cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesangial cell killing by leukocytes: role of leukocyte oxidants and proteolytic enzymes.

Mesangial cell killing by leukocytes: Role of leukocyte oxidants and proteolytic enzymes. Mesangial cells from human and rat kidney were examined for sensitivity to killing by neutrophils. Cells from both species were sensitive to killing by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated neutrophils. Catalase was highly protective while superoxide dismutase was less protective and a number of protease inhibitors were not protective. Strong protection was also observed with the iron chelators, deferoxamine and phenanthroline, and with the hydroxyl radical scavengers, dimethylthiourea and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide. Pretreatment of the mesangial cells with deferoxamine followed by washing also provided protection. Mesangial cells were also killed by reagent hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) but were much less sensitive to injury by direct application of proteolytic enzymes. The ability of H 2 O 2 to injure mesangial cells was prevented by pre-incubation of the H 2 O 2 with human leukocyte myeloperoxidase. These data suggest that killing is due primarily to the generation of H 2 O 2 by the stimulated neutrophils and its further reduction in an iron-catalyzed reaction. The hydroxyl radical may be the reduction product that actually mediates lethal injury but lack of scavenger specificity prevents definitively concluding this. Mesangial cell killing by activated neutrophils could be significantly inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CD11/CD18 molecules, suggesting that close contact between the target and effector cells is required for cytotoxicity. Although qualitatively similar to endothelial cells, the mesangial cells appeared to be quantitatively more oxidant sensitive than previously examined human and rat endothelial cells. Taken together, these data show that mesangial cells from rat and human are sensitive to leukocyte-induced injury and that injury results via an oxidant pathway. Mesangial cell injury is noted in a variety of glomerulopathies where oxidant-mediated mechanisms may play a role in the pathogenic process.
ANTIBODY TO LEPTOTRICHIA BUCCALIS IN HUMAN SERA.

Abstract Utilizing a haemolysis procedure employing soluble antigens extracted from strains of Leptotrichia buccalis, Fusobacterium polymorphum, Bacteroides , and Veillonella , a rather widespread occurrence of haemolytic antibody to L. buccalis could be demonstrated in the sera of adult individuals. As shown by these tests and haemolysis-inhibition tests, this antibody is most specific for L. buccalis type-specific lipopolysaccharide. In addition, this antibody can be specifically absorbed from human sera by L. buccalis cells, but not by cells of Veillonella or Fusobacterium . These experiments indicate that man may develop antibodies to the somatic antigen of L. buccalis or alternatively indicate that the antibodies to L. buccalis may represent a response to heterogenetic antigens.
Interpreter perspectives of in-person, telephonic, and videoconferencing medical interpretation in clinical encounters

Objective To examine professional medical interpreters’ perspectives of in-person and remote interpreting modalities.
The self-assembly of spherical viruses with mixed coat proteins.

Abstract Coat protein subunits from cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, brome mosaic virus, and broad bean mottle virus have been mixed in various combinations and ratios and added to RNA to form spherical particles with mixed protein coats. These particles, some of which are infective and resistant to snake venom phosphodiesterase, are immunoelectrophoretically distinct from nucleoproteins with any single type of coat protein.
Influence of temperature on adenovirus-mediated gene transfer

OBJECTIVE: The transfer of recombinant genes to donor organs may allow for novel therapeutic approaches to the challenges of acute and chronic rejection. Adenoviral vectors are capable of efficient gene transfer, but use of these vectors during donor organ preservation may be less efficient due to the low temperature. This study was designed to examine the effect of temperature on the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. METHODS: Gene transfer to human endothelial cells, porcine vascular smooth muscle cells and cultured rat thoracic aortas was examined. Incubation with an adenoviral vector encoding for E. coli beta-galactosidase was performed for 1 h at three different temperatures: 4 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Transgene expression was assessed by histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase in transduced cells and by evaluation of beta-galactosidase activity in organ cultures. RESULTS: Both in human endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells the percentage of positively staining cells following transduction at 37 degrees C was significantly greater than at 4 degrees C and at 10 degrees C (30.55 +/- 7.26% vs. 14.29 +/- 3.79% and 12.43 +/- 2.47%, respectively for endothelial cells, P < 0.01 vs. 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C; and 28.25 +/- 4.52% vs. 17.91 +/- 3.76% and 16.63 +/- 3.92%, respectively for smooth muscle cells, P < 0.05 vs. 4 degrees C, P < 0.01 vs. 10 degrees C). Beta-galactosidase activity was significantly greater in aortas transduced at 37 degrees C than in vessels transduced at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C (289,700 +/- 113,300 vs. 149,600 +/- 54,390 and 108,800 +/- 23,140 relative chemiluminesce units/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.05 vs. 4 degrees C, P < 0.001 vs. 10 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is significantly reduced at lower temperatures. The need for cold preservation of donor organs may render efficient adenovirus-mediated gene transfer more difficult in the transplantation setting.
Educational Expectations of Parents and Children: Findings from a Case of China

