cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishing insecticide-resistant phytoseiid mite predators in deciduous tree fruit orchards

A summary of basic biological, ecological and toxicological characteristics of 3 phytoseiid mite predatorsTyphlodromus occidentalisNesbitt,Amblyseius fallacisGarman andTyphlodromus pyriScheuten which have developed resistances to certain insecticides commonly used in commercial fruit orchards is presented. Methods of culturing and mass-rearing these mites are reviewed. Also the cultural and pesticidal measures which should be maintained to facilitate effective biological control of spider mite pest of deciduous fruit crops by these predators and to maximally provide for their establishment in areas of the world where resistance has not developed or they do not occur naturally are discussed.
Measuring the spatio-temporal field of focusing ultra short pulses

We present a techniques for measuring the spatio-temporal intensity and phase, E(x,y,z,t), of an ultra short pulse at or near the focus with high spatial and spectral resolution.
Addiction as a Stress Surfeit Disorder

Drug addiction has been conceptualized as a chronically relapsing disorder of compulsive drug seeking and taking that progresses through three stages: binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation. Drug addiction impacts multiple motivational mechanisms and can be conceptualized as a disorder that progresses from positive reinforcement (binge/intoxication stage) to negative reinforcement (withdrawal/negative affect stage). The construct of negative reinforcement is defined as drug taking that alleviates a negative emotional state. Our hypothesis is that the negative emotional state that drives such negative reinforcement is derived from dysregulation of key neurochemical elements involved in the brain stress systems within the frontal cortex, ventral striatum, and extended amygdala. Specific neurochemical elements in these structures include not only recruitment of the classic stress axis mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the extended amygdala as previously hypothesized but also recruitment of dynorphin-κ opioid aversive systems in the ventral striatum and extended amygdala. Additionally, we hypothesized that these brain stress systems may be engaged in the frontal cortex early in the addiction process. Excessive drug taking engages activation of CRF not only in the extended amygdala, accompanied by anxiety-like states, but also in the medial prefrontal cortex, accompanied by deficits in executive function that may facilitate the transition to compulsive-like responding. Excessive activation of the nucleus accumbens via the release of mesocorticolimbic dopamine or activation of opioid receptors has long been hypothesized to subsequently activate the dynorphin-κ opioid system, which in turn can decrease dopaminergic activity in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Blockade of the κ opioid system can also block anxiety-like and reward deficits associated with withdrawal from drugs of abuse and block the development of compulsive-like responding during extended access to drugs of abuse, suggesting another powerful brain stress/anti-reward system that contributes to compulsive drug seeking. Thus, brain stress response systems are hypothesized to be activated by acute excessive drug intake, to be sensitized during repeated withdrawal, to persist into protracted abstinence, and to contribute to the development and persistence of addiction. The recruitment of anti-reward systems provides a powerful neurochemical basis for the negative emotional states that are responsible for the dark side of addiction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'NIDA 40th Anniversary Issue'.
Thin and thick RuO2-TiO2 coatings on titanium substrates by the sol-gel process

Thin and thick 20 mol% RuO2–80 mol% TiO2 coatings have been obtained through a combination of different preparation parameters, including catalyst and oxide concentrations, using ruthenium trichloride trihydrate and titanium n-butoxide. Acid catalysed solutions produced uniform, crack-free coatings that were too thin for use on electrocatalysis electrodes. On the other hand, base catalysed solutions produced thicker, cracked coatings. Electrodes prepared with base catalysed solutions performed well in electrocatalysis lifetime testing for corrosion stability.
BEHAVIOR OF URBAN PUBLIC AUTHORITIES OPERATING IN COMPETITIVE MARKETS: POLICY OUTCOMES IN MASS TRANSIT

An old administrative adage has reemerged in public organizational studies that views government agencies as corporate-like in behavior and policy making. The new twist in this enterprise thesis is the emphasis placed on competitive market conditions in determining how policy outcomes are patterned to favor some stakeholders over others. Applying regression analysis to a sample of 42 urban transit agencies, the study finds market conditions pose significant influence on skewing policy outcomes but do not necessarily cause a trade-off harmful to social-program clients. One implication is that introducing market conditions into the environment of public agencies may be a superior reform option to privatization.
Pathologic physiology and chemotherapy of Plasmodium berghei I. Suppression of parasitemia by sulfones and sulfonamides in mice

Abstract Diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS), its diformyl derivative (DFD), and five other derivatives were investigated in the mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. The suppressive doses50 for the two most important sulfones were as follows: DDS = 0.5 mg/kg and DFD = 0.25 mg/kg. The LD50 in the mice were respectively 430 and 760 mg/kg and therefore the therapeutic index for DFD was considerably higher than for DDS. Sulforthomidine suppressed parasitemia and prolonged the survival of the infected mice. Sulfadimethoxine suppressed parasitemia but did not prolong survival. The antimalarial activity of sulforthomidine was inhibited by folic acid and p-aminobenzoic acid.
An expanded theory of pluralistic interactions in voluntary nonprofit organizations

