cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphine Ligand Exchange in Tetrakis(trimethylphosphine)(hydrido)osmium Anilides, Phenoxides, and Thiophenoxides. Examples of Anion Dissociation and of Labilization by Ligand π-Base Effects

The series of phenoxide complexes cis-L4Os(H)OC6H4Z (L = PMe3; Z = H, OMe, CF3, NH2, CN), anilides cis-L4Os(H)NHC6H4Z (Z = H, OMe, CF3), and thiophenoxides cis-L4Os(H)-SC6H4Z (Z = H, OMe) have been prepared by treatment of fac-L3Os(H)(η2-CH2PMe2) with the corresponding neutral arene. 1H NMR spectra of coordinated phenoxides and thiophenoxides show rapid phenyl group rotation, while that of the anilides is slow. Rates and stereochemistry of substitution of P(CH3)3 (L) by P(CD3)3 (L‘) were determined by 31P NMR in benzene at 80 °C. Anilides substitute first only in the mutually trans sites (a sites) with cleanly first-order kinetics and subsequently into the site trans to the anilide (site c). The latter shows non-first-order behavior that is accurately modeled by iterative kinetics calculations using a mechanism of L dissociation only from the a sites presumably to give a quasi-trigonal-bipyramidal intermediate stabilized by π-electron donation from the anilide lone pair. A three-point Hammett plot against...
The Role of the Black University in the Black Revolution

What is the role of an institution of higher education, both presently and for the future, which styles itself a black university? Does a black university have a specific or unique contribution as an institution of higher learning other than the accidental one given to it when prejudice and discrimination decreed that education of black Americans would not be handled by institutions already in existence? Do black universities have a role that bears on the conditions and requirements of black people that is different and distinct from, say Harvard, Vanderbilt, Texas Christian, or Georgia Tech? In classic terms, the answer to these questions is that the job or primary objective of the black university is the same as
Combining world class research and development philosophy with elementary and secondary school teaching practices

The need for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs in elementary and secondary schools is a goal most professional educators and scientists support. What form these programs take can lead to considerable debate. In the search for some common ground the authors of this paper envisioned a school where children want to attend, where professional scientists and engineers work together with creative dedicated experienced teachers, and where the curriculum contains activities relevant to today's technologies and nurtures the creativity necessary to develop the technologies of the future. This school would be in a location where the students would have access to actual working laboratories in which engineers use state of the art equipment to solve real problems. The school environment would foster the creation of Integrated Product Teams (IPT) where girls are as excited and deeply involved as boys and students gain experience making presentations of their work to research and development professionals with comfort and confidence. Students develop the understanding that there is no shame in being wrong as long as they utilize what was learned to redesign and try again. Students willingly share knowledge with other students, desire to continue working instead of taking snack and lunch breaks, and at the end of the day when parents arrive to take their children home, these students beg for permission to stay and continue their assignments. If the above vision seems like pure fantasy, one need only visit the Picatinny STEM Academy Summer Enrichment Program.
Asphaltene Aggregation: Techniques for Analysis

Abstract The study of asphaltene colloidal properties is motivated by their propensity to aggregate, flocculate, precipitate, adsorb onto interfaces and, hence, pose considerable challenges for the petroleum industry. Asphaltenes are defined as the toluene (or benzene) soluble, yet n‐heptane (or n‐pentane) insoluble, portion of crude oil. The “solubility class” definition of asphaltenes generates a broad distribution of molecular structures that vary greatly among crude sources. Asphaltenes are generally characterized by fused ring aromaticity, small aliphatic side chains, and polar heteroatom‐containing functional groups (e.g., carboxylic acids, carbonyl, phenol, pyrroles, and pyridines) capable of donating or accepting protons inter‐ and intra‐molecularly. Molar H/C ratios between 1.0–1.2 and N, S, and O content of a few weight percent suggest that the asphaltene backbone mostly contains fused aromatic carbon interspersed with occasional polar functional groups. The most plausible mechanisms of asphalte...
Sturmian treatment of excitation and ionization in high-energy proton-helium collisions.

Cross sections have been calculated for excitation of the (2${\mathit{s}}^{2}$) $^{1}$S, 2 $^{1}$S, and 2 $^{1}$P states and ionization of helium by MeV-energy protons. The sensitivity to couplings among these excitation and ionization channels is studied using the Sturmian-pseudostate approach applied previously by Winter [Phys. Rev. A 35, 3799 (1987)] to one-electron systems. The inclusion of many states greatly lowers the 2${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ cross section and brings it closer to the recent experimental result of Giese et al. [Phys. Rev. A 42, 1231 (1990)].
Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Isoforms Differentially Impact the Dynamics and Structure of the Actin Cytoskeleton

Calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, which include a critical regulatory role in actin cytoskeletal assembly. CaMKII is ubiquitous in cells, expressed as one of four isoforms termed α, β, γ, and δ. Characterization of the CaMKII–actin interaction has mainly focused on the β isoform, which has been shown to bundle actin filaments and sequester actin monomers in an activity-dependent manner. Much less is known about the interactions of other CaMKII isoforms with actin. In this work, isoform specific interactions of CaMKII with actin are described and reveal that the δ isoform of CaMKII bundles F-actin filaments like the β isoform while the γ isoform induces a novel layered structure in filaments. Using electron tomography, CaMKII holoenzymes are clearly identified in the complexes bridging the actin filaments, allowing direct visualization of the interactions between CaMKII isoforms and actin. In addition, we determined the isof...
Arrow's choice axiom

Abstract If a choice correspondence satisfies Arrow's choice axiom then it has a complete and transitive rationalization, even if the domain does not include any sets with fewer than m members, where m is a given positive integer.
Arbitrary-response gain-flattening filters with low amplitude and phase noise and in-built ASE suppression

We present a fiber Bragg gratings for amplifier gain flattening which combine both an extremely high performance gain flattening response with a high-rejection ASE filter. The maximum shape error on the filter is <+/- 10% with an insertion loss of < 0.15 dB and group delay variation of <+/- 0.6 psec.
Glutathione S-transferase class mu regulation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 protein during VCD-induced ovotoxicity in neonatal rat ovaries

4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) destroys ovarian primordial and small primary follicles via apoptosis. In mice, VCD exposure induces ovarian mRNA expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) family members, including isoform mu (Gstm). Extra-ovarian GSTM negatively regulates pro-apoptotic apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) through protein complex formation, which dissociates during stress, thereby initiating ASK1-induced apoptosis. The present study investigated the ovarian response of Gstm mRNA and protein to VCD. Induction of Ask1 mRNA at VCD-induced follicle loss onset was determined. Ovarian GSTM:ASK1 protein complex formation was investigated and VCD exposure effects thereon evaluated. Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) regulation of GSTM protein was also studied. Postnatal day (PND) 4 rat ovaries were cultured in control media ± 1) VCD (30 μM) for 2-8 days; 2) VCD (30 μM) for 2 days, followed by incubation in control media for 4 days (acute VCD exposure); or 3) LY294002 (20 μM) for 6 days. VCD exposure did not alter Gstm mRNA expression, however, GSTM protein increased (P<0.05) after 6 days of both the acute and chronic treatments. Ask1 mRNA increased (0.33-fold; P<0.05) relative to control after 6 days of VCD exposure. Ovarian GSTM:ASK1 protein complex formation was confirmed and, relative to control, the amount of GSTM bound to ASK1 increased 33% (P<0.05) by chronic but with no effect of acute VCD exposure. PI3K inhibition increased (P<0.05) GSTM protein by 40% and 71% on d4 and d6, respectively. These findings support involvement of GSTM in the ovarian response to VCD exposure, through regulation of pro-apoptotic ASK1.
Water on early Mars: Possible subaqueous sedimentary deposits covering ancient cratered terrain in western Arabia and Sinus Meridiani

Western Arabia and northern Sinus Meridiani (30°N–10°S; 40°W–40°E) are almost entirely covered by wind-eroded, horizontally-bedded, sedimentary layers that lap against local topographic features. This portion of Mars' ancient cratered terrain is relatively low (< 1 km elevation) and flat (sloping westward 0.7 m/km over 3,000 km). The region lacks valley network channels. We propose that at some time in early Martian history, this region was under water. The water hypothesis is strengthened by the presence of (1) a shore-like contact between smooth-surfaced deposits and ancient cratered terrain in central Sinus Meridiani, (2) polygonal structures in northern Sinus Meridiani, and (3) sand (which cannot be from airfall), possibly reworked by wind from the underlying sedimentary units. The September 1997 arrival of Mars Global Surveyor's thermal emission spectrometer offers an opportunity to begin to test this hypothesis by searching for carbonate and evaporite minerals among the sediment covering the region.
Hydrophilic interpolymer membranes from crosslinked blends of poly(vinylalcohol), poly(styrene sodium sulfonate) and poly(vinyl methyl ether–alt–maleic anhydride)

Interpolymer ion exchange membranes were prepared from a compatible casting solution that contained poly(styrene sodium sulfonate), poly(vinyl methyl ether–alt–maleic anhydride), and poly(vinyl alcohol). Crosslinking of the films was accomplished through the formation of ester linkages that were stable in aqueous environments. Membrane properties (water content, capacity, concentration potential, equivalent conductivity) were measured over a wide range of membrane compositions. Ultrafiltration was carried out with a feed solution that was 0.01N in KCI and 15 ppm in erythrosin. Rejection and hydraulic permeability data were reported as a function of membrane composition.
Ice melt rates during explosive subglacial eruptions

Volcanic eruptions occurring under glaciers melt cavities in the overlying ice, and this meltwater may drain out in a large, sudden flood known as a jokulhlaup. Observations show that ice melts rapidly in liquid-filled subglacial cavities when these eruptions occur, but until now scientists have not had a quantitative description of the heat transfer processes involved.
Enzymatic inactivation of human α1-antichymotrypsin by metalloproteinases in snake venoms of the family elapidae

