cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Group-query-as-a-service for secure dynamic spectrum access in geolocation-enabled database-driven opportunistic wireless communications in ROAR framework

Dynamic spectrum access is regarded as an emerging approach to enhance the RF spectrum utilization in future cognitive wireless networks where unlicensed secondary users sense RF channels (that are licensed to primary users) to find idle channels to use opportunistically without creating any harmful interference to primary users. Recently, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all unlicensed secondary users must query a spectrum database for channel opportunities instead of sensing by themselves to avoid any channel sensing uncertainties and harmful interference to primary users. However, database query process for secondary users could overwhelm the communication channel when there are many users requesting the same information. This excessive number of queries by numerous secondary users could lead to a denial-of-service attack at the spectrum database server. In this paper, we investigate a Group-Query-as-a-Service for dynamic spectrum access in geolocation-enabled database-driven ROAR (near real-time opportunistic spectrum access in cognitive radio network) framework. In a Group-Query-as-a-Service approach, secondary users form a group based-on location based grids and a limited number of secondary users of the given group, known as grid leaders, query the spectrum database and let other follower secondary users know about the idle channels. Grid leaders are selected based on their past level of interactions and trust they have in the group or grid. Grid leaders query the database on behalf of other secondary users periodically to get the updated idle channel information. Note that when a new user joins the grid, instead of querying the database, it gets the idle channel information from the grid leaders. To avoid any outliers in the grid, we use the majority voting among grid leaders. We evaluate the performance of the proposed approach using numerical results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations and numerical results show that the performance of the query process can be significantly enhanced with Group-Query-as-a-Service.
Flexible Endoscopic Approaches and Novel Therapy for Zenker Diverticulum

Transoral treatment of Zenker diverticula was popularized in the late 1990s. The adverse outcomes of open procedures were mitigated by these midline, transoral procedures. In some patients, rigid endoscopy used to expose the diverticulum is too difficult due to anatomical restrictions such as small oral aperture and cervical extension abnormalities. Flexible endoscopic transoral techniques have evolved to allow treatment of these patients and can be utilized for patients without these anatomic restrictions as well. There is a learning curve associated with the flexible technique, and many of the instruments are not familiar to surgeons performing more standard open and rigid endoscopic techniques. The procedure is safe and efficacious when compared to rigid endoscopic approaches.
Combined Photoredox/Enzymatic C−H Benzylic Hydroxylations

Chemical transformations that install heteroatoms into C-H bonds are of significant interest because they streamline the construction of value-added small molecules. Direct C-H oxyfunctionalization, or the one step conversion of a C-H bond to a C-O bond, could be a highly enabling transformation due to the prevalence of the resulting enantioenriched alcohols in pharmaceuticals and natural products,. Here we report a single-flask photoredox/enzymatic process for direct C-H hydroxylation that proceeds with broad reactivity, chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity. This unified strategy advances general photoredox and enzymatic catalysis synergy and enables chemoenzymatic processes for powerful and selective oxidative transformations.
CCL2/CCR2 Chemokine System in Embryonic Hypothalamus: Involvement in Sexually Dimorphic Stimulatory Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure on Peptide-Expressing Neurons.

Abstract Maternal consumption of ethanol during pregnancy is known to increase the offspring’s risk for developing alcohol use disorders and associated behavioral disturbances. Studies in adolescent and adult animals suggest the involvement of neuroimmune and neurochemical systems in the brain that control these behaviors. To understand the origin of these effects during early developmental stages, we examined in the embryo and neonate the effects of maternal intraoral administration of ethanol (2 g/kg/day) from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15 on the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 in a specific, dense population of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), where they are closely related to an orexigenic neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), known to promote ethanol consumption and related behaviors. We found that prenatal ethanol exposure increases the expression and density of CCL2 and CCR2 cells along with MCH neurons in the LH and the colocalization of CCL2 with MCH. We also discovered that these effects are sexually dimorphic, consistently stronger in female embryos, and are blocked by maternal administration of a CCL2 antibody (1 and 5 µg/day, i.p., E10-E15) that neutralizes endogenous CCL2 and of a CCR2 antagonist INCB3344 (1 mg/day, i.p., E10-E15) that blocks CCL2′s main receptor. These results, which in the embryo anatomically and functionally link the CCL2/CCR2 system to MCH neurons in the LH, suggest an important role for this neuroimmune system in mediating ethanol’s sexually dimorphic, stimulatory effect on MCH neurons that may promote higher level of alcohol consumption described in females.
Magnetically Levitated Plasma Proteins

Surprisingly, the densities of proteins in solution, which are important fundamental biophysical quantities, have not been accurately measured. The lack of such data can limit meaningful interpreta...
Microbiological Assessment of Tap Water Following the 2016 Louisiana Flooding

