cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis in ageing

Brain iron is an essential nutrient for multiple functions, including gene expression, DNA synthesis, neurotransmission, myelination, oxygen transport, storage and activation, mitochondrial electron transport, numerous important metabolic processes and cofactor for several key enzymes of neurotransmitter biosynthesis. On the other hand, many investigators, among them the late Mark Smith, who was a pioneer neuroscientist and prominent investigator with regards to brain oxidative stress (OS) and iron in Alzheimer’s disease, have identified iron as an highly reactive element that can promote OS processes within the brain and might increase the toxicity of environmental or endogenous toxins. It is suggested that iron accumulation in the brain is capable of initiating free-radical reactions, which subsequently induce progressive loss of neurons, followed by a decrement in neuronal function characteristic of the ageing process. Indeed, it has become apparent that iron progressively accumulates in the brain as a function of age and that iron-induced OS can cause neurodegeneration. Chelation therapy was previously introduced as a novel therapy concept and rationale for the development of metal-binding drugs for neurodegeneration. The present review will discuss the involvement of dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis in the ageing process, addressing the potential importance of iron chelating therapeutic approaches.
Allelopathy as a mechanism for resisting invasion: the case of Polygonella myriophylla

Past research on allelopathy has been plagued by methodological criticisms [2, 5, 40], and one lingering result of this has been that allelopathy has often been viewed as the “hypothesis of last resort”. However, a body of recent work provides a new basis for supporting allelopathic mechanisms for some striking phenomena — the noteworthy examples include the obvious, devastating success of some invasive species (described above), as well as the equally impressive resistance to invasion by a natural community seen in the Florida scrub. Furthermore, the success of scrub vegetation in deterring invasion raises questions about the hypothesis that allelopathy will be most likely to occur as a mechanism that enables exotic invasions. The argument that allelopathy is likely to be of limited significance in natural communities is based on the assertion that over time, plants will likely have evolved tolerance to chemical defenses of their neighbors [19, 40]. However, the evolution of tolerance to chemical defenses should be no more significant among neighboring plants in terrestrial plant communities than it is for herbivores or pathogens of these plants. There are many examples of evolution of tolerance to toxins by specialist herbivores and pathogens, but for unadapted organisms in natural communities these defenses usually remain effective.
Locomotive reduction for snake robots

Limbless locomotion, evidenced by both biological and robotic snakes, capitalizes on these systems' redundant degrees of freedom to negotiate complicated environments. While the versatility of locomotion methods provided by a snake-like form is of great advantage, the difficulties in both representing the high dimensional workspace configuration and implementing the desired translations and orientations makes difficult further development of autonomous behaviors for snake robots. Based on a previously defined average body frame and set of motion primitives, this work proposes locomotive reduction, a simplifying methodology which reduces the complexity of controlling a redundant snake robot to that of navigating a differential-drive vehicle. We verify this technique by controlling a 16-DOF snake robot using locomotive reduction combined with a visual tracking system. The simplicity resulting from the proposed locomotive reduction method allows users to apply established autonomous navigation techniques previously developed for differential-drive cars to snake robots. Best of all, locomotive reduction preserves the advantages of a snake robot's ability to perform a variety of locomotion modes when facing complicated mobility challenges.
Applications of multiresolution based FDTD multigrid

A Multigrid 2-D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique based on Multiresolution analysis with Haar wavelets is used to analyze structures such as an empty waveguide and a shielded stripline. The results obtained are compared with those computed using a finer resolution regular FDTD mesh. This comparative study illustrates the benefits of using wavelets in FDTD analysis.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Buttermilk as Affected by Contamination Point and Storage Temperature

The effects of contamination point (during fermentation versus postfermentation) and storage temperature (5 and 12°C) were determined for survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fermented buttermilk. E. coli O157:H7 was recovered from buttermilk inoculated during fermentation for 22 days and in buttermilk inoculated postfermentation for 32 days. For storage temperatures of 5 and 12°C, D-values were lower for E. coli O157:H7 inoculated during fermentation (2.5, 2.2 days) than postfermentation (5.6, 4.8 days) (P 0.05). The extended recovery of viable enterohemorhagic E. coli O157:H7 from both processing scenarios indicates that the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in buttermilk is not limited to postprocessing contamination.
Transient focal cortical increase of interictal glucose metabolism in Sturge-Weber syndrome: Implications for epileptogenesis

