cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Periodic aerated treatment and in-situ bioremediation strategies for polyhalogenated compounds

Polyhalogenated compounds are known to resist aerobic degradation but are subject to anaerobic reductive dehalogenation. The anaerobic biotransformation often result in the accumulation of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. An example is the production of trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cDCE), trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (tDCE), 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC), from anaerobic dechlorination of tetrachloroethylene (PCE). However, the anaerobic dehalogenation products are known to be susceptible to aerobic methanotrophic oxidative mineralization. Therefore, the treatment of polyhalogenated compounds and field remediation of sites contaminated by these compounds involve anaerobic biotransformation followed by aerobic mineralization. As opposed to two stage treatment and remediation which involve anaerobic environment followed by an aerobic environment in two separate systems or environments, recent focus on the detoxification of polyhalogenated compounds involve the development of engineering systems which can accomplish anaerobic biotransformation and aerobic oxidative mineralization in a single reaction environment. Periodic aerated anaerobic batch systems, including systems for ex-situ and in-situ biodetoxification of polyhalogenated compounds are being developed at San Jose State University under the direction of Dr Udeme J. Ndon. These systems and results of preliminary studies are presented in this report. Results of the preliminary experiments showed minimum accumulation of PCE biotransformation products in comparison to strict anaerobic conditions. Results also show that PCE degradation may have occurred during the transition between anaerobiosis and aerobiosis.
Effects of Trojan exoplanets on the reflex motions of their parent stars

Abstract This paper collects and corrects certain results on the radial velocity variations of stars in Trojan systems, where two exoplanets separated by 60° of longitude share the same orbit. Radial velocity measurements can seriously misjudge the masses and densities of planets in such systems. I also derive a simple new method for combining tidal perturbations from two or more sources, such as the tides raised on Earth by the Sun and Moon. This method then shows that the observable effects of tides raised on stars by Trojan planets are also misleading. However, the combination of both tidal and radial velocity measurements can determine the mass of each planet. I conclude with a discussion of possible scenarios for the formation of co-orbital exoplanets.
Structure of Atoms and Molecules Electronic Theory or Valence

A digest of present theories regarding the structure of atoms and molecules is presented herewith. In an article of this length it is impossible to show adequately how bulk properties of substances are related to atomic properties; the article is intended primarily as a general introduction to the subject, and for those wishing to delve deeper into the matter a list of references is given at the end of the article. This is the sixth of a series of special articles prepared under sponsorship of the A.I.E.E. committee on education.
METABOLIC INTEGRITY AND POSTHARVEST HOMEOSTASIS – A BRIEF REVIEW

Metabolism in fruit, as in all forms of life, encompasses the maintenance of cellular integrity and responsiveness to stress. It is proposed that this homeostatic tendency may, when combined with improved control (genetic, molecular) of ontogenetic development, provide a basis for prolonged storage life. Homeostasis may also be the underlying cause of increased metabolic activity in ripening tissues as manifested by the respiratory climacteric.
Grating coupled SPR microarray analysis of proteins and cells in blood from mice with breast cancer

