cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A study of the mechanical properties of egg shell

1. The mechanical behaviour of the egg shell of the domestic fowl was investigated by cutting strips from the shell and testing the flection either in a four‐point load test or in a cantilever beam test. 2. It was found that moisture content, temperature and load rate have important effects on shell properties ; both the strength and stiffness of the shell are greater in snapping‐inward tests than in snapping‐outward tests; residual stress exists in the egg shell; the correlation between failure moment and shell thickness was highly significant, on average about 0.9, and was dependent on the spread in the thickness data. 3. Estimates were made of the ultimate strength and Young's modulus of egg shell material and it is concluded that a substantial size effect exists in the egg shell.
Collectins and pulmonary host defense.

The surfactant-associated proteins SP-A and SP-D are members of a family of collagenous host defense lectins, designated collectins. There is increasing evidence that these pulmonary epithelial-derived proteins are important components of the innate immune response to microbial challenge, and that they participate in other aspects of immune and inflammatory regulation within the lung. The collectins bind to glycoconjugates and/or lipid moieties expressed by a wide variety of microorganisms and certain other organic particles in vitro. Although binding may facilitate microbial clearance through aggregation or other direct effects on the organism, SP-A and SP-D also have the capacity to modulate leukocyte function and, in some circumstances, to enhance their killing of microorganisms. The biologic activity of cell wall components, such as gram-negative bacterial polysaccharides, may be altered by interactions with collectins. Complementary or cooperative interactions between SP-A and SP-D could contribute t...
An assessment of biodiversity hotspots using remote sensing and GIS

This study focuses on the assessment of the status of world’s remaining closed forests (WRCF), population distribution, and protected areas in global biodiversity hotspots using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Conservation International (CI) has identified 25 eco-regions, called biodiversity hotspots that are especially rich in endemic species and are particularly threatened by human activities. This study uses globally consistent and comprehensive geo-spatial data sets generated using rerriote sensing and other sources, and the application of GIS layering methods. The consistent data set has made it possible to identify and quantify relationships between the WRCF, human population, and protected areas in biodiversity hotspots. It is expected that such information will provide a scientific basis for biodiversity hotspots management and assist in policy formulations at the national and international levels.
The effect of solutes on the strength and strain hardening behavior of alloys

Abstract The effect of solutes on the yield strength and strain hardening behavior of a wide variety of alloys is considered. A discussion of the athermal and thermal mechanisms that appear to explain the observed peaks and plateaus in the temperature dependence of the flow stress is presented. Several explanations based on thermally activated mechanisms are found to provide superior flexibility in modelling the strength versus temperature behavior shown by the available data. These explanations are based on: (1) precipitation during deformation, (2) solute enhanced dislocation multiplication, (3) reduced rate of recovery due to solutes, or (4) enhanced effectiveness of barriers to dislocation motion by solutes. Models that simulate the temperature dependence of the flow stress (in the context of the MATMOD constitutive equations) are presented for each of the explanations cited above.
Constitutively active MEK1 rescues cardiac dysfunction caused by overexpressed GSK-3α during aging and hemodynamic pressure overload

Expression of GSK-3α is increased in aging hearts and those subjected to hemodynamic overload. Overexpressed GSK-3α inhibits ERK and enhances pressure overload (PO)-induced cardiac dysfunction. We studied whether suppression of the MEK1/ERK pathway contributes to cardiac responses induced by overexpressed GSK-3α using constitutively active MEK1 (CA-MEK1)/GSK-3α bigenic mice (bigenic mice), which were obtained by crossing cardiac-specific GSK-3α transgenic mice (Tg-GSK) and cardiac-specific CA-MEK1 transgenic mice (Tg-MEK1). The suppression of ERK phosphorylation observed in Tg-GSK was eliminated in bigenic mice. At 12 mo, left ventricular (LV) weight/tibia length, LV weight/body weight, and cardiac myocyte size were significantly smaller in Tg-GSK than in nontransgenic mice (NTg), but were not significantly different between Tg-MEK1 and bigenic mice. The LV ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), and change in pressure over time were significantly lower in Tg-GSK than in NTg, but were not significantly different between bigenic mice and Tg-MEK1. The increase in apoptosis in Tg-GSK was abolished in bigenic mice, although the increase in fibrosis was not. After PO, the decrease in cardiac hypertrophy and the enhancement of apoptosis seen in Tg-GSK were abrogated in bigenic mice. After PO, the LVEF and FS were significantly reduced in Tg-GSK compared with its sham, but not in NTg, Tg-MEK1, or bigenic mice compared with their respective shams. There was no significant difference in LVEF and FS between bigenic mice and Tg-MEK1 after PO. In conclusion, inhibition of the MEK1/ERK pathway mediates the hypertrophy suppression and cardiac dysfunction caused by GSK-3α overexpression in cardiac myocytes.
Free Energy Barrier for Molecular Motions in Bistable [2]Rotaxane Molecular Electronic Devices†