Summary Purpose: To investigate clinical correlates and longitudinal course of interictal focal cortical glucose hypermetabolism in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). Methods: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans of 60 children (age range 3 months to 15.2 years) with Sturge-Weber syndrome and epilepsy were assessed prospectively and serially for focal hypo- or hypermetabolism. Thirty-two patients had two or more consecutive PET scans. Age, seizure variables, and the occurrence of epilepsy surgery were compared between patients with and without focal hypermetabolism. The severity of focal hypermetabolism was also assessed and correlated with seizure variables. Key Findings: Interictal cortical glucose hypermetabolism, ipsilateral to the angioma, was seen in nine patients, with the most common location in the frontal lobe. Age was lower in patients with hypermetabolism than in those without (p = 0.022). In addition, time difference between the onset of first seizure and the first PET scan was much shorter in children with increased glucose metabolism than in those without (mean: 1.0 vs. 3.6 years; p = 0.019). Increased metabolism was transient and switched to hypometabolism in all five children where follow-up scans were available. Focal glucose hypermetabolism occurred in 28% of children younger than the age of 2 years. Children with transient hypermetabolism had a higher rate of subsequent epilepsy surgery as compared to those without hypermetabolism (p = 0.039). Significance: Interictal glucose hypermetabolism in young children with SWS is most often seen within a short time before or after the onset of first clinical seizures, that is, the presumed period of epileptogenesis. Increased glucose metabolism detected by PET predicts future demise of the affected cortex based on a progressive loss of metabolism and may be an imaging marker of the most malignant cases of intractable epilepsy requiring surgery in SWS.
Neuroprotective Effects of Calmodulin Peptide 76-121aa: Disruption of Calmodulin Binding to Mutant Huntingtin

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by mutant huntingtin protein containing an expanded polyglutamine tract, which may cause abnormal protein-protein interactions such as increased association with calmodulin (CaM). We previously demonstrated in HEK293 cells that a peptide containing amino acids 76-121 of CaM (CaM-peptide) interrupted the interaction between CaM and mutant huntingtin, reduced mutant huntingtin-induced cytotoxicity and reduced transglutaminase (TG)-modified mutant huntingtin. We now report that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of CaM-peptide in differentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, stably expressing an N-terminal fragment of huntingtin containing 148 glutamine repeats, significantly decreases the amount of TG-modified huntingtin and attenuates cytotoxicity. Importantly, the effect of the CaM-peptide shows selectivity, such that total TG activity is not significantly altered by expression of CaM-peptide nor is the activity of another CaM-dependent enzyme, CaM kinase II. In vitro, recombinant exon 1 of huntingtin with 44 glutamines (htt-exon1-44Q) binds to CaM-agarose; the addition of 10 microM of CaM-peptide significantly decreases the interaction of htt-exon1-44Q and CaM but not the binding between CaM and calcineurin, another CaM-binding protein. These data support the hypothesis that CaM regulates TG-catalyzed modifications of mutant huntingtin and that specific and selective disruption of the CaM-huntingtin interaction is potentially a new target for therapeutic intervention in HD.
Genetic and epidemiologic studies of oral characteristics in Hawaii's school children: Dental anomalies

Racial comparisons of prevalences of dental anomalies were made on 13,473 Hawaiian-born children aged 12 to 18 years. Dental anomalies studied included supernumerary teeth, peg-shaped lateral incisors, dens in dente (invaginated tooth), hypoplasia, fusion (or gemination), and high cingulum of upper lateral incisors (barrel-shaped teeth) in the permanent dentition. The highest frequency of peg-shaped laterals was observed among Filipinos and part-Filipinos with no evidence of heterogeneity among other racial groups. Dens in dente was more common among Hawaiian descendents. Fusion or gemination was observed more commonly among children with Chinese parentage. High cingulum of laterals was fairly common in Orientals particularly in Filipinos and nil among Caucasians and Hawaiians. There was neither significant maternal effect nor effect (non-additive) of hybridity.
Mortality After Periprosthetic Fracture of the Femur

Background: Management of periprosthetic femoral fractures is often complex, and few studies have documented its associated mortality. Methods: We retrospectively identified from our trauma and surgical registries 106 patients who underwent surgery for a periprosthetic femoral fracture. We then identified a contemporaneous age and sex-matched control cohort of 309 patients who had a hip fracture (femoral neck or intertrochanteric) and 311 patients who underwent primary hip or knee replacement. Mortality at one year was identified with use of the Social Security database. Results: Twelve (11%) of 106 patients died within one year following surgical treatment of a periprosthetic fracture. During the same follow-up period, fifty-one (16.5%) of 309 patients died following surgery for a hip fracture and nine (2.9%) of 311 patients died following primary joint replacement. The mortality rate after a periprosthetic femoral fracture was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) compared with that for matched patients who had undergone primary joint replacement, and it was similar to the mortality rate after a hip fracture. For periprosthetic fractures, a delay of greater than two days from admission to the time of surgery was associated with an increased mortality rate at one year (p < 0.0007). Forty-nine patients underwent revision arthroplasty for the treatment of a Vancouver type-B periprosthetic fracture, and six (12%) died. In contrast, twenty-four patients with a Vancouver type-B periprosthetic fracture were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and eight (33%) died. The difference was significant (p < 0.03). Conclusions: The mortality rate within one year following surgical treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures is high and is similar to that after treatment for hip fractures. Because revision arthroplasty for the treatment of type-B periprosthetic fractures was associated with a one-year mortality rate that was significantly less than that after surgical treatment with open reduction and internal fixation, in instances when either treatment option is feasible, revision arthroplasty may be the preferred option. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Comparative reliability study of hybrid energy storage systems in hybrid electric vehicles

