cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biofabrication of spheroids fusion-based tumor models: computational simulation of glucose effects.

In vitro tumor models consisting of cell spheroids are increasingly used for mechanistic studies and pharmacological testing. However, unless vascularized, the availability of nutrients such as glucose to deeper layers of multicellular aggregates is limited. In addition, recent developments in cells-only biofabrication (e.g. 'scaffold-free bioprinting'), allow the creation of more complex spheroid-based structures, further exposing the cells to nutrient deprivation within these constructs. To explore the impact of glucose availability on such tumor-like structures, we used the CompuCell3D (CC3D) platform for modeling of tumor spheroids. By monitoring the types of cells, fusing pairs geometry and the distance between spheroids centers of mass, we made novel heuristic observations on how binary- and multi-spheroid fusions are impacted by glucose availability. At limiting glucose concentrations mimicking hypoglycemia we noted an abrupt collapse of the tumor spheroids, unexpectedly amplified by the contact with normal cell spheroids. At higher glucose concentrations, we found an increased intermixing of cancerous cells, strong anti-phase oscillations between proliferating and quiescent tumor cells and a structural instability of fusing tumor spheroids, leading to their re-fragmentation. In a model of tumor microenvironment composed of normal cell spheroids fusing around a tumoral one, the competition for glucose lead to either the tumor's disappearance, or to its steady expansion. Moreover, the invasion of this microenvironment by individual tumor cells was also strongly depended on the available glucose. In conclusion, we demonstrate the value of computational simulations for anticipating the properties of biofabricated tumor models, and in generating testable hypotheses regarding the relationship between cancer, nutrition and diabetes.
Pulmonary artery size on computed tomography is associated with major morbidity after pulmonary lobectomy

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship of pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) measured by computed tomography (CT) with outcomes following lobectomy. Methods Records of patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer between 2011 and 2018 were reviewed. Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcome data were derived from the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Luminal diameter of the central pulmonary arteries and ascending aorta were measured on preoperative CTs. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test the association of PAD with complications. Results A total of 736 lobectomy patients were included, who had a preoperative CT scan (25% with contrast, 75% noncontrast) available for review. A total of 141 (19.2%) patients had an enlarged main PAD ≥30 mm, and 58 (7.9%) patients had a main PAD that was larger than the ascending aorta (PA/ascending aorta ratio > 1). The right or left PAD on the surgical side was associated with major complication (odds ratio per mm, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.18; P Conclusions CT-based measurements of the PAD on the operative side may inform of the about the risk of major complications after lobectomy. Review of PA size on preoperative CT scans may help identify patients who would benefit from formal evaluation of PA pressures to improve the operative risk assessment.
Abstract IA-001: Molecular subtypes and vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease with few effective treatment options. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of PDAC is critical to developing new biomarker strategies and therapeutic approaches for patients. In this talk, I will review our understanding of the genetics and biology of PDAC, including the major genomic subtypes and transcriptional programs of the disease. I will discuss how single-cell RNA sequencing has refined our understanding of subtype heterogeneity and evolution in the context of therapy and PDAC model systems. Moreover, I will discuss new KRAS inhibitors, their mechanisms of resistance and their potential to impact the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer patients. Lastly, I will discuss our recent efforts to use functional genetic screening approaches to define new therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer, highlighting our work on the VPS4A ATPase as a potential new target in tumors with 18q/SMAD4 deletion. Citation Format: Andrew Aguirre. Molecular subtypes and vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2021 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(22 Suppl):Abstract nr IA-001.
Niche Differentiation of Arsenic-Transforming Microbial Groups in the Rice Rhizosphere Compartments as Impacted by Water Management and Soil-Arsenic Concentrations.

Arsenic (As) bioavailability in the rice rhizosphere is influenced by many microbial interactions, particularly by metal-transforming functional groups at the root-soil interface. This study was conducted to examine As-transforming microbes and As-speciation in the rice rhizosphere compartments, in response to two different water management practices (continuous and intermittently flooded), established on fields with high to low soil-As concentration. Microbial functional gene composition in the rhizosphere and root-plaque compartments were characterized using the GeoChip 4.0 microarray. Arsenic speciation and concentrations were analyzed in the rhizosphere soil, root-plaque, pore water and grain samples. Results confirmed several As-biotransformation processes in the rice rhizosphere compartments, and distinct assemblage of As-reducing and methylating bacteria was observed between the root-plaque and rhizosphere. Results confirmed higher potential for microbial As-reduction and As-methylation in continuously flooded, long term As-contaminated fields, which accumulated highest concentrations of AsIII and methyl-As concentrations in pore water and rice grains. Water management treatment significantly altered As-speciation in the rhizosphere, and intermittent flooding reduced methyl-As and AsIII concentrations in the pore water, root-plaque and rice grain. Ordination and taxonomic analysis of detected gene-probes indicated that root-plaque and rhizosphere assembled significantly different several other microbial functional groups demonstrating niche separation. Taxonomic non-redundancy was evident, suggesting that As-reduction, -oxidation and -methylation processes were performed by different microbial functional groups. It was also evident that As transformation was coupled to different biogeochemical cycling processes (nutrient assimilation, carbon metabolism etc.,) in the compartments and treatments, revealing functional non-redundancy of rice-rhizosphere microbiome in response to local biogeochemical conditions and As contamination. This study provided novel insights on As-biotransformation processes and their implications on As-chemistry at the root-soil interface and their responses to water management, which could be applied for mitigating As-bioavailability and accumulation in rice grains.
Direct Active-Balancing Control of Flying-Capacitor Voltages in an ANPC-Based Multilevel Inverter