Abstract 1. 1. Incubation of dialyzed Elapid venoms with the human plasma proteinase inhibitor, α 1 -antichymotrypsin, resulted in enzymatic inactivation of the inhibitor by metalloproteinases in the crude venoms. 2. 2. Dendroaspis angusticeps venom exhibited the highest activity on α 1 -antichymotrypsin. However, venoms from seven genera inactivated the inhibitor, indicating that the metalloproteinases responsible for the inactivation are widespread among snakes of the family Elapidae. 3. 3. Electrophoretic analysis revealed that intact α 1 -antichymotrypsin (64,000 daltons) was converted to a 60,000 dalton inactive inhibitor. No stable complexes between α 1 -antichymotrypsin and venom proteinases were observed, and no random proteolysis of the inhibitor occurred. 4. 4. The Elapid venoms showed little or no proteolytic activity on casein or hide powder azure, confirming observations from other laboratories. However, all venoms tested completely inactivated native α 1 -antichymotrypsin by limited proteolysis.
Modification of a high resolution mass spectrometer for negative ionization

Abstract Additional instrumentation and several modifications of a GEC/AEI MS9 double focusing mass spectrometer are described. These are for operation of the mass spectrometer in the negative ionization mode. The dependence of negative ion mass spectra on various experimental parameters and the importance in controlling these parameters is outlined. Negative ion mass spectra of nitrobenzene at various electron energies and pressures and of trinitrotoluene at various electron energies are shown. Differences in these mass spectra at different electron energies and pressures are discussed and a comparison with the positive ion mass spectra of these compounds is made.
Structural condition assessment

Structural condition assessment, edited by R. T. Ratay, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, NJ, US, 2005, 712 pages, [euro]140, hardback (ISBN 0471647195). Condition assessment of existing buildings, ...
a Catalog (ue) of Cooling Flows

I describe the analysis of a sample of 106 clusters of galaxies observed by the Einstein Observatory with particular emphasis on the effects of statistical and systematic error on the derived physical parameters. Of these 106 clusters, 43 have central cooling times < 2 × 1010 years and hence are designated ‘cooling flows’. Mass accretion rates range from ~ 1 - 500 M⊙ yr-1.
Sudarshan's non-relativistic approach to the spin-statistics connection

George Sudarshan was quite a bit ahead of the times when he sketched out a non-relativistic proof of the spin-statistics connection forty years back. A recent revival of interest in the role of relativistic arguments in proving the spin-statistics connection prompted us to revisit Sudarshan's original arguments and present them in simpler fashion. The proof is designed to work in three space dimensions. Sudarshan's observation was that if we impose SU(2) invariance, along with a few other restrictions, on the kinematic part of the Lagrangian of a field theory which is derivable from a Weiss-Schwinger type of the Principle of Least Action, then the spin-statistics connection automatically follows. The assumptions and simplifications that go into constructing the proof will be carefully laid out so as to identify the limitations of this approach.
Unifying tool, data and process flow management

Typically, modern design management is achieved through either a data management system or a flow sequence controller. Each is highly productive in specific parts of a design process, but becomes cumbersome in others. A design management approach which is generally applicable throughout the development of a product is presented. It offers flow control and automation to manage readily definable processes, while also being able to ensure data consistency where the task sequence is determined on-the-fly and a process flow cannot be predefined. The capability is part of the Texas Instruments Flagship Design System and is implemented using Falcon Framework technology. >
Effects of Structured Teaching on the Behavior of Young Children With Disabilities

The effects of structured work systems based on the principles of structured teaching were evaluated with 3 preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities (2 children had autism). A withdrawal design was used with 2 participants, and a multiple baseline across stimuli was used with the other. During baseline, children were given 3 tasks to do with no structure or guidance. During intervention, a structured work system was provided, including organization of the physical structure, visual schedule, and predictable routines. Graduated guidance was used to teach the children use of the system. Use of the structured work system produced increases in engagement and the speed and accuracy of task completion along with decreases in stereotypic behavior and escape attempts.
Ecological Mechanisms Underlying Arthropod Species Diversity in Grasslands

Arthropods are an important component of grassland systems, contributing significantly to biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Climate, fire, and grazing by large herbivores are important drivers in grasslands worldwide. Arthropod responses to these drivers are highly variable and clear patterns are difficult to find, but responses are largely indirect with respect to changes in resources, species interactions, habitat structure, and habitat heterogeneity resulting from interactions among fire, grazing, and climate. Here, we review these ecological mechanisms influencing grassland arthropod diversity. We summarize hypotheses describing species diversity at local and regional scales and then discuss specific factors that may affect arthropod diversity in grassland systems. These factors include direct and indirect effects of grazing, fire, and climate, species interactions, above- and belowground interactions, and landscape-level effects.
INCREASING BREASTFEEDING RATES: Do Changing Demographics Explain Them?