Donor-acceptor binding of the π-electron-poor cyclophane cyclobis (paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT4+) with the π-electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP) stations provides the basis for electrochemically switchable, bistable [2]rotaxanes, which have been incorporated and operated within solid state devices to form ultradense memory circuits [1, 2] and nanoelectromechanical systems. The rate of CBPQT4+ shuttling at each oxidation state of the [2]rotaxane dictates critical write-and-retention time parameters within the devices, which can be tuned through chemical synthesis. To validate how well computational chemistry methods can estimate these rates for use in designing new devices, we used molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the free energy barrier for the shuttling of the CBPQT4+ ring between the TTF and the DNP. The approach used here was to calculate the potential of mean force along the switching pathway, from which we calculated free energy barriers. These calculations find a turn-on time after the rotaxane is doubly oxidized of \(\sim\!\!10^{-7}\) s (suggesting that the much longer experimental turn-on time is determined by the time scale of oxidization). The return barrier from the DNP to the TTF leads to a predicted lifetime of 2.1 s, which is compatible with experiments.
Axenic culture of Anisogramma anomala: evidence for self-inhibition of ascospore germination and colony growth.

A medium supporting the prolonged growth of Anisogramma anomala in axenic culture is described. Ascospores germinated and established colonies only on media containing a chemical adsorbent. Bovine serum albumin at 0.5% and activated charcoal at 0.025% were most effective. Sucrose was the only car? bon source of 19 carbohydrates tested that supported prolonged growth in culture. Growth was further en? hanced by asparagine and yeast extract at 0.2%. Ad- sorbents apparently inactivate self-inhibitors of asco? spore germination as well as growth regulators produced by the growing cultures. Such self-inhibition
Attenuation and velocity of 5 MHz zero sound in superfluid 3HeB

Abstract The attenuation and velocity of 5 MHz sound in B-phase superfluid 3He have been measured over a wide range of temperature and pressure. Below the well-known attenuation maximum near Tc, the attenuation and velocity fall monotonically to pressure dependent “zero” temperature asymptotes, contrary to results reported previously. The temperature scale used here (the nuclear susceptibility of 195Pt) is found to be in exact agreement with the LaJolla temperature scale.
Beyond “green buildings:” exploring the effects of Jevons’ Paradox on the sustainability of archival practices

The sustainability of archival institutions will be greatly affected by attempts to mitigate their carbon footprint to meet the challenges of global climate change. This paper explores how recordkeeping practices may enhance or undermine the sustainability of archives. To enhance sustainability, it is a common practice to increase the efficiency of recordkeeping practices. However, increases to efficiency may lead to a phenomenon known as Jevons’ Paradox. Jevons’ Paradox occurs when improvements in efficiency to a system or process result in an increase in use (instead of a decrease) of a resource. The failure of the paperless office demonstrates Jevons’ Paradox, and it has wide implications for the future sustainability of repositories. This paper advances the notion that “green” technologies alone are not enough to ensure sustainability. They must be deployed in concert with a systematic use of archival practices and theories for environmental sustainability to be ensured.
On nondifferentiable functions and the bootstrap

We investigate a class of statistical problems, where usual bootstrap methods fail, and discuss two alternative solutions. In particular, a stochastic procedure for constructing confidence sets is proposed. Special applications are the eigenvalues of a covariance matrix and minimum distance functionals.
“Dual-purpose” remateable Conductive Ball-in-Pit interconnects for chip powering and passive alignment in Proximity Communication enabled multi-chip packages

We propose a novel chip-to-chip interconnection, called Conductive Ball-in-Pit (CBiP), to simultaneously accomplish micron-scale layer-to-layer alignment and power-distribution that are essential in any Proximity Communication (PxC)-enabled multi-chip package. CBiP interconnects are demonstrated: (1) to be remateable, (2) to achieve a low-resistance contact between chips assembled in a face-to-face configuration, (3) to carry greater than 1.7 A of DC current, and (4) to passively align chips to within 3 μm.
Gauge-invariant four-gluon vertex and its Ward identity.

We use the S-matrix pinch technique to construct at one-loop order a four-gluon vertex for QCD, which is independent of the choice of the gauge parameter, when one or more of the incoming momenta are off shell. We discuss some of the technical subtleties in the application of the pinch technique and show that this vertex satisfies a very simple Ward identity, relating it to a previously constructed gauge-independent three-gluon vertex, also found with the same technique. This analysis serves as a prelude to the construction of an effective potential for QCD, which is gauge-independent order by order in the dressed-loop expansion.
Detection of double minute chromosomes in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) whose predominant leukemic clone demonstrated double minute chromosomes (dmin) is presented. The patient had no history of mutagen or carcinogen exposure and responded well to combination chemotherapy. Although dmin have been described in acute myelogenous leukemia and various solid tumors in adults, their presence in childhood neoplasms is less frequent and limited primarily to neurogenic tumors. This is the first documentation of dmin in childhood ALL, suggesting that there may be an unrecognized subgroup of ALL patients with gene amplification.
Research and Statistics: A Question of Time: Cross-sectional Versus Longitudinal Study Designs

