cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ITER remote maintenance

During the conceptual design activity (CDA) for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a reactor design was established that emphasized performance of the individual systems in a minimum overall reactor size. The resulting high component density arrangement dictates including assembly and maintenance (A&M) considerations in the development of the configuration. The A&M task is complicated further since remote handling equipment will be required after the start of deuterium-tritium operations. During the CDA, the Assembly and Maintenance Design Unit addressed many aspects of an overall A&M system. The authors discuss the ITER A&M philosophy that evolved, describe the ITER configuration as it relates to maintenance, and describe the procedures and equipment required for specific maintenance operations. Change-out of the in-vessel divertors and blanket/shields modules is discussed in detail. >
A Robust Approach for the Analysis of EMI/EMC Problems With Nonlinear Circuit Loads

The analysis of electromagnetic coupling in nonlinear circuit simulations requires a bidirectional, fully consistent approach. Nonlinear responses of semiconductor devices in electronic circuit components can change the impedances seen at circuit nodes, changing the boundary conditions encountered by impressed electromagnetic fields and, thus, changing the characteristics of the energy coupled from these external fields into that circuit. It is important to include the coupling in the circuit simulation self-consistently because this allows us to accurately predict the responses to various EMI/EMC problems of interest. It is also important to predict circuit responses efficiently because that opens the door to statistical applications for the technique being used. In this paper, we review a technique that we have developed called A Thevenin Equivalent Network Approach. This approach is shown to be quite robust in that it is computationally efficient; it can be implemented in a variety of commonly available circuit solving codes; it already includes a few additional techniques required to enhance its implementation in those codes; and it is quite accurate.
Paying Electronic Bills Electronically

Electronic billing and payment systems are about to change the way many households pay their monthly bills. These systems are likely to increase consumer convenience and reduce billers' costs. Several factors, however, could slow down the widespread use of electronic billing and payments, including customer resistance to change, unequal access to technology, and consumer privacy concerns.
GROWTH STIMULATION OF STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS VAR. LIQUEFACIENS BY CANAVANINE.

Hammel, Jay M. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park) and L. N. Zimmerman. Growth stimulation of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens by canavanine. J. Bacteriol. 86:490–493. 1963.—l-Canavanine, a competitive inhibitor of arginine, was found to stimulate the growth of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens in the presence of arginine. This growth stimulation by canavanine was unique, since it previously was found to inhibit the growth of organisms which require arginine. When equimolar concentrations of arginine and canavanine were tested from 10−7 to 10−2m, maximal stimulation occurred at 10−4m. Canavanine concentrations of 5 × 10−6m to 10−2m stimulated growth in the presence of 5 × 10−5m arginine. Ornithine similarly stimulated growth. Canavanine inhibited the rate of arginine degradation by the arginine dihydrolase enzyme system in intact cells. It is assumed that the mechanism of canavanine stimulation involves an inhibition of arginine desimidase of the arginine dihydrolase enzyme system, which in turn makes more arginine available for growth over a longer period of time.
The Canyon Hypothesis: Hiding the Host Cell Receptor Attachment Site on a Viral Surface from Immune Surveillance

The three-dimensional structure of human rhinovirus 14 has a deep surface depression or "canyon" encircling each of the twelve 5-fold vertices. The canyon's surface is inaccessible to the broad antigen binding region of antibodies, permitting conservation of residues that might be required for host cell receptor recognition without danger of attack by the host's immune system. In contrast, the exposed surface features, where neutralizing antibodies are known to bind, change rapidly under pressure from the host's immune system. It was, therefore, hypothesized that this depression was the site of receptor attachment. Similar, but smaller, depressions had been observed previously on both the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase spikes of influenza virus. These have also been shown to be the site of host cell interaction. Although support for the canyon hypothesis was only circumstantial in the first place, there are now extensive confirmatory data. These include site-specific mutations of residues in the canyon and conformational changes induced in the canyon by the binding of small organic molecules, all of which alter receptor attachment. The strategy used in human rhinovirus 14 to protect the viral receptor attachment site from immune surveillance may be utilized not only in other picornaviruses but also in many other types of viruses including human immunodeficiency virus.
Tetra-n-butyl-ammonium bis-(2,2-dicyano-ethyl-ene-1,1-dithiol-ato)palladium(II).