Biomarker discovery for early disease diagnosis is highly important. Of late, much effort has been made to analyze complex biological fluids in an effort to develop new markers specific for different cancer types. Recent advancements in label-free technologies such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors have shown promise as a diagnostic tool since there is no need for labeling or separation of cells. Furthermore, SPR can provide rapid, real-time detection of antigens from biological samples since SPR is highly sensitive to changes in surface-associated molecular and cellular interactions. Herein, we report a lab-on-a-chip microarray biosensor that utilizes grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance (GCSPR) and grating-coupled surface plasmon coupled fluorescence (GCSPCF) imaging to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a mouse model (FVB-MMTV-PyVT). GCSPR and GCSPCF analysis was accomplished by spotting antibodies to surface cell markers, cytokines and stress proteins on a nanofabricated GCSPR microchip and screening blood samples from FVB control mice or FVB-MMTV-PyVT mice with developing mammary carcinomas. A transgenic MMTV-PyVT mouse derived cancer cell line was also analyzed. The analyses indicated that CD24, CD44, CD326, CD133 and CD49b were expressed in both cell lines and in blood from MMTV-PyVT mice. Furthermore, cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α, along with heat shock proteins HSP60, HSP27, HSc70(HSP73), HSP90 total, HSP70/HSc70, HSP90, HSP70, HSP90 alpha, phosphotyrosine and HSF-1 were overexpressed in MMTV-PyVT mice.
Impact of Patient Distance to Radiation Therapy on Mastectomy Use in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose Treatment access underlies quality cancer care. We hypothesize that mastectomy rates in a rural state are independently influenced by distance to radiation therapy (XRT) and by changing XRT access through opening new facilities. Patients and Methods Early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed from 1996 to 2000 were identified in the Virginia state registry. Distance from patient zip code to nearest XRT facility was calculated with geographical software. Distance to XRT facility (≤ 10, > 10 to 25, > 25 to 50, and > 50 miles), American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor stage, age, race, and diagnosis year were evaluated for influencing mastectomy rate. Mastectomy use within 15 miles of five new facilities was assessed before and after opening. Results Among 20,094 patients, 43% underwent mastectomy, 53% underwent lumpectomy, and therapy of 4% of patients is unknown. Twenty-nine percent of patients lived more than 10 miles from XRT facility. Mastectomy increased with distance to XRT facility (43% at ≤...
Detecting myocardial ischemia at rest with cardiac phase-resolved blood oxygen level-dependent cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background— Fast noninvasive identification of ischemic territories at rest (before tissue-specific changes) and assessment of functional status can be valuable in the management of severe coronary artery disease. This study investigated the use of cardiac phase–resolved blood oxygen level–dependent (CP-BOLD) cardiovascular magnetic resonance in detecting myocardial ischemia at rest secondary to severe coronary artery stenosis. Methods and Results— CP-BOLD, standard cine, and T2-weighted images were acquired in canines (n=11) at baseline and within 20 minutes of ischemia induction (severe left anterior descending stenosis) at rest. After 3 hours of ischemia, left anterior descending stenosis was removed, and T2-weighted and late-gadolinium-enhancement images were acquired. From standard cine and CP-BOLD images, end-systolic and end-diastolic myocardium was segmented. Affected and remote sections of the myocardium were identified from postreperfusion late-gadolinium-enhancement images. Systolic-to-diastolic ratio (S/D), quotient of mean end-systolic and end-diastolic signal intensities (on CP-BOLD and standard cine), was computed for affected and remote segments at baseline and ischemia. Ejection fraction and segmental wall thickening were derived from CP-BOLD images at baseline and ischemia. On CP-BOLD images, S/D was >1 (remote and affected territories) at baseline; S/D was diminished only in affected territories during ischemia, and the findings were statistically significant (ANOVA, post hoc P <0.01). The dependence of S/D on ischemia was not observed in standard cine images. Computer simulations confirmed the experimental findings. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that S/D identifies affected regions with performance (area under the curve, 0.87) similar to ejection fraction (area under the curve, 0.89) and segmental wall thickening (area under the curve, 0.75). Conclusions— Preclinical studies and computer simulations showed that CP-BOLD cardiovascular magnetic resonance could be useful in detecting myocardial ischemia at rest. Patient studies are needed for clinical translation.
Policy Development for Infrastructure Networks: Concepts and Ideas

Transporting people and goods, all forms of communications, and the delivery of energy, water, and other essential commodities all depend on networks. Networks are challenged by capacity constraints, vulnerability to attack, and the need to satisfy demands of many different stakeholders. Comparing a wide variety of networks and looking at their common challenges and the ways in which these challenges are met permits the policymaker to look at networks at a higher level of strategic abstraction and to find new ways to improve the performance of networks.
Religious Experience, Sense-perception and God's Essential Unobservability

While many philosophical theists have maintained (correctly or not) that there are data accessible to sense-perception – e.g., the ‘orderly processes of nature’, loving and benevolent human actions – which constitute evidence for the existence of God, it seems unproblematic that there could not conceivably occur sense-perceptions of God. Rather, the properties being God and being sense-perceivable are incompatible, i.e., are such that it is inconceivable for there to exist something which coexemplifies them. This being so, it is nothing short of a necessary truth that if God exists, he is unobservable. In what follows, I shall often express this point in the language of necessity de re by noting that being unobservable is a property that God has essentially; for those at home with ‘possible-world’ semantics, this amounts to the claim that being unobservable is a property that God exemplifies at every possible-world at which he exists. One might reasonably account for this, of course, in terms of God's incorporeality; for it seems unproblemetic that being incorporeal is also a property that God has essentially, and that the function ‘X is incorporeal’ entails the function ‘X is unobservable’. Hence, since ‘If God exists, he is incorporeal’ expresses a necessary truth, it should be intuitively clear that the proposition expressed by ‘If God exists, he is unobservable’ is also a necessary truth.
Mu opioid receptors are in discrete hippocampal interneuron subpopulations

