cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurologic and Neuroscientific Evidence in Aged COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to prevail as a catastrophic wave infecting over 111 million people globally, claiming 2. 4 million lives to date. Aged individuals are particularly vulnerable to this disease due to their fraility, immune dysfunction, and higher rates of medical comorbidities, among other causes. Apart from the primary respiratory illness, this virus is known to cause multi-organ dysfunction including renal, cardiac, and neurologic injuries, particularly in the critically-ill cohorts. Elderly patients 65 years of age or older are known to have more severe systemic disease and higher rates of neurologic complications. Morbidity and mortality is very high in the elderly population with 6-930 times higher likelihood of death compared to younger cohorts, with the highest risk in elderly patients ≥85 years and especially those with medical comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and underlying respiratory illness. Commonly reported neurologic dysfunctions of COVID-19 include headache, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. Elderly patients may manifest atypical presentations like fall or postural instability. Other important neurologic dysfunctions in the elderly include cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, and neuropsychiatric illnesses. Elderly patients with preexisting neurologic diseases are susceptibility to severe COVID-19 infection and higher rates of mortality. Treatment of neurologic dysfunction of COVID-19 is based on existing practice standards of specific neurologic condition in conjunction with systemic treatment of the viral illness. The physical, emotional, psychologic, and financial implications of COVID-19 pandemic have been severe. Long-term data are still needed to understand the lasting effects of this devastating pandemic.
Telephoto-Based Optical Differentiation Wavefront Sensor and Alignment Tolerance for Freeform Metrology

An Optical Differentiation Wavefront Sensor using telephoto design that reduces the system length is presented. Measurement of freeform wavefront showed RMS accuracy < λ/10(λ=633 nm) and robustness to alignment uncertainty as accuracy change of λ/50.
An Examination of the Effect of Compensation Plan Selection on Retail Salesperson Productivity

This study demonstrates that labor is a significant factor contributing to a retailer’s output. The study also demonstrates that the compensation scheme employed by a retailer affects both retailer and salesperson productivity. Retailers using a straight salary compensation scheme have higher labor productivity than retailers using a commission scheme. Two conclusions of this study are: (1) that retail sales labor is more productive under a salary-based compensation plan; and (2) that retail sales labor inputs are less than capital inputs under a commission-based compensation plan.
Modeling of Irreversible Electroporation Treatments for the Optimization of Pancreatic Cancer Therapies

Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive non-thermal ablation technique that can be used to eradicate tumors and other undesirable tissue. IRE consists of a series of short (70-100 μs) pulses that are believed to induce nano-scale defects in the cell membrane, leading to cell death. One of the challenges with predicting therapeutic outcome for IRE is that electric field contours become distorted in complex heterogeneous tissues. Here, we present a pre-treatment planning methodology for IRE procedures, which optimizes treatment parameters for individual cases of unresectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The patient’s tumor, pancreas, major blood vessels, and surrounding structures were reconstructed via the virtual merging of segmented CT and/or MRI images. Using finite element models, which consider the electrical and thermal properties of tissues, it is possible to predict lesion size, thermal effects, and damage corresponding to each structure included in our model. Post-operative patient images can be used to validate these predictive models. Future work will focus on incorporating changes in tissue conductivity from electroporation and temperature, which may lead to more accurate treatment outcomes.
OpenTradeCloud: Regulating the Next Generation of the National Market System

This is a summarized and abridged version of some of the arguments made in the report “OpenTradeCloud: Regulating the Next Generation of the National Market System” [Summary Report], that is part of my doctorate research at Columbia Law School. It is still very rough and preliminary, and it is only intended as a contribution to the debate about the structure of equity markets being promoted by the SEC. Basically, it identifies some deficiencies of the current RegNMS market structure, proposing an alternative regulatory model that is called "OpenTradeCloud". The OpenTradeCloud tackles many of the current incentive problems by establishing interoperability requirements, minimal open standards, disclosure rules, technological neutrality obligations, and changing the current governance structure of the National Market System. It heavily relies on the adoption of cloud computing technologies. Conceptually, the OpenTradeCloud would be one large pool of easily usable and virtualized trading resources (software and hardware) such as storage capacity, memory, searching engines, matching engines, development platforms for search and execution algorithms, databases and other services.
Research in the delivery of female health care: The recipients' reaction

Abstract A random group of women followed during their prenatal course in extramural and intrahospital clinics was questioned regarding the services they received. The findings suggest the following: (1) greater positive acceptance to care when rendered in the local community, (2) significant transportation difficulties in attending clinic sessions, especially in the more rural locations, and (3) considerable confusion in the hospital setting. The implications of these observations are discussed relative to strengthening existing services.
Inhibition of binding of anti-PLA1 antibodies to platelets with monoclonal antibody LK-4. Evidence for multiple PLA1 receptor sites on platelet GPIIIa.