In the title compound, (C16H36N)2[Pd(C4N2S2)2], the PdII center adopts a distorted square-planar geometry due to the four-membered chelate rings formed by coordination of the 2,2-dicyano­ethyl­ene-1,1-dithiol­ate (i-mnt) ligands [bite angle 75.0159 (17)°]. The bond distances in the coordinated i-mnt ligands indicate some delocalization of the π-system.
Leukocytic Hypersensitivity in Experimental Group A Streptococcal Infections

Skin hypersensitivity to streptococcal antigens was demonstrated in 15 New Zealand red rabbits that were sensitized by intracutaneous injections with group A streptococci, and leukocytic hypersensitivity, as determined by in vitro inhibition of leukocyte migration, was demonstrated in 11 of the rabbits. The skin hypersensitivity persisted for at least 8 weeks, whereas the leukocytic hypersensitivity generally waned rather rapidly. The leukocytic hypersensitivity reappeared in the infected rabbits that had developed this hypersensitivity. However, it did not reappear on reimmunization with living streptococci of the type originally employed, whereas it did reappear with living but not heat-killed streptococci of another M type.
Acceleration and motion-correction techniques for high-resolution intravascular MRI

Purpose High-resolution intravascular (IV) MRI is susceptible to degradation from physiological motion and requires high frame-rates for true endoscopy. Traditional cardiac-gating techniques compromise efficiency by reducing the effective scan rate. Here we test whether compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction and ungated motion-compensation using projection shifting, could provide faster motion-suppressed, IVMRI. Theory and Methods CS reconstruction is developed for undersampled Cartesian and radial imaging using a new IVMRI-specific cost function to effectively increase imaging speed. A new motion correction method is presented wherein individual IVMRI projections are shifted based on the IVMRI detector's intrinsic amplitude and phase properties. The methods are tested at 3 Tesla (T) in fruit, human vessel specimens, and a rabbit aorta in vivo. Images are compared using structural-similarity and “spokal variation” indices. Results Although some residual artifacts persisted, CS acceleration and radial motion compensation strategies reduced motion artifact in vitro and in vivo, allowing effective accelerations of up to eight-fold at 200–300 µm resolution. Conclusion The 3T IVMRI detectors are well-suited to CS and motion correction strategies based on their intrinsic radially-sparse sensitivity profiles and high signal-to-noise ratios. While benefits of faster free-breathing high-resolution IVMRI and reduced motion sensitivity are realized, there are costs to spatial resolution, and some motion artifacts may persist. Magn Reson Med 74:452–461, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal distributed declustering using replication

A common technique for improving performance for database query retrieval is to decluster the database among multiple disks so that retrievals can be parallelized. In this paper we focus on answering range queries over a multidimensional database, where each of its dimensions are divided uniformly to obtain tiles which are placed on different disks; there has been a significant amount of research for determining how to place the records on disks to minimize the retrieval time. Recently, the idea of using replication (i.e., placing records on more than one disk) to improve performance has been introduced. When using replication there are two goals: i) to minimize the retrieval time and ii) to minimize the scheduling overhead it takes to determine which disk obtains a specific record when processing a query. The previously known replicated declustering schemes with low retrieval times are randomized; and one of the primary advantages of randomized schemes is that they balance the load evenly among the disks for large queries with high probability. In this paper we introduce a new class of replicated placement schemes called the shift schemes that are: i) deterministic, ii) have retrieval performance that is comparable to the randomized schemes, iii) have a strictly optimal retrieval time for all large queries, and iv) have a more efficient query scheduling algorithm than those for the randomized placements. Furthermore, we display experimental results that suggest that the shift schemes have stronger average performance (in terms of retrieval times) than the randomized schemes.
CARBAZOLE-BASED EMITTING COMPOUNDS: SYNTHESIS, PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND FORMATION OF NANOPARTICLES

Dr Douglas C. Neckers, Advisor Carbazole is a heterocyclic tricyclic aromatic organic compound consisting of two sixmembered benzene rings fused on either side of a five-membered nitrogen-containing ring. A large number of carbazole derivatives have been designed and synthesized and organic electronic devices based on these derivatives such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), have been investigated. Ever since Tang and VanSlyke constructed electroluminescent (EL) devices using organic materials as emitters, development of efficient and stable EL materials has taken good momentum. Carbazole derivatives are widely used as materials for EL and hole-transporting layers of OLEDs which use their high charge mobility. The optical and electrical properties of carbazoles are affected by substitution on the 2-, 3-, 6-, 7and 9H-positions. Many carbazole derivatives have sufficiently high triplet energy to make them an efficient host where they can serve as red, green, or blue triplet emitters. Highly fluorescent and stable carbazole-based compounds were synthesized and characterized. Substitution of carbazoles at 3and 6position by tert-butyl group enhanced the solubility. They showed high extinction coefficients of absorption (Amax 328-353 nm) and quantum yields of fluorescence ( max 386-437 nm; ΦF 0.72-0.89; F 2.09-3.91 ns) in dichloromethane. The quantum yields of fluorescence of these compounds in the solid state were also high ( max 385-422 nm; ΦF 0.40-0.85). Simple synthetic procedures were developed to prepare other stable carbazoles. These compounds emit blue, green, and orange-red light. The red-shifted emission in the solid state which can be as much as 120nm relative to that in solution is highly dependent on the nature and positions of the substituents.. The presence of a carbaldehyde or malononitrile on the
The promise of academic libraries: Turning outward to transform campus communities