Hybrid energy storage system (HESS), consisting of battery, ultracapacitor, and the converter interface, is one of the fundamental components in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This paper presents a comparative reliability study between the state-of-art HESS topologies used in HEVs. The operational principles of different HESS topologies are briefly explained, and Markov-based reliability model of each topology is developed. The mean time to failure (MTTF) of each topology is derived in terms of the failure rates of its building blocks. The MTTFs of different topologies are compared and the most reliable topologies are identified. HESS topologies are arranged based on their reliability rankings from the most reliable to the least reliable.
The radiation crosslinking and scission of some polyphosphazenes

The radiation behaviour of four aryloxy and one arylamino polyphosphazenes has been studied. In particular the gel formation has been measured as a function of the absorbed dose. The data have been interpreted in the form of Charlesby-Pinner plots, modified using the Dole-Inokuti relationship for an initial Schulz-Zimm molecular weight distribution. All the samples fitted the model well with no concurrent scission. The G(X) values were determined from the corresponding Dgel values. The latter were obtained by extrapolation to S+;S12 = 2.0. A wide range of G(X) values was found depending on the molecular structure of the polyphosphazenes. Possible reasons for the results are discussed.
Manipulation, Moral Responsibility, and Bullet Biting

This article’s guiding question is about bullet biting: When should compatibilists about moral responsibility bite the bullet in responding to stories used in arguments for incompatibilism about moral responsibility? Featured stories are vignettes in which agents’ systems of values are radically reversed by means of brainwashing and the story behind the zygote argument. The malady known as “intuition deficit disorder” is also discussed.
Anuric renal failure from massive bilateral renal hematoma following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

We report a case of large bilateral perirenal and intrarenal hematoma formation leading to prolonged anuria in the absence of obstruction following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. With conservative management, including the need for hemodialysis support, renal function gradually returned. A mechanism for this patient's anuric renal failure is postulated and caution is advised when considering simultaneous bilateral extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with a potential risk of bleeding.
Target Detection Performance of Spectrum Sharing MIMO Radars

Future wireless communication systems are envisioned to share radio frequency spectrum with radars in order to meet the growing spectrum demands. In this paper, we address the problem of target detection by radars that project waveform onto the null space of interference channel in order to mitigate interference to cellular systems. We consider a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar and an MIMO cellular communication system with $ \mathcal {K}$ base stations (BSs). We consider two spectrum sharing scenarios. In the first scenario, the degrees of freedom (DoF) available at the radar are not sufficient enough to simultaneously detect target and mitigate interference to $ \mathcal {K}$ BSs. For this case, we select one BS among $ \mathcal {K}$ BSs for waveform projection on the basis of guaranteeing minimum waveform degradation. For the second case, the radar has sufficient DoF to simultaneously detect target and mitigate interference to all $ \mathcal {K}$ BSs. We study target detection capabilities of null-space projected (NSP) waveform and compare it with the orthogonal waveform. We derive the generalized likelihood ratio test for target detection and derive detector statistic for NSP and orthogonal waveform. The target detection performance for both waveforms is studied theoretically and via Monte Carlo simulations.
Comparison of procedures used to analyze spectroscopic observations: The 7820-Å carbon dioxide band in the spectrum of Venus☆

Four methods of data reduction are presented: two conventional ones, a slight modification of conventional methods, and a procedure designed to test one of the assumptions of the conventional approach. These have been used to analyze published data for the 7820-A CO2 band. A comparison of the rotational temperatures obtained from each method is given. For most of the Venus phase angles, the available data indicate that the lines in this band follow a square-root absorption law. In two cases out of ten, the lines appeared to follow a linear law.
Group Communication During Resource Dilemmas: 3. Effects of Social Value Orientation

A resource dilemma is a circumstance where an aggregate of people share a slowly replenishing resource pool out of which each person can harvest for her or his own use. The goal of this study was to examine the content of discussion within groups distinguished by social value orientation (SVO; proselfs vs. prosocials) experiencing an experimental simulation of a resource dilemma. Prosocials maintained the resource pool more successfully. Their discussion featured more substantive and procedural discussion, as well as less off-topic talk than that of proselfs. In contrast, SVO had little impact on the participants' perceptions of their experience.
A servo-controlled canine model of stable severe ischemic left ventricular failure.