1. Sarah Lindstrom Johnson, PhD* 1. *General Academic Pediatrics Fellow, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. You are seeing a 12-year-old boy who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Like so many of his peers, he loves video games and spends many hours a day playing. You know that gamers spend an average of 8 hours each week playing. Besides the lost opportunity to exercise, you begin to wonder about the effect of video games on behavior. Are children who play video games more likely to have ADHD? Embedded in your question are two possible lines of inquiry: 1) Does video game playing cause ADHD? and 2) Are children who have ADHD more likely to play video games? Each question suggests a slightly different study design (Table). View this table: Table. Summary of Designs In cross-sectional study designs, data collection occurs at one point in time. In longitudinal study designs, subjects are followed over time, with data collection occurring …
Fouling of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes during municipal wastewater reclamation: Membrane autopsy results from pilot-scale investigations

Abstract This study investigated membrane fouling during wastewater reclamation by collecting operational performance data and employing state-of-the-art techniques for characterization of membrane foulants. Utilizing a pilot-scale membrane unit, two nanofiltration membranes (NF-90 and NF-4040, Dow/Filmtec) and one low-pressure reverse osmosis membrane (TMG10, Toray America) were tested at two wastewater reclamation facilities treating microfiltered non-nitrified secondary effluent and nitrified/denitrified tertiary effluent. The membranes and foulants were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, zeta-potential measurement, atomic force microscopy, phospholipids analysis, and contact angle measurement. During treatment of the nitrified/denitrified effluent, membrane fouling was dominated by biofouling in combination with organic fouling, colloidal fouling, and inorganic scaling. Sufficient chloramines residual was identified as being critical in controlling biofouling during wastewater desalination. During filtration of the non-nitrified effluent, fouling of the membrane lead-elements was mainly caused by adsorption and deposition of effluent organic matter while biofouling still observed in tail-elements despite the formation of chloramines. Rough and hydrophobic membrane with high permeability (e.g., NF-90) displayed more severe initial specific flux decline during filtration, while smooth and hydrophilic membrane (e.g., NF-4040) exhibited high and constant specific flux when biofouling was under control.
Wave scattering from a circular cylinder coated with an inhomogeneous plasma at oblique incidence

The scattered fields of a plane wave incident obliquely upon an infinite conducting cylinder enveloped in a radially inhomogeneous plasma sheath are determined by the stratification technique. A transmission-coefficient matrix is introduced for each layer, so that the tangential field components at any interface can be related to those at any other interface by a composite matrix through chain multiplication. It is then not necessary to deal either with summations of the solutions of mathematically untractable coupled second-order differential equations with variable coefficients or with the simultaneous solution of many equations representing the boundary conditions at the interfaces. The computation procedure is much simplified, despite the fact that, at oblique incidence, the axial components of the electric and magnetic fields are coupled. Numerical results are obtained for the back-scattering cross-section as a function of the plasma electron-density profile, the plasma thickness, the direction of incident-wave polarisation, and the angle of incidence.
Synthesis of the β anomer of the spacer-equipped tetrasaccharide side chain of the major glycoprotein of the Bacillus anthracis exosporium ☆

Abstract The β glycoside of the tetrasaccharide sequence β-Ant-(1→3)-α- l -Rhap-(1→3)-α- l -Rhap-(1→2)- l -Rhap, whose aglycon allows conjugation to proteins, was synthesized for the first time. A stepwise synthetic approach was applied with thioglycosides as glycosyl donors, and the β anomer of the compound was obtained equipped with a spacer group whose further transformation allows conjugation to suitable carriers. To synthesize the β-anthrosyl linkage with high stereoselectivity, a linker-equipped rhamnotriose derivative was glycosylated with ethyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-2-O-bromoacetyl-4,6-dideoxy-1-thio-β- d -glucopyranoside. Further functionalization of the tetrasaccharide thus obtained, followed by deprotection, gave the target substance.
Intestinal permeability and absorption in dogs with traumatic injury.

The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of using urinary recovery of sugars to evaluate intestinal permeability and absorption in dogs with traumatic injury and to determine if intestinal permeability and absorption are altered in dogs with traumatic injury. After a 6-hour fast, a sugar solution containing lactulose, rhamnose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, and xylose was administered via nasoesophageal tube. Urine was collected and quantitated over the 6-hour study period via closed collection urinary catheters. Urinary sugar recoveries were measured by high-pressure anion exchange liquid chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection. Urinary sugar recoveries in the trauma group at 24, 48, and 72 hours after trauma were compared to normal controls. In addition, severity of trauma was compared to urinary sugar recoveries. Twelve client-owned dogs with traumatic injury and 6 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Lactulose recovery and the lactulose: rhamnose recovery ratio were significantly higher in the trauma group at 48 hours but were no longer different from controls by 72 hours. Xylose recovery was significantly higher in the trauma group when compared to controls at 72 hours, whereas 3-O-methyl-D-glucose recovery was significantly lower in the trauma group at 24 hours. The xylose: 3-O-methyl-D-glucose ratio was higher in the trauma group at all time points. Significant correlation was found between severity of trauma and xylose and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose recoveries 24 hours after injury. Results of this study support the hypothesis that intestinal permeability and absorption are altered in dogs with traumatic injury.
Spectroscopic characterization of cobalt doped ZnSe/S crystals as saturable absorbers and gain elements for IR solid-state lasers

