamide type extractants (N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-dihexyl-3-oxapentanediamide, DMDHOPDA, N, N′-dihexyl-3-thiopentanediamide, DHTPDA, and N, N′-dihexyl-3-oxapentanediamide, DHOPDA) were synthesized and tested for the extraction of the lanthanide and actinide elements. The elements, Eu3+, Am3+, Th4+, NpO2+ and UO22+, when extracted by DMDHOPDA, showed no pH-dependence. The relationships between log[DMDHOPDA] and log D under different ionic strengths were investigated in order to clarify the extraction reactions. The separation factor for Eu3+/Am3+ is 8.64.
‘Optimal’ model selection when the true relationship is weak and occurs with a delay

Abstract A Monte Carlo comparison of five model selection criteria indicates that when the true relationship is weak and delayed, Theil's (1961) criterion or the selection of the most significant lag structure is most likely to result in the correct inference.
Routers with a single stage of buffering

Most high performance routers today use combined input and output queueing (CIOQ). The CIOQ router is also frequently used as an abstract model for routers: at one extreme is input queueing, at the other extreme is output queueing, and in-between there is a continuum of performance as the speedup is increased from 1 to N (where N is the number of linecards). The model includes architectures in which a switch fabric is sandwiched between two stages of buffering. There is a rich and growing theory for CIOQ routers, including algorithms, throughput results and conditions under which delays can be guaranteed. But there is a broad class of architectures that are not captured by the CIOQ model, including routers with centralized shared memory, and load-balanced routers. In this paper we propose an abstract model called Single-Buffered (SB) routers that includes these architectures. We describe a method called Constraint Sets to analyze a number of SB router architectures. The model helped identify previously unstudied architectures, in particular the Distributed Shared Memory router. Although commercially deployed, its performance is not widely known. We find conditions under which it can emulate an ideal shared memory router, and believe it to be a promising architecture. Questions remain about its complexity, but we find that the memory bandwidth, and potentially the power consumption of the router is lower than for a CIOQ router.
Biomarkers of ovarian reserve as predictors of reproductive potential

The size of the oocyte pool, the ovarian reserve, can determine a woman's reproductive stage. Chronologic age, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, early follicular phase follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and early follicular phase inhibin B levels are correlated with ovarian reserve. Therefore, these biomarkers of ovarian reserve should serve as predictors of reproductive potential. Clinical and epidemiologic studies suggest that historical and laboratory biomarkers of ovarian reserve are associated with natural and treatment-related fertility. However, controversy remains as to their ability to predict reproductive potential. For infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment, these biomarkers tend to be highly specific but not sensitive for cycle failure (nonpregnancy). While these biomarkers are being used as "fertility tests" in the general population, their value as predictors of unassisted fertility is still uncertain. Among laboratory biomarkers, AMH appears to have the most promise; however, further studies are needed to refine cutoff values and to determine test characteristics in the prediction of natural fertility or infertility in the general population.
Output factors for irregularly shaped electron fields

It is necessary to know the output factors (dose per monitor unit at depth of maximum) for irregularly shaped electron beam fields to accurately deliver the prescribed dose to the target. Measuring the output factors for individually shaped electron beam fields for each patient is inconvenient. Using the measured output factors for two square fields, one can obtain the output factor for an irregular shaped electron portal with area intermediate between the areas of the two square fields, by obtaining the equivalent square area (as with photons) of the irregularly shaped field, and then interpolating between the output factors of the two square field areas to obtain the output factor for the irregularly shaped field. This empirical method offers a simple, practical solution. The accuracy of the method is about 1% to 2%, depending on the shape and size of the irregularly shaped electron field.
A new type of hydrous titanium oxide adsorbent

Abstract A hydrous titanium oxide gel containing a surfactant is prepared. The surfactant distorts the structure of the crystalline fraction and is also incorporated in the amorphous fraction of the gel. The adsorption of copper increases with increasing surfactant concentration, attains a maximum, and then decreases.
Mobile Communication and Civic Life: Linking Patterns of Use to Civic and Political Engagement