Reversible left ventricular failure was produced in conscious dogs by compromise of the coronary circulation. In animals with prior left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, mean left atrial pressure (LAP) was incorporated into an automatic feedback control system used to inflate a balloon cuff on the circumflex (Cfx) coronary artery. The system could produce stable increases in LAP to 15–20 mm Hg. The dominating system transfer function was the ratio of LAP to balloon volume (BV), which was characterized by a fixed delay (5 s), with LAP/BV = (8e−jωτ )/(0.02 + jω). The system was stabilized by a phase lead network to reduce oscillations of LAP. A total of seven experiments were conducted in three dogs, and testing of inotropic agents was possible in three experiments under stable conditions with the pump off after an hour or more of operation. Problems encountered were 0.003–0.008 Hz oscillations in LAP in three experiments, which could usually be controlled by reducing the system gain. Late stage ventricular fibrillation occurred in all three animals, but defibrillation was easily accomplished after deflating the Cfx balloon. This system produces reversible left ventricular failure solely due to ischemia, thus closely simulating clinical heart failure due to coronary insufficiency.
Equilibrium boundary conditions in the double heterostructure opto-electronic switch

Abstract The double heterostructure opto-electronic switch equilibrium condition has been formulated in terms of the charge and voltage equations. The dependencies of equilibrium parameters upon variations in doping concentrations in the charge sheet, the barrier layer and the collector layer have been investigated. It is verified under all conditions, that the electron density is much larger than the hole density in the quantum well. The study includes the effects of deionization and free charge in the modulation doping since the small discontinuity values can move the Fermi level close to the conduction band edge.
BN+1 Bayesian network expansion for identifying molecular pathway elements

A Bayesian network expansion algorithm called BN+1 was developed to identify undocumented gene interactions in a known pathway using microarray gene expression data. In our recent paper, the BN+1 algorithm has been successfully used to identify key regulators including uspE in the E. coli ROS pathway and biofilm formation.18 In this report, a synthetic network was designed to further evaluate this algorithm. The BN+1 method was found to identify both linear and nonlinear relationships and correctly identify variables near to the starting network. Using experimentally derived data, the BN+1 method identifies the gene fdhE as a potentially new ROS regulator. Finally, a range of possible score cutoff methods are explored to identify a set of criteria for selecting BN+1 calls.
The surface composition of the silver—Gold system by Auger electron spectroscopy

Abstract The surface composition of polycrystalline AgAu alloy foils is studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The intensities of principal Auger peaks over a wide range of electron energies are obtained as a function of alloy bulk composition for the clean equilibrated surfaces. Their ratios are compared with ratios expected for a surface showing no surface segregation, and for a surface obeying the regular solution monolayer model that predicts silver surface segregation. The experimental results give evidence for enrichment of the surface with silver, but to an extent less than predicted by the regular solution model.
The Role of Predictive Molecular Biomarkers for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem in the USA and globally. Over the past 20 years, significant advances have been made in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Recent efforts have focused on developing molecular biomarkers to further define the subset of patients with mCRC who would derive a substantial benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. Activating mutations in KRAS and NRAS are a predictive marker for resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in mCRC. BRAF V600E and PIK3CA mutations have been reported as negative predictive markers for anti-EGFR therapy in mCRC. Microsatellite instability and immunologic biomarkers may be predictive markers for immunotherapy, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the near future. Next-generation sequencing technology is a powerful new tool for the discovery of predictive molecular biomarkers and to facilitate the delivery of personalized medicine. Herein, we review the current status of predictive molecular biomarker research in the treatment of mCRC.
Laser Detection by Coherence Discrimination

The axial coherence length of laser radiation is both specific and unique to lasers. An angle-scanned interferometer is described as a coherent energy modulator in a coherence-discriminating laser receiver. A symmetrical solid-spaced Fabry-Perot interferometer etalon is used. Etalon pairs are used in a logic arrangement that passes coherent laser signals and rejects incoherent background signals. Two pairs of stepped etalons are used to detect a single laser pulse. The fundamental limits of performance of this type of laser receiver are listed.
Isolation and Characterization of Intestinal Stem Cells Based on Surface Marker Combinations and Colony-Formation Assay

Background & Aims Identification of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) has relied heavily on the use of transgenic reporters in mice, but this approach is limited by mosaic expression patterns and difficult to directly apply to human tissues. We sought to identify reliable surface markers of ISCs and establish a robust functional assay to characterize ISCs from mouse and human tissues. Methods We used immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to analyze intestinal epithelial cells isolated from mouse and human intestinal tissues. We compared different combinations of surface markers among ISCs isolated based on expression of Lgr5–green fluorescent protein. We developed a culture protocol to facilitate the identification of functional ISCs from mice and then tested the assay with human intestinal crypts and putative ISCs. Results CD44 + CD24 lo CD166 + cells, isolated by FACS from mouse small intestine and colon, expressed high levels of stem cell–associated genes. Transit-amplifying cells and progenitor cells were then excluded based on expression of GRP78 or c-Kit. CD44 + CD24 lo CD166 + GRP78 lo/– putative stem cells from mouse small intestine included Lgr5-GFP hi and Lgr5-GFP med/lo cells. Incubation of these cells with the GSK inhibitor CHIR99021 and the E-cadherin stabilizer Thiazovivin resulted in colony formation by 25% to 30% of single-sorted ISCs. Conclusions We developed a culture protocol to identify putative ISCs from mouse and human tissues based on cell surface markers. CD44 + CD24 lo CD166 + , GRP78 lo/– , and c-Kit − facilitated identification of putative stem cells from the mouse small intestine and colon, respectively. CD44 + CD24 −/lo CD166 + also identified putative human ISCs. These findings will facilitate functional studies of mouse and human ISCs.
T cell receptor recognition of MHC class II-bound peptide flanking residues enhances immunogenicity and results in altered TCR V region usage.