An active balancing technique for the direct voltage control of flying-capacitors within a hybrid multilevel inverter is explored and experimentally verified in this paper. This method employs a set of logical variables that are derived from voltage and current measurements obtained from the floating-capacitors and inverter’s ac stage, respectively. The ultimate logic-equations take the redundant switching states for each voltage-level of the adopted pulse-width-modulator into consideration, and feature prominent advantages such as a fixed-switching frequency, super fast execution-time, and ease of implementation for the industrial applications of multilevel inverters. The introduced technique is exploited for an active voltage control of a 7-level hybrid inverter which is realized from a cascaded connection of ANPC topology and two H-bridge modules. The provided experimental results validate the logic-equations and its cost-function elimination basis and optimization-free approach.
'Getting to Know You': Results from a Pilot Survey of Incoming Law Students

Every year, those of us who teach first year law students face the same dilemma: we know that the more we understand about our students - who they are, how they think, and what they know (and think they know) - the more likely it is that we will be able to teach them effectively. Yet our subjects are so complex, and time is so short, that we can spend little time learning about our students. It can be a frustrating experience. This article summarizes the results of a pilot survey of incoming law students born of that frustration. Although the survey was only intended as a test of the methodology and the internet-based technology used to distribute the survey and analyze the results, and therefore was only limited to three schools, the data it generated were sufficiently interesting to suggest dissemination to a wider audience. The article contains raw data from 350 responding students, tracking their responses to questions on topics such as practice preference, learning style, reading habits, writing experience, research skills, and internet use. Some of the results were expected and some were surprising, but all help us to build a more complete picture of who our students are.
Evaluation of Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35—an Aurivillius-Type Conducting Oxide—as a Cathode Material for Single-Chamber Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

The compoundBi_(2)V_(0.9)Cu_(0.1)O_(5.35), a typical Aurivillius-type fast oxygen ion conductor, was evaluated as a possible cathode material for single-chamber solid-oxide fuel cells operated under mixed propane and oxygen. The material was found to be structurally stable under various C_(3)H_(8)+ O_2 environments over a wide temperature range and furthermore displayed low catalytic activity for propane oxidation. However, at temperatures above 650°C, detrimental reactions between the cathode and the ceria electrolyte occurred, producing low conductivity interfacial phases. At these high temperatures the cathode additionally underwent extensive sintering and loss of porosity and, thus, stable fuel cell operation was limited to furnace temperatures of <600°C. Even under such conditions, however, the partial oxidation occurring at the anode (a ceria nickel cermet) resulted in cell temperatures as much as 70–110°C higher than the gas-phase temperature. This explains the sharp decrease in fuel cell performance with time during operation at a furnace temperature of 586°C. Under optimized conditions, a peak power density of ~60 mW/cm^2 was obtained, which does not compete with recent values obtained from higher activity cathodes. Thus, the poor electrochemical activity of Bi_(2)V_(0.9)Cu_(0.1)O_(5.35), combined with its chemical instability at higher temperatures, discourages further consideration of this material as a cathode in single-chamber fuel cells.
Differentiation of Narrow Complex Tachycardia

Many criteria and pacing maneuvers exist to determine the etiology of a narrow QRS complex tachycardia (NCT). This report describes a case of NCT where the initial conflicting findings at the time of EP study were clarified by the development of left bundle branch block and prolongation of ventriculoatrial conduction time confirming the diagnosis of a left sided accessory pathway. The accessory pathway was then successfully ablated.
Interaction with radiation

α) The dipole approximation. We start from the fundamental formula of radiation theory for the probability of a spontaneous transition of an atom from2 a state n to a state nʹ (energies E n and E nʹ ), with the emission of one photon. Let k be the propagation vector, k = | k | the wave number, v nnʹ and ωnʹthe “ordinary” and “angular” frequency of the photon. We then have the Bohr energy relation3 $$\omega _{nn^\prime}\equiv 2\pi \nu _{nn^\prime}\equiv ck=\frac{1}{\hbar}(E_n-E_n^\prime)$$ .
t(3;8)(q26;q24) With MYC Rearrangement in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report