Floods are a prominent risk factor in the world of public health, as there is a risk of dispersal of harmful biological and chemical contaminants in floodwater. As climate change increases, the occurrence of natural disasters and risk of adverse health outcomes due to flash flooding also increases. Fecal indicator bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococci, are often encountered in contaminated floodwater and can cause gastrointestinal illnesses as well as a variety of infections. In August 2016, East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes in Louisiana suffered heavy floods due to intense rainfall. No study of water quality during flooding has been conducted previously in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Twenty-three pre-flush and post-flush water samples were collected immediately from accessible homes that had been affected by the floods in order to quantify concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria. These samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Enterococci through both quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the IDEXX enzyme substrate method. The qPCR results indicated that 30% of the samples contained Enterococci and 61% of the samples contained E. coli, with the highest concentrations found in the pre-flush outdoor hose and the pre-flush kitchen tap. The IDEXX method yielded total coliforms in 65% of the samples, E. coli in 4%, and Enterococci in 35%, with the highest concentrations in the pre-flush outdoor faucet and the pre-flush post-filtration kitchen tap. Physical parameters including temperature, barometer pressure, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, pH, conductivity, and salinity of these samples were also recorded. Of these parameters, conductivity and salinity were significant, suggesting they may positively influence E. coli and Enterococci growth.
A new intrasurgical technique to safely and reproducibly induce partial unilateral urinary obstruction and renal scarring in a Rat Model

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) uses microsecond-long electric pulses to kill cells through membrane permeabilization, without affecting surrounding extracellular structures. We evaluated whether IRE can be used to induce urinary obstruction for a rat model of renal scarring. Intrasurgical IRE (2000 V/cm, 90 pulses, 100 μs) with caliper electrodes was performed in the right proximal ureter in male rats (n = 24) which were euthanized at 2, 5, or 10 days post-treatment, following contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Complete urinary tract (bilateral kidneys, ureter and bladder) was extracted, and scored on a five-point scale for renal dilation, ureteral dilation and hydronephrosis. Whole kidney sections underwent immunohistochemistry to quantify levels of macrophages (CD68), activated fibroblasts [α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)], collagen (Masson’s Trichrome) and Hematoxylin and Eosin. Change in renal pelvis diameter and the number of glomeruli in the treated and contralateral urinary tract was also computed. Intrasurgical IRE performed with non-invasive caliper electrodes resulted in immediate loss of peristalsis in the treated ureteral segment, and cell death in the ureteral muscularis along with urothelial sloughing. Dilation of the ureter was observed on gross anatomic evaluation and histopathology. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated partial stricture and urinary obstruction in IRE-treated urinary tract, without evidence of urinoma, leakage or fistula formation. Enlargement of the kidney with progressive renal dilation and hydronephrosis was evident between Day 2 and Day 10 post-treatment. Obstructed kidney demonstrated scarring with elevated levels of tissue collagen, macrophages and α-SMA-positive fibroblasts. There was a steady decrease in the number of glomeruli in the obstructed kidney, while glomeruli numbers in the contralateral kidney remained unchanged through the 10-day observation period. IRE provides a safe and reproducible technique to induce partial ureteral obstruction and renal fibrosis in rat model without the need for ligation or its associated complications.
Bioethics Emergencies Can Be Used to Perform a Real-World Test of Utilitarian Policies

Utilitarian approaches to ethical problems often appear to be more practical than many alternatives: we can know what the right course of action is by calculating whichever choice will produce the ...
Crosswalk Guidance System for the Blind

Street crossing can be a significant challenge for visually impaired people, limiting their mobility especially in urban environments. To date, there are few solutions for this significant problem. Current approaches for guiding blind pedestrians in crosswalks have mainly focused on detection of crosswalks and crosswalk signals. Few studies have taken into consideration the mobility of a visually impaired person while street crossing. We programmed a commercially available, wearable goggle system to detect crosswalk signals, to plan a path across the street, and to provide verbal guiding cues with real-time semantic features to keep the user on the correct path. During verification testing, we found crosswalk signal detections were typically reliable but depended on hyper-parameters to reduce false positive errors in the crosswalk signs in a small number of cases. Testing with visually impaired subjects resulted in successful guidance at an outdoor crosswalk.
Selling Stories or You Can't Own This: Cultural Property as a Form of Collateral in a Secured Transaction Under the Model Tribal Secured Transactions Act

The Model Tribal Secured Transactions Act was recently proposed by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. This article takes the position that the model act, if adopted, will encourage economic development in Indian Country by creating a set of uniform rules which both non-Indians and Indians can utilize to promote lending. Critically – before it is widely adopted, this article implores the NCCUSL to consider including in the model act – language that would protect tribal cultural property; and in the absence of such language, encourages tribes to modify the act to accomplish this protection. The stakes include the potential loss of priceless real and personal, tangible and intangible, cultural property which itself form the linchpin of both tribal identity and cultural expression for many indigenous communities in the United States and beyond.
Calcific aortic valve disease: turning therapeutic discovery up a notch.

