cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Situ TEM Experiments of Electrochemical Lithiation and Delithiation of Individual Nanostructures

Understanding the microscopic mechanisms of electrochemical reaction and material degradation is crucial for the rational design of high-performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). A novel nanobattery assembly and testing platform inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM) has been designed, which allows a direct study of the structural evolution of individual nanowire or nanoparticle electrodes with near-atomic resolution in real time. In this review, recent progresses in the study of several important anode materials are summarized. The consistency between in situ and ex situ results is shown, thereby validating the new in situ testing paradigm. Comparisons between a variety of nanostructures lead to the conclusion that electrochemical reaction and mechanical degradation are material specific, size dependent, and geometrically and compositionally sensitive. For example, a highly anisotropic lithiation in Si is observed, in contrast to the nearly isotropic response in Ge. The Ge nanowires can develop a spongy network, a unique mechanism for mitigating the large volume changes during cycling. The Si nanoparticles show a critical size of ∼150 nm below which fracture is averted during lithiation, and above which surface cracking, rather than central cracking, is observed. In carbonaceous nanomaterials, the lithiated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are drastically embrittled, while few-layer graphene nanoribbons remain mechanically robust after lithiation. This distinct contrast manifests a strong ‘geometrical embrittlement’ effect as compared to a relatively weak ‘chemical embrittlement’ effect. In oxide nanowires, discrete cracks in ZnO nanowires are generated near the lithiation reaction front, leading to leapfrog cracking, while a mobile dislocation cloud at the reaction front is observed in SnO2 nanowires. This contrast is corroborated by ab initio calculations that indicate a strong chemical embrittlement of ZnO, but not of SnO2, after a small amount of lithium insertion. In metallic nanowires such as Al, delithiation causes pulverization, and the product nanoparticles are held in place by the surface Li-Al-O glass tube, suggesting possible strategies for improving electrode cyclability by coatings. In addition, a new in situ chemical lithiation method is introduced for fast screening of battery materials by conventional TEM. Evidently, in situ nanobattery experiments inside TEM are a powerful approach for advancing the fundamental understanding of electrochemical reactions and materials degradation and therefore pave the way toward rational design of high-performance LIBs.
Isothermal thickening and thinning processes in low molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) fractions crystallized from the melt: 2. Crystals involving more than one fold

Abstract The existence of a non-integral folding chain (NIF) crystal in a poly (ethylene oxide) fraction with molecular weight of 7100 can be proved by differential scanning calorimetry and time-resolved synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering experiments. At this molecular weight, the fraction can crystallize to a final form comprised of integral folding chain (IF) crystals with extended (n = 0), once-folded (n = 1), twice-folded (n = 2), and even triply-folded (n = 3) chain crystals. The fold length of NIF crystals increases with crystallization temperature. When this fold length is between those of IF (n = 2) and IF (n = 1) crystals, the NIF crystal can be thickened into the IF (n = 1) crystal, or thinned into the IF (n = 2) crystal. In the same way, if the fold length of NIF crystal lies between those of IF (n = 1) and IF (n = 0) crystals, similar isothermal thickening and thinning processes can also be observed. Which process occurs depends upon the thermodynamic driving force between the NIF and IF crystals and upon kinetic effects. Detailed kinetic maps of the fold length changes with time will be discussed.
Infectious in vitro transcripts from cloned cDNA of a potyvirus, tobacco vein mottling virus.

Abstract Full-length cDNA copies of tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) RNA were constructed downstream from bacteriophage T7 or T3 RNA polymerase promoters. The plasmids were designed to produce in vitro transcripts containing, respectively, one or two guanosine residues at the 5' terminus not derived from the TVMV sequence and a single cytidine residue at the 3' terminus following the poly(A) tail. Introduction of transcripts from either plasmid into tobacco mesophyll protoplasts resulted in the accumulation of TVMV coat protein and RNA. Neither coat protein nor viral RNA accumulated in protoplasts inoculated with linearized cDNA or with in vitro transcripts synthesized in the absence of 7-methylguanosine(5')triphospho(5')guanosine (m7GpppG). Tobacco seedlings inoculated with native TVMV RNA developed symptoms a few days before those inoculated with in vitro transcripts; however, 3 weeks after inoculation, the symptoms produced by the two inocula were indistinguishable.
Enzymatic deamination of isoxanthopterin by the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract Isoxanthopterin deaminase was discovered in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and distinguished from a previously reported sepiapterin deaminase. This enzyme catalysed the irreversible hydroxylative deamination of isoxanthopterin. The pH and temperature optima for the deaminase were 6.6 and 37°C respectively. Only isoxanthopterin was deaminated of all pteridines, purines, and pyrimidines tested, while xanthopterin, guanine, KF and KCN inhibited the enzyme. The Km of the deaminase towards isoxanthopterin was found to be 1.2 × 10−5 M.
Familial moniliasis, defective delayed hypersensitivity, and adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency†