This study employed the uses and gratifications approach to investigate how patterns of mobilephoneusearelinkedtocivicandpoliticalinvolvement.Findingsrevealthatuseofthe technology for information exchange and recreation are positive predictors of participation in civic life, however associations are moderated by mobile communication competence. Notably, individuals who report higher levels of comfort with mobile telephony and use it for information exchange tend to be more civically and politically engaged than those who report less comfort with the technology. These findings shed new light on the positive role of mobile communication in civil society, while highlighting competence as an emergent dimension of the so-called ‘‘second-level’’ digital divide, which has traditionally focused on computer skills.
Sampling and processing of color signals

Digital signal processing tools are used to determine the proper sampling of color spectra and the effect of sampling on the accuracy of derived properties such as CIE tristimulus values and color rendering indexes. It is found that 10 nm sampling is adequate for most applications, but not for more exacting textile and paint matching applications. Special methods are proposed to treat the cases of color signals with delta function components such as fluorescent lights.
Effect of voltage scaling on soft error protection methods for SRAMs

As voltage and process technology scales the critical charge, Qcrit, rapidly decreases for SRAM cells. The SEU protection methods that are currently used to increase the level of protection of the SRAM cells do not factor in performance and power consumption optimization. In this paper, we analyze the tradeoffs of voltage scaling between performance, power and SEU reliability for standard hardened cell, an alternative power efficient SRAMT cell for 32nm and 45nm, and a capacitive-based cell for 130nm process technologies. We also introduce a design space exploration and comparison technique with the goal to produce an optimized SRAM design using various SEU protection methods based on a set of specifications (performance, power consumption, SEU reliability, process technology, supply voltage) for a specific design.
Complex Dependencies in the Alliance Network

>> The multifaceted and strategic interactions inherent in the formation of international military pacts render the alliance decisions of states highly interdependent. Our aim here is to model the network of alliances in such a way as to capture the effects of covariates and account for the complex dependencies inherent in the network. Regression analysis, due to its foundational assumption of conditional independence, cannot be used to analyze alliance decisions specifically and interdependent decisions generally. We demonstrate how alliance decisions are interdependent and define the problems associated with the regression analysis of nonindependent dyads. We then show that alliances can naturally be conceived of as constituting a network, where alliance formation is an inherently interdependent process. We proceed by introducing the exponential random graph model for analyzing interdependence in the alliance network and estimating the effect of covariates on alliances.
Self-intersecting geodesics and entropy of the geodesic flow

Given a symmetric Finsler metric on $$ \mathbb{T}^2 $$ whose geodesic flow has zero topological entropy, we show that the lift in the universal covering ℝ2 → $$ \mathbb{T}^2 $$ of any closed geodesic on $$ \mathbb{T}^2 $$ must be an embedded curve in ℝ2.
Test-retest reliability of the eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) in a college sample

The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), a widely used self-report instrument, is often used for measuring change in eating disorder symptoms over the course of treatment. However, limited data exist about test-retest reliability, particularly for men. The current study evaluated EDE-Q 7-day test-retest reliability in male (n = 47) and female (n = 44) undergraduate students together and separately by gender. Internal consistency was consistently higher for women and at Time 2, but remained acceptable for both men and women at both time points. Cronbach’s α ranged from .75 (Restraint at Time 1) to .93 (Shape Concern at Time 2) for women and from .73 (Eating Concern at Time 2) to .89 (Shape Concern at Time 2) for men. With the exception of some of the eating disorder behaviors, test re-test reliability was fairly strong for both men and women. Shape Concern and the global EDE-Q score were highest for both men and women (Spearman’s rho > 0.89 with the exception of Shape Concern for women for which Spearman’s rho = .86). Test re-test reliability was lower for the eating disorder behavior measures, particularly for men, for whom Kendall’s tau-b for frequency and phi for occurrence was less than 0.70 for all but objective bulimic episodes. Results were consistent with past research for women, indicating strong test re-test reliability in attitudinal features of eating disorders, but lower test re-test reliability in behavioral features. Internal consistency and test re-test reliability was good for the attitudinal features of eating disorder in men, but tended to be lower for men compared to women. The EDE-Q appears to be a reliable instrument for assessing eating disorder attitudes in both male and female undergraduate students, but is less reliable for assessing ED behaviors, particularly in men.
Intracellular immunity to HIV-1: newly defined retroviral battles inside infected cells