Abstract Naturally processed MHC class II–bound peptides possess ragged NH 2 and COOH termini. It is not known whether these peptide flanking residues (PFRs), which lie outside the MHC anchor residues, are recognized by the TCR or influence immunogenicity. Here we analyzed T cell responses to the COOH-terminal PFR of the H-2A k immunodominant epitope of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) 52–61. Surprisingly, the majority of T cells were completely dependent on, and specific for, the COOH-terminal PFR of the immunogen. In addition, there were striking correlations between TCR Vβ usage and PFR dependence. We hypothesize that the Vα CDR1 region recognizes NH 2 -terminal PFRs, while the Vβ CDR1 region recognizes COOH-terminal PFRs. Last, peptides containing PFRs were considerably more immunogenic and mediated a greater recall response to the HEL protein. These results demonstrate that PFRs, which are a unique characteristic of peptides bound to MHC class II molecules, can have a profound effect on TCR recognition and T cell function. These data may have important implications for peptide-based immunotherapy and vaccine development.
Changes in the landscape of Latin America between 1850 and 1985 I. Progressive loss of forests

Abstract Reduction in the area of forests in Latin America between 1850 and 1985 was estimated from changes in the major uses of land, including permanent croplands, pastures, shifting cultivation, logging, and degradation. Changes in croplands were documented through historical statistics. The types of forests and other natural ecosystems converted to croplands were estimated from a comparison of maps of natural vegetation with maps of agriculture. Changes in the area of pastures were inferred from changes in the number of cattle and stocking rates. Estimates of the rate of deforestation for shifting cultivation were available only in recent years. Before 1940 the area in shifting cultivation was assumed constant; between 1940 and 1985 the increase in area was assumed to accelerate. In recent decades, the area of forests has decreased more rapidly than increases in the areas of croplands and pastures. This additional loss of forests is thought to have resulted from the replacement of degraded agricultural land, and was estimated to have occurred historically according to different assumptions. The results showed that, between 1850 and 1985, about 370 × 106 ha of forest (28% of the forest area in 1850) were replaced by some other type of ecosystem. Most of was due to the expansion of pastures (44% of the reduction), croplands (25%), degraded lands (20%), and shifting cultivation (10%). The use of alternative data and assumptions gave estimates of total deforestation that ranged between 313 and 412 × 106 ha (25–30% of the area in 1850). The largest uncertainties were related to historical rates of degradation and shifting cultivation, and to the types of ecosystems converted to human uses. Use of satellite imagery can eliminate most of these uncertainties after 1975.
An Adjoint Analysis of the Meridional Overturning Circulation in an Ocean Model

Abstract Using the adjoint of a fully three-dimensional primitive equation ocean model in an idealized geometry, spatial variations in the sensitivity to surface boundary forcing of the meridional overturning circulation’s strength are studied. Steady-state sensitivities to diapycnal mixing, wind stress, freshwater, and heat forcing are examined. Three different, commonly used, boundary-forcing scenarios are studied, both with and without wind forcing. Almost identical circulation is achieved in each scenario, but the sensitivity patterns show major (quantitative and qualitative) differences. Sensitivities to surface forcing and diapycnal mixing are substantially larger under mixed boundary conditions, in which fluxes of freshwater and heat are supplemented by a temperature relaxation term or under flux boundary conditions, in which climatological fluxes alone drive the circulation, than under restoring boundary conditions. The sensitivity pattern to diapycnal mixing, which peaks in the Tropics is similar...
Service Recovery and Pre-Emptive Strategies for Service Failure: Both Lead to Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty, But for Different Reasons

ABSTRACT Recent research has shown that giving an informed choice to customers can be an effective pre-emptive strategy to offset the damaging effects of service failure. The principle behind this strategy is that customers given an informed choice have increased feelings of self-attributions, share the responsibility for the service failure, feel more regret and stay more loyal. The research has shown that this strategy of informed choice keeps customers more loyal, whether they choose a risky or safe alternative. However, does this strategy work when service failure occurs and the normal service recovery strategies of an apology and/or compensation are given? Would customers still feel some responsibility for the outcome and still be satisfied and stay more loyal? Or would an apology and/or compensation give a mixed signal that the service establishment alone was responsible for the service failure? An alternative perspective would be that by combining pre-emptive and service recovery strategies, custom...
Mineralization and collagen orientation throughout aging at the vertebral endplate in the human lumbar spine