Objectives This study examines whether increases in breastfeeding rates between 1991 and 2002 can be attributed to changes in the demographic characteristics of births. The demographic variables investigated include maternal age, maternal education, race/ethnicity, geographic location of birth, and parity. Methods This study decomposes breastfeeding trends using 1991 through 2002 data from the Ross Laboratories Mothers Survey and birth certificates. Results Changing birth compositions by maternal age and education explain 9.8% and 11.5% of the increase in breastfeeding initiation rates, respectively. Changing birth compositions by maternal age and education explain 10.2% and 9.0% of increasing breastfeeding rates 6 months after birth, respectively. If changes in the composition of births by race/ethnicity had not occurred, breastfeeding rates would have increased more. Changes in the composition of births by geographic location of birth and parity do not explain any of the increase in breastfeeding rates. Conclusions Overall, changes in the demographic characteristics of births explain up to approximately 20% of the increasing trends in initial breastfeeding rates and breastfeeding rates 6 months after birth. Although this is a significant amount, it is important to continue investigating which additional factors explain recent breastfeeding increases such as changes in laws and policies, health promotion, the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children, employer support, technological innovation, and attitudes toward breastfeeding.
Ion dynamics in a trapped ion mobility spectrometer

In the present paper, theoretical simulations and experimental observations are used to describe the ion dynamics in a trapped ion mobility spectrometer. In particular, the ion motion, ion transmission and mobility separation are discussed as a function of the bath gas velocity, radial confinement, analysis time and speed. Mobility analysis and calibration procedure are reported for the case of sphere-like molecules for positive and negative ion modes. Results showed that a maximal mobility resolution can be achieved by optimizing the gas velocity, radial confinement (RF amplitude) and ramp speed (voltage range and ramp time). The mobility resolution scales with the electric field and gas velocity and R = 100–250 can be routinely obtained at room temperature.
An experimental and modeling study of softening coal pyrolysis

A quantitative model of softening coal pryolysis is developed and tested against observed behavior. The model treats intraparticle transport of gases and metaplast throughout the softening stage of pyrolysis via growth of bubbles uniformly dispersed in the molten coal. The model quantitatively describes the transient softening behavior including the initiation, duration, and magnitude of plasticity and swelling of the particle. The model kinetic parameters are derived from experiments, in which a highly softening Pittsburgh No. 8 bituminous coal was pyrolyzed, and total weight loss, and yields and molecular weight distributions of tars and pyridine extractables of cooled chars were measured. Model predictions of effects of pressure, particle diameter and temperature on tar yields and weight losses, of effects of pressure on swelling ratio, and of effects of heating rate on plasticity are presented. The model provides good fits to the laboratory data and predicts trends in pyrolysis behavior in good qualitative accord with expectations based on published data.
A parallelized, adaptive algorithm for multiphase flows in general geometries

We describe a parallelized, adaptive algorithm for multiphase flow in general geometries. Phase boundaries are considered sharp and their motion is computed using the coupled level set/volume-of-fluid (CLSVOF) method. General geometries are represented using a ''Cartesian grid'' approach; not a body-fitted approach. Our algorithm is designed to be ''robust''; in other words we compute flows in which phase boundaries and geometry boundaries can be very complex with very little user intervention. In this paper we study the speed-up gained via adaptive mesh refinement, and/or parallelization.
The effects of prenatal niacin and riboflavin deficiencies in pregnant rats on the learning ability of the offspring

Pregnant rats from a heterogeneous strain were assigned to niacin-deficient, riboflavin-deficient or normal diet conditions. Pups were given a normal diet postnatally and their Hebb-Williams Maze performance compared at maturity. Offspring of the niacin-deficient dams made significantly more errors than the controls and there was a similar trend for the riboflavin-deficient Ss.
Comparative analysis of algorithms for next-generation sequencing read alignment

Motivation: The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques presents many novel opportunities for many applications in life sciences. The vast number of short reads produced by these techniques, however, pose significant computational challenges. The first step in many types of genomic analysis is the mapping of short reads to a reference genome, and several groups have developed dedicated algorithms and software packages to perform this function. As the developers of these packages optimize their algorithms with respect to various considerations, the relative merits of different software packages remain unclear. However, for scientists who generate and use NGS data for their specific research projects, an important consideration is choosing the software that is most suitable for their application. Results: With a view to comparing existing short read alignment software, we develop a simulation and evaluation suite, Seal, which simulates NGS runs for different configurations of various factors, including sequencing error, indels and coverage. We also develop criteria to compare the performances of software with disparate output structure (e.g. some packages return a single alignment while some return multiple possible alignments). Using these criteria, we comprehensively evaluate the performances of Bowtie, BWA, mr-and mrsFAST, Novoalign, SHRiMP and SOAPv2, with regard to accuracy and runtime. Conclusion: We expect that the results presented here will be useful to investigators in choosing the alignment software that is most suitable for their specific research aims. Our results also provide insights into the factors that should be considered to use alignment results effectively. Seal can also be used to evaluate the performance of algorithms that use deep sequencing data for various purposes (e.g. identification of genomic variants). Availability:Seal is available as open source at http://compbio.case.edu/seal/. Contact: matthew.ruffalo@case.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Electrochemical models of failure in oxide perovskites