Rearrangements of 3q26 have been described in 5% of de novo or therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia. The most common translocations involving 3q26 are t(3;12)(q26;p13), t(3;21)(q26;q22), t(3;3)(q21;q26), t(2;3)(p15∼23;q26∼27), and rarely, t(3;7)(q26;q21). However, t(3;8)(q26;q24) with or without monosomy 7 is …
Writing of Motion

Barbara Browning. Samba: Resistance in Motion. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1995. xxvi. 190 pp.
Calorimetric determination of energetics of solid solutions of UO2+x with CaO and Y2O3

Abstract Quantitative study of thermodynamic properties of solid solutions of UO 2+ x with divalent and trivalent oxides is important for predicting the behavior of oxide fuel. Although early literature work measured vapor pressure in some of these solid solutions, direct calorimetric measurements of enthalpies of formation have been hampered by the refractory nature of such oxides. First measurements of the enthalpies of formation in the systems UO 2+ x –CaO and UO 2+ x –YO 1.5 , obtained by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry, are reported. Both systems show significantly negative (exothermic) heats of formation from binary oxides (UO 2 , plus O 2 and CaO or YO 1.5 , as well as from UO 2 plus UO 3 and CaO or YO 1.5 ), consistent with reported free energy measurements in the urania–yttria system. The energetic contributions of oxygen content (oxidation of U 4+ ) and of charge balanced ionic substitution as well as defect clustering are discussed. Behavior of urania–yttria is compared to that of corresponding systems in which the tetravalent ion is Ce, Zr, or Hf. The substantial additional stability in the solid solutions compared to pure UO 2+ x may retard, in both thermodynamic and kinetic sense, the oxidation and leaching of spent fuel to form aqueous U 6+ and solid uranyl phases.
Beta-agonists modulate T-cell functions via direct actions on type 1 and type 2 cells

Although the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is the most extensively characterized G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the effects of β-agonists on T-cell subtype function remain poorly understood. In contrast to studies suggesting lack of β2AR expression on type 2 T cells, we demonstrate that type 2 interleukin-13+ (IL-13+) T cells (CD4+ or CD8+) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) can respond directly to β-agonist, with effects including induction of protein kinase A (PKA) activity and associated inhibition of CD3-stimulated CD25 expression; CD3-stimulated IL-13, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IL-2 production; and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. PGE2 was more efficacious than β-agonist in activating PKA and inhibiting cytokine production. β-agonist and PGE2 also inhibited phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) + calcimycin-stimulated IFN-γ and IL-2 (but not IL-13) production, suggesting that upstream CD3-initiated signaling is not the sole locus of PKA actions. Differential regulation of PMA-stimulated p38, p42/p44, and NF-κB explained the capacity of PGE2 and β-agonist to inhibit IFN-γ but not IL-13 production. The inhibition of CD3 + CD28-stimulated IL-13 production by both β-agonist and PGE2 was reversed at low agonist concentrations, resulting in enhanced IL-13, but not IFN-γ or IL-2, production. These findings identify direct effects of β2AR activation on T-cell subtypes and suggest a complex role for GPCRs and PKA activity in modulating T-cell functions.
State and Society in 21st Century China: Crisis, Contention and Legitimation

Introduction: Popular Protest and State Legitimation in Twenty-First Century China 1. Legitimacy Crisis in China? 2. The New Crowd of the Disposessed: The Shift of the Urban Proletariat from Master to Mendicant 3. Society's Masters' Struggle to Survive: State Workers, Joblessness and Contention in Post-Deng China 4. Comrades and Collectives in Arms: Tax Resistance, Evasion and Avoidance Strategies in Post-Mao China 5. Neither Contained nor Transgressive: Boundary-Spanning Contention in China 6. The China Democracy Party, Intellectuals and the Politics of Protest 7. Who Does the Party Represent? From 'Three Revolutionary Classes' to 'Three Represents' 8. The State of Youth/Youth and the State in Early Twenty-First Century China 9. Popular Nationalism and State Legitimation 10. Seeking Legitimacy Through Art: China's Plunge into the International Cultural Economy 11. What Is China? Who Is Chinese? Han-Minority Relations, Legitimacy and the State 12. State and Society in Transitions From Communism: China in Comparative Perspective
Burgers's-Korteweg-De Vries equation for viscoelastic rods and plates

Abstract A perturbation scheme is developed to study the far-field structure of waves in cylinders and plates. There exist four small parameters in the problem: the first gives waves of small but finite amplitude; the second is the reciprocal of a Reynolds number and represents viscous effects; the third is the ratio of the radius of the cylinder to an axial length, or of the thickness of the plate to an in-plane length, and represents dispersion; the last parameter is used to stretch time so that the description sought is an asymptotic one. The highest order problem leads to known longitudinal waves in rods and extensional waves in plates. The terms next in order lead to the equation describing the structure of these waves, its generality depending on the similarity hypothesis made. The most general result is a generalization to any number of dimensions of the B.K.D.V. equation, obtained by giving equal weightage to the four small parameters. Some self-similar solutions of these are discussed which exhibit the structure of these waves.
Time scales in unsteady premixed flame extinction with composition fluctuations

In the present study, it will be shown that the maximum Karlovitz number remains almost constant irrespective of mean and frequency of equivalence ratio oscillation
Richard Curtis on Friedman et al.'s “Has United States Drug Policy Failed? And How Could We Know?”