In the rat hippocampal formation, application of mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists disinhibits principal cells, promoting excitation-dependent processes such as epileptogenesis and long-term potentiation. However, the precise location of MORs in particular inhibitory circuits, has not been determined, and the roles of MORs in endogenous functioning are unclear. To address these issues, the distribution of MOR-like immunoreactivity (-li) was examined in several populations of inhibitory hippocampal neurons in the CA1 region using light and electron microscopy. We found that MOR-li was present in many parvalbumin-containing basket cells, but absent from cholecystokinin-labeled basket cells. MOR-li was also commonly in interneurons containing somatostatin-li or neuropeptide Y-li that resembled the “oriens–lacunosum-moleculare” (O-LM) interneurons innervating pyramidal cell distal dendrites. Finally, MOR-li was in some vasoactive intestinal peptide- or calretinin-containing profiles resembling interneurons that primarily innervate other interneurons. These findings indicate that MOR-containing neurons form a neurochemically and functionally heterogeneous subset of hippocampal GABAergic neurons. MORs are most frequently on interneurons that are specialized to inhibit pyramidal cells, and are on a limited number of interneurons that target other interneurons. Moreover, the distribution of MORs to different neuronal types in several laminae, some relatively far from endogenous opioids, suggests normal functional roles that are different from the actions seen with exogenous agonists such as morphine. Hippocampus 2002;12:119–136. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Power analysis for high-speed I/O transmitters

This paper studies the design tradeoffs to minimize power dissipation of multi-Gbps parallel I/O transmitters. A macromodel of a transmitter that can be optimized for power is presented. Also discussed is a means to consider the impact of deterministic jitter due to on-chip buffering on power dissipation. The model allows analysis that considers varying design constraints, and circuit architectures. The optimization results provide some guidance on the choice of architecture, and data rate to achieve large aggregate I/O bandwidths.
Acetazolamide Blood Concentrations are Excessive in the Elderly: Propensity for Acidosis and Relationship to Renal Function

Elderly glaucoma patients are often treated with acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with clearance dependent on renal function. A high incidence of metabolic acidosis and other adverse effects have been noted among these patients but the reasons for this have not been explained. We hypothesized that commonly used doses of acetazolamide among the elderly result in excessive blood concentrations and that these concentrations are related to acid-base disturbances. We measured steady-state acetazolamide levels in plasma, plasma ultrafiltrate (unbound), and erythrocytes among 12 elderly subjects (79.2 +/- 7.6 years old). Mean plasma (18.9 +/- 10.9 micrograms/mL) and ultrafiltrate concentrations (1.0 +/- 0.7 microgram/mL) exceeded the therapeutic range (plasma 5-10 micrograms/mL; ultrafiltrate 0.25-0.50 microgram/mL) for glaucoma control by two fold and were elevated in 75% of subjects. Plasma and ultrafiltrate acetazolamide levels significantly correlated with the dose adjusted for creatinine clearance (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001; r = 0.89, P less than 0.001, respectively). Acidotic subjects (serum total carbon dioxide less than or equal to 22 mEq/L) tended to have higher plasma, ultrafiltrate, and erythrocyte acetazolamide levels compared with nonacidotic subjects. Serum total carbon dioxide levels were significantly correlated with erythrocyte acetazolamide concentrations (r = -0.75, P = 0.03). The ratio of erythrocyte acetazolamide concentration to creatinine clearance separated acidotic from nonacidotic subjects (P less than 0.01). These findings suggest that some of the adverse effects of acetazolamide can be avoided by reducing the dose to compensate for age-related reductions in renal drug clearance.
MODELING OF CARBON AND NITROGEN CYCLING IN ARID AND SEMIARID ECOSYSTEMS

In this Chapter we present a general discussion of the dynamics of soil nutrient cycles with special attentions to the interaction with hydrological processes in semi-arid systems, and with emphasis on modeling issues. We will present an analytical approach developed by the authors and co-workers to model the propagation of hydrologic fluctuation through the various components of the soil biogeochemical cycles of arid and semiarid ecosystems. We do not attempt to provide here a complete review of the subject (see Chapters 12-14, and 18 for related discussion on soil nutrient cycles in drylands) but rather focus on interaction between hydrological and ecological processes and outline some open problems and future directions for research.
Estimation of rail irregularities

Inspection cars that have been used to measure rail irregularities are costly and need operators. In this paper, a method to estimate rail irregularities by measuring accelerations of a passenger car instead of direct measurement by using a conventional inspection car is proposed. Using a System Identification technique and data obtained by simulations based on a three-dimensional rail vehicle model with rail irregularities, the proposed method identifies an inverse system where inputs are accelerations of a vehicle and outputs are rail irregularities. The quality of the estimation is evaluated quantitatively by using the Mean Square Error. The effects due to two major uncertainties, mass variations and speed variations, are evaluated by using the Singular Value Decomposition in order to present the limitations of the estimation using a nominal model.
Simple acoustic grating modulators.

