cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations among components of the male germ unit following in vivo pollination in barley

The male gametophyte of barley has been studied during post-pollination stages from the time of pollen activation through pollen tube growth to the level of the ovule. Techniques included the use of serial thick sectioning, serial ultrathin sectioning of re-embedded thick sections, and computer generation as well as manual production of three-dimensional reconstructions. It was found that after pollination, but before the sperms exit the pollen grain, an intimate association is formed between the vegetative nucleus and the two sperms, and between the sperms themselves. The latter association is maintained through the duration of pollen tube growth observed in this study. These results indicate that the male germ unit of barley, a grass, is ultimately similar to that of other angiosperms studied thus far at the electron microscope level and that the concept of the male germ unit may have even greater significance and application within flowering plants than previously thought.
WNT/β‐catenin signaling in liver health and disease

Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is emerging as a forerunner for its critical roles in many facets of human biology. Its roles in embryogenesis, organogenesis, and maintaining tissue and organ homeostasis demonstrate its munificent character. Its roles in pathological conditions such as cancer and other human disorders such as inflammatory disorders and fibrosis reveal its villainous disposition. In liver, it also maintains its dual personality and is clearly of essence in several physiological events such as development, regeneration, and growth. Its aberrant activation is also evident in many different tumors of the liver, and recent studies are beginning to identify its role in additional hepatic pathological conditions. It is contributing to liver physiology and pathology by regulating various basic cellular events, including differentiation, proliferation, survival, oxidative stress, morphogenesis, and others. This review discusses the contribution of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in these events and simultaneously provides an essential overview of the major developments in the field of Wnt/beta-catenin and liver pathobiology. In addition, areas that are currently deficient or understudied are identified and discussed along with the avenues of translational and clinical relevance.
Burn Depth Estimation By Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence: Initial Human Trial

Indocyanine green dye (ICG) fluoresces when illuminated by infrared light. After successful trials in a porcine model and with approval of the Massachusetts General Hospital's human studies committee, 10 adult patients with burn injuries were given 0.2 mg/kg ICG intravenously, and 825 nm fluorescence images were obtained with 780 nm excitation at 5 minutes after injection in the initial five patients and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 minutes in the subsequent five patients. Fluorescence intensities at burned and unburned sites were determined and images were correlated with burn depth as determined by healing or intraoperative assessment. In the latter five patients, seven sites were imaged (six that were of partial thickness and one that was of full thickness). The burn/normal skin fluorescence ratio was greater than 1 for superficial burns and less than 1 for deep burns. Imaging within 5 minutes of injection resulted in optimal contrast between injured and uninjured tissue. In this initial pilot trial it is apparent that ICG fluorescence has potential value as an aid in the early estimation of burn depth. In subsequent trials we will attempt to refine our ability to correlate ICG fluorescence images with burn depth.
On a Sufficient Information Structure for Supervisory Policies That Enforce Liveness in a Class of General Petri Nets

A Petri net (PN) is said to be live if it is possible to fire any transition, although not immediately, from every reachable marking. A liveness enforcing supervisory policy (LESP) determines which controllable transition is to be prevented from firing at a marking, to ensure the supervised Petri net (PN) is live. In this paper, we restrict our attention to a class of general Petri nets (PN) structures, where the existence of an LESP for an instance initialized at a marking, implies the existence of an LESP when the same instance is initialized with a termwise-larger initial marking. We show that the minimally restrictive LESP for an instance $N$ from this class is characterized by a collection of boolean formulae ${\{\Theta_{t_{c}}(N)\}}_{t_{c}\in T_{c}}$ , where $T_{c} $ is the set of controllable transitions in the PN. The literals in $\Theta_{t_{c}} (N) $ are true if and only if the token-load of specific places meet a threshold. Consequently, appropriately placed threshold-sensors, which detect if the token-load of a place is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, provide sufficient information to implement the minimally restrictive LESP. The paper concludes with some directions for future research.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection for phosphorus and sulfur compounds separated by liquid chromatography

Abstract Anionic compounds containing phosphorus or sulfur are separated by reversed phase liquid chromatography (LC) with tetraalkylammonium salts as ion pairing reagents. Phosphorus and sulfur in the separated compounds are detected on-line as 31 P + or 34 S + by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Inorganic phosphates and nucleotides are separated with detection limits of 0.4–4 ng P. These detection limits are superior by several orders of magnitude to those reported for phosphorus detection by atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Sulfur compounds studied include inorganic sulfates and amino acids; detection limits are ~7 ng S and are comparable or superior to previous results for AES detection. In general, the analyte sensitivity decreases as the concentration of organic modifier (methanol or acetonitrile) in the mobile phase increases. Therefore, the Chromatographic conditions are designed to minimize the concentration of organic modifier necessary.
On the complexity of the robust spanning tree problem with interval data

This paper studies the complexity of the robust spanning tree problem with interval data (RSTID). It shows that the problem is NP-complete, settling the conjecture of Kouvelis and Yu, and that it remains so for complete graphs or when the intervals are all [0,1]. These results indicate that the difficulty of RSTID stems from both the graph topology and the structure of the cost intervals, suggesting new directions for search algorithms.
Nitric oxide regulates stretch-induced proliferation in C2C12 myoblasts.