To examine educational expectations and the factors that influence them, this paper presents a study of elementary school-aged children in China, with a particular interest in migrant children. This study revealed the significance of family socioeconomic status (SES), parental involvement, and children’s school experiences to children’s educational expectations. The findings of this study showed no significantly different patterns of factors influencing children’s educational expectations between the migrant and the non-migrant children in public schools. The implication of this finding is that it is not simply migrant status which affects a child’s educational expectation; rather it is a set of family SES and school experiences. Future research considering diverse migrant child population is suggested.
Effects of methylphenidate on functional magnetic resonance relaxometry of the cerebellar vermis in boys with ADHD.

Objective: The authors used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test the effects of methylphenidate on steady-state blood volume in the midline vermis of the cerebellum in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This region was selected as it has been observed to be significantly smaller in children with ADHD. Also, in preclinical studies, the vermis has been shown to modulate forebrain dopamine systems, to influence locomotor activity, and to contain a significant density of dopamine transporters. Method: T2 relaxometry was used to indirectly assess blood volume in the cerebellum (hemispheres and midline vermis) of 10 boys with ADHD who were administered placebo or one of three different doses of methylphenidate continuously for 1 week. T2 relaxation time values are inversely proportional to local cerebral blood volume. After each week of treatment, and within 1–3 hours of the boys’ afternoon dose, testing for drug efficacy was performed by using objective measures of activity. Results: Moderate and high doses of methylphenidate increased T2 relaxation time in a rate-dependent manner—increasing T2 relaxation time in the most active children with ADHD and reducing T2 relaxation time in subjects with ADHD who were not objectively hyperactive. Conclusions: This preliminary study supports a role for the vermis in ADHD and suggests that further research is needed to clarify the relationship between vermal size, vermal blood flow, stimulant response, and the developmental pathophysiology of ADHD.
The Design of Transformers for Audio-Frequency Amplifiers with Preassigned Characteristics

The requirements of an ideal transformer are stated, and the difficulties encountered in attempting to build transformers for interstage coupling units which will meet these requirements are pointed out. The aim in design for audio amplifiers is stated to be a reasonable voltage amplification for one tube and one transformer which is independent of the frequency over a range necessary for broadcast reception. The equivalent a.c. circuit for some types of transformers with tube source and tube load is set up and solved. The impedance and voltage amplification characteristics are explained from the solution of the equivalent circuit. Expressions for calculating the constants of the transformer are given. A study of the design relations and voltage amplification characteristics reveals difficulties which are encountered in design and some methods for overcoming these difficulties. The effect of the continuous flux in the core of the transformer is illustrated and a scheme is given for balancing out the continuous flux. A rather universal type of bridge for making the necessary impedance measurements in connection with transformer studies is shown. This bridge is adapted to measuring iron core coils, which carry both alternating and continuous currents, when either inductive or capacitive reactive.
Dynamic homology and the likelihood criterion

The use of likelihood as an optimality criterion is explored in the context of dynamic homology. Simple models and procedures are described to allow the analysis of large variable length sequence data sets, alone and in combination with qualitative information (such as morphology). Several approaches are discussed that have different likelihood interpretations in terms of maximum parsimony likelihood and maximum average likelihood. Implementation is discussed and an example in arthropod systematics presented. Topological congruence comparisons with parsimony are made. © The Willi Hennig Society 2006.
Active Feedback Vibration Suppression of a Flexible Steel Cantilever Beam Using Smart Materials

Considerable attentions have been devoted recently to active vibration control using intelligent materials as actuators. This paper presents results on active control schemes for vibration suppression of flexible steel cantilever beam with bonded piezoelectric actuators. The PZT patches are surface-bonded near the fixed end of flexible steel cantilever beam. Active vibration control methods such as strain rate feedback control (SRF) and positive position feedback control (PPF) are investigated and implemented using xPC Target real-time system. Experimental results demonstrate that the SRF control and PPF control achieve effective vibration suppression results of steel cantilever beam.
Static and Dynamic Analysis of Timed Distributed Traces

This paper presents an algorithm for checking global predicates from distributed traces of cyber-physical systems. For an individual agent, such as a mobile phone or a robot, a trace is a finite sequence of state observations and message histories. Each observation has a possibly inaccurate timestamp from the agent's local clock. The challenge is to symbolically over approximate the reachable states of the entire system from the unsynchronized traces of the individual agents. The presented algorithm first approximates the time of occurrence of each event, based on the synchronization errors of the local clocks, and then over approximates the reach sets of the continuous variables between consecutive observations. The algorithm is shown to be sound, it is also complete for a class of agents with restricted continuous dynamics and when the traces have precise information about timing synchronization inaccuracies. The algorithm is implemented in an SMT solver-based tool for analyzing distributed Android apps. Experimental results illustrate that interesting properties like safe separation, correct geocast delivery, and distributed deadlocks can be checked for up-to twenty agents in minutes.
Behavioral Aspects of Learning in Social Networks: An Experimental Study ∗

Networks are natural tools for understanding social and economic phenomena. For example, all markets are characterized by agents connected by complex, multilateral information networks, and the network structure influences economic outcomes. In an earlier study, we undertook an experimental investigation of learning in various three-person networks, each of which gives rise to its own learning patterns. In the laboratory, learning in networks is challenging and the difficulty of solving the decision problem is sometimes massive even in the case of three persons. We found that the theory can account surprisingly well for the behavior observed in the laboratory. The aim of the present paper is to investigate important and interesting questions about individual and group behavior, including comparisons across networks and information treatments. We find that in order to explain subjects’ behavior, it is necessary to take into account the details of the network architecture as well as the information structure. We also identify some “black spots” where the theory does least well in interpreting the data. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D82, D83, C92.
Piezoresistive Feedback Control of a MEMS Thermal Actuator

Feedback control of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices has the potential to significantly improve device performance and reliability. One of the main obstacles to its broader use is the small number of on-chip sensing options that are available to MEMS designers. A method of using integrated piezoresistive sensing is proposed and demonstrated as another option. Integrated piezoresistive sensing utilizes the inherent piezoresistive property of polycrystalline silicon from which many MEMS devices are fabricated. As compliant MEMS structures flex to perform their functions, their resistance changes. That resistance change can be used to transduce the structures' deflection into an electrical signal. The piezoresistive microdisplacement transducer (PMT) is a demonstration structure that uses integrated piezoresistive sensing to monitor the output displacement of a thermomechanical inplane microactuator (TIM). Using the PMT as a feedback sensor for closed-loop control of the TIM provided excellent tracking with no evident steady-state error, maintained the positioning resolution to plusmn29 nm or less, and increased the robustness of the system such that it was insensitive to significant damage.
Spectral polarization measurements by use of the grating division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter.

The grating division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter (G-DOAP) is an instrument that exploits the multiple-beam-splitting, polarizing, and dispersive properties of diffraction gratings for the time-resolved measurement of the complete state of polarization of collimated broadband incident light, as represented by the four Stokes parameters as a function of wavelength across the spectrum. It is a compact, high-speed sensor that has no moving parts and is simple to install and operate. These characteristics make the G-DOAP well suited for in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) applications for monitoring and controlling thin-film processes. The design and performance of a prototype instrument are presented. Precise SE measurements, to ±0.04° in ψ and ±0.1° in Δ, are demonstrated in the 550–940-nm wavelength range.
KT5926 selectively inhibits nerve growth factor-dependent neurite elongation

We have examined the effects of the protein kinase inhibitor KT5926 on NGF-promoted responses in PC12 and PC12-C41 cells (a subclone of the parental cell line). Our findings reveal that this compound specifically and reversibly prevents the NGF-induced outgrowth and regeneration of neurites. In addition, neurites of NGF-pretreated cells cease further elongation upon exposure to KT5926. However, preexisting neurite networks in the cultures remain intact in the presence of the drug. The inhibition of neuritic growth appears to occur at least in part at the level of growth cones since KT5926 also causes these structures to collapse and inhibits NGF-promoted reactivation of NGF- deprived growth cones. Although KT5926 is an analogue of K-252a, which blocks all responses to NGF, it does not affect other NGF-elicited cellular responses examined, including NGF-dependent priming of cells, gp140prototrk autophosphorylation, immediate-early gene induction, and phosphorylation of several known cytoskeletal proteins (MAP 1.2/1B, chartin MAPs, and beta-tubulin). However, phosphate incorporation into a cytoskeletally localized 58 kDa phosphoprotein, designated pp58, is selectively reduced in KT5926-treated cultures (+/- NGF). Although KT5926 is an in vitro inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, inhibition of these two kinase activities by ML-9 and KN-62, respectively, applied alone or together, does not mimic the effects of KT5926 on neurite growth and on pp58 phosphorylation. Taken together, our findings suggest that KT5926, via a previously unidentified protein kinase inhibitory activity, differentially interferes with NGF-promoted growth cone function and consequently affects neuritic outgrowth. This compound should therefore be a useful tool for dissecting the mechanism of NGF actions and affords a means to identify phosphoproteins that play specific roles in neurite growth/elongation.
Genome plasticity in Yersinia pestis.

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague, emerged recently (<20000 years ago) as a clone of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. There is scant evidence of genome diversity in Y. pestis, although it is possible to differentiate three biovars (antiqua, mediaevalis or orientalis) based on two biochemical tests. There are a few examples of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) within Y. pestis; however, their genetic basis is poorly understood. In this study, six difference regions (DFRs) were identified in Y. pestis, by using subtractive hybridization, which ranged from 4·6 to 19 kb in size. Four of the DFRs are flanked by insertion sequences, and their sequences show similarity to bacterial genes encoding proteins for flagellar synthesis, ABC transport, insect toxicity and bacteriophage functions. The presence or absence of these DFRs (termed the DFR profile) was demonstrated in 78 geographically diverse strains of Y. pestis. Significant genome plasticity was observed among these strains and suggests the acquisition and deletion of these DNA regions during the recent evolution of Y. pestis. Y. pestis biovar orientalis possesses DFR profiles that are different from antiqua and mediaevalis biovars, reflecting the recent origins of this biovar. Whereas some DFR profiles are specific for antiqua and mediaevalis, some DFR profiles are shared by both biovars. Furthermore, the progenitor of Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis (an enteric pathogen), possesses its own DFR profile. The DFR profiles detailed here demonstrate genome plasticity within Y. pestis, and they imply evolutionary relationships among the three biovars of Y. pestis, as well as between Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis.
Pain Relief for Obstetric and Gynecologic Ambulatory Procedures

As minor gynecologic procedures move from the operating room to the office, providers need to ensure that patients are comfortable and that procedures are performed safely. Although local anesthesia is commonly used for gynecologic procedures, a multimodal approach may be more effective. If necessary, sedation can be safely provided in an office setting with the correct tools and training. This article reviews evidence-based approaches to pain management for gynecologic procedures in the ambulatory setting.
Carolina bay wetlands: Unique habitats of the southeastern United States

Carolina bays, depression wetlands of the southeastern United States Coastal Plain, are “islands” of high species richness within the upland landscape and are the major breeding habitat for numerous amphibians. The 2001 Supreme Court decision that removes isolated wetlands from protection under the Clean Water Act has potential for great losses of these wetland ecosystems. Most Carolina bays are not naturally connected with stream drainages or other water bodies, and their hydrology is driven primarily by rainfall and evapotranspiration. Their potential interaction with shallow ground water is not well-understood. Water levels in these wetlands may vary seasonally and across years from inundated to dry, and organisms inhabiting Carolina bays must be adapted to fluctuating and often unpredictable hydrologic conditions. The ecological importance of these wetlands as habitats for species that require an aquatic environment for a part of their life cycle has been well-documented. Many Carolina bays have been drained and converted to agriculture or other uses, and many of the smaller bays have been poorly inventoried and mapped. If these wetlands are not protected in the future, a major source of biological diversity in the southeastern United States will be lost.
Electrohydrodynamically induced airflow in a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge surface plasma

Summary form only given. The One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP) is capable of operating at one atmosphere in air and other gases, and its active species can be used to sterilize and decontaminate surfaces, and to increase the wettability and surface energy of materials. This paper will present the theory of three distinct mechanisms for EHD-induced now acceleration at one atmosphere using the OAUGDP. The first of these mechanisms acts on the net charge density of the OAUGDP, and produces neutral gas flow velocities on the order of one to ten meters per second as the result of a paraelectric effect in which the plasma is accelerated in the direction of an increasing electric field gradient. This phenomenon was observed during wind tunnel tests, in which the paraelectrically induced gas flow was observed to have the predicted linear dependence on the applied voltage, and to be of the correct magnitude. The second mechanism is the result of the momentum transferred to the neutral gas from the mobility drift of ions and electrons in a DC electric field applied to a OAUGDP. The ion momentum transfer dominates the electron momentum transfer, and can produce neutral gas now velocities approaching Mach 1.0 if heating and viscous effects are neglected. The third mechanism is flow induced by peristaltic EHD effects on an OAUGDP, in which a series of strip electrodes are energized by a polyphase low frequency RF power supply, in such a way that a traveling-wave electric field exists along the surface on which the electrodes are mounted. This electric field can accelerate the ions and the neutral gas to velocities of several hundred meters per second.
Contrasting scales of element mobility in metamorphic rocks near Harney Peak Granite, Black Hills, South Dakota