Studies of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continue to enrich eukaryotic biology and immunology. Recent advances have defined factors that function after viral entry and prevent the replication of proviruses in the infected cell. Some of these attack directly viral structures whereas others edit viral genetic material during reverse transcription. Together, they provide strong and immediate intracellular immunity against incoming pathogens. These processes also offer a tantalizing glimpse at basic cellular mechanisms that might restrict the movement of mobile genetic elements and protect the genome.
Development and application of a power system simulation environment

This paper describes a user-friendly power simulation package for teaching power system operations and control. This Microsoft Windows(R) based program simulates power system operation over a specified time period (of typically several hours to a day). Students dynamically interact with the simulated system through various windows, including a one-line display. The use of data files and option windows allows the program to simulate a wide variety of different power systems and operating problems.
Quality control for computers in blood banks

Abstract This is a report on the current quality control applications that may be applied to computer systems used in blood bank operations. The concepts and principals described have been used in the design of complete regional blood center computer operations but can also be applied to single use applications. The computer offers the opportunity to increase not only the quantity of work performed but it can also improve the accuracy. Before computers or software are used in the blood bank setting, however, there must be sufficient documentation of the design, testing, and validation to ensure that it is functioning according to specification. This report will describe some of the planning and methods used to accomplish this goal.
Relationship Between Serum Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase Activity, Catecholamine Metabolism, and Hemodynamic Changes During Paroxysmal Hypertension in Quadriplegia

During the chronic phase of spinal cord injury, serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity, arterial blood pressure, and blood flow in the fourth finger, the ballux, and the calf were measured in nine quadriplegic subjects before, during, and after expansion of the urinary bladder. In addition, in five chronic quadriplegic subjects, serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity, urinary catecholamine metabolites, and arterial blood pressure were measured before and during spontaneous hypertensive episodes. There was a significant correlation between the different stages of hypertension, the serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity, and the concentration of urinary catecholamine metabolites. The highest levels were found at the height of intracystic pressure when the arterial blood pressure was at its maximum but the pulse rate had dropped to its lowest level. At the same time the blood flow in the upper and lower extremities and the calf musculature was below detection limits, and peripheral vascular resistance was markedly enhanced. Serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase and arterial blood pressure levels correlated directly with urinary concentrations of normetanephrine but not with those of metanephrine. The data provide evidence for an in vivo simultaneous, proportional release of dopamine-β-hydroxylase and norepinephrine, suggesting release by exocytosis. The data further show that dopamine can also be released together with norepinephrine and dopamine-β-hydroxylase as evidenced by increased urinary concentrations of its major catabolite, homovanillic acid, during hypertensive stress. The hypertensive response in quadriplegic subjects during routine test of bladder function renders these subjects ideal models for self-controlled studies of neurogenic hypertension and its biochemical parameters. The results indicate that hypertension in quadriplegia, whether spontaneous or induced, is caused by increased release of norepinephrine and that the half-life of dopamine-β-hydroxylase released during stress is shorter than that previously reported.
Isolation of polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for the brown anole ( Anolis sagrei )

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed for the brown anole, Anolis sagrei . The number of alleles range from five to 14 per locus with the observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.46 to 0.92. These markers will be useful for analysis of questions concerning population genetic structure and reproductive behaviour.
A Rare Case of Duplicated Placenta and Bifurcated Umbilical Cord in a Singleton Pregnancy

A true double placenta is a rare event, and a bifurcated umbilical cord is a virtually unreported phenomenon in a singleton pregnancy. This case report describes a singleton pregnancy diagnosed prenatally with both entities.
Toward the Minjiu Incident Militarist Conflict in Guizhou, 1911-1921

This article analyzes the struggle that occurred from 1911 to 1921 between two militarists in Guizhou province, Liu Xianshi and his nephew Wang Wenhua, to shed light on the diversity of China's warlords and the complexity of their relationships. Although members of the same family, Liu and Wang represented two different generations of militarists, one from the 1911 era and one from the May Fourth era; as a result they became embroiled in a power struggle and a violent coup known as the Minjiu (1920) Incident. The article also examines the various methods and tactics that Guizhou militarists employed in their power struggle, paying particular attention to militarist attempts to control the student movement to serve their own needs. An understanding of these various methods of struggle enhances our insight into the varied nature of warlordism and militarist competition in China during the early twentieth century.
Parallel anxiolytic-like effects and upregulation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors following chronic nicotine and varenicline.

