cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Reporters of Neuronal Activity: c-Fos and G-CaMP6

The majority of 20th century investigations into anesthetic effects on the nervous system have used electrophysiology. Yet some fundamental limitations to electrophysiologic recordings, including the invasiveness of the technique, the need to place (potentially several) electrodes in every site of interest, and the difficulty of selectively recording from individual cell types, have driven the development of alternative methods for detecting neuronal activation. Two such alternative methods with cellular scale resolution have matured in the last few decades and will be reviewed here: the transcription of immediate early genes, foremost c-fos, and the influx of calcium into neurons as reported by genetically encoded calcium indicators, foremost GCaMP6. Reporters of c-fos allow detection of transcriptional activation even in deep or distant nuclei, without requiring the accurate targeting of multiple electrodes at long distances. The temporal resolution of c-fos is limited due to its dependence upon the detection of transcriptional activation through immunohistochemical assays, though the development of RT-PCR probes has shifted the temporal resolution of the assay when tissues of interest can be isolated. GCaMP6 has several isoforms that trade-off temporal resolution for signal to noise, but the fastest are capable of resolving individual action potential events, provided the microscope used scans quickly enough. GCaMP6 expression can be selectively targeted to neuronal populations of interest, and potentially thousands of neurons can be captured within a single frame, allowing the neuron-by-neuron reporting of circuit dynamics on a scale that is difficult to capture with electrophysiology, as long as the populations are optically accessible.
Efficacy of a lysine-tryptophan blend for growth of chicks.

Two chick experiments were conducted to compare the growth-promoting efficacy as well as the toxicity of a new source of L-tryptophan and L-lysine, Tryptosine (16.1% tryptophan, 56.3% lysine). A corn-feather meal-soybean meal basal diet was made singly deficient in either lysine or tryptophan, and graded doses of lysine or tryptophan from either Tryptosine or feed-grade sources of lysine and tryptophan were supplemented. Linear (P < .01) weight gain responses occurred, and responses to lysine or tryptophan in Tryptosine were similar to those obtained with equal doses of lysine or tryptophan provided by feed-grade sources of L-lysine.HCI or L-tryptophan. The toxicity trial involved additions of 1, 2, or 4% lysine with .29, .58, or 1.16% tryptophan to a lysine- and tryptophan-adequate corn-soybean meal diet. Both amino acids were provided as either Tryptosine or as feed-grade sources of lysine and tryptophan. Weight gain and feed intake were reduced in a linear fashion (P < .01) as levels of the two excess amino acids increased. The decreases caused by Tryptosine were similar to those caused by equivalent levels of excess feed-grade lysine and tryptophan.
The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children

Children need to develop a variety of skill sets to optimize their development and manage toxic stress. Research demonstrates that developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain. Furthermore, play supports the formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive. Play is not frivolous: it enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function (ie, the process of learning, rather than the content), which allow us to pursue goals and ignore distractions. When play and safe, stable, nurturing relationships are missing in a child’s life, toxic stress can disrupt the development of executive function and the learning of prosocial behavior; in the presence of childhood adversity, play becomes even more important. The mutual joy and shared communication and attunement (harmonious serve and return interactions) that parents and children can experience during play regulate the body’s stress response. This clinical report provides pediatric providers with the information they need to promote the benefits of play and and to write a prescription for play at well visits to complement reach out and read. At a time when early childhood programs are pressured to add more didactic components and less playful learning, pediatricians can play an important role in emphasizing the role of a balanced curriculum that includes the importance of playful learning for the promotion of healthy child development.
Annual and Interannual Variability in the California Current System: Comparison of an Ocean State Estimate with a Network of Underwater Gliders

AbstractA data-constrained state estimate of the southern California Current System (CCS) is presented and compared with withheld California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) d...
Working Together: Redox Signaling between the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria

The concept that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are primarily toxic, mitochondria-generated molecules has persisted for decades. Here we highlight the emerging complexity for ROS-based events, emphasizing the evolving importance of the endoplasmic reticulum as a source and platform for redox signaling.
Undoing and Doing-With: Practices of Diffractive Reading and Writing in Higher Education (Viewpoint)

In this chapter, we consider the posthuman doing and undoing of academic reading groups. In the Summer and Fall of 2017, three PhD students from the diverse fields of new media literacies, mathematics education, and learning technologies joined with a professor of literacy and language arts to undertake an experiment in bookish becoming. Our wanderings took place in the context of a large urban public university in the southeastern United States and in the context of our disciplines. We took up Donna Haraway’s (2016: 449) SF, ‘science fiction, speculative feminism, science fantasy, speculative fabulation, science fact, and also, string figures’, as an organizing concept that we thought and worked with throughout this project. Posthuman theories are considered and put into play in the ecosystems in which we work.
Production of electricity and water in an osmotic microbial fuel cell by using EDTA-Na2 as a recoverable draw solute.