Demographic trends suggest a more culturally diverse society, yet research focusing specifically on the management of this diversity in nonprofit organizations is at a nascent stage. Furthermore, traditional ways of conceptualizing cultural diversity in U.S. society are becoming outmoded. Thus, nonprofit managers and leaders can benefit from new ways of thinking about and managing diversity. In this article, we extend our proposed representationinteraction model of diversity in voluntaristic nonprofits (Weisinger and Salipante, 2005) by more closely examining the interaction prong of our model in order to provide a more grounded understanding of this new approach to increasing pluralism. The expanded model that we discuss here is founded on interaction processes: in-group identity and recategorization. This study enables us to transform our grounded theory into a theory of practices that leaders of voluntaristic organizations can directly apply. We present findings from a field study of a national nonprofit organization and discuss implications for practice and research.
Bus HVAC energy consumption test method based on HVAC unit behavior

Abstract This paper presents a test method for determination of energy consumption of bus HVAC unit. The energy consumption corresponds to a bus engine fuel consumption increase during the HVAC unit operation period. The HVAC unit energy consumption is determined from the unit input power, which is measured under several levels of bus engine speeds and at different levels of testing heat load in the laboratory environment. Since the bus engine fuel consumption is incrementally induced by powering an HVAC unit, the results are subsequently recalculated to the unit fuel consumption under the defined road cycles in terms of standardized diesel engine. The method is likewise applicable either for classic or electric HVAC units with a main consumer (compressor or high voltage alternator) mechanically driven directly from the bus engine and also for electric HVAC units supplied from an alternative electric energy source in case of hybrid or fully electric buses.
Expression of calmodulin gene is down-regulated in diabetic BB rats.

Abstract In past studies, we have demonstrated that in streptozotocin-induced diabetic or spontaneously diabetic (BB) animal models, low Km cAMP phophodiesterase and calmodulin are decreased while a low MW inhibitor of calmodulin is increased. To extend these studies, we have determined the rate of [ 35 S]-methionine incorporation into calmodulin in isolated fat cells from these diabetic animals, i.e. streptozotocin-induced diabetic and the BB rats, spontaneous diabetic rat, non-diabetic rat, and control. We found markedly decreased rates of synthesis of calmodulin in the fully diabetic BB rat. In order to investigate the mechanism of the reduced calmodulin biosynthesis, we probed poly A+ mRNA from control and diabetic rat livers with a calmodulin specific anti-sense oligonucleotide probe and found that the fully diabetic animals, streptozotocin-induced diabetic and genetically diabetic BB, contained markedly reduced levels of calmodulin transcripts. Thus, both calmodulin protein and its putative mRNA are decreased in diabetic rat liver. We believe that in uncontrolled diabetes, the observed elevation in the levels of cyclic AMP in plasma and tissue results in part from decreased activity of phosphodiesterase. The insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase appears to be regulated by calmodulin. We hypothesize that cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inactivation in diabetes results in part from insulin insufficiency and to a less well-defined genetic lesion leading to calmodulin down-regulation.
Flow boiling enhancement on a horizontal heater using carbon nanotube coatings

In this study we measure the flow boiling heat flux on a horizontal heater that is heated from below. The horizontal heater consists of either a bare silicon wafer or a silicon wafer that is coated with multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The silicon wafer is clamped on a constant heat flux type calorimeter consisting of a vertical copper cylinder with embedded cartridge heaters and K-type thermocouples. De-ionized (DI) water was used as the test fluid. The calorimeter apparatus is housed in a test section with glass walls for visual observation. The liquid is pumped from a constant temperature bath to maintain a fixed subcooling during the experiments under steady state conditions. Boiling curves (wall heat flux as a function of heater temperature) were obtained for different flow rates and liquid subcooling. Experiments were performed for two different flow rates and two different liquid subcoolings. Flow boiling heat flux was enhanced by as much as 180% at boiling incipience for silicon substrates coated with carbon nanotubes. MWCNT was less effective in enhancing heat flux as the flow rate and liquid subcooling was increased. This anomalous behavior was explained using flow boiling models reported in the literature.
Circulation and larval distribution in internal tidal bore warm fronts