Mechanical stretch of skeletal muscle activates nitric oxide (NO) production and is an important stimulator of satellite cell proliferation. Further, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity has been shown to promote satellite cell proliferation in response to stretch. Since COX-2 expression in skeletal muscle can be regulated by NO we sought to determine if NO is required for stretch-induced myoblast proliferation and whether supplemental NO can counter the effects of COX-2 and NF-κB inhibitors. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured for 24 h, then switched to medium containing either the NOS inhibitor, l-NAME (200 μM), the COX-2 specific inhibitor NS-398 (100 μM), the NF-κB inhibiting antioxidant, PDTC (5 mM), the nitric oxide donor, DETA-NONOate (10–100 μM) or no supplement (control) for 24 h. Subgroups of each treatment were exposed to 1 h of 15% cyclic stretch (1 Hz), and were then allowed to proliferate for 24 h before fixing. Proliferation was measured by BrdU incorporation during the last hour before fixing, and DAPI stain. Stretch induced a twofold increase in nuclear number compared to control, and this effect was completely inhibited by l-NAME, NS-398 or PDTC (P < 0.05). Although DETA-NONOate (10 μM) did not affect basal proliferation, the NO-donor augmented the stretch-induced increase in proliferation and rescued stretch-induced proliferation in NS-398-treated cells, but not in PDTC-treated cells. In conclusion, NO, COX-2, and NF-κB are necessary for stretch-induced proliferation of myoblasts. Although COX-2 and NF-κB are both involved in basal proliferation, NO does not affect basal growth. Thus, NO requires the synergistic effect of stretch in order to induce muscle cell proliferation.
READING, PERCEPTUAL STRATEGIES AND CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS1

Psycholinguistic research in sentence perception supports a model of the reading process in which the reader matches expectancies set up by sampling previous syntactic clues in a text with the structural signals which follow. Such expectancies are language specific, and when they are applied to reading a second language various confusions and comprehension breakdowns result. Examples from three learning situations, Japanese reading English, Persians reading English, and English speakers reading Hindi, are presented and an analysis is made of the competing syntactic processes which account for the confusions arising in each case–negation, relativization and co–reference. The evidence lends some support for a model of second language acquisition like that proposed by Numser (1971) as well as a general apriori“predictive” version of the contrastive analysis hypothesis.
EEG stability following corticotropin releasing factor in rats.

Abstract The EEG and behavioral effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of low doses of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (0.0015 and 0.015 nM) were studied in rats. Compared to saline injections, CRF produced a significant increase in the ‘stability’ of EEG waveforms over time in several frequency bands. The behavioral effects of CRF were consistent with previous reports of CRF-induced arousal and autonomic activation without frank increases in locomotion. These studies suggest that measures of EEG stability should be investigated as a potential biologic correlate in diseases wherein hypercortisolism associated with CRF release is a prominent feature.
Immunohistochemical identification of trigeminal ganglion neurons that innervate the mouse cornea: Relevance to intercellular spread of herpes simplex virus

Inoculation of the scarified cornea with herpes simplex virus (type 1) leads to herpetic infection of trigeminal ganglion cells. A recent study of the susceptibility of ganglion cells revealed that there may be at least four populations of trigeminal ganglion cells that are infectable by herpes. Two classes were identified by their neuropeptide content: Substance P or calcitonin gene-related peptide. One class was identified by its affinity for a monoclonal antibody, SSEA-3. The fourth class was recognized by its common affinity for both the monoclonal antibody LD2 and for the lectin Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin. However, there has been no direct evidence of which types are infected directly as a result of retrograde transport from the corneal site and which may be infected by cell-to-cell spread. The aim of this study was to determine which classes of neurons, which are known to become infected with HSV after ocular inoculation, supply corneal innervation. We have identified four classes of trigeminal ganglion neurons that supply axons to the central cornea of the mouse, on the basis of their ability to transport Fluoro-Gold retrograde from axons in the central corneal epithelium and stroma. About 40% of the neurons that innervate the cornea contain Substance P or calcitonin gene-related peptide; about 60% of the neurons that innervate the cornea react with the monoclonal antibody SSEA-3. About 36% of all neurons in the whole ophthalmic division react with the LD2 or Bandeiraea simplicifolia isolectin, and Fluoro-Gold labels only 2% of them.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
My sixty years in applied algology