Valve replacement is currently the only treatment for calcific aortic valve disease. Studies of an uncommon, genetic form of aortic valve disease have yielded in vitro and mouse models of the disease and a transcriptomic disease signature. Machine learning-driven screens for compounds that normalize this signature promise to enable medical management of aortic valve disease.
Manipulation of toroidal-spiral particles internal structure by fluid flow

We report on the precise manipulation of the fine structures of toroidal-spiral particles (TSPs) generated by a self-assembly process of droplet sedimentation at low Reynolds numbers in a miscible bulk solution followed by solidification. The biocompatible polymeric TSP can serve as a device for drug delivery and in vivo therapeutic cell expansion, activation, and delivery, for which highly tunable and reproducible structures are essential to design dosages and release kinetics. TSP formation can be divided into two stages: initial infusion of the drop vs its subsequent sedimentation, deformation, and entrainment of the surrounding bulk solution. The infusion rate affects the drop shape and tail length. These two features represent crucial initial conditions for subsequent shape evolution, which determines the overall morphology of the TSP and fine structure of the internal channel. Our computer simulations of drop dynamics add a new capability to the swarm-of-Stokeslets technique: unequal viscosities of the drop and bulk phases (i.e., non-unit viscosity ratio). During sedimentation, the density difference between the droplet and the bulk solution played a more pronounced role than the viscosity ratio, which was revealed both by experimental observations and numerical simulations. Understanding the fundamental hydrodynamics and developing a flow map will ultimately aid in the design of TSPs with tunable empty channels toward drug delivery and cell encapsulation.
Chapter 5 Specification and Design of a Switched Reluctance 48 V Belt Integrated Starter Generator (B-ISG) for Mild Hybrid Passenger Car Applications

Development of higher-voltage electrical systems in vehicles has been slowly progressing over the past few decades. However, tightening vehicle efficiency and emissions regulations and increasing demand for onboard electrical power means that higher voltages, in the form of supplemental 48 V subsystems, may soon be nearing production as the most cost-effective way to meet regulations. The displacement of high-wattage loads to more efficient 48 V networks is expected to be the next step in the development of a new generation of mild hybrid vehicles. In addition to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, 48 V systems could potentially save costs on new electrical features and help better address the emerging needs of future drivers. Challenges to 48 V system implementation remain, leading to discussions by experts from leading car makers and suppliers on the need for an international 48 V standard. Initial steps toward a proposed standard have already been taken. So the consensus of global forecasts suggests that 48 V mild hybrids will soon come to dominate the market. Compared with 200-600 V full hybrid and battery electric vehicles, the lower-voltage approach avoids the need for high-cost safety features and large battery packs.
Taming the zoo: the unified GraphIt compiler framework for novel architectures

We live in a new Cambrian Explosion of hardware devices. The end of conventional processor scaling has driven research and industry practice to explore a new generation of approaches. The old DNA of architecture design, including vectors, threads, shared or private memories, coherence or message passing, dataflow or von Neumann execution, are hybridized together in new and exciting ways. Each new architecture exposes a unique hardware-level API. Performance and energy efficiency are critically dependent on how well programs can use these APIs. One approach is to implement custom libraries for each new hardware architecture and application domain. A more scalable approach is to utilize a portable compiler infrastructure tailored to the application domain that makes it easy to generate efficient code for a diverse set of architectures with minimal porting effort. We propose the Unified GraphIt Compiler framework (UGC), which does exactly this for graph applications. UGC achieves portability with reasonable effort by decoupling the architecture-independent algorithm from the architecture-specific schedules and backends. We introduce a new domain-specific intermediate representation, GraphIR, that is key to this decoupling. GraphIR encodes high-level algorithm and optimization information needed for hardware-specific code generation, making it easy to develop different backends (GraphVMs) for diverse architectures, including CPUs, GPUs, and next-generation hardware such as Swarm and the HammerBlade manycore. We also build scheduling language extensions that make it easy to expose optimization decisions like load balancing strategies, blocking for locality, and other data structure choices. We evaluate UGC on five algorithms and 10 input graphs on these 4 distinct architectures and show that UGC enables implementing optimizations that can provide up to 53X speedup over programmer-generated straightforward implementations.
Energy Charge as a Cytosolic Signal for Adenosine Release

