cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Servo-Performance Parameters of the NASA Deep Space Network Antennas

The performance of an antenna control system is evaluated using performance parameters such as settling time, bandwidth, steady-state error in rate offsets, and antenna root-mean-square servo error while tracking in wind gusts. The performance parameters are measured in the field, or obtained through analysis and simulations. Limited access time to antennas, incomplete test equipment, limited test/analysis time, and partial models do not allow determination of all the parameters. However, field practice and analytical results indicate correlations among them; hence, even incomplete knowledge of the performance parameters would allow for estimation of the missing parameters. This paper investigates the relationships of the antenna performance parameters as a function of controller gains. It also establishes the interrelationships among the parameters. It does this for an idealized (or rigid) antenna, and extends the relationships to the NASA Deep Space Network antennas (flexible structures with dish sizes of 34 or 70 meters). The results obtained should simplify antenna testing, and allow for better performance evaluation from limited data.
Case study of feature location using dependence graph

Software change requests are often formulated as requests to modify or to add a specific feature or concept. To implement these changes, the features or concepts must be located in the code. We describe the scenarios of the feature and concept location. The scenarios utilize a computer-assisted search of software dependence graph. Scenarios are demonstrated by a case study of NCSA Mosaic source code.
Multilevel Bulk Service Queues

This paper uses the imbedded-Markov-chain method to study bulk service queuing systems in which the server chooses the capacity and service mechanism depending on the number of customers waiting in line at the start of the service. It derives conditions under which the systems studied are ergodic and obtains the stationary state probability generating functions. A bilevel hysteretic bulk service system is studied in detail using numerical methods. A concept of system "scale" is introduced that permits the calculation of operating characteristics of large systems from those of small systems. This property is important because the computations for large systems are much more difficult, if not impossible, to perform. The characteristics studied are the expectation and variance of the queue size, the proportion of time each service level is used, and the transition rate between service levels.
Is Language a Prisonhouse

Though Shakespeare is, to be sure, considered a serious thinker by literary scholars, few would grant the Bard any substantive contribution to moder science. In this light, the idea that a dialogue between Romeo and Juliet and moder evolutionary theory might illuminate a darkened corner of the classic problem of the relationship between language and thought could well seem preposterous. Yet, a close look at Shakespeare's masterpiece suggests that Shakespeare had, in fact, a profound grasp of the linguistic relativity problem, an understanding, moreover, that anticipated a moder evolutionary vision of human language as a hierarchically organized set of distinct and specific capacities. This article has two purposes. The substantive goal is to resolve in a dialectical fashion the apparent contradiction between two pervasive views of language and thought: language forms limit or determine thought; language underlies the free-ranging, discursive capacities of human thought. The second goal is more methodological: the demonstration that a unified anthropology might profitably straddle the natural sciences and the humanities by considering with equal seriousness evidence from literary and scientific sources. Equal seriousness implies that literary texts might constitute more than felicitous quotations to embellish scientific treatises. The greatest texts may be viewed like great ethnographies as both particular portraits of local truths and general treatises on human nature. Like all of anthropology, great literature rests its case on the fact that humans always live out at once their general nature as a species and their particular natures as historical or cultural types. We'll look at the arguments for an understanding of language as the limits of thought; then we'll turn to their antitheses, those arguments for language as the root of intellectual freedom; and finally, using both Shakespeare and evolutionary theory, perhaps we can transcend the dilemma by looking at the problem of language in a fresh way.
Photostimulation of Retrotrapezoid Nucleus Phox2b-Expressing Neurons In Vivo Produces Long-Lasting Activation of Breathing in Rats

The retrotrapezoid "nucleus" (RTN), located in the rostral ventrolateral medullary reticular formation, contains a bilateral cluster of approximately 1000 glutamatergic noncatecholaminergic Phox2b-expressing propriobulbar neurons that are activated by CO(2) in vivo and by acidification in vitro. These cells are thought to function as central respiratory chemoreceptors, but this theory still lacks a crucial piece of evidence, namely that stimulating these particular neurons selectively in vivo increases breathing. The present study performed in anesthetized rats seeks to test whether this expectation is correct. We injected into the left RTN a lentivirus that expresses the light-activated cationic channel ChR2 (channelrhodopsin-2) (H134R mutation; fused to the fluorescent protein mCherry) under the control of the Phox2-responsive promoter PRSx8. Transgene expression was restricted to 423 +/- 38 Phox2b-expressing neurons per rat consisting of noncatecholaminergic and C1 adrenergic neurons (3:2 ratio). Photostimulation delivered to the RTN region in vivo via a fiberoptic activated the CO(2)-sensitive neurons vigorously, produced a long-lasting (t(1/2) = 11 s) increase in phrenic nerve activity, and caused a small and short-lasting cardiovascular stimulation. Selective lesions of the C1 cells eliminated the cardiovascular response but left the respiratory stimulation intact. In rats with C1 cell lesions, the mCherry-labeled axon terminals originating from the transfected noncatecholaminergic neurons were present exclusively in the lower brainstem regions that contain the respiratory pattern generator. These results provide strong evidence that the Phox2b-expressing noncatecholaminergic neurons of the RTN region function as central respiratory chemoreceptors.
THE NATURE OF THE ESTROGENIC SUBSTANCE IN HUMAN MALE URINE AND BULL TESTIS