I am greatly honored to present this Keynote address. My focus, even after sixty years, continues to be on the future of phycology, even though I now present mainly from the past. I am delighted to see biological and physical scientists and engineers coming together in the field of Applied Phycology. Our working together will result in many benefits for mankind. There is no doubt that Applied Phycology has a great future because it has the potential for more efficient use of solar energy than conventional agriculture, and because it is poised to reach still unimagined goals through both genetic and ecological engineering. As an engineer I have focused mainly on large algal mass culture systems and the efficient use of solar energy in wastewater treatment (Oswald, 1962, 1963). But now I can envision such future triumphs as the introduction of genes for sulfur amino acids into the presently deficient Spirulina genome. I am fascinated by Dr Bailey Green’s crusade to minimize energy use and greenhouse gas emissions using algae-based sewage treatment (Green, 1998), by Dr Joseph Weissman’s commercial production of shellfish fed mass cultured algae, and by Dr John Benemann’s vision of achieving very high productivities through physiological and genetic manipulations of the photosynthetic apparatus (Benemann, 1990), to mention just three examples currently underway by former students and colleagues. All of these and many more advances have resulted from combining biological and engineering knowledge. As a young civil engineer I was greatly surprised when I learned that the growth of one unit dry weight of algae is accompanied by release of over one and one half times as much dissolved molecular oxygen, a process powered by virtually free solar energy. How to use this low cost dissolved O2 in wastewater treatment and life support systems has consumed much of my, and many of my students’, ingenuity during the past half century. Over these years my main area of research has been the design and operation of largescale cultures of microalgae that grow commensally with bacteria in rich organic media such as domestic sewage or some industrial wastes. Not only is solar energy and the resulting ‘photosynthetic oxygenation’ nearly free, but also the nutrients in the wastewaters are free and often ideally suited for algal mass cultures. In these waste treatment ponds we only exert minimal control over the algal species that grow, but we can impose some limits through pond operations such as residence time, depth and mixing. For reasons best known to the algae themselves, we often find species of Chlorella, Scenedesmus, and Micractinium, although species of Euglena, Chlamydomonas and Oscillatoria may occur in ponds with excessive loadings or long residence times. In these wastewater-fertilized systems the role of algae is primarily for production of O2 to support bacterial growth, although nutrient uptake, adsorption of heavy metals and, indirectly, disinfection are also important functions of the algae in these systems. In the following I highlight some of the benefits of growing microalgae in wastewaters (Oswald 1978).
Reformation of retinotectal projections after various tectal ablations in adult goldfish

Abstract The retinotectal connections, formed during optic nerve regeneration in adult goldfish, were mapped several months after various tectal ablations. In the first case, when the rostral tectum alone was removed, the displaced projection from the missing half tectum was partially restored over the caudal tectum. In the second case, with tectal lesion and optic nerve crush, there was compression of the entire visual field onto the remaining half tectum. In the third case, the central one-third dorsal tectum was removed with and without optic nerve crush. In cases where the optic nerve was crushed, the entire visual field redistributed itself onto the remaining rostral and caudal tectum. However, a few positions in the rostral one-third tectum alone reduplicated in animals without optic nerve crush resulting into a compressed visual field. It is concluded that pattern recognition mechanisms, rather than a strict form of place specificity, control the reformation of optic nerve connections in adult goldfish.
8-Cysteine TGF-BP structural motifs are the site of covalent binding between mouse LTBP-3, LTBP-2, and latent TGF-β1

Abstract The small latent TGF- β complex often is associated with the latent TGF- β binding protein (LTBP). Three LTBPs (LTBP-1, -2, and -3) have been isolated to date. Previous studies have shown that LTBP-1 binds the small latent TGF- β 1 complex through a disulfide bond between an 8-cysteine structural motif of LTBP-1 (TGF-bp repeat) and the propeptide dimer of latent TGF- β 1 (TGF- β 1 latency associated peptide). There is indirect evidence that LTBP-2 and LTBP-3 also bind the latent TGF- β complex, but the nature and location of the binding interaction are unknown. We have used immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE, and autoradiography to characterize the association between mouse LTBP-3 and the small latent TGF- β 1 complex. We report that the second and third TGF-bp repeats of LTBP-3 covalently bind the latent complex, and we show a similar capability for the homologous TGF-bp repeats of mouse LTBP-2. The second TGF-bp repeat of LTBP-3 is unusual in that it has 9 cysteine residues instead of 8, and our results provide the first evidence that a TGF-bp repeat with an odd number of cysteine residues can covalently bind latent TGF- β 1. Altogether, these results have important implications for TGF- β biosynthesis and the regulation of TGF- β activity.
Co-speech iconic gestures and visuo-spatial working memory.