The PLA1 epitope on platelet GPIIIa has a sulfhydryl-dependent conformation and is dependent on a leucine 33/proline33 polymorphism. Monoclonal antibody LK-4 differentiates PLA1/PLA1 from PLA2/PLA2 platelet lysates on solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as immunoblot. To determine whether LK-4 reacts at or near the binding site(s) for human anti-PLA1, nine such antibodies (Abs) (six neonatal; three posttransfusion) were examined in the presence and absence of LK-4 for binding to platelets, as well as rGPIIIa 1–66, a recombinant glutathione S-transferase fusion peptide. All nine human Abs bound to rGPIIIa 1–66, as well as platelets, in a saturation-dependent manner, employing both solid phase ELISA, as well as flow cytometry. Binding of all nine Abs to rGPIIIa 1–66 or platelets was inhibited by LK-4. IC50′s for inhibition of binding of anti-PLA1 to rGPIIIa 1–66 varied from 8 to 160 micrograms/mL (5 x 10(-8)- 1 x 10(-6) mol/L). However, IC50′s for LK-4 inhibition of binding to platelets was strikingly different. Six of the nine Abs had IC50′s of 1 to 10 micrograms/mL (8-fold to 16-fold greater inhibition than with rGPIIIa 1–66), whereas three neonatal Abs had IC50′s of 380 to 1,013 micrograms/mL (6-fold to 48-fold less inhibition than with rGPIIIa 1–66). Similar results were noted with intact GPIIIa, rGPIIIa 1–66 blocked the binding of anti-PLA1 Abs to platelets and served to segregate the nine patients into two groups: a sensitive group of anti-PLA1 Abs from six patients in which binding to platelets was progressively inhibited by increasing concentrations of rGPIIIa 1–66 with inhibition at 1 micrograms/mL of 18% and inhibition at 256 micrograms/mL of 78%; a second resistant group of three anti-PLA1 Abs from three patients in which inhibition was first noted at 16 micrograms/mL of 4% with 35% inhibition at 256 micrograms/mL. Thus, LK-4 binds to GPIIIa at the 1–66 N-terminal region, inhibits binding of anti-PLA1 Ab to platelets, and segregates, anti-PLA1 Abs into two groups. These data are compatible with two or more receptor sites for anti-PLA1 Ab: one that is present on rGPIIIa 1–66 and sensitive to LK-4 inhibition, another that is present on rGPIIIa 1–66, as well as other site(s) on platelet GPIIIa and insensitive to inhibition.
Bergmann glia GABA(A) receptors concentrate on the glial processes that wrap inhibitory synapses

We studied the cellular and subcellular distribution of GABA(A) receptors in the Bergmann glia and Purkinje cells in the molecular layer of the cerebellum by using electron microscopy postembedding immunogold techniques. Gold particles corresponding to alpha2 and gamma1 immunoreactivity were localized in Bergmann glia processes that wrapped Purkinje cell somata, dendritic shafts, and some dendritic spines. The gold particles were mainly located on the glial plasma membrane or intracellularly but near the plasma membrane. The density of gold particles corresponding to alpha2 and gamma1 GABA(A) receptor subunits was 4.3-fold higher in the glial processes wrapping Purkinje cell somata than in the glial processes wrapping Purkinje cell dendritic spines. Moreover, the Bergmann glia GABA(A) receptors were often located in close proximity to the type II GABAergic synapses made by the basket cell axons on Purkinje cell somata. These GABAergic synapses were enriched in neuronal GABA(A) receptors containing alpha1 and beta2/3 subunits. Unexpectedly, 2.8% of the Purkinje cell dendritic spines also showed immunoreactivity for the neuronal alpha1 or beta2/3 subunits, which were located on the spine in type I synapses or extrasynaptically. Double-labeling immunogold experiments showed that approximately 50% of the dendritic spines that were immunolabeled with the neuronal GABA(A) receptors were wrapped by Bergmann glia processes containing glial GABA(A) receptors. These results are consistent with a role of the Bergmann glial GABA(A) receptors in sensing GABAergic synaptic function.
J/Ψ Production in pp Collisions at √(s)=200 GeV at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

We study J/psi production in pp collisions at BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) within the PHENIX detector acceptance range using the color singlet and color octet mechanism which are based on perturbative QCD and nonrelativistic QCD. Here we show that the color octet mechanism reproduces the RHIC data for J/psi production in pp collisions with respect to the p(T) distribution, the rapidity distribution, and the total cross section at square root = 200 GeV. The color singlet mechanism leads to a relatively small contribution to the total cross section when compared to the octet contribution.
Adverse events during interfacility transfers by ground advanced life support services.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for adverse events that occur during interfacility transfers by advanced life support (ALS). DESIGN: A four-year, retrospective, case series. SETTING: Three ALS units in a rural/suburban emergency medical services (EMS) system. PARTICIPANTS: 351 transports to or from twelve acute care facilities; two patients records could not be located. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were classified by illness/injury, transporting staff, and ongoing therapy; these were correlated with frequency of ALS intervention and patient deterioration. RESULTS: During the study period, the number of transfers as a percentage of total calls (1.1%-5.2%) rose consistently. There were 11 illness/injury categories; the largest was cardiac (44%, 154 patients). Hospital staff accompanied the patient in 15% (52). Advanced life support (ALS) therapy was required in 4.9% (17): one monitored cardiac arrest was defibrillated successfully, 13 patients required unanticipated medication therapy, and three were noted to have clinical deterioration en route. The upper 95% confidence limit for cardiac arrest is 12.9/1,000 transfers or 20.8/1,000 hours. Patient deterioration and the need for ALS intervention were associated with the presence of medication infusions (p .40). CONCLUSIONS: Interfacility transfers of a heterogeneous group of patients in this series involve a low risk of cardiac arrest. Patients with medication infusions are at higher risk of deterioration and more frequently require ALS intervention en route. The presence of hospital staff had no measurable effect. These findings have implications for the development of ALS transfer protocols. Language: en
The Principles and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration: Drafting the Arbitration Agreement