Simple low-cost modulators based on the Raman-Nath regime of acoustooptic diffraction have been demonstrated. Experimental results on internal laser modulators constructed from some dense flint glasses and fused quartz are presented. 100% modulation of He–Ne lasers with rise times on the order of 1 μsec are obtained with 10-MHz modulator drive powers of 100 mW. The theory necessary for the design of this class of modulators is reviewed and compared with the experiments.
Validation of the support provided measure among spouses of smokers receiving a clinical smoking cessation intervention

Studies indicate a positive association between social support and smoking cessation. However, clinic-based interventions designed to increase social support have had limited success. Most studies have relied on only the smoker's perceptions of support received while few have assessed the support provider's report of support delivered. Understanding supportive interactions between support providers and recipients may assist in developing effective support interventions for cessation. The current investigation examined the perceptions of smoking-specific support provided by the spouse of a partner who smokes and was seen for a nicotine dependence consultation. Specifically, we examined spouse reported willingness to help their spouse quit, interest in learning ways to help their spouse quit, and characteristics associated with the provision of smoking-specific supportive behaviors (as assessed via the Support Provided Measure, SPM), in the 2-weeks prior to the consultation. The current investigation also examined the concurrent validity of the SPM with a validated measure of support provided to a smoker, the Partner Interaction Questionnaire (PIQ), accounting for social desirability bias and smoker readiness to change. The sample comprised 84 adult cigarette smokers seen for a clinical smoking cessation intervention and their spouses (N = 84). Results indicate that a high percentage of spouses are willing to help their partner who smokes and interested in learning way to help. As expected, spouses who were females and had never smoked had higher scores on the SPM than males or current smokers. The SPM was significantly correlated with the PIQ positive (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) and negative (r = 0.44, p <0.01) item scales overall and for spouses whose partners reported higher levels of readiness to quit smoking (r = 0.54, p < 0.01; r = 0.50, p < 0.01, respectively). Suggestions for future research are offered.
Accelerating GPU kernels for dense linear algebra

Implementations of the Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) interface are major building block of dense linear algebra (DLA). libraries, and therefore have to be highly optimized. We present some techniques and implementations that significantly accelerate the corresponding routines from currently available libraries for GPUs. In particular, Pointer Redirecting - a set of GPU specific optimization techniques - allows us to easily remove performance oscillations associated with problem dimensions not divisible by fixed blocking sizes. For example, applied to the matrix-matrix multiplication routines, depending on the hardware configuration and routine parameters, this can lead to two times faster algorithms. Similarly, the matrix-vector multiplication can be accelerated more than two times in both single and double precision arithmetic. Additionally, GPU specific acceleration techniques are applied to develop new kernels (e.g. syrk, symv) that are up to 20× faster than the currently available kernels. We present these kernels and also show their acceleration effect to higher level dense linear algebra routines. The accelerated kernels are now freely available through the MAGMA BLAS library.
Naming the Stages

Standard lore has it that a proper name, or a definite description on its de re read- ing, is a temporally rigid designator. It picks out the same entity at every time at which it picks out an entity at all. If the entity in question is an enduring continuant (a 3D object that persists through time by being fully present at different times) then we know what this means, though we are also stuck with a host of metaphysical puzzles concerning endurance itself. If the entity in question is a perdurant (a 4D worm that persists through time by having different parts at different times) then the rigidity claim is trivial, though one is left wondering how it is that different speakers ever manage to pick out one and the same entity when a host of suitable, overlapping candidates are available. But what if the entity in question is neither a continuant nor a perdurant? What if the things we talk about in ordinary language are time-bound entities that cannot truly be said to persist through time, or stage sequences whose unity resides exclu- sively in our minds—like the "wave" at the stadium or the characters of a cartoon? In such cases the rigidity claim can't be right and a counterpart-theoretic semantics seems required. Is that bad? I say it isn't. And it had better not be, if that turns out to be the best metaphysical option we have.
Time series analysis for ground penetrating radar (GPR) asphalt thickness profile

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism that drives the data and to compare the model errors and statistics of the thickness profiles of different types of flexible pavement. In the present study, the time series is replaced by a distance scale, but the name time series is retained.
Information Theory, Molecular Evolution, and the Concepts of von Neumann

In his theory of self-reproducing automata, von Neumann (1966) begins with the concept of complexity as a given primitive notion. Von Neumann, with creative original work to his credit in quantum theory, theory of operators, ergodic theory, and many other areas of pure mathematics, was well versed in the art of beginning with an axiom, definition, or primitive notion as given and deducing its consequences rigorously. He did not hesitate to begin with the axiomatic observation that today’s organisms are phylogenetically derived from ancestral forms which were much less complex.
A Decision Support System for Network Configuration