Internal tidal bore warm fronts were observed during the summer of 1996 off the coast of Southern California. Warm bore fronts had concentrating currents resulting from high-frequency internal motions and from a larger two-way flow; the two-way flow featured surface currents onshore and bottom currents offshore. A sharp thermocline depression and high-frequency, large-amplitude internal motions followed the leading edge of the bore, with downwelling currents on the trailing side of the crest of the nonlinear internal waves and upwelling currents in front of the crest. Warm bores propagated onshore with a propagation speed, c, that ranged from 10.6 to 19.6 cm s -1 , while time-averaged frontal currents, ū, varied from 11.2 to 17.6 cm s -1 in the shallowest bin. In one out of three cases ū > c, which implied that there were faster currents than the rate of advance of the front and which implied that the origin of surface frontal material is behind the front, not in front of it. Three invertebrate larval taxa were found at all sites across fronts, but only two intertidal barnacles, Pollicipes polymerus and Chthamalus spp., were concentrated at the front's surface, while the subtidal bryozoan Membranipora spp. was not. Frontal Pollicipes were more concentrated than were Chthamalus. The frontal downwelling currents observed suggested that concentrated larvae would have to swim upward in order to maintain depth. Pollicipes were abundant on the offshore warm side of the fronts but were absent or rare on the onshore colder side, suggesting that the origin of frontal Pollicipes was behind the front, although an alternative cannot be ruled out conclusively. Chthamalus were more abundant at depth than at the surface at all sites except at the front, where this pattern was reversed. The origin of frontal Chthamalus is uncertain. Membranipora were more abundant on the onshore colder side of the fronts, and abundances were usually higher at depth than at surface. Lack of accumulation in this species may be due to its limited swimming capability.
A moments-based approach to estimation and data interpolation for a class of Wiener systems

This paper addresses the problems of estimating the values of both the outputs and the internal signals for a class of Wiener systems consisting of the cascade of an unknown linear time invariant systems and a known, rational, generically non-invertible nonlinearity, based solely on past input/output data corrupted by noise. This situation arises in many scenarios of practical interest where an explicit a-priori model of the linear system is not available. Examples include extracting geometric 3D structure from a sequence of 2D images (structure from motion), and nonlinear dimensionality reduction via manifold embedding. The main result of the paper is a simple, computationally efficient algorithm that is capable of handling intermittent measurements and does not entail identifying first the unknown linear dynamics. Rather, the problem of estimating the internal signals and interpolating missing data is recast into a rank-constrained feasibility problem. Although this problem depends polynomially in the data, we show that, by appealing to classical results on moments optimization, it can be reduced to a rank-constrained Linear Matrix Inequality optimization and efficiently solved using existing techniques. The potential of the proposed approach is illustrated by solving structure from motion problems using real data.
ATPG for Timing Errors in Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous Systems

Globally Asynchronous, Locally Synchronous (GALS) systems are now commonplace in many cost-critical and life-critical applications, thus motivating the need for a systematic approach to verify functionality. The complexity of the verification problem for large heterogeneous GALS systems necessitates the development of simulation-based validation approaches to uniformly validate hardware, software, and their interaction. GALS systems are comprised of several processes which may be mapped to different hardware and software components and communicate through asynchronous interfaces. Communication between these processes must be verified to ensure that the system is working correctly. Previous work focuses on checking the correctness of individual processes rather than communication between multiple processes. Timing errors may cause a signal to have an incorrect value for a short time period. Timing errors can cause a problem in GALS systems if the value of a signal with a timing error is used while is has an incorrect value. This paper presents an automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) tool to generate tests for timing-induced functional errors.
Selective Agonists and Antagonists of Formylpeptide Receptors: Duplex Flow Cytometry and Mixture-Based Positional Scanning Libraries

The formylpeptide receptor (FPR1) and formylpeptide-like 1 receptor (FPR2) are G protein–coupled receptors that are linked to acute inflammatory responses, malignant glioma stem cell metastasis, and chronic inflammation. Although several Nformyl peptides are known to bind to these receptors, more selective small-molecule, high-affinity ligands are needed for a better understanding of the physiologic roles played by these receptors. High-throughput assays using mixture-based combinatorial libraries represent a unique, highly efficient approach for rapid data acquisition and ligand identification. We report the superiority of this approach in the context of the simultaneous screening of a diverse set of mixture-based small-molecule libraries. We used a single cross-reactive peptide ligand for a duplex flow cytometric screen of FPR1 and FPR2 in colorcoded cell lines. Screening 37 different mixture-based combinatorial libraries totaling more than five million small molecules (contained in 5,261 mixture samples) resulted in seven libraries that significantly inhibited activity at the receptors. Using positional scanning deconvolution, selective high-affinity (low nM Ki) individual compounds were identified from two separate libraries, namely, pyrrolidine bis-diketopiperazine and polyphenyl urea. The most active individual compounds were characterized for their functional activities as agonists or antagonists with the most potent FPR1 agonist and FPR2 antagonist identified to date with an EC50 of 131 nM (4 nM Ki) and an IC50 of 81 nM (1 nM Ki), respectively, in intracellular Ca 21 response determinations. Comparative analyses of other previous screening approaches clearly illustrate the efficiency of identifying receptor selective, individual compounds from mixture-based combinatorial libraries.
On the problem of covalent linkages between phosphoproteins and collagen in bovine dentin and bone.