Abstract Electrochemical models of failure in oxide perovskite materials are reviewed. It is noted that oxygen vacancies are a common source of electrical degradation, fatigue, and ageing. Taking the behavior of oxygen vacancies into account, a semi-quantitative model for time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) is proposed and a quantitative fatigue mechanism is discussed for ferroelectric thin films. Based on the fatigue theory, a recent improvement in fatigue of ferroelectric thin films is presented. Correlation between leakage current and fatigue is also presented.
First person paparazzi: Why social media should be studied more like video games

Video games are often thought of as a type of social media, yet social media are not often thought of as a type of video game. This essay provides an exploratory study of the gaps in research at the intersection of social media and video game research, specifically as they relate to user identity and concepts of reality. Social media and video games are explored through their similarities, including goals of becoming a hero/celebrity, exemplified in social media through users acting like their own paparazzi. A systematic analysis compares research regarding identity and reality in social media and video games from January 1, 2005 to March 29, 2011. While similar themes have emerged, the way that these themes are studied within video games and social media differ. These gaps in research suggest four new research areas for social media: mirrors, stereotypes, immersion, and definitions.
Advantages of the Extended Interaction klystron Technology at Millimeter and Sub-Millimeter Frequencies

The extended interaction klystron is one of the few readily available devices, capable of providing the required performance. This presentation describes the extended interaction klystron technology and presents improvements and design modifications in order to enhance power capability, bandwidth and to extend the operating frequency to the sub-millimeter region. A ladder-type RF circuit supports high efficiency and thermal stability at millimeter and sub-millimeter frequencies, while operating with moderate electron beam voltages. These EIKs operate at frequencies from 25 GHz to 280 GHz in continuous or pulsed modes.
Self-rated childhood emotional neglect and CSF monoamine indices in abstinent cocaine-abusing adults: possible implications for suicidal behavior

Non-human primate studies suggest that early environmental influences may have an enduring effect on central serotonin function. Therefore, it was decided to examine in humans whether childhood trauma might be related to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) as an adult. A total of 29 withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. They also had a lumbar puncture for determination of CSF concentrations of 5-HIAA. CSF concentrations of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) were also determined. Childhood emotional neglect scores showed significant negative correlations with CSF levels of 5-HIAA and HVA, and patients with emotional neglect scores above the median had significantly lower CSF 5-HIAA and HVA levels than patients with emotional neglect scores at or below the median. These findings suggest the possibility that childhood trauma may have an effect on central monoamine function as an adult.
TRANSIENT GEOMORPHIC CONTROL OF WATER TABLE AND HYDRAULIC HEAD REVERSALS IN A COASTAL FRESHWATER PEATLAND

Abstract We studied a Great Lakes peatland protected by a barrier dune system to test the hypothesis that changes in the morphology of a barrier beach alter the wetland surface-water and ground-water hydrology such that the plant rooting zone in the wetland interior might be affected. Hydraulic head measured in observation wells located on transects perpendicular to a flow-through channel, uplands, and Lake Ontario were compared to lake-level changes, weather patterns, and the temporal conditions of the barrier beach. Water-table elevations within the wetland complex always remained 0.35 to 0.84 m above Lake Ontario's water level (mean difference = 0.62 m) and did not fluctuate in parallel with changes in the lake's water level. Flooding events occurred when breaches closed and isolated the wetland complex from Lake Ontario; daily average water levels rose between 0.06 m and 0.27 m. When the barrier beach was breached naturally or by human activity, daily average water-table elevations in the wetland rece...
Sentence-Level Subjectivity Detection Using Neuro-Fuzzy Models

In this work, we attempt to detect sentencelevel subjectivity by means of two supervised machine learning approaches: a Fuzzy Control System and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System. Even though these methods are popular in pattern recognition, they have not been thoroughly investigated for subjectivity analysis. We present a novel “Pruned ICF Weighting Coefficient,” which improves the accuracy for subjectivity detection. Our feature extraction algorithm calculates a feature vector based on the statistical occurrences of words in a corpus without any lexical knowledge. For this reason, these machine learning models can be applied to any language; i.e., there is no lexical, grammatical, syntactical analysis used in the classification process.
Burst and Tonic Response Modes in Thalamic Neurons During Sleep and Wakefulness

Thalamic neurons can exhibit two distinct firing modes: tonic and burst. In the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), the tonic mode appears as a relatively faithful relay of visual information from re...
Descriptive Enibryogeny of the Mygalomorph Spider Antrodiaetus unicolor