We report on fabrication and spectroscopic characterization of Co:(Fe:):ZnSe/S crystals for saturable absorbers and gain elements for IR solid-state lasers.
H∞ prediction and unconstrained H∞ predictive control: Multi-input-multi-output case

Through the combination of the sequential spectral factorization and the coprime factorization, a k-step ahead MIMO H∞ (cumulative minimax) predictor is derived which is stable for the unstable noise model. This predictor and the modified internal model of the reference signal are embedded into the H∞ optimization framework, yielding a single degree of freedom multi-input–multi-output H∞ predictive controller that provides stochastic disturbance rejection and asymptotic tracking of the reference signals described by the internal model. It is shown that for a plant/disturbance model, that represents a large class of systems, the inclusion of the H∞ predictor into the H∞ control algorithm introduces a performance/robustness tuning knob: an increase of the prediction horizon enforces a more conservative control effort and, correspondingly, results in deterioration of the transient and the steady-state (tracking error variance) performance, but guarantees large robustness margin, while the decrease of the prediction horizon results in a more aggressive control signal and better transient and steady-state performance, but smaller robustness margin. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobility of foliar‐applied boron in one‐year‐old peaches as affected by environmental factors

Abstract One‐year‐old potted ‘Red Haven’ peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) trees grown in the greenhouse were used to study the mobility of boron (B). Enriched‐10B‐boric acid solution was evenly spread onto the abaxial side of a leaf. After harvesting at different time intervals, selected plant parts were analyzed by ICP‐AES and ICP‐MS spectrometry. The 10B content was used as the parameter of B mobility. The results showed that among the six B concentrations (0, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1,200 ppm) studied, the 1,200 ppm treatment had the highest 10B content in every plant tissue. There was little difference between the middle and bottom treatments in the leaf position‐treated experiment. However, if leaf area was not considered, the terminal leaf was less efficient in taking up 10B than the other two positions in the same experiment. Plastic coverage on the treated leaf helped the uptake of the treated 10B‐boric acid. High relative humidity (100% RH) treated plants had higher 10B content than the low RH‐tr...
The Murine Common Deletion: Mitochondrial DNA 3,860-bp Deletion after Irradiation

This study demonstrates that mice, similar to humans, have a common mitochondrial DNA deletion (3,860 bp) that encodes 5 transfer RNA genes and 5 polypeptide genes that is related to aging, tissue type and radiotoxicity. Our research indicates that the deletion ratio in the liver was significantly higher than in the brain and gut tissues of 8-month-old mice, as compared to 8-week-old mice. Our results also demonstrate that tissue type, oxidative metabolic capacity and radiosensitivity influence the 3,860-bp deletion level. Therefore, this 3,860-bp deletion content may serve as a biomarker of aging and oxidative damage in mice.
THE PERSISTENCE OF INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN ACUTE ADRENOCORTICAL HYPERACTIVITY INDUCED BY CORTICOTROPIN IN NORMAL MAN

There are conflicting views concerning the effects of adrenocortical hyperactivity on the blood glucose response to insulin. A decreased response has been described in Cushing's disease (1), during administration of corticotropin in normal man (2), and in chronically ill patients given cortisone (3). On the contrary, no change in response has been reported in normal subjects given cortisone (3), or in chronically ill patients receiving corticotropin (4).
Neurometric Evaluation of Learning Disabled Children

A quantified electrophysiological system called Neurometrics is described in terms of procedures, reliability and validity. The role of the computer in both acquisition and analysis is noted. In terms of the application of Neurometrics to issues of diagnostic validity five studies are discussed. The first describes a study showing that normal functioning and at risk children differ markedly in terms of the percentage showing EEG abnormalities; the second reports the difference between children who are poor achievers in verbal, arithmetic of both skills; the third shows that Neurometric indices differentiate between epileptic children who are achieving or not achieving at grade appropriate levels; the fourth describes Neurometric EEG differences between learning disabled children who do or do not have reading reversal problems; and the fifth describes the behavioral differences in populations constructed on the basis of their Neurometric profiles.
Governor Requirements for Aircraft Alternator Drives