The majority of phosphoproteins in bovine bone and dentin are insoluble in EDTA and guanidine hydrochloride (Gu.HCl) at 2 degrees C. After removal of EDTA and Gu.HCl-soluble proteins at 2 degrees C, collagen alpha-chains and alpha-chain polymers were extracted from bovine bone and dentin in Gu.HCl at elevated temperatures and purified by several chromatographic techniques and SDS-PAGE. Small amounts of O-phosphoserine were found in all collagen components. In contrast, O-phosphoserine was not detected in the purified collagen components soluble in EDTA or Gu.HCl at 2 degrees C nor was hydroxyproline detected in the EDTA-soluble phosphoproteins. In contrast, although the vast majority of EDTA-insoluble collagen and phosphoprotein molecules can be readily dissociated by a variety of molecular sieving and ion-exchange chromatographic procedures, a small number are very strongly associated or covalently cross-linked. These results are consistent with the findings that both hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine are present in purified phosphoprotein components released from the EDTA-insoluble tissue by bacterial collagenase. The hydroxylysine/100 hydroxyproline ratios in the phosphoprotein-collagen complexes are much higher than those in dentin or bone collagens.
Fabrication of MSM photoconductor on porous Si using micromachined silicon mask

An MSM photoconductive detector has been fabricated from porous silicon using a micromachined silicon mask instead of photolithography. This approach allows damage to porous silicon that can be caused by chemical processing to be avoided. The interdigitated pattern of the silicon mask with a finger spacing of approximately 150 mu m and finger width of 50 mu m was made using silicon micromachining. The fabricated MSM porous silicon photoconductive detector, which exhibits responsivities of better than 0.5 A/W at the wavelength of the He-Ne laser (6280 AA) and a dark current of 950 nA at 10 V, is very promising as an optoelectronic device.
Different Regions of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Are Required for Enhancement of bZip-Mediated Transactivation versus Transrepression

The hepatitis B virus X protein (pX) interacts directly with the bZip transactivator CREB and the bZip repressors ICERIIγ and ATF3, increasing their DNA-binding affinity in vitro and their transcriptional efficacy in vivo. However, the mechanism of bZip-pX interaction and of the pX-mediated increase in the bZip transcriptional efficacy remains to be understood. In this study with deletion mutants of pX, we delineated a 67-amino-acid region spanning residues 49 to 115 required for direct CREB, ATF3, and ICER IIγ interaction in vitro and in vivo and increased bZip/CRE binding in vitro. Transient transfections of the pX deletion mutants in AML12 hepatocytes demonstrate that pX49–115 is as effective as the full-length pX in enhancing the ATF3- and ICERIIγ-mediated transrepression. However, this pX region is inactive in increasing the transactivation efficacy of CREB; additional amino acid residues present in pX49–140 are required to mediate the increased transactivation efficacy of CREB in vivo. This requirement for different regions of pX in affecting CREB transactivation suggests that amino acid residues 115 to 140 integrate additional events in effecting pX-mediated transactivation, such as concomitant interactions with select components of the basal transcriptional apparatus.
A new convergence criterion for the modified Picard iteration method to solve the variably saturated flow equation

Abstract Solutions of the Richards equation for water flow in variably saturated porous media are increasingly being used in water resources evaluation and environmental management. Besides the accuracy of solution, also of concern is the required computational effort, especially when highly nonlinear soil hydraulic properties and dry initial conditions are involved. In this paper we evaluate the performance of different convergence criteria when the modified Picard iteration method is used for solving the mixed-form Richards equation. Results are compared in terms of computer processing (CPU) time and number of iterations. A new nonlinear convergence criterion derived using a Taylor series expansion of the water content was implemented in the mixed-form numerical algorithm. The computational efficiency of the new criterion was evaluated against two widely used convergence criteria for different soil types, boundary conditions, initial conditions, and layered soils. Whereas all three criteria produced nearly identical results in terms of calculated water content, pressure head, and waser flux distributions, all with negligible mass balance errors, the required CPU times were significantly different. In general, the new nonlinear convergence criterion was found to be computationally much more efficient than the other two criteria. The new criterion was also more robust (i.e. the solution remained convergent) for highly nonlinear flow problems for which the other two convergence criteria failed. Results of this study indicate that the new convergence criterion, when implemented in the modified Picard solution of the mixed-form Richards equation, produces a very efficient and accurate method for simulating variably saturated water flow in soils.
ISOLATION OF BANANA LECTIN—A PRACTICAL SCALE PROCEDURE FROM RIPE BANANA FRUIT