Material for the study of the embryogeny of the mygalomorph spider, Antrodiaetus unicolor (Hentz) (Araneae: Antrodiaetidae), was obtained from gravid females collected in North Carolina and transferred to test tubes, in which they oviposited. The eggs were incubated at 24—26°C in paraffin oil. Stages were fixed in alcoholic Bouin's and dehydrated for whole mount and sectioned preparations. Shortly after fertilization, the yolk became arranged into columns. Between these columns, cytoplasm extended from the centroplasm to periplasm. The fertilization (vitelline) membrane, surrounded by the chorion, overlaid the periplasm. As cleavage progressed, the yolk shifted into cones while the cleavage cavity became established. Once the cleavage nuclei reached the periplasm, the uppermost portion of the yolk spheres commenced to fall onto the lower yolk portion closing the cleavage cavity. This contraction phase was completed 6 days after oviposition. During gastrulation, the primitive cumulus arose from the primitive plug and migrated to the periphery of the egg. With subsequent dissolution of the cumulus, the dorsal field widened, and the beginning protozonites began to form around the abdominal pole. At least 5 segments were visible between the cephalic and caudal lobes. With the development of the cheliceral segment, the first 2 opisthosomal segments appeared. Subsequent opisthosomal development entailed the formation of succesive segments until the maximum number of 12, including the caudal lobe, was reached. The opisthosoma normally consisted of a preabdomen and postabdomen, the latter projecting anteriorly along the ventral portion of the embryo. Both the pre- and postabdomen contributed to the abdomen of the foetus. Reversion commenced following the formation of the last opisthosomal segment and was completed within 2Â½ days. Hatching occurred 20½ clays following oviposition.
Nonprofit Management Outreach Programs: An Examination of Institutional Mission and Setting

Nonprofit organizations are increasingly seeking new knowledge and ideas to respond to community needs in our rapidly changing society. In response to these new knowledge needs, there has been a co...
Bulk defect formations in KH 2 PO 4 crystals investigated using fluorescence microscopy

Defect formations located in the bulk of KH 2 PO 4 crystals are studied using a specially designed microscopic fluorescence imaging system. The concentration of the observed defect clusters varies depending on the crystal-growth method, the growth sector of the crystal, and the speed of growth. The experimental procedure involves acquisition of high-resolution fluorescence images of bulk defect cluster formations obtained under cw, 488-nm photoexcitation. Annihilation and/or passivation of these defects is observed under exposure of the crystal to high-power, 355-nm laser irradiation. This work suggests that native defects can influence the optical performance and characteristics of potassium dihydrogen phosphate.
Supervised Learning in Adaptive DNA Strand Displacement Networks

The development of engineered biochemical circuits that exhibit adaptive behavior is a key goal of synthetic biology and molecular computing. Such circuits could be used for long-term monitoring and control of biochemical systems, for instance, to prevent disease or to enable the development of artificial life. In this article, we present a framework for developing adaptive molecular circuits using buffered DNA strand displacement networks, which extend existing DNA strand displacement circuit architectures to enable straightforward storage and modification of behavioral parameters. As a proof of concept, we use this framework to design and simulate a DNA circuit for supervised learning of a class of linear functions by stochastic gradient descent. This work highlights the potential of buffered DNA strand displacement as a powerful circuit architecture for implementing adaptive molecular systems.
Occupational health status and influencing factors of welding workers in Urumqi

[Objective]To understand the health status and its influencing factors of welding workers,provide the basis for developing the prevention and control measures. [Methods]The results of occupational health examination and questionnaire survey among 204 welding workers who have received the occupational health examination in Urumqi Center for Disease Control and Prevention were analyzed. [Results]Among 204 welding workers,there were 24 cases of pneumoconiosis observation object,with the detection rate of 11.76%,and 53.43% of welding workers had the ocular discomfort symptoms. The detection rate of lung abnormalities increased with increasing length of service,and the difference was statistically significant(P0.05). The formation rate of protective behaviors among welding workers was low relatively,and the using rates of protective glasses and protective mask were low. The multiple factor analysis showed that absence of protective articles and length of service were the main risk factors of lung abnormalities and other discomfort symptoms.[Conclusion]To strengthen the education and promotion of protection knowledge among welding workers are the effective measures to reduce the occupational hazards.
Resolution of Induced Urinary Tract Infection: An Animal Model to Assess Bladder Immunization

The resolution of an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection in the bladder and kidneys of control and immunized rats was used to assess their resistance to experimentally induced infection. Prior intravesical immunization of rats with formalin killed E. coli 06 resulted in faster resolution of an infection that had been induced with viable E. coli 06 than was observed in nonimmunized controls. The faster resolution of infection after immunization correlates with our previous findings of decreased adherence of bacteria to urothelium of immunized rats and supports the hypothesis that local immune responses in the urinary tract may play a role in resistance to recurrent urinary tract infections.
Municipal Financial Reporting: Monitoring 'Full' Accountability