The arbitration agreement serves the critical function of creating a framework for the parties' own private dispute resolution system outside of national courts. To ensure proper functioning of the system, the agreement should be drafted with great care. A well-drafted arbitration clause has a significant impact on how well the parties resolve the dispute – how efficiently, how fairly, and how successfully. Unfortunately, in negotiating and drafting a contract, attorneys and parties too often do not focus on drafting the arbitration clause. This can result in a “pathological clause.” A pathological clause is one that is defective in some way. It may be so defective that it invalidates the arbitration agreement. At the very least, the defect may create a basis for extensive disputes over the meaning of the clause and over how the arbitration will proceed. There are many kinds of defects that can render a clause pathological. For example, the clause may be ambiguous, equivocal, or contain mistaken information. The clause may use the wrong name for an arbitral institution or its rules, resulting in the choice of a nonexistent institution. Clauses may provide for choosing a specific arbitrator, who may be deceased by the time an arbitration commences. Parties may state in one clause that disputes will be resolved by arbitration, and in another clause in the same contract that a particular court will have exclusive jurisdiction of any dispute.
Aerobic Exercise Training Decreases Leucine Oxidation at Rest in Healthy Adults

Both exercise and dietary protein intake affect whole-body protein turnover (WBPTO). Few studies have investigated the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO [leucine rate of appearance (Ra), oxidation (Ox), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD)] in untrained individuals consuming a specified level of protein. This study examined the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO in untrained men and women during a controlled diet intervention providing 0.88 g protein/(kg . d). After a 2-wk adaptation to the study diet, 7 subjects [3 men, 4 women; 76.1 +/- 5.8 kg, 164.7 +/- 4.4 cm, 30.7 +/- 4.5% body fat, 39.1 +/- 2.8 VO(2max) (maximal oxygen uptake) mL/(kg . min)] participated in 4 wk of aerobic exercise training (running and walking 4-5 times/wk at 65-85% maximal heart rate). WBPTO (determined via constant infusion of 1-[(13)C] leucine), nitrogen balance, and body composition were determined at baseline and after 4 wk of training. Nitrogen balance (-1.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.9 +/- 1.1 g N/24 h, P = 0.03) improved with exercise training, whereas body mass and composition did not change. Leucine Ra did not change, Ox decreased [18 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 2 micromol/(kg . h), P </= 0.001], and NOLD tended to increase [128 +/- 18 to 151 +/- 19 micromol/(kg . h), P = 0.09] in response to training. These data indicate improved protein utilization in response to exercise training in weight-stable subjects. This study emphasizes the importance of dietary control, with specific regard to energy and protein intakes, in the characterization of protein utilization in response to an exercise intervention.
Prenatal cocaine use. Effects on perinatal outcome

Use of cocaine during pregnancy has been associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is known to interfere with both physical and psychosocial development of the neonate. This article explores the pathology of cocaine use in pregnancy, its effect on neonatal development, and the role of the nurse-midwife in the perinatal setting.
Status and operational characteristics of the National Transonic Facility

The article discusses the development and capabilities of the National Transonic Facility which is planned for operation in 1981. The fan-drive, cryogenic-pressurized, closed-return facility will have operating parameters of: 0.1-1.2 Mach, 1-9 bars pressure, 78-340 K, 150 dB sound pressure, and plus or minus 0.001 rms turbulence intensity. These operating conditions have been selected on the basis of several current and future aircraft and space transportation systems. The facility will provide full-scale testing conditions for calculating subsonic drag, airloads, and stability and control information. Data for pre-test conditions, on-line information, and post-test analysis will be computer-processed.
Curvature Generation and Pressure Profile Modulation in Membrane by Lysolipids: Insights from Coarse-Grained Simulations

Although many membrane additives are known to modulate the activities of membrane proteins via perturbing the properties of lipid membrane, the underlying mechanism is often not precisely understood. In this study, we investigate the impact of asymmetrically incorporating single-tailed lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) into a membrane bilayer using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Using a simple computational protocol designed to approximately mimic a micropipette setting, we show that asymmetric incorporation of LPC can lead to significant curvature in a bilayer. Detailed analysis of geometrical and mechanical properties (pressure profile) of the resulting mound structure indicates that the degree of pressure profile perturbation is determined not by the local curvature per se but by the packing of lipid headgroups (i.e., area-per-lipid). The findings help provide a concrete basis for understanding the activation mechanism of mechanosensitive channels by asymmetric incorporation of LPC into membrane patches in patch-clamp experiments. The calculated local pressure profiles are valuable to the construction of realistic membrane models for the analysis of mechanosensation in a continuum mechanics framework.
Development of a Structured Psychiatric Interview for Children: Agreement on Diagnosis Comparing Child and Parent Interviews.