Banana lectin (BanLec) was isolated from slightly overripe bananas (PCI 6-7) by homogenation in NaCl solution, followed by extraction in the presence of glucose, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and affinity chromatography. Yields were approximately 10-fold greater that those of previously published methods using acidic extraction from very overripe fruit (Peel Color Index [PCI] 7+). By dilution of added isotopically labeled recombinant lectin, the content of total exchangeable BalLec was shown to be constant or to slightly decrease with increasing stage of ripeness, even though extractable BanLec increased, followed by rapid decrease in overripened fruit. In the course of this study we observed that recombinant BanLec expressed in Escherichia coli, although chemically and functionally identical to native BanLec, differed slightly in its apparent molecular size on gel filtration, probably due to differences in its native folding.
California Smart Grid Attributes: California Public Utility Commission Metrics

California regulatory agencies such as the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and state energy policy and planning agencies such as the California Energy Commission (CEC) are continuing to launch a broad range of smart grid initiatives. Smart Grid refers to a nationwide modernization of the electric grid with design features meant to enhance security of U.S. energy infrastructure and help ensure reliable electricity delivery in the face of growing electrical energy demand [1]. The CPUC is tasked with adopting standards and protocols applicable to power delivery in general and to assist in the development of deployment plans for investor owned utilities (IOUs) in this emerging smart grid arena. Over many months the CPUC held numerous public workshops and garnered feedback from as wide an audience as possible so that a set of metrics can be created that specifically addresses a measureable smart grid. These proposed metrics must clearly show the rate payers the value of the smart grid in terms of utility rates, system reliability, environmental sustainability, and social justice across issues of income, race, geographic location, and other perceived needs. This paper presents a generalized view of the need for metrics and introduces some of the required details of Smart Grid metrics.
Application of the Yang-Monti channel in adult continent cutaneous urinary diversion.

Objectives To report 8 cases using the Yang-Monti channel with ileum for adult continent cutaneous urinary diversion. Methods From 2004 to 2006, 108 patients underwent urinary diversion, 8 of whom had a continent cutaneous reservoir using the Yang-Monti principle. Channels were created by transversely retubularizing 2 to 3 cm of ileum. Indications, technique, complications, and outcomes, such as continence and ease of channel catheterization, are reported. Results Five patients underwent a right colon reservoir urinary reconstruction after extirpative surgery. Orthotopic neobladders were not performed, owing to anatomic or oncologic concerns. Two additional patients underwent an augmentation, with 1 undergoing an Indiana pouch revision. All urinary reservoirs but 1 were connected to the umbilicus. Two strictures occurred, which were treated with in-office dilation. Incontinence was identified in 2 patients and successfully treated with dextran microspheres injections. All patients were continent at final follow-up. Seven patients continue to perform intermittent catheterization, and 1 patient is managed with an indwelling catheter, owing to comorbidities. Conclusions The Yang-Monti channel using ileum is an alternative as a neo-appendicoumbilicostomy in construction of continent cutaneous urinary diversion. The channel is surgically versatile and can be used in the creation of a right colon pouch when the appendix is unavailable.
Debsian Socialism Through a Transnational Lens

Socialism in the United States between 1901 and 1919 has usually been viewed in a national context replete with assumptions about American Exceptionalism. Taking their cue from Werner Sombart's classic 1906 essay “Why Is there No Socialism in the United States?,” historians of American socialism from Daniel Bell and David Shannon to Seymour Martin Lipset have pointed to distinctly American conditions inimical to the growth of Socialism. For Ira Kipnis and Philip Foner, the problem was that American socialism before World War One was too rooted in American political traditions, not pure or Marxist enough. For Daniel Bell, it was a “foreign virus,” and was unable to be domesticated. And in the work of Paul Buhle, the “foreign” nature of American socialism in its ethnic and immigrant members has found its rescuer. The distinction between the “American” and “foreign” character of American socialism dominated debate for far too long.
Project Shake-It-Up: using health promotion, capacity building and a disability studies framework to increase self efficacy.

Purpose. Project Shake-It-Up provided a health promotion and capacity building program for individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and related neurological impairments. Major research aims were to evaluate changes in participants’ self-efficacy, ability to set/achieve goals, and perceived independent-living status. Methods. Participants completed self-efficacy measures at baseline, program completion, 6- and 12-month follow-up, and set health and/or independent living goals. Progress toward goal attainment was monitored periodically and assessed qualitatively. Results. There was a statistically significant difference in the change in self-efficacy scores for intervention participants compared to non-participants. Participants gained independent-living skills and confidence in their abilities to set and achieve a variety of goals, in the areas of education, employment, housing, transportation, accessing community resources and activities, participation in sports and leisure, and health promotion. Conclusions. Researchers evaluated results using a disability studies framework of empowerment which recognizes the role of environment, gender, race/ethnicity, and social status in the experience of disability. Participants reported increased independence, community access, and participation. They took action in multiple arenas with changes observed and reported in areas of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and behavioral functioning that indicated greater personal empowerment.
Natalizumab dosage suspension: Are we helping or hurting?

The risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy increases with the duration of treatment with natalizumab. Planned dosage interruptions have been proposed as a means of decreasing cumulative risk. The clinical consequences of dosage interruption were evaluated in a single center cohort of natalizumab-treated patients. Medical records were reviewed for 84 patients identified with multiple sclerosis who received 12 or more infusions of natalizumab at an academic multiple sclerosis center. Eighty-one percent (68/84) underwent a dosage interruption, and 19% (16/84) had no interruption in natalizumab treatment. Of those with a treatment interruption, 27.9% (19/68) experienced a clinical relapse within 6 months of the suspension, whereas none of the patients with ongoing treatment experienced a flare during months 12 to 18 of treatment (p = 0.017, Fisher exact test). Survival analysis showed that Kaplan-Meier curves comparing dosage interruption to ongoing treatment diverged (p = 0.025). Median time from treatment interruption to relapse onset was 3 months. No clinical predictors associated with an increased risk of developing flares during dosage interruption were identified. Among the 19 patients who had a flare, 7 had severe flares, with a mean number of 16 Gad+ lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (range, 6-40). Their median Expanded Disability Status Scale at natalizumab interruption was 3.0 and increased to 6.0 during the flare (p = 0.0008). Natalizumab dosage interruption is associated with clinical flares and return of radiographic inflammatory disease activity. Some of these flares can be clinically severe, with a high number of contrast-enhanced lesions, suggesting a possible rebound of disease activity.
Transport in two-dimensional paper networks

Two-dimensional paper networks (2DPNs) hold great potential for transcending the capabilities and performance of today’s paper-based analytical devices. Specifically, 2DPNs enable sophisticated multi-step chemical processing sequences for sample pretreatment and analysis at a cost and ease-of-use that make them appropriate for use in settings with low resources. A quantitative understanding of flow in paper networks is essential to realize the potential of these networks. In this report, we provide a framework for understanding flow in simple 2DPNs using experiments, analytical expressions, and computational simulations.
Rapid Growth of Diamond-Like-Carbon Films by Copper Vapor Laser ablation

Visible light from a copper vapor laser (CVL) operating with 510 and 578 nm radiation (intensity ratio approximately 2:1), an average power of 100 W, a pulse duration of 50 ns, and a repetition frequency of 4.4 kHz has been shown to produce high quality diamond-like-carbon (DLC) films at fluences between 2x10{sup 8} and 5x10{sup 10} W/cm{sup 2}. Maximum deposition rates of 2000 {mu}m{center_dot}cm{sup 2}/h were obtained at 5x10{sup 8} W/cm{sup 2}. DLC films with hardness values of approximately 60 GPa were characterized by a variety of techniques to confirm DLC character, hydrogen content, and surface morphology. The presence of C{sub 2} in the vapor plume was confirmed by the presence of the C{sub 2} Swan bands in emission spectra obtained during the process. Economic implications of process scale-up to industrially meaningful component sizes are presented.
QCD quantum correlation and multi-parton dynamics

Protons and neutrons are known to be the building blocks of matter, and also known to be the bound states of quarks and gluons the partons, whose dynamics is best described by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Perturbative QCD has been very successful in interpreting and predicting high-energy hadronic scattering processes by factorizing the leading contribution to the physical cross sections into a convolution of the perturbatively calculable short-distance part and the universal long-distance parton distribution functions (PDFs) of colliding hadrons. Besides testing QCD dynamics at the short-distance, these cross sections also probe partonic structure inside a colliding hadron via PDFs, which are often interpreted as the probability densities of finding a parton inside a hadron with a given longitudinal momentum fraction. In this thesis I discuss the possibilities to explore the rich partonic dynamics inside a hadron or a large nucleus beyond the probability distributions. I will first explain why a difference of two transverse-spin dependent cross sections (or the measurement of the single transverse-spin asymmetry) can directly probe a set of new three-parton correlation functions. These correlation functions provide the first direct information on quantum correlation between quarks and gluons inside a polarized hadron. I will describe the basic formalism and the experimental measurements of these correlation functions. I will present the first derivation of evolution equations (or renormalization group equations) for these correlation functions. I will then discuss how to use the nuclear dependence of high energy nuclear collisions to extract the information on four-parton correlations inside a large nucleus or a nuclear medium. The measurements of the spin asymmetry and the anomalous nuclear dependence provide us new opportunities to explore the QCD dynamics and hadron structure beyond the parton probability distributions.
Stability of Nonlinear Networks

A lumped linear time-invariant lossy network containing bounded periodic sources with period T and one nonlinear element is considered. It is assumed that the first and second derivatives of the nonlinear function exist and are continuous within a certain allowable range of operation for the nonlinear element. The first derivative should be positive at the bias point, but this requirement can be waived in certain cases. An upper bound M on the magnitude of the input is determined such that for the magnitude of the input less than M there exists a unique steady-state solution of period T . Experimental results indicate that even with the magnitude of the input less than M , the steady-state solution may be unstable. Hence, a new bound M_{1} M is determined such that if the magnitude of the input is less than M_{1} , then all transients asymptotically approach the periodic steady-state solution of period T . In addition, an asymptotic stability to small perturbations in the input is considered. Examples and experimental results are given.
The Relationship Between Student Retention in Community College Courses and Faculty Employment Status

