cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating surface area of sponges and gorgonians as indicators of habitat availability on Caribbean coral reefs

A rapid method to estimate the three-dimensional (3D) surface area (SA) of marine gorgonians and sponges from field measurements of colony height, diameter, and morphology was developed as an indicator of habitat availability for fish and invertebrates. Colony characteristics for sponges and gorgonians were compiled from field measurements, expert judgment, and taxonomic literature, and employed to generate 3D images using computer-aided design software. The images were used to test various statistical models and geometric surrogates that best estimated SA using only height and diameter measurements. A morphological classification system was devised using shapes and relative proportions of sponges and gorgonians which are commonly found in shallow waters (<25 m depth) of the Central Western Atlantic Ocean. Regression models (linear, quadratic, or cubic) were found to be more robust than geometric surrogates, exhibiting greater accuracy at range extremes. Statistical models explained over 90% of the variation in SA and forecast errors of less than 20%. The best models for estimating SA are presented for eight sponge and nine gorgonian morphologies. Application of these methods with existing estimators for stony corals SA can be used as an indicator of structural habitat availability, which is an important ecosystem service of coral reefs.
Role of vagal afferent innervation in feeding and brain Fos expression produced by metabolic inhibitors.

Abstract Hepatic vagal afferent fibers have been implicated in the feeding responses initiated by administration of 2,5-anhydro- d -mannitol (2,5-AM; an inhibitor of hepatic metabolism) and methyl palmoxirate (MP; an inhibitor of fat metabolism). 2,5-AM and MP also increase brain Fos expression, an indicator of neural activity, which suggests that Fos expression can reveal the central neural pathways involved in the stimulation of feeding by these agents. To more closely test the hypothesis that brain Fos expression is related to the effects of 2,5-AM and MP on feeding, the vagus was lesioned by application of capsaicin, which destroys afferent fibers, directly to the cervical vagi. Perivagal capsaicin treatment blocked 2,5-AM-induced eating and attenuated MP-induced eating. Although perivagal capsaicin treatment attenuated MP-induced Fos expression, capsaicin treatment did not affect brain Fos expression produced by 2,5-AM. It is concluded that (1) brain Fos expression is not always related to the effects of 2,5-AM on feeding, (2) capsaicin-sensitive hepatic vagal afferent fibers carry the signal that stimulates feeding following 2,5-AM treatment, and (3) MP-induced feeding and brain Fos expression is mediated in part by capsaicin-sensitive fibers.
Effect of packed red blood cell transfusion on cerebral oxygenation and metabolism after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background Anemia adversely affects cerebral oxygenation and metabolism after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and is also associated with poor outcome. There is limited evidence to support the use of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion to optimize brain homeostasis after SAH. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of transfusion on cerebral oxygenation and metabolism in patients with SAH. Methods This was a prospective observational study in a neurological intensive care unit of a university hospital. Nineteen transfusions were studied in 15 consecutive patients with SAH that underwent multimodality monitoring (intracranial pressure, brain tissue oxygen, and cerebral microdialysis). Data were collected at baseline and for 12 h after transfusion. The relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) change and lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) orbrain tissue oxygen (PbtO2) was tested using univariate and multivariable analyses. Results PRBC transfusion was administered on the median post-bleed day 8. The average Hb concentration at baseline was 8.1 g/dL and increased by 2.2 g/dL after
A comparison of the adsorption of three adhesive proteins to biomaterial surfaces.

The adsorption of three cell adhesive proteins with known thrombogenic activity [fibrinogen (FGN), fibronectin (FN), and vitronectin (VN)] was quantified from mono-component protein solutions, from...
The Epstein-Barr virus and EB virus infections in childhood.

A DECADE has passed since the Epstein-Barr virus was shown to be the etiologic agent of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis. In the intervening ten years much attention has been focused on the pathogenesis of the disease, the unique biologic characteristics of the virus, the epidemiology of EBV infection in various parts of the world, and the possible oncogenic potential of the virus in specific human populations as well as in subhuman primates. The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the important discoveries that have been made in these areas. In addition, attention is directed to current knowledge of the differences that distinguish primary EBV infection in young children from the more clinically obvious infectious mononucleosis syndrome, which principally affects adolescents and young adults. Information is provided concerning the serologic and virologic tools that are currently available for confirming the suspicion of primary infection in different age groups. We also review those fatal infections which have occurred in a number of kindreds: these cases provide clues to understanding the normal host defenses which keep the infection in check, Finally we present some of the evidence
CrowdWeaver: visually managing complex crowd work

Though toolkits exist to create complex crowdsourced workflows, there is limited support for management of those workflows. Managing crowd workers and tasks requires significant iteration and experimentation on task instructions, rewards, and flows. We present CrowdWeaver, a system to visually manage complex crowd work. The system supports the creation and reuse of crowdsourcing and computational tasks into integrated task flows, manages the flow of data between tasks, and allows tracking and notification of task progress, with support for real-time modification. We describe the system and demonstrate its utility through case studies and user feedback.
Expectations prior to epilepsy surgery: an exploratory comparison of men and women.