Similar structured diagnostic interviews about the child were given by different interviewers to a cohort of 307 mother-child pairs. A diagnosis was made by computer on each interview, using specified criteria. Diagnoses on mother-child interviews were compared using the kappa statistic. Kappas of .30 or higher were found for the diagnosis of antisocial personality, conduct disorder, enuresis, mixed behavior-neurotic disorder, and possible depression. Comparisons were made for sex and age. Possible depression and enuresis were diagnosed reliably at all age levels and for both sexes. The limitations of the interview and diagnostic system used are discussed. The findings support the need for further efforts to develop diagnostic research interviews for use with children and adolescents.
Combined forced and free convection in stagnation flows of micropolar fluids over vertical non-isothermal surfaces

Abstract Boundary layer solutions are presented to study the effects of buoyancy on forced convective micropolar fluid flow and heat transfer in stagnation flows using the theory of micropolar fluids formulated by Eringen. Numerical solutions are given for the governing momentum, angular momentum and energy equations. Missing values of the velocity, angular velocity and thermal functions are tabulated for a range of values of the material parameters. Two flow regions, namely, the buoyancy-assisting and buoyancy-opposed cases are analyzed. The boundary conditions of isothermal as well as linear variation of wall temperature are considered. It is observed that the wall shear stress and surface heat transfer rate increase or decrease with the buoyancy force parameter depending upon the flow regime being buoyancy-assisted or buoyancy-opposed, respectively.
On the distribution of valid pages with greedy garbage collection for NAND flash

Flash memory uses relocate-on-write, also called out-of-place write for performance reasons. Relocate-on-write requires a garbage-collection process, which results in additional write operations referred to as write-amplification. The reclaiming policy that selects the blocks to garbage-collect is greedy if it is based only on the amount of free space to be gained-Write amplification is a critical factor limiting the write performance and endurance in solid-state drives and the greedy garbage collection policy minimizes it. In this paper, we derive an expression for the steady-state distribution of valid-pages using a novel probabilistic model for flash-based SSDs for a greedy reclaiming policy. This distribution lends itself directly to evaluation of write-amplification and gives insight into designing newer garbage collection policies, which would further reduce write-amplification. Numerical evaluation of the derived expression matches the distribution obtained via Monte-Carlo simulation for several different drive configurations, thereby validating the derivation.
Learning in adaptive vision systems

The problem of learning in adaptive vision systems is considered here. This study explores the spatial and deductive reasoning aspects of the system by case-based techniques, as it computes (1) the invisibility justification of a bird's eye, and (2) generalization and expansion of the gained knowledge in (1). The method presented manipulates symbolic entities, each with values, properties, and constrained relationships to other symbolic entities, to learn to create new knowledge from the existing knowledge.
Isolation and restriction map of the V-J interval of the human T cell receptor γ chain locus

Abstract The human T cell receptor γ chain locus encodes the immunoglobulin-like γ chain polypeptide and spans a distance of approximately 150 kb. Previous studies have not precisely characterized the interval separating variable regions from joining-constant regions which is excised during γ gene rearrangement. We report a series of overlapping cosmids which includes the portion of the γ chain locus beginning with V2 and extends to the second exon of C2. Sixteen kilobases separate the most 3′ variable region gene, V4, from the most 5′ joining segment, J1.1.
Orbit Determination by Solving for Gravity Parameters with Multiple Arc Data

The orbit of a satellite that repeats in the earth fixed coordinates is determined by combining GPS tracking data from multiple arcs. The satellite dynamics are modeled with the epoch state and a set of parameters, called the bin parameters, that account for the effect of the local gravitational field on the satellite current state. The epoch state is specific to each arc, and the bin parameters are common to all repeat arcs. The estimation algorithm is based on the Square Root Information Filter. It involves partitioning of the measurement matrix and use of the Householder transformation to combine multiple arc data and solve for the epoch states and the bin parameters. The bin parameters can then be converted into the earth's gravitational field with a modest amount of computation.
INFLUENCE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS ON THE DEVELOPING CHOROID PLEXUS

The choroid plexus contains Na K-ATPase-dependent transport systems responsible for the production of the major part of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and the removal of polar metabolites from the ventricular CSF. In adult rabbits, treatment with betamethasone for 5 days decreases choroid plexus Na K-ATPase activity and consequently CSF production and in vitro choroid plexus transport capacity for choline. Choroid plexus Na K-ATPase activity is low in rabbit fetuses. A rapid increase starts at birth and adult levels are reached in around 3 weeks. This increase is parallelled by an increase in the in vitro transport capacity for choline (base) but not for penicillin (acid). Kinetic studies showed no change in Km but an increase in Vmax with age, suggesting that the same carrier system is involved in young and adult animals. Administration of betamethasone to the doe during the last week of pregnancy for 5 days increases fetal choroid plexus Na K-ATPase activity and choline transport capacity by 58-81% and 35% respectively.
Distribution-free estimation in a disequilibrium market model