Studies in isolated cells and with purified cytosolic 5′-nucleo-tidase have suggested that adenosine formation may be regulated by the cytosolic energy charge. We have used isolated guinea pig and rat hearts to test this hypothesis measuring in vivo high energy phosphate concentrations with 31P-NMR. Several different interventions were used to lower energy charge (and phosphorylation potential), including norepinephrine (NE) infusion, hypoperfusion, hypoxia, and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) infusion. Caffeine was also used in order to elevate adenosine release during NE infusion. We tested for a biphasic relationship between adenosine release and energy charge as had been found in in vitro studies. We found such a relationship during hypoperfusion and 2DG treatment, but not during hypoxia. During hypoperfusion and 2DG treatment, adenosine release began to decline at energy charges much higher than those observed in vitro. In addition, caffeine elevated adenosine release more than predicted by the change in phosphorylation potential. We concluded that regulation of cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase by energy charge or phosphorylation potential cannot explain adenosine formation in all circumstances. The availability of free cytosolic AMP is also not a sufficient explanation. These results further suggested that (1) different cytosolic 5′-nucleotidases account for the differences between in vitro and in vivo adenosine formation during decreases in energy charge, and (2) cardiac 5′-nucleotidase is inhibited during severe hypoperfusion but not during severe hypoxia.
Transcription Factor Networks

Many biological processes are regulated by networks of interacting transcription factors, or gene regulatory networks. These are organized hierarchically at several levels. In this article, we review the organization at the level of a single gene, of a handful of genes grouped into a functional unit (or motif), and at the global level, where these networks exhibit the properties of being small-world, scale-free, and modular.
Traffic accidents involving psychiatric patients. Characteristics of accidents involving drivers who have been admitted to Danish psychiatric departments.

The present investigation analyzes the characteristics of traffic accidents involving psychiatric patients and comprises all persons who during the period 1970–74 have been admitted to a psychiatric in-patient institution and who during the period 1972–74 have been involved in a traffic accident causing bodily injury. AAccidents with psychiatric patients involved constitute about 5.7 % of all traffic accidents reported in Denmark. Compared with the total group of accidents, they are characterized by an overrepresentation of women and of persons in the age group 25–54 years. Accidents with psychiatric patients are over-represented during the period July-September, and in areas densely built up. The accidents tend to be more complicated, and the psychiatric patients are more likely to get injured and be hospitalized due to the accident. The investigation is based exclusively on routinely collected data. The limitations with which the results are encumbered and the problems concerning methodology and comparison of merent studies are discussed.
Anti-Phishing Strong Authentication Technology Options

The United States banking industry has been directed by its regulatory agencies to provide authentication stronger than single factor for “high risk” transactions, as a defense against phishing. Financial institutions have a wide array of options available to them to meet this requirement, and choosing among those options is likely not a simple matter. Factors involved in the decision process include usability, security, and acceptability to the regulatory agencies. This paper presents an overview of the options available in the commercial market, and proposes future research to monitor the activities of financial institutions as they move toward the deadline.
Trading Basis Part 1

The Credit Default Swap (CDS) market is still fairly young. As a result, there are some areas that have not yet been fully investigated. One of those areas is the behavior of the Cheapest to Deliver Option (CTD) embedded within the CDS contract. Fluctuations in the CTD translate into changes in the ?Basis?, the visible difference between the credit spread of a bond and its CDS. The aim of this paper is to develop a trading strategy that profits from fluctuations in the value of the CTD. To do this, we try to shed some light on the factors affecting the CTD within Emerging Markets (EM) Sovereigns Bonds. We propose a stylized closed-form Black-Scholes framework that identifies those factors which are likely to be most important. We run statistical tests to verify the validity of this approach and develop a Monte Carlo simulation model to put a value on the CTD. We find that the statistical tests give credence to the Black-Scholes formulation and are corroborated by the implications of the Monte Carlo model. The resulting trading strategy is highly profitable. We also discuss some potentially important ancillary results, relating to a method for obtaining the implied market values for both bond default probabilities and recovery rates.
Continuing Medical Education: 2009 Update on Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Therapy Part 1: Recent Studies on Routine Dosing for Penile Rehabilitation, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Other Indications (CME)