Outcrop-scale and regional dispersion patterns of rare elements help establish origins of fluid components, mechanisms of fluid flow, and the scale of element mobility in metamorphic rocks near the Harney Peak Granite. Enrichment of granite-derived elements (Sn, B, W, Li, Cu, F, P) adjacent to a quartz vein 3.5 km north of the granite indicates that fracture-controlled flow was one mechanism for movement of magmatic fluids. Graphitization of wall rocks and CO2-CH4 fluid inclusions in vein quartz show that C was also transported by the vein-forming fluid. Mixing of H2O-rich magmatic fluid and CO2-CH4–bearing metamorphic fluid within a concealed intrusive below the vein is proposed, based on the observation of late-stage graphite in several exposed pegmatite bodies in the area. Other wall-rock alteration includes small relative gains of Rb, K, and Al toward the vein, and relative losses of Na, Sr, Ca, Si, Fe, Mg, Mn, and possibly Ti. Changes in P, K, Al, and Si, and reequilibration of whole-rock δ18O, are confined to a 50-cm-wide zone next to the vein. Additions of C, Sn, W, and Cu, and depletion of Ca, Na, and Sr reach 100–150 cm from the vein. Boron reaches a maximum 25–150 cm from the vein and drops to background levels between 150 and 250 cm. In contrast to these elements, Li is three times the regional background level throughout the outcrop (at least 600 cm from any known veins), and F and Rb remain at elevated levels. Comparing these results with a regional geochemical profile away from the Harney Peak Granite and published results on dispersion around rare-element pegmatites documents the extent of element redistribution on a broader scale. For example, Rb and F can be affected up to ∼100 m from local fluid sources, whereas Li appears to record interaction with granite-derived fluids in rocks that are 500 m or more from map-scale fluid sources. Thus regional dispersion patterns of Li and other rare elements provide a minimum estimate of the volume of mid-crustal rock that interacted with granite-derived fluids in the Harney Peak area.
Optimal 4-D Aircraft Trajectories in a Contrail-sensitive Environment

Aircraft induced contrails present an important source and a growing concern for climate change in aviation. This paper develops a methodology to determine optimal flight trajectories that minimize the total flying cost in a dynamic, contrail-sensitive environment. The total flying costs consist of costs due to fuel burn, crew, passenger travel time, CO2 emission, and contrail formation. By constructing a multi-layer hexagonal grid structure to represent the airspace, we formulate the single aircraft trajectory optimization problem as a binary integer program that allows for flight altitude and heading adjustment, and contrail information update. Various cost factors are quantified, in particular the one corresponding to aviation-generated contrails, using the Global Warming Potential concept. Computational analyses show that optimal trajectories depend critically upon the time horizon choice for calculating the CO2 climate impact. Shifting flights to periods with low contrail effect is not justified, given the limited benefit but potentially large passenger schedule delay cost increase. The analyses are further extended to determining the optimal trajectories for multiple flights using a successive optimization procedure.
Region-of-interest imaging in differential phase-contrast tomography

Differential phase-contrast tomography, also known as beam-deflection tomography, is a method for reconstructing an object's refractive index distribution from knowledge of differential projection data that describe beam deflection angles. We describe and demonstrate an approach to determining regions of interest within an object from truncated differential projection data.
SUV420H2-mediated H4K20 trimethylation enforces RNA polymerase II promoter-proximal pausing by blocking hMOF-dependent H4K16 acetylation.

Many human genes exhibit evidence of initiated RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at their promoters, despite a lack of significant full-length transcript. Such genes exhibit promoter-proximal “pausing,” wherein initiated Pol II accumulates just downstream of the transcription start site due to a rate-limiting step mediating the transition to elongation. The mechanisms that regulate the escape of Pol II from pausing and the relationship to chromatin structure remain incompletely understood. Recently, we showed that CpG island hypermethylation and epigenetic silencing of TMS1/ASC in human breast cancers are accompanied by a local shift from histone H4 lysine 16 acetylation (H4K16Ac) to H4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20me3). Here, we show that hMOF-mediated H4K16Ac and SUV420H2-mediated H4K20me3 play opposing roles in the regulation of Pol II pausing. We found that H4K16Ac promoted the release of Pol II from pausing through the recruitment of BRD4 and pTEFb. Aberrant methylation of CpG island DNA blocked Pol II recruitment to gene promoters. Whereas the inhibition of DNA methylation allowed for the reassociation and initiation of Pol II at the TMS1 promoter, Pol II remained paused in the presence of H4K20me3. Combined inhibition of H4K20me3 and DNA methylation resulted in the rerecruitment of hMOF and subsequent H4K16Ac, release of Pol II into active elongation, and synergistic reactivation of TMS1 expression. Marking by H4K20me3 was not restricted to TMS1 but also occurred at other genes independently of DNA methylation, where it similarly imposed a block to Pol II promoter escape through a mechanism that involved the local inhibition of H4K16Ac. These data indicate that H4K20me3 invokes gene repression by antagonizing hMOF-mediated H4K16Ac and suggest that overcoming Pol II pausing might be a rate-limiting step in achieving tumor suppressor gene reactivation in cancer therapy.
DECUSSATING INTERNEURONS MEDIATE ANTENNULAR WITHDRAWAL IN THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

Abstract Four large (Type I) interneurons with cell bodies in the anterior cluster of the brain and decussating axonal processes in an oesophageal connective initiate antennular withdrawal behavior in Callinectes sapidus. Recurrent neurites from the oesophageal process of each interneuron project into antennal and lateral antennular neuropils. These recurrent processes have varicosities on their terminal processes that are hypothesized to possess output synapses onto antennular withdrawal motoneurons. Secondary neurites of Type I interneurons in the medial antennular neuropil receive tertiary branches from antennal and lateral antennular neuropils. These secondary neurites in the medial antennular neuropil also receive short latency, excitatory input from mechanosensory afferent fibers from the antennule base. Intracellular depolarization of Type I interneurons produces antennular withdrawal ipsilateral to the descending axonal process. Intracellular recordings from identified withdrawal motoneurons durin...
Computation of Strain State in a ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Strand Using Nonlinear Hierarchical Models

The large range of length scales present within accelerator magnets suggests the incorporation of a hierarchical structure into computational models. Evaluation of the strain state present within the superconducting filaments is necessary in order to determine the critical current of Nb3Sn based magnets. As part of an ongoing investigation at LBNL, a three-dimensional nonlinear multiscale model is developed to investigate the behavior of Nb3Sn strands. The strain state in the superconducting filaments is examined by simulating a cool down from reaction to 4.2 K. The effects of strand geometry on the final strain state are also explored. The validity of the model is tested through the comparison of the predicted moduli to experimental tangent measurements.
Chiral Phenomena in Nonlinear Optics

Frequency doubling and frequency mixing are remarkably sensitive probes of chirality. New and relatively simple experimental and computational methods have been proposed for interpreting the origins of the chiroptical responses.
Trade Measures of OECD Countries and the Decline in Exports of AfricanCountries: Is Murky Protectionism Responsible?

Since the onset of the recent global financial crisis and the resulting trade downturn, there have been efforts to understand the channels through which financial crisis has been affecting global trade and to explain the overall welfare impact of the crisis. Most previous studies focus on finding the key factors that link the financial crisis to the trade crisis. Specifically, the role of limited access to trade credit, murky protectionism, behind-the-border measures, and fluctuations in demand components are implicated as the leading contributors to the downturn. The purpose of this study is to investigate the significance of two of these factors, namely, murky protectionism and demand components, in the context of trade among OECD and African countries during the crisis years. Author has drawn commodity-level data on bilateral trade flow and trade measures from the OECD and GTA databases, respectively, to empirically investigate the impacts of OECD countries’ demand components and murky protectionisms on imports from African countries. The results confirm that OECD countries’ demand components played a relatively lesser role in the downturn of imports from African countries, whereas trade measures, especially tariffs, quotas, and the so-called ‘trade defense measures’ had significant negative effects on OECD imports from African countries. GTA’s evaluation of the trade measures, in terms of the nature of their likely impacts on trade flows, is, however, not confirmed in this study.
Cooperative Control of a Team of UAVs for Tactical Missions

This paper presents distributed decision and control algorithms for a team of UAVs to achieve real time autonomous operation capability for dynamic uncertain tactical missions. Cooperative control design approaches are presented and issues are discussed that dominate the achievable performance of a distributed control system. Principal issues discussed include: coupling between the distributed tasks; partial information restrictions; and the role of communication delays. Cooperative UAV team missions addressed include: generating a phantom radar track against a network of radars; fusing radar information to track ground moving targets; and small/micro vehicles that positively identify targets in an urban environment.
Synthesis and characterization of Pt-Ti4O7 microelectrode arrays

The synthesis of Pt-Ti4O7 microelectrode arrays is achieved from mixtures of TiO2 and Ti2O3 powders plus Pt particles by a thermal procedure commonly used in solid-state chemistry. Data obtained for the Pt-Ti4O7 materials by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy are consistent with the existence of heterogeneous mixtures of Pt particles imbedded within the conductive Ti4O7 matrices. Rotated disc electrodes (RDEs) constructed from pure Pt and from the Pt-Ti4O7 materials are compared on the basis of their voltammetric and amperometric response for I− and H2O2 in 0.10m H2SO4. The observed enhancement of current densities for the Pt-Ti4O7 RDEs is rationalized on the basis of the behaviour expected for microelectrode arrays.
Temporal Genetic Variation in the Raccoon, Procyon lotor

Starch-gel electrophoresis was used to assess temporal genetic variation in a population of raccoon, Procyon lotor . Specimens ( n = 1,056) were collected during nine annual hunts (1984–1992) at Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Obion Co., Tennessee, and Fulton Co., Kentucky. Of 41 loci examined, 35 were monomorphic; 6 exhibited polymorphism and were used in statistical analyses. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.033 (1990) to 0.046 (1992) with a mean of 0.042; however, differences across years were not significant. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were minimal. Chi-square contingency analysis revealed significant differences in allelic frequencies among years for four of the six polymorphic loci. Wright's F -statistics indicated significant differentiation among years ( F st = 0.042). Rogers’ genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.836 to 0.973. The matrix of all pairwise comparisons indicated a random pattern of relationships among years. Hunting appears to have had little influence on the genetic composition of raccoons in the study area over the 9-year period. The observed pattern of low-level temporal variation is probably the result of stochastic events.
Analysis of serotype and drug resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates from raw pickled seafood

Objective To investigate the contamination situation,serotype distribution,antimicrobial resistance and toxin genes of V. parahaemolyticus in pickled raw seafood,so as to provide evidence for prevention of foodborne diseases caused by V. parahaemolyticus and rational use of antibiotics. Methods V. parahaemolyticus were isolated from samples according to GB / T4789. 7-2008. Then bacteria identification,drug susceptibility test and serotyping were carried out on these isolates. Fluorescent PCR was employed to detect toxin genes tdh and trh,and Kanagawa phenomenon test was used to determine the specific hemolysin. Results Forty-three strains of V. parahaemolyticus were isolated from 349 samples( 12. 32%),belonging to 8 serotypes, mainly O5 and O1 serotypes. Two strains of V. parahaemolyticus were tdh-positive by fluorescent PCR and Kanagawa phenomenon positive. Drug susceptibility test showed that all strains were 100% sensitive to 12 kinds of antibiotics including cefotetan, and resistant to ampicillin( 93. 02%). Conclusion V. parahaemolyticus contamination was serious in pickled raw seafood in Ruian,showing diverse serotypes and simple animicrobial resistance.
The Globular Cluster System of M87

We have begun a program with the Low Resolution Imaging Spectrograph, operating with 30 multi-slits per exposure (Oke et al 1994, Cohen et al 1993) on the ten-meter W. M. Keck telescope located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii to observe the globular cluster systems of the Virgo ellipticals. We expect to learn about the dark matter content of galaxy halos, the formation of these halos and their cluster systems, possibly the formation of the galaxy’s themselves, the interaction of the cluster system with the galaxy’s gravitational potential (i.e. rotation and spinup), and the homogeneity of chemical evolution in various places. The metallicity of the globular clusters versus the metallicity of the underlying galaxy can also by analyzed. In addition the dynamics (i.e. in practice, the rotation and velocity dispersion) of the halo of the parent galaxy versus the globular cluster system can be determined.
Witnessing the Execution: Protocols of State Sponsored Homicides

Dans cet article, l'A fait part de son experience de temoin d'execution de la peine de mort aux Etats-Unis, dans l'etat du Missouri en 1996. L'A entreprend ici l'historique de la fonction du temoin et relate les protocoles officiels des differents etats concernant les dernieres visites, le traitement des temoins mais aussi celui des prisonniers avant l'execution. Il dresse une liste des differents traitements entrainant la mort appliques dans 38 etats des Etats-Unis d'Amerique
Prognostication of Cu-Al WB system subjected to high temperature-humidity condition

Migration to Copper (Cu) wirebond from traditional Gold (Au) wirebond is a recent trend in packaging industry. Cu being more reactive that Au, fails prematurely when subjected to high temperature-humidity conditions. To track down degradation of the Cu wirebonds over the period of its lifetime, leading indicators of failure must be identified. This data can be then used for development of prognostics framework and predict remaining useful life of field extracted part. Premature failure of Cu-Al wire bonded devices subjected to high temperature and humidity condition is a major reliability issue. Even though failure mechanisms for Cu wirebond (WB) for these conditions are available, leading indicators of failure which will reflect accumulative damage are not yet identified. In this paper, prognostics model for Cu WB subjected to high temperature-humidity environment is presented. A set of parts were subjected to high temperature-high humidity environment. Resistance, change in shear strength and shear failure modes were monitored during this study. Resistance spectroscopy was used for accurate measurement of resistance. Ball shear tester was used to calculate change in shear strength. This data was used to identify leading indicator of failure and prognostics matrix was developed for prediction of remaining useful life based on extended kalman filtering (EKF) technique.
Assessing social anxiety using gps trajectories and point-of-interest data

Mental health problems are highly prevalent and appear to be increasing in frequency and severity among the college student population. The upsurge in mobile and wearable wireless technologies capable of intense, longitudinal tracking of individuals, provide valuable opportunities to examine temporal patterns and dynamic interactions of key variables in mental health research. In this paper, we present a feasibility study leveraging non-invasive mobile sensing technology to passively assess college students' social anxiety, one of the most common disorders in the college student population. We have first developed a smartphone application to continuously track GPS locations of college students, then we built an analytic infrastructure to collect the GPS trajectories and finally we analyzed student behaviors (e.g. studying or staying at home) using Point-Of-Interest (POI). The whole framework supports intense, longitudinal, dynamic tracking of college students to evaluate how their anxiety and behaviors change in the college campus environment. The collected data provides critical information about how students' social anxiety levels and their mobility patterns are correlated. Our primary analysis based on 18 college students demonstrated that social anxiety level is significantly correlated with places students' visited and location transitions.
Occupational therapy in the context of Head Start: A preliminary survey study