In this chapter we present some of the issues involved in the development of a decision support system for logistics network configuration. These are issues that are often not dealt with in traditional operations research analyses. However, they are essential in transforming raw data and problem characteristics to modeling assumptions and input data for the models.
Bank Bailouts with On-Site Monitors: Evidence from a Supervisory Experiment

I use unique supervisory intervention – discretionary installment of de novo Resident Examiners in Russian banks that received government liquidity and capital support funds – to study the causal effect of on-site monitoring on bailed-out banks behavior in crisis. By exploiting detailed monthly data on lending patterns in control and treated bank samples and the variation in the timing and duration of the resident examiners’ assignments in treated banks, I find that on-site monitoring leads to a significant increase of a bailed-out bank lending in crisis. I also find that this lending behavior is prudent: in the presence of a resident examiner, better capitalized banks tend to lend more while banks with higher accumulated bad loan portfolios lend less. Collectively, these findings reveal an examiner’s ability to align the credit supply and the risk-restricting agendas in bank monitoring. They also contribute to the ongoing academic and regulatory debate on the optimal design of a bailout policy and the microprudential supervision in crisis.
Co x Ni4-x Sb12-y Sn y skutterudites: processing and thermoelectric properties

N-type and p-type skutterudite samples with the composition Co x Ni4−x Sb12−y Sn y were synthesized with composition range 0 0.8 and negative otherwise. Seebeck coefficients were low, ranging from −40 to 58 µV K−1. The combination of transmission electron microscopy with electron energy loss spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction established that Sn can substitute on 2a and 24g sites in the skutterudite structure. Due to the low Seebeck coefficients, the alloys exhibited low figure of merits (ZT) <0.05.
Mandatory Medicare Bundled Payment — Is It Ready for Prime Time?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed a Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement program that would bundle payments for total hip and knee replacements, covering care through 90 days after discharge — and hospitals would be required to participate.
Pores in Marcellus Shale: A Neutron Scattering and FIB-SEM Study

The production of natural gas has become increasingly important in the United States because of the development of hydraulic fracturing techniques, which significantly increase the permeability and fracture network of black shales. The pore structure of shale is a controlling factor for hydrocarbon storage and gas migration. In this work, we investigated the porosity of the Union Springs (Shamokin) Member of the Marcellus Formation from a core drilled in Centre County, PA, USA, using ultrasmall-angle neutron scattering (USANS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), and nitrogen gas adsorption. The scattering of neutrons by Marcellus shale depends on the sample orientation: for thin sections cut in the plane of bedding, the scattering pattern is isotropic, while for thin sections cut perpendicular to the bedding, the scattering pattern is anisotropic. The FIB-SEM observations allow attribution of the anisotropic scattering patterns to elongated pore...
Factor VIIa: on its own and loving it.

In this issue of Blood , Shibeko et al have used a variety of experimental studies and mathematical models to investigate the mechanism of action of high-dose factor VIIa as a bypassing agent in hemophilia.[1][1] These studies address a vexing intellectual problem regarding the use of factor VIIa
Valve Stiction Quantification Method Based on a Semiphysical Valve Stiction Model

Valve stiction is one of the most common equipment problems that can cause poor performance in control loops. Consequently, there is a strong need in the process industry for noninvasive methods that can not only detect but also quantify stiction. In this work, on the basis of a physical and a semiphysical model, a new valve stiction signature is proposed. Industrial evidence is provided to validate the new valve stiction signature. Although valve stiction is a stochastic phenomenon that can not be exactly described by any deterministic model, the revised valve signature provides a better description of sticky valve behavior, particularly when valve stiction is severe. On the basis of the revised valve stiction signature, a noninvasive, simple, and robust valve stiction quantification method is proposed using the routine operation data and limited process knowledge. The proposed quantification method estimates the stiction parameters, namely, static friction and dynamic or kinetic friction, without requiring the valve position signal. Quantification is accomplished by using linear and nonlinear least-squares methods which are robust and easy to implement. The properties of the proposed algorithm are investigated using simulated case studies of first order plus time delay processes, and the performance of the method is compared to other stiction quantification methods using 20 industrial cases.
Effect of age of Boophilus microplus larvae (Acari: Ixodidae) on attachment to cattle