What would it look like if an academic library turned outward and helped transform its campus community? This is the question that several librarians at Rutgers University Libraries asked when we began deploying tools created by the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation to conduct community conversations with the aim of recalibrating our interactions on campus. The conversations have brought together people from across the university to discuss their aspirations and concerns. These conversations serve as a springboard for unleashing new possibilities as academic libraries span boundaries and occupy a more visible, catalytic role on campus. Last fall, ALA launched a national partnership with the Harwood Institute. The Harwood Institute helps organizations “turn outward” toward their communities through the use of conversations where they gain the “public knowledge” they need to align their work more closely with their community’s aspirations. ALA’s joint initiative, “The Promise of Libraries Transforming Communities,” is developing a national plan to advance community engagement and innovation and transform the role of libraries in their communities. Although a few public libraries have previously used the Harwood framework, Rutgers has pioneered applying this approach in an academic library.
Politics and International Politics Scholarship

Most of us were interested in politics long before we were exposed to, and often enthralled by, IR theories. We were driven to think about what was happening in the world, why it was happening, how things would turn out, and what various countries, especially our own, should do. Growing up as I did during the Cold War, it is only a slight oversimplification to say my friends and I developed into little Hawks and Doves without much theoretical underpinning. Scholars from different generations were exposed to different problems and questions, such as how deeply the United States should be involved throughout the world and the nature and extent of foreign threats (and opportunities) the United States faces. These early impressions are not set in stone, but I suspect that they do shape the questions that interest us and the approaches that we find most congenial. Of course, logically policy preferences depend on correlational if not causal analysis, but in practice the relationship is likely to be reciprocal, with preferences being highly salient. The Theory, Research, and International Policy Project (TRIP) data unfortunately do not permit us to see correlations between foreign policy preferences and orientations toward Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism. But I believe that there are connections, although many concern the factors that scholars look at rather than the answers they give. This is perhaps most obvious with Realism, and because of space constraints, I will focus on it throughout this essay even though parallel points could be made about other schools of thought. Contrary to some impressions, the fact that Realism never loses sight of power and conflict does not mean that its proponents advocate bellicose policies. Carr was an advocate of appeasement; Morgenthau and Waltz opposed the war in Vietnam; 33 Realists took out an ad in …
Model-based classification of visual information for content-based retrieval

Most existing approaches to content-based retrieval rely on query by example, or user sketch based on low-level features. However, these are not suitable for semantic (object level) distinctions. In other approaches, information is classified according to a predefined set of classes and classification is either performed manually or by using class-specific algorithms. Most of these systems lack flexibility: the user does not have the ability to define or change the classes, and new classification schemes require implementation of new class-specific algorithms and/or the input of an expert. In this paper, we present a different approach to content-based retrieval and a novel framework for classification of visual information, in which (1) users define their own visual classes and classifiers are learned automatically, and (multiple fuzzy-classifiers and machine learning techniques are combined for automatic classification at multiple levels (region, perceptual, object-part, object and scene). We present The Visual Apprentice, an implementation of our framework for still images and video that uses a combination of lazy-learning, decision trees, and evolution programs for classification and grouping. Our system is flexible, in that models can be changed by users over time, different types of classifiers are combined, and user-model definitions can be applied to object and scene structure classification. Special emphasis is placed on the difference between semantic and visual classes, and between classification and detection. Examples and results are presented to demonstrate the applicability of our approach to perform visual classification and detection.
The amazing regenerative powers of the liver

The liver can regenerate its volume after major tissue loss. In a mouse model of liver regeneration, thrombocytopenia, or impaired platelet activity resulted in the failure to initiate cellular proliferation in the liver. Platelets are major carriers of serotonin in the blood. In thrombocytopenic mice, a serotonin agonist reconstituted liver proliferation. The expression of 5-HT2A and 2B subtype serotonin receptors in the liver increased after hepatectomy. Antagonists of 5-HT2A and 2B receptors inhibited liver regeneration. Liver regeneration was also blunted in mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of peripheral serotonin. This failure of regeneration was rescued by reloading serotonin-free platelets with a serotonin precursor molecule. These results suggest that platelet-derived serotonin is involved in the initiation of liver regeneration. (Science 2006;312:104-107.)
Modeling time variant distributions of cellular lifespans: increases in circulating reticulocyte lifespans following double phlebotomies in sheep