RECENTLY much engineering thought has been directed toward the use of a-c power systems in very large aircraft.1,2 To permit operation at substantially constant frequency, when generators are driven by accessory drive shafts of main aircraft engines, variable-ratio transmissions have been designed. The ratio of such a transmission may be varied by means of a governor which maintains generator speed within a narrow range while the aircraft engine speed varies over a wide range. The engine speed range in typical cases may be three to one or greater. The frequency of a typical a-c system as now designed for large military aircraft must be held within about five per cent of normal, except during unusual transient conditions, when somewhat greater variations are permissible. When alternators are to be operated in parallel, differences in engine speeds should not be permitted to cause loss of synchronism of the generators.
Structural studies of human α2-macroglobulin: Concordance between projected views obtained by negative-stain and cryoelectron microscopy

Abstract Two views of native α 2 -macroglobulin are revealed by electron microscopy of negatively stained samples; in one view the molecule resembles a padlock and in the other, a pair of lips. Interconversion of the two views upon tilting establishes that these are two different projected views of the same structure. Furthermore, the two views are related by a 45° rotation about their major axis because they interconvert when the specimens are tilted ±22.5°. Negatively stained molecules on Butvar films present a nearly equal distribution of the two views, whereas in frozen-hydrated samples the molecules almost exclusively are oriented in the lip view. Measurements from both views indicate that the α 2 -macroglobulin molecule is ∼200 A long and ∼140 A wide. Our results suggest that α 2 -macroglobulin is composed of two protomeric units, each in the shape of a twisted letter S. These units are joined together at their ends to form a complex with point group symmetry 222. The 45° interconversion angle between the lip and padlock views support this arrangement. Average images of unstained and stained lips are quite similar, indicating that the native structure is consistently preserved by the two electron microscopy procedures used in this investigation. This is substantiated by the interconversion between the lip and padlock views that occurs when the molecule is rotated 90° about its major twofold axis.
An Investigation of the Slip of a Tire Tread

Abstract Tire performance such as handling, noise, traction, wear, etc., is determined ultimately in the tire footprint. The nature of the distribution of the contact stresses within the tire footprint determine whether or not the tire tread adheres to the road or slips relative to the road surface. Loss of adhesion between the tire tread and the road can be extreme as in gross slippage resulting in the loss of vehicle control or it can be subtle as in the small magnitude slippage that promotes treadwear. This paper presents results from an experimental characterization of the slip between the tread of a free‐rolling tire and a simulated road surface. Trajectories of discrete points on the tread surface were measured from the entrance to the exit of the footprint and were used to calculate the total slip of each point. The relationship between the average slip of the tire and toe angle was established. Also, the relationship between toe, camber, and the distribution of tread slip and velocity across the t...
The affine-scaling direction for linear programming is a limit of projective-scaling directions

Abstract There are two ways to convert a standard-form linear programming problem to a form suitable for application of a projective-scaling interior-point algorithm based on Karmarkar's method. One of these adds a dummy variable which is identically one. We show that, as the number of dummy variables (all identically one) added tends to infinity, the resulting direction in all the original variables tends to the direction chosen by Dikin's affine-scaling algorithm.
An experimental model of acute humoral rejection of renal allografts associated with concomitant cellular rejection.

Acute humoral rejection (AHR), which occurs in up to 8% of kidney transplant recipients, is a significant cause of renal allograft dysfunction and loss. More efficacious treatment modalities are needed to eliminate or curtail alloantibody production and its deleterious effects on the kidney. The availability of animal models mimicking human AHR is essential to understand its pathophysiology and develop new treatment strategies. Using a mouse kidney transplant model, we demonstrate that presensitization of recipients with donor skin grafts results in rejection of subsequent renal allografts. All presensitized mice developed renal failure 8.6 ± 4.3 days after engraftment, with serum creatinine values near 100 μmol/dl. Graft histology revealed mild, diffuse, interstitial, mononuclear cell infiltrates; prominent peritubular capillary inflammatory cell margination; patchy interstitial hemorrhage; interstitial edema; and focal glomerular fibrin deposition. Complement (C3d) deposition was diffuse and prominent in peritubular capillaries. Serum analysis demonstrated high levels of circulating alloantibodies with broad cross-reactivity to many MHC haplotypes. The clinical setting and histological findings of our model strongly resemble AHR, which is frequently associated with cellular rejection, a situation commonly encountered in human renal allograft recipients. This animal model provides a valuable tool to study the pathogenesis of AHR, its relationship to cellular alloimmunity, its contribution to graft injury, and the effects of various potential therapeutic interventions.
Scalable rotary actuators with embedded shape memory alloys