Five siblings, 2 normal and 3 with moniliasis, cutaneous anergy, and limited pituitary adrenocorticotropin reserve, were studied. The affected siblings failed to manifest delayed hypersensitivity. Endocrine studies showed that the affected siblings had almost no increase in urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids after adrenocorticotropin infusion, and a significantly lower increase in 17-ketogenic steroid excretion during a metyrapone test as compared to control subjects. One sibling had hypoparathyroidism.
Gene Transfer of Parvalbumin Improves Diastolic Dysfunction in Senescent Myocytes

Background Impaired relaxation is a cardinal feature of senescent myocardial dysfunction. Recently, adenoviral gene transfer of parvalbumin, a small calcium-buffering protein found exclusively in skeletal muscle and neurons, has been shown to improve cardiomyocyte relaxation in disease models of diastolic dysfunction. The goal of this study was to investigate whether parvalbumin gene transfer could reverse diastolic dysfunction in senescent cardiomyocytes. Methods and results Myocytes were isolated from senescent (26 months) and adult (6 months) F344/BN hybrid rats and were infected with Ad.Parv.GFP (where GFP is green fluorescent protein) or Ad.betagal.GFP at a multiplicity of infection of 250 for 48 hours. Uninfected senescent and adult myocytes served as controls. After stimulation at a frequency of 0.5 Hz, intracellular calcium transients and myocyte contractility were measured using dual excitation spectrofluorometry and video-edge detection system (Ionoptix). Parvalbumin significantly improved relaxation parameters in senescent myocytes: Both the rate of calcium transient decay and the rate of myocyte relengthening were dramatically increased in senescent cardiac myocytes transduced with parvalbumin compared with nontransduced and GFP-expressing controls, with no effect on myocyte shortening. Conclusions Parvalbumin expression corrects impaired relaxation in aging myocytes. Given that abnormalities of myocyte relaxation underlie diastolic dysfunction in a large proportion of elderly patients with heart failure, gene transfer of parvalbumin may thus be a novel approach to target diastolic dysfunction in senescent myocardium.
Behavioral effects of progestin in the brain

Abstract In this article we review research on the role of progestins in the regulation of estrous responsiveness in female rats. Estrous responsiveness normally results from a synergistic action of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P). E2 primes the system but normally does not result in estrous behavior. The full expression of estrous responsiveness results from the action of P on the E2-primed system. It has been demonstrated with implants of dilute E2 (1 part E2 : 250 parts cholesterol) that the site of E2 priming is the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). In females primed with systemically administered E2, P also acts on the VMN to facilitate full estrous responsiveness. It has been shown in addition that estrous responsiveness results from sequential application of E2 and P to the VMN but not to other areas of the brain. The VMN is also the site at which P produces sequential inhibition of estrous responsiveness. The time course of P action in facilitating full estrous responsiveness is about two hours, regardless of whether the hormone is administered intracerebrally or intravenously. The duration of estrous responsiveness is directly correlated with the length of time P is in contact with brain tissue. Experiments with the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin are consistent with the view that P acts in the VMN by way of a protein synthetic mechanism to facilitate estrous behavior; however, other mechanisms must be considered as alternatives. Finally, we address the question of whether estrogenic priming depends upon induction of progestin receptors in the VMN. Results indicate that estrogenic priming of estrous responsiveness may occur without concomitant induction of progestin receptors.
Approach to Collecting Local Freight Information

The use of local freight data in transportation planning is essential to ensure accuracy in the travel demand modeling process. Although extensive research work has been performed into the collection and use of household travel data for passenger transportation, limited research work has been performed to collect and use local freight travel data. This paper examines a structure developed to collect and summarize local freight data in an urban area to be used in the transportation planning process within a metropolitan planning organization. The paper concludes that the appropriate collection and analysis of freight data can be performed and the output can be used to support transportation planning activities.
On the Efficacy of Through-Silicon-Via Inductors

Through-silicon-vias (TSVs) can potentially be used to implement inductors in 3-D integrated systems for minimal footprint and large inductance. However, different from conventional 2-D spiral inductors, TSV inductors are fully buried in the lossy substrate, thus suffering from low quality factors. In this paper, we systematically examine how various process and design parameters affect their performance. A few interesting phenomena that are unique to TSV inductors are observed. We then propose a novel shield mechanism utilizing the microchannel, a technique conventionally used for heat removal, to reduce the substrate loss. The technique increases the quality factor and inductance of the TSV inductor by up to $21\times $ and $17\times $ , respectively. Finally, since full-wave simulations of 3-D structures are time-consuming, we develop a set of compressed sensing-based design strategies for microchannel-shielded TSV inductors, which only requires a minimal number of simulations. It enables us to implement microchannel-shielded TSV inductors of up to $5.44\times $ reduced area compared with spiral inductors of the same design specs (quality factor, inductance, and frequency). To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first in-depth study on TSV inductors to make them practical for high-frequency applications. We hope our study shall point out a new and exciting research direction for 3-D integrated circuit designers.
Restorative action of fluoride on synaptic transmission blocked by organophosphorous anticholinesterases