Many pharmacodynamic (PD) models of cellular response assume a single and time invariant lifespan of all cells, despite the existence of a true underlying distribution of cellular lifespans and known changes in the lifespan distributions with time. To account for these features of cellular populations, a time variant cellular lifespan distribution PD model was formulated and theoretical aspects of modeling cellular populations presented. The model extends prior work assuming time variant “point distributions” of cellular lifespans (Freise et al. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 34:519–547, 2007) and models assuming a time invariant lifespan distribution (Krzyzanski et al. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 33:125–166, 2006). The formulated time variant lifespan distribution model was fitted to endogenous plasma erythropoietin (EPO), reticulocyte, and red blood cell (RBC) concentrations in sheep phlebotomized on two occasions, 8 days apart. The time variant circulating reticulocyte lifespan was modeled as a truncated and scaled Weibull distribution, with the location parameter of the distribution non-parametrically represented by an end constrained quadratic spline function. The formulated time variant lifespan distribution model was compared to the identical time invariant distribution, time variant “point distribution” and time invariant “point distribution” cellular lifespan models. Parameters of the time variant lifespan distribution model were well estimated with low standard errors. The mean circulating reticulocyte lifespan was estimated at 0.304 days, which rapidly increased over 3-fold following the first phlebotomy to a maximum of 1.03 days (P = 0.009). On average, the percentage of erythrocytes being released as reticulocytes maximally increased an estimated two-fold following the phlebotomies. The primary features of immature RBC physiology were captured by the model and gave results consistent with other estimates in sheep and humans. The comparison of the four lifespan models gave similar parameter estimates of the stimulation function and fits to the RBC data. However, the time invariant models fit the reticulocyte data poorly, while the time variant “point distribution” cellular lifespan model gave physiologically unrealistic estimates of the changes in the circulating reticulocyte lifespan under stress erythropoiesis. Thus the underlying physiology must be considered when selecting the most appropriate cellular lifespan model and not just the goodness-of-fit criteria. The proposed PD model and the numerical implementation allows for a flexible framework to incorporate time variant lifespan distributions when modeling populations of cells whose production or stimulation depends on endogenous growth factors and/or exogenous drugs.
Charged particle decay of the 28 Si giant electric dipole resonance

We measured protons and alpha particles emitted from the giant electric dipole resonance of $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ using tagged photons; discrete final states in the residual nuclei were resolved. The proton decay was found to be dominated by the ground state branch. Comparisons with Hauser-Feshbach calculations and spectroscopic factors from nucleon pickup reactions indicate that most proton decay channels have a significant, nonstatistical component. The alpha decay channels appear to be statistical.
Obesity is associated with impaired insulin-mediated potassium uptake

Abstract The ability of insulin to promote extrarenal potassium uptake and to stimulate glucose uptake was examined in eight obese and ten normal weight control subjects. Insulin was infused at three rates to produced plasma insulin concentrations of approximately 100, 1,900, and 19,000 μU/mL. Insulin-mediated potassium, as well as glucose uptake, was diminished during the lowest dose insulin clamp study (100 μU/mL) but could be normalized at pharmacologic plasma insulin concentrations. These results indicate that obese subjects are resistant to the ability of insulin to stimulate potassium uptake by extrarenal tissues. Imparied potassium uptake at physiologic plasma insulin levels, with normalization at supraphysiologic insulin concentrations, is most consistent with a decrease in the number of insulin receptors on insulin target tissues.
The metallurgical characterization of coatings

Abstract This paper reviews some of the metallurgical characterization techniques used at Battelle Northwest for coatings made by high rate sputter deposition methods. The paper includes specific examples and a discussion of problems encountered during characterization. Characterization techniques used include (1) X-ray and electron diffraction for crystal structure determination, (2) X-ray diffraction, optical, scanning electron and transmission electron metallography for microstructural characterization, (3) numerous chemical analysis techniques for bulk alloy composition, gas content, trace impurity analysis and variable composition determinations and (4) a listing of property measurements needed for various purposes. It is hoped that the novelty of these examples will stimulate new approaches to coating characterization at other laboratories.
The Mediation Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms on the Relationship of Intimate Partner Violence and IFN-γ Levels

Background: Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) report greater stress and negative health consequences than nonabused women. Although an association between psychological stress and altered immune function has been shown, IPV studies have not investigated this relationship. Objective: This study explored the association of IPV with mental health symptoms and an immune marker to determine if posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms mediate the effect of IPV on pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ) cytokine levels. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative design was used to compare 62 women with IPV and 39 nonabused women. Results: Mean IFN-γ values were higher in abused women and in women with current PTSD symptoms. There were no significant relationships with potential confounding variables that could provide an alternative explanation for the increase in production of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: PTSD symptoms mediate the association between IPV and IFN-γ levels and may partially explain the association of mental health symptoms with physical health sequelae in IPV.
Digital imaging system and virtual instrument platform for measuring hydraulic conductivity of vascular endothelial monolayers.