Abstract Three experiments tested the role of verbal versus visuo-spatial working memory in the comprehension of co-speech iconic gestures. In Experiment 1, participants viewed congruent discourse primes in which the speaker's gestures matched the information conveyed by his speech, and incongruent ones in which the semantic content of the speaker's gestures diverged from that in his speech. Discourse primes were followed by picture probes that participants judged as being either related or unrelated to the preceding clip. Performance on this picture probe classification task was faster and more accurate after congruent than incongruent discourse primes. The effect of discourse congruency on response times was linearly related to measures of visuo-spatial, but not verbal, working memory capacity, as participants with greater visuo-spatial WM capacity benefited more from congruent gestures. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants performed the same picture probe classification task under conditions of high and low loads on concurrent visuo-spatial (Experiment 2) and verbal (Experiment 3) memory tasks. Effects of discourse congruency and verbal WM load were additive, while effects of discourse congruency and visuo-spatial WM load were interactive. Results suggest that congruent co-speech gestures facilitate multi-modal language comprehension, and indicate an important role for visuo-spatial WM in these speech–gesture integration processes.
Comparison of Techniques for Culturing Corneal Ulcers

All consecutive cases of presumed microbial keratitis were cultured with both a platinum spatula and calcium alginate swab moistened with trypticase soy broth. Ten (77%) of the 13 culture-proven ulcers in this series showed a greater number of colonies and more confluent growth on the agar plates inoculated with a moistened swab compared with a much lower yield obtained using a platinum spatula. All culturepositive bacterial ulcers showed growth when cultured with a swab. Two ulcers that were partially treated before culturing yielded very light growth from those rows inoculated with a swab and no growth from those rows inoculated with a spatula. Two ulcers showed equal growth between the two methods. One ulcer ( Actinomycetes-Streptomyces/Nocardia ) had greater growth obtained with a spatula compared with a swab. This series demonstrated a significantly greater retrieval of organisms from bacterial keratitis when a calcium alginate swab moistened with trypticase soy broth was used to rub the ulcer, and directly inoculate the solid agar media. The single case of filamentous bacteria suggests that a spatula may yield better organism retrieval from ulcers caused by filamentous organisms.
Process-Monitoring Via Impedance Spectroscopy

The improvement of process yields and efficiency are often dependent upon the availability of sensors that allow real-time in-process control. The sensitivity of impedance techniques to physical, chemical, and microstructural features of a material system offers significant potential in developing real-time sensors. Two examples of how impedance techniques can be used to follow changes in materials throughout out a process are discussed. The first of these involves monitoring the processibility and viability of solder pastes used in surface mount technology. The second example deals with monitoring the state of an ion exchange resin bed as used in water softeners.
Nosema adaliae sp. nov., a new microsporidian pathogen from the two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and its relationship to microsporidia that infect other coccinellids.

Abstract The two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata L., is a tree-dwelling lady beetle endemic to parts of Europe, Central Asia and North America that is commercially available for aphid control in Europe and North America. Lady beetles host a wide variety of symbionts including parasitoids, viruses, eugregarines, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and microsporidia. Four species of microsporidia have been described from lady beetles, and an undescribed microsporidium was recently isolated from local populations of A. bipunctata in Nova Scotia, Canada. In a previous study, this pathogen prolonged the development of A. bipunctata larvae but had no effect on adult fecundity, longevity or sex ratios. The objective of this study was to formally describe the microsporidium by means of its ultrastructure, tissue pathology and molecular characterization. All stages of the microsporidium were diplokaryotic and developed in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm. Mature spores measured 4.25 ± 0.09 × 1.82 ± 0.03 μm (SE, n = 49, from micrographs) and fresh spores measured 6.10 ± 0.06 × 3.01 ± 0.05 μm (±SE, n = 60; range: 5.0–6.9 × 2.18–3.86 μm). The polar filament was isofilar with 10–18 coils that were frequently arranged in a single row. The lamellar polaroplast was not typically visible and spores contained a relatively small posterior vacuole. Both the flight muscles and fat body were heavily infected and a large number of spores were observed within and between the cells of these tissues. The ovaries, developing oocytes, spermatocytes and accessory glands within the testes, midgut epithelium, Malpighian tubules, ileum, colon, and ventral nerve cord were also infected but not as heavily. Connective tissue near the cuticle and surrounding the trachea were lightly infected. The presence of spores in both the alimentary canal and ovaries (particularly within developing oocytes) suggests that the microsporidium can be transmitted per os (horizontally) and transovarially (vertically). Molecular analysis of the genome of the microsporidium described in this study was 97% similar to Nosema bombi and 96% similar to Nosema thomsoni, Nosema vespula and Nosema oulemae. Based on information gained during this study, we propose that the microsporidium in A. bipunctata be given the name Nosema adaliae sp. nov.
Pesticides as inducers of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes--I. Mixed function oxidase activity.