Abstract Neuromuscular transmission in frog, blocked by DFP, TEPP or Sarin, can be restored by 0·01–0·1 mM NaF. The potency of NaF in restoring transmission is less than that of P-2-AM, the effect of 0·02 mM NaF being equivalent to that of 0·001 mM P-2-AM. The analysis of end-plate potential indicates that the restoration of transmission is due to the dual actions of fluoride, namely, (1) sensitization of end-plate membrane and (2) reactivation of phosphorylated ChE. A similar conclusion is obtained from the analysis of the effects of TEPP and Sarin as well as of NaF on the post-synaptic potential of frog's sympathetic ganglion cell. A similar effect of NaF is also demonstrated with regard to Renshaw cell activity of cat's spinal cord.
Deconvolution of Neutron Scattering Data from a Pulsed Spallation Source

Diffraction peak shapes generated from high purity, low strain uranium silicide powder have been used to deconvolute diffraction peaks from radiation damaged material. The deconvolution was based on the assumption that defect scattering near a strained Bragg peak could be represented as the summation of a series of discrete peaks with the same convoluted peak shape measured for unirradiated material in the same range of d-spacing. Discrete peaks were taken to have the same density as the measured time of flight data so that a deconvoluted scattering intensity was generated at each experimental point. This deconvolution technique accounts in a natural manner for peak asymmetries arising from the time structure of the neutron pulse shape and instrument broadening without arbitrary analytical functions and fitting parameters.
Effects of the beta-2 adrenergic agonist zinterol on DRL behavior and locomotor activity.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the behavioral effects of the beta adrenergic agonist zinterol and to determine whether its actions were mediated by beta adrenergic receptors. Zinterol reduced response rate and increased reinforcement rate of rats under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule in a dose-dependent manner; significant decreases in response rate and increases in reinforcement rate were observed at doses of 0.1–1 mg/kg. The effect of 0.3 mg/kg zinterol on this behavior was blocked by pretreatment with the beta adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Zinterol also reduced locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner; significant reductions were observed at doses of 0.3–10 mg/kg. Similarly, the effect of 1 mg/kg zinterol on locomotor activity was antagonized by propranolol. These effects of zinterol were similar to those of other beta adrenergic agonists as well as those of antidepressant drugs. Although the site of action (central versus peripheral) of zinterol was not determined in the present study, an experiment was carried out to determine if zinterol could act centrally after peripheral administration. The ability of repeated, systemic administration of zinterol to reduce the density of beta adrenergic receptors in cerebral cortex and cerebellum was determined. Repeated treatment with a high dose of zinterol (10 mg/kg, IP) reduced the density of beta adrenergic receptors in these brain regions, suggesting that, at least under certain conditions, systemically administered zinterol did have access to the central nervous system.
Bayesian MMSE estimation of classification error and performance on real genomic data

Small sample classifier design has become a major issue in the biological and medical communities, owing to the recent development of high-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies. And as the problem of estimating classifier error is already handicapped by limited available information, it is further compounded by the necessity of reusing training-data for error estimation. Due to the difficulty of error estimation, all currently popular techniques have been heuristically devised, rather than rigorously designed based on statistical inference and optimization. However, a recently proposed error estimator has placed the problem into an optimal mean-square error (MSE) signal estimation framework in the presence of uncertainty. This results in a Bayesian approach to error estimation based on a parameterized family of feature-label distributions. These Bayesian error estimators are optimal when averaged over a given family of distributions, unbiased when averaged over a given family and all samples, and analytically address a trade-off between robustness (modeling assumptions) and accuracy (minimum mean-square error). Closed form solutions have been provided for two important examples: the discrete classification problem and linear classification of Gaussian distributions. Here we discuss the Bayesian minimum mean-square error (MMSE) error estimator and demonstrate performance on real biological data under Gaussian modeling assumptions.
Iodide accumulation by aerobic bacteria isolated from subsurface sediments of a 129I-contaminated aquifer at the Savannah River site, South Carolina.