Abstract Estimation of disequilibrium market models has almost always been discussed with specific forms for the distributions of the error terms in the demand and supply equations. In this paper, we extend the maximum score method of Manski (1975) to the estimation of parameters in a disequilibrium market model with known sample partitioning.
The development of responsibility in young children: A 25-year view

This study was designed to determine if parental perceptions of children's potential contribution to household work has changed over the past 25 years. Data for this study were collected in 1956 and in 1983. The 1956 sample consisted of 170 white mothers and 210 black mothers of elementary school-age children, and 19 child development specialists. The 1983 sample was made up of 126 mothers and 92 fathers of preschool and school-age children. The Children's Responsibility Scale was adapted from the early Walters, Stromberg, and Lonian (1957) instrument. Median ages were given for boys and girls on 62 household tasks. The results were consistent: parental perceptions have changed very little over time. The major differences were that parents in the 1983 sample estimated older ages for items relating to tasks involving safety. An instructional component was incorporated in the study to test whether preschool-age children (n = 23) were capable of accomplishing household tasks. The results of this component were positive.
Gas-phase molecular clustering of TIP4P and SPC/E water models from higher-order virial coefficients

Higher-order virial coefficients (up to B6) for TIP4P and SPC/E water models are used to characterize molecular clusters (up to hexamers) formed by water at various gas-phase thermodynamic state po...
Runoff and water quality from highway hillsides: Influence compost/mulch

Abstract Rainfall simulation experiments were carried out to quantify the effectiveness of surface compost/mulch placed on highway embankments on runoff and soil and nutrient losses. Six of eight plots received either 5 or 10 cm thick surface compost/mulch. The plots were located in two highway locations; one in an active highway construction area on US 61, and another in an established area with continual rill and sheet erosion on I-49, West Feliciana and Rapides Parishes, Louisiana, respectively. A Tlaloc 3000 rainfall simulator at an intensity of 70–80 mm h −1 was used for the runoff experiments. Two consecutive pulses of 30 min durations were applied to each plot in 2011 and 2012. The presence of the compost/mulch resulted in a reduction of runoff flow rates from a high of 1.3 mm min −1 to a low of 0.4 mm min −1 . The cumulative runoff losses as a percentage of the applied rainfall was 90% for a tilled plot (control) which was reduced to 28% in an adjacent plot having 10 cm compost/mulch. Regardless of their thickness, light tillage and incorporation of the compost/mulch reduced its effectiveness and increased runoff and soil losses. The antecedent soil moisture content during 2011 and 2012 seasons were distinctly different. Nevertheless, the presence of the compost/mulch provided similar runoff flow rates and soil losses for both years. We conclude that the presence of compost/mulch on the soil surface decreased runoff flow rate, soil and phosphate (P) losses and is recommended for highway embankment erosion control.
LAD-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans L1CAM homologue, participates in embryonic and gonadal morphogenesis and is a substrate for fibroblast growth factor receptor pathway-dependent phosphotyrosine-based signaling

This study shows that L1-like adhesion (LAD-1), the sole Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of the L1 family of neuronal adhesion molecules, is required for proper development of the germline and the early embryo and embryonic and gonadal morphogenesis. In addition, the ubiquitously expressed LAD-1, which binds to ankyrin-G, colocalizes with the C. elegans ankyrin, UNC-44, in multiple tissues at sites of cell–cell contact. Finally, we show that LAD-1 is phosphorylated in a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway-dependent manner on a tyrosine residue in the highly conserved ankyrin-binding motif, FIGQY, which was shown previously to abolish the L1 family of cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) binding to ankyrin in cultured cells. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that FIGQY-tyrosine–phosphorylated LAD-1 does not colocalize with nonphosphorylated LAD-1 or UNC-44 ankyrin but instead is localized to sites that undergo mechanical stress in polarized epithelia and axon–body wall muscle junctions. These findings suggest a novel ankyrin-independent role for LAD-1 related to FGFR signaling. Taken together, these results indicate that L1CAMs constitute a family of ubiquitous adhesion molecules, which participate in tissue morphogenesis and maintaining tissue integrity in metazoans.
Photocell system for recording circadian drinking patterns in rodents and primates.