Abstract We have developed an automated, digital imaging system, controlled by two virtual instruments, to measure hydraulic conductivity ( L p ) of cultured endothelial monolayers. Live digital images of multiple independent experiments were captured by custom-designed video processing software running in National Instruments LabVIEW 6.1. Fluid displacement data are automatically displayed in real time as both volumetric flux ( J v ) and hydraulic conductivity ( L p ). A separate data analysis program is used to display permeability values from stored displacement measurements and displays J v or L p of each monolayer. Optional statistical filters have been included to aid in data analysis. This new digital permeability system is able to measure flux rates over a dynamic range from 10 −9 cm/s/cm H 2 O to 10 −4 cm/s/cm H 2 O. Values obtained for cultured lung microvascular L p are nearly identical to other cultured endothelial monolayers and also to values obtained in-vivo using the Landis–Michel technique and the split–drop method. The use of a commercially available platform allows the system configuration to be easily modified to suit the experimental needs. The technical development of this system is described in detail.
The inhibitory effect of serum factors on measurement of IgE aspergillus antibodies by RAST

Summary The RAST value obtained in the A. fumigalus system, from sera of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is dependent not only on the reagin titre but also on blocking factors that depress the RAST score. These factors are primarily specific for A. fumigatus and can be removed by an A. fumigatus immuno-adsorbent. However, some blocking activity could be found in normal sera even after absorption with an A, fumigates immunoadsorbent and seems to be non-specific. All of these blocking factors influence the specificity of the RAST, and complicate the comparison of the quantitation of IgE antibodies in different sera. The use of discs rather than cellulose particles and the use of dilute sera result in a RAST assay more proportional to the specific IgE antibodies to A. fumigates.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Postoperative Outcomes

RESULTS: Out of 6247 records, 13 studies were included in the final analysis (n=3942). OSA was associated with significantly higher odds of any postoperative cardiac events (45 /1195 [3.76%] vs. 24 /1420 [1.69%],respectively; OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.23-3.50, p=0.007 & respiratory failure (33/1680 [1.96%] vs. 24/3421 [0.70%]; OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.34-4.39, p=0.003. Effects were not heterogeneous among studies for these outcomes(I2=0 to 15%, p>0.3). Presence of OSA was also significantly associated with a higher odds of desaturation (189/1764 [10.71%] vs. 105/1881 [5.58%]; OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.482.60, p<0.00001,and ICU transfer (105/2062 [5.09 %] vs. 58/3681 [1.57%],respectively; OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.62-3.24,p<=0.00001. Both of these outcomes showed a significant degree of heterogeneity of effect among studies (I2=57 to 68%, p 0.02). OSA was not associated with a higher LOS in two studies.(MD 1.02 days, 95% CI -0.94 to 2.97, p=0.3; I2=0%, p=0.5). We did not find evidence of publication bias from the evaluation of the funnel plots.
Locality and custom: Non-aboriginal claims to customary usufructuary rights as a source of rural protest☆

Abstract Scholars have generally recognized neither the existence of contemporary non-aboriginal claims to customary property rights in the United States of America nor their importance as a source of rural protest. This is a study of claims to usufructuary rights that are a truncated form of non-aboriginal customary property law. In this case, when the claims of residents of a small community to customary usufructuary rights to adjacent forest resources for subsistence and livelihood uses came into conflict with claims made under formal law, they repeatedly defended their claims by means of social protest. These findings suggest the need for greater attention to the local processes defining and defending customary claims to property and their role as a source of social action.
Neutron cloud poinds and concentration fluctuations of polymer blends

Cloud points were observed in the blends of deuterated polystyrene (PSD) and hydrogeneous poly (vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) by means of temperature scanning Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) technique. The scattering function in the miscible region can be described by the random phase approximation results calculated by de Gennes. This scattering function can also be expressed in the Ornstein-Zernike form in the small q region. A correlation length and spinodal point can then be determined from this critical fluctuation approach.
Probability structure preserving and absolute continuity

Abstract The concept of probability structure preserving mapping is introduced. The idea is applied to define stochastic integral for fractional Brownian motion (fBm) and to obtain an anticipative Girsanov theorem for fBm.
Syllables and spelling units affect feature integration in words.

Three experiments showed that syllables and spelling patterns function as higher order units in word perception. Subjects were required to identify the color of a target letter in briefly presented words composed of different-colored letters. In Experiment 1, subjects incorrectly reported the color of a nontarget letter (conjunction error) more often in one-syllable words containing few spelling units than in two-syllable words containing many spelling units. Experiment 2 showed that subjects made more conjunction errors in one-syllable words than in two-syllable words when the number of spelling patterns was controlled. Experiment 3 showed that conjunction errors decreased as spelling units increased when the number of syllables was held constant. Experiments 1 and 3 also showed that more conjunction errors occurred within syllabic and spelling units than between these units. These findings are discussed in light of previous research on syllable and spelling pattern effects.
D-Cycloserine enhances social exploration in the Balb/c mouse.