ABSTRACT Introduction Highly selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5I) have been commercially available for over a decade. Our knowledge of these drugs continues to expand. Aims To review developments within the past 18 months on the utilization of PDE5I in preclinical studies and clinical practice. The focus of this article is on updates on regular dosing regimens of PDE5I other than the newly approved daily dose tadalafil. Methods PubMed search utilizing the terms "phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor," PDE5 inhibitor,""sildenafil,""vardenafil," and "tadalafil." Articles were screened based on whether or not they addressed issues of routine dosing of PDE5I. Manuscripts on the newly approved daily dose tadalafil for erectile dysfunction (ED) were deferred for analysis in a separate manuscript in this series. Main Outcome Measures Peer reviewed publications on routine dosing of PDE5I published in the medical literature since 2007. Results There have been numerous publications in the past 2 years regarding routine dosing of PDE5I for three major urological indications; penile rehabilitation, stuttering priapism, and management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Evidence from basic science investigations has indicated that daily dose PDE5I may improve erectile function and exert a number of beneficial tissue effects on the penis. Unfortunately, data from human series of routine dose PDE5I for penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy are conflicting, with the two largest studies showing no benefit to daily dose therapy in the post-radical prostatectomy and the general ED populations. PDE5I are generally helpful at reducing symptoms of LUTS, particularly when given in conjunction with alpha blockers. Routine dosing of PDE5I has also been utilized successfully for management of stuttering ischemic priapism and several other medical indications. Conclusions PDE5I given as routine doses have clinical promise. Further research is required to clarify their safety and efficacy for various indications. Shindel AW. 2009 update on phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy part 1: Recent studies on routine dosing for penile rehabilitation, lower urinary tract symptoms, and other indications. J Sex Med 2009;6:1794–1808.
Financial Institution Board Responsibilities Under the Microscope

In the wake of the financial crisis, boards of directors will find both regulators and shareholders focused on legal and ethical responsibilities of the board. How much direction and oversight should a board provide to management in its efforts to maximize profitability? What new requirements will the regulators impose and what actions will they take based on past board actions? Every financial crisis has brought a wave of enforcement actions. It is important for boards and their attorneys to anticipate and prepare for heightened regulatory attention.
Valley Polarization and Susceptibility of Composite Fermions around a Filling Factor ν=(3)/(2)

We report magnetotransport measurements of fractional quantum Hall states in an AlAs quantum well around a Landau level filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{3}{2}$, demonstrating that the quasiparticles are composite fermions (CFs) with a valley degree of freedom. By monitoring the valley level crossings for these states as a function of applied symmetry-breaking strain, we determine the CF valley susceptibility and polarization. The data can be explained well by a simple Landau level fan diagram for CFs, and are in nearly quantitative agreement with the results reported for CF spin polarization.
Hydrogen production in nitrogenase mutants in Anabaena variabilis

Nitrogenase produces hydrogen as a normal byproduct of the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. The Nif2 nitrogenase in Anabaena variabilis is an alternative Mo-nitrogenase and is expressed in vegetative cells grown with fructose under strictly anaerobic conditions. We report here that the V75I substitution in the α-subunit of Nif2 showed greatly impaired acetylene reduction and reduced levels of 15N2 fixation but had similar hydrogen production rates as the wild-type enzyme under argon. Another mutant containing a substitution in the α-subunit, V76I, would result in a decrease in the size of the putative gas channel of nitrogenase and, thus, was hypothesized to affect substrate selectivity of nitrogenase. However, this substitution had no effect on the enzyme selectivity, suggesting that access by gases to the active site through this putative gas channel is not limited by the increased size of the amino acid side chain in the α-subunit, V76I substitution.
The conference on standardization of anthropometric techniques and terminology (a report)

The conference, attended by anthropologists, engineers, dental and medical researchers, physical educationists and statisticians, took place on 28–30 March 1967 in the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The ultimate purpose was to improve the comparability of anthropometric data from all workers, by establishing standards for the many new dimensions required in engineering anthropology, and by developing a terminology that reconciles the new standards with previous usages. In this effort, the group selected a list of dimensions (though with dissent on type and number) recommended as a minimum for all human biological surveys; and they chose from previous usage a terminological structure whose form, content and mode of presentation they recommended as standard practice by all anthropometrists. Both official and dissenting lists are presented, and the terminological structure is described, with examples. Despite solid progress toward a standardized technology encompassing both classical and modern practices, the conference left numerous points of technique or terminology unsettled, some of which are briefly described. Hence future meetings appear necessary, perhaps annually, until such remaining problems can be resolved.
Uniformity of the Soft-X-Ray Emissions from Gold Foils Irradiated by OMEGA Laser Beams Determined by a Two-Mirror Normal-Incidence Microscope with Multilayer Coatings.