Abstract An inexpensive system for recording licking bursts and volume of fluid consumed during a drinking burst is described. Two circuit diagrams are provided, one for 28 VDC electromechanical equipment, the second is compatible with solid state systems.
Targeting SR Proteins Improves SMN Expression in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Cells

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common inherited causes of pediatric mortality. SMA is caused by deletions or mutations in the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which results in SMN protein deficiency. Humans have a centromeric copy of the survival of motor neuron gene, SMN2, which is nearly identical to SMN1. However, SMN2 cannot compensate for the loss of SMN1 because SMN2 has a single-nucleotide difference in exon 7, which negatively affects splicing of the exon. As a result, most mRNA produced from SMN2 lacks exon 7. SMN2 mRNA lacking exon 7 encodes a truncated protein with reduced functionality. Improving SMN2 exon 7 inclusion is a goal of many SMA therapeutic strategies. The identification of regulators of exon 7 inclusion may provide additional therapeutic targets or improve the design of existing strategies. Although a number of regulators of exon 7 inclusion have been identified, the function of most splicing proteins in exon 7 inclusion is unknown. Here, we test the role of SR proteins and hnRNP proteins in SMN2 exon 7 inclusion. Knockdown and overexpression studies reveal that SRSF1, SRSF2, SRSF3, SRSF4, SRSF5, SRSF6, SRSF7, SRSF11, hnRNPA1/B1 and hnRNP U can inhibit exon 7 inclusion. Depletion of two of the most potent inhibitors of exon 7 inclusion, SRSF2 or SRSF3, in cell lines derived from SMA patients, increased SMN2 exon 7 inclusion and SMN protein. Our results identify novel regulators of SMN2 exon 7 inclusion, revealing potential targets for SMA therapeutics.
A cross-national exploration of the potential cultural antecedents of organisational improvisation

In this paper, the author extends the existing theory of improvisation in business to an international setting. The author develops a theoretical framework for an analysis of the potential influence of national culture on the propensity for organisational improvisation. Specifically, the author suggests that organisational improvisation may be more likely to occur in low rather than high uncertainty avoidance cultures, in collectivistic rather than individualistic cultures, in low rather than high power distance cultures, and in masculine rather than feminine cultures. Additionally, the author provides a preliminary analysis of the potential for propensity for organisational improvisation in 50 countries and three regions based on their cultural characteristics.
Provenance logic: Enabling multi-event based trust in mobile sensing

With the proliferation of sensor-embedded mobile computing devices, mobile sensing is becoming a popular paradigm to collect information from participating mobile users. Unlike the well-calibrated and well-tested sensor networks, mobile sensing relies on participants with unknown reliability. Data collected from mobile users may be untrustworthy. There are various solutions proposed in the literature for assessing the trustworthiness of the sensing data that describe an individual event or observation. In addition to single-event based trust models, we propose the concept of Provenance Logic, to reason about the logical relations between multiple events by jointly recognizing and linking events from successive sensing observations. We propose an approach that combines logical reasoning and statistical learning techniques. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first attempt for trust evaluation based on the logical relation among multiple events in the mobile sensing context. We motivate and illustrate our approach with a use case of traffic monitoring mobile sensing. Performance validation has shown that improved trust assessment can be achieved efficiently and effectively on top of single-event based analysis.
Corrosion Resistance of Titanium Alloys Compared With Commercially Pure Titanium

Abstract Titanium-8 percent manganese, titanium-5 percent aluminum-2½ percent tin, titanium-2 percent aluminum, titanium-6 percent aluminum, titanium-1 percent copper, and titanium-5 percent copper alloys are similar to commercially pure titanium in chemical and galvanic corrosion properties. These alloys are completely resistant to corrosion in synthetic ocean water, tap water, 1 percent sodium hydroxide, and 5 percent ferric chloride solutions. In sulfuric acid solutions saturated with air, the titanium alloys with the exception of those containing copper are resistant to corrosion in 5 percent solution at 35 C but corrode rapidly in 10 percent solution. At 60 C, these alloys are inert in 1 percent and corrode in 5 percent acid. The titanium-copper alloys usually are more resistant than commercially pure titanium to corrosion in sulfuric acid solutions and less resistant in hydrochloric acid. In contact with aluminum in 0.5 percent sulfuric acid saturated with air, titanium and the titanium-base alloys ...
Despite various drugs, cats continue to kill mice.

Abstract Amphetamines (d- at 0.5–4 mg/kg; 1- at 2–4 mg/kg) inhibited spontaneous mouse killing by some, but not all cats. Various other drugs (drugs and maximum tested doses were: imipramine, 64 mg/kg; amitriptyline, 32 mg/kg; tranylcypromine, 2 mg/kg; tripelennamine, 4 mg/kg; scopolamine, 1 mg/kg; methyl scopolamine, 1 mg/kg; chlordiazepoxide 16 mg/kg; diazepam 4 mg/kg; meprobamate, 80 mg/kg; pentobarbital, 16 mg/kg; chlorpromazine, 8 mg/kg; and haloperidol, 0.5 mg/kg) did not reliably inhibit such killing. In contrast with rats, mouse killing by cats was not consistently blocked by antidepressants or amphetamines. When individual cats were inhibited, their reduction of killing seemed related to anorexia rather than to affective arousal.
Pediluma: motivating physical activity through contextual information and social influence

We present Pediluma, a shoe accessory that tracks and visualizes the wearer's physical activity by varying the intensity of a lighted enclosure. In particular, the more physically active the wearer is, the more the device glows. We hoped the desire to maintain a positive, "glowing" state would encourage users to engage in more physical activity. We describe our two-week, four-condition, 18-participant deployment and user study. Results indicate participants wearing our device were more physically active than participants in our three control groups (each isolating different design and experimental factors). We share the many lessons we learned from our iterative design, post-deployment data analysis and interviewers with participants.
Conserved structural motifs in intracellular trafficking pathways: structure of the gammaCOP appendage domain.