The human vertebral body and intervertebral disc interface forms the region where the cartilaginous endplate, annulus fibrosis and bone of the vertebral body are connected through an intermediate calcified cartilage layer. While properties of both the vertebral body and components of the disc have been extensively studied, limited quantitative data exists describing the microstructure of the vertebral body-intervertebral disc interface in the spine throughout development and degeneration. Quantitative backscattered scanning electron and second harmonic generation confocal imaging were used to collect quantitative data describing the mineral content and collagen fiber orientation across the interface, respectively. Specimens spanned ages 56 days to 84 years and measurements were taken across the vertebral endplate at the outer annulus, inner annulus and nucleus pulposis. In mature and healthy endplates, collagen fibers span the calcified cartilage layer in all regions, including the endplate adjacent to the central nucleus pulposis. We also observed an abrupt transition from high mineral volume fractions (35-50%) to 0% over short distances measuring 3-15 microns in width across the transition from calcified cartilage to unmineralized cartilage. The alignment of collagen fibers at the outer annulus and thickness of the CC layer indicated that collagen fiber mineralization adjacent to the bone may serve to anchor the soft tissue without a gradual change in material properties. Combining backscattered scanning electron microscopy and second harmonic generation imaging on the same sections thus enable a novel assessment of morphology and properties in both mineralized and soft tissues at the vertebral body-intervertebral disc throughout development and aging.
Differential effects of morphine on active avoidance as a function of pre-drug performance

Summary The effects of morphine sulfate (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) on performance of a one-way avoidance response were determined for drug-naive rats showing low, medium, and high levels of pre-drug performance after equal training. Performance was enhanced significantly from initially low levels and was depressed from initially high levels. Log dose-effect relationships were linear over the range tested, the former effect decreasing and the latter increasing. The enhancement did not extend beyond the day of drug treatment.
Trans-ACPD (trans-D,L-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid) elicited oscillation of membrane potentials in rat dorsolateral septal nucleus neurons recorded intracellularly in vitro.

Abstract Glutamate receptors coupled to phosphoinositol turnover have been identified recently and named ‘metabotropic’ receptors. However, the exact functional roles of these receptors are still unknown. Trans-ACPD (trans- d,l -1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid) is suggested to be the only selective agonist for metabotropic glutamate receptors. Here we report that trans-ACPD elicits membrane potential depolarization with oscillation of dorsolateral septal nucleus neurons recorded intracellularly in vitro. Our experiments also suggested that there may be multiple interactions between ionotropic quisqualate receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The burst firing induced by high concentrations of trans-ACPD suggests that excessive activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors may lead to cellular toxicity or be associated with clinical disorders such as epilepsy.
An improved measurement of a spectrogram of a ‘gap’

A spectrogram of the 5250 A region previously obtained during a period of excellent seeing has been remeasured and calibrated by reference to the preliminary KPNO photometric atlas. This analysis, using the logarithm of opacitance instead of an H-D plot, has reduced some of the effects of scattered light and shows greater facular line contrast.
Semantic structure from motion with object and point interactions

We propose a new method for jointly detecting objects and recovering the geometry of the scene (camera pose, object and scene point 3D locations) from multiple semi-calibrated images (camera internal parameters are known). To achieve this task, our method models high level semantics (i.e. object class labels and relevant characteristics such as location and pose) and the interaction (correlations) of objects and feature points within the same view and across views. We validate our algorithm against state-of-the-art baseline methods using two public datasets - Ford Car dataset and Kinect Office dataset [1] - and show that we: i) significantly improve the camera pose estimation results compared to point-based SFM algorithm; ii) achieve better 2D and 3D object detection accuracy than using single images separately. Our algorithm is critical in many application scenarios including object manipulation and autonomous navigation.
Improving Connectivity, Coverage, and Capacity in 60 GHz Indoor WLANs Using Relays

60 GHz technology, standardized by IEEE 802.11ad, has emerged as an alternative to 2.4/5 GHz legacy WiFi for building multi-Gigabit general purpose home/enterprise WLANs. However, limited range and high vulnerability to blockage of millimeter-wave (mmWave) links can severely affect WLAN performance. These problems coupled with long re-connection time for a broken link pose a major challenge to the realization of 60 GHz WLANs. In this work, we look at the relay architecture defined in the 802.11ad standard as a solution to these issues and propose extensions to it for achieving gains in both WLAN coverage and capacity.
Active elimination of small-scale orbital debris