A two-mirror normal-incidence microscope with multilayer coatings was used to image the soft-x-ray emissions from planar foils irradiated by OMEGA laser beams. The bandpass of the multilayer coatings was centered at a wavelength of 48.3 A (257-eV energy) and was 0.5 A wide. Five overlapping OMEGA beams, without beam smoothing, were typically incident on the gold foils. The total energy was 1500 J, and the focused intensity was 6 × 1013 W cm-2. The 5.8× magnified images were recorded by a gated framing camera at various times during the 3-ns laser pulse. A pinhole camera imaged the x-ray emission in the energy range of >2 keV. On a spatial scale of 10 μm, it was found that the soft-x-ray images at 257 eV were quite uniform and featureless. In contrast, the hard-x-ray images in the energy range of >2 keV were highly nonuniform with numerous features of size 150 μm.
Practical Kinematics for Real-Time Implementation of Continuum Robots

This paper introduces three algorithms which are essential for the practical, real-time implementation of continuum robots. Continuum robots lack the joints and links which compose traditional and high-degree-of-freedom robots, instead relying on finite actuation mechanisms to shape the robot into a smooth curve. Actuator length limits shape the configuration or joint space of continuum manipulators, introducing couplings analyzed in this paper which must be understood to make effective use of continuum robot hardware. Based on the new understanding of the configuration space uncovered, this paper then derives the workspace of continuum robots when constrained by actuator length limits. Finally, a tangle/untangle algorithm correctly computes the shape of the distal segments of multisection tendon-actuated continuum robots. These contributions are essential for effective use of a wide range of continuum robots, and have been implemented and tested on two different types of continuum robots. Results and insight gained from this implementation are presented
The characterization of parametric surface sections

Abstract An important class of surface intersection problems involves the sectioning of finite parametric polynomial patches by an unbounded algebraic surface. The section curve may be represented precisely by a high order algebraic curve F(u,ν) = 0 in the parameter space of the patch. It is then desired to evaluate the curve, i.e., to identify each of its open segments and closed loops, singular features such as cusps or self-intersections, and to generate ordered sequences of points along each segment or loop. Concepts from algebraic curve theory are employed to determine a set of characteristic points for the section curve. These comprise all curve points on the parameter domain boundary, all turning points where the curve tangent is parallel to u = 0 or ν = 0, and all singular points. The characteristic points dissect the section curve into a set of monotonic branches. Each characteristic point is assigned a link multiplicity, giving the number of branches entering or leaving that point. The number of monotonic curve branches is then uniquely determined by the sum of the link multiplicities. To complete the section curve evaluation, it is necessary to trace the curve branches between characteristic points. Two methods are described to identify and generate ordered point sequences along each branch: (1) locating curve points on an isoparametric grid and employing a heuristic sorting procedure; (2) marching along branches in small steps by local power-series expansions. The identification of all characteristic points coupled with the power series curve-tracing procedure provides an essentially deterministic method for evaluating parametric surface sections. This is a substantial improvement over current heuristic numerical algorithms.
Effects of photoperiod, cold acclimation and melatonin on the white rat.

Abstract 1. The combined stimuli of short day (9L:15D) and cold exposure (8 ± 2°C) produced a positive response to norepinephrine resulting in nonshivering thermogenesis (metabolic rate 23% above basal metabolic rate), stimulated growth of brown adipose tissue and effectively raised the mean lowest daily rectal temperatures of the white rat over warm-acclimated conditions (21 ± 2°). 2. Exogenous melatonin was effective in depressing the mean daily lowest rectal temperature under warm acclimated conditions and raising the mean daily lowest rectal temperatures of long day rats under cold conditions. It apparently overrode the effect of a long day. 3. The combination of cold acclimation and short day potentiated by melatonin induced an increase ( P > 0.02) in mean pineal weight over long day, melatonin-treated, cold-acclimated rats. 4. Although the short day, warm experiment did not produce “cold acclimation without cold” as shown in other laboratories, the short day, cold experiment did produce indices of cold acclimation not seen in the long day, cold experiment. This would be predicted from adaptation observed in mammals in the free environment.
Atmospheric bridge, oceanic tunnel, and global climatic teleconnections

[1] We review teleconnections within the atmosphere and ocean, their dynamics and their role in coupled climate variability. We concentrate on teleconnections in the latitudinal direction, notably tropical-extratropical and interhemispheric interactions, and discuss the timescales of several teleconnection processes. The tropical impact on extratropical climate is accomplished mainly through the atmosphere. In particular, tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies impact extratropical climate variability through stationary atmospheric waves and their interactions with midlatitude storm tracks. Changes in the extratropics can also impact the tropical climate through upper ocean subtropical cells at decadal and longer timescales. On the global scale the tropics and subtropics interact through the atmospheric Hadley circulation and the oceanic subtropical cell. The thermohaline circulation can provide an effective oceanic teleconnection for interhemispheric climate interactions.
A test of the influence of continental axes of orientation on patterns of human gene flow