The initiation of a feeding response indicated by attachment of recently eclosed larvae of Boophilus microplus 1–14 days old was determined. Percent attachment of 1–6-day-old larvae followed a curvilinear line, with an increase in attachment of ca. 14% per day {percent attachment = −20.64 + 37.9 × (day) −3.31 × (day)2, sy·x = 12.02, R 2 = 0.85]. The percent attachment of 6–14-day-old larvae was consistent at about 85% ( s y·x = 5.2). There was some variation between 6 and 14 days. In fact, the mean attachment values appeared to be cyclic; however, the data did not indicate statistical significance. Only 7.2% of the 1-day-old larvae attached and fed when exposed to a host animal. However, attachment levels of 2-and 3-day-old larvae were 55.5 and 58.8%, respectively, indicating that they were in a transition phase preceding onset of the feeding response. Larvae 4–14 days old exhibited uniformly high attachment levels of ≤70%, indicating that by the time they had reached 4 days of age, most of the larvae were ready to feed on cattle.
89 IMPLANTATION OF A FIBROBLAST PATCH IMPROVES LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION AND PREVENTS REMODELING AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

Background Tissue engineering is a novel method to restore myocardial function in ischemic heart disease. One technique is to apply a biologically active graft onto the infarcted region (IR) of the left ventricle (LV). The effects of a fibroblast patch (3DFC) placement on the IR of the LV on systolic/diastolic function in a coronary artery ligation (CAL) model of heart failure were evaluated. Methods CAL to induce myocardial infarction (MI) is performed on Sprague-Dawley rats. The 3DFC patch is placed on the IR. Echos were done at 3 weeks. Hemodynamics was measured. LV regional systolic displacement (SD), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV fractional shortening (FS), and LV pressure/diameter relaxation curves were obtained. Results 3DFC patch placement improved (p Summary Implantation of a fibroblast mesh on the IR of the LV improved LV systolic function. The patch also prevented LV dilation and normalized LV diastolic function post MI. Our data illustrate the future potential of using a biologically active graft in the treatment of ischemic heart failure.
Explaining high external efficacy in authoritarian countries: a comparison of China and Taiwan

ABSTRACTWe examine the puzzling phenomenon that authoritarian governments are perceived to be more responsive than democratic governments. By comparing China and Taiwan by both large-N statistical analyses and in-depth case studies, we show that the answer lies in the differences between democratic and authoritarian institutions. First, failing to elect one’s preferred candidate in democracies predisposes voters to critical assessment of government responsiveness. There is no such predisposition in authoritarian countries where elections are nonexistent or nominal. Second, elections incentivize democratic leaders to over-respond to certain groups. There is no such mechanism in authoritarian countries. Third, the solid and clear legitimacy established by electoral victories shield democratic leaders from particularistic demands made through unconventional channels. Without such legitimacy, authoritarian leaders are compelled to cement legitimacy by increasing responsiveness.
A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF GALACTOXEMIA AND ITS CARRIER STATE.

Abstract Early diagnosis of galactosemia is of great importance; yet no adequate screening procedure for its detection and for the detection of its carrier state has been described previously. A dye-linked visual screening system for the estimation of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase has been devised. The end point is the reduction of methylene blue to its leuko form. The test is carried out on 0.050 or 0.100 ml. of whole blood, which is added to a relatively stable reagent mixture, gassed with carbon monoxide, and incubated at 37 ° C. This test has satisfactorily differentiated nonanemic normal, heterozygous, and galactosemic subjects. The effect of dilution of the sample, anemia, various anticoagulants, and intensity of illumination on decolorization time has been described. The cost of the reagents is not high, and the test may be performed with ease. It should therefore prove useful for the detection of galactosemia in newborn infants and in population studies.
Atomic Force Microscope-Enabled Studies of Integrin–Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

The interactions between cell surface integrins and extracellular matrix (ECM) play important roles in the function of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool to mechanically engage cell surface integrins through functionalized probes, and to apply mechanical forces directly to cells or to specific protein-protein receptor ligand interactions, such as integrin-ECM interactions. In the example of integrins, this approach allows more accurate evaluation of the regulation of integrin adhesive activities, and provides a unique approach to access and investigate integrin-mediated cellular mechanical responses. In addition, the AFM is also useful for the measurement of the cell topographic features and cell and cytoskeletal mechanical properties, such as stiffness/elasticity.
Histology of proximal tubal obstruction in cases of unsuccessful tubal canalization.