ABSTRACT 129I is of major concern because of its mobility in the environment, excessive inventory, toxicity (it accumulates in the thyroid), and long half-life (∼16 million years). The aim of this study was to determine if bacteria from a 129I-contaminated oxic aquifer at the F area of the U.S. Department of Energy9s Savannah River Site, SC, could accumulate iodide at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1 μM I−). Iodide accumulation capability was found in 3 out of 136 aerobic bacterial strains isolated from the F area that were closely related to Streptomyces/Kitasatospora spp., Bacillus mycoides, and Ralstonia/Cupriavidus spp. Two previously described iodide-accumulating marine strains, a Flexibacter aggregans strain and an Arenibacter troitsensis strain, accumulated 2 to 50% total iodide (0.1 μM), whereas the F-area strains accumulated just 0.2 to 2.0%. Iodide accumulation by FA-30 was stimulated by the addition of H2O2, was not inhibited by chloride ions (27 mM), did not exhibit substrate saturation kinetics with regard to I− concentration (up to 10 μM I−), and increased at pH values of
Distinct pathways regulate transforming growth factor β1-stimulated proto-oncogene and extracellular matrix gene expression

The effect of pertussis toxin (PT) on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1)-induced proto-oncogene expression was investigated in AKR-2B fibroblasts. PT substantially abolished c-sis and c-myc mRNA expression following TGF beta 1 stimulation. This inhibitory effect was specific for TGF beta 1-stimulated proto-oncogene expression and associated with the ADP-ribosylation of a 41-kDa substrate. Actinomycin D decay and nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of PT are a result of decreased transcriptional activation and not to an increased decay of proto-oncogene message. PT did not, however, affect TGF beta 1-stimulated fibronectin and collagen mRNA accumulation nor did it have any inhibitory effect on TGF beta 1-induced morphological transformation. These data indicate that TGF beta 1-stimulated gene expression is coupled to multiple pathways distinguished by their sensitivity to PT.
Enhanced Radar Backscattering due to Oriented Ice Particles at 95 GHz during StormVEx

AbstractNonspherical atmospheric ice particles can enhance radar backscattering and attenuation above that expected from spheres of the same mass. An analysis of scanning 95-GHz radar data collected during the Storm Peak Laboratory Cloud Property Validation Experiment (StormVEx) shows that at a least a small amount of enhanced backscattering was present in most radar scans, with a median enhancement of 2.4 dB at zenith. This enhancement will cause an error (bias) in ice water content (IWC) retrievals that neglect particle orientation, with a value of 2.4 dB being roughly equivalent to a relative error in IWC of 43%. Of the radar scans examined, 25% had a zenith-enhanced backscattering exceeding 3.5 dB (equivalent to a relative error in IWC in excess of 67%) and 10% of the scans had a zenith-enhanced backscattering exceeding 6.4 dB (equivalent to a relative error in IWC in excess of 150%). Cloud particle images indicate that large enhancement typically occurred when planar crystals (e.g., plates and dendri...
Comparing nearly identical treaty texts: a note on the Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc., 1851 and Levenshtein’s edit distance metric

Vladimir Levenshtein’s edit distance algorithm is used to reveal disparities between delimiter stripped texts of the Senate amended Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc., 1851 as corrected in a previous study, and of other federal copies of this transaction. All of the latter deviated markedly from that newly created version, reflecting errors of exclusion, of the absence in some transcripts of the Senate modification, of editorial decisions made by Charles J. Kappler during the preparation of his treaty compilations at the beginning of the twentieth century, and of spelling. These results confirmed that the instrument was until now never published in its complete formal state. This study may serve as a model for future text analyses that might benefit from the employment of Levenshtein’s metric.
Hypocellularity and absence of compaction as criteria for embryonic death

Background: A precise definition of death is important for the appropriate application of medical resources and the harvesting of tissues for transplantation. For developed humans, life is considered to end when the criteria for brain death are met, but corresponding criteria are lacking for human embryos, and thus, we undertook a natural history study of embryonic death. Methods: De-identified records of the observations of human embryos in culture were analyzed retrospectively. The embryos were generated by in vitro fertilization for the purpose of reproduction. Cell number and morphology were recorded on embryonic days 2, 3, 5, and 6. Viable embryos (n = 248) were compared to nonviable embryos (n = 444) and the latter were analyzed in subgroups defined by cell number and morphology. Results: Many nonviable embryos (n = 142 out of 444) were hypocellular and lacked compaction on embryonic day 5 (ED5). All of these hypocellular embryos did not progress to compacted morula or normal blastocyst when observed further. No criteria could be discerned for the diagnosis of death on ED3. Conclusions: Arrested development at the multicellular stage on ED5 indicates an irreversible loss of integrated organic function, and hence, the condition of death for the organism. Approximately a fifth of all embryos generated for in vitro fertilization – heretofore misclassified among the ‘nonviable’ – are in fact dead on ED5 by our criteria. We propose that the ethical framework currently used for obtaining essential organs from deceased persons for transplantation could be applied to the harvesting of live cells from dead human embryos for the creation of stem cells.
Different Subthreshold Mechanisms Underlie Song Selectivity in Identified HVc Neurons of the Zebra Finch