We cannot know the “true goals” of drug policy because the motives of the “political elites” that control the process are so obscured, or so argue Friedman, Mateu-Gelabert and Rossi, and because of...
Flight control application of new stability robustness bounds for linear uncertain systems

This paper addresses the issue of obtaining bounds on the real parameter perturbations of a linear state-space model for robust stability. Based on Kronecker algebra, new, easily computable sufficient bounds are derived that are much less conservative than the existing bounds since the technique is meant for only real parameter perturbations (in contrast to specializing complex variation case to real parameter case). The proposed theory is illustrated with application to several flight control examples.
Structure of Membrane-Bound Porcine Factor VIII

Human Factor VIII (FVIII) is the co-factor of the serine protease Factor IXa (FIXa) in the membrane-bound tenase complex. Defects or deficiency of FVIII cause Hemophila A. Recombinant FVIII concentrate is the most effective cure for Hemophilia A. Porcine FVIII is highly homologous to human FVIII (84% sequence identity).In this work, we present for the first time, direct structural information for porcine FVIII, helically organized on lipid nanotubes (LNT) at closest to physiological conditions. This was achieved by combining direct structural data from Cryo-EM and molecular modeling. The 3D-structure at 15A resolution supports our hypothesis that the functional FVIII membrane-bound organization differs from that of the 3D-crystal structure in solution. Fitting the FVIII domains form the human crystal structure and the porcine homology model, within the 3D-Cryo-EM map, will allow us to define the inter- and intra-protein interfaces important for the FVIII function.Resolving the membrane-bound porcine FVIII structure by Cryo-EM will provide a scaffold for mapping functionally important FVIII interaction sites.A: 2D-Class average of porcine-FVIII, B: FFT of A. C: surface-representation of human-FVIII crystal-structure. The side-chains different with porcine-FVIII are shown in black. D: 3D-reconstruction of porcine-FVIII molecules onto LNT.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Loop Electrocautery Excisional Procedure: Therapeutic Effectiveness as an Ablation and a Conization Equivalent

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of loop excision procedures as ablation and conization equivalents, and their use in recurrent cervical high-grade dysplasia patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing loop procedures between January 1992 and April 1994. Conization equivalents were defined as procedures performed for unsatisfactory colposcopy, positive endocervical curettage, discordant cytology and histology, and cytology suggestive of invasion. Effectiveness in high-grade recurrent lesions was evaluated separately. Therapeutic failure was defined as any recurrence of high-grade dysplasia. One hundred sixty-two patients underwent loop procedures, of which 123 (75.9%) had follow-up examinations and are included. Mean follow-up was 17.9 months. Seventy-six patients (61.8%) had the loop procedure performed as an ablation equivalent, 29 (23.6%) as a conization equivalent, and 18 (14.6%) for recurrent disease. Overall effectiveness was 82.1 % and for ablation and conization equivalent procedures was 82.9 and 82.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference between effectiveness when performed for initial therapy (82.9%) and for recurrent disease (72.2%) (P = 0.46). In conclusion, loop excision procedures are effective as ablation and conization equivalents and as treatment for recurrent high-grade dysplasia.
Expressed resistance to black shank among tobacco callus cultures.

Quantitatively inherited resistance to the black shank pathogen (Phytophthora parasitica var. ‘nicotianae’) was expressed among callus tissue cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana). Tissue cultures of genotypes known to posses polygenic mechanisms for black shank resistance expressed that resistance in vitro when challenged by the viable pathogen. Callus of a susceptible cultivar was readily parasitized in culture. Furthermore, single gene resistance to the common pathogen race was also shown to operate in vitro. Nongenetic factors examined did not contribute significantly to the observed differences. Disease expression in vitro appeared to be highly correlated with its expression at the whole plant level. Screening for quantitative disease resistance can be complicated at the whole plant level by variable hostpathogen reactions and by significant genotype × environment interactions. Since quantitatively inherited mechanisms of black shank resistance are expressed in tobacco callus cultures, an in vitro host-pathogen system may be useful in screening tobacco lines for black shank resistance.
Response of Cultured Human Airway Epithelial Cells to X-rays and Energetic α-particles

SummaryRadon and its progeny, which emit α-particles during decay, may play an important role in inducing human lung cancer. To gain a better understanding of the biological effects of α-particles in human lung we studied the response of cultured human airway epithelial cells to X-rays and monoenergetic helium ions. Our experimental results indicated that the radiation response of primary cultures was similar to that for airway epithelial cells that were transformed with a plasmid containing an origin-defective SV40 virus. The RBE for cell inactivation determined by the ratio of D0 for X-rays to that for 8 MeV helium ions was 1·8–2·2. The cross-section for helium ions, calculated from the D0 value, was about 24 µm2 for cells of the primary culture. This cross-section is significantly smaller than the average geometric nuclear area (∼ 180 µm2), suggesting that an average of 7·5 α-particles (8 MeV helium ions) per cell nucleus are needed to induce a lethal lesion.
Management of Raynaud's Phenomenon in the Patient with Connective Tissue Disease.