Accumulation of space debris, approximately 19,000 man-made objects larger than 10 cm and numerous smaller objects, resulting from decades of space utilization by human beings have rendered the space environment hazardous. The lifetime of the debris in the much exploited Sun-synchronous orbit where the debris concentration is particularly high can be centuries. While larger debris are fewer and can be tracked and avoided the smaller-scale debris are numerous and arc hard to track individually. Their collision with active satellites is more likely and could be catastrophic. At present there are no credible solutions for their removal making them particularly dangerous and can soon challenge our access to space. We discuss a concept for de-orbiting small-scale debris with characteristic dimension of about 10 cm or less from the highly populated sun synchronous orbit region by injecting micron scale dust grains in this region to artificially increase drag on the debris. The drag enhancement is most effective when dust grains counter rotate with respect to the debris. Our concept is designed to target small-scale debris m orbits with perigee above 900 km where the natural debris lifetime can be very long. For a specific example we focus on small debris with ballistic coefficient (Mass(kg)/Area(m)) 5 or less. A ballistic coefficient of 5 represents small debris in a variety of sizes and shapes. For example, broken pieces of satellites (aluminum, density 2.7 gm/cc) with dimension 10 cm × 10 cm × 1.5 mm or 30 cm × 30 cm × 1.5 mm, etc. The density of the dust cloud necessary to de-orbit small debris is sufficiently low such that the orbits of larger active satellites with much larger ballistic coefficients are minimally affected. Various implementation schemes and possible detrimental effects of the injected dust cloud on active satellites and their mitigation will be discussed.
Disruption of thyroid hormone homeostasis in Ugt1a-deficient Gunn rats by microsomal enzyme inducers is not due to enhanced thyroxine glucuronidation.

Microsomal enzyme inducers (MEI) that increase UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are thought to increase glucuronidation of thyroxine (T4), thus reducing serum T4, and subsequently increasing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Ugt1a1 and Ugt1a6 mediate T4 glucuronidation. Therefore, this experiment determined the involvement of Ugt1a enzymes in increased T4 glucuronidation, decreased serum T4, and increased TSH after MEI treatment. Male Wistar and Ugt1a-deficient Wistar (Gunn) rats were fed a control diet or diet containing pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN; 800 ppm), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC; 200 ppm), or Aroclor 1254 (PCB; 100 ppm) for 7 days. Serum T4, triiodothyronine (T3), and TSH concentrations, hepatic T4/T3 glucuronidation, and thyroid histology and follicular cell proliferation were investigated. PCN, 3-MC, and PCB treatments decreased serum T4, whereas serum T3 was maintained in both Gunn and Wistar rats (except for PCB treatment). TSH was increased in Wistar and Gunn rats after PCN (130 and 277%) or PCB treatment (72 and 60%). T4 glucuronidation in Wistar rats was increased after PCN (298%), 3-MC (85%), and PCB (450%), but was extremely low in Gunn rats, and unchanged after MEI. T3 glucuronidation was increased after PCN (121%) or PCB (58%) in Wistar rats, but only PCN increased T3 glucuronidation in Gunn rats (43%). PCN treatment induced thyroid morphological changes and increased follicular cell proliferation in both strains. These data demonstrate that T4 glucuronidation cannot be increased in Ugt1a-deficient Gunn rats. Thus, the decrease in serum T4, increase in TSH, and increase in thyroid cell proliferation after MEI are not dependent on increased T4 glucuronidation, and cannot be attributed to Ugt1a enzymes.
Relationship between gingival inflammation and painfulness of periodontal probing

Abstract The relationship of gingival inflammation to the pain associated with periodontal probing was assessed at baseline (B), and 1 month (1M) and 3 months (3M) later in 46 subjects. At each of the 3 sessions, clinical measures of gingival inflammation included an observational gingival index and bleeding score. In addition, periodontal probings of all existing teeth was performed with a constant force probe (25 g). Following completion of the probing at each session, subjects rated the global painfulness of the probing using a visual analog scale for pain. Results of this study showed that judged painfulness of probing was related to clinical inflammation (bleeding score) at baseline and 1 month and suggest that the degree of periodontal inflammation is related to the pain and discomfort associated with periodontal probing.
Experimental Subretinal Hemorrhage in Rabbits

In order to simulate the hemorrhagic detachment stage of disciform macular degeneration, we injected fresh autologous blood into the subretinal space of albino rabbits and studied these hemorrhages clinically with the ophthalmoscope and by light and electron microscopy. One hour after injection, retinal changes were minimal and limited to occasional photoreceptor edema. At one day, there was marked damage of the photoreceptor cells characterized by edema and disintegration of the photoreceptors and pyknosis of the outer nuclear layer. Some photoreceptors had been pulled off the retina by contraction or movement of the blood clot, or both. By seven days, the photoreceptor cells were almost absent. Subretinal hemorrhage in rabbits led to irreversible retinal destruction within 24 hours. We think that the mechanism of the destruction of the overlying retina consists of a combination of a diffusion barrier by the clot, mechanical damage to the outer segments by contraction of the clot, and iron toxicity.
Functional leg-length inequality following total hip arthroplasty

A consecutive series of 100 patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty were assessed for functional leg-length inequality (FLLI). In addition, the medical records of all patients treated for FLLI by the senior author (C.S.R.) in the past 15 years was reviewed. A questionnaire was distributed to the members of the Hip Society specifically to query the prevalence, etiology, and management of FLLI. Fourteen percent of patients were noted to have pelvic obliquity and FLLI.1 month after surgery. All had resolution of the symptoms by 6 months after surgery. Nine patients have been identified over the past 15 years with persistent FLLI. Among the causes suggested by respondents to the questionnaire are tightness of periarticular soft tissues with resultant pelvic obliquity and degenerative conditions of the spine with contracture. Methods of treatment and prevention are discussed.
Estradiol inhibits atp-induced intracellular calcium concentration increase in dorsal root ganglia neurons.