Songbirds learn and maintain their songs via auditory experience. Neurons in many telencephalic nuclei important to song production and development are song selective, firing more to forward auditory playback of the bird's own song (BOS) than to reverse BOS or conspecific songs. Elucidating circuits that generate these responses can localize where auditory experience influences vocalization, bridging cellular and systems analyses of song learning. Song-selective responses in many song nuclei, including the vocal premotor nucleus robustus archistriatalis (RA) and the basal ganglia homolog area X, are thought to originate in nucleus HVc (used as a proper name), which contains interneurons and relay cells that innervate either RA or area X. Previous studies indicated that only X-projecting neurons have auditory responses, leaving open the source of RA's auditory input and the degree to which song selectivity may be refined in HVc. Here, in vivo intracellular recordings from morphologically and electrophysiologically identified HVc neurons revealed that both relay cell types fire song-selectively. However, their firing arises via markedly different subthreshold processes, and only X-projecting neurons appear to be sites for auditory refinement. RA-projecting neurons exhibited purely depolarizing subthreshold responses that were highly song selective and that were excitatory. In contrast, subthreshold responses of X-projecting neurons included less-selective depolarizing and highly selective hyperpolarizing components. Within individual birds, these BOS-evoked hyperpolarizations closely matched interneuronal firing, suggesting that HVc interneurons make restricted inputs onto X-projecting neurons. Because of the two relay cell types' subthreshold differences, factors affecting their resting membrane potentials could enable them to transmit distinct song representations to their targets.
Causal Foundationalism, Physical Causation, and Difference-Making

An influential tradition in the philosophy of causation has it that all token causal facts are, or are reducible to, facts about difference-making. Challenges to this tradition have typically focused on pre-emption cases, in which a cause apparently fails to make a difference to its effect. However, a novel challenge to the difference-making approach has recently been issued by Alyssa Ney. Ney defends causal foundationalism, which she characterizes as the thesis that facts about difference-making depend upon facts about physical causation. She takes this to imply that causation is not fundamentally a matter of difference-making. In this paper, I defend the difference-making approach against Ney’s argument. I also offer some positive reasons for thinking, pace Ney, that causation is fundamentally a matter of difference-making.
An integrated development environment for faster feature engineering

The application of machine learning to large datasets has become a core component of many important and exciting software systems being built today. The extreme value in these trained systems is tempered, however, by the difficulty of constructing them. As shown by the experience of Google, Netflix, IBM, and many others, a critical problem in building trained systems is that of feature engineering. High-quality machine learning features are crucial for the system's performance but are difficult and time-consuming for engineers to develop. Data-centric developer tools that improve the productivity of feature engineers will thus likely have a large impact on an important area of work.We have built a demonstration integrated development environment for feature engineers. It accelerates one particular step in the feature engineering development cycle: evaluating the effectiveness of novel feature code. In particular, it uses an index and runtime execution planner to process raw data objects (e.g., Web pages) in order of descending likelihood that the data object will be relevant to the user's feature code. This demonstration IDE allows the user to write arbitrary feature code, evaluate its impact on learner quality, and observe exactly how much faster our technique performs compared to a baseline system.
Impact of Tobacco Regulation on Animal Research: New Perspectives and Opportunities

Introduction: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in the United States and the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco or Health ratified by over 170 countries render scientific investigations into the abuse liability, harm, and effects of tobacco more critical than ever. A key area to explore relates to the potential regulation of nicotine content in cigarettes. Determining the nicotine content per cigarette below which smokers reliably reduce their consumption of and dependence on cigarettes, an idea proposed almost 20 years ago (Benowitz & Henningfield, 1994), could be a powerful approach to reduce the abuse liability and consequent harm from cigarettes. However, this approach is laden with potentially complex issues. Many of these complications can be studied using animal models, but they require a particular perspective. Methods: Herein, we review several challenges for animal researchers interested in nicotine reduction as examples of how this perspective dictates new approaches to animal research. These include defining the threshold nicotine dose for maintaining self-administration, evaluating the differential impact of various implementation strategies, assessing the factors that could interact with nicotine to alter the reinforcement threshold, describing the role of cues in maintaining low dose nicotine self-administration, and examining individual differences in response to nicotine reduction. Conclusions: Researchers who study tobacco using animal models have the opportunity to play a central role in the regulatory science of tobacco and conduct studies that directly inform policy decisions that could impact the lives of millions.
Values Implicated in the Struggle with Terrorism: War, Crime, and Prevention

Values can tell us much about the terrorist choice of tactics as well as about its impact on us. Values are critical to understanding the policy choices that are available for addressing the problem of terrorism. Values reflect shared experience that has been solidified into principles that do not need to be revisited in time of crisis. Closer attention to value-driven policy making will go far in restoring order to the American policy chaos of the early 21st Century and rebuilding U.S. credibility in the global community. This article outlines the values inherent in the terrorist's choice of violence and the values inherent in policy choices for response (law enforcement, security, and military).
Musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle: Assessments and treatment options

Musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle are an important public health challenge due to their increasing incidence combined with their substantial negative impact on patients' quality of life. Non-pharmacological treatments serve as the first line of treatment and are frequently used for patients with musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle. This review provides a summary of the assessments and non-invasive treatment options based upon available evidence. Recent studies show that individuals with foot and ankle pain have multiple co-existing impairments in alignment, motion, load distribution and muscle performance that may be evident in static and/or dynamic tasks. In addition, both clinical and epidemiological studies support the inter-dependence between the foot and proximal joints. For instance, aberrant foot structure has been linked to foot osteoarthritis (OA), as well as OA and pain at the knee and hip. Most recently, advances in motion capture technology and plantar load distribution measurement offer opportunities for precise dynamic assessments of the foot and ankle. In individuals with musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle, the chief objectives of treatment are to afford pain relief, restore mechanics (alignment, motion and/or load distribution) and return the patient to their desired level of activity participation. Given that most patients present with multiple impairments, combinational therapies that target foot-specific as well as global impairments have shown promising results. In particular, in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, comprehensive rehabilitation strategies including early detection, foot-based interventions (such as orthoses) and wellness-based approaches for physical activity and self-management have been successful. While significant improvements have been made in the last decade to the assessment and treatment of foot and ankle conditions, few randomised clinical trials specifically have investigated patients with foot or ankle conditions to provide global insights into this area. Consequently, current recommendations vary based upon the scope of studies presented in this review as well as the strength of studies. This review indicates a need for more in-depth investigations into the components of assessment and treatment options for foot and ankle musculoskeletal conditions.
Task-dependent color discrimination.

When an observer's ability to discriminate colored objects is estimated from the variability in color matches, the observer inspects adjacent visual fields carefully and makes considered judgments. Color discrimination does not always take place under such viewing conditions. When color video displays are used in time-critical applications (e.g., head-up displays, video control panels), the observer must discriminate among briefly presented targets seen within a complex spatial scene. We compare color-discrimination thresholds by using two tasks. In one task the observer makes color matches between two halves of a continuously displayed bipartite field. In a second task the observer detects a color target in a set of briefly presented objects. The data from both tasks are well summarized by ellipsoidal isosensitivity contours. The fitted ellipsoids differ both in their size, which indicates an absolute sensitivity difference, and orientation, which indicates a relative sensitivity difference.
Laboratory production of Vouchered reference charcoal from small wood samples and non‐woody plant tissues

Abstract Taxonomic identification of small fragments of burned plant tissue in lake sediment profiles can enhance reconstructions of past vegetation, fire regimes, and climate. Vouchered reference collections of charcoal prepared from both soft and woody plant tissues, analogous to modern pollen reference collections, will be required for making rigorous identifications and for knowing the level of certainty achieved. Published methods of laboratory production of charcoal may only poorly mimic pyrolysis as it occurs in wildfires, and tend to require large volumes of plant material. We present a method for preparing reference charcoal from dried plant specimens that is simple, provides a high degree of control, yet requires only small tissue samples. Based on results of a series of experiments, we recommend placing dried samples in 25 cm3 perforated-base porcelain Gooch filtering crucibles, surrounded by 250–500 µm sand; saturating the sand with water and draining; and placing for eight to nine minutes in ...
INFLUENCE OF RESIDUAL AMYLOSE ON FLOCCING OF GRANULATED CANE SUGAR

The purpose of this research was to ascertain the nature of the material in granulated cane sugar which causes flocculation in acidified sugar syrups, and is, consequently, undesirable in bottled beverages. The acid and alcohol floes of 12 sugar samples were examined for their amino acid content. Floccing sugars contained a higher concentration of amino acids than nonfloccers. Isolation techniques were developed for the floe-causing substance (FCS) using ion-exchange column chromatography. Characterization studies indicate that the FCS is primarily degradated amylose which is believed to be the nucleus of an aggregation. The nature of proteins, peptides and other substances in forming the complex is not clear.
A polynomial expression for the Hilbert series of the quotient ring of diagonal coinvariants

A special case of Haiman’s identity [Invent. Math. 149 (2002), pp. 371–407] for the character of the quotient ring of diagonal coinvariants under the diagonal action of the symmetric group yields a formula for the bigraded Hilbert series as a sum of rational functions in q,t. In this paper we show how a summation identity of Garsia and Zabrocki for Macdonald polynomial Pieri coefficients can be used to transform Haiman’s formula for the Hilbert series into an explicit polynomial in q,t with integer coefficients. We also provide an equivalent formula for the Hilbert series as the constant term in a multivariate Laurent series.
Characterization of HIV-1 envelopes in acutely and chronically infected injection drug users