The fact that male urine and testis tissue contain estrogenic activity has been known for some time. Fee, Marrian, Parkes (1), Glimm and Wadehn (2), Lacqueur and de Jongh (3), Zondek (4, 5), and Loewe (6) have reported the presence of estrogenic substance in male urines. Dodds, Greenwood, and Gallimore (7), Laqueur and de Jongh (3), and Brouha and Simmonet (8) have reported estrogenic activity in testis. Most of the workers have confined themselves to a qualitative study by means of the reaction on spayed mice or rats. Fee, Marrian, and Parkes have suggested that the active material is identical with the female sex hormone “estrin” on the basis of the marked uterine hypertrophy observed in spayed female rats and the positive vaginal smear reaction. Zondek§ makes the assertion that the estrogenic substance in stallion urine is similar to the follicular hormone on the basis of the production of uterine hypertrophy, an antimasculine action, the induction of lactation in the male guinea pig, and the positive ...
Centering: a framework for modeling the local coherence of discourse

This paper concerns relationships among focus of attention, choice of referring expression, and perceived coherence of utterances within a discourse segment. It presents a framework and initial theory of centering intended to model the local component of attentional state. The paper examines interactions between local coherence and choice of referring expressions; it argues that differences in coherence correspond in part to the inference demands made by different types of referring expressions, given a particular attentional state. It demonstrates that the attentional state properties modeled by centering can account for these differences.
Neuropeptides in sensory neurons

Substance P, somatostatin, VIP, CCK, angiotensin II, and bombesin have all been localized by immunohistochemical or radioimmunological means in neurons of sensory ganglia or in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Most of these neuropeptides have electrophysiological effects on spinal neurons and for substance P and somatostatin, these effects have been associated with particular sensory modalities. Newer investigations using the compound capsaicin are consistent with the hypothesis that substance P is an important neurochemical mediator of certain kinds of noxious peripheral stimuli. The newly described substance P antagonists promise to be important pharmacological tools for investigation of the long-neglected neurochemical bases of sensory neuron function. Elaboration of the roles of these sensory neuropeptides will no doubt shed light on many disease states in which there seems to be sensory neuron involvement.
Danazol, a New Steroidal Inducer of δ-AminolevulinicDanazol,Acid Synthetase

Danazol (a derivative of 17α-ethinyl testosterone) has recently been reported to cause clinical exacerbations of acute intermittent porphyria. In the present study, we demonstrate that danazol is an inducer of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase and that it increases hepatocyte porphyrin production using a chick embryo model. The findings provide an explanation for the clinical observations. Although danazol is a porphyrinogenic agent in the chick embryo and humans it has been reported to be ineffective as a porphyrinogen in rats. The present findings, therefore, also confirm the superiority of the chick embryo as a model system for the screening of drugs and chemicals which may have the potential to cause clinical exacerbations of porphyria.
2D-NMR studies of a model for Krytox® fluoropolymers.

Multiple two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) techniques have been used to study the structures of Krytox® perfluoro(polyalkyl ether) and its mechanism of polymerization. Model compound K4, containing four Krytox® fluoropolymer repeat units, was analyzed to interpret the multiplet patterns in the NMR spectra from the polymer model. 19F {13C}-Heteronuclear single-quantum correlation experiments, performed with delays optimized for 1JCF and 2JCF, provided spectra that permitted identification of resonances from individual monomer units. Selective, 19F-19F COSY 2D-NMR experiments were performed with different excitation regions; these experiments were combined with selective inversion pulses to remove 19F-19F J couplings in the f1 dimension. The resulting COSY spectra were greatly simplified compared with standard 19F-19F COSY spectra, which are too complicated to interpret. They give information regarding the attachments of monomer units and also provide insights into the nature of the stereoisomers that might be present in the polymer. Both infrared and NMR spectra show peaks identifying chain end structures. With the help of these studies, resonances can be assigned, and the average number of repeat units in the polymer chain can be calculated based on the assignments obtained. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lysosome-dependent Ca2+ release response to Fas activation in coronary arterial myocytes through NAADP: evidence from CD38 gene knockouts

Activation of the death receptor Fas has been implicated in the development of vascular injury or disease, but most studies have focused on its role in the regulation of cell apoptosis and growth. The present study was designed to examine the early response of coronary artery to Fas activation by its ligand, FasL. The hypothesis being tested is that CD38 signaling pathway mediates FasL-induced intracellular Ca2+ release through nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) in mouse coronary arterial myocytes (CAMs) and thereby produces vasoconstriction in coronary arteries. HPLC analysis demonstrated that FasL markedly increased NAADP production in CAMs from wild-type mice (CD38+/+) but not in cells from CD38 knockout (CD38−/−) mice. Using fluorescent Ca2+ imaging analysis, we found that FasL (10 ng/ml) significantly increased Ca2+ release from 142.5 ± 22.5 nM at the basal level to 509.4 ± 64.3 nM in CD38+/+ CAMs but not in CD38−/− CAMs. However, direct delivery of NAADP, the CD38 metabolite, into CD38−/− CAMs still markedly increased Ca2+ release, which could be significantly attenuated by a lysosomal function inhibitor, bafilomycin A1 (Baf), or a NAADP antagonist, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2-disulfonic acid. Confocal microscopy further demonstrated that FasL produced a typical two-phase Ca2+ release with a local Ca2+ burst from lysosomes, followed by a global Ca2+ response in CD38+/+ CAMs. In isolated perfused septal coronary arteries from CD38+/+ mice, FasL was found to significantly increase U-46619-induced vasoconstriction from 29.2 ± 7.3 to 63.2 ± 10.3%, which was abolished by Baf (100 nM). These results strongly indicate that the early response of CAMs to FasL is to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels and enhance the vascular reactivity through stimulation of NAADP production and lysosome-associated two-phase Ca2+ release in coronary arteries.
A primary requirement for nodal in the formation and maintenance of the primitive streak in the mouse

The 413.d insertional mutation arrests mouse development shortly after gastrulation. nodal, a novel TGF beta-related gene, is closely associated with the locus. The present study provides direct evidence that the proviral insertion causes a loss of function mutation. nodal RNA is initially detected at day 5.5 in the primitive ectoderm. Concomitant with gastrulation, expression becomes restricted to the proximal posterior regions of the embryonic ectoderm. nodal RNA is also expressed in the primitive endoderm overlying the primitive streak. A few hours later, expression is strictly confined to the periphery of the mature node. Interestingly 413.d mutant embryos show no morphological evidence for the formation of a primitive streak. Nonetheless, about 25% of mutant embryos do form randomly positioned patches of cells of a posterior mesodermal character. Data presented in this report demonstrate the involvement of a TGF beta-related molecule in axis formation in mammals.
Genetic modification in cellulose‐synthase reduces crystallinity and improves biochemical conversion to fermentable sugar

The cellulose synthase (CESA) membrane complex synthesizes microfibrils of cellulose that surround all plant cells. Cellulose is made of sugar (b,1-4 glucan) and accessing the sugar in cellulose for biofuels is of critical importance to stem the use of fossil fuels and avoid competition with food crops and pristine lands associated with starch-based biofuel production. The recalcitrance of cellulose to enzymatic conversion to a fermentable form of sugar is related to the degree of hydrogen bonding or crystallization of the glucan chain. Herein, we isolate the first viable low biomass-crystallinity mutant by screening for altered cell wall structure using X-ray scattering as well as screening for enzymatic conversion efficiency on a range of cell wall mutants in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Through detailed analysis of the kinetics of bioconversion we identified a mutant that met both selection criteria. This mutant is ixr1-2, which contains a mutation in a highly conserved consensus sequence among the C-terminal transmembrane regions within CESA3. A 34% lower biomass crystallization index and 151% improvement in the efficiency of conversion from raw biomass to fermentable sugars was measured relative to that of wild type (Col-0). Recognizing the inherent ambiguities with an insoluble complex substrate like cellulose and how little is still understood regarding the regulation of CESA we propose a general model for how to manipulate CESA enzymes to improve the recalcitrance of cellulose to enzymatic hydrolysis. This study also raises intriguing possibilities as to the functional importance of transmembrane anchoring in CESA complex and microfibril formation. Nomenclature: CESA 5 cellulose synthase HPLC 5 high-performance liquid chromatography FPU 5 filter paper units
Patterns of Seasonal Abundance and Social Segregation in Inland and Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrows in a Delaware Tidal Marsh

Abstract. The Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana nigrescens) breeds in coastal marshes of the mid-Atlantic United States. During the nonbreeding season, these marshes are occupied by this subspecies and the two interior-breeding subspecies M. g. georgiana and M. g. ericrypta (collectively, interior Swamp Sparrows). From September to May, 2005–2006 and 2007–2008, we surveyed marshes in which nigrescens breeds; >90% of these birds had been color-banded by the end of the previous breeding season. This allowed us to determine the nonbreeding occupancy of the breeding site by individuals that bred locally, Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrows that did not breed there, and interior Swamp Sparrows. Locally breeding birds disappeared from the breeding site by mid-October, although nonlocal nigrescens occupied it from October to late November. Locally breeding birds reappeared in April without any pulse of migration of nigrescens. Interior-breeding sparrows were abundant in the autumn and appeared in smaller...
TheWelfare Implications of Insurance Bad Faith Liability: Evidence from the Royal Globe Doctrine