Abstract Osmotic microbial fuel cell (OsMFC) is an emerging biotechnology that integrates forward osmosis (FO) membrane into microbial fuel cells. Selection of an appropriate draw solute (DS) could affect both water extraction and electricity generation. Herein, we have investigated a promising DS - EDTA-Na2, a widely used chelating agent. The OsMFC with the EDTA DS achieved 779.6 ± 18.5C (electricity production) and 1.22 ± 0.02 LMH (water flux), both of which were comparable to that with the NaCl DS at the same conductivity. However, the EDTA DS resulted in a significantly lower reverse solute flux (RSF) of 0.36 ± 0.08 gMH and a lower catholyte pH that could ensure healthy operation of the tested FO membrane. The OsMFC with the EDTA DS exhibited a positive forward flux for Na+ ions, likely related to the effect of EDTA-Na complexion. Due to the lumping effects of EDTA dissociation equilibrium and membrane surface chemistry, a higher catholyte pH led to a higher water flux and reduced RSF, but lower electricity production. The cyclic voltammetry tests revealed that the reverse-fluxed EDTA species might have chelated FeII/III redox coupled to facilitate electron transfer on the anode surface, but the EDTA DS in the cathode could interfere with the cathodic reaction through assisting in metal wires oxidation. In the reuse test, >90% of EDTA DS could be recovered and then successfully reused in the subsequent OsMFC operation. The results of this study would encourage further exploration of using EDTA-based compounds as a draw solute for OsMFC applications.
Trends in the use of echocardiography in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: an analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data

BACKGROUND Infective endocarditis occurs in approximately 10%-30% of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SaB). Guidelines recommend echocardiography in patients with SaB and risk factors for infective endocarditis in the absence of any obvious source of infection. Herein, we explored the trends in the use of echocardiography in patients with SaB and its relationship to outcomes using a large national database. METHOD All patients with a principal discharge diagnosis of SaB were identified using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2001 to 2014. Procedure code 88.72 was used to identify echocardiography. Logistic regression models were estimated to identify the year-over-year trends in echocardiogram, predictors of use, and association with mortality. RESULTS From 2001 to 2014, there were 668 423 hospitalizations with SaB diagnosis and 86 387 (12.9%) had echocardiogram. The rate of echocardiography increased from 10.7% in 2001 to 15.2% in 2014 (ptrend < 0.001). Major predictors of echocardiogram usage were younger age, male gender, presence of sepsis, valvular or congenital heart disease, prosthetic heart valve (PHV), cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), hemodialysis, and drug abuse. The adjusted rates of echocardiography increased from approximately 10% to 15% in hospitalizations without risk factors for IE while for high-risk groups like PHV and CIED it remained constant at 30% and 19%, respectively. Echocardiography was associated with 31% lower odds of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION The increase in echocardiography rate was largely attributable to increased use in those without risk factors while usage in those with PHV and CIED remained much lower than expected. Echocardiography use was associated with lower risk-adjusted mortality. These findings require further study and confirmation.
Topics at the Frontier of Statistics and Network Analysis: (Re)Visiting the Foundations

This snapshot of the current frontier of statistics and network analysis focuses on the foundational topics of modeling, sampling, and design. Primarily for graduate students and researchers in statistics and closely related fields, emphasis is not only on what has been done, but on what remains to be done.
Prospective Evaluation of Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Vaginitis.

Molecular tests to diagnose conditions involving disruption of normal microbiota are difficult to optimize. Using Nugent scored Gram stain (NS) as the reference standard, we evaluated the performance of 3 molecular assays for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and examined the impact of an incremental increase in bacterial targets. The BD Affirm includes a DNA probe for Gardnerella vaginalis, the Hologic transcription mediated amplification (TMA) analyte-specific reagent (ASR) assay adds a second Lactobacillus spp. target, and the recently cleared in vitro diagnostic use (IVD) Aptima BV assay includes a third target (Atopobium vaginae). Diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) by Affirm and Candida vaginitis Hologic TMA ASR assay was assessed using microscopy for yeast as the reference standard. From May to December 2018, 111 women with vaginitis symptoms prompting the clinician to order Affirm were enrolled with informed consent for collection of additional specimens. Clinicians accurately predicted BV as the most likely diagnosis for 71% of the 45 patients with BV. Co-infection occurred in 13.5% of patients. For BV, the specificity of the Aptima IVD (86.3%) was higher than Affirm (60.6%, P=0.0002), but sensitivities were not significantly different. For VVC, the sensitivity of the ASR assay (100%) was higher than Affirm (75.9%, P=0.023) and the specificity of the Affirm (98.8%) was higher than the ASR (86.6%, P=0.004).
Periodization, Transference of Muckenhoupt Weights, and Automatic Tight Norm Estimates for the Periodic Hilbert Transform

For $$\alpha \in {\mathbb {R}}$$ , let $$W_{\alpha }$$ (respectively, $$w_{\alpha }$$ ) be the corresponding power weight function on $${\mathbb {R}}$$ (respectively, the corresponding periodic power weight function, also defined on $${\mathbb {R}} $$ ). It is known that $$W_{\alpha }$$ (respectively, $$w_{\alpha }$$ ) belongs to $$A_{1}\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ (respectively, $$A_{1}\left( {\mathbb {T}} \right) $$ ) if and only if $$-1<\alpha \le 0$$ , and that if $$1<p<\infty $$ , then $$W_{\alpha }$$ (respectively, $$w_{\alpha }$$ ) belongs to $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ (respectively, to $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ ) if and only if $$-1<\alpha <p-1$$ . In recent times, it has been shown that for $$1<p<\infty $$ , the power weights $$W_{\alpha }$$ can be used in the course of determining the sharpest upper bounds (in terms of exponents of $$A_{p}$$ weight norms) for all operator norms of the Hilbert transform H acting on $$L^{p}\left( {\mathbb {R}},\omega \right) $$ , as $$\omega $$ runs through $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ . This note provides the analogous results for the periodic Hilbert transform $${\widetilde{H}}$$ acting on all $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ weighted $$L^{p}$$ spaces of $${\mathbb {T}}$$ . These corresponding results are arrived at through appropriate transference techniques aimed at establishing the corresponding upper estimates for the periodic Hilbert transform $${\widetilde{H}}$$ within the framework of all $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ weights; thereafter appropriate weights $$w_{\alpha }\in A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ can be singled out from the mix in order to obtain the desired sharