cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Red blood cell Na pump: Insights from species differences.

The red blood cell membrane is specialized to exchange chloride and bicarbonate; usually the pH gradient, the chloride ratio, and the membrane potential are tightly coupled. We review the evidence that led to the ability to separately vary inside and outside pH in red cells. The effect of pH on Na pump activity and on the selectivity of the inside and the outside transport sites is reviewed. In red blood cells, at high pH, the outside site is not selective. An increase in protons leads to an increase in K+ affinity, thus making the site more selective. The pK for this site is different in rats and humans; because of the high conservation of residues in these two species, there are only a few possible residues that can account for this difference. On the inside, work from unsided preparations suggests that, at high pH, the transport site is highly selective for Na+. Once again, an increase in protons leads to an increase in K+ affinity, but now the result is a less selective site. During their maturation, reticulocytes lose many membrane proteins. The type and fractional loss is species dependent. For example, most reticulocytes lose most of their Na pumps, retaining about 100 pumps per cell, but animals from the order Carnivora lose all their pumps. We review some of the evidence that PKC phosphorylation of N-terminus serines is responsible for endocytosis in other cell types and species variation in this region.
Effects of aperature diameter and gas flow rate on a piezoelectric plasma propulsion system

Summary form only given. The effects of varying aperture size and gas flow rate on the output electron current, distribution of ion energies and resulting thrust of a piezoelectric plasma propulsion system are assessed. An rf driven lithium niobate crystal was used to generate the plasma in a small vacuum chamber pressurized with argon gas. Flow rates of the argon gas and aperture diameters were independently varied to determine an optimal operating design. Electron and ion energies were measured by retarding potential analysis from 500V to 3kV in 500V increments to determine the energy distribution of the ejected plasma. A torsional balance with a laser interferometer setup was also developed to measure resulting thrust from each configuration. This presentation will detail the experimental configuration used to generate the plasma, the diagnostic design and the resulting electron currents, ion energies and thrust corresponding to the varied conditions.
Interfacial tension between low pressure argon plasma and molten copper and iron

The interfacial tension between the molten metal and the surrounding plasma environment affects the circulation of molten metal in the weld pool, heat transfer, and the eventual structure and properties of the weld metal. Since the effect of plasma on the interfacial tension of molten metals is not known, interfacial tension values between low pressure argon plasma and pure copper and iron were measured. The variables studied were temperature and the intensity of plasma emission.
Liquid-side interphase mass transfer in cocurrent vertical two-phase channel flows

Volumetric liquid-side interphase mass transfer coefficients were experimentally measured in vertical channels supporting cocurrent, upward two-phase flows. Deionized water and an aqueous solution of sucrose constituted the liquid phase, pure nitrogen was the gas phase, and oxygen was the transferred species. In each test, oxygen concentrations in the liquid at two measurement stations near the two ends of the test section were measured on-line. The channel entrance effects were eliminated by performing hydrodynamically-identical tests with two different test section lengths, and using the shorter test section results for quantification of entrance effects in the longer test section. The channel average gas holdups representing developed flows were also measured using two simultaneous, quick-closing valves. The obtained data were compared with predictions of several widely-referenced correlations, with significant disagreements among the correlations, and between the correlations and the data. New empirical correlations were developed based on the obtained data representing the fully-developed slug and churn flow regimes.
Charge distribution about an ionizing electron track in liquid helium

The dependence on an applied electric field of the ionization current produced by an energetic electron stopped in liquid helium can be used to determine the spatial distribution of secondary electrons with respect to their geminate partners. An analytic expression relating the current and distribution is derived. The distribution is found to be non-Gaussian with a long tail at larger distances.
Diabetes-Related Change in Physical Disability from Midlife to Older Adulthood: Evidence from 1996-2003 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan

One in five older adults in Taiwan have been diagnosed with diabetes. This study drew on disability data for 5121 nationally representative middle-aged and older adults from the 1996-2003 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan (SHLSET). By employing cohort sequential design and multilevel models, it combined cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence to characterize the age trajectory of physical disability from midlife to older adulthood and to discern the extent to which diabetes contributes to the variation in that trajectory. The main effects of diabetes and diabetes × age interaction in the fully controlled model provide evidence that diabetes independently and consistently changes physical functioning over and above natural aging processes in Taiwanese adults. In addition, while adding diabetes in the age trajectory of physical disability explained 3.2% and 1.6% of the variance in levels of and linear changes in physical disability trajectory, respectively, further adding follow-up status, sociodemographic factors and comorbidities altogether explained 40.5% and 29.1% of the variance in levels of and linear changes in that trajectory. These results imply that preventing the incidence of diabetes-related comorbidities may reduce the deterioration in both levels of and rates of change in physical disability.
Surface Duct Height Distributions for Wallops Island, Virginia, 1985-1994.

Abstract A surface duct is defined as a layer of air adjacent to the earth's surface, in which temperature and humidity gradients cause microwave energy originating within the layer to be sufficiently refracted so that it becomes trapped into propagating along the surface. This layer then acts as a waveguide for microwave propagation and results in propagation beyond the horizon. Failure to consider such conditions may result in erroneous radar meteorological measurements. These ducts can be located by examining refractivity profiles derived from atmospheric measurements. Since 1985, over 3900 profiles of microwave refractivity have been measured using an instrumented helicopter over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Wallops Island, Virginia. This helicopter data acquisition system provides higher-resolution measurements than those obtained from radiosondes. This paper presents the heights and associated frequency distributions of surface ducts as determined from these profiles. The year is divided into...
Dynamic path planning for a planar articulated robot arm moving amidst unknown obstacles

Abstract This work is concerned with planning collision-free paths for a robot arm moving in an environment filled with unknown obstacles, where any point of the robot body is subject to collision. To compensate for the uncertainty, the system is provided with sensory feedback information about its immediate surroundings. In such a setting, which presents significant practical and theoretical interest, human intuition is of little help, and designing algorithms with proven convergence thus becomes an important task. We show that, given the target position, local feedback information is sufficient to guarantee reaching a global objective (the target position) and present a nonheuristic algorithm which generates reasonable—if, in general, not optimal—collision-free paths. In this approach, the path is being planned continuously (dynamically), based on the arm's current position and on the sensory feedback. Here, a case of a planar arm with two revolute joints is studied. No constraints on the shape of the robot links or the obstacles are imposed. The general idea is to reduce the problem of motion planning to an analysis of simple closed curves on the surface of an appropriate two-dimensional manifold.
Fuzzy Present Value Analysis Model For Evaluating Information System Projects

In this article, the economic evaluation of information system projects using present value is analyzed based on triangular fuzzy numbers. Information system projects usually have numerous uncertainties and several conditions of risk that make their economic evaluation a challenging task. Each year, several information system projects are cancelled before completion as a result of budget overruns at a cost of several billions of dollars to industry. Although engineering economic analysis offers tools and techniques for evaluating risky projects, the tools are not enough to place information system projects on a safe budget/selection track. There is a need for an integrative economic analysis model that will account for the uncertainties in estimating project costs, benefits, and useful lives of uncertain and risky projects. In this study, we propose an approximate method of computing project present value using the concept of fuzzy modeling with special reference to information system projects. This propo...
Efficient gastroduodenal decompression with simultaneous full enteral nutrition: a new gastrostomy catheter technique.

A gastrostomy tube was designed that provides efficient supplemental aspiration of the proximal duodenum to remove gas that escapes gastric removal, utilizing an extension of the gastric suction channel. A separate lumen delivers elemental diet 7.5 cm more distally, for safe postoperative feeding. On clinical testing, patients consistenly achieved immediately postoperative enteral absorption of 3000 kcal/day and positive protein balance. Supplemental insulin was required for optimum utilization, maintaining plasma glucose within the physiologic range. Oral barium motility study during the second 24 hr demonstrated prompt gastric emptying and spontaneous anastomotic passage. We noted decreased clogging with mucus, attributable to "self-cleansing" by the aspirated duodenal juices. This was returned with the feedings to prevent depletion. There were no complications attributable to this regimen. Patients were discharged uneventfully as early as 48 hr following colectomy. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nu...
Coronary vasoconstrictor extracted from blood plasma stimulates platelet lipoxidase activity.

Abstract The effects of a coronary vasoconstrictor, obtained from human blood plasma, on aggregation and arachidonate metabolism by human platelets was determined. At low concentrations, the vasoactive factor stimulated formation of prostaglandins, thromboxane B2, and 12-L-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in both intact platelets and in platelet microsomal enzyme preparations. As factor concentration was increased, thromboxane B2 formation decreased, but production of the other products continued to rise. Low concentrations of factor initiated platelet aggregation, whereas high concentrations prevented arachidonate-induced aggregation. Low levels of factor could induce aggregation via stimulation of thromboxane A2 production. Increases in formation of 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid at high factor concentrations could inhibit formation of thromboxane A2 and thus prevent aggregation.
Cyclohexylidenecyanoacetic Acid and 1‐Cyclohexenylacetonitrile

Cyclohexylidenecyanoacetic acid and 1-cyclohexenylacetonitrile product: cyclohexylidenecyanoacetic acid product: 1-cyclohexenylacetonitrile Keywords: condensation, carbonyl-active methylene condensations; decarboxylation; separator, Dean and Stark
Mechanistic insights into the enhancement of adeno-associated virus transduction by proteasome inhibitors

Proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib, MG132) are known to enhance adeno-associated virus (AAV) transduction; however, whether this results from pleotropic proteasome inhibition or off-target serine and/or cysteine protease inhibition remains unresolved. Here, we examined recombinant AAV (rAAV) effects of a new proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, which specifically inhibits chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity and no other proteases. We determined that proteasome inhibitors act on rAAV through proteasome inhibition and not serine or cysteine protease inhibition, likely through positive changes late in transduction.
Student feedback on problem-based learning processes.

Background Problem-based learning (PBL) sessions consist of a brainstorming phase, search phase, individual study, and reporting phase. At the Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, PBL is a new learning modality first
The expansion of woody riparian vegetation, and subsequent stream restoration, influences the metabolism of prairie streams

SUMMARY 1. Tallgrass prairies and their streams are highly endangered ecosystems, and many remaining streams are threatened by the encroachment of woody riparian vegetation. An increase in riparian vegetation converts the naturally open-canopy prairie streams to closed-canopy systems. The effects of a change in canopy cover on stream metabolism are unknown. 2. Our goal was to determine the effects of canopy cover on prairie stream metabolism during a 4-year period in Kings Creek, KS, U.S.A. Metabolic rates from forested reaches were compared to rates in naturally open-canopy reaches and restoration reaches, the latter having closed canopies in 2006 and 2007 and open canopies in 2008 and 2009. Whole-stream metabolism was estimated using the two-station diurnal method. Chlorophyll a concentrations and mass of filamentous algae were measured after riparian removal to assess potential differences in algal biomass between reaches with open or closed canopies. 3. Metabolic rates were spatially and temporally variable even though the sites were on very similar streams or adjacent to each other within streams. Before riparian vegetation removal, whole-stream community respiration (CR) and net ecosystem production were greater with greater canopy cover. In the vegetation removal reaches, gross primary production was slightly greater after removal. 4. Chlorophyll a concentrations were marginally significantly greater in open (naturally open and removal reaches) than in closed canopy and differed significantly between seasons. Filamentous algal biomass was greater in open than in closed-canopy reaches. 5. Overall, the restoration allowed recovery of some features of open-canopy prairie streams. Woody expansion apparently increases CR and moves prairie stream metabolism towards a more net heterotrophic state. An increase in canopy cover decreases benthic chlorophyll, decreases dominance of filamentous algae and potentially alters resources available to the stream food web. The results of this study provide insights for land managers and conservationists interested in preserving prairie streams in their native open-canopy state.
Phylogenomics and Coalescent Analyses Resolve Extant Seed Plant Relationships

The extant seed plants include more than 260,000 species that belong to five main lineages: angiosperms, conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes. Despite tremendous effort using molecular data, phylogenetic relationships among these five lineages remain uncertain. Here, we provide the first broad coalescent-based species tree estimation of seed plants using genome-scale nuclear and plastid data By incorporating 305 nuclear genes and 47 plastid genes from 14 species, we identify that i) extant gymnosperms (i.e., conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes) are monophyletic, ii) gnetophytes exhibit discordant placements within conifers between their nuclear and plastid genomes, and iii) cycads plus Ginkgo form a clade that is sister to all remaining extant gymnosperms. We additionally observe that the placement of Ginkgo inferred from coalescent analyses is congruent across different nucleotide rate partitions. In contrast, the standard concatenation method produces strongly supported, but incongruent placements of Ginkgo between slow- and fast-evolving sites. Specifically, fast-evolving sites yield relationships in conflict with coalescent analyses. We hypothesize that this incongruence may be related to the way in which concatenation methods treat sites with elevated nucleotide substitution rates. More empirical and simulation investigations are needed to understand this potential weakness of concatenation methods.
Time-frequency correlation based missing-feature reconstruction for robust speech recognition in background noise conditions

This study proposes a novel missing-feature reconstruction method to improve speech recognition in background noise environments. In order to improve the existing missing-feature reconstruction method which utilizes only frequency correlation, a temporal spectral feature analysis is employed to leverage temporal correlation across neighboring frames. The final estimates for missing-feature reconstruction are obtained by a selective combination of the frequency correlation based method and the proposed temporal correlation based method. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the Aurora 2.0 framework with car noise and speech babble conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is more effective at increasing speech recognition performance in adverse conditions. By employing the proposed temporal-frequency based reconstruction method with SNR-based mask estimation, +21.31% and +20.73% average relative improvements in WER are obtained for car and speech babble conditions, compared to the original frequency correlation based method.
Dissolved and particulate aluminum in the Columbia River and coastal waters of Oregon and Washington: Behavior in near-field and far-field plumes

The distribution of dissolved (soluble and total) and particulate (leachable and total) aluminum was examined in the Columbia River and estuary, in near-field and far-field river plumes, and in adjacent coastal waters of Washington and Oregon during the River Influence on Shelf Ecosystems (RISE) cruise of May/June 2006. Dissolved and particulate aluminum (Al) concentrations were significantly greater in the river than in the coastal waters that mixed to form the plume. Dissolved Al concentrations in the Columbia River (∼80 nM) were low relative to other major rivers. Leachable and total particulate Al concentrations within the river reached concentrations greater than 1000 nM and 18,000 nM, respectively. Dissolved Al within the Columbia River estuary showed a significant removal (∼60%) at salinities between 0 and 10 with salt-induced flocculation of colloidal Al complexes and enhanced particle scavenging being probable explanations for aluminum removal. Dissolved and particulate Al concentrations were significantly greater in near-field plumes relative to surrounding coastal waters. As the plume advected from near-field to far-field away from the river mouth, dilution of the plume with lower dissolved Al surface waters as well as particle scavenging along the flow path appeared to be controlling dissolved Al distributions. Particle settling as well as dilution with lower particle-load waters led to observed decreases in particulate Al as the plume moved from near-field to far-field. However, the percent-leachable particulate aluminum in both near-field and far-field plumes was remarkably constant at ∼7%. Dissolved and particulate Al in a far-field plume over 100 km southwest of the Columbia River mouth were over an order-of-magnitude greater than surrounding waters, illustrating the importance of the Columbia River plume as a mechanism for transporting Al offshore. Aluminum could be used to trace the input of biologically-required elements such as iron into waters off the shelf.
Identifying Sub-centres Using Contiguity Matrices

This paper presents a simple algorithm for identifying sub-centres using standard properties of contiguity matrices to simplify the identification procedure. Sub-centres are identified for Atlanta, Baltimore-Washington, Boston, New York and Philadelphia. A sub-centre is defined to be a set of contiguous tracts that each have significantly positive residuals in a first-stage non-parametric regression and that together have at least 10 000 employees. The algorithm is also applicable when potential sub-centre sites are identified by other methods, such as minimum employment density cut-offs.
Tectonic implications of a late Paleozoic volcanic arc in the Talkeetna Mountains, south-central Alaska

Reconnaissance studies in the Talkeetna Mountains of south-central Alaska disclosed an Early Permian volcanogenic sequence several thousand metres thick. These rocks are interpreted to represent a volcanic arc system that was accreted to the North American plate in late Mesozoic (probably Cretaceous) time. The northeasterly trend of the volcanic arc system and the parallel structural grain of the Talkeetna Mountains are part of the structural bend of southern Alaska commonly considered to be the result of oroclinal bending, which may instead reflect the shape of the late Mesozoic continental North American plate. The western part of the Denali fault system may be part of a wide, complex zone of high- and low-angle thrust faults rather than the prolongation of an arcuate strike-slip fault system.
CELL FATE CONTROL IN THE DROSOPHILA RETINA BY THE ORPHAN RECEPTOR SEVEN-UP: ITS ROLE IN THE DECISIONS MEDIATED BY THE RAS SIGNALING PATHWAY

Drosophila seven-up is an orphan receptor of the steroid receptor family that is required to specify photoreceptor neuron subtypes in the developing compound eye. Expression of seven-up is confined to four of the eight photoreceptor precursors, R3/R4/R1/R6. We show that misexpression of seven-up in any of the other cell types within the developing ommatidium interferes with their differentiation. Each cell type responds differently to seven-up misexpression. For example, ectopic expression in the non-neuronal cone cells using the sevenless promoter/enhancer (sev-svp) causes the cone cells to take on a neuronal identity. Ectopic expression of seven-up in R2/R5 using the rough enhancer (ro-svp) causes these neurons to lose aspects of their photoreceptor subtype identity while remaining neuronal. Each cell type appears to have a different developmental time window that is sensitive to misexpressed seven-up. The temporal order of responsiveness of each cell type to misexpressed seven-up is similar but not identical to the order of neuronal differentiation. This suggests that there are processes of specification that are distinct from the specification to become a photoreceptor neuron. We have identified members of the ras signaling pathway as suppressors of the cone cell to R7 neuron transformation caused by sev-svp. Suppression of the sev-svp phenotype can be achieved by decreasing the gene-dosage of any of the members of the ras-pathway. This suggests that the function of seven-up in the cone cells requires ras signaling. However, a decrease in ras signaling results in enhancement of the phenotype caused by the ro-svp transgene. We discuss the relationship between decisions controlled by seven-up and those controlled by ras signaling.
¡Salsa!: Havana Heat, Bronx Beat

A journey through the development of modern Salsa music. Evocative use of song lyrics bring colour and passion to this lively profile of Latin dance music.
Digital Chameleons Automatic Assimilation of Nonverbal Gestures in Immersive Virtual Environments

Previous research demonstrated social influ- ence resulting from mimicry (the chameleon effect); a confederate who mimicked participants was more highly regarded than a confederate who did not, despite the fact that participants did not explicitly notice the mimicry. In the current study, participants interacted with an embodied artificial intelligence agent in immersive virtual reality. The agent either mimicked a participant's head movements at a 4-s delay or utilized prerecorded move- ments of another participant as it verbally presented an argument.Mimickingagentsweremorepersuasiveandre- ceived more positive trait ratings than nonmimickers, de- spiteparticipants'inabilitytoexplicitlydetectthemimicry. These data are uniquely powerful because they demon- strate the ability to use automatic, indiscriminate mim- icking (i.e., a computer algorithm blindly applied to all movements) to gain social influence. Furthermore, this is thefirststudyto demonstratesocialinfluenceeffectswith a nonhuman, nonverbal mimicker. The purpose of the current work was toexaminethe possibilities andlimitsofsocialinfluenceresultingfromthechameleoneffect, the tendency for mimickers to gain social influence (Chartrand & Bargh, 1999), in computer-mediated communication. In Chartrand and Bargh's Study 2, confederates in a conversation either mimicked certain nonverbal behaviors of participants during a conversation or interacted normally with participants. Results demonstrated that subjects showed a preference toward nonverbal chameleons over normal interactants in terms of likability and interaction smoothness. In the current study, we sought to demonstrate that the chameleon effect is uniquely powerful in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) that constantly and unobtrusively collect information concerning interactants' nonverbal behavior.
Profilin-1 Haploinsufficiency Protects Against Obesity-Associated Glucose Intolerance and Preserves Adipose Tissue Immune Homeostasis

Metabolic inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and its comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previously, we showed that the actin-binding protein profilin-1 (pfn) plays a role in atherogenesis because pfn heterozygote mice (PfnHet) exhibited a significant reduction in atherosclerotic lesion burden and vascular inflammation. In the current study, we tested whether pfn haploinsufficiency would also limit diet-induced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). First, we found that a high-fat diet (HFD) upregulated pfn expression in epididymal and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) but not in the liver or muscle of C57BL/6 mice compared with normal chow. Pfn expression in WAT correlated with F4/80, an established marker for mature macrophages. Of note, HFD elevated pfn protein levels in both stromal vascular cells and adipocytes of WAT. We also found that PfnHet were significantly protected from HFD-induced glucose intolerance observed in pfn wild-type mice. With HFD, PfnHet displayed blunted expression of systemic and WAT proinflammatory cytokines and decreased accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages, which were also preferentially biased toward an M2-like phenotype; this correlated with preserved frequency of regulatory T cells. Taken together, the findings indicate that pfn haploinsufficiency protects against diet-induced IR and inflammation by modulating WAT immune homeostasis.
Texture segmentation and shape in the same image

Uniformly textured surfaces in 3D scenes provide important cues for image understanding. Texture can be used for both segmentation and for 3D shape inference. Unfortunately, virtually all current algorithms are based on assumptions that make it impossible to do texture segmentation and shape-from-texture in the same image. Texture segmentation algorithms rely on an absence of 3D effects that tend to distort the texture. Shape-from-texture algorithms depend on these effects, relying instead on the texture being already segmented. To really understand texture in images, texture segmentation and shape-from-texture must be viewed as a combined problem to be solved simultaneously. We present a solution to this problem with a region-growing algorithm that explicitly accounts for perspective distortions of otherwise uniform texture. We use the image spectrogram to compute local surface normals, which are in turn used to "frontalize" the texture. These frontalized texture patches are then subjected to a region-growing algorithm based on similarity in the local frequency domain and a minimum description length criteria. We show results of our algorithm on real texture images taken in the lab and outdoors. >
Plaque Formation in Agar by Single Antibody-Producing Cells

Distinct plaques, each of which is due to the release of hemolysin by a single antibody-forming cell, are revealed by complement after incubation, in an agar layer, of a mixture of sheep red cells and lymphoid cells from a rabbit immunized with sheep red cells.
Changing educational paradigms in transfusion medicine and cellular therapies: development of a profession.

The transfusion medicine profession can be easily compared and contrasted with an early 1900 ironclad ship operating in the rough seas of the 21st century. Without modifying the old ship to today's standards, even the captain and crew will begin to expect the ship to meet its demise. The unfortunate passengers, on the other hand, do not expect that they are on an old obsolete ship and, instead, are innocent victims stuck on a doomed course. The old ironclad ship must change into a sleek cruiser and utilize the latest available technology so that its well-educated and competent captain and crew can safely navigate even the most challenging waters. The transfusion medicine profession must transform itself into a state-of-the-art ship so that it, like the refurbished ironclad ship, can be set on cruise control through the open seas. The question facing our industry is do we have the courage to utilize modern technology and to commit the funds necessary to develop, implement, and maintain our existence? It is difficult to plot a steady course into the future because of existing challenges that stand ready to sink our profession, including economic wrangling over regulation, technologic changes, generation conflict, and political differences that threaten our excellence. The primary purpose of this article is to focus on the educational needs that affect all personnel involved in transfusion medicine. In addition, this article will address potential adverse outcomes and investigate possible resolutions to avoid the “sinking ship.” Within the next 5 to 7 years, without a corrective course of action, our profession will be at the bottom of the clinical ladder, remembered more for its demise and tragic ending than for its accomplishments. It is hoped, successful implementation of changes in educational paradigms in transfusion medicine may lead to a renaissance within our workforce—generations working together, each sharing and learning from one another.
Bayesian Changepoint Detection Through Switching Regressions: Contact Point Determination in Material Indentation Experiments

Material indentation is a popular method for determining the mechanical properties of biomaterials. The basic premise of an indentation experiment is to physically displace the sample using an indenter that measures resistive force, in order to formulate a force-displacement curve. However, doing so requires estimating the initial contact event between the indenter and the sample?a statistical changepoint detection problem that has not been rigorously addressed in the biomaterials literature to date. Here we adopt a hierarchical Bayesian approach to contact point determination based on switching regressions, which generalizes an algorithm popular with practitioners and enables both hyperparameter estimation as well as uncertainty quantification. Results using several experimentally obtained silicone indentation data sets indicate that our approach outperforms existing techniques.
High-luminance FED with very low power consumption

A 2.3-inch, 150 X 90 pixels, high brightness, high luminance efficiency, and long life of field emission display (FED) with very low power consumption was reported. The spacing between the anode plate and the field emitter plate was 3 mm. The anode plate, coated with Y2O2S:Tb phosphor, was processed by a screen printer. A high voltage, varied from 1KV to 9KV, was applied to the anode. It was observed that the luminance efficiency increased as a function of the applied voltage to anode. Moreover, the aluminum film was coated on phosphors, which made the luminance efficiency increase more than 1.7 times, compared to no Al film,when the anode was applied to 7KV. It was demonstrated that the luminance efficiency of phosphor plate is more than 15 lm/W in our FED panel. As well, the low parasitic capacitance design of the field-emitter plate makes the field emission display very power-efficient and with very low power consumption.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Implementation of surface impedance concepts in the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) technique

It is shown how surface impedance concepts can be incorporated into the FD-TD technique. To show the accuracy of the proposed approximation, the maximum percent error for any angle of incidence versus loss tangent p is graphed. It is demonstrated that the impulse responses can be approximated by a series of exponential functions, typically 5 to 10. The convolution of each exponential with H/sub x/(x,t) then requires only one storage location for a running sum variable. This is a great savings and makes the surface impedance concept a viable option for use in FD-TD codes. >
Simultaneously Interrogation of Multi Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors by an AWG Based Demultiplexer

Multifiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor arrays are being used in the health monitoring of aerospace structures and civil engineering works, as well as the environment monitoring. However, the field interrogations of multi FBG sensors are still a big challenge due to the lack of portable, robust, high performance multi sensor interrogation devices. We have found that by thermally scanning an arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG) based demultiplexer, a device deployed in the telecommunication networks, multi FBG sensors can be precisely monitored simultaneously. The measurement resolution of this technique can be better than one picometer (equivalent to 0.1degC for temperature sensing) and the measurement time can be as short as milliseconds. Owning to the small size and ruggedness of AWG, it is potentially feasible to fabricate an all solid (no moving parts), palm size, robust and high-resolution interrogator for multi FBG sensor applications
Legionella pneumophila Infection Up-Regulates Dendritic Cell Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2)/TLR4 Expression and Key Maturation Markers

Dendritic cells (DCs) have a critical role in linking innate to adaptive immunity, and this transition is regulated by the up-regulation of costimulatory and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as well as Toll-like receptors. These changes in DCs have been observed to occur following microbial infection, and in the present study, we examined the effect of Legionella pneumophila infection on the expression of these DC markers. We showed that bone marrow-derived DC cultures from BALB/c mice infected with live L. pneumophila resulted in the up-regulation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and the activation of CD40, CD86, and MHC class I/II molecules.
Personality Disorder in Social Networks: Network Position as a Marker of Interpersonal Dysfunction.

The present study investigated social network position as a marker of interpersonal functioning in personality disorders. Participants were groups of military recruits (N = 809) in 21 training groups. Participants completed self- and informant-versions of the Multisource Assessment of Personality Pathology, acting as both targets and judges in a round-robin design. Network characteristics were associated with both selfand peer-reported personality disorder traits. Consistent with DSM-IV descriptors, measures of centrality and degree connectivity were positively associated with Narcissistic and Histrionic PDs, and negatively associated with Avoidant, Schizoid, and Schizotypal PDs. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Practice of Geospatial Technologies in Informal Learning

This chapter focuses on the most recurrent methods used by practitioners to practice geospatial technologies (GSTs) in informal learning.
What Courts Have to Say About a Nuclear Iran

This article aims to contribute a judicial perspective to the national conversation about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Methodologically, this article approaches the proposed nuclear framework agreement with Iran through the prism of judicial opinions involving claims against that regime under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (“AEDA”) amendment to the Federal Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”). Based on a data set consisting of Iranian terrorism and skyjacking cases specifically, this article submits that legal precedent — not political talking points — mitigates against the deal being brokered with Iran now. These court decisions — as with judicial opinions generally — are probative in ways that politicized statements by the president and Congress about Iran cannot be. FSIA and AEDA cases are not talking points to be fact-checked, but fact-centered analyses arising from allegations that have overcome important hurdles such as substantive and procedural due process and rigorous tests under the rules of evidence, including admissibility and reliability. In this context, skyjacking cases show Iran to be a persistent driver of international disorder and offer no factual or legal precedent to suggest a nuclear capable Iran will change its behavior.
Distance Dependent Electron Transfer at TiO2 Interfaces Sensitized with Phenylene Ethynylene Bridged RuII–Isothiocyanate Compounds

Excess electrons present in semiconductor nanocrystallites generate a significant electric field, yet the role this field plays in molecular charge transfer processes remains poorly understood. Three ruthenium bipyridyl cis-Ru(bpy)(LL)(NCS)2 compounds, where LL is a 4-substituted bpy, with zero, one, or two phenylene ethynylene bridge units, were anchored to mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films to specifically quantify interfacial charge transfer with chromophores designed to be set at variable distances from the surface. Injection of electrons into TiO2 resulted in a blue shift of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption consistent with an underlying Stark effect. The electroabsorption data were used to quantify the electric field experienced by the compounds that decreased from 0.85 to 0.22 MV/cm as the number of OPE spacers increased from 0 to 2. Charge recombination on the 10–8–10–5 s time scale correlated with the magnitude of the electric field with an apparent attenuation factor β = 0.1...
Item Response Modeling with Sum Scores.

One of the distinctions between classical test theory and item response theory is that the former focuses on sum scores and their relationship to true scores, whereas the latter concerns item responses and their relationship to latent scores. Although item response theory is often viewed as the richer of the two theories, sum scores are still often used in practice. The issue addressed here is how to conduct item response modeling when only sum scores are available for some respondents; that is, their item responses are missing, but their sums scores are known. The author reviews the important role of sum scores in item response theory and shows how to estimate item response models using sum scores as data in lieu of item responses. The author also shows how this can be easily implemented in a Bayesian framework using the software package Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS), and provides three examples for illustration.
Elite and Popular Perceptions of Imitatio Christi in Twelfth-Century Crusade Spirituality

From the time of the proclamation of the First Crusade in 1095 to at least the first decade of the twelfth century, there was an apparently universal understanding amongst the people of Christendom that those who joined the pilgrimage-in-arms that set out to liberate Jerusalem and the Holy Land should be regarded as imitators of Christ. This was remarkable, for the imitation of Christ was understood by contemporaries to be the paramount ideal of spiritual perfection and, before 1095, only attainable by a total withdrawal from the world and a commitment to a monastic way of life. Yet with Pope Urban II’s Clermont sermon, the spirituality that was previously the preserve of those milites Christi who fought spiritual battles in the cloister was now also available to those who fought for Christ in the world. As the biographer of one prominent first crusader famously put it, before the proclamation of the crusade, his subject was ‘uncertain whether to follow in the footsteps of the Gospel or the world. But after the call to arms in the service of Christ, the twofold reason for fighting inflamed him beyond belief.’
17 VASCULAR CELL ADHESION MOLECULE 1 ACTIVATION OF ENDOTHELIAL PROTEIN KINASE C α.