This paper analyzes the effects of the Royal Globe doctrine (increased insurance bad faith liability) on automobile bodily injury insurance claims outcomes. The study provides new evidence over a wide range of claim outcomes to paint a fuller picture of the effects of increased bad faith liability. The use of a “natural experiment” created by the “random” nature of the Royal Globe decision and the utilization of the powerful synthetic control method allows the study to make causal estimates on observed claims settlement practices, an advantage over previous work. The results suggest that despite some previous findings, insurers are not too deterred that they start paying more fraudulent claims and doing less investigations, and that the true beneficiaries of bad faith liability may be those small claims that absent the additional punitive damages would have no incentive to sue for claims underpayment. Overall, the results indicate that bad faith liability may be efficiency enhancing.
Time-multiplexed optical waveform generation for high-resolution imaging

We have developed a time-multiplexed technique for controlling the amplitude and phase of the individual frequency components of a mode-locked laser to generate a precisely linear chirped waveform. We have demonstrated a 20-GHz, 1-mus chirp.
The emerging role of lenalidomide in the management of lymphoid malignancies

Lenalidomide, a novel immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), is a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell lymphomas. Biologically, the mechanisms responsible for lenalidomide activity are yet to be clearly defined. Based on preclinical models and early correlative studies conducted in parallel to clinical trials, lenalidomide has been found to enhance natural killer (NK)- and T-cell activity against tumor cells, alter the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the tumor bed, inhibit angiogenesis, and, to a lesser degree, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Together, all of these biological effects appear to play a role in the activity observed in CLL or lymphoma patients treated with lenalidomide. Given the effect in NK- and T-cell function, lenalidomide is an alternative strategy to enhance the antitumor activity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Clinical responses have been observed in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL, follicular lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with lenalidomide single agent. The favorable toxicity profile and route of administration made the use of lenalidomide an attractive therapy for certain types of patients (i.e. elderly, chemotherapy unfit, etc.). The erratic but serious incidence of tumor lysis syndrome and/or tumor flare reactions provides challenges in the incorporation of lenalidomide in the management of previously untreated CLL or CLL/lymphoma patients with bulky adenopathy. Correlative studies and/or retrospective analysis of lenalidomide-treated patients had identified several biomarkers associated with clinical endpoints in CLL (i.e. changes in tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] or vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] levels) or DLBCL (non-GCB phenotype) patients, but need to be validated. Early studies evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab in previously untreated indolent lymphoma are promising and warrant further study. In addition, the evaluation of lenalidomide in the maintenance setting or in combination with other target-specific agents (i.e. proteasome inhibitors) in aggressive lymphomas is being addressed in ongoing clinical trials. In summary, lenalidomide is emerging as a biologically active and novel agent in the treatment of B-cell neoplasms. Future translational and clinical studies will further define the role of lenalidomide in the management of de novo or relapsed/refractory CLL or B-cell lymphomas and identify the subset of patients most likely to gain clinical benefit.
Ultrawide-band fiber-optic control of a millimeter-wave transmit beamformer

An ultrawide-band fiber-optic true time-delay millimeter-wave array transmitter is fully characterized and demonstrated in this paper. The beamformer is based on dispersive-prism optical-delay lines and exhibits squint-free /spl plusmn/60/spl deg/ steering in azimuth across the entire Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz). This is believed to be the first fully functioning demonstration of a photonically controlled wide-band millimeter-wave transmitter system.
Internal model principle for discrete repetitive processes

An approach is given for designing feedback controllers for unit memory discrete repetitive processes subject to iteration-varying reference signals. Using a lifting technique and defining an iteration-domain complex frequency operator, the two-dimensional single-input, single-output plant is changed into a one-dimensional multivariable system. Then, an internal model principle is given that ensures perfect tracking along-thepass and asymptotically-convergent tracking along the iteration axis. The result requires the unstable iteration domain poles of the reference signal to be incorporated into the pass-to-pass update law. A key implication of this result is that for some discrete repetitive process problems it is necessary to use nonunit memory in the feedback controller.
Right Atrial Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastasis

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] An asymptomatic 63-year-old man with metastatic testicular Merkel cell carcinoma, without primary skin lesion, underwent surveillance computed tomography (CT) after orchiectomy and chemotherapy. The CT scan demonstrated a
Prefetch-Aware Memory Controllers