Scalable rotary actuators are being developed with the help of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. Subjected to elevated temperatures SMA wires deliver large strains and high stresses. Yet their bandwidth is limited because of the time required for cooling. Bandwidth can be enhanced by miniaturizing the actuating system, which results in higher cooling rates. Using SMA wires with diameter of about 100 micron, several miniature actuators have been designed and fabricated. For example, a rotary joint with bi-directional actuation, which is about 4mm wide, 9mm long and 3mm high, can achieve angular deflection of around ±60 deg. Based on this bi-directional actuator, SMA ratchet mechanisms with minimum feature sizes of about 200 micron have been developed. The ratchet mechanisms can transform angular motion to continuously rotating motion. SMA wires are embedded into polyurethane structures using Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM). SDM is a layered manufacturing process capable of building complex 3D parts through the combination of material addition and subtraction. A key advantage of this process is the ease by which process interruption may occur to embed sensors and actuators into components. SDM can also fabricate functional mechanisms in an assembled configuration eliminating the need for assembly. The present article will describe design and manufacturing processes which enable the fabrication of the scalable rotary actuators. System performance and behavior of the SMA actuators will also be discussed in this contribution.
The Relationship Between Selection Processes of Public Trustees and State Higher Education Performance

Theoretically, higher education professionals agree that public trusteeship matters, yet little attention is given to the influence trustees have on the performance of public higher education. This study examines the relationship between selection and appointment processes and state higher education performance. Findings show that top-performing states use appointment processes that use restrictions, requisite qualifications, and methods to scrutinize the appropriateness of potential candidates. There is no evidence of clear qualifications or scrutiny among the bottom-performing states.
Identification and characterization of antigenic determinants of Mycobacterium leprae that react with antibodies in sera of leprosy patients.

Abstract Antigenic determinants of Mycobacterium leprae were identified by screening a lambda gt11::M. leprae genomic library with two separate pools of sera from leprosy patients. A total of 45 recombinant clones were detected with pooled sera from 21 lepromatous (LL) leprosy patients and 5 additional clones specified polypeptides that reacted with antibodies in pooled sera from 30 borderline tuberculoid or tuberculoid leprosy patients. The recombinant clones that specified antigenic determinants that reacted with sera from LL patients were condensed into eight groups on the basis of DNA hybridization experiments among the M. leprae DNA insert fragments. In addition, 11 of the 45 recombinant clones did not hybridize to members of the eight groups nor to one another; these represent unique recombinant clones. None of the recombinant clones identified by screening with sera from tuberculoid leprosy patients hybridized to each other or to any of the 45 LL recombinant clones. The polypeptides specified by the recombinant clones were usually fusion proteins with beta-galactosidase, ranging in size from 117 to 175 kilodaltons (kDa). Members of hybridization group III specified nonfusion proteins of 45 kDa. Only members of hybridization group I reacted with any of 30 monoclonal antibodies prepared against M. leprae proteins; recombinant proteins from these clones reacted with a single monoclonal antibody directed against the M. leprae 65-kDa protein. Thus, at least 22 new antigenic determinants of M. leprae have been identified on the basis of their reactivity to antibodies in sera from LL patients or sera from tuberculoid leprosy patients or both.
Traversing the Twin Peaks

In interviews conducted last October, this issue's guest editors, Mehdi Mirakhorli and Jane Cleland-Huang, spoke with Daniel Dvorak and Jan Bosch, who shared their perspectives as software architects on the interweaving of requirements and architecture. Dvorak is the lead for the NASA software architecture review board and has worked on various technology development projects and space missions, including Deep Space One and Mars Science Laboratory. Bosch is a software architect and agilest with a wealth of experience designing and implementing software-as-a-service and Web 2.0 solutions that typically provide services to hundreds of thousands, even millions, of customers.
Progress on the Photoresponse of Chalcogenide Glasses and Films to Near-Infrared Femtosecond Laser Irradiation: A Review

This paper reviews ongoing progress in exploring the mechanistic origins of photoinduced structural modification in chalcogenide glasses (ChGs). These findings, reported by groups at the University of Central Florida, Clemson University, and throughout other research programs within the United States and abroad, have examined the relationship between the network modification and other photoresponse of IR glasses upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser exposure. Contained is a review on the principles of femtosecond laser writing in glass, the photoinduced phenomena, and a summary of the main models predicting photoinduced material response. We compare the photoresponse of As- and Ge-based films, taken as example, following NIR femtosecond laser irradiation that results in near-surface photoexpansion and an increase or decrease of the refractive index, respectively. This difference in photoresponse has been related to the "layered" network of the As-based glass that leads to the breaking and formation of bonds during laser exposure as compared to the 3-D network of Ge-based glass that leads only to a modification of the bond arrangements. Last, an explanation of the need to control the photoresponse of ChGs by aging, changing the glass thermal history, adding modifiers, or replacing the anions forming the network is discussed.
Age-group differences in facets of positive and negative affect

Objectives: The higher order structure of Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) is comparable in self-report affect data from younger and older adults. The current study advances this work by comparing the factor structure of facets of PA and NA in older and younger adults using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Method: Older (N = 203; M age = 73.5 years, range 65–92) and younger (N = 349; M age = 19.1 years, range 18–30) adults completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule–Expanded Form (PANAS-X) (Watson, D., & Clark, L.A. (1999). Manual for the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule -- Expanded Form. Iowa City, IA: The University of Iowa), which measures General PA and NA as well as three facets of PA (Joviality, Self-Assurance, and Attentiveness) and four facets of NA (Fear, Sadness, Guilt, and Hostility). Results: Item-level exploratory factor analyses of the facet scales revealed structures that were similar in older and younger adults; however, older adult solutions were mor...
Risk Perceptions and Management Responses: Producer-Generated Hypotheses For Risk Modeling