Objective To determine possible etiologies of unsuccessful fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization, we studied the histology of tubal segments in cases of failed canalization for proximal tubal obstruction. Factors contributing to cases of unsuccessful fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization remain unclear. Design Prospective. Setting Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic. Materials Twenty-seven cornual and/or isthmic tubal segments from 15 patients who underwent proximal tubal surgery after fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization were studied. Specimens were prepared with hemotoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stains. Results Histologic examination of excised cornual and isthmic tubal segments revealed abnormalities in 93% of specimens. Obliterative fibrosis (61%), chronic salpingitis (57%), and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (42%) were the most commonly found histologic tubal abnormalities. One case of complete tubal occlusion and tubal schistosomiasis was also detected. Conclusions These data suggest that cases of failed fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization may be secondary to severe intrinsic tubal disease and tubal occlusion and not to the technique. Fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization may provide a means of differentiating a functional obstruction amenable to conservative management from true occlusion requiring management by microsurgical techniques or in vitro fertilization.
A probabilistic-based PV and energy storage sizing tool for residential loads

This paper presents a probabilistic-based sizing tool for residential home owners, load serving entities, and utilities to select energy storage (ES) and photovoltaic (PV) based on historical load characteristics and load management options. The inputs of the tool include historical residential load profiles and solar radiation data. The outputs of the tool include ensembles of the net load profiles (load minus solar), with and without applying load energy management for different PV and ES installation capacities. The operation statistics of the ES is used to determine the confidence levels of meeting selected performance criterion. In the simulation, a set of 1-year, 15-minute data collected from 50 actual residential homes is used as the load inputs. A set of 1-year, 5-minute actual solar radiation data is used as the solar inputs. Managing load consumptions for reducing the size of ES is investigated by controlling air conditioning loads. Simulation results show that the probabilistic-based sizing method can give the users a clear comparison of the tradeoffs among different options and assist them make more informed decisions.
Plant Incorporated Protectants and Insect Resistance

The advancements of recombinant DNA and plant transformation technologies have changed the face of commercial agriculture for insect control by literally transforming insect control agents into plant incorporated protectants (PIPs). In planta delivery has important advantages over conventional foliar or soil-applied alternatives, including reduced environmental footprint, selective targeting of host pest insects, and simplified season-long delivery of protection. However, the potential for insect resistance that has limited the durability of conventional exogenous pesticides remains a challenge for PIPs. The long-term sustainability of transgenic insect control technologies will depend on the implementation of responsible integrated pest management (IPM) tactics as well as the continued discovery of new modes of action. As will be discussed in this chapter, the insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have served to validate both the feasibility and value of the transgenic approach. The variety of Bt insecticidal proteins that continue to be discovered as well as the increased understanding of their mode of action should support their use well into the future, but alternatives to Bt with novel of modes of action would be highly beneficial as insect resistance management (IRM) tools. Some of these alternatives will be discussed as well.
Integral Representations of 2-D Gravity and Magnetic Fields

This chapter begins with a discussion of the basic equations of the gravity and magnetic fields and their simplifications for two-dimensional (2-D) models. The advantage of using 2-D models of geopotential fields is related to the fact that they reduce dramatically the volume of numerical calculations required for forward modeling and inversion. Another advantage is that we can use a powerful tool of the theory of functions of complex variables to study 2-D potential fields. This chapter also formulates the basic properties of 2-D potential fields and introduces the corresponding integral representations of these fields using the methods of complex analysis. The power of this approach is illustrated by developing the principles of potential field migration and inversion.
Marker assisted introgression of blast ( Pi - 2 and Pi - 54 ) genes in to the genetic background of elite, bacterial blight resistant indica rice variety, Improved Samba Mahsuri

Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM), a bacterial blight (BB) resistant (possessing Xa21, xa13 and xa5), high-yielding rice variety possessing fine-grain type has been recently released for cultivation and is becoming increasingly popular across many parts of India. However, the new variety is highly susceptible to blast disease, which limits its spread. In the present study, we attempted to improve blast resistance of ISM by introgressing two major blast resistance genes (Pi-2 and Pi-54) by marker-assisted backcross breeding through two separate sets of backcrosses, one involving transfer of Pi-2 and another involving Pi-54. At each backcross generation, closely linked PCR-based markers were used to select plants possessing either Pi-2 (first cross) or Pi-54 (second cross) along with Xa21, xa13 and microsatellite markers polymorphic between donor and recurrent parents were used to select plants that have maximum contribution from the recurrent parent genome (background selection). Selected BC2F1 plant possessing Pi-2 was intercrossed with a selected BC2F1 plant possessing Pi-54 and the resultant intercross F1 was selfed to generate intercross F1 possessing the two blast and two BB resistance genes. The intercross F1s were then selfed to generate intercross F2s possessing different combination of resistance genes in homozygous condition including the four-gene pyramid lines. The homozygous lines were advanced further through pedigree method of selection. When selected gene-pyramid lines possessing both blast and BB resistance genes were screened against the two diseases, they exhibited high level of disease resistance. Further, all the gene-pyramid lines possessed grain type identical to ISM and yielded equivalent to or better than the original variety. This is the first report documenting the stacking of two major genes for blast (Pi-2 + Pi-54) and two major genes for BB (Xa21 + xa13) in rice through marker-assisted backcross breeding in a elite cultivar Improved Samba Mahsuri.
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology

Aerosol or inhalational studies of high-consequence pathogens have recently been increasing in number due to the perceived threat of intentional aerosol releases or unexpected natural aerosol transmission. Specific laboratories designed to perform these experiments require tremendous engineering controls to provide a safe and secure working environment and constant systems maintenance to sustain functionality. Class III biosafety cabinets, also referred to as gloveboxes, are gas-tight enclosures with non-opening windows. These cabinets are maintained under negative pressure by double high-efficiency-particulate-air (HEPA)-filtered exhaust systems and are the ideal primary containment for housing aerosolization equipment. A well planned workflow between staff members within high containment from, for instance, an animal biosafety level-4 (ABSL-4) suit laboratory to the ABSL-4 cabinet laboratory is a crucial component for successful experimentation. For smooth study execution, establishing a communication network, moving equipment and subjects, and setting up and placing equipment, requires staff members to meticulously plan procedures prior to study initiation. Here, we provide an overview and a visual representation of how aerobiology research is conducted at the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA, within an ABSL-4 environment.
Therapeutic Considerations in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders follows viral invasion of the central nervous system and can lead to impairments in memory, problem solving, behavior and decision making capabilities. Disease is divided into asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, mild neurocognitive disorder and HIV-associated dementia. In an advent of combination antiretroviral therapy disease severity has been attenuated with mild dysfunction becoming the prominent feature. Also operative has been the emergence of confounders and comorbid conditions that may cause cognitive impairments and behavioral deficits such as depression, liver disease, drug toxicities and nutrition. This chapter serves to review the virologic and immune disease parameters, disease diagnosis, antiretroviral and adjunctive therapeutic considerations to combat disease.
Automated particle swarm optimization based PID tuning for control of robotic arm

In this paper, we revisit the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller design for torque control of robotic manipulators, for which, appropriate tuning of the said controller could prove very burdensome, especially with increasing degrees-of-freedom (DOF) and/or when designing a Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) PID controller. That is, when generating and tuning matrix P-I-D gains as opposed to single values, in order to take in account possible coupling effects between involved joints. We tackle both joint space and workspace PID control tuning problems for reference tracking from an optimization standpoint. Using a previously developed stable Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimizer, we are able to automatically and systematically tune P-I-D gains, be it as single gain values or gain matrices, while optimizing a cost or fitness function. The aforesaid cost function can be arranged to feature various aggregated performance measures, ‘normalized’ so as to overcome differences in scale if any. Taking in account some practical limitations, a 2-DOF arm is used here as a case study. Numerical simulations are provided to substantiate the adequacy of our method.
Automatic alerts annotation for improving DDoS mitigation systems

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have been on the rise [1]. With the use of Botnets, an attacker can bring down vital applications and services available on the Internet [2], [3]. Several commercial DDoS mitigation services are available including those by Verisign [4], GigeNET [5], BlockDOS [6], Black Lotus [7], and Arbor Networks [8], among others. A majority of these commercial services use a combination of specialized hardware and a rule-based software to flag suspected traffic and alert the operators for further attentions.
Mechanisms overseeing myeloid-derived suppressor cell production in neoplastic disease

Perturbations in myeloid cell differentiation are common in neoplasia, culminating in immature populations known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs favor tumor progression due to their ability to suppress host immunity or promote invasion and metastasis. They are thought to originate from the bone marrow as a result of exposure to stromal- or circulating tumor-derived factors (TDFs). Although great interest has been placed on understanding how MDSCs function, less is known regarding how MDSCs develop at a transcriptional level. Our work explores the premise that MDSCs arise because cancer cells, through the production of certain TDFs, inhibit the expression of interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF8) that is ordinarily essential for controlling fundamental properties of myeloid cell differentiation. Our interest in IRF8 has been based on the following rationale. First, it is well-recognized that IRF8 is a 'master regulator' of normal myelopoiesis, critical not only for producing monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and neutrophils, but also for controlling the balance of all three major myeloid cell types. This became quite evident in IRF8-/- mice, whereby the loss of IRF8 leads to a disproportionate accumulation of neutrophils at the expense of monocytes and DCs. Second, we showed that such myeloid populations from IRF8-/- mice exhibit similar characteristics to MDSCs from tumor-bearing mice. Third, in a reciprocal fashion, we showed that enforced expression of IRF8 in the myeloid system significantly mitigates tumor-induced MDSC accumulation and improves immunotherapy efficacy. Altogether, these observations support the hypothesis that IRF8 is an integral negative regulator of MDSC biology.