Existing DRAM controllers employ rigid, nonadaptive scheduling and buffer management policies when servicing prefetch requests. Some controllers treat prefetches the same as demand requests, and others always prioritize demands over prefetches. However, none of these rigid policies result in the best performance because they do not take into account the usefulness of prefetches. If prefetches are useless, treating prefetches and demands equally can lead to significant performance loss and extra bandwidth consumption. In contrast, if prefetches are useful, prioritizing demands over prefetches can hurt performance by reducing DRAM throughput and delaying the service of useful requests. This paper proposes a new low hardware cost memory controller, called as Prefetch-Aware DRAM Controller (PADC), that aims to maximize the benefit of useful prefetches and minimize the harm caused by useless prefetches. The key idea is to 1) adaptively prioritize between demands and prefetches, and 2) drop useless prefetches to free up memory system resources, based on prefetch accuracy. Our evaluation shows that PADC significantly outperforms previous memory controllers with rigid prefetch handling policies. Across a wide range of multiprogrammed SPEC CPU 2000/2006 workloads, it improves system performance by 8.2 and 9.9 percent on four and eight-core systems while reducing DRAM bandwidth consumption by 10.7 and 9.4 percent, respectively.
Negotiating Flexible Prices

In many markets, the price of a good or service is flexible. Buyers can either buy at the posted price or attempt to negotiate a lower price. A seller’s decision about whether to allow flexible prices and subsequent outcome in these types of flexible price markets depends, in large part, on buyer behavior. Furthermore, these markets are likely to feature substantial variation in buyer valuations. In this study we experimentally examine the negotiation tendencies of buyers when prices are flexible, and the interaction of these tendencies with variation in buyer values. Specifically, how does a buyer’s value impact: (i) the buyer’s decision to negotiation the price, (ii) the buyer’s sequence of counter-offers, conditional on negotiating the price, (iii) the final negotiated sale price, and (iv) the length of the negotiation. Our results indicate that variation in buyer values does impact some parts of the negotiation process.
Induction of Diapause in the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), diapauses as a pupa at the end of the growing season. Diapause is defined as a state of arrested development in which the arrest is enforced by physiological mechanisms (Beck and Hanec 1960). Diapause is, therefore, distinguished from dormancy that is enforced by unfavorable environmental conditions. The induction of diapause in the pupae of corn earworm has been ascribed to several causes. Phillips and Barber (1929) suggested that the nature of the larval food might be implicated, if not directly responsible, for instigating pupal diapause in the corn earworm. They found that an appreciable proportion of pupae formed in midsummer by larvae fed on dough-stage corn kernels entered diapause and did not produce moths until the following year, while larvae fed on corn leaves showed a tendency to emerge during the fall even when they became full grown about the middle of September. Ditman et al. (1941) reported no direct relationship between food and the diapause phenomenon.
Late expanding euploid embryos that are cryopreserved (CRYO) with subsequent synchronous transfer have high sustained implantation rates (SIR) similar to fresh normally blastulating euploid embryos

14.4 5.2 and 10.3 4.1, respectively. We studied 49 oocytes with fertilization failure. All oocytes depicted cytoplasmic activation failure, 51% (95% CI 36.3-65.61) had premature chromosome condensation (oocyte immaturity) and 36.7% (95% CI 23.38-51.75) had paternal DNA decondensation failure. In 12.2% (95% CI 4.59-24.80) of oocytes sperm injection was done at the metaphase plate. Some oocytes depicted two or more events. CONCLUSION: Despite being a good prognosis group, we observed that the main cause of fertilization failurewas oocyte cytoplasmic immaturity and premature chromosome condensation as a result of it. In some cases, the condition of good prognosis does not ensure suitable maturity of oocytes. DNA decondensation failure, is the second cause of fertilization failure in this group of patients.
SUSPENSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID MUD BY SOLITARY-LIKE WAVES

The suspension and transportation of fluid muds in the nearshore zone by shallow-water, solitary-like waves has been investigated along the coast of Surinam, South America. Accumulations of fluid mud which front the coast at a spacing of 30-60 km affect incoming swell by changing the wave profile from sinusoidal to solitary-like and by preventing wave breaking except for occasional spilling. Simultaneous time-series measurements of wave height and period, fluid-mud density, and tide elevation, along with results of suspended-sediment measurements, indicate that in cases when the bulk density is less than 1.20 g/cm and where water depths are less than 5 m fluid mud is suspended from the bottom in two frequency modes: wave-by-wave suspension (-10 sec) and tide related suspension (-12.4 hr) . Surface-water suspensate concentrations exceed 3.4 x 10 mg/1 as up to 0.5 m of fluid mud is periodically removed from the bottom. High concentrations of suspended fluid mud, together with solitary-like waves from the northeast throughout the year, can lead to extraordinarily high sediment transport volumes. Calculations based on solitary wave theory and on data obtained from this ft ^ study indicate that 15-65 x 10 m of mud can move along shore each year without involving breaking waves, the concept of radiation stress and a nearshore circulation cell, or bed-load transport. These values are 10 to 100 times greater than typical transport rates along sandy coasts.
A Diy Langmuir trough Made with Adruino, LabVIEW, and 3D Printed Parts for Education and Research