Background: Mucosally acquired human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection results from a limited number of variants, and these infecting strains potentially have unique properties, such as increased susceptibility to entry blockers, relative interferon-alpha (IFN-α) resistance, and replication differences in some primary cells. There is no data about the phenotypic properties of HIV-1 envelope variants found early after acquisition among subjects infected through injection drug use (IDU). For the first time, we compared the characteristics of virus envelopes among injection drug users sampled prior to seroconversion (HIV RNA+/Ab-), within 1 year (early), and more than 2 years (chronic) after estimated acquisition. Results: Virus envelopes from 7 HIV RNA+/Ab- subjects possessed lower genetic diversity and divergence compared to 7 unrelated individuals sampled during the chronic phase of disease. Replication competent recombinant viruses incorporating the HIV RNA+/Ab- as compared to the chronic phase envelopes were significantly more sensitive to a CCR5 receptor inhibitor and IFN-α and showed a statistical trend toward greater sensitivity to a fusion blocker. The early as compared to chronic infection envelopes also demonstrated a statistical trend or significantly greater sensitivity to CCR5 and fusion inhibitor and IFN- α. The HIV RNA+/Ab- as compared to chronic envelope viruses replicated to a lower extent in mature monocyte derived dendritic cells – CD4+ T cell co-cultures, but there were no significant replication differences in other primary cells among the viruses with envelopes from the 3 different stages of infection. Conclusions: Similar to mucosal acquisition, HIV-1 envelope quasispecies present in injection drug users prior to seroconversion have unique phenotypic properties compared to those circulating during the chronic phase of disease.
Micromachined Membrane Filters for Microwave and () Millimeter-Wave Applications Invited Article

Recent developments in micromachining techniques at the University of Michigan have resulted in novel high-performance low-loss filters for microwave and millimeter-wave applications. The idea is based on suspending the filters on thin dielectric membranes to eliminate dielectric loss and dispersion problems, resulting in a pure TEM mode of propagation and conductor-loss-limited performance. The dielectric membrane and the surrounding cavities are built using chemical etching in Silicon and GaAs wafers. The filters are therefore compatible with low-cost IC fabrication techniques and can be com- bined with planar diodes and transistors to result in active filter networks. Several state-of-the-art filters have been realized including 15-GHz and 20-GHz bandpass interdigi- tal suspended stripline filters, lowpass and bandpass microshield filters at 30 GHz and 90 GHz, microstrip 94-GHz bandpass filters, and a 250-GHz bandpass filter with 1.0-1.5-dB insertion loss. This article reviews the associated fabrication techniques, the different types of transmission lines achieved using this technology, and the measured performance from 15 to 350 GHz. The study concludes with a detailed description of the future work in this area. Q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Microwa'e Millimeter-Wa'e CAE 7: 149-166, 1997.
Does advertising indicate product quality? Evidence from prelaunch and postlaunch advertising in the movie industry

Literature on the informative role of advertising indicates that advertising quantity can serve as an indicator of product quality. As product life cycles grow shorter, firms in many industries spend significant amounts on advertising during the prelaunch period to create large initial demand. Thus, the role of prelaunch advertising may differ from that of postlaunch advertising, and a proper understanding of these differences is important. This study provides an empirical investigation of whether advertising is a reliable indicator of quality before and after product launches, using the data from the movie industry. Analyses of 1078 movies released during 2003-2011 show that post- launch advertising is a reliable quality indicator and increases revenues, whereas pre- launch advertising is not a reliable quality indicator, even if it leads to higher revenues.
AT1 and TxA2/PGH2 receptors maintain hypertension throughout 2K,1C Goldblatt hypertension in the rat

Angiotension II (ANG II) increases the generation of vasoconstrictor prostaglandin endoperoxides (PGH2) and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Two-kidney, one-clip (2K,1C) Goldblatt hypertensive rats have an increased plasma renin activity (PRA) and ANG II level during the early, but not the late, phases of hypertension. Therefore, the aim of these studies was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of an ANG II type I (AT1) and a TxA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist during different phases of 2K,1C hypertension. Rats were maintained on a fixed sodium intake for 3 days before and throughout the period of drug administration. These studies assessed the antihypertensive response to administration of the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (20 mg.kg-1.day-1), the TxA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist ifetroban (20 mg.kg-1.day-1) or vehicle given for 3 days to rats with early (2-4 wk postclip), intermediate (10-12 wk postclip), and late (36-42 wk post-clip) 2K,1C hypertension and to two control groups of rats corresponding in age to the early or intermediate and the late 2K,1C groups. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured directly with indwelling arterial cannulas. The MAP of sham-operated rats was 109 +/- 5 mmHg. In the early phase of 2K,1C hypertension, the MAP was increased to 143 +/- 6 mmHg, and it was increased further to 162 +/- 5 mmHg during the intermediate and to 179 +/- 4 mmHg during the late phase. The PRA, compared with age-matched controls, was increased during early and intermediate, but not late phase 2K,1C hypertension. Neither drug lowered blood pressure in control rats. However, both drugs significantly reduced the blood pressure in the early, intermediate, and late phases of 2K, 1C hypertension. At the end of 3 days of administration, blood pressure in early 2K, 1C rats given losartan was reduced to levels of control rats, but remained slightly elevated in other groups and in those receiving ifetroban. In conclusion, AT1 and TxA2/PGH2 receptors maintain hypertension throughout the evolution of 2K, 1C hypertension in the rat, despite changes in PRA.
Electro-mechanical response of top-gated LaAlO3/SrTiO3