Abstract 1. 1. Sixteen pesticides, one carcinogen (3-methylcholanthrene), one cotton defoliant, two drugs (phenobarbital and chloral hydrate) and two insecticide synergists (piperonyl butoxide and sesamex) were administered to adult male mice by different routes in order to evaluate the inductive effects of pesticides on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. 2. 2. Of the experimental insecticides screened, TH-6042 (a substituted pyrazoline) showed the highest level of induction of cytochrome P-450 (>3-fold) and also significant increases in O-demethylation of p -nitroanisole and N -demethylation of aminopyrine. 3. 3. Maximum induction was generally achieved when compounds were administered orally for each of 3 days.
Computer systems in Labor and Delivery Units

Although most hospitals use computer systems in other areas, many nurses have had limited hands-on experience with computers. The issues to address when a bedside computer system is selected and introduced into a labor and delivery unit are presented.
Stem cell plasticity: The growing potential of cellular therapy

The fundamental principle of stem cell biology is that cells with the potential for both self-renewal and terminal differentiation into one or more cell types may be found in a given tissue. The corollary of this principle is that the stem cells give rise to tissues in which they reside, the so-called expected tissues. Many exciting discoveries reported over the last several years challenge this paradigm by showing that there are not only tissue-specific stem cells that differentiate to the expected mature cells, but also that tissue stem cells can differentiate into unexpected cell lineages, suggesting an enormous plasticity of differentiation. Hematopoietic stem cells, which have drawn the most attention, mesenchymal stem cells, and neural stem cells have been the focus of many investigations. However, recent studies directed toward hematopoietic stem cells have disputed the concept of stem cell plasticity, suggesting that experimental artifact or somatic cell fusion may account for reported observations of plasticity. Although the data are mounting, stem cell plasticity, strictly defined, has yet to be rigorously proven. Animal models to meticulously define the biology and potential plasticity of stem cells and pilot clinical trials to begin to explore the biology and therapeutic potential of human stem cells will both be vital to advance the field over the coming years.
Integration in orchard pest and habitat management: A review

Abstract Manipulating the composition of groundcover within orchards and vegetation adjacent to orchards might enhance biological control of orchard arthropod pests. It can also generate effects that may be counter-productive to the overall goals of integrated orchard pest management. Measuring progress toward achieving integration of orchard pest management practices can be viewed as analogous to climbing a step ladder. The first step (equivalent to first-level integrated pest management (IPM) entails the use of ecologically sound multiple management tactics for a single class of pests (either arthropods, diseases, weeds or vertebrates). The second step (second-level IPM) involves integration of multiple management practices across all classes of pests. The third step (third-level IPM) calls for integration of combined pest management approaches with the entire system of crop production. The fourth and top step of the ladder (fourth-level IPM) envisions blending the concerns of all those having a vital interest in pest management: researchers, extension personnel, private consultants, industry, growers, processors and distributors, consumers, neighbors of growers, environmentalists and government regulatory agencies. The probability is high that manipulating orchard groundcover and surrounding vegetation will affect the outcome of strategies and tactics at each of these four levels of integration of pest management practices. Here, examples are given of potential merits and possible shortcomings of orchard habitat manipulation at each level of integration.
Particulate admixture for enhanced freeze-thaw resistance of concrete

Abstract Incorporation of porous particles with at least 30 per cent total porosity and pore diameters, mainly between 0.3 and 2 microns, added to the plastic mix were found to improve significantly the freeze-thaw resistance of hydrated neat cement paste and concrete. Particles of commercially fired clay bricks, diatomaceous earth, and fly ash (sintered and agglomerated) were tested. The concentration required for the achievement of a given level of frost resistance depends on the physical characteristics of the material. Typically, granules of a particular brick (0.5 ± 0.08 mm in size, 36 per cent total porosity) in 16 wt per cent concentration allowed 0.5 w/c cement paste specimen to endure 1260 freeze-thaw cycles without injury. Incorporation of porous particles as admixtures eliminates the problems due to the instability and strength reducing effect of conventionally entrained air bubbles.
Terramechanics Modeling of Mars Surface Exploration Rovers for Simulation and Parameter Estimation

In 1997 and 2004, small wheeled robots ("rovers") landed on the surface of Mars to conduct scientific experiments focused on understanding the planet's climate history, surface geology, and potenti ...
Spectrophotometric Determination of Acetylsalicylic and Salicylic Acids

A simple and rapid sectrophotometric method of analysis of acetylsalicylic acid and of acetylsalicylic acicf tablets or casules has been developed which is accurate to at least ±0.2 per cent. This methoi may be used also for the determination of salicylic acid and is accurate to at least ±0.2 per cent.
Normal and Promoted GI Absorption of Water-Soluble Substances II: Absorption of Vitamin B12 from Ligated Stomach and Intact Intestine of the Rat

Both normal and promoted absorption of vitamin B12 in the doubly ligated stomach and the intact GI tract of the rat were investigated using 57Co-labeled cyanocobalamin. Very little absorption of vitamin B12 occurs normally from the ligated stomach of the rat. Much more absorption is seen from the intact intestine. Both gastric and intestinal absorption are markedly increased by addition of a nonionic surface-active agent, polyoxyethylene-20-oleyl ether, to the aqueous solution of the vitamin. The effect of ad libitum feeding upon either normal or promoted absorption is minor. At high vitamin B12 levels, somewhat more normal absorption occurs in fasted than in fed animals. The results reported here are interpreted to be similar to the effects of surface-active absorption promoters on the absorption of other water-soluble substances.
Evaluation of Increased Discretization of Real-Time Locational Marginal Prices on Customer-Optimized Distributed Generation