The geographic distribution of genetic variation reflects trends in past population migrations and can be used to make inferences about these migra- tions. It has been proposed that the east-west orienta- tion of the Eurasian landmass facilitated the rapid spread of ancient technological innovations across Eur- asia, while the north-south orientation of the Americas led to a slower diffusion of technology there. If the dif- fusion of technology was accompanied by gene flow, then this hypothesis predicts that genetic differentia- tion in the Americas along lines of longitude will be greater than that in Eurasia along lines of latitude. We use 678 microsatellite loci from 68 indigenous pop- ulations in Eurasia and the Americas to investigate the spatial axes that underlie population-genetic varia- tion. We find that genetic differentiation increases more rapidly along lines of longitude in the Americas than along lines of latitude in Eurasia. Distance along lines of latitude explains a sizeable portion of genetic distance in Eurasia, whereas distance along lines of longitude does not explain a large proportion of Eura- sian genetic variation. Genetic differentiation in the Americas occurs along both latitudinal and longitudi- nal axes and has a greater magnitude than correspond- ing differentiation in Eurasia, even when adjusting for the lower level of genetic variation in the American populations. These results support the view that conti- nental orientation has influenced migration patterns and has played an important role in determining both the structure of human genetic variation and the dis- tribution and spread of cultural traits. Am J Phys Anthropol 146:515-529, 2011. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrating Real Option and Dynamic Capability Theories of Firm Boundaries: The Logic of Early Acquisition in the ICT Industry

Firms often acquire other firms to source technology but it is unclear why they might assume such risk by buying before a product standard is established in their industry. We draw upon real options and dynamic capability theories of firm organization to develop an integrated framework that explains why firms might acquire early and which firms are more likely to do so. We develop propositions regarding certain firm attributes as predictors of acquisition timing relative to passage of a technology standard. We argue that from a real options perspective, the primary reason firms acquire early is related to the firmâ€™s knowledge of the technology. However, attributes such as political influence in the standardization process, prior experience making acquisitions, and how the firm resolves uncertainty about the technical expertise of potential acquisition targets are capabilities that also enter the acquisition timing decision. We provide a model based on those propositions and address how it can be empirically tested.
Aminosulfonic acid buffer preserves myocardium during prolonged ischemia

Prevention of myocardial acidosis during global ischemia in operative cardiopreservation was explored in two series of dogs where acid-base control was the only variable. A specifically designed aminosulfonic acid buffer composition, 3:1 molar equivalents NaMOPS to HEPES, 0.2 mol/L, was compared with NaHCO3 (pH 8). Dissolved in standard cardioplegic solution it was given every 30 minutes by coronary infusion at 20 degrees C during 3 hours of global ischemia. Glass electrode intramyocardial pH, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, left ventricular contractility (Dp/Dt) and compliance (-Dp/Dt), and other cardiovascular parameters were measured frequently throughout ischemia and for 75 minutes thereafter. In the buffer group (n = 6) myocardial pH remained above entry levels throughout the study period, adenosine triphosphate level remained normal during ischemia, and Dp/Dt and -Dp/Dt at 75 minutes of reperfusion were above entry levels. In the NaHCO3 group (n = 6) pH declined and remained depressed throughout ischemia, adenosine triphosphate level fell steadily and significantly throughout the experiment, and Dp/Dt and -Dp/Dt never regained entry levels. The difference in each parameter between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). We conclude that control of myocardial acid-base equilibrium alone during global ischemia will preserve myocardial function and minimize reperfusion injury.
Reach training selectively alters dendritic branching in subpopulations of layer II–III pyramids in rat motor-somatosensory forelimb cortex

Abstract We have previously reported that training rats to reach for bits of cookies resulted in an increase in dendritic length and branching complexity in the apical branches of layer V pyramidal cells within the motor-sensory forelimb cortex. In this paper, we describe the effects of reach training upon the basilar branches of two subpopulations of pyramidal cells in layers II and III. The two subpopulations of pyramids are distinguishable by morphological characteristics and location within layers II and III. The basilar dendrites of one subtype, the forked apical pyramid, are selectively altered in size and complexity during reach training; whereas the other subtype, the single apical cells, do not measurably change during training. Based upon these findings, we postulate that these cells may have different roles in governing the reaching behavior.
Defining the Role of the Bcl-2 Family of Proteins in the Nervous System:

The Bcl-2 family of apoptotic-regulating proteins plays important roles during both neural development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The major antiapoptotic family members, Bcl-x(L) and Bcl-2, and the major proapoptotic proteins, Bax and Bak, show distinct temporal and spatial patterns of expression in the developing brain. Targeted deletions of Bcl-x(L) and Bcl-2 as well as Bax and Bak have proven to be important tools in delineating the process of cell death in the nervous system. These genetic models show that Bcl-x(L) and Bax play crucial roles in regulating the survival of differentiating neurons. In contrast, Bax and Bak play redundant roles in regulating the size of the neural progenitor cell population in postnatal mice and in the normal development of the retinal layers of the eye. Bax, Bcl-x(L), and Bcl-2 regulate the apoptotic response to neurotrophic factor deprivation. In contrast, excitotoxic cell death is not dependent on either Bax or Bak. In fact, the absence of proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins can enhance the toxicity of neuroexcitatory molecules. Together, these data establish the intrinsic apoptotic pathway regulated by Bcl-2 proteins as a critical but not exclusive regulator of neural cell survival.
Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells: Biology and Therapeutic Implications