Raynaud’s phenomenon is characterized by intense vasospasm of digital arteries on cold exposure or with emotional stress, leading to well-defined color changes of digital skin. It may be primary (Raynaud’s disease) or secondary to an underlying condition, including autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Although Raynaud’s disease is predominantly a vasospastic condition, Raynaud’s phenomenon in connective tissue diseases often is a result of an underlying vaso-occlusive process. As a result, the manifestations are more severe and persistent and often warrant pharmacologic therapy. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are by far the most commonly studied and prescribed class of agents for the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon. There is some evidence for the efficacy of other classes of drugs, such as topical nitrates, α-antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and pentoxifylline. However, the data on the efficacy of these agents are not as convincing, and they are not proven to be more effective than calcium channel blockers. Hence, their place in the therapy of Raynaud’s phenomenon is limited to patients who fail to respond adequately to or are unable to tolerate calcium channel blockers. More expensive second-line agents, such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, and intravenous prostanoids, are reserved for refractory cases of secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon with severe digital ischemia leading to ulceration or gangrene. These drugs may be used in isolation or as adjunct therapy to the first-line agents. Chemical and/or surgical sympathectomy may be considered if sympathetically driven digital ischemia is severe and resistant to pharmacologic intervention. These procedures may temporarily reverse the digital ischemia and help tide over the crisis, whereas the improvement thus achieved can be maintained by continuing medical therapy. In cases of ischemic digital ulceration, it is important to achieve adequate analgesia and to identify and treat superadded infection.
Patch Fluorometry: Shedding New Light on Ion Channels

Patch fluorometry has emerged as a new approach to the study of the structure-function relationship in membrane-embedded functional ion channels. Simultaneous fluorescent and electrical recordings are achieved from a small number of channels in a cell-free membrane patch, yielding high recording sensitivities. Further improvement of this approach should permit direct observation of the gating motion of a single-channel protein.
The influence of isosorbide dinitrate on regional myocardial blood flow during acute coronary occlusion in the dog

We investigated the influence of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), alone and combined with methoxamine, on regional myocardial blood flow during acute coronary occlusion. Cardiac output, mean aortic pressure, and heart rate were kept constant in open chest, chloralose anaesthetised dogs so that coronary flow alterations would be relatively independent of haemodynamic effects. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured using 9 μm radioactive microspheres. Mean aortic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and maximum left ventricular dP/dt were unchanged by ISDN. Studies of ISDN (5mg) treatment before the second of two 10 min consecutive reversible ligations of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) demonstrated: (1) ISDN infused 35 min before LAD ligation increased collateral coronary blood flow to ischaemic myocardium 27± 9% (P <0.05); (2) ISDN + methoxamine infused 35 min before LAD ligation increased collateral coronary blood flow to ischaemic myocardium 8 ± 4% (NS). ISDN(5mg) treatment 20 min after LAD ligation demonstrated: (1) collateral coronary blood flow to ischaemic myocardium increased 11 ± 7% (NS), 23± 5% (P <0.005) and 17± 5% (P <0.02) at 15, 30, and 45 min, respectively, after drug treatment when compared with blood flow measured just before drug treatment and collateral coronary blood flow 60, 75, and 90 min after drug treatment was not significantly different from control. The results suggest that preligation and postligation administration of ISDN significantly increases collateral coronary blood flow to ischaemic myocardium and the effect continues at least 45 min after treatment. In these studies the addition of methoxamine to ISDN did not further increase collateral coronary blood flow and in fact appeared to slightly decrease blood flow when compared with ISDN alone.
Over the Air Programming on Imote2-Based Sensor Networks

Some of the main challenges that Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) face are reliability, flexibility and security. When WSNs deployed in remote locations need to be reprogrammed, environmental conditions often make it impossible to physically retrieve them. Over the Air Programming (OAP) plays an important role in achieving this task. Several platform dependent protocols have been developed for OAP including Deluge [4] and MOAP [3]. Due to the restrictions of these platform-dependent protocols, any modification to the hardware requires modifications to the underlying protocol. For example, using OAP for Imote2 sensors requires porting Deluge from an existing hardware. This paper reports the many challenges we faced in making OAP possible on an Imote2 sensor network platform, including changes and upgrades to: file system management, java toolbase and GUI implementation, reboot mechanism, and bootloader. The performance of our OAP on the Imote2 platform is evaluated using a real sensor network.
The effects of lead administration during development on lithium-induced polydipsia and dopaminergic function