ABSTRACTCommunity colleges are under pressure to educate a growing student population while economic resources in higher education are diminishing. One measure of success for colleges is the ability to retain students. Due to the varied nature of the community college population, measuring student retention is challenging. One facet of student retention is course retention, defined as the successful completion of a course with a grade of C or higher. Course retention is associated with the likelihood of degree completion; therefore, it served as the measure of student retention used in this study. Theoretical models show a link between student retention and faculty interaction. Furthermore, faculty/student interactions, both inside and outside of the classroom, are influenced by faculty employment status. While researchers have linked faculty interactions with broad measures of student retention, and faculty behavior with employment status, limited research is available on the relationship between course ...
Summary of Workshops 4a & 4b: Animal Models of Atherosclerosis Involving the Thrombotic Process

This section of the Workshop on Thromboatherosclerosis dealt with the present “state of the art” of producing experimental atherosclerosis in different animals, in which the thrombotic process is part of the development sequence in the pathogenesis and histogenesis of the lesion. The consideration of this topic was under two headings: (a) The use of normal animals of various species in which thromboatherosclerotic lesions are induced by diverse procedures; and (b) The use of animals with either induced or genetic impairment of the hemostatic mechanism, in which either naturally occurring or induced atherosclerosis is examined.
A “Flipped Classroom” Reality Check

Some observations about the advantages and potential practical challenges of the “flipped classroom” approach in a general chemistry course are presented.
Observation of a T > Gamow-Teller State in Ca 48 ( p , n ) Sc 48 at 160 MeV

Neutron spectra from the reaction $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$($p$,$n$) $^{48}\mathrm{Sc}$ at 160 MeV reveal a prominent narrow peak at ${E}_{x}=16.8$ MeV. This state is interpreted as a spin-flip isovector giant resonance; it carries a significant fraction of the ${T}_{g}$ ($T=4$) Gamow-Teller strength. The observed position of this resonance agrees with both a recent shell-model prediction and with the position expected from systematics for the analog of the giant $M1$ resonance in $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$.
Political accountability and autonomous weapons

Autonomous weapons would have the capacity to select and attack targets without direct human input. One important objection to the introduction of such weapons is that they will make it more difficult to identify and hold accountable those responsible for undesirable outcomes such as mission failures and civilian casualties. I hypothesize that individuals can modify their attribution of responsibility in predicable ways to accommodate this new technology. The results of a survey experiment are consistent with this; subjects continue to find responsible and hold accountable political and military leaders when autonomous weapons are used, but also attribute responsibility to the designers and programmers of such weapons.
Pre-employment examinations for preventing occupational injury and disease.

There is limited evidence that task-focused examinations reduce sick leave and the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries; however, general pre-employment examinations have no effect on health outcomes.
The Coat of Many Colors: A Process Model of Entrepreneurial Identity

Prior theory indicates that resource slack is a primary determinant of firms’ strategic responses to adversity and leads to predictions that resource constraints narrow the range of expected behavi...
Aortic Fibrosis, Induced by High Salt Intake in the Absence of Hypertensive Response, is Reduced by a Monoclonal Antibody to Marinobufagenin.

BACKGROUND Marinobufagenin (MBG) is an endogenous Na/K-ATPase inhibitor, a natriuretic and a vasoconstrictor. MBG is implicated in salt-sensitive hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and initiate the pro-fibrotic signaling. Previously it was demonstrated that immunoneutralization of an endogenous MBG by 3E9 anti-MBG-antibody (mAb) in vivo lowered blood pressure (BP) and reversed cardiac fibrosis in salt-sensitive, and in partially nephrectomized rats. In the present study, we investigated whether mAb alleviates vascular remodeling induced in normotensive rats on high salt intake. METHODS Wistar rats (5 months old) received normal (CTRL; n = 8) or high salt intake (2% NaCl in drinking water) for 4 weeks ( n = 16). Rats from the group on a high salt intake were administered vehicle (SALT; n = 8) or mAb (50 µg/kg) (SALT-AB; n = 8) during the last week of high salt diet. BP, erythrocyte Na/K-ATPase activity, levels of MBG in plasma and 24-hour urine, and sensitivity of aortic explants to the vasorelaxant effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were measured. Aortic collagen abundance was determined immunohistochemically. RESULTS In SALT vs. CTRL, heightened levels of MBG were associated with inhibition of erythrocyte Na/K-ATPase in the absence of BP changes. High salt intake was accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in aortic collagen abundance and by a reduction of sensitivity of aortic explants to the vasorelaxant effect of SNP following endothelin-1-induced constriction. In the SALT-AB group, all NaCl-mediated effects were reversed by immunoneutralization of MBG. CONCLUSIONS High salt intake in young normotensive rats can induce vascular fibrosis via pressure-independent/MBG-dependent mechanisms, and this remodeling is reduced by immunoneutralization of MBG.
Prevalence of Hypertension in Residents Aged over 15 Years in Shanghai,2010