Current municipal GAAP is geared toward monitoring the narrow notion of dollar accountability (i.e., compliance with budgeted dollar spending limits). It is argued that even with the limitation of present measurement technology, accountants involvement in municipal financial reports could play a potentially useful role in monitoring full accountability.
Fly ash-slag interaction during alkaline activation: Influence of activators on phase assemblage and microstructure formation

Abstract In this work, the influence of activator on the interaction mechanisms between slag and low-calcium fly ash (FA-F) during alkaline activation was investigated. In particular, the evolution of phase assemblage and microstructure of alkali-activated binary slag and FA-F paste was monitored by means of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The results show that the nature of amorphous gels and type of crystalline phases formed are dependent on sample age, initial slag to FA-F ratio, and activator type and dosage. The interaction between FA-F and slag during alkaline activation or geopolymerization is primary demonstrated as: (1) modified nanostructure (e.g. crystallology and lattice parameters) and chemical composition of precipitates, (2) depressing or triggering the formation of some crystalline phases, and (3) spatial heterogeneity of composition in microstructure. The activator is chemically incorporated into interactions between slag and FA-F, and likely affects the dissolution and reaction kinetics.
Student Trust in Teachers and Student Perceptions of Safety: Positive Predictors of Student Identification with School.

AbstractThis study examined the effects of student trust in teacher and student perceptions of safety on identification with school. Data were collected from one large urban district in an eastern state. Participants included 5441 students in 3rd through 12th grades from 49 schools. Students responded to surveys that assessed student trust in teachers, safety and identification with school. Free and Reduced Lunch (a proxy for SES), school level and ethnicity were included as control variables. Two hypotheses guided the study. Hypothesis 1 stated that student trust, safety and identification with school would positively covary. Hypothesis 2 predicted that student trust in teachers and perceptions of safety were school properties that would individually and collectively explain differences among schools in student identification with school. Both hypotheses were confirmed. The results of the hierarchical linear model indicated that student trust in teachers and school safety accounted for 98% of the 22% of ...
Arterial complications of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Abstract Background Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a relatively rare genetic syndrome that occurs owing to disorders in the metabolism of fibrillary collagen. These defects affect the soft connective tissues resulting in abnormalities in the skin, joints, hollow organs, and blood vessels. Patients with these defects frequently present at a young age with spontaneous arterial complications involving the medium-sized arteries. Complications involving the hollow organs, such as spontaneous colonic perforation, are observed as well. Given the fragility of the soft tissue, open and endovascular intervention on patients with vascular EDS is fraught with high complication rates. Methods A PubMed search was performed to identify manuscripts published related to vascular EDS. This search included more than 747 articles. These findings were cross-referenced using key terms, including endovascular, embolization, surgery, genetics, pathophysiology, connective tissue disorders, vascular complications, systematic review, type III collagen, and COL3A1. Results The references in key articles and review articles were evaluated for additional resources not identified in the PubMed search. Care must be taken to balance the risk of intervention vs the risk of continued observation. Life-threatening hemorrhage, however, mandates intervention. Conclusions With careful, altered approaches to tissue handling, endovascular approaches may provide a safer option for managing the arterial complications observed in patients with vascular EDS. Additional hope may also be found in the use of pharmacologic agents that reduce the incidence and severity of the arterial complications.
The relationship of fasting hyperglycemia to changes in fat and muscle mass after exercise training in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Aims Exercise training (ET) has been variably associated with body composition changes among persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The degree to which these changes are related to hyperglycemia remains unclear. Our objective was to investigate the relationship of baseline fasting glucose (FG) to the magnitude of muscle gains and fat loss after ET in individuals with T2DM. Methods Participants were enrolled in the SHAPE-2 trial, a six month supervised aerobic and resistance training intervention (three days/week), at Johns Hopkins. This was a post hoc single arm intervention study of participants who completed the exercise intervention ( n =50). Participants were aged 40–65years and had T2DM that was not treated with insulin. Body composition was assessed by DEXA. Results After 6months of ET, total fat mass decreased (−2.1±3.1kg) and total lean body mass (LBM) increased (0.5±2.0kg) overall, but there was variability among individual participants. There was an increase in % total LBM (1.4±1.9%) and decrease in % total body fat mass (−1.5±2.0%) after ET. Interestingly, each standard deviation (SD) increase in baseline FG (mean=135.5mg/dl; SD=39.0mg/dl) was related to a significant increase in % total LBM (0.54±0.26%, p =0.048) and decrease in % total body fat (−0.57±0.27%, p =0.04) after ET among individual participants. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that muscle gains and fat loss after ET are positively related to baseline hyperglycemia. Further studies are needed to characterize differences in metabolic response following ET among persons with diabetes.
The Influence of Spatially Distinct Bone Marrow Niches on HSCs