Estrogen has been implicated in modulation of pain processing. Although this modulation occurs within the CNS, estrogen may also act on primary afferent neurons whose cell bodies are located within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Primary cultures of rat DRG neurons were loaded with Fura-2 and tested for ATP-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by fluorescent ratio imaging. ATP, an algesic agent, induces [Ca2+]i changes via activation of purinergic 2X (P2X) type receptors and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC). ATP (10 μM) caused increased [Ca2+]i transients (226.6±16.7 nM, n = 42) in 53% of small to medium DRG neurons. A 5-min incubation with 17β-estradiol (100 nM) inhibited ATP-induced [Ca2+]i (164±14.6 nM, P<0.05) in 85% of the ATP-responsive DRG neurons, whereas the inactive isomer 17α-estradiol had no effect. Both the mixed agonist/antagonist tamoxifen (1 μM) and specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 (1 μM) blocked the estradiol inhibition of ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients. Estradiol coupled to bovine serum albumin, which does not diffuse through the plasma membrane, blocked ATP-induced [Ca2+]i, suggesting that estradiol acts at a membrane-associated estrogen receptor. Attenuation of [Ca2+]i transients was mediated by estrogen action on VGCC. Nifedipine (10 μM), an L-type VGCC antagonist mimicked the effect of estrogen and when co-administered did not increase the estradiol inhibition of ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients. N- and P-type VGCC antagonists ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 μM) and ω-agatoxin IVA (100 nM), attenuated the ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients. Co-administration of these blockers with estrogen induced a further decrease of the ATP-induced [Ca2+]i flux. Together, these results suggest that although ATP stimulation of P2X receptors activates L-, N-, and P-type VGCC, estradiol primarily blocks L-type VGCC. The estradiol regulation of this ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients suggests a mechanism through which estradiol may modulate nociceptive signaling in the peripheral nervous system.
A framework for performance prediction during development of systems of systems

This paper addresses the need for predicting performance in a system of systems (SoS) during development. Historically, technical performance measures (TPMs) along with modelling and simulation have been used by senior decision makers to predict if a system under development will meet the required performance needs. This methodology does not appear to be directly translatable to SoS’s for several reasons including the inherent complexity of the SoS and the operational flexibility the end user has in employing the SoS. An approach to dealing with the SoS performance prediction need is presented that addresses the use and integration of multiple technologies into a SoS and the decision maker’s options in the use of these technologies. This approach is used to develop a metric defined as a ‘SoS performance measure (SPM)’, an equivalent to a TPM for a SoS. An anti-submarine warfare mission construct is used to demonstrate this new metric.
Speckle interferometry of asteroids II. 532 Herculina

Speckle interferometry of 532 Herculina performed on January 17 and 18, 1982, yields triaxial ellipsoid dimensions of (263 + or - 14) x (218 + or - 12) x (215 + or - 12) km, and a north pole for the asteroid within 7 deg of RA = 7h47min and DEC = -39 deg (ecliptic coordinates lambda = 132 deg beta = -59 deg). In addition, a 'spot' some 75 percent brighter than the rest of the asteroid is inferred from both speckle observations and Herculina's lightcurve history. This bright complex, centered at asterocentric latitude -35 deg, longitude 145-165 deg, extends over a diameter of 55 deg (115 km) of the asteroid's surface. No evidence for a satellite is found from the speckle observations, which leads to an upper limit of 50 km for the diameter of any satellite with an albedo the same as or higher than Herculina.
School-linked and school-based health services: A renewed call for collaboration between school psychologists and medical professionals

Health care and education reform provide opportunities to build systems that promote rather than retard collaboration between school psychologists and medical professionals. School-linked and school-based health services (SLSBHS) are a family of approaches that provide medical, social, and mental health services to students through school settings. These services have potential to provide more than acute care or first-aid services. SLSBHS provide medical care to uninsured children, students with chronic medical needs, at-risk children, and the overall school population. However, there are usually not enough funds to hire new staff members in most school districts. Expanding the roles of current school staff, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and implementing creative fiscal strategies are necessary to develop SLSBHS. Interdisciplinary collaboration may be the largest hurdle to developing SLSBHS. As such, school psychologists and medical professionals may need to rethink their professional roles and develop new techniques of interdisciplinary consultation to fulfill the potential of SLSBHS.