Maker and DIY projects and resources have exploded in popularity and accessibility. We describe the development of a Langmuir trough system and accessories by undergraduates. LabVIEW provided the base user interface while Arduino micro-controllers were used as the interface electronics. We present a cost effective way to build a modular and disposable Teflon trough. We demonstrate that Arduino and LabVIEW interface effectively. Using a home built 3D computer-controlled router we are able to build barriers and other necessary elements. Additionally, students have designed and assembled several accessories including an automatic cleaning and deposition system. These engineering systems have been incorporated into both curriculum and research in the Biophysics lab at Augsburg College. The development of this system introduces students otherwise pursuing physics and mechanical engineering careers to research questions and challenges at the cutting edge of biophysics and materials science.
Fatty Acids as Carbon Sources for the Growth of Spicaria Violacea

During the microbiological examination of various soils the writer noted that Spicaria violacea Abbott appeared to be isolated somewhat selectively through enrichment techniques based on the use of fatty acids in the assay medium. In view of the widespread interest in general fat metabolism and the possible role of fungi in the deterioration and rancidity of fats, the normal physiology of this organism has been investi? gated, with particular reference to its growth on the saturated fatty acids. The data resulting are incorporated in the present report. Cultures of S. violacea isolated from soil were maintained on V-8 and Sabouraud's glucose agar. Growth studies were made in liquid culture media composed of a Czapek-Dox mineral salts solution (NaN03, 2 g; K2HP04, 1 g; KC1, 0.5 g; MgS04-7H20, 0.5 g; FeS04-7H20, 0.01 g; water, 1000 ml) containing a single carbon source as indicated in the ex? periments below. The phosphate was sterilized separately and added with aseptic techniques. The magnesium ion was omitted to avoid interaction with the fatty acids when they were incorporated in the medium (MgS04 * 7H20 was replaced by Na2S04, 0.5 g for these experiments). All fatty acids (commercial preparations from Fisher, Eastman, and Nutritional Biochemicals) were converted to the potassium soap with potassium hy? droxide in absolute alcohol, precipitated and washed with anhydrous ether, and dried in a vacuum desiccator. Inoculations were made with 1 ml of a heavy spore suspension (sterile distilled water) from 14-day cultures grown on Sabouraud's glucose agar into 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks containing 65 ml of medium. Surface cultures were not agitated; submerged cultures were grown on a Brunswick rotary type shaker revolving 280 rpm. Hydrogen ion measurements were made with a Beckman Model G Glass Electrode pH meter. Growth measurements were based on dry weights of the mycelial mats, removed from the cul-
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Although there has been a growing body of literature about bisphosphonates since 1969, it was not until 2003 that treatment with this medication was associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw. Presented herein is such a case.
Impact of iron porphyrin complexes when hydroprocessing algal HTL biocrude

Abstract We apply Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) for direct characterization of iron-porphyrins in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) biocrude oils derived from two algae: Tetraselmis sp. and cyanobacteria. The iron porphyrin compounds are shown to cause catalyst bed plugging during hydroprocessing due to iron deposition. Inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was utilized for iron quantitation in the plugged catalyst beds formed through hydroprocessing of the two HTL biocrudes and identifies an enrichment of iron in the upper five centimeters of the catalyst bed for Tetraselmis sp. (Fe = 100,728 ppm) and cyanobacteria (Fe = 115,450 ppm). Direct infusion FT-ICR MS analysis of the two HTL biocrudes with optimized instrument conditions facilitates rapid screening and identification of iron porphyrins without prior chromatographic separation. With FT-ICR MS we identify 138 unique iron porphyrin compounds in the two HTL biocrudes that have similar carbon number and double bond equivalent distributions to the metal porphyrins (e.g. Ni and V) reported for petroleum. No iron porphyrins are observed in the cyanobacteria HTL biocrude after hydroprocessing, which indicates that iron porphyrin structures in the HTL biocrude are degraded during hydrotreatment. Hydrodemetallization reactions that occur through hydroprocessing of HTL biocrudes could be responsible for the decomposition of iron porphyrin structures leading to metal deposition in the catalyst bed that result in catalyst deactivation and bed plugging, and must be addressed for effective upgrading of algal HTL biocrudes.
Protection against ethanol injury in the canine stomach: Role of mucosal glutathione