This article presents an economic model for customer-owned and operated distributed generation facilities operated according to net metered, real-time pricing (RTP). Previous research has demonstrated that within traditional billing and rate structures customer-optimized distributed generation facilities create quantifiable losses for distribution and generation and transmission utilities. Using historical real-time pricing data available on the New England ISO website, a customer-optimized dispatch of distributed generation is constructed so that total consumer costs are minimized. The relative difference of consumer behavior is compared between RTPs with hour-long and a five minute long periods. The results are presented across a range of DG prices, and the utilization and value of the DG resource in this case study is also quantified.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Truncated Forms of Glycoprotein D of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Capable of Blocking Apoptosis and of Low-Efficiency Entry into Cells Form a Heterodimer Dependent on the Presence of a Cysteine Located in the Shared Transmembrane Domains

Earlier studies have shown that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) virions of mutant lacking glycoprotein D (gD) and made in either complementing (gD−/+ stocks) or noncomplementing cells (gD−/− stocks) induce apoptosis. Subsequent studies have shown that apoptosis induced by gD−/− mutant virus stocks can be blocked by in trans delivery of viral genes that encode either intact gD or a mixture of two genes encoding the glycoprotein ectodomain plus transmembrane domain (gD-B) and transmembrane domain plus the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of the protein (gD-D), respectively. Since the presence of the transmembrane domains was critical for precluding apoptosis in the bipartite system, the question arose whether the two components, gD-B and gD-D, form a heterodimer mediated by an unpaired cysteine located in the transmembrane domain. We report the following. (i) The substitution of the unpaired cysteine with serine in either gD-B or gD-D truncated forms of gD disabled the ability of gD-D and gD-B to block apoptosis. (ii) Immunoprecipitation of gD-D coprecipitated gD-B only from lysates of cells transduced with gD-D and gD-B containing the cysteine in the transmembrane domains. Replacement of cysteine with serine ablated coprecipitation of the components. (ii) The mixture of gD-D and gD-B complemented at a low level gD−/+ virions. We conclude that the gD-B and gD-D can form a heterodimer dependent on the presence of cysteines in the transmembrane domain and the heterodimer can substitute for intact gD but at a much reduced efficiency.
Results of modified laparoscopically assisted neovaginoplasty in 18 patients with congenital absence of vagina

Construction of a neovagina using pelvic peritoneum via a laparoscopically assisted approach was used in 18 patients with congenital absence of the vagina. A better operative procedure is reported, which was modified from our preliminary technique, and the results of treatment are evaluated. Pelvic peritoneum was used for construction of a vagina, replacing a laparotomy by a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach. During follow-up, the advantages of our procedures are : (i) minimal likelihood of 'poor take' or later contraction because an autograft peritoneal epithelial line is used ; (ii) minimal short and long term care is required ; (iii) the technique is simple in experienced hands and has all the well-recognized benefits of minimal invasive surgery ; (iv) the average length of neovagina is adequate and patency and depth can be maintained with minimal dilatation ; (v) the neovagina, with epithelial lining resembling that of a normal vagina, facilitates comfortable sexual intercourse ; (vi) the procedure is unaccompanied by dyspareunia or scarring, which are frequently associated with other techniques ; (vii) less emotional stress and better cosmetic and economic benefits are noted.
Respiratory-related neurons of the fastigial nucleus in response to chemical and mechanical challenges.

Xu, Fadi, and Donald T. Frazier. Respiratory-related neurons of the fastigial nucleus in response to chemical and mechanical challenges. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(4): 1177–1184, 1997.—Responses of cereb...
Evaluating Scheduling Policies in a Multi-Level Assembly System

This paper orders in preference various scheduling policies comprised of dispatching and regeneration rules in a multi-level assembly production system. Traditional expected-value statistical and second-degree stochastic dominance preference ordering rules are used to identify the most efficient scheduling policies for risk-averse managers using various measures of performance. The results indicate that selection of an efficient regeneration rule is contingent upon the selection of a dispatching rule and these rules must be selected jointly to develop efficient scheduling policies. For this study, simple intuitively appealing scheduling policies were found to be efficient.
Efficacy of troleandomycin in outpatients with severe, corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