Farm level risk analyses have used price and yield variability almost exclusively to represent risk. Results from a survey of 149 agricultural producers in 12 states indicate that producers consider a broader range of sources of variability in their operations. Significant differences exist among categories with respect to the importance of the sources of variability in crop and livestock production. Producers also used a variety of management responses to variability. There were significant difference among categories in the importance given to particular responses and their use of them. These results have implications for research, extension, and policy programs.
Assessing attention: comparison of response-inhibition and traditional continuous performance tests.

The purpose of this study was to compare a recently developed response-inhibition task (Conners, 1995) to slow- and fast-event-rate versions of the traditional A-X Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Among 146 normal adults, results revealed significant differences between tasks in omission and commission error rates, reaction time, reaction time variability, and responses to critical signals. Effects of environmental noise and participant anxiety also differed for the three tasks. Traditional CPTs produced time-related performance decrements, but the response-inhibition task produced improvement across initial blocks of trials. The response-inhibition task may measure executive control rather than sustained attention, and therefore may represent functions of different brain systems.
Are Voters More Likely to Contribute to Other Public Goods? Evidence from a Large‐Scale Randomized Policy Experiment

Voting has been described as a contribution to a public good. Are people who vote frequently therefore more likely to contribute to other public goods? Does partisanship affect how likely a person is to engage in these cooperative behaviors? Although surveys suggest that the answer to these questions is �Yes,� few empirical studies examine these questions using observed behaviors. We examine them in the context of a large-scale, randomized controlled trial to induce voluntary action in a common-pool resource dilemma. During a drought in the southeastern United States, pro-social messages that encouraged water conservation were randomly assigned to 35,000 out of 106,000 households. Frequent voters in primary and general elections (1990�2008) were substantially more responsive to the messages, but there was no detectable difference in the responses of Republican and Democrat households. Our results suggest that internalized pro-social preferences promote action for the public good across behavioral contexts.
Retinal projections to the pretectum in the pigeon (Columba livia).

The retinal projection to the pretectum in the pigeon has previously been described in detail only by means of anterograde degeneration techniques (Reperant, '73). The present study reinvestigated these retinal projections by using the more sensitive anterograde autoradiographic technique. In general, our results confirm and extend those of Reperant ('73). We have found that three pretectal nuclei–the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, tectal gray, and the area pretectalis– receive heavy retinal input. A fourth pretectal nucleus, pretectalis diffusus, receives a slight retinal input. The nucleus lentiformis mesencephali can be divided into two closely apposed subnuclei that are cytoarchitecturally similar. We have termed them “lentiformis mesencephali, pars medialis” and “lentiformis mesencephali, pars lateralis.” The tectal gray can be divided into a rostral, retinorecipient region and a narrow, caudal, nonretinorecipient region. The cytoarchitecture and retinal terminal field in area pretectalis have been described previously by us (Gamlin et al., '84). Pretectalis diffusus is located caudal to the retinorecipient dorsal thalamus and rostral to area pretectalis. Localized retinal injections of 3H proline delineated the number and extent of the retinal representations in the pretectum. Separate retinal representations were present in lentiformis mesencephali, pars medialis, lentiformis mesencephali, pars lateralis, the tectal gray, area pretectalis, and pretectalis diffusus. Only in the lentiformis mesencephali, pars medialis, lentiformis mesencephali, pars lateralis, and the tectal gray could the retinal representations be analyzed. Whereas the retinal representations in the lentiformis mesencephali, pars medialis and the tectal gray are comparable, the retinal representation in the lentiformis mesencephali, pars lateralis is different, being a mirror-image mediolaterally. In this study we introduce a conservative nomenclature for the retinorecipient pretectal nuclei that is consistent with earlier studies, in particular, those of Kuhlenbeck ('39), but has been modified in the light of our findings. We believe that this nomenclature, combined with the detailed cytoarchitectural descriptions provided, should facilitate future studies of the avian pretectum.
Cross-Tier Interference Mitigation for Two-Tier OFDMA Femtocell Networks with Limited Macrocell Information

Femtocells that use co-channel allocation with macrocells can considerably increase wireless coverage and system capacity, especially for indoor and cell-edge users. However, the benefit is realized only when cross-tier interference between femtocells and macrocells is well managed. We propose a power allocation algorithm for femtocells in downlink OFDMA systems that effectively reduces cross-tier interference by considering the influence on neighboring macro mobile stations (MSs), when only limited channel information about those MSs is available. The use of the proposed scheme enables femtocells to maintain their high throughputs while significantly reducing the performance degradation of neighboring macro MSs, with only the information that is available to the femtocells in practice.
Learning word meanings during reading: Effects of phonological and semantic cues on children with language impairment