Abstract Although the clinical goal of resective epilepsy surgery is seizure freedom, patients have a wide set of expectations for this invasive procedure. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential gender differences in expectations among patients undergoing resective epilepsy surgery. Ratings of the importance of 12 potential impacts ("expectations") of resective surgery were analyzed in a seven-center cohort study including 389 adults aged 16 and older who underwent resective epilepsy surgery. Men and women both ranked anticipated changes in driving and memory as the most important presurgical expectations. Women rated driving, physical activity limitations, and economic worries as less important, and fatigue and pregnancy concerns as more important than did men (p's≤0.05). Exploratory factor analysis indicated a different pattern of associations among the 12 importance items for men and women. Whether gender differences in presurgical values are associated with outcomes needs exploration.
Irreversibility of anodic bonding

Abstract The irreversibility of anodic bonds of silicon to Pyrex is examined. Once bonding is complete, extended periods of reverse bias do not cause bond failure. Instead, a brown deposit plates at the bond interface. This deposit is probably a sodium silicate/silicon monoxide material, and results from the cathodic reaction. The irreversibility is due to the asymmetry of the anodic and cathodic reactions during the bonding process. Platelet formation may occur at rigid cathodes as well, causing electrical shorts through the oxide. The charging/discharging current characteristic indicates that the anodic depletion layer is effectively charge neutral. Taken together, these confirm a model where bonding is chemical in nature and electrostatic forces are only involved in the attainment of intimate contact at the anodic interface.
Modification of Lipid Bilayer Structure by Diacylglycerol: A Comparative Study of Diacylglycerol and Cholesterol

Diacylglycerols (DAGs) are important second messengers in biomembranes, and they can activate protein kinase C and many other enzymes and receptors. However, their interactions with cholesterol and other lipids have not been previously studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In this study, nine independent atomistic MD simulations were performed to specifically investigate the interactions between di16:0DAG, 16:0,18:1-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), and cholesterol. Despite of their substantial differences in chemical structure, DAG and cholesterol produce some very similar effects in POPC bilayers: increasing acyl chain order and bilayer thickness, reducing volume-per-lipid, and decreasing lateral diffusion of molecules. More significantly, DAG also produces a strong “condensing effect” in PC bilayers. In comparison, cholesterol is more effective than DAG in producing the above effects. The driving force for the condensing effect is their molecular shape: DAG and cholesterol both have small polar headgroups and large hydrophobic bodies. In a lipid bilayer, in order to avoid the unfavorable exposure of their hydrophobic parts to water, neighboring phospholipid headgroups move toward cholesterol or DAG to provide cover. Thus, seemingly complex interactions between DAG, cholesterol and phospholipid can be clearly explained using the Umbrella Model. Our simulations confirmed the hypothesis that DAG increases the spacing between phospholipid headgroups, which is important for activating protein kinase C and other enzymes. Interestingly, our simulations also show that the conventional wisdom that the spacing created by a DAG is directly above the DAG molecule is incorrect; instead, the largest spacing usually occurs between the first and the second nearest-neighbor PC headgroups from a DAG, due to the umbrella effect.
Testing of single fibre bundles of carbon/carbon composite materials

Abstract A method has been developed for excising single fibre bundles of carbon/carbon material from large billets, and of testing them in axial tension to failure. The fibre bundles are strain gauged so that the tensile modulus and complete stress/strain curves to failure can be obtained. Experimental results are presented and discussed.
A microprocessor-based oceanographic particle data collection system

An instrument has been developed for oceanographic sampling of particle density and size versus depth and temperature in a 100 meter water column. The sensor probe, although attached to a lightweight cable, is allowed to free fall, which effectively detaches it from the motion of the sampling platform and enhances the resolution of thin particle layers. Sensor information is transmitted up the cable to a small, dedicated, microcomputer module where it is digitized and stored on cassette tape with read after write verification. The microcomputer also keeps the operator informed of the status of the drop and displays the recorded data on a video monitor.
The Variability of Cardiac Output Estimations Made with the High-Frequency Undamped Balistocardiograph

Recordings of the ballistocardiogram were made on successive days in a group of subjects free from clinical signs of heart disease. The effects of ambulation and meals on the recordings were evaluated. A small but measurable increase in cardiac index following meals was observed. Significant individual differences were found. In order to obtain comparable ballistocardiographic records, it is important for the patient to fast for four to five hours preceding the measurements. However, familiarity with the procedure and prior bed rest are not essential. Only one set of calculations by one observer is required.
Mass Spectrometric Determination of Diethyldithiocarbamates

The determination of the diethyldithiocarbamate chelates of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn by direct insertion probe mass spectrometry is reported. The sensitivity of the technique is limited by an instrument blank problem, but fractional nanogram amounts of each element can be determined by this approach.
Brain volume in autism