Abstract Sixteen severe, corticosteroid-dependent yet resistant outpatient asthmatics were treated with troleandomycin (TAO), a macrolide antibiotic, in an attempt to both induce a clinical remission and reduce methylprednisolone requirements. Within the first 2 wk of initiating TAO therapy, 50% of the patients experienced a greater than 20% increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV 1 ) and 80% noted a greater than 20% increase in forced vital capacity between 25% and 75% (FVC 25%–75% ). Maximal increases in FEV 1 and FVC 25%–75% were noted in all patients within the first 6 wk on TAO and methylprednisolone. There was a concomitant clinical improvement in all patients. Corticosteroid-induced side effects, gastrointestinal tract discomfort, and elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were common yet generally transient during TAO and methylprednisolone therapy. After a 4- to 18-mo follow-up 1516 patients were well-controlled on TAO and methylprednisolone. Methylprednisolone requirements were reduced at least four- to fivefold in most patients during TAO therapy. Normal morning serum cortisol levels were documented after varying intervals in most patients when both TAO (250 mg) and methylprednisolone (4 to 16 mg) could be reduced to alternate-day administration. Only one patient was forced to discontinue therapy due to side effects. The present study extends the effectiveness of TAO therapy to ambulatory asthmatics, establishes a clinical strategy that maximizes benefit/risk factors, and provides practical guidelines for the long-term use of TAO and methylprednisolone.
Unfolding new roles for XBP1 in immunity

A critical aspect of innate immune function is the coordinated regulation of inflammatory gene expression. Now an unexpected discovery shows that certain signaling components of the unfolded protein response are required for optimal gene induction by Toll-like receptors.
Acute pesticide poisoning in the U.S. retail industry, 1998–2002

Purpose Workers and customers in retail establishments face a potential risk of pesticide poisoning while performing work-related activities or shopping; however little information is presently available concerning this hazard. The magnitude and incidence of acute pesticide-related poisoning among retail workers will be estimated in this analysis. Methods Surveillance data from 1998–2002 were collected from the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Cases were 15–64 years old who met the case definition of acute pesticide poisoning. Incidence rates of pesticide-related illness and incidence rate ratios (IRR) comparing rates to nonagricultural, nonretail workers are used to assess risk magnitude. Results There were 208 cases identified (198 retail employees [95%] and 10 customers [5%]). Common exposures were from disinfectants (N = 99, 48%) and insecticides (N = 94, 45%). Illness severity was low for 175 cases (84%), moderate for 30 (14%), high for two (1%) and one fatality was identified. There was a significant decrease in incidence rates among retail workers (8.16/million FTEs in 1998 to 4.02/million FTEs in 2002, p ). Retail employees had a significantly reduced rate of illness compared to nonagricultural, nonretail workers (IRR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.29, 0.39). Occupations most commonly exposed were stock handlers/baggers (N = 51, 26%), sales workers (N = 44, 22%), and clerks/cashiers (N = 37, 19%). Stock handlers/baggers had a significant illness risk as compared to non-agricultural, nonretail workers (IRR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.49, 2.60). Retail employees at miscellaneous general stores additionally displayed a significant risk for pesticide poisoning (IRR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.23, 3.39). Conclusion Additional preventive measures are needed to decrease the risk of pesticide-related exposures in specific retail settings. Interventions include educational efforts regarding appropriate risk prevention, requirements that pesticide containers be unbreakable and tear-resistant, and greater adaptation of integrated pest management practices.
Differential Regulation of Skeletal Muscle L-Type Ca2+ Current and Excitation-Contraction Coupling by the Dihydropyridine Receptor β Subunit

The dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) of skeletal muscle functions as a Ca2+ channel and is required for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. Here we show that the DHPR beta subunit is involved in the regulation of these two functions. Experiments were performed in skeletal mouse myotubes selectively lacking a functional DHPR beta subunit. These beta-null cells have a low-density L-type current, a low density of charge movements, and lack EC coupling. Transfection of beta-null cells with cDNAs encoding for either the homologous beta1a subunit or the cardiac- and brain-specific beta2a subunit fully restored the L-type Ca2+ current (161 +/- 17 pS/pF and 139 +/- 9 pS/pF, respectively, in 10 mM Ca2+). We compared the Boltzmann parameters of the Ca2+ conductance restored by beta1a and beta2a, the kinetics of activation of the Ca2+ current, and the single channel parameters estimated by ensemble variance analysis and found them to be indistinguishable. In contrast, the maximum density of charge movements in cells expressing beta2a was significantly lower than in cells expressing beta1a (2.7 +/- 0.2 nC/microF and 6.7 +/- 0. 4 nC/microF, respectively). Furthermore, the amplitude of Ca2+ transient measured by confocal line-scans of fluo-3 fluorescence in voltage-clamped cells were 3- to 5-fold lower in myotubes expressing beta2a. In summary, DHPR complexes that included beta2a or beta1a restored L-type Ca2+ channels. However, a DHPR complex with beta1a was required for complete restoration of charge movements and skeletal-type EC coupling. These results suggest that the beta1a subunit participates in key regulatory events required for the EC coupling function of the DHPR.
Spray-on omniphobic ZnO coatings