LaAlO3/SrTiO3heterostructures are known to exhibit a sharp, hysteretic metal-insulator transition (MIT) with large enhanced capacitance near depletion. To understand the physical origin of this behavior, the electromechanical response of top-gated LaAlO3/SrTiO3heterostructures is probed using two simultaneous measurement techniques: piezoresponse force microscopy(PFM) and capacitance spectroscopy. The observed hysteretic PFM responses show strong correlation with the capacitance signals, suggesting an interfacial carrier-mediated structural distortion associated with the gate-tuned MIT. In addition, the frequency dependence of the capacitance enhancement in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 is found to be well-matched to local PFM measurements. Our experimental results provide a fuller understanding of the top-gate tuned MIT in oxide heterostructure, which could be helpful for the development of future oxide-based nanoelectronics.
Prevalence and correlates of cognitive asymmetry in a large sample of Alzheimer's disease patients.

ABSTRACTPrevious research has suggested that a significant minority of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibit asymmetric cognitive profiles (greater verbal than visuospatial impairment or vice versa) and that these patient subgroups may differ in demographic and other characteristics. Prior studies have been relatively small, and this investigation sought to examine correlates of asymmetry in a large patient sample (N = 438). Patients were classified into the following cognitive profile groups: low verbal, symmetric, and low visuospatial. Consistent with past research, 28.3% of participants were classified as having asymmetric cognitive profiles, with more participants in the low visuospatial subgroup. Low visuospatial participants were younger than members of the other subgroups, and low verbal participants performed worse on a measure estimating premorbid verbal intelligence. Findings regarding apolipoprotein E (ApoE) e4 genotype were equivocal, although results provided some evidence for an eff...
Obituary Edward B. Cutler (1935–2006)

Edward B. Cutler passed away peacefully on September 2, 2006, at the age of 71 after a long battle with prostate cancer. His energy and enjoyment of life continued almost to the very end as did his interest in the biology and systematics of the Sipuncula and other worms.
Effect of graft-versus-host disease on hematopoiesis after bone marrow transplantation in mice

We have examined the effect of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) on the reconstitution of donor hematopoiesis in a murine bone marrow transplant (BMT) model of GVHD to minor histocompatibility antigens. GVHD had no effect on peripheral blood counts, which normalized by 1 month after BMT, and did not affect numbers of hematopoietic progenitors in the BM, which remained decreased in all transplant recipients. Donor stem cells (colony-forming unit-spleen day 8) and stem cell self-renewal remained low in all mice for 5 months after transplant, but GVHD further damaged the stem cell compartment. Peripheral counts 1 month after transplant were supported by increased numbers of stem cells in cycle and increased splenic hematopoiesis. However, GVHD altered the pattern of extramedullary hematopoiesis, causing dramatically decreased activity in the spleen and increased activity in the liver. We conclude that GVHD further decreases hematopoietic reserve and causes damage to the donor stem cell compartment during hematopoietic reconstitution after transplant, despite unaffected progenitor frequencies and peripheral blood counts.
Interactions between ingredients in IMX-101: Reactive Chemical Processes Control Insensitive Munitions Properties

Simultaneous Thermogravimetric Modulated Beam Mass Spectrometry (STMBMS) measurements have been conducted on a new Insensitive Munitions (IM) formulation. IMX-101 is the first explosive to be fully IM qualified under new NATO STANAG guidelines for fielded munitions. The formulation uses dinitroanisole (DNAN) as a new melt cast material to replace TNT, and shows excellent IM performance when formulated with other energetic ingredients. The scope of this work is to explain this superior IM performance by investigating the reactive processes occurring in the material when subjected to a well-controlled thermal environment. The dominant reactive processes observed were a series of complex chemical interactions between the three main ingredients (DNAN, NQ, and NTO) that occurs well below the onset of the normal decomposition process of any of the individual ingredients. This process shifts the thermal response of the formulations to a much lower temperature, where the kinetically controlled reaction processes are much slower. This low temperature shift has the effect of allowing the reactions to consume the reactive solids (NQ, NTO) well before the reaction rates increase and reach thermal runaway, resulting in a relatively benign response to the external stimuli. The main findings on the interaction processes are presented.
Affect and short-term retention

The effects of motivation on retention were investigated. Using a short-term memory technique, stimuli were cued for different incentives. At a short time interval there were no differences in recall as a function of the incentive condition. However, after a longer interval, stimuli associated with a five cent reward or shock were recalled significantly more than stimuli for which neither shock nor money was a potential outcome. It was argued that motivation did not affect the strength of original learning, but did influence the temporally subsequent process of trace storage.