Increased brain size has been observed in individuals with autism with a wide range of cognitive functioning. The purpose of this investigation was to obtain measurements of the brain volume in a sample of nonmentally retarded autistic individuals. Magnetic resonance imaging scans from 16 nonmentally retarded individuals with autism and 19 male volunteer comparison subjects were obtained and the following structures were measured: third, fourth, and lateral ventricles and intracranial and cerebral volumes. Mean cerebral and third ventricle volumes in the autistic subjects were significantly greater than in the controls when adjusted for intracranial volume. No other significant results were found. Our finding of increased brain volume in autism is consistent with previous reports in the literature. Additional longitudinal neuroimaging and, more importantly, neuropathologic studies are warranted to provide a better understanding of the complexities underlying increased brain size in autism.
Cruise control with adaptation and wheel torque constraints for improved fuel economy

Cruise controllers are used to automatically control the speed of motor vehicles. In order to maintain a desired vehicle speed the controller takes over the throttle in a cruise control system which proves particularly useful for long drives. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems have additional capabilities such as automatic braking or dynamic set-speed type controls and hence can accommodate changes in cruise speed required to adapt to changing road conditions. We propose that further improvement in fuel economy can be achieved by considering the vehicle's longitudinal dynamics as an input-constrained system and the wheel torque as the corresponding constrained input. We effectively address the resulting input saturation nonlinearity by employing our adaptive anti-windup compensator design. Simulation results are used to compare the performance of the original cruise control system allowing for the full-range of wheel torque and the ACC system where the wheel torque is forced to remain within the user-defined limits for improved fuel economy.
Consumer Personality and Coping: Testing Rival Theories of Process

This research examines the effect of consumer dispositions on the relationships between stress-related appraisals, consumption emotions, and the coping process. We comparatively tested rival models of these relationships. Our data show that the consumer personality traits of consumer assertiveness and marketing maven and the general personality trait of extraversion interact with cognitive appraisals to influence consumers’ choice of coping strategies. The research contributes to existing knowledge of how these consumer personality traits motivate consumer behavior, and it enriches existing models of the relationship between personality influences and coping.
Sites of synthesis and release of PBAN-like factor in the female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract Sex-pheromone production in female European corn borer moths, Ostrinia nubilalis, is regulated by PBAN(pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide)-like factors. Using a decapitated-moth bioassay, three discrete sets of neurosecretory cells were identified in the subesophageal ganglion of female O. nubilalis that contained PBAN-like biological activity. Immunocytochemical studies with a polyclonal antiserum raised against a synthetic-truncated Hez-PBAN revealed the presence of PBAN-like immunoreactivity throughout the entire ventral nervous system. The corpora cardiaca also exhibited PBAN-like biological activity and immunoreactivity. Corpora cardiacectomized-allatectomized females produced significantly less pheromone than sham-operated females. Cobalt anterograde/retrograde filling studies did not show direct neural connections between the terminal abdominal ganglion and the sex-pheromone gland. Transection of the ventral nerve cord did not impair pheromone production. Removal of the entire abdominal ventral nerve cord did not affect the response of the operated females to exogenous PBAN. Results of the present investigation show that PBAN-like factors in female O. nubilalis moth are synthesized in three sets of neurosecretory cells in the subesophageal ganglion, and that release of these factors from the corpora cardiaca plays a more important role in pheromone production than does the ventral nerve cord.
Photodissociation studies of Cn+ at 193 nm (n = 5−19)1

Abstract Carbon cluster cations from C n + to C 19 - were generated by laser ablation/ ionization of graphite in the Fourier-transform ICR ion trapping mass spectrometer, and dissociated by excimer laser pulses with photon energy 6.43 eV. Branching ratios and relative apparent cross-sections were determined. Further mechanistic and thermochemical information was sought by several additional approaches, including aging experiments in which dissociation was induced at varying times after ion formation; pump-probe experiments in which an initial pumping laser pulse preceded the photodissociation pulse; and time-resolved photodissociation (TRPD) experiments. The Northwestern strain model for systematizing the energetics of carbon cluster ions was extended and modified to give agreement with experimental and theoretical dissociation energetics of these cluster ions. This was combined with a loose-transition state RRKM-theory picture of dissociation to give a proposed overall interpretation of the dissociation chemistry. The observation of metastable ion dissociation via C 1 loss for C 11 + and C 12 + remains an outstanding puzzle, although a partially satisfactory interpretation is proposed.
Enabling on-chip diversity through architectural communication design