Previous studies have demonstrated that postnatal (days 2-29 of life) administration of lead (200 mg/kg/day by gavage) to Long-Evans rats caused permanent increases in lithium-induced polydipsia (LIP). These lead-induced increases in LIP were apparently not of renal origin, did not occur in animals treated with lead after day 30, and persisted for at least 6 months. The present studies have narrowed the dose-time window for lead-induced increases in LIP. The first study showed that continuous administration of lead (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) in the form of lead acetate during days 2-9 of life caused increases in LIP (P = 0.022). Although lead-induced increases in LIP were not statistically significant (P = 0.084) for the group administered lead from days 9 to 19, the lack of a significant difference between the 2-9- and 9-19-day groups suggested that lead treatment during either of these time periods would result in LIP increases. Lead administration between days 19 and 29 of life was not effective in increasing LIP (P = 0.8). In the second study, a single dose of lead (200 mg/kg/day) was administered either on day 5 or 15 of life. Concentrations of lead in the blood on day 30 of life averaged 23.2 micrograms/100 ml for treated rats versus 4.8 micrograms/100 ml for controls. When tested at approximately 90 days of age, both groups showed significant increases in LIP (P = 0.028). The rats from this second study were also examined for changes in nigrostriatal dopamine function, since this pathway is known to be essential for LIP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Incidental Appendectomy: 18-Year Pathologic Survey and Cost Effectiveness in the Nonmanaged-Care Setting

Background Incidental appendectomy (IA) remains a controversial issue. The role of IA in the nonmanaged-care setting has not been evaluated recently. This study evaluates the cost-benefit of IA based on current third-party reimbursements and reports the incidence of pathology from routine IA during an 18-year period. Study Design A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent open intestinal operations for nonappendiceal pathology by a single colon and rectal surgeon between 1988 and 2006. Patient records were reviewed for surgical indication, procedure, pathology reports, and complications. A cost-benefit analysis for IA versus laparoscopic appendectomy was performed using previously published epidemiologic data for risk of appendectomy. Results During this period, 341 patients (mean age 62.9 years) underwent IA during open intestinal operation. Malignancy was the indication for operation in 61.6%. Pathologic findings of clinical significance in the appendix were present in 2.6% of specimens. Combined reimbursements for laparoscopic appendectomy for nonruptured and ruptured appendicitis are $8,500.95 and $15,870.37, respectively. For patients with a benign surgical indication, there was cost-benefit for IA during open operation for men younger than 55 years and women younger than 50 years of age. For patients with malignant disease, there was cost-benefit for men and women younger than 45 years of age. Conclusions IA can be performed safely during open operation for other bowel pathology. Rate of clinically significant appendiceal pathology is low but not negligible. For patients with third-party payor status, IA can be more broadly performed during open gastrointestinal operation when no additional surgeon reimbursement is obtained.
Short-term dynamics of processing chain systems

Abstract A processing chain results when a single resource passes through a sequence of changes in condition and two (or more) consumer species specialize on resource in different stages of transformation. Each consumer species removes some resource from the total pool and may also accelerate processing of resource to the next condition in the sequence. As a result of the tradeoff between processing and consumption, interactions in processing chains may be either amensal or commensal at equilibrium. In this paper I examine short-term (transient) dynamics of processing chains, by considering population growth through time in a simple two-species processing chain model. I address interspecific interactions by comparing the performance of one species, to a given time horizon, in patches with and without the second. I examine the dependence of short-term interactions on various model parameters. The three parameters with the most influence on short-term interactions are those which largely determine interactions at equilibrium: the consumer-independent processing rate, upstream consumer sloppiness, and upstream resource loss rate. More generally, and regardless of the details of the model, short-term processing chain interactions are often commensal even when the equilibrium interaction in the same system is amensal. The tendency towards commensalism is most pronounced with the shortest time horizons: all processing chain interactions are commensal for at least an infinitesimal interval. This tendency to short-term commensalism, combined with the non-equilibrium nature of many ecological systems and the limited duration of many experiments, may explain why literature examples of processing chains are nearly all commensal. I discuss the importance of temporal scale in planning and interpreting field experiments with processing chain systems.
Expert knowledge acquisition and the unwilling expert: a knowledge engineering perspective

Expert systems are an evolving technology with the potential to make human expertise widely and cheaply available. The literature describing the development of expert systems generally assumes that experts willingly give up their knowledge. This is unrealistic and may be a reason why most expert system projects fail. This paper explores the problem of unwilling experts from the perspective of a knowledge engineer building an expert system. The link between knowledge and organizational power is established and human motivation theories are discussed. Finally, a new motivational approach is introduced to help the knowledge engineer deal with unwilling experts.
Variation in female choice of mates: condition influences selectivity