The present study determined the role that mucosal glutathione (GSH) levels play in mediating the protective effects of a prostaglandin and a mild irritant against alcohol-induced gastric injury. An in vivo canine chambered stomach preparation was used in which the exteriorized mucosa was partitioned into two equal halves, one serving as control. Animals (5-8/group) received a subcutaneous injection of either normal saline (NS) or the GSH depletor N-ethylmaleimide (NEM; 50 mg/kg) and then were assigned to one of a variety of groups based on the perfusate used to bathe the experimental side of the chamber; NS bathed the control mucosa. At completion of the studies, mucosa from each side of the chamber was assayed for total GSH (mumol/g wet wt) and evaluated for microscopic damage. Both 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (1 microgram/ml) and the mild irritant 8% ethanol, when topically applied to the gastric epithelium, increased mucosal GSH levels by approximately 20% compared with control values, and elicited no deleterious effects to the mucosa. Treatment of animals with NEM prevented these GSH effects by PGE2 and 8% ethanol without damaging the mucosa. Application of 40% ethanol to the mucosa markedly reduced levels of GSH and caused significant injury to the mucosal surface, much of it extending to the level of the gastric glands. When mucosa was pretreated with PGE2 or 8% ethanol before 40% ethanol exposure, deep gastric gland injury was virtually abolished. In animals receiving NEM, the protective effects of these agents against injury by 40% ethanol were prevented. Perturbations in tissue levels of GSH under these various experimental conditions failed to correlate histologically with the status of gastric mucosal integrity.
Publishing your study

How much information about how I constructed my multivariable models should I include in the Methods section? The editors of the major biomedical journals have developed guidelines on how much detail of the statistical analysis to include in manuscripts. While the guidelines are general, the editors articulate an important rule of thumb: “Describe statistical methods with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to verify the reported results.” Although that goal is important, anyone who has performed statistical analysis knows that it would be impossible to include every detail of the analysis in a manuscript. Imagine writing: “for each independent variable we assessed whether there was any difference in outcome between the ‘don't know’ category and the ‘missing’ category” or “for one variable, we found that there was a somewhat increased frequency of outcome in the ‘don't know’ versus the ‘missing’ category, so we …” I think you get the idea. Research requires thousands of decisions. The readers rely on you to make the right ones. It is your responsibility, however, to report on the important choices you made, especially those that influence the results. Published articles and journals differ in how they organize the information in the Methods section. I prefer dividing the Methods section into a review of how subjects were enrolled (Subjects), what interventions were used or how data were acquired (Procedures), how the variables were coded (Measures), and how the data were analyzed (Statistical analysis).
Association between Sexual Victimization History, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Women’s Decision Making in Risky Social Situations: the Moderating Effect of Ethnicity

This study evaluated the association between sexual victimization history, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and women’s decision making in social situations, and whether ethnicity moderated these associations. Participants were 334 undergraduate women between ages 18 and 24. The sample was diverse ethnically (Non-Hispanic white, n = 177; Hispanic, n = 157) and composed primarily of freshman, single women. Stimuli were written vignettes describing social situations that varied in their degree of victimization risk. Participants completed tasks that assessed their ability to generate and select responses to the situations, as well as their perceived efficacy in executing responses. They then completed the Sexual Experiences Survey to quantify the severity of victimization experiences and the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version to measure symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Structural equation modeling (SEM) of women’s decision making revealed that more severe victimization history and greater posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with less effective response generation, and greater posttraumatic stress symptoms was associated with reduced perceived efficacy in executing effective responses. Ethnicity also moderated the effect of victimization history on perceived efficacy. For Non-Hispanic White women, more severe victimization history was related to less effective response generation and perceived efficacy when considering responses, while for Hispanic women, victimization history was unrelated to both decision making processes. This study emphasizes the importance of decision making as it relates to women’s victimization risk. These processes, as well as the influence of ethnicity on women’s decision making, appear relevant to consider when developing preventative interventions for college women.
Abstract 2388: Interaction between connective tissue growth factor and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I repeats 7 during cancer development

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Introduction: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a secreted pro-angiogenic protein within the CCN (Cyr61/CTGF/Nov) family and modulates multiple angiogenic pathways through its broad binding ability to cysteine knot motifs presents in key angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. Overexpression of CTGF has been found in many cancers such as Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC), cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an effort to understand the molecular action of CTGF, we identified a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I repeat 7 (ADAMTS7) as a CTGF binding protein in yeast two-hybrid analysis. This enzyme belongs to the ADAMTS family capable of cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) components and extracellular regulatory molecules. Here, we show that ADAMTS7 binds to and degrades CTGF during cancer development. Methods: Adamts7 knockout mice were used to investigate the importance of ADAMTS7 in CTGF interaction and cleavage during LLC development. Adamts7+/+ and Adamts7−/− mice were subcutaneously implanted with LLC cells. Tumor growth was quantitatively measured within two weeks after implantation. Tumor angiogenesis was assessed utilizing a microvascular density assay. In addition, Adamts7 expression was tracked via X-gal staining of LLC tumors grown in Adamts7−/− mice that contained a LacZ trap-in cassette in the targeted Adamts7 allele. VEGF-A, CTGF, and ADAMTS7 were determined at both the mRNA and protein levels. Results: Adamts7 induction as indicated by the β-galactosidase activity in X-gal staining was found in intra-tumor stromal cells of LLC tumors grown in Adamts7−/− mice. The association of CTGF and ADAMTS7 proteins in protein lysates of LLC tumors grown in Adamts7+/+ mice was confirmed in immunoprecipitation assays. Higher levels of VEGF-A, CTGF and ADAMTS7 mRNAs were found in LLC tumors from Adamts7−/− animals as compared to Adamts7+/+ controls. Slower rate of CTGF turnover, faster growth of LLC tumors, and higher microvascular density were also found in Adamts7−/− animals than controls. Conclusion: These observations confirmed the binding and processing of CTGF by ADAMTS7 during LLC growth. The host-derived ADAMTS7 appears to regulate CTGF turnover and provides a protective effect towards aberrant LLC tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Citation Format: Liya Pi, Bryon E. Petersen. Interaction between connective tissue growth factor and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I repeats 7 during cancer development. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2388. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2388
Enhancement of Aqueous Solubility of Organochlorine Pesticides by Ethanol