Lymphocyte binding to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) activates endothelial cell NADPH oxidase, resulting in the generation of 1 μM of hydrogen peroxide. This is required for VCAM-1-dependent lymphocyte migration. In this report, we identified a role for protein kinase Cα (PKCα) in VCAM-1 signal transduction in human and mouse endothelial cells. VCAM-1-dependent lymphocyte migration under 2 dynes/cm 2 laminar flow was blocked by pretreatment of endothelial cells with dominant negative PKCα or the PKCα-selective inhibitors, Ro-32-0432 or Go-6976. Phosphorylation of PKCαThr638, an autophosphorylation site indicating enzyme activity, was increased by antibody crosslinking of VCAM-1 on endothelial cells or by the exogenous addition of 1 μM of hydrogen peroxide. The anti-VCAM-1-stimulated phosphorylation of PKCαThr638 was blocked by scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and by inhibition of NADPH oxidase. Furthermore, anti-VCAM-1 signaling induced the oxidation of PKCα. Oxidized PKCα is a transiently active form of PKCα that is diacylglycerol independent. This oxidation was blocked by inhibition of NADPH oxidase. In summary, VCAM-1 activation of endothelial cell NADPH oxidase induces transient PKCα activation that is necessary for VCAM-1-dependent transendothelial lymphocyte migration.
Clinical analysis of 24 adolescents with precocious puberty associated with tumors

Objectives To analyze clinical characteristics of precocious puberty attributed to tumors. Methods Hospital-based analysis was performed for 24 adolescents with precocious puberty associated with tumors. Results Percen- tage of precocious puberty attributed to tumors in boys was 12.93%, while the percentage in girls was 0.50%. Significantly advanced bone age (BA), and obviously higher levels of LH and FSH (before and after the GnRH stimulation test) were found after the transformation from peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) to central precocious puberty (CPP). Conclu- sions The incidence of precocious puberty attributed to tumors was significantly higher in boys than that in girls. Adolescents with PPP associated with tumors will transform to CPP after operation.
Determination of methylic alcohol and fusel oil in wines by gas chromatography with programmed temperature

Objective:To establish the method for determination of methylic alcohol and fusel oil in the wines by gas chromatography with programmed temperature.Methods: Programmed temperature method,HP-INNOWAX column and gas chromatography were used to determine methylic alcohol and fusel oil in wines.Results: Good linearities were obtained in all groups under this experimental condition,the relative standard deviation in the range was 1.21%~3.93%,the recovery rate was 91.5%~101%,detection limit of methylic alcohol was 0.5 ng,isobuthl alcohol was 0.2 ng,and isoamyl alcohol was 0.12 ng.Conclusion: The method had the advantages of good precision,accuracy and sensitivity,which was suitable to determine methylic alcohol and fusel oil in the wines.
Leiomyoma of the Seminal Vesicle

Leiomyoma of the seminal vesicle is exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. To our knowledge we present the first case of primary leiomyoma of the seminal vesicle to be evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging using a rectal coil.
Sovereignty’s Death Throes

The Security Council proved to be correct in having applied Chapter VII peacekeeping provisions to the Rwandan situation as the refugee problem in Zaire did turn out to be a threat to regional peace and security, and the new ethnic realignment in Rwanda demonstratively had a destabilizing impact on neighboring Burundi. Unfortunately, however, UNAMIR had already departed and the United Nations exhibited great reluctance in deploying troops yet again. The spillover effect from the Rwandan genocide then gathered momentum, culminating in the downfall of the Mobutu government in Zaire and the virtual erasure of state boundaries. Sovereignty fell by the wayside, as ethnicity came to the fore. External ties strongly based on kinship superseded citizenship as the legal norms of the international system gave way to new realities that transcended statehood. African countries therefore must grapple with powerful primordial forces as they seek to establish a structurally sound framework for order in the wake of the Rwandan tragedy.
Communal denning of cliff chipmunks (Tamias dorsalis)

Abstract Rodents are a diverse group that display a range of social systems. Cliff chipmunks (Tamias dorsalis) are documented as solitary across their range; however, we report here observations of communal denning outside of the breeding season in southeastern Arizona. We radiocollared and tracked nursing females and their offspring to locate nocturnal dens from June to October 2013 and 2014. We observed codenning in juvenile siblings, and juveniles and adults. Our social denning observations indicate that cliff chipmunks demonstrate behavioral plasticity.
Screening for Gynecologic Conditions with Pelvic Examination.

A 37-year-old woman presents to your office for her annual wellness visit. She is not due for a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear this year. She is not pregnant, reports no problems, and has no risk factors for sexually transmitted infections. She asks if she should have a pelvic examination today.