In this paper, we explore a new concept, called on-chip diversity, and introduce a design methodology for such emerging systems. Simply speaking, on-chip diversity means mixing different architectures and/or technologies in a multiple voltage/frequency island setup in order to achieve the highest levels of performance, fault-tolerance and the needed flexibility in SoC design. As the main contribution, we present the challenges in implementing an efficient communication architecture for on-chip diversity and outline a unified framework which addresses some of these issues. We then provide comparative experimental results and make a qualitative analysis of different architectural choices in the design of the on-chip communication. Having the acoustic beamforming as driver application, we show that an efficient communication infrastructure can be constructed by carefully analyzing the characteristics of the application and the required levels of power, performance and fault-tolerance.
Thermal Dynamics of a Small Vaporizing Slurry Droplet in a Hot and Radiant Environment; Feasibility of the Secondary Atomization

Abstract A two-dimensional model and an algorithm for numerical studies of vaporization dynamics of small multiphase fuel droplets suspended in the superheated vapor and irradiated from one side by a high-temperature thermal radiation is presented. Theoretical estimates of distributions of radiant heal sources inside the droplets are obtained by an application of light scattering theory and the extended effective medium theory. The plotted three-dimensional absorption patterns show the hot spots within the irradiated fuel droplets. The two-dimensional model of transient heat dissipation, inside the rapidly vaporizing coal-water slurry droplet, with kinetic boundary conditions is simulated by an application of the Monte-Carlo method. The effect or temperature of the incident thermal radiation, as well as the effects of temperature and pressure of the ambient gas on the feasibility of explosive boiling of the fuel droplets arc studied in detail. The results of compulations predict conditions at which the ra...
Time Trend Analysis of Plasma Unconjugated and Sulfoconjugated Estrone and 3β-Δ5-Steroids in Fetal and Maternal Sheep Plasma in Relation to Spontaneous Parturition at Term*

Parturition in the sheep is preceded by a complex series of changes in both fetal and maternal plasma-steroid hormone concentrations. Using the chronically catheterized fetal sheep preparation, we measured unconjugated and sulfoconjugated pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and estrone in fetal and maternal plasma over the final 20 days before spontaneous vaginal delivery at term. Where appropriate, third degree polynomial functions were fitted to the changing plasma hormone concentration profile. Fetal and maternal plasma pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate both fell from maximum values in the last 4 days of gestation. Fetal and maternal plasma estrone and estrone sulfate concentrations underwent a terminal rise over the last 4 days of gestation that was a mirror image of the fall in plasma pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate. Maternal 17α-hydroxypregnenolone rose over the last 4 days of gestation. Fetal 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, maternal and fetal plasma dehydroepiandroster...
Serum levels of melanoma-inhibiting activity do not predict relapse in melanoma patients.

Melanoma-inhibiting activity (MIA) is a 107 amino-acid protein secreted from melanoma cells and frequently detectable at high concentration in the serum of patients with advanced melanoma. Early studies suggested that MIA may be a useful serum tumor-marker for detection of recurrent or progressive disease. We evaluated the sensitivity of serum MIA levels in predicting the risk of relapse in patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage II, III, and IV melanoma. MIA was measured by ELISA in serum from 39 patients with AJCC Stage II, III and IV disease at a single time-point 1 month to 5 years after they were rendered free of disease. Twenty-three of the 39 patients recurred, with a median follow-up of 4.5 months. Only four of the 23 patients who recurred had shown elevated MIA values (17% sensitivity). Of the 16 patients who remain free of disease (median follow-up 3.5 years, range 11 months to 6.3 years), one patient had an elevated MIA. There was no significant difference in the proportio...
The convergence of Padé approximants of meromorphic functions

Abstract It is proved that the [N, N + J] Pade approximants to any meromorphic function converge in measure within any bounded region of the complex plane as N approaches infinity.
Risk factors for the detection of Barrett's esophagus in patients with erosive esophagitis.

Background Barrett's esophagus (BE) results from metaplastic healing of injured esophageal mucosa after erosive esophagitis (EE). Objective Our purpose was to determine whether severity of esophagitis, indication for endoscopy, or proton pump inhibitor treatment affects the subsequent incidence of BE diagnosis in patients found to have EE on EGD performed for any indication. Design We identified patients with primary or secondary International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision diagnosis codes of EE from 1996 to 2006 who had at least 2 EGDs on record. Patients with prevalent BE on the first EGD were excluded. Setting Inpatients and outpatients at Stanford University and Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Interventions Retrospective review of EGD and pathology reports to confirm BE. Main Outcome Measurements Detection of BE after diagnosis of EE. Results A total of 1095 patients were identified between 1996 and 2000, and 102 (9%) were included. Sixty-two (61%) patients were veterans, 87 (85%) were male, and 83 (81%) were white. The mean (±SD) age was 58 ± 14 years (range 24-83 years). BE was detected in 9 (9%) patients (95% CI, 4.5%-17.6%) over a mean of 13.3 ± 5.7 months (range 1-53.5 months), and all had prior grade 4 esophagitis. The mean BE length was 4 ± 1.8 cm (range 1-18 cm). Six patients had upper GI bleeding as the indication for EGD, whereas the other 3 complained of dysphagia. The association of grade 4 esophagitis ( P = .01) and GI hemorrhage ( P = .01) to the subsequent detection of BE was highly statistically significant. Limitations Retrospective study, small number of patients with BE after EE. All patients were receiving care at tertiary medical centers. Conclusions BE was detected in 9% of patients with prior EE and was detected exclusively on follow-up of patients with severe esophagitis. The majority of the patients found to have BE had upper GI bleeding as the presentation for EGD.
Progressive proximal-to-distal reduction in expression of the tight junction complex in colonic epithelium of virally-suppressed HIV+ individuals.

Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) dramatically reduces AIDS-related complications, yet the life expectancy of long-term ART-treated HIV-infected patients remains shortened compared to that of uninfected controls, due to increased risk of non-AIDS related morbidities. Many propose that these complications result from translocated microbial products from the gut that stimulate systemic inflammation – a consequence of increased intestinal paracellular permeability that persists in this population. Concurrent intestinal immunodeficiency and structural barrier deterioration are postulated to drive microbial translocation, and direct evidence of intestinal epithelial breakdown has been reported in untreated pathogenic SIV infection of rhesus macaques. To assess and characterize the extent of epithelial cell damage in virally-suppressed HIV-infected patients, we analyzed intestinal biopsy tissues for changes in the epithelium at the cellular and molecular level. The intestinal epithelium in the HIV gut is grossly intact, exhibiting no decreases in the relative abundance and packing of intestinal epithelial cells. We found no evidence for structural and subcellular localization changes in intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJ), but observed significant decreases in the colonic, but not terminal ileal, transcript levels of TJ components in the HIV+ cohort. This result is confirmed by a reduction in TJ proteins in the descending colon of HIV+ patients. In the HIV+ cohort, colonic TJ transcript levels progressively decreased along the proximal-to-distal axis. In contrast, expression levels of the same TJ transcripts stayed unchanged, or progressively increased, from the proximal-to-distal gut in the healthy controls. Non-TJ intestinal epithelial cell-specific mRNAs reveal differing patterns of HIV-associated transcriptional alteration, arguing for an overall change in intestinal epithelial transcriptional regulation in the HIV colon. These findings suggest that persistent intestinal epithelial dysregulation involving a reduction in TJ expression is a mechanism driving increases in colonic permeability and microbial translocation in the ART-treated HIV-infected patient, and a possible immunopathogenic factor for non-AIDS related complications.
Color Recognition By the Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus Rathbun (Decapoda, Brachyura)

[Callinectes sapidus reagit au bleu, au rouge et au jaune suivant un modele consequent. Dans tous les cas, le bleu provoque une reponse d'abord, puis le rouge et finalement le jaune. Les differences entre les reponses au bleu et au rouge et au rouge et au jaune etaient significatives a p = 0,05. Ces resultats suggerent que C. sapidus est capable de reconnaitre les couleurs. Cependant les bases physiologiques de cette reconnaissance restent a determiner., Callinectes sapidus reagit au bleu, au rouge et au jaune suivant un modele consequent. Dans tous les cas, le bleu provoque une reponse d'abord, puis le rouge et finalement le jaune. Les differences entre les reponses au bleu et au rouge et au rouge et au jaune etaient significatives a p = 0,05. Ces resultats suggerent que C. sapidus est capable de reconnaitre les couleurs. Cependant les bases physiologiques de cette reconnaissance restent a determiner.]
Comparative Study of the Folding Free Energy Landscape of a Three-Stranded β-Sheet Protein with Explicit and Implicit Solvent Models

We present a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study of the folding thermodynamics for the three-stranded β-sheet protein Betanova. The protein was explicitly described by employing an all-atom model. The solvation was accounted for by two different solvent models: explicit TIP3P water and implicit Generalized Born (GB) with an exterior dielectric of 80. An umbrella sampling technique was utilized to probe thermodynamically relevant states at different stages of folding. The generated data were combined with the weighted histogram method to produce the two-dimensional folding free energy landscape. Sampling of conformational space was carried out in explicit solvent at 275 K and in implicit solvent at 275, 350, and 400 K. The folding free energy surface of Betanova at 275 K was found to be consistent with that in explicit solvent. In particular, the two models agree with regard to the location of the global minimum, the absence of a significant barrier for folding on the folding free energy surface, and...
A Single Node Decomposition Based Analytic Model for Multiclass Route Optimization in Wireless Mesh Networks

In this paper we present a single node decomposition based model for the analysis of wireless mesh networks. With knowledge of the network topology and routing strategy, the performance of each node, including throughput, delay, etc., can be analyzed using a simple M/G/1 model that takes into account the interference due to neighbor transmissions. With this basic analytic framework, closed form expressions for delay in terms of multipath routing variables are presented. A flow deviation optimization algorithm is used to derive the optimal flow over a given set of routes for both single and multiple classes of traffic. Numerical results are presented for different network topologies and compared with simulation studies.
Why Austrian socialism