The occurrence and significance of variation in apparent mate choice within populations are poorly understood. While one possible explanation for variation is that individuals differ in their mate preferences, an alternative possibility is that individuals vary in their mate selectivity or ‘choosiness’: that is, some individuals may be willing to accept less attractive mating partners than are others. This latter possibility is likely to result from bidirectional mate choice and differential mating access of high- versus low-quality mating partners. Here we altered the physical condition of female zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata castanotis, through modest trimming of their flight feathers to explore the possibility that individuals adjust selectivity in response to their own condition. We compared the selectivity of individuals with clipped versus intact wing feathers. Female finches spent less time associating with attractive males when their wings were clipped than when wings were intact. To ascertain whether their choices were influenced by the behaviour of stimulus males that perceived their altered status, we performed a companion experiment that measured male mate choice of females with clipped versus intact wings; no discrimination against clipped females was found. Collectively, these results indicate that a female's mate selectivity is dynamically adjusted based on her assessment of her own condition or mate-getting ability. Future studies that investigate the relationship between realized and ideal mate preferences are necessary to better understand preference functions and the genetic basis of mate preferences.
Ionic adsorption at the solid-solution interphase using three in situ methods

Abstract The adsorption of HSO4−, Cl− and I− from aqueous solutions of 1 M HClO4 was examined using radiotracer Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The dependence of the adsorption was measured as a function of time of equilibrium, concentration at constant potential, and at various potentials at constant concentration. For the HSO4− adsorption, some measurements were made as a function of temperature at constant potential. The dependence on time corresponded neither to the ln Γt-t nor Γt-ln t relations expected from previously deduced theoretical models. Up to ca. τ/4, θt was found to be proportional to the adsorption time. The dependence of adsorption on concentration at constant potential was carried out over an extended region, i.e. from 10−9 to 10−2 M. In the concentration range up to 10−5 M the behaviour followed the Henry isotherm and at concentrations up to 10−3 M the results followed a logarithmic law. (∂θ /∂ log c)E,T was about the same for HSO4− and Cl− but around two times higher for I−. The maximum coverage of HSO4− and Cl− was reached at ca. 0.25 and ca. 1 for I−. The dependence on potential at constant concentration was essentially linear until oxide formation for HSO4− and Cl−. I− results showed little variation with potential before oxide formation. The dependence of (θ)E,c as a function of temperature for HSO4− cannot be expressed as a simple law because of the low number of experiments successfully investigated; nevertheless, some approximate values of ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were derived. An isotherm was derived in such account that the heterogeneity of the surface, ion—ion repulsion through a simple imaging model and ion—ion dispersive forces were considered. In the calculations, electrostriction effects on ion size were computed. Evidence for partial charge transfer was found: 0.2, 0.6 and 0.9 for HSO4−, Cl− and I− respectively. Indications of water displacement from the surface was found to be consistent with one displaced entity represented by a water dimer. The thermodynamic parameters derived for HSO4− were ΔG° = −32 kJ mol−1 (25°C), ΔH° = −57 kJ mol−1 and ΔS° = −78 J K−1 mol−1 at θss = 0.22. from these values, the PtO bond was estimated to be ca. one-quarter of that expected for the isolated PtO bond in the gas phase. The entropy was consistent with immobile adsorbed ions with hindered rotation.
Epidemiology of bacterial vaginosis

Studies of the prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis are flawed by imprecision in diagnosis, failure to study large and well-characterized populations, selection bias, and failure to correct for confounding variables. Prevalences range from 5% for women without any symptoms to 25% for those with gynecologic symptoms. Although bacterial vaginosis is associated with nonwhite race and intrauterine contraceptive device use, these may represent surrogate markers for other presently unappreciated risk factors.
Fabrication of Polymeric and Polymeric Nano-Composite MEMS Structures

This paper presents methodologies for rapid prototyping of complex and functional polymeric MEMS structures using lithography steps only. In order to overcome stiffness and strength limitations of the polymeric structures, reinforcing nano-materials were added to enhance stiffness. A challenge in processing polymeric MEMS devices is achieving the release of the MEMS structure from the substrate. This paper presents several process sequences and photoresist combinations that produce freestanding polymeric MEMS structures. Negative photoresist (SU8) and positive photoresist (AZ4620) materials were used in spin coat, bake, exposure and selective development steps. This paper describes the experiments used for determining the optimal process parameters and the release performance. In addition, the paper also illustrates exposure control techniques that reduce process-induced defects such as heat–induced bubbles, degassing and overexposure.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Induction of Protein Translation by ADAR1 within Living Cell Nuclei Is Not Dependent on RNA Editing

Translation of mRNA is usually cytoplasmic. We report that the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1, which catalyzes the deamination of adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA substrates, induces translation within the nucleus, possibly at the surface of the nucleolus. This activity does not depend on RNA editing. Two regions within ADAR1 are defined that act independently of each other to induce translation: the first includes the double-stranded RNA binding domains (DRBMs) of ADAR1 while the second maps to the C-terminal portion of the catalytic domain. Point mutations within each domain are identified that reduce nuclear translation; those in the DRBM region are also known to diminish RNA binding. This report adds to the growing functionality ascribed to the nucleus.
Interdependencies among educational inputs and resource allocation in classrooms