Abstract Inbred Balb/c mice show deficits of sociability. The endogenous tone of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission is altered in Balb/c mice, which may explain the beneficial effect of d -cycloserine on impaired sociability. In the current study, Balb/c mice spent more time than the Swiss Webster comparator strain in the open arms of an elevated plus maze (EPM), suggesting that they are not more anxious or fearful in the absence of a social stimulus mouse. Moreover, Balb/c and Swiss Webster mice did not differ in the amount of time they spent exploring an inanimate object in an open field. Differences in exploratory activity between strains emerged only when a salient social stimulus mouse was enclosed in the open field. d -Cycloserine increased the amount of time Balb/c mice spent exploring the enclosed stimulus mouse to levels observed in vehicle-treated Swiss Webster mice. Finally, irrespective of strain, d -cycloserine increased exploratory activity as measured in open arm entries in the EPM, when no enclosed stimulus mouse was present. The data show that mouse strain influences d -cycloserine's effect on exploration in the presence of a salient social stimulus mouse. In the absence of an enclosed stimulus mouse, d -cycloserine increased open arm entries significantly in both the sociability-impaired Balb/c and comparator Swiss Webster strains. Thus, d -cycloserine positively affects exploratory activity in general, but strain differences emerge when the stimulus eliciting exploration is a salient social stimulus mouse versus an inanimate object. Further, the sociability deficit of the Balb/c mouse is not an epiphenomenon of increased generalized anxiety.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Coastal Upwelling Flow

Large-eddy simulations were carried out to study laboratory-scale realizations of coastal upwelling in an annular rotating tank with a sloping bottom. A two-layer stratified fluid was set into rigid body motion with the tank and then driven by the relative rotation of a solid top lid. The simulation code developed in this work was a three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes solver using the message passing interface. The simulation runs were performed on a distributed memory massively parallel computer, namely, the IBM SP2. The simulation results were able to reveal the evolution of the complex upwelling structures in detail. The results were used to compare with and to complement two relevant series of coastal upwelling experiments. A Rayleigh-Taylor type of instability took place in the top inversion layer due to the unstable stratification after establishment of the upwelling front. The primary upwelling front was unstable to azimuthal perturbations and developed large amplitude baroclinic waves. The frontal wave structure consists of cyclone/anticyclone pairs. Whether cyclonic eddies containing the lower-layer fluid pinch off from the front depends on the θ* value. The non-dimensional parameter θ*=g′h 0/u * fλs, which was first introduced by Narimousa and Maxworthy, combines the effects of stratification, rotation and surface stress and can be used to characterize the upwelling flow field. Our studies show that the frontal instabilities are much more intense and the upwelling front itself displays strong unsteadiness and cyclonic eddies containing the lower-layer fluid pinch off from the front when θ* is significantly less than 5.8. For θ*=5.8, the frontal instabilities are less intense and no pinched-off process is observed. To separate these regimes, a critical value of θ* of about 5.4 is consistent with Narimousa and Maxworthy's results.
A Perspective: Robert B Laughlin

Despite their cultural differences, physics and biology are destined to interact with each other more in the future. The reason is that modern physics is fundamentally about codification of emergent law, and life is the greatest of all emergent phenomena.
DNA hypermethylation markers of poor outcome in laryngeal cancer.

This study examined molecular (DNA hypermethylation), clinical, histopathological, demographical, smoking, and alcohol variables to assess diagnosis (early versus late stage) and prognosis (survival) outcomes in a retrospective primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cohort. The study cohort of 79 primary LSCC was drawn from a multi-ethnic (37% African American), primary care patient population, diagnosed by surgical biopsies in the Henry Ford Health System from 1991 to 2004 and followed from 5 to 18 years (through 2009). Of the 41 variables, univariate risk factors of p < 0.10 were tested in multivariate models (logistic regression (diagnosis) and Cox (survival) models (p < 0.05)). Aberrant methylation of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1; p = 0.01), race as African American (p = 0.04), and tumor necrosis (extensive; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of late stage LSCC. Independent predictors of poor survival included presence of vascular invasion (p = 0.0009), late stage disease (p = 0.03), and methylation of the hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) gene (p = 0.0002). Aberrant methylation of ESR1 and HIC1 signified independent markers of poorer outcome. In this multi-ethnic, primary LSCC cohort, race remained a predictor of late stage disease supporting disparate diagnosis outcomes for African American patients with LSCC.
Safety and biomarker effects of solanezumab in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Objectives To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of 12 weekly infusions of solanezumab, an anti-β-amyloid (Aβ) antibody, in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive measures were also obtained. Methods In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with Alzheimer's disease received placebo or antibody (100 mg every 4 weeks, 100 mg weekly, 400 mg every 4 weeks, or 400 mg weekly) for 12 weeks. Safety and biomarker evaluations continued until 1 year after randomization. Both magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations were conducted at baseline and after the active treatment period. The Aβ concentrations were measured in plasma and CSF, and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive portion was administered. Results Clinical laboratory values, CSF cell counts, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were unchanged by treatment, and no adverse events could be clearly related to antibody administration. Total (bound to antibody and unbound) Aβ 1–40 and Aβ 1–42 in plasma increased in a dose-dependent manner. Antibody treatment similarly increased total Aβ 1–40 and Aβ 1–42 in CSF. For patients taking 400 mg weekly, antibody treatment decreased unbound Aβ 1–40 in CSF ( P 1–42 in CSF in a dose-dependent manner. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive portion was unchanged after the 12-week antibody administration. Conclusions Antibody administration was well tolerated with doses up to 400 mg weekly. The dose-dependent increase in unbound CSF Aβ 1–42 suggests that this antibody may shift Aβ equilibria sufficiently to mobilize Aβ 1–42 from amyloid plaques.
Antiviral therapy with small particle aerosols.