[Objective] To assess the prevalence,awareness,treatment,and control of hypertension among residents older than 15 years in Shanghai.[Methods]A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2010 in Shanghai by using structured questionnaires and blood pressure measurement.A total of 15808 residents(≥ 15years) were selected by a hybrid sampling strategy combining multi-stage sampling,stratified sampling and simple random sampling.And 15732 questionnaires were validated for study.[Results]The average systolic blood pressure was 129.05mmHg(95%CI: 128.47-129.63mmHg),and the average diastolic blood pressure was 79.71mmHg(95%CI: 79.44-79.99mmHg).The prevalence of hypertension was 31.15%(95%CI: 29.79%-32.54%),the awareness rate was 74.19%(95%CI: 71.93%-76.33%),the rate of receiving treatment was 59.95%(95%CI: 57.58%-62.28%) and the blood pressure control rate was 30.59%(95%CI: 28.32%-32.96%).The rates of awareness,treatment and control of hypertension were significantly higher in urban area than in rural area;and those rates were also significantly higher in female than in male(P0.01).[Conclusion]The average values of blood pressure are high in Shanghai,and the prevalence of hypertension is attracting medical attention.Although a high rate of awareness is presented,the rates of treatment and blood pressure control are still low and need to be improved.
A data management method for CSCW system

CSCW aims to improve the ability of groups to collaborate through the use of computers and networks,and the application of CSCW usually bases itself on database.However,the data in CSCW system differs from those in traditional application.We present a method based on DB and XML technologies to manage data in CSCW system.In this paper,we discuss how to solve the data-sharing and use EJB/JavaBean implement data processing in the cooperative system.
Cementless and cemented implants had similar survival in total knee replacement.

Question: In patients having total knee replacement, do cementless implants have longer survival than cemented implants? Design: Randomized (allocation not concealed), unblinded, controlled trial with a mean 7.4-year follow-up. Setting: A university hospital in Leicester, England, UK. Patients: 392 patients (mean age, 70 years; 57% women) who required primary total knee replacement with use of the press-fit condylar knee replacement system (Johnson and Johnson Professional, Raynham, Massachusetts). Exclusion criteria were grossly porotic bone or bone defects not requiring grafting, …
Use of progestins.

The question that still remains today is, What is an ideal formulation for administering estrogens? There have been no large-scale, long term studies to answer this question. But the pendulum appears to be swinging from cyclic combination therapy, or sequential combination therapy, to continuous therapy. There is less bleeding and compliance is better. There is no difference in the effects on lipids, and it looks as though the endometrium maintains its atrophy. The future in developing the ideal formulation may lie in this direction; however, more studies need to be coordinated and done in several centers.
Price volatility and residential electricity decisions: Experimental evidence on the convergence of energy generating source

Abstract The recent trend in most developed countries has been toward greater reliance on renewable or “green” energy sources. This paper investigates how price volatility in residential electricity rates impacts consumers' preferences for green power. Using a choice-based experiment, we present respondents with choice scenarios that feature two electric utility plans: (i) a conventional plan where electricity is generated from either coal or natural gas, and (ii) a green plan where electricity is generated renewably from either wind or solar. We then systematically vary the monthly price volatility of each plan across choice scenarios. Our results suggest that price volatility in monthly rates significantly impacts respondents' plan choices and, specifically, their decision to adopt the green power plan. In particular, increased volatility in the green power plan reduces the likelihood of respondents choosing the green plan, while increased volatility in the conventional plan increases the likelihood of respondents choosing the green plan. Moreover, the documented effects of price volatility are robust across different price premiums for the green power plan.
Assessing Critical Thinking In Mechanics In Engineering Education

Typically, mechanics education in engineering schools focuses on communicating explicit content to students, but deemphasizes the critical thought that underlies the discipline of mechanics. We give examples of the failure of students to apply basic principles of mechanics in solving problems. We develop assessment tools to measure critical thinking in student work, and how well mechanics textbooks engage students in critical analysis. Both tools focus on the treatment of three criteria that we judge to be fundamental, but which are commonly overlooked or undervalued – completeness of free body diagrams, consideration of physical dimension, and careful use of coordinates and sign conventions. Data collected from employing our assessment tools indicates that most of the time, students omit or misunderstand at least one critical idea when solving a problem, even when they obtain a correct answer. We also found that most of the textbooks surveyed had at least one major shortcoming pertaining to our criteria. Mechanics educators should vigorously emphasize fundamental aspects of mechanics, such as those that we suggest here, as a necessary (though insufficient) step to improve the ability of students to think critically and solve problems independently.