Abstract During development, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) translocate from the fetal liver to the bone marrow (BM), which remains the site of hematopoiesis throughout adulthood. In the BM the HSCs are located at the endosteal surface, where cells of the osteoblastic lineage comprise a key component of the stem cell niche. While hematopoiesis occurs in many bones, the process of bone formation can actually be split into those bones that develop through endochondral ossification (long bones) and those that form through membranous ossification (flat bones). We examined the role played by the microenvironment in these two distinct bones and whether these microenvironments have differing effects on the HSCs. In vitro analysis of the BM stromal cells isolated from long bones and flat bones has demonstrated that calvaria derived stromal layers can support cobblestone area-forming cells 10-fold greater than stromal layers derived from femurs and tibia. Real-time PCR analysis of gene expression has demonstrated that flat bone stromal cells have 5-fold greater expression of N-cadherin than long bone, while other cadherins such as VE-cadherin show no difference. Correlating with this, we found that calvarial derived HSCs demonstrated increased expression of N-cadherin and also increased expression of other genes associated with cadherin signaling, such as cyclinD1. However, no difference in the cell cycle status of the HSCs derived from long bone and flat bone was noted. Functional assays are being performed in order to assess the function of these distinct BM marrow niches in vivo. It is anticipated that we will be able to begin to define the molecular cues the govern HSC physiology in different locations within the mammalian skeleton and thus provide an understanding not only into the continual migration of HSCs between different HSC niches but also the regression of hematopoiesis that occurs from the appendicular skeleton to the axial skeleton during the adult human lifespan.
Chapter 6: The Nineteenth Century Court Reads the Eighteenth Century Text

If considered in light of standard doctrinal sources, privacy is the deus ex machina of American constitutional law. Prior to the 1886 case of Boyd v. United States, no Supreme Court decision had suggested that the Constitution protects an interest in privacy. Boyd changed matters dramatically, stating that the Fourth and Fifth Amendments protect “the privacies of life.” This chapter analyzes the limited commentary on privacy in pre-Boyd Supreme Court cases (no case that discusses the subject considers a constitutional issue) and subjects the Court’s Boyd opinion to careful scrutiny. In one respect, Boyd’s significance is easily grasped, for Boyd relies heavily on Entick v. Carrington, a 1765 common law case, to affirm property’s privileged position in constitutional law. In another respect, its significance is harder to grasp, for by linking privacy to property rights, Boyd inaugurated a process of doctrinal change that eventually established privacy as a constitutional value that could be asserted without reliance on property rights. No member of the Boyd Court appears to have wanted to achieve this result. In Boyd, then, we find the origin of an unintended revolution in constitutional law.
DATE: A handheld co-robotic device for automated tuning of emitters to enable precision irrigation

Agriculture accounts for 85% of the world's freshwater usage. Drip irrigation significantly reduces water usage and has been adopted by many farms, orchards, and vineyards. Rubber or PVC tubing is fitted with thousands of drip emitters whose water pressure and flow are controlled by a small number of valves resulting in suboptimal use of water resources. While UAVs and other sensors can be used to determine water needs and compute appropriate emitter settings, it is currently not possible to close the loop: adjusting flow at the individual plant level to compensate for variations in plant and soil properties, elevation, sun-angle, evapotranspiration, drainage, and emitter contamination by dirt or insects. We propose retro-fitting existing systems with low-cost, passive, plastic, screw-adjustable emitters that are commercially available. This paper presents a design for an automated device that would allow passive emitters to be systematically adjusted in the field by human and robot teams to fine-tune water delivery at the plant level. This paper describes the mechatronic design, prototype, and initial experiments with a hand-held version of the device with a coarse-to-fine mechanism to facilitate alignment to passive emitters in the field and precise automated adjustment of flow settings. We report experiments with an implemented prototype that can compensate for orientation error up to ±39 degrees and position error up to ±42:5mm when adjusting a 16mm emitter cap.
DeepSafeDrive: A grammar-aware driver parsing approach to Driver Behavioral Situational Awareness (DB-SAW)

Abstract This paper presents a Grammar-aware Driver Parsing (GDP) algorithm, with deep features, to provide a novel driver behavior situational awareness system (DB-SAW). A deep model is first trained to extract highly discriminative features of the driver. Then, a grammatical structure on the deep features is defined to be used as prior knowledge for a semi-supervised proposal candidate generation. The Region with Convolutional Neural Networks (R-CNN) method is ultimately utilized to precisely segment parts of the driver. The proposed method not only aims to automatically find parts of the driver in challenging “drivers in the wild” databases, i.e. the standardized Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP-2) and the challenging Vision for Intelligent Vehicles and Application (VIVA), but is also able to investigate seat belt usage and the position of the driver's hands (on a phone vs on a steering wheel). We conduct experiments on various applications and compare our GDP method against other state-of-the-art detection and segmentation approaches, i.e. SDS [1] , CRF-RNN [2] , DJTL [3] , and R-CNN [4] on SHRP-2 and VIVA databases.