The generation and use of small particle aqueous aerosols (1.23 µm aerodynamic mass median diameter, GSD=2.0 µm) containing ribavirin is described. Administered via aerosol, ribavirin will be deposited rather uniformly on the surface of the nasopharynx, the tracheobronchial tree and in the pulmonary area. Examples of aerosol-delivered dosages found to be effective in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection and influenza A and B virus infections are as follows: 12.8 mg of ribavirin/hour for a 6-month-old infant weighing 7.5 kg, and 56.2 kg of ribavirin/hour for a 25-year-old adult weighing 62.5 kg. Drugs which are relatively insoluble in aqueous solutions can also be administered in small particle aerosol by using liposomes as a vehicle. The preparation of enviroxime, a potent anti-rhinovirus drug, in liposomes for aerosol use is reported here. Its antiviral activity in liposomes was found to be undiminished, but its cellular toxicity was greatly reduced. It was well-tolerated by normal volunteers and studies are planned to determine its clinical efficacy.
Theoretical and operational challenges of “high-reliability organizations”: air-traffic control and aircraft carriers

This is an empirical and theoretical examination of high reliability organizations. The empirical referents are the U.S. Navy's nuclear aircraft carriers and the air traffic control system of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Three modes of organizational behavior are observed ranging from routine or bureaucratic to high-tempo to emergency. Each mode has distinctive authority patterns, communications pathways and leadership perspectives. Since 1984, an interdisciplinary group of scholars at Berkeley has been involved in making observations of and theorizing about “high reliability organizations” (HROs), which operate technical systems that are very beneficial, costly, and hazardous. Major operational errors in these organizations are likely to produce catastrophic consequences; therefore, HROs take on the dual goals of sustaining delivery at maximum capacity and operating in nearly error-free fashion. They are so effective that the probability of serious error is very low. Other kinds of organizat...
Prenatal diagnosis of a trisomy 7/maternal uniparental heterodisomy 7 mosaic fetus

Chromosomal segregation anomalies often result in trisomy of a single chromosome, which can lead to a disastrous phenotype in the fetus. However, this trisomy is often "rescued" via loss of one of the triploid chromosomes. Depending on which chromosome is eliminated in the rescue, a condition known as uniparental disomy may arise where both copies of a particular chromosome pair originate from the same parent. Here we describe the case of a 32-year-old woman who was prenatally diagnosed with trisomy 7 mosaicism via amniocentesis. Forty-one percent of the colonies analyzed displayed trisomy 7 (two maternal chromosomes and one paternal chromosome); whereas, 59% of the colonies demonstrated a normal, disomic karyotype. Further analysis revealed that the "normal" cell lineage displayed maternal uniparental heterodisomy. Chorionic villus tissue was homogeneously trisomic, and cord blood cells were uniformly disomic. This is the first case of trisomy 7/uniparental disomy 7 mosaic fetus reported in the literature. It is important to note that not all such cases will result in lethality or a fetus with major anatomic, developmental, or cognitive abnormalities. In addition, the benefit of pre- and post-screening test counseling and support is discussed in reference to fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities in general and our case in particular.
Flow induced oscillation of circular objects

Abstract Two experiments in a wave tank have been carried out to study the oscillatory forces on circular objects and their dependence on amplitude, Reynolds number and reduced velocity. The paper attempts to include certain numerical equations for future analysis. The analysis of results is fully discussed.
Robust Non-Local Multi-Atlas Segmentation of the Optic Nerve