Socialist objectives can be achieved in a market context with the rule of law if market socialism were to take the form of competitive worker-owned and self-managed enterprises, supplemented by universally available welfare redistributions, which could include a basic income, universal capital grants, or education and health insurance vouchers.
Connexin-43 Hemichannels Opened by Metabolic Inhibition

The cause of altered ionic homeostasis leading to cell death during ischemia and metabolic inhibition is unclear. Hemichannels, which are precursors to gap junctions, are nonselective ion channels that are permeable to molecules of less thanM r 1000. We show that hemichannels open upon exposure to calcium-free solutions when they are either heterologously overexpressed in HEK293 cells or endogenously expressed in cardiac ventricular myocytes. In the presence of normal extracellular calcium, hemichannels open during metabolic inhibition. During ischemia and other forms of metabolic inhibition, activation of relatively few hemichannels will seriously compromise the cell's ability to maintain ionic homeostasis, which is an essential step promoting cell death.
Analysis of Bacterial Deposition on Metal (Hydr)oxide-Coated Sand Filter Media

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of surface potential in microbial deposition onto modified granular surfaces. Recent experimental and theoretical work has indicated that surfaces coated with metal oxides and hydroxide rich oxide/hydroxide mixtures ((hydr)oxides) have the potential to increase the capture efficiencies of commercial filtration systems. This study quantitatively compared different metal (hydr)oxide coatings in their abilities to enhance bacterial deposition. Specifically, the deposition rates of bacterial strainsStreptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium,andEscherichia coliwere compared for Ottawa sand and surface coatings consisting of aluminum (hydr)oxide, iron (hydr)oxide, and mixed iron and aluminum (hydr)oxide. The metal-(hydr)oxide-modified granular media enhanced bacterial deposition relative to the noncoated Ottawa sand. The electropositive surfaces, the aluminum and the mixed (hydr)oxides, had similar average kinetic rate constants, five times larger than the rate constants observed for the untreated Ottawa sand. The measured kinetic rate constants for the positively charged systems of aluminum (hydr)oxide and mixed (hydr)oxide collectors suggested that the overall rate of deposition was limited by the transport of bacteria to the granular surface rather than the rate of attachment. For systems where the collector surfaces were negatively charged, as in the cases of Ottawa sand and the iron (hydr)oxide coating, large energy barriers to attachment were predicted from DLVO theory but these barriers did not totally inhibit bacterial deposition. The deposition results could not be fully explained by DLVO theory and suggested the importance of other factors such as collector charge heterogeneity, motility, and bacterial surface appendages in enhanced deposition.
Exploiting automatically inferred constraint-models for building identification in satellite imagery

The building identification (BID) problem is based on a process that uses publicly available information to automatically assign addresses to buildings in satellite imagery. In previous work, we have shown the advantages of casting the BID problem as a Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) using the same generic constraint-model to represent all problem instances. However, a generic model is unable to represent with the necessary precision the addressing variations throughout the world, limiting the applicability of our previous approach. In this paper, we describe the end-to-end process used to solve the BID with a new model-generation technique that uses instance-specific information to automatically infer a representative constraint model of the BID. This inferred model is used by our custom constraint solver to identify buildings in satellite imagery more efficiently and with higher precision than using a single model. We evaluate our approach on El Segundo California, and empirically demonstrate its effectiveness for geographic areas larger than previously tested. We conclude with a discussion of the generality of our approach, and present directions for future work.
Prognostic factors associated with decreased survival in patients with acinic cell carcinoma

Importance Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare salivary neoplasm that is generally associated with a good prognosis, although a subset of patients develops local and distant recurrences. Given the rarity of the disease, factors to identify patients at risk for recurrences or decreased survival are not clearly defined. Objectives To identify clinicopathologic factors associated with adverse survival in patients with acinic cell carcinoma and to assess the effect of local, regional, and distant recurrences on survival. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical record review in a tertiary care cancer center of 155 patients treated for acinic cell carcinoma from January 1990 through Febraury 2013. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes evaluated were overall and disease-free survival. The end points assessed were age at diagnosis, sex, size of primary tumor, presence of positive surgical margins, postoperative radiation therapy, and development of local, regional, or distant recurrences. Results The median survival was 28.5 years, with 13 patients (8.4%) dying of their disease. Women (n = 104) were affected twice as often as men (n = 51) but had an improved survival ( P P = .02) compared with their elder counterparts, a finding that was independent of sex. Neoplasms larger than 3 cm at presentation were associated with a decreased overall survival compared with smaller lesions ( P = .02). The development of distant metastases was most associated with death from the disease (odds ratio, 49.90; 95% CI, 6.49-2246.30; P Conclusions and Relevance Although patients with acinic cell carcinoma generally have a favorable prognosis, we have identified several factors associated with decreased survival, including male sex, age older than 45 years, neoplasms larger than 3 cm, and the development of a distant recurrence. These results suggest that maximizing local and regional control for this disease can offer substantial benefit when no distant disease is detectable.
Nanostructural Aspects of Wear in Ion-Beam Deposited Pb-Mo-S Films