Abstract The formation of coated vesicles is a fundamental step in many intracellular trafficking pathways. COPI and clathrin represent two important and distinct sets of vesicle coating machinery, involved primarily in mediating intra-Golgi and endocytic transport, respectively. Here we identify an important functional region at the carboxyl terminus of the γ subunit of the COPI complex (γCOP) and describe the X-ray crystal structure of this domain at 2.3 A resolution. This domain of γCOP exhibits unexpected structural similarity to the carboxyl-terminal appendage domains of the α and β subunits of the AP2 adaptor proteins, integral components of clathrin-coated vesicles. The remarkable structural conservation exhibited by the γCOP appendage domain, coupled with functional data and primary sequence analysis, supports a model of COPI function with significant structural and mechanistic parallels to vesicular transport by the clathrin/AP2 system.
Comparison of PCR versus Culture for Detection of Mycobacterium bovis after Experimental Inoculation of Various Matrices Held under Environmental Conditions for Extended Periods

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a molecular detection technique (nested PCR) with that of mycobacterial culture in the detection of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in a set of 687 samples of experimentally inoculated environmental substrates (hay, soil, corn, water) exposed to natural weather conditions in Michigan. Four replicates of each substrate were used; half were autoclaved for sterilization, all were inoculated with 50,000 CFU of M. bovis isolated from Michigan livestock, and all were placed in outdoor enclosures, with half under shade and the other half exposed to direct sunlight. Samples were tested for the presence of M. bovis during one 12-month period, with monthly sample testing and during three 12-week periods (winter, spring, summer) with weekly sample testing. Samples were subjected to mycobacterial culture for isolation of M. bovis and a nested PCR with two primer sets targeting IS6110 to detect M. bovis DNA. In 128 samples tested during the 12-month period, M. bovis was not detectable by culture after 2 months but M. bovis DNA was detectable by PCR for at least 7 months. Of the 559 samples tested during the 12-week periods, PCR detected M. bovis DNA for up to 88 days in all of the sample types. There were no significant differences in the detection of M. bovis between shade and sun samples or between sterile and unsterilized samples, regardless of the detection method (PCR or culture). For use in epidemiologic investigations, the PCR assay was more rapid than mycobacterial culture, was not hindered by contaminating organisms, and detected M. bovis DNA in environment samples much longer after initial contamination than mycobacterial culture did.
Gβ1γ2 activates phospholipase A2-dependent Golgi membrane tubule formation

Heterotrimeric G proteins transduce the ligand binding of transmembrane G protein coupled receptors into a variety of intracellular signaling pathways. Recently, heterotrimeric Gβγ subunit signaling at the Golgi complex has been shown to regulate the formation of vesicular transport carriers that deliver cargo from the Golgi to the plasma membrane. In addition to vesicles, membrane tubules have also been shown to mediate export from the Golgi complex, which requires the activity of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme activity. Through the use of an in vitro reconstitution assay with isolated Golgi complexes, we provide evidence that Gβ1γ2 signaling also stimulates Golgi membrane tubule formation. In addition, we show that an inhibitor of Gβγ activation of PLA2 enzymes inhibits in vitro Golgi membrane tubule formation. Additionally, purified Gβγ protein stimulates membrane tubules in the presence of low (sub-threshold) cytosol concentrations. Importantly, this Gβγ stimulation of Golgi membrane tubule formation was inhibited by treatment with the PLA2 antagonist ONO-RS-082. These studies indicate that Gβ1γ2 signaling activates PLA2 enzymes required for Golgi membrane tubule formation, thus establishing a new layer of regulation for this process.
Mechanical force mobilizes zyxin from focal adhesions to actin filaments and regulates cytoskeletal reinforcement

Organs and tissues adapt to acute or chronic mechanical stress by remodeling their actin cytoskeletons. Cells that are stimulated by cyclic stretch or shear stress in vitro undergo bimodal cytoskeletal responses that include rapid reinforcement and gradual reorientation of actin stress fibers; however, the mechanism by which cells respond to mechanical cues has been obscure. We report that the application of either unidirectional cyclic stretch or shear stress to cells results in robust mobilization of zyxin from focal adhesions to actin filaments, whereas many other focal adhesion proteins and zyxin family members remain at focal adhesions. Mechanical stress also induces the rapid zyxin-dependent mobilization of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein from focal adhesions to actin filaments. Thickening of actin stress fibers reflects a cellular adaptation to mechanical stress; this cytoskeletal reinforcement coincides with zyxin mobilization and is abrogated in zyxin-null cells. Our findings identify zyxin as a mechanosensitive protein and provide mechanistic insight into how cells respond to mechanical cues.
A numerical simulation of airflows and SO2 concentration distributions in an arid south-western Valley