Labeling or segmentation of structures of interest on medical images plays an essential role in both clinical and scientific understanding of the biological etiology, progression, and recurrence of pathological disorders. Here, we focus on the optic nerve, a structure that plays a critical role in many devastating pathological conditions - including glaucoma, ischemic neuropathy, optic neuritis and multiple-sclerosis. Ideally, existing fully automated procedures would result in accurate and robust segmentation of the optic nerve anatomy. However, current segmentation procedures often require manual intervention due to anatomical and imaging variability. Herein, we propose a framework for robust and fully-automated segmentation of the optic nerve anatomy. First, we provide a robust registration procedure that results in consistent registrations, despite highly varying data in terms of voxel resolution and image field-of-view. Additionally, we demonstrate the efficacy of a recently proposed non-local label fusion algorithm that accounts for small scale errors in registration correspondence. On a dataset consisting of 31 highly varying computed tomography (CT) images of the human brain, we demonstrate that the proposed framework consistently results in accurate segmentations. In particular, we show (1) that the proposed registration procedure results in robust registrations of the optic nerve anatomy, and (2) that the non-local statistical fusion algorithm significantly outperforms several of the state-of-the-art label fusion algorithms.
Growth and protein turnover in animals.

Protein turnover is a dynamic process involving most of the tissue proteins: the quantity of protein turned over each day is about 5 to 10 times the daily dietary requirement. Growth, i.e., the accumulation of protein, is the difference between protein synthesized and protein broken down and usually represents only a small fraction of the total protein turned over. Growth rates could be enhanced if protein synthesis, which is energetically expensive, could be increased or if protein degradation, which is energetically much less expensive, could be decreased. Small changes which would be compatible with good health would have significant economic effects on animal and meat production. Millward et al.10 showed that in well‐fed rats, there is a developmental fall in rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis accompanied by a smaller but parallel decrease in the fractional degradation rate. The result of these changes is a decrease in growth rate with increasingage. Maruyama et al.9 using well‐fed broiler chi...
Heavy Metals Leachability as Affected by pH of Compost-Amended Growth Medium Used in Container-Grown Rhododendrons

The leaching of heavy metals from plant growth medium, admixed with different amounts of compost (prepared from sewage sludge and yard waste) at pH 5, 6 and 7 was determined over a six-month period. Twelve-week old rhododendron cuttings were planted in 2-L containers and rainfall was supplemented with irrigation to supply two centimeters of water per day. Leachates collected over each two to four week period were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn using atomic spectrometry. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn in the leachates increased with increasing proportions of compost in the medium and decreased with increasing time of leaching. Decreasing media pH dramatically increased the concentrations of Cd, Ni and Zn in the leachates, but had no effect on the Cu concentrations. For example, as the proportion of the compost in the pH 5 medium increased from 0 to 100 percent, the concentrations of metals (μg L−1) in the leachates collected during the first two weeks increased from 1 to 33 (Cd), 10 to 123...
A transportable hemispherical illumination system for making reflectance factor measurements

An artificial source of stable, hemispherical illumination has been developed to facilitate the collection of reflectance factor measurements of targets of interest in a laboratory environment. The light source consists of a 76 cm (30 in.) aluminum hemisphere which has been coated internally with barium sulfate paint. Illumination is provided by two banks of lamps, each consisting of eight 62-W quartz halogen bulbs which have tungsten filaments. An internal baffle precludes the viewing of any direct beam of light. A simple metal structure has been developed to hold the hemisphere and all peripheral equipment, such as spectrometers, radiometers, and cameras, in place during data collection. The entire setup can be easily disassembled and packed in airline approved shipping cases to facilitate transportation to remote laboratory facilities. This illumination system has been used during the past three years to collect spectral reflectance factor data of tree branch samples and seedlings in support of an on-going study to investigate the effect of acidic deposition on forest vegetation.
Targeting mucosal dendritic cells with microbial antigens from probiotic lactic acid bacteria

The use of vaccines against infectious microbes has been critical to the advancement of medicine. Vaccine strategies combined with, or without, adjuvants have been established to eradicate various bacterial and viral pathogens. A new generation of vaccines is being developed using specific strains of Gram-positive, lactic acid bacteria and, notably, some probiotic lactobacilli. These bacteria have been safely consumed by humans for centuries in fermented foods. Thus, they can be orally administered, are well tolerated by recipients and could be easily and economically provided to large populations. In this overview, we focus on mucosal immunity and how its cellular component(s), particularly dendritic cells, can be specifically targeted to deliver immunogenic subunits, such as the protective antigen from Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax). An antigen-specific immune response can be elicited using specific strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus expressing the protective antigen. A mucosal, dendritic cell-targeted approach increases the bioavailability of an immunogen of interest when delivered orally by L. acidophilus. This provides an efficiently elegant natural strategy and serves a dual function as an immune-stimulating adjuvant in vivo.