cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase by nerve activity and by neurotransmitters via phosphorylation.

Although stimulation of adrenergic nerves or adrenal chromaffin cells causes the release of catecholamines, in many cases it does not cause a decrease in the catecholamine content of these cells. One of the first reports of this phenomenon was made by T. R. Elliot ( 1 9 1 2) in a study designed to establish whether the release of catecholamines by the adrenal medulla was controlled by the splanchnic nerves. Although Elliot obtained con­ siderable data supporting this view, he also found that prolonged electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves did not produce a pronounced depletion of the content of adrenal catecholamines. In fact, Elliot wrote, "so slight is the change in the residual adrenalin caused by faradisation of the splanchnic nerves, that it would never have sufficed to convince me of the existence of the splanchnic control." Holland & Schumann ( 1956) later extended these findings by measuring directly the amount of catechol­ amines released during splanchnic nerve stimulation and the content of catecholamines in the adrenal gland before and after the stimulation. They observed that the output of catecholamines into the blood stream
A RATIONAL CHOICE EXPLANATION FOR STALIN'S “GREAT TERROR”

There is no agreement about the reasons for Stalin's Great Terror of 1937–1939. This paper argues that the problem faced by Stalin was similar to the standard principal–agent problem: the country was run as one enormous firm with Stalin as the only residual claimant. The monetary incentive structure was inadequate and the threat of mass shirking by the agents was real. A simple model of a principal with two agents is developed to address the problem. Assuming that the agents can observe and can reveal each other's shirking, it is shown that, under some assumptions, an equilibrium exists with the following strategy profiles: unless someone's shirking is revealed, the principal is committed to randomly punishing one of the agents with positive probability; an individual agent never shirks and always reveals a co-worker's shirking. A case study of the period is used to check the plausibility of this hypothesis.
Aspiration/Reservation-Based Decision Support—a Step Beyond Goal Programming

Real-life decision problems are usually so complex that they cannot be modelled with a single objective function, thus creating a need for clear and efficient techniques for handling multiple criteria to support the decision process. A widely used technique and one commonly taught in general OR/MS courses is goal programming, which is clear and appealing. On the other hand, goal programming is strongly criticized by multiple-criteria optimization specialists for its non-compliance with the efficiency (Paretooptimality) principle. In this paper we show how the implementation techniques of goal programming can be used to model the reference point method and its extension, aspiration/reservation-based decision support. Thereby we show a congruence between these approaches and suggest how the GP model with relaxation of some traditional assumptions can be extended to an efficient decision support technique meeting the efficiency principle and other standards of multiobjective optimization theory.
Control in printing systems: Modular reconfigurable media paths

The remarkable drop in the cost of embedded computing, sensing, and actuation is creating a corresponding explosion in the use of these technologies in new systems. In order to reduce complexity and contain costs, manufacturers are moving toward modularizing their systems and building reconfigurable products from simpler but smarter components. Of particular interest have recently been highly reconfigurable systems, i.e., systems that can be customized, repaired, and upgraded at a fine level of granularity throughout their lifetime. High reconfigurability puts new demands on the dynamic calibration, control, and coordination software in the system. There is much promise in existing software approaches, but current techniques face a number of new challenges before they can be embedded in the kind of real-time, distributed, and dynamic environment found in highly reconfigurable systems. In this tutorial paper, we will discuss challenges, solutions, and lessons learned in the context of a long-term project at PARC to bring such techniques to a highly reconfigurable paper path system.
A 16-Year-Old Girl With Bilateral Visual Loss and Left Hemiparesis Following an Immunization Against Human Papilloma Virus

We report the course of a 16-year-old girl who presented with near complete visual loss associated with chiasmal neuritis and a biopsy proven tumefactive demyelinating lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in association with a recent immunization against human papilloma virus.
Quantitative Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Catecholaminergic Innervation of Identified Neurons in the Macaque Prefrontal Cortex

The present study provides a complete quantitative three-dimensional analysis of neurons in primate prefrontal cortex targeted by catecholaminergic axons. Individual pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells in fixed slices were filled with Lucifer yellow (LY) and recovered with anti-LY antibody combined with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antisera to reveal catecholaminergic axons. The total number of TH contacts and TH apposition density (THAD) was obtained for pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells in different layers. Four TH contacts (two on spines and two on shafts) were selected for correlated electron microscopic examination and serially sectioned; all four were confirmed as membrane appositions. Quantitative analysis revealed 90 TH contacts per pyramidal neuron in layer III, with a density of 0.8 per 100 μm of dendritic length (i.e., averaging one contact per basal dendrite). Remarkably, pyramids of layers III, V, and VI had the same THAD values, with a highly regular distribution of TH terminals on their spiny dendritic trees. In contrast, TH contacts on nonpyramidal neurons in layer III were half as dense and, moreover, were distributed irregularly and showed large variation from cell to cell. Neurons in layers II and superficial III had the highest THAD, as compared with deeper layers (1.4 vs 0.7 per 100 μm of dendritic length for pyramids; 0.53 vs 0.4 for interneurons). The highly organized TH innervation of pyramidal neurons, with at least one contact on virtually every dendrite, indicates that catecholaminergic, presumably dopaminergic, terminals are placed strategically along the entire dendritic tree to modulate most, if not all, of the excitatory input of a neuron. At the same time, the sparsity of contacts per dendrite may explain cortical vulnerability in diseases involving dopamine.
The control of tissue architecture over nuclear organization is crucial for epithelial cell fate

The remodeling of nuclear organization during differentiation and the dramatic alteration of nuclear organization associated with cancer development are well documented. However, the importance of tissue architecture in the control of nuclear organization remains to be determined. Differentiation of mammary epithelial cells into functional tissue structures, in three-dimensional culture, is characterized by a specific tissue architecture (i.e. a basoapical polarity axis), cell cycle exit and maintenance of cell survival. Here we show that induction of partial differentiation (i.e. basal polarity only, cell cycle exit and cell survival) by epigenetic mechanisms in malignant breast cells is sufficient to restore features of differentiation-specific nuclear organization, including perinucleolar heterochromatin, large splicing factor speckles, and distinct nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) foci. Upon alteration of nuclear organization using an antibody against NuMA, differentiated non-neoplastic cells undergo apoptosis, whereas partially differentiated malignant cells enter the cell cycle. Non-neoplastic cells cultured under conditions that prevent the establishment of apical polarity also enter the cell cycle upon NuMA antibody treatment. These findings demonstrate that the differentiation status rather than the non-neoplastic or neoplastic origin of cells controls nuclear organization and suggest a link between nuclear organization and epigenetic mechanisms dictated by tissue architecture for the control of cell behavior.
Immunochemical and physicochemical characterization of commercial Alternaria extracts: a model for standardization of mold allergen extracts.

Abstract To develop a model for mold allergen extract standardization, we studied eight commercial Alternaria extracts from various suppliers by a variety of immunochemical and physicochemical techniques, including measurement of Alt-I, a purified allergenic fraction of Alternaria. Wide variations were noted in the allergenic and antigenic potencies of these extracts. Estimates of Alt-I content measured by Alt-I RAST inhibition and by radioimmunoassay correlated significantly (p
Tailoring Structures for Robust and Predictable Collapse Using Deterministic Surrogate Measures

Damage tolerant and fail safe structures must be designed such that progressive failure of a structure after initial damage is stable and predictable. This requires optimizing the design to have robust progressive failure response after initial damage that is insensitive to small variations in design variables and loads. Using probabilistic approaches in design optimization for predictable and robust progressive failure is expensive and does not provide insight into the underlying physics and mechanisms that lead to poor predictability. In this paper, we investigate the progressive failure of truss structures and identify features that lead to robust and non-robust progressive failure. These characteristics are quantified and used as surrogate deterministic measures to optimize for robust and predictable progressive failure. Optimization with surrogate measures leads to designs with high energy absorption, predictable failure sequence and robust energy absorption.
Evaluating the Quality of Life of Long-Term Care Residents With Dementia

Purpose: This study’s purpose was to better understand existing measures of quality of life in dementia residents of long-term care facilities. Design and Methods: We gathered data from 421 residents in 45 facilities. Analyses determined the psychometric properties of each measure, estimated the relationship between measures, and identified the extent to which resident characteristics predicted scores. Results: Most instruments had good to excellent dispersion and interrater reliability, and most scales had good to excellent internal consistency. Proxy measures tended to correlate best with each other, less well with observational measures, and least well with resident measures. Resident cognition and activities of daily living (ADLs) function were associated with most quality-of-life measures but predicted no more than a quarter of the observed variance in any measure. Implications: Various measures and sources of data provide different perspectives on quality of life. No ‘‘gold standard’’ exists; so a combination of methods and sources is likely to provide the most complete picture of quality of life.
Thin Films of Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ Prepared by 3-Target Co-Sputtering

We are studying thin films of Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ grown on MgO substrates and deposited by magnetron co-sputtering, using targets of yttrium, barium, and copper metals. A post-anneal in flowing oxygen is necessary to form the correct crystal structure for superconductivity. Sputtering offers the advantage of simple rate control, and the use of three metal targets allows great flexibility in film compositions. Also, significantly shorter deposition times are possible with metal targets than with oxide targets, as much higher deposition rates can be achieved. A significant difficulty with our technique, however, is the barium target’s sensitivity to the presence of oxygen. Barium oxidizes very easily and quickly, and the target is susceptible before it is loaded into the system and during the sputter process as oxygen is part of the sputtering atmosphere. The sputter rate of the barium target is greatly curtailed if it is oxidized, affecting the composition of the deposited films. In this paper, we report our progress in establishing procedures and deposition and annealing conditions for reproducibly sputtering good quality Y1Ba2Cu3O7−δ films with this technique.
Coalitions and The Development of The Global Environmental Movement: A Double-Edged Sword

Censuses reveal an increasing prominence of coalition organizations within transnational social movements. However, the causes and implications of this change are unclear. Using original data on a population of transnational environmental social movement organizations, this research shows that coalition presence is a double-edged sword. While greater numbers of coalitions suggest movement expansion, empirical evidence suggests that this rise makes foundings of new organizations less likely.
Dynamic landscapes shape post‐wildfire recolonisation and genetic structure of the endangered Hermes copper (Lycaena hermes) butterfly

1. The coastal sage scrub vegetation community experiences frequent fires, so the long-term survival of species depends on the rate of recolonisations exceeding the rate of local extinctions. Recolonisation of these post-wildfire habitats probably requires long-distance dispersal events. These movements can also counter detrimental impacts associated with inbreeding. 2. The Hermes copper (Lycaena hermes) is an extremely rare butterfly inhabiting coastal sage scrub adjacent to San Diego, California, USA. Habitat loss due to urbanisation and impacts of recent wildfires has greatly restricted its range, prompting the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Hermes copper as a Candidate Species in 2011. 3. Surveys for Hermes copper butterflies in 2010–2013 documented only two recolonisation events following wildfires in 2003 and 2007. Larger populations were readily detected each year, but detection of smaller populations was inconsistent. 4. Amplified fragment length polymorphism was used to identify potential genetic discontinuities within this species across the landscape. Results indicated that movements across much of the landscape were possible historically. However, individuals from three peripheral populations exhibited a higher degree of differentiation, suggesting more restricted dispersal in these regions. 5. From the results, it can be concluded that historically Hermes copper butterflies were able to move among habitat patches prior to recent changes in the landscape. However, low post-fire recolonisation rates suggest limited contemporary dispersal, probably due to recent habitat fragmentation. This fragmentation is a relatively new event, as the human population in San Diego County experienced substantial growth in the late 20th Century.
Relationship between Salesperson Performance and Understanding of Customer Decision Making

A multistage model of the process by which an industrial salesperson influences a customer's preferences is introduced. The relationship between a salesperson's abilities during the two initial sta...
Comparative effect of tryptophan, niacin, and nicotinamide in forming liver pyridine nucleotides.

SummaryChanges in the level of liver pyridine nucleotides (PN) of rats were studied at various times following the administration by stomach tube of equimolar amounts of tryptophan, niacin, or niacinamide. Tryptophan was observed to be equally effective as a PN precursor as equimolar amounts of niacin, whereas niacinamide produced significantly higher levels of liver PN than either tryptophan or niacin. When incorporated directly into the ration, however, niacin and tryptophan were again equivalent as PN precursors whereas, under these conditions, nia-cianamide was a slightly less efficient PN precursor than niacin or tryptophan.
Relationships of Leader Behavior, Subordinate Role Ambiguity and Subordinate Job Satisfaction

Effects of three variables, role ambiguity, leader consideration, and leader initiating structure, on subordinate job satisfaction were investigated for 284 employees of two electronics firms. Usin...
Determination of Free Fluoride in Toothpaste by Ion Chromatography

To determine fluoride in toothpaste samples by ion chromatography,the solution of NaHCO3 and the solution of Na2B4O7 NaOH were selected as eluents respectively to optimize chromatographic detection conditions Either the 0 45~1 0 mmol/L NaHCO3 solution or the 5 0~20 0 mmol/L NaB4O7 1 0~2 0 mmol/L NaOH solution as eluents could effectively separate the chromatographic peak of fluoride in toothpaste samples from acetate and formate and accurately quantify the contents of fluoride in toothpaste samples The recovery rates,precision(relative standard deviation) and detection limit were 92 5%~100 2%,0 6% and 0 208 mg/kg respectively.The data obtained by ion chromatography using NaHCO3 solution as eluent more approached to that by selective fluoride ion electrode
Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 regulates intestinal expression of the guanylin/heat-stable toxin receptor.

We have investigated the regulation of gene transcription in the intestine using the guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) gene as a model. GCC is expressed in crypts and villi in the small intestine and in cry...
Public-Private Partnership Agreements and Government Accounting

Recent changes in government and legal accounting legislation presuppose that government financial and budget information should provide users with transparent information and accountability. Thus, accounting standards establish the obligation of federal and state governments to prepare reliable financial and budget information in such a way as to present and disclose the items associated with government activities, particularly as regards debt acquired in connection to contractual relationships called public-private partnerships. Enforcement of this obligation is still fragile, however. No effort has yet been made to provide financial information on the matter of debt relating to such agreements, or information regarding the amounts that are allocated to public spending for such activities.
Algorithm for Gaussian Integer Exponentiation

In this paper we introduce a novel algorithm for Gaussian integer exponentiation that significantly improves its performance. We compare the performance of Gaussian integer exponentiation (using new and existing algorithms) to real integer exponentiation both analytically and experimentally. We demonstrate that the algorithms based on the Gaussian Integer exponentiation have significant advantages over the corresponding algorithms based on the real integer exponentiation. Moreover, we show that the new algorithm is significantly faster. Therefore, the new algorithm could speedup Public Key Discrete Logarithm Based cryptographic algorithms by about 40% with a possibility for further improvements.
HELICAL CT GRADING OF TRAUMATIC AORTIC INJURIES Impact on Clinical Guidelines for Medical and Surgical Management

Helical CT is a reliable method for screening patients with blunt chest trauma for vascular and visceral injuries. Thoracic aortic injuries detected by CT examination affect the immediate clinical management and patient triage. This article describes the clinical indications and imaging protocols for helical CT of the chest used to detect aortic injuries, provides a grading system of the range of aortic injuries demonstrated by CT, and discusses the clinical management decisions that should be considered based on the CT grade of the aortic injury.
Estimating Individual Differences for Student Modeling in Intelligent Tutors from Reading and Pretest Data

Past studies have shown that Bayesian Knowledge Tracing BKT can predict student performance and implement Cognitive Mastery successfully. Standard BKT individualizes parameter estimates for skills, also referred to as knowledge components KCs, but not for students. Studies deriving individual student parameters from the data logs of student tutor performance have shown improvements to the standard BKT model fits, and result in different practice recommendations for students. This study investigates whether individual student parameters, specifically individual difference weights IDWs [1], can be derived from student activities prior to tutor use. We find that student performance measures in reading instructional text and in a conceptual knowledge pretest can be employed to predict IDWs. Further, we find that a model incorporating these predicted IDWs performs well, in terms of model fit and learning efficiency, when compared to a standard BKT model and a model with best-fitting IDWs derived from tutor performance.
A FUNDAMENTAL PRECISION MEASUREMENT OF QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS: THE CASIMIR FORCE

We report a precision measurement of the Casimir force 1-2 which would allow a careful check of the theoretical assumptions in quantum field theory. The Casimir force! takes its name after the Dutch physicist H.B.G. Casimir, who in 1948, calculated an extraordinary property that two uncharged (neutral) metallic plates would have an attractive force in vacuum. This results from an alteration by the metal boundaries of the zero point electromagnetic energy, that pervades all of space. This force which is a consequence of quantization of electromagnetism is also applicable to the strong, weak and gravitational forces2. Similar forces result when the strong, weak or gravitational forces are altered by boundaries. Examples include atomic nucleii which confine the quarks and gluons3, and event horizon of black holes2. The presence of this force can also imply a choice between a closed or open universe. A precision measurement of the force would allow a check of the assumptions and would have fundamental implications for cosmology, gravity and quantum field theory.
Immunohistology of Melanocytic Lesions

Melanoma is a deadly skin disease, and accurate diagnosis and evaluation of melanocytic lesions are critical for optimal patient care. The majority of melanocytic lesions can be evaluated with routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections. However, a subset of these lesions require additional ancillary studies (e.g., immunohistochemical [IHC] studies), either to confirm the diagnosis or to provide insight into the mutation status (e.g., BRAFV600E, BAP-1). IHC studies aid in distinguishing melanoma from melanocytic nevi and its imitators. Furthermore, the use of IHC will provide prognostic information and identify biologically aggressive tumors.
A Cellular Connectionist Architecture for Clustering-Based Adaptive Quantization with Application to Video Coding

This paper presents a novel cellular connectionist model for a clustering-based adaptive quantization for video coding applications. The adaptive quantization is designed for a wavelet-based video coding system with the desired scene adaptive and signal adaptive quantization because of its ability to differentiate whether a specific coefficient is part of the scene structure through Gibbs random field constraints. The adaptive quantization is accomplished through an MAP estimation based clustering process whose massive computation of neighborhood constraints makes it difficult for a real-time implementation of video coding applications. The proposed cellular connectionist model aims at designing an architecture for the real-time implementation of the clustering-based adaptive quantization. With a cellular neural network architecture mapping onto the image domain, the powerful Gibbs spatial constraints are realized through interactions among neurons connected with their neighbors. In addition, the computation of coefficient distribution is designed as an external input to each component of a neuron or processing element (PE). We prove that the proposed cellular neural network does converge to the desired steady state with proposed update scheme. This model also provides a general architecture for image processing tasks with Gibbs spatial constraint-based computations.
Debunking Myths About Internet Commerce

Recently, MasterCard and Visa joined together to announce a technical standard for safeguarding credit card purchases made over the Internet. The new specification, called Secure Electronic Transactions (SET), represents the convergence of competing individual efforts between MasterCard/Netscape and Visa/Microsoft. This proclamation was meant to soothe consumer concerns about making purchases on the Internet. Will it achieve its stated objective of increasing online business? The jury will be out on this one.
A cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) versus consolidation chemotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission.

6556 Background: The objective of this study was to determine which treatment strategy for AML in first complete remission (CR) is more cost-effective: consolidation chemo or AHCT. Methods: Simple ...
The Fanconi Anemia Protein, FANCG, Binds Directly to the SH3 Domain of aII Spectrin and This Interaction May Play An Important Role in the Stability of aII Spectrin and Its Function in Repair of DNA Interstrand Cross-Links

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure, a predisposition to cancer, congenital abnormalities and a cellular hypersensitivity to DNA interstrand cross-linking agents. This hypersensitivity in FA cells correlates with a defect in ability to repair interstrand cross-links. We have shown that the structural protein, nonerythroid a spectrin (aIISp), plays an important role in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links and that there is a deficiency in aIISp in FA cells. The reduced levels of aIISp in FA cells are due to reduced stability of this protein. We propose that the stability of aIISp is dependent upon one or more of the FA proteins. The present study was undertaken in order to get a clearer understanding of the proposed role of FA proteins in maintaining the stability of aIISp in the cell and the functional importance of this relationship in the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links and the repair defect in FA cells. For these studies, FA proteins were examined for their ability to directly interact with aIISp and, if so, to map the sites of interaction. Four overlapping regions of aIISp were constructed and binding of FA proteins to each of these regions was examined using yeast two-hybrid analysis. Of the proteins examined, FANCG was found to interact with one of these regions of aIISp and specifically with the SH3 domain within this region. The site of interaction in FANCG was mapped to a SH3 domain binding motif, which contains a consensus sequence with preference for the SH3 domain of aIISp. The sites of interaction in both FANCG and aIISp were confirmed using site-directed mutagenesis. Two FA proteins that did not contain any SH3 binding motifs, FANCC and FANCF, did not interact with the SH3 domain of aIISp or any of the other regions of aIISp. These results thus demonstrate that one of the FA proteins, FANCG, contains a class of motifs that has specificity for binding to SH3 domains and binds to the SH3 domain of aIISp via this motif. This binding is important in the DNA repair process and in the FA repair defect, as is shown by our in vivo studies in which FA-G cells, transformed with the FANCG cDNA and stably expressing FANCG, showed normal levels of aIISp and a correction of the defect in ability to repair DNA interstrand cross-links. We therefore propose that the binding of FANCG to aIISp is not only important for the stability of aIISp in cells but also for the role aIISp plays in the DNA repair process. Thus a deficiency in FANCG, such as occurs in FA-G cells, could lead to reduced stability of aIISp which in turn could be an important factor in the defective DNA repair pathway in FA cells.
Applications of Photogating and Time Resolved Spectroscopy to Mechanistic Studies of Hydrogenases

ConspectusRapid and facile redox chemistry is exemplified in nature by the oxidoreductases, the class of enzymes that catalyze electron transfer (ET) from a donor to an acceptor. The key role of oxidoreductases in metabolism and biosynthesis has imposed evolutionary pressure to enhance enzyme efficiency, pushing some toward the diffusion limit. Understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of these highly optimized enzymes would provide an important foundation for the rational design of catalysts for multielectron chemistry, including fuel production. The hydrogenases (H2ases) are the oxidoreductases that catalyze the most basic electron and proton transfer reactions relevant to fuel production, the interconversion of protons and hydrogen, with kcat > 103 s–1. Thus, they provide a model system for studying the efficiency exhibited by oxidoreductases. Because of the extraordinarily fast catalytic rates of these enzymes, their mechanisms have been difficult to study directly but instead have been inferred...
IL-4 inhibits TGF-β-induced Foxp3+ T cells and, together with TGF-β, generates IL-9+ IL-10+ Foxp3− effector T cells

Transcription factor Foxp3 is critical for generating regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells). Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces Foxp3 and suppressive T(reg) cells from naive T cells, whereas interleukin 6 (IL-6) inhibits the generation of inducible T(reg) cells. Here we show that IL-4 blocked the generation of TGF-beta-induced Foxp3(+) T(reg) cells and instead induced a population of T helper cells that produced IL-9 and IL-10. The IL-9(+)IL-10(+) T cells demonstrated no regulatory properties despite producing abundant IL-10. Adoptive transfer of IL-9(+)IL-10(+) T cells into recombination-activating gene 1-deficient mice induced colitis and peripheral neuritis, the severity of which was aggravated if the IL-9(+)IL-10(+) T cells were transferred with CD45RB(hi) CD4(+) effector T cells. Thus IL-9(+)IL-10(+) T cells lack suppressive function and constitute a distinct population of helper-effector T cells that promote tissue inflammation.
CHAPTER 8 – Algorithmic Motion Planning in Robotics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses recent progress in algorithmic motion planning in robotics. Research on theoretical problems in robotics provides guidance for future generation of robots that will be considerably more autonomous than present robotic systems. The main objective is to endow robotic systems with various basic capabilities that they would need to possess to operate in an intelligent and independent manner. These improved capabilities can be grouped into three broad categories, namely, sensing, planning, and control. The system should be able to gather information about its workspace through a variety of sensing devices, analyze, and transform the raw sensory data into a world model of the environment, use this model to plan tasks that it is commanded to execute where planning amounts to breaking up the complex task into a sequence of simple subgoals, whose combined execution would accomplish the desired task, and finally obtain a low-level control loop that monitors the actual execution of each planned substep of the task.
Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer to plant cells: cointegrate and binary vector systems

Throughout recorded history, plant breeders and growers have selected and propagated plant varieties based upon the presence of desirable characteristics. In recent times, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, arguably nature’s most effective plant genetic engineer, has been extensively modified by researchers to allow faster and more specific addition and manipulation of desirable plant genetic traits. In the natural environment Agrobacterium introduces its T-DNA into compatible host plant cells and via highly evolved molecular mechanisms stablely integrates the new DNA into the plant genome. The plant’s molecular machinery and nutritional resources are then utilized to produce unique amino acid derivatives, opines, that provide wild-type Agrobacteria with a novel food source. The underlying molecular mechanisms of plant tissue transformation by Agrobacteria has been recently reviewed (see Chapter 2.3, [ 13], [ 14], [25]). The following chapter presents a brief review of the literature addressing both the development and use of Agrobacterium-compatible plasmid systems for the genetic manipulation of plant species. Included are a short history and description of the two classes of commonly used Agrobacterium tumefaciens-based transforming vectors (i.e. binary and cointegrate) and samples of each vector type with corresponding protocols describing their use. Finally, often encountered problems and corresponding cures are discussed.
β-Adrenergic Receptors and the Gs Protein in Myocardial Ischemia and Injury

The purpose of this study was to explore alterations in the life cycle of adrenergic receptors and the Gs protein in the heart of ischemic animals. In initial experiments left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion was performed in guinea pigs. Sarcolemmal (SL) and light vesicle (LV) (presumably intracellular) fractions were prepared. Both fractions contained a substantial number of β-adrenergic receptors and α1-adrenergic receptors: the relative proportion of β-adrenergic receptors in LV/SL was greater than for α1-adrenergic receptors. Myocardial ischemia produced a rapid externalization of β-adrenergic receptors from LV to SL. α1-adrenergic receptors also increased in SL but without an apparent externalization from LV. Pretreatment of animals with either the non-selective β-antagonist Propranolol or the β1-selective antagonist atenolol increased the number of SL β-receptors and blunted the ischemia-induced increase in SL β-adrenergic receptors. Treatment with the partial agonist pindolol did not cause up-regulation of β-receptors, and did not block ischemia-induced externalization.
Perturbation and Finite Difference Solutions for Wave Propagation in Composites with Periodic Stiffness Variations

Wave propagation in composite materials with discrete changes in properties has been extensively studied and is well understood. In contrast, wave propagation in composites with smooth continuous periodic stiffness variations has only begun to be studied [1]. Use of direct analysis techniques for wave propagation in a composite material with varying stiffness has lead to mathematical contradictions and has indicated the need for a different approach [2]. The present study investigated wave propagation in a composite with smooth continuous periodic stiffness variations using perturbation techniques and a model simulation with a refined finite difference method.
Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Background The first recorded attempt at arthroscopic visualization of the hip can be attributed to Dr. Michael Burman in 1931. Since then, hip arthroscopy has become widely used for the management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) because of its clear benefits, including a low complication rate and limited patient morbidity as compared with traditional open approaches. Description Arthroscopic management of FAI begins with arthroscopy of the central compartment, where the intra-articular damage is identified. Standard portal placement provides optimal access for surveying and accessing intra-articular injury. The pathological findings identified preoperatively and confirmed during diagnostic arthroscopy dictate the necessary arthroscopic procedures. Correction of acetabular overcoverage and repair of the labrum to the acetabular rim can correct pincer lesions. Femoral-sided cam lesions require removal of traction and application of hip flexion in order to perform a femoral osteoplasty to recreate a normal anatomic femoral head-neck offset. Finally, capsular management is performed as clinically indicated. Alternatives Appropriate management of FAI typically begins with nonoperative care consisting of rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), activity modification, and physical therapy1. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections can also provide relief2. Open procedures involving surgical hip dislocation can be utilized to address pathological conditions not accessible arthroscopically. Additionally, a "mini-open" procedure in which intra-articular disorders are treated arthroscopically and cam lesions are resected via a small anterior exposure can be employed3,4. Rationale Hip arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive technique that can be effective for treating intra-articular hip disorders and is usually favored over open surgical dislocation. Hip arthroscopy has been shown to result in higher functional outcome scores than open procedures, with lower rates of complications5. Hip arthroscopy is playing an increasingly important role as an adjunct diagnostic and therapeutic tool in conjunction with open femoral and/or periacetabular osteotomy for complex hip deformities.
The multiscale effects of stream restoration on water quality

Abstract Stream restoration is often considered as an effective watershed management tool to reduce riverine loads of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediments, and meet government-mandated water quality goals. However, despite the billions of dollars which have been spent on stream restoration, questions remain about its effectiveness for improving water quality, as many studies report either mixed success or lack the adequate methodological framework to detect water quality improvements. In this study, we measured fluxes of nutrients and sediment in an eroded stream before and after restoration by filling the eroded channel with a mixture of sand, gravel, and woodchips stabilized with rock weirs at intervals along the channel. Our monitoring design used a before-after-control-impact (BACI) approach at two spatial scales, one at the reach-scale, and one farther downstream to detect whether reach-scale changes in nutrient and sediment loads propagated downstream. At the reach scale, we found that the restoration enhanced stream function, removing 44.8% of the phosphate, 45.8% of the total phosphorus, 48.3% of the ammonium, 25.7% of the nitrate, 49.7% of the total nitrogen, and 73.8% of the suspended sediment. However, due to hydrological variance, monitoring stations farther downstream suggested no detectable changes at the larger spatial scale relative to a reference stream, which highlights the challenges of detecting watershed-scale responses to small-scale stream restoration projects. This study provides a methodological framework for evaluating the effect of stream restoration on water quality at multiple scales and shows that reach-scale improvements may not be detectable at watershed-scales.
Quantifying hydraulic and water quality uncertainty to inform sampling of drinking water distribution systems.