Abstract Three-dimensional numerical models were used to simulate wind and turbulence distributions in the Mohave Valley and plume transport from the Mohave Power Project, located at approximately 120 km south-south-east of Las Vegas, NV. The Modeled meteorological variables were input to a three-dimensional random-puff diffusion model to simulate observed tetroon trajectories and ground-level concentrations of SO2 in the Valley. Numerical simulations indicated that hourly averaged surface concentrations could differ considerably, even when the mean and turbulence variables of the airflows were kept statistically identical. The concentration variations resulted from the differences in initial turbulence velocity and inhomogeneous distributions of airflows that each puff encountered during transport. Because the range of variations is, in general, unknown for both measurements and simulations, it is difficult to assess the representativeness of the observed and simulated values, and therefore to evaluate quantitatively the modeled concentrations against observations.
SEN, ETHICS, AND DEMOCRACY

Amartya Sen's ethical theorizing helps feminists resolve the tensions between the claims of women's particular perspectives and moral objectivity. His concept of "positional objectivity" highlights the epistemological significance of value judgments made from particular social positions, while holding that certain values may become widely shared. He shows how acknowledging positionality is consistent with affirming the universal value of democracy. This article builds on Sen's work by proposing an analysis of democracy as a set of institutions that aims to intelligently utilize positional information for shared ends. This epistemological analysis of democracy offers a way to understand the rationale for reserving political offices for women. From a political point of view, gendered positions are better thought of as an epistemological resource than as a ground of identity politics v - v that is, of parochial identification and solidarity.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: Effects on Mammalian Nonmyelinated Nerve Fibers

Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol can be applied to tissue in vitro by dissolving it in Pluronic F68 and ethanol. It causes a decrease in size of the compound action potential of the nonmnyelinated fibers of the vagus nerve of the rabbit. This effect appears to be dose-related and chloride-dependent. Effects on other measurable parameters of nerve function seem to be minimal. Although the amounts required seem to be higher than those required to produce hallucinogenic effects in man, this effect is consistent with other work on Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol and may ultimately account for a significant portion of the pharmacological activity of this drug.
Mitochondrial DNA Dosage Effects in Triploid Grass Carp

Abstract The grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella is used widely in aquaculture for aquatic weed control. Historically, concern about the proliferative growth of nonnative diploid grass carp populations led to development of the hydrostatic pressure shock technique for the production of sterile triploids. Despite the success of this technique in accomplishing management goals, little is known about the cellular physiology of triploids. In particular, few studies have explored whether the induction of triploidy via hydrostatic pressure shock affects mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in addition to that of chromosomal DNA. While the nuclear DNA (nDNA): mtDNA ratio is conserved in polyploid yeast, there are few data suggesting that vertebrate polyploids have nDNA: mtDNA ratios consistent with those of their diploid counterparts. In this study, two novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to explore gene copy number in the nuclear and mitochondrial genome of diploid and triploid grass c...
The Biology and Associated Pathology of Goussia carpelli(LéGER and STANKOVITCH)in Goldfish Carassius auratus(LINNAEUS)

Chronic mortalities have been a recurrent problem in common goldfish Carassius auratus throughout the United States and a coccidian, morphologically identical to Goussia carpelli, is suspected to be the primary etiological agent. This parasite may cause severe mortalities due to enteritis in cultured carp Cyprinus carpio in Europe and the pathology and epizootiology was similar in goldfish. In our study, goldfish became infected shortly after hatching and sporulated oocysts were found in 15-day-old fish. Fish are usually harvested from ponds after six weeks and are shipped to wholesalers. At this time they stopped feeding, became lethargic, emaciated, and cumulative mortalities of 50-75% occurred over a two to three week period. Necropsies revealed a chronic enteritis with numerous sporulated oocysts surrounded by yellow bodies in the lamina propria of the intestine. Most of the oocysts were shed or degenerated as the disease progressed, but fish continued to die. Histological analyses of these fish revealed numerous yellow bodies, inflammatory and necrotic cells in the lamina propria of the gut and the intestines often had lost their villar structure. The yellow bodies, identified as lipofuscin or ceroid by electron microscopy and histochemical analysis, were also found in the spleen and kidney of severely affected fish.Experimental infection in the laboratory was accomplished using tubificid worms and grass shrimp(Palaemonetes kadiakensis)fed oocysts, but direct transmission of the parasite using fresh or cold aged occysts was unsuccessful.
Ionic conductivity of K2W4O13

Abstract The ionic conductivity in K 2 W 4 O 13 has been studied in the temperature range 300 to 650 K by complex impedance methods. Impedance spectra were plotted over a wide range of frequencies (5 Hz – 13 MHz) at each temperature. The data were found to conform to an Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy of 0.59 eV. The observed data were analyzed on the basis of potassium ion mobility in the hexagonal tunnels of the K 2 W 4 O 13 structure.