Abstract : Microstructural aspects of wear resistance have been investigated using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to analyze both as-deposited and worn films. As deposited Pb-Mo-S films were virtually amorphous, i.e., show no long range structure. Wear tracks revealed a two-part wear process localized at the sliding surface. First, Pb-Mo-S at the sliding surface was transformed into basal-oriented, crystalline MoS2 from 1 to 4 monolayers thick. Then, as sliding continued, the MoS2 layers were detached one or two layers at a time. Evidence for the nanometer scale wear process is presented.
Testing Odor Response Stereotypy in the Drosophila Mushroom Body

The mushroom body is an insect brain structure required for olfactory learning. Its principal neurons, the Kenyon cells (KCs), form a large cell population. The neuronal populations from which their olfactory input derives (olfactory sensory and projection neurons) can be identified individually by genetic, anatomical, and physiological criteria. We ask whether KCs are similarly identifiable individually, using genetic markers and whole-cell patch-clamp in vivo. We find that across-animal responses are as diverse within the genetically labeled subset as across all KCs in a larger sample. These results combined with those from a simple model, using projection neuron odor responses as inputs, suggest that the precise circuit specification seen at earlier stages of odor processing is likely absent among the mushroom body KCs.
A Plague of Plagues: The Problem of Plague Diagnosis in Medieval England

Recent works by historians and biologists have called into doubt whether the great epidemic of 1348/49 in England was the plague. Examination of the biological evidence, however, shows their arguments to be faulty. The great epidemic of 1348/49 may have included other diseases, but it was clearly yersinia pestis.
Expanding Multicultural Competence through Social Justice Leadership

Social justice and multicultural competence have been inextricably linked for nearly four decades, influencing the development of multicultural competency standards and guidelines and organizational change in psychology. This response provides a historical perspective on the evolution of competencies and offers clarifications regarding their scope, actual counselor behavior, relationship to case conceptualization, and political implications. Advocacy strategies of social justice leaders such as Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks are highlighted and recommended for incorporation in a counseling psychology social justice agenda.
A compact high rep-rate short pulse strip-Blumlein modulator

The engineering design and predicted electrical performance of a 20-60 kW average power modulator system are presented. The system consists of a self-contained prime power subsystem feeding a 20 kW/ft/sup 3/ DC-DC power conditioner, which charges an intermediate storage capacitor bank to 45 kV at rep-rates up to 100 Hz. Upon firing the bank output switch, a resonant transformer pulse charges an irrathene dielectric strip Blumlein to 400 kV. The Blumlein delivers a 20-60 ns pulse to a matched 20 Omega load. The state-of-the-art switching high voltage insulation system, thermal management, and switch purging techniques are traceable to demonstrated technology. Electrical and thermal properties are identified and discussed for both 20 and 60 kW systems suitable for near-term ground-based tech-demos and far-term airborne or satellite platform applications. >
On approximating the radii of point sets in high dimensions

Let P be a set of n points in /spl Ropf//sup d/. For any 1/spl les/k/spl les/d, the outer k-radius of P, denoted by R/sub k/(P), is the minimum, over all (d-k) -dimensional fiats F, of max/sub p/spl isin/P/ d(p, F), where d(p, F) is the Euclidean distance between the point p and fiat F. We consider the scenario when the dimension d is not fixed and can be as large as n. Computing the various radii of point sets is a fundamental problem in computational convexity with many applications. The main result of this paper is a randomized polynomial time algorithm that approximates Rk (P) to within a factor of O/spl radic/(log n/spl middot/log d) for any 1/spl les/k/spl les/d. This algorithm is obtained using techniques from semidefinite programming and dimension reduction. Previously, good approximation algorithms were known only for the case k=1 and for the case when k=d-c for any constant c; there are polynomial time algorithms that approximate Rk(P) to within a factor of (1+/spl epsi/), for any /spl epsi/>0, when d-k is any fixed constant. On the other hand, some results from the mathematical programming community on approximating certain kinds of quadratic programs imply an O/spl radic/(log n) approximation for R/sub 1/ (P), the width of the point set P. We also prove an inapproximability result for computing Rk (P), which easily yields the conclusion that our approximation algorithm performs quite well for a large range of values of k. Our inapproximability result for Rk (P) improves the previous known hardness result of Brieden, and is proved by improving the parameters in Brieden's construction using basic ideas from PCP theory.
On the Complexity of Adding Convergence