AbstractSampling of drinking water distribution systems is performed to ensure good water quality and protect public health. Sampling also satisfies regulatory requirements and is done to respond t...
Excavating School Mathematics

In this chapter we give some examples of how the higher standpoint of abstract algebra might be useful in examining the secondary school algebra curriculum and helpful in building a coherent approach to school mathematics. We consider the case of quadratic equations, a topic which was once a topic of the abstract algebra of its day but whose place in the secondary curriculum is sometimes now questioned. We then consider the influence of the higher standpoint on the development of the algebra standards in the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for teacher knowledge.
Glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 increases radiation sensitivity of lung tumor cells and human lung tumor xenografts in mice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to translate our in vitro therapy approach to an in vivo model. Increased glutamine uptake is known to drive cancer cell proliferation, making tumor cells glu...
Blind reflectometry

We address the problem of inferring homogeneous reflectance (BRDF) from a single image of a known shape in an unknown real-world lighting environment. With appropriate representations of lighting and reflectance, the image provides bilinear constraints on the two signals, and our task is to blindly isolate the latter. We achieve this by leveraging the statistics of real-world illumination and estimating the reflectance that is most likely under a distribution of probable illumination environments. Experimental results with a variety of real and synthetic images suggest that useable reflectance information can be inferred in many cases, and that these estimates are stable under changes in lighting.
Hardware-in-the-loop testing of formation flying control and sensing algorithms for starshade missions

Abstract The High Contrast Imaging Laboratory at Princeton University has been researching and testing telescope/starshade technology for over a decade. Currently, one of the main challenges of using such technology is the need to design controllers for formation flying to maximize the number of targets accessible for a given mission. For that reason, this paper details the design and implementation of a formation flying hardware-in-the-loop simulation in the existing Princeton Starshade Testbed to validate formation sensing and control algorithms while maintaining high contrast with a flight-like starshade. In particular, trajectory tracking is achieved through a linear quadratic controller with integral action and estimation is done with an unscented Kalman filter. An important aspect of the performance of the proposed control and estimation strategy is that it includes the use of a pupil imaging sensor of the starshade's diffraction pattern for high-precision position determination. We also present initial experimental results showing that the control strategy yields fast processing times, small position errors, robust steady-state, and low values of total Δ v , all helping advance the starshade technology gap of formation sensing and control.
Azithromycin and ciprofloxacin have a chloroquine-like effect on respiratory epithelial cells

There is interest in the use of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (CQ/HCQ) and azithromycin (AZT) in COVID-19 therapy. Employing cystic fibrosis respiratory epithelial cells, here we show that drugs AZT and ciprofloxacin (CPX) act as acidotropic lipophilic weak bases and confer in vitro effects on intracellular organelles similar to the effects of CQ. These seemingly disparate FDA-approved antimicrobials display a common property of modulating pH of endosomes and trans-Golgi network. We believe this may in part help understand the potentially beneficial effects of CQ/HCQ and AZT in COVID-19, and that the present considerations of HCQ and AZT for clinical trials should be extended to CPX.
DIY Skateparks as temporary disruptions to neoliberal cities: informal learning through micropolitical making

DIY skateparks figure among a widening register of informal urban interventions that confront official plans and visions of cities. They are also powerful learning environments that exemplify effor...
Principles of Good Clinical Trial Design

Abstract Clinical trials are a fundamental component of medical research and serve as the main route to obtain evidence of the safety and efficacy of treatment before its approval. A trial’s ability to provide the intended evidence hinges on appropriate design, background knowledge, trial rationale to sample size, and interim monitoring rules. In this article, we present some general design principles for investigators and their research teams to consider when planning to conduct a trial.
Secondary Science Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Implementation of Inquiry

The purpose of the study is to understand secondary science teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and implementation of inquiry to provide information for the improvement of science education in a Midwes...
The role of food-energy-water nexus analyses in urban growth models for urban sustainability: A review of synergistic framework

Abstract The integration of food-energy-water (FEW) sectors is essential for addressing the co-evolution of urban infrastructure systems during urban growth. But how these evolutionary pathways can affect an urban growth model is unclear. This review paper offers a synthesis of the current philosophy of a FEW nexus in connection with the realm of urban growth models (UGMs) to signify the paradigm collision and shift with interdisciplinary sustainability insights. Findings indicate that urban metabolism and urban ecology in relation to FEW sectors can be incorporated into UGMs with scales via multicriteria decision analysis as FEW technology hub integration can play a critical role in UGMs via a common cellular automata (CA) architecture for both model construction and solution procedure. Synergies between FEW sectors and CA-based UGMs as well as tradeoffs across FEW technology hub integration are highlighted to reflect the cascade effects and higher order impact on urban metabolism and urban ecology. This concept was confirmed with a case study in Miami, Florida, the United States for demonstration. Such synergistic framework is helpful for fostering more sustainable, green, smart, forward-looking, environmentally-sound, socially equitable, risk-informed, resilient, and cost-effective urban growth simulations. It is anticipated that the proposed hybrid FEW-CA-based UGMs can fully account for interactions of context- and culture-driven issues for multi-scale and multiagent urban planning and design in different countries.