Abstract While traditional research dealing with the allocation of educational resources has been concerned primarily with the distribution of fiscal resources at the state and school district level, it is becoming increasingly important to understand more about the distribution of resources once they reach the school and classroom. This article reports efforts to develop and test an economic model of the allocation of teacher resources within classrooms. The empirical analysis was based on pupil-specific observation data drawn from a sample of 13 fifth-grade math classrooms. Results indicate that variation in resource-allocation practices within and among fifth-grade math classrooms has a systematic qualitythat lends itself to an economic analysis.
Stress-Modulated Magnetoreflectance for the Direct Transitions Γ 25 ′ 3 2 → Γ 2 ′ and Γ 25 ′ 1 2 → Γ 2 ′ in Germanium

We have measured the stress-modulated magnetoreflectance in germanium at \ensuremath{\sim} 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K over the energy range 0.9-1.3 eV with magnetic fields up to 85 kG applied along a [110] direction. The measurements were made in the Faraday configuration with right and left circularly polarized light. The structure in piezoreflectance observed at zero magnetic field is correlated with transitions from the $J=\frac{3}{2}$ valence-band edge (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{{25}^{\ensuremath{'}}}^{\frac{3}{2}}={\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}^{+}$) and the spin-orbit split-off valence-band edge (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{{25}^{\ensuremath{'}}}^{\frac{1}{2}}={\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}^{+}$) to the conduction-band edge (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{{2}^{\ensuremath{'}}}={\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) at the center of the Brillouin zone. The structure in the magnetopiezoreflectance spectra is analyzed in terms of interband transitions between Landau levels for the valence and conduction bands. Considering the split-off valence-to-conduction-band transitions, we obtain the reduced mass for these transitions, ${m}_{r}\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{{m}_{c}{m}_{\mathrm{so}}}{({m}_{\mathrm{so}}\ensuremath{-}{m}_{c})}=(27.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}m$, the sum of the $g$ factors ${{g}_{c}}^{+}{g}_{\mathrm{so}}=\ensuremath{-}13\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3$, and the spin-orbit splitting $\ensuremath{\Delta}=0.296\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002$ eV. The light- and heavy-mass valence-to-conduction-band transitions have been analyzed using the coupled-band scheme of Pidgeon and Brown in which the valence bands are treated together with the conduction band. With the valence-band parameters of Luttinger ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}^{L}=13.38$, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}^{L}=4.30$, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{3}^{L}=5.68$, and ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}^{L}=3.41$ as determined by Hensel and Suzuki from combined resonances in uniaxially stressed $p$-type germanium, the best fit to the experimental data for the light- and heavy-mass transitions is obtained with the following parameters: the interaction energy between the conduction and valence bands ${E}_{p}=26.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4$ eV, the parameter $F=(\ensuremath{-}1.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)(\frac{{\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}}{m}$) which represents the conduction-band interaction with the other bands. These parameters give ${m}_{c}=(0.0380\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0005)m$, and ${g}_{c}=\ensuremath{-}3.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2$, which are in excellent agreement with those obtained from the conventional magnetoabsorption measurements. With these values of ${m}_{c}$ and ${g}_{c}$, we deduce from our results for the split-off transitions ${m}_{\mathrm{so}}=\ensuremath{-}(0.095\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.007)m$ and ${g}_{\mathrm{so}}=\ensuremath{-}10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3$.
Structure of cosmological CP violation via neutrino seesaw

Abstract The cosmological matter–antimatter asymmetry can originate from CP-violating interactions of seesaw Majorana neutrinos via leptogenesis in the thermal phase of the early universe. Having the cosmological CP-phase for leptogenesis requires at least two right-handed Majorana neutrinos. Using only the low energy neutrino observables, we quantitatively reconstruct a minimal neutrino seesaw. We establish a general criterion for minimal seesaw schemes in which the cosmological CP-phase is completely reconstructed from the low energy CP-phases measured by neutrino oscillation and neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments. We reveal and analyze two distinct classes of such minimal schemes that are shown to be highly predictive. Extension of our reconstruction formalism to a three-heavy-neutrino seesaw is discussed.
Non‑HDL cholesterol, ApoB and LDL particle concentration in coronary heart disease risk prediction and treatment

LDL cholesterol has been identified as the primary therapeutic target for lipid management to reduce the future risk of coronary events. Despite the use of LDL cholesterol-targeted therapy with statins and other lipid-altering agents, many patients still suffer coronary events. Residual risk for such events has been attributed, at least in part, to persistently elevated atherogenic particle concentration. When patients are found to have elevated non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB-100 or LDL particle concentrations, they are presumed to be at increased risk and are often prescribed more aggressive lipid-altering therapy. This review examines the evidence that these biomarkers provide additional clinically useful information both in coronary risk prediction and in lipid management decision-making.