In recent years, the design of highly liquid-repellent surfaces has received great attention. Here, we report a facile method of creating a surface that repels both water and oils; using simple spray-coating, a hierarchically rough ZnO–PDMS composite can be applied to a variety of substrates that serves as a nanostructured surface for further modification. We applied an overcoating of either a fluoropolymer (Teflon AF) or perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane to fabricate low energy surfaces that repel water and oil for a variety of potential uses. The resultant surfaces are superomniphobic, have static contact angles of >140° for droplets of both liquids, and have low sliding angles for both water and oil droplets: <5° for water and <20° for oil.
Eigenvalue technique for analyzing structural-acoustic power efficiency

ABSTRACTA generalized eigenvalue technique is developed for analyzing the structural-acoustic power efficiency of point forceactuators. The eigenvalue technique is used to investigate the effect of actuator location and supporting boundary conditionson the power efficiency. Finite element analysis is used to compute the mode shapes of plates with boundary conditions thatrange from simply-supported to clamped. Power efficiency calculations are then performed for the case of a single pointforce actuator and an array of point force actuators. The analyses demonstrate that the power efficiency is strongly dependenton actuator location and frequency, but less dependent on the supporting boundary conditions.Keywords: Active control, sensor-actuator arrays, power efficiency, finite element analysis 1. INTRODUCTION Sound radiation of vibrating structures is a persistent problem in many engineering applications. Traditionally, passivemethods have been used to suppress structural vibration and radiated noise. Typical passive methods include sound absorbingmaterials and vibration damping materials. Sound absorbing materials are often the most cost effective technique forsuppressing noise in the mid to high frequencies, but they are less effective at low frequencies where the wavelength of soundis large compared to the thickness of the material. Vibration damping materials can also be effective at suppressing structuralsound radiation, but they also have limited effectiveness at frequencies well below the critical frequency of the vibratingstructure.The limited effectiveness of passive noise suppression has resulted in the development of active noise control methods for theattenuation of low frequency noise. Research in active noise cancellation techniques has been ongoing throughout thel98Os1and an extension of these techniques, active structuralacoustic control (ASAC) began to be researched towards theend of the same decade. The difference between the two techniques is the method in which sound radiation and soundtransmission is controlled. Active noise cancellation techniques rely on the use of sound sources (such as speakers) placeddirectly in the acoustic field, whereas ASAC techniques rely on control forces applied directly to the structure. By usingstructural control forces instead of acoustic sounds to suppress noise, Fuller departed from the concepts of active noisecancellation and initialized work in the ASAC.2'3 Since then, the focus of the research has been the control mechanisms andalgorithms for designing and implementing ASAC. Clark and Fuller published several papers on the optimal placement of
YlxM Is a Newly Identified Accessory Protein That Influences the Function of Signal Recognition Particle Pathway Components in Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a cariogenic oral pathogen whose virulence is determined largely by its membrane composition. The signal recognition particle (SRP) protein-targeting pathway plays a pivotal role in membrane biogenesis. S. mutans SRP pathway mutants demonstrate growth defects, cannot contend with environmental stress, and exhibit multiple changes in membrane composition. This study sought to define a role for ylxM, which in S. mutans and numerous other bacteria resides directly upstream of the ffh gene, encoding a major functional element of the bacterial SRP. YlxM was observed as a produced protein in S. mutans. Its predicted helix-turn-helix motif suggested that it has a role as a transcriptional regulator of components within the SRP pathway; however, no evidence of transcriptional regulation was found. Instead, capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), affinity chromatography, and bio-layer interferometry (BLI) demonstrated that S. mutans YlxM interacts with the SRP components Ffh and small cytoplasmic RNA (scRNA) but not with the SRP receptor FtsY. In the absence of FtsY, YlxM increased the GTP hydrolysis activity of Ffh alone and in complex with scRNA. However, in the presence of FtsY, YlxM caused an overall diminution of net GTPase activity. Thus, YlxM appears to modulate GTP hydrolysis, a process necessary for proper recycling of SRP pathway components. The presence of YlxM conferred a significant competitive growth advantage under nonstress and acid stress conditions when wild-type and ylxM mutant strains were cultured together. Our results identify YlxM as a component of the S. mutans SRP and suggest a regulatory function affecting GTPase activity.
Data Partitioning and Placement Schemes for Matrix Multiplications on a PIM Architecture

Data intensive applications require massive data transfers between storage and processing units. VLSI scaling has increased the sizes of dynamic memories as well as speeds and capabilities of processing units to a point where, for many such applications, storage and computational processing capabilities are no longer the main limiting factors. Despite this fact, most current architectures fail to meet the performance requirements for such data intensive applications. In this paper, we describe a PIM architecture that harnesses the benefits of VLSI scaling to accelerate matrix operations that constitute the core of many data-intensive applications. We then present data partitioning and placement schemes that are efficient in terms of the computational complexities and internode communication cost. Such approaches are evaluated and analyzed under various computing environments. We also discuss on how to apply such partitioning and placement schemes to each matrix when chains of matrix operations are given as a task.