This paper investigates the complexity of designing Self-Stabilizing (SS) distributed programs, where an SS program meets two properties, namely closure and convergence. Convergence requires that, from any state, the computations of an SS program reach a set of legitimate states (a.k.a. invariant). Upon reaching a legitimate state, the computations of an SS program remain in the set of legitimate states as long as no faults occur; i.e., Closure. We illustrate that, in general, the problem of augmenting a distributed program with convergence, i.e., adding convergence, is NP-complete (in the size of its state space). An implication of our NP-completeness result is the hardness of adding nonmasking fault tolerance to distributed programs, which has been an open problem for the past decade.
Bronchopulmonary Lavage: New Techniques and Observations

A technique for bronchopulmonary lavage is presented as currently applied in the treatment of alveolar proteinosis and other bronchopulmonary disorders. This is a modification of a method previously published. 1 It permits repeated irrigation of a whole lung with liters of a saline solution containing acetylcysteine or heparin while the other lung is ventilated with 100 per cent oxygen. Clinical and laboratory observations during 25 lavages in seven patients are summarized. Bronchopulmonary lavage is effective in the treatment of alveolar proteinosis, may be helpful in the treatment of bronchial asthma, but does not appear useful in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. The technique presented should make bronchopulmonary lavage easier and safer.
Friction and Lubrication in Sheet Metal Forming

The type of lubrication regime which occurs in a metal forming operation has a strong influence on the frictional conditions as well as on other important factors such as product surface finish and tooling wear rates. The various types of regimes which can occur are reviewed, together with what is known about their incidence in sheet metal forming operations. In the light of this information it can be seen that the commonly used methods of characterizing friction in analytical models of metal forming processes will often lead to erroneous results. Suggestions for improved methods of characterizing friction are made.
Abstract 328: High Fructose but not High Glucose Intake Induces Salt-sensitive Hypertension and Enhances NKCC2 Phosphorylation in Normal Rats.

Consumption of fructose as a sweetener has increased in the past three decades. A high-fructose diet has been implicated in the epidemic of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. A third of the US population consumes 20-40% of their caloric intake from added sugars, with half of those calories from fructose. Little is known about the role of high fructose intake in renal salt handling and blood pressure regulation during high salt intake. In genetic models of salt-sensitive hypertension, the Na/K/2Cl cotransporter NKCC2 plays an important role by reabsorbing NaCl in the thick ascending limb (TAL). We hypothesized that 20% fructose in drinking water stimulates NKCC2 and sensitizes normal rats to high salt induced hypertension. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were given 20% fructose or 20% glucose in drinking water for 1 week after which a high salt diet (4% Na in chow) was started. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured every other day by tail cuff after 2 weeks of training. After one week of fructose or glucose alone, SBP did not change. In rats fed fructose, adding a 4% NaCl diet increased SBP to 128±6 mmHg by day 2 (p
Influence of Stochastic Estimation on the Control of Subsonic Cavity Flow - A Preliminary Study

This work aims at understanding how the different elements involved in the feedback loop influence the overall control performance of a subsonic cavity flow based on reduced- order modeling. To this aim we compare preliminary and limited sets of experimental results obtained by modifying some relevant characteristics of the loop. Our results support the findings in the literature that use of quadratic stochastic estimation is preferable to the linear one for real-time update of the model parameters. They also seem to indicate the merit of using more than one time sample of the pressure for performing the real-time update of the model through stochastic estimation. The effect of using two different sets of pressure signals for the stochastic estimation also corroborates previous findings indicating the need for optimizing the number and the placement of the sensors used in the feedback control loop. Finally we observed that the characteristics of the actuator can alter significantly the overall control effect by introducing in the feedback loop additional, undesirable frequency components that are not modeled and hence controlled. A compensator for the actuator is currently being designed that will alleviate this problem thus enabling a clearer understanding of the overall control technique.
Numerical Analysis and Optimization of Two-Dimensional Hypersonic Inlets

An automated design optimization process for hypersonic inlets was developed and validated. The test case for the process was the evolution of an optimimal design for hypersonic inlets, where optimality was based on the maximization of the total pressure recovery at the isolator exit. This optimization process links together an optimizer with a fast and accurate simulation tool into an automated optimization loop. This paper presents the implementation of these new design techniques and their application to hypersonic inlet case in flight condition of Mach 6. The implovements obtained using the gradient-based optimizer CFSQP are presented and compared. The results of these optimizations have been verified using a full Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes solver (GASPex). Results indicate the development of the geometric perturbation and a consequent increase in total pressure recovery during the convergence to the optimal geometry.
Circadian Emergence Rhythm of a Tropical Scolytid, Xyleborus ferrugineus

A diurnal rhythm of Xyleborus ferrugineus (F.) adult emergence from trunk sections of the host tree, Theobroma cacao L., was studied under controlled conditions of light and temperature to determine the type of periodism involved and the controlling factors. An endogenous circadian rhythm with a 22.5-hour free-running period was observed in constant darkness at 24.5°C. A periodicity fade-out progressed to complete asynchronization after 9 days in constant darkness. Phase shifting and synchronization were strongly influenced by both light and temperature.