AbstractPhonological and semantic deficits in spoken word learning have been documented in children with language impairment (LI), and cues that address these deficits have been shown to improve their word learning performance. However, the effects of such cues on word learning during reading remain largely unexplored. This study investigated whether (a) control, (b) phonological, (c) semantic, and (d) combined phonological-semantic conditions affected semantic word learning during reading in 9- to 11-year-old children with LI (n = 12) and with typical language (TL, n = 11) from low-income backgrounds. Children were exposed to 20 novel words across these four conditions prior to reading passages containing the novel words. After reading, a dynamic semantic assessment was given, which included oral definitions, contextual clues, and multiple choices. Results indicated that the LI group performed more poorly than the TL group in phonological and combined conditions, but not in the control or semantic condit...
Modeling magnetic microcapsules that crawl in microchannels

Using computational modeling, we probe how to design microfluidic systems in which magnetic microcapsules could autonomously crawl along channel walls. The polymeric microcapsules are fluid-filled elastic shells with embedded superparamagnetic nanoparticles and, thereby, can be controlled by external magnetic fields. We show that when a magnetic force circulates normal to a sticky microchannel wall, capsules can propel in a steady, autonomous manner. The unidirectional capsule propulsion is facilitated by hydrodynamic interactions between the capsules and channel walls, and is most effective when the magnitudes of magnetic and adhesive forces are equal to each other. Furthermore, the propulsion efficiency is greater for compliant capsules. Our findings could be useful for designing novel microfluidic devices where mobile magnetic microcapsules could be harnessed as microscale transport vehicles.
Differential temporal and spatial expression of mRNA encoding extracellular matrix components in decidua during the peri-implantation period.

Changes in the temporal and spatial patterns of expression of mRNA encoding uterine extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were determined during the pen-implantation period. Northern blot hybridization of cDNAs corresponding to laminin (LM) B,, LM B2, entactin, flbronectin, collagen (CL) type IV al, and CL IV at2 was performed on RNA extracted from either whole mouse uteri or endometrial explants between Day 4, i.e., the day of implantation, and Day 7 of pregnancy, when the decidual response is well established. These analyses revealed a dramatic increase in LM B2, CL IV a!, and CL IV a2 mRNA expression by Day 7 of pregnancy. Relative levels of the mRNA encoding other ECM components, including LM B,, were not altered when compared to changes in the relative level of expression of glyceraldehyde-3.phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA. The differential expression of the B chains of LM appeared to be limited to the stromal cells of the endometrium. tn situ hybridization of uterine sections with cRNA probes corresponding to LM B,, LM B2, and CL IV al demonstrated that LM B, was expressed temporally in high amounts in the primary decidual zones (PDZ) and persisted throughout PDZ degeneration. LM B2 mRNA was expressed in both primary and secondary decidual zones and persisted through Day 8 of pregnancy. CL IV at mRNA expression mimicked that of LM B2. Oviduct ligation on Day 2 of pregnancy was used to prevent embryo transport to one uterine horn, whereas decidualization and embryo implantation were permitted in the contralateral horn. This experiment demonstrated that the increases in uterine ECM mRNA expression were not due solely to the changing hormonal milieu of the uterus. ECM components, including CL IV, have been shown to bind growth factors such as transforming growth factor-D (TGF-1) in an insoluble but biologically active form. The remarkable similarity between the pattern of CL IV and LM B2 expression and previously reported TGF-� deposition (Tamada et al., Mo! Endocrinol 1990; 4:965-972) prompted examination of the effects of this growth factor on blastocyst development in vitro. TGF-I3l was tested for its ability to alter embryo outgrowth on LM-coated tissue culture surfaces; however, significant differences in the rate or extent of outgrowth in the presence of TGF-� were not detected. Collectively, these studies indicate that marked changes occur in both the temporal and regional patterns of expression of uterine ECM components, in� eluding differential expression of mRNA encoding LM subunits; however, TGF-(� I does not appear to directly influence embryo outgrowth on LM.
Targeting B cells with biologics in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Importance of the field: The use of biologics as immune modulators in several autoimmune diseases has provided new tools to the physician's therapeutic armamentiarium and has led to improved patients' outcomes and quality of life. By producing autoantibodies, B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are key players in the pathogenesis of the disease and in its clinical manifestations. Therefore, biologics that target B cells in SLE aim at reducing the activity of these cells for the induction of remissions and/or amelioration of disease activity, reduction of organ involvement, and limitation of the complications and side effects caused by immunosuppressive therapies. Areas covered in this review: This review describes the past and current clinical trials with B-cell-targeted biologics in SLE, to provide a historical perspective and the state-of-the-art on the topic. What the reader will gain: We review how the disappointment in the field from promising agents has been instrumental in providing valua...