The hypothesis that cancer is driven by a subpopulation of tumor-initiating or cancer stem cells (CSC), defined by their selective ability for extensive self-renewal and capacity to give rise to nontumorigenic cancer cell progeny through differentiation, has been validated experimentally in diverse human malignancies. Translational relevance of the CSC hypothesis is underlined by emerging novel strategies designed to target all subpopulations within a given tumor in order to effect cancer eradication and improve patient outcomes. Colorectal cancer stem cells (CRSCs) have been identified and successfully isolated by several research groups based on distinct cell-surface marker characteristics. Identification of CRSC populations has led to a wave of discoveries describing novel self-renewal and drug resistance mechanisms in colorectal cancer that represent novel future therapeutic targets. In this review, we will discuss emerging CRSC-specific pathways and the therapeutic promise of targeting this cancer population in colorectal cancer patients.
Hwearflacra hrær: Line 34a of The Finnsburh Fragment

“The Battle of Finnsburh,” related to the “Finn Episode” in Beowulf, exists only in a seventeenth-century transcription and contains forty-eight lines. The original manuscript, believed to have been found in the Lambeth Palace Library, is thought to have been lost during the reordering and rebinding of manuscripts in the late seventeenth century. It is known as the Finnsburh Fragment . There are numerous cruces found in the text, including line 34a, hwearflacra hraer . Although many previous considerations have assumed the transcriber, George Hickes, was in error, it is proposed that Hickes was correct in his transcription. Hwearflacra is dealt with as a plural genitive kenning, while hraer is viewed as a variation of hraew . The proposed reading of line 34a also considers the influence of Germanic and Norse mythology on the text. The suggested interpretation demonstrates that harsh emendations to Hickes’s transcription are not necessary to reach a comprehensible reading.
Anti-glucocorticoids block the enhancement of mouse mammary tumor virus production by 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Four anti-glucocorticoids, 11-deoxycortisol, deoxycorticosterone, 17 alpha-methyltestosterone and progesterone were demonstrated to antagonize the stimulation of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) production by the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone in the cell line Mm5mt. These same anti-glucocorticoids were also able to suppress the enhancement of MMTV production by the tumor promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), whereas estradiol, the anti-tumor promoter trans-retinoic acid, and the calmodulin inhibitor, chlorpromazine did not. Binding competition studies indicate that TPA can compete with dexamethasone in binding to the cellular glucocorticoid receptor. These results suggest that TPA stimulates the expression of MMTV by mimicking a glucocorticoid hormone.
Elastic Scattering of 40-Mev Protons by Deuterons

Measurements of the differential cross section for elastic scattering of 40-Mev protons by deuterons over the range of proton laboratory angles from 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 164\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} are reported. The results for angles greater than 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} were obtained by observing the recoil deuterons emitted in the forward direction. The cross section exhibits a sharp minimum at 7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and a broad minimum at approximately 110\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.
Corral Trapping of Single Molecules in Solution: Theory and Applications

One of the great outstanding challenges for the fabrication of nanosensors and nanodevices that will drive future technologies and enable the planned assembly of molecular-scale devices is the controlled manipulation of nanoscale objects, and particularly of single molecules. Any such manipulation is preceded by an efficient, reliable method for confining (trapping) an object on demand, which has remained a formidable task in the case of single molecules.We have successfully trapped single molecule ions and other charged particles in aqueous electrolytes using a purely electrostatic setup, demonstrating stable and reversible confinement of single and multiple particles to nanoscale dimensions over extended periods of time.Here, we will present some of the experimental results and discuss potential mechanisms for corral trapping. Electrokinetic phenomena such as electrohydrodynamic flow, electroosmotic flow, or dielectrophoresis are known to occur near a charged metal electrode; however, we attribute corral trapping to direct charge-field interactions, i.e. and electrostatic or electrophoretic mechanism, which seems consistent with all experimental observations. Theoretical modeling of the entire setup using the finite element method will be discussed, and the limitations for applications in SNP detection and water treatment technologies will be explored.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
SNPlotz: a generic genome plot tool to aid the SNP association studies

Background High throughput SNP genotyping has empowered livestock researchers to perform genome wide association studies to discover genes responsible for complex traits or economically important quantitative traits. The analysis of large numbers of genotypes is not only a challenge for statistical data analysis but also presents a tedious job for users to interpret and comprehend the large number of statistics generated. A simple and fast approach is to plot the phenotypic association values of each SNP against their genome locations. The benefit is twofold: (1) certain genome locations may quickly draw