ABSTRACTThis preliminary, descriptive study yields information on the utilization of occupational therapy services within Head Start programs. Participants completed an Internet-based survey of 25 questions pertaining to the understanding, scope, and utilization of occupational therapy services. Surveys were completed by 35 respondents nationwide. A total of 55.17% of respondents indicated occupational therapy services are available in their Head Start programs, yet 78.57% of respondents indicated the Head Start teacher addressed concerns related to occupational therapy practice areas. This preliminary data indicates that occupational therapy services are understood and available but not fully utilized in Head Start programs.
Are Findings Of One- and Two-Variable Deficit Models Consistent?

Results of tests using the one- and two-variable definitions of the government deficit are found consistent. Both indicate negative net effects of stimulus programs, with the two-variable tests indicating larger negative results.
Abstract 4411: Oral drug formulations containing microspheres

Oral anticancer drug formulations are considerably favorable not only for patient adherence, but also for ease of administration. The main objective of the present research was to develop extended-release capsule formulations containing doxorubicin hydrochloride-encapsulated albumin microspheres. Albumin-based polymeric microspheres were evaluated as a potential platform technology for providing extended-release of oral dosage formulations. Bovine serum albumin microspheres were prepared by spray drying and characterized for their physicochemical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the size, surface morphology, and size distribution of the drug-loaded microspheres. Zeta potential measurements were carried out to assess the surface properties and stability of the microsphere formulations. Dissolution studies were conducted to analyze the release profiles of the microspheres and capsule-containing microsphere drug formulations. SEM analysis indicated that microspheres were less than 2-μm in size, which is considered to be optimal for uptake by the enterocytes. The average Zeta potential measurements were approximately -30 mV. Additionally, the data showed that microspheres, which contained 1% BSA and 0.1% glutaraldehyde, provided a drug release profile that is desirable for cancer therapy. Both microsphere and capsule-encapsulating microsphere formulations were shown to provide extended-release of the drug over 36 hours. Thus, capsules containing biodegradable microspheres show potential for effective delivery of oral drug formulations. Citation Format: Duc P. Do, Alexander Kar. Oral drug formulations containing microspheres. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4411. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4411
Seizure Outcome in Infantile Spasms

Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and Lingfield Centre for Epilepsy, Surrey, UK, studied retrospectively the seizure outcome of 75 children treated over an 8-year period for infantile spasms (IS) with prednisolone or vigabatrin.
Scalable optoelectronic ATM network for workstations

In this paper, we introduce the Illinois Pulsar-based Optical Interconnect (iPOINT) testbed, and present performance results obtained for the FPGA prototype switch in a working environment consisting of an optical network of Sun SPARCStations and other local and wide-area ATM switches.
GOAT: A legged robot with 3D agility and virtual compliance

Today's cutting-edge in dynamic legged robots use leg topologies which enable agile behaviors such as running and jumping but most of these dynamic behaviors occur primarily in the robot's sagittal plane. Navigating complex environments, however, requires the use of omni-directional dynamic maneuvers for traversing obstacles in confined spaces. This paper introduces GOAT, the Gearless Omnidirectional Acceleration-vectoring Topology — a novel 3-DoF, 3-RSR leg topology combined with a direct-drive or quasi-direct-drive (QDD) actuation scheme to enable high fidelity proprioceptive force control and multi-modal mobility via high-energy, omni-directional jumping, running, and walking. GOAT's kinematics, mechanical design, actuation, drive electronics, and control algorithms are presented. Experimental results successfully demonstrate a mechanically robust GOAT leg performing a) explosive vertical jumping up to 82 cm b) landing using high fidelity virtual compliance and c) high-speed omnidirectional running/jumping trajectories while mounted on a test rig.
Using simulation to study the impact of racial demographics on blood transfusion allocation policies

Managing the supply and demand of blood for transfusions is a complicated problem that many hospitals encounter since the blood supply is dependent on donations while the demand is not. Moreover, recent research also shows that transfusing older blood into patients may lead to increased mortality. This raises the issue of whether transfusing fresher blood can be achieved without jeopardizing blood availability. In this paper, we build a simulation model to study the impact of racial and ethnic diversity in combination with a blood allocation threshold. We show that for many diverse cities like New York City that the increased diversity of the population can lead to a large mismatch between blood supply and demand.