AbstractCosolvents, such as short-chain alcohols used in oxygenated fuels, have the potential to increase the aqueous solubility of hydrophobic organic chemicals. Most of the attention has been foc...
Regulation and Taxation: The New Digital Advantage

The relationship between technology companies and aspects of their institutional context, such as regulation and taxation, is a less explored area in discussions of technology and inequality. This chapter discusses the role of intellectual property in wealth concentration , and technology companies’ use of it for tax avoidance purposes. Specific forms of political lobbying , within states and in global trade regimes, are also used to help explain the wealth effects of digital technology in an era of globalization.
Accounting and the ACA: An Uncertain Future for Public Sector Retiree Health Plans

Most state and local governments provide employer-sponsored healthcare benefits to their retirees. In recent years, the Affordable Care Act and accounting changes adopted by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board have introduced new choices and challenges for public employers. As state and local governments look to reduce their unfunded retiree healthcare obligations, some have created dedicated trusts to take advantage of the immediate accounting benefits and the long-term savings that prefunding offers, while others have chosen to shift retirees onto the newly available public exchanges. In light of the new regulatory requirements and the evolving case law on plan modification, this article reviews the changes to the form and financing of retiree health benefits. The analysis suggests that in the long term, the expanded access to health insurance through the public exchanges, the federal subsidies upheld by King v. Burwell, and the prefunding efforts spurred by the new accounting rules should leave participants and taxpayers with greater clarity about the security and the cost of post-employment benefits.
Reducing Enterprise Product Line Architecture Deployment and Testing Costs via Model-Driven Deployment, Configuration, and Testing

Product-line architectures (PLAs) are a paradigm for developing software families by customizing and composing reusable artifacts, rather than handcrafting software from scratch. Extensive testing is required to develop reliable PLAs, which may have scores of valid variants that can be constructed from the architecture’s components. It is crucial that each variant be tested thoroughly to assure the quality of these applications on multiple platforms and hardware configurations. It is tedious and error-prone, however, to setup numerous distributed test environments manually and ensure they are deployed and configured correctly. To simplify and automate this process, we present FireAnt, which is a tool for the model-driven development (MDD) of PLA deployment and testing plans. To validate FireAnt, we use a distributed constraints optimization system case study to illustrate the cost savings of using an MDD approach for the deployment and testing of PLAs.
The management of pediatric hearing loss caused by auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

Purpose of reviewAuditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a condition in which auditory testing reveals normal otoacoustic emissions, but auditory brainstem testing is abnormal or absent and speech discrimination is poor. This constellation of findings ostensibly suggests that the cochlea is
Introduction: Basic Definitions

This chapter introduces basic definitions, properties and units, hence builds a vocabulary and infrastructure before discussing the concept of energy and its various aspects. For example, definitions of systems and properties with various units are essential to understand the change of states during energy conversions in various processes. The chapter also discusses saturated, and superheated steam tables, steady-flow, isothermal, and adiabatic processes.
A mm-sized free-floating wirelessly powered implantable optical stimulating system-on-a-chip

Thanks to its cell-type specificity, high spatiotemporal precision, and reversibility, optogenetic neuromodulation has been widely utilized in brain mapping, visual prostheses, psychological disorders, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and cardiac electrophysiology [1]. While a variety of optical neural interfaces have been developed, most have substantial limitations due to their size and tethering, needed to either deliver light or electricity, which may restrict the animal movements and bias the results, particularly in behavioral studies. In contrast, wirelessly powered optogenetic interfaces improve accuracy, reliability, and validity of the outcomes by eliminating tethers. Recently, a few wirelessly powered optogenetics approaches have been reported with impressive reduction in size of the implant [2]. However, their practical application is impeded by requiring high operating frequencies in GHz range, which increases the risk of exposure to unsafe electromagnetic specific absorption rates (SAR), resulting in excessive heat generation. They also lack proper control over optical stimulus characteristics. Towards this end, we propose a practical mm-sized Free-Floating Wirelessly-powered implantable Optical Stimulating (FF-WIOS) SoC to not only eliminate the tethering effects but also reduce the level of invasiveness and SAR in the tissue.