Introduction: Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) maybe involved in the etiology of withdrawal symptoms. Methods: We evaluated heteromeric nAChR regulation via [ 3 H]epibatidine binding following cessation of chronic nicotine or varenicline treatment. Animals were concurrently tested in the marble-burying test to evaluate treatment-related effects. Results: We found that both nicotine (18 mg/kg/day, free base) and varenicline (1.8 mg/kg/day) chronically administered for 14 days upregulated nAChRs significantly in the cortex, hip pocampus, striatum, and thalamus. The duration of upregulation (up to 72 hr) was both drug and region specific. In addition to nAChR upregulation, chronic administration of both nicotine and varenicline had anxiolytic-like effects in the marbleburying test. This effect was maintained for 48 hr following cessation of varenicline but was absent 24 hr following cessation from nicotine. Additionally, marble-burying behavior positively correlated to the regulation of cortical nAChRs following cessation of either treatment. Conclusions: Varenicline has been shown to be an efficacious smoking cessation aid, with a proposed mechanism of action that includes modulation of dopamine release in reward areas of the brain. Our studies show that varenicline elicits both anxiolytic effects in the marble-burying test as well as region- and time-specific receptor up regulation. These findings suggest receptor upregulation as a mechanism for its efficacy as a smoking cessation therapy.
Information Technology and the Structuring of Organizations

Recent work in social theory departs from prior traditions in proposing that social phenomena can be understood as comprising both subjective and objective elements. We apply this premise of duality to understanding the relationship between information technology and organizations. We construct a theoretical framework in which the development and deployment of information technology in organizations is a social phenomenon, and in which the organizational consequences of technology are products of both material and social dimensions. The framework is based on Giddens' theory of structuration, and it allows us to progress beyond several of the false dichotomies subjective vs objective, socially constructed vs material, macro vs micro, and qualitative vs quantitative that persist in investigations of the interaction between organizations and information technology. The framework can be used to guide studies in two main areas of information systems research-systems development and the organizational consequences of using information technology.
Technological progress of a ferrofluid deformable mirror with tunable nominal optical power for high-contrast imaging

The success of a space-borne direct-imaging mission pursuing earth-sized exoplanets in the habitable zone hinges on the ability to achieve high contrast over a maximum field of view. Coronagraphic instruments designed to address this challenge suffer from optical aberrations and rely on focal-plane wavefront control to suppress the resulting speckles and widen the search area. Even small-featured quasi-static speckles--which may obscure or be confused with a planet--must be suppressed to the order of 10 -10 over the search region, placing extreme demands on the deformable mirrors (DMs) used to implement the closed-loop control, both in wavefront requirements and actuation resolution. The ideal DM for focal-plane wavefront control has high surface quality and is capable of high-precision, low-stroke actuation. Conventional mirror technologies such as MEMS DMs, with heritage in ground-based adaptive optics instruments that correct for dynamic atmosphere-induced aberrations, are nominally at and provide high-stroke, high-resolution control but at a cost of precision and surface quality. We present a new technology currently under development at Princeton, which features a ferrofluid-supported optical surface with local magnetic actuation. The actuation is transferred to the optical surface through a liquid medium which continuously supports it, decoupling the nominal surface profile from the actuator configuration and eliminating quilting. Additionally, the device carries tunable nominal optical power via regulation of the ferrofluid pressure, permitting a degree of high-fidelity low-order wavefront control impossible with current instrumentation. We report on the continuing technological growth of the prototype device, including progress with actuation, metrology, and modeling of the DM response.
Introduction: Religion and Equality Law

This short piece introduces an edited volume, Religion and Equality Law. It provides a typology of equality claims surrounding religion, arguing that these different sorts of claims have often been confused or conflated. It also contends that distinctions between notions of equality as to religion develop in response to contingent conflicts in particular contexts. Although the Introduction focuses on examples from the United States, the volume as a whole adopts an international perspective.
An analysis of Jordan's 2013 policy regarding Iraqi refugees

The Iraqi refugee population in Jordan has become a sustained humanitarian emergency, and Jordan must take new action to respond. The inability of Jordan to address the needs of Iraqi refugees causes not only the suffering of those refugees, but also that of the larger native populations, as needy Iraqis depend upon Jordan's already strained resources. In addition, non-governmental organizations cannot keep up with Iraqi refugee needs due to funding restrictions. Moreover, the UNHCR and other aid agencies may not be suited to performing the task of addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis as a majority of this response relates to humanitarian aid, not addressing the political roots of the problem. There are also fundamental statistical issues relating to Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Numerical discrepancies and political connections make it difficult to determine whether the currently purported number of 450,000 Iraqi refugees in Jordan is accurate. The clear benefits Jordan receives from aid might give rise to su...
A multifactorial approach to gerundial and to-infinitival verb-complementation patterns in native and non-native English

This multifactorial corpus-based study focuses on verb-complementation constructions (Marcus started to draw a picture vs. Marcus started drawing a picture) and contrasts 3,119 occurrences of gerundial and to-infinitival constructions across native and non-native (ESL) English varieties. Using logistic regression modeling, I analyze how grammatical contexts constrain the syntactic choices of American and Hong Kong English speakers. The regression model reveals a level of complexity in the uses of gerundial/to-infinitival complements that had so far remained unnoticed. Specifically, speakers make syntactic decisions based on comprehensive grammatical contexts rather than single isolated semantic parameters (as previously reported). Further, for the two types of speakers different grammatical features play an influential role in the association of a given predicate with a particular complement type. This suggests that the two speaker populations do not share the same abstract knowledge of the semantic and morpho-syntactic constraints associated with each of the investigated type of complementation. Ultimately, this study shows that combining cognitively oriented theoretical frameworks with rigorous empirical corpus approaches helps distinguish what motivates native and ESL speakers’ syntactic choices.
Crystallographic and magnetic properties of Pb2−xBixIr2O7−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2)

The title series of compounds have been synthesized by solid state reaction and characterized by x-ray diffraction (PXD), neutron powder diffraction (PND), second harmonic generation (SHG), x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and magnetization measurements. The crystal structures have been refined from PND data in the centrosymmetric space group with pyrochlore structure. No sign of a break of the centrosymmetry has been observed by SHG and no change of the structure to a polar space group in any component of the series, as it was previously reported for Pb2Ir2O7−δ with non-centrosymmetric space group. We have determined by PND that the oxidation state of Ir is slightly decreasing from 5+-to-4+ in the Pb-rich to almost 4+ in the Bi-rich samples. This evolution is confirmed by XAS and also it explains the progression of the crystallographic parameters. All the samples are paramagnetic in the temperature range measured and the magnitude of the effective magnetic moment is enhanced with Bi content, correlated with the enhancement of Ir4+ compared to Ir5+; suggesting Ir5+ to be present in a trigonal antiprism crystal field splitting and therefore Ir4+ as the only magnetic cation.
The Imaginative Work of Tim Hengst

This JBC Showcase features the creative and imaginative work of Timothy Hengst, who was the recipient of the Association of Medical Illustrators’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. This Award is the highest honor awarded by the Association of Medical Illustrators to an individual who has dedicated his or her professional life as a medical illustrator. The JBC is proud to present these medical illustrations that represent Mr. Hengst's life's work.
Structural phase transitions in Si under hydrostatic and uniaxial compression

Phase transitions induced by hydrostatic and uniaxial compression of Si are examined using a density functional--based metadynamics method. A metastable Cmcm structure is predicted to form under hydrostatic compression at 300 K in the pressure range near 20 GPa. Enthalpy calculations indicate that this new phase of Si is energetically competitive with the other Si structures found in this pressure range. This phase is shown to be dynamically stable, with a structure closely related to that of the \ensuremath{\beta}-Sn and Imma structures previously identified in experiments. Uniaxial compression at 15 GPa and 300 K obtained simple hexagonal Imma and \ensuremath{\beta}-Sn structures. The low energy barrier for the formation of the Cmcm structure from the diamond ambient pressure form suggests that this structure may be seen in experiment with the proper experimental conditions.
Experimental evaluation of miniature plate DMAs (mini-plate DMAs) for future ultrafine particle (UFP) sensor network

ABSTRACTTwo iPhone-sized differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) in the parallel-plate configuration (i.e., mini-plate DMAs) were designed and their performance was calibrated in this study in order to gain the instructive knowledge for the future mini-plate DMA design and to have a well-calibrated mini-plate DMA for the ultrafine particle (UFP) sensor network. The performance of mini-plate DMAs was calibrated using the tandem DMA (TDMA) technique. The experimental transfer functions of prototypes at different particle sizes and under various combinational conditions of aerosol and sheath flow rates were derived from the TDMA data. It is concluded that mini-plate DMAs performed reasonably well for UFP sizing. It was also found that the sizing resolution of mini-plate DMAs is closer to the aerosol-to-sheath flow rate ratio when the percentage of aerosol slit opening in length was increased (relative to the width of aerosol classification zone). A new concept of “effective sheath flow rate” was introduced to...
Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Fresh Cream by GPC Sample Clean-up and GC-ECD

The analysis of pesticides in food and environmental samples is an important part of monitoring the condition of the environment.Gel permeation chromatography(GPC)is a convenient technique to separate small molecules from high molecular weight organic matrices.In this application,eight organochlorine pesticides residues in fresh cream are cleaned up by a GPC system using Agilent EcoSpheres material and then determined by GC-ECD.DB-35ms Ultra Inert capillary GC column and Ultra Inert inlet liner are employed and provide excellent peak shape for this trace-level pesticides analysis.The linearity ranges from 0.9981to 0.9996over the concentration of 10~800ng/mL.RSD were 1.83%to 7.92%.Method recovery and LOD are92.4%~117.0%and 0.65~2.33μg/kg,respectively.
Correlation of the Cell Surface Antigens with Stage and Grade in Cancer of the Bladder

Abstract We examined 76 bladder tumors of various stages and grades for the presence of the ABO (H) cell surface antigen, using the specific red cell adherence technique. Of the grade I lesions studied 70 per cent were positive for the cell surface antigen and none of the 26 grade III tumors retained the antigens. When correlated with clinical stage the tumors showed no antigens for those of stages Bl to D, while 12 of 16 stage A lesions were positive for the antigen. When stage A lesions were studied and the findings were correlated with recurrence and metastasis/invasion ratesthe cell surface antigen was present on the initial tumor in only 1 lesion that recurred at an invasive stage. The findings of this study show that the specific red cell adherence technique may be valuable for predicting malignant potential in low grade, low stage cancer of the bladder. If supported by further investigation thistechnique may offer the capability of selecting low grade, low stage bladder tumors that are destined to invade or metastasize while they are at curable stages.
Neonatal Blood Gas Interpretation

Abstract Understanding and interpreting neonatal blood gases are essential skills of neonatal health professionals.These lab values provide a window into the neonate's respiratory status and physiologic well-being.This article presents a concise review of blood gases and how they are used to manage a newborn's care.
Informed Consent and Pediatric Care

The nature and scope of medical practice over the past century has expanded rapidly. The physician’s ability to diagnose and to treat exceedingly complex diseases has brought a new set of ethical, psychosocial, legal, and economic dilemmas. Today’s physician is in a cultural milieu with demands and expectations that far surpass those of his predecessors. These changes have affected the physician-patient relationship that has evolved from one with the patient dependent upon the physician to one that requires more interaction.
DNA Cross-Linking Agent Sensitivity of Fanconi Anemia (FA) Cells Is Preserved in Double Knockout (DKO) SMAD3-/- Fancd2-/- Mouse Cell Lines

Abstract Increased sensitivity to inhibition of hematopoiesis by TGF-β has been hypothesized to be a mechanism of hematopoietic failure in Fanconi Anemia (FA). To determine whether abrogation of TGF-β signaling rescued biologic parameters of hematopoiesis, we derived a novel DKO mouse strain (SMAD3-/- (129/Sv) Fancd2-/- (C57BL/6)) by breeding double heterozygote mice. The DKO mice were small at birth, but achieved normalized growth and development by six - eight weeks. Hematopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures derived from DKO mice, ceased generating day 14 CFU-GEMM hematopoietic progenitors by 18 weeks, similar to that observed with Fancd2-/- marrow cultures. In contrast, cultures from SMAD3-/- (129/Sv) demonstrated continuous hematopoiesis for over 30 weeks confirming results with marrow from SMAD3-/- (C57BL/6J) mice (Epperly, et al., Experimental Hematology, 33:353-362, 2005), and significantly longer than that in control 129/Sv X C57BL/6J F1 mouse long-term marrow cultures. Bone marrow stromal cell lines derived from long-term marrow cultures were tested for the diagnostic criterion of FA, increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agent, Mitomycin-C. Cells were incubated in Mitomycin-C at concentrations ranging from 0-20 ng/ml for four days and then plated in 4 well tissue culture plates, incubated for 7 days at 37o C in a CO2 incubator, stained with crystal violet, and colonies of greater than 50 cells counted. Similar to Fancd2-/- marrow stromal cells, DKO marrow stromal cells showed increased sensitivity to Mito-C, while marrow stromal cell lines from wild type or SMAD3-/- mouse marrow cultures were relatively resistant (p = 0.0086 comparing Fancd2-/- to control 129/Sv X C57BL/6J F1 cells, p = 0.0156 comparing DKO with control 129/Sv X C57BL/6J F1 cells, and p = 0.4676 comparing Smad3-/- cells to control 129/Sv X C57BL/6J F1 cells). Fresh bone marrow from DKO mice, similar to that from SMAD3-/- mice, demonstrated resistance to inhibition of hematopoietic cell colonies in vitro by increasing concentrations of TGF-β. Therefore, abrogation of TGF-β signaling in DKO cells did not alter the sensitivity of Fancd2-/- marrow stromal cells to Mitomycin-C. Supported by research grant NIAID/NIH, U19A168021. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Brachiocephalic Artery Debranching to Facilitate Thoracic Endografting

Current requirements for thoracic aortic endografting, based on device Instructions for Use (IFU), include a proximal aortic “neck” measuring at least 2 cm in length. Not infrequently, this neck length is not available in patients with more proximal aneurysmal disease of the descending thoracic aorta, necessitating coverage of the brachiocephalic trunks (most commonly the left subclavian artery) or preemptive revascularization (either bypass with proximal ligation or transposition). The current literature suggests that the intentional coverage of the left subclavian artery during placement of a thoracic endograft may increase the risk of arm ischemia, vertebrobasilar ischemia, and possibly spinal cord ischemia and anterior circulation stroke. When feasible, revascularization should be performed to reduce this risk. In addition, challenging anatomy may increase the risk of inadvertent endograft coverage of the brachiocephalic trunks.
Reason & Rigor: How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research, 2nd Edition (2017): by Sharon M. Ravitch & Matthew Riggan, 264 pp., Soft Cover, ISBN: 9781483340401, SAGE Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, Price: $64.00

For occupational scientists and occupational therapy researchers, it can be a challenge to identify and take up an existing theory or framework that is the “just right” fit for their work, which of...
Making a case for high-bandwidth monitoring - a use case for analysis on the wire

This paper describes current efforts to architect, research, develop, and test a next-generation, high-bandwidth network monitoring framework designed to handle the rigors of large scientific feeds. This framework will be capable of transparently capturing and analyzing network traffic in real time so as to enable early and rapid response to potential threats. We seek to adapt and integrate existing and ongoing work on streaming data analysis on the wire and packet capture with real-time analytics using accelerators to create a next-generation, high-bandwidth network-monitoring framework. Flow inter-rogation in real time will transparently divert selected network flows to an attached computing infrastructure and subject them to processing and analysis. With acceptable quality of service (QoS), this system will detect suspicious activities, with innocent flows allowed to proceed to their original destination and suspicious flows are either dropped or further processed and monitored with appropriate storage and analysis. Going beyond detecting what would be the preponderance of attack vectors to identifying all attack vectors including the subtle methods of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Although it is hard to hack the existing systems, with no direct monitoring or air-gap, a determined adversary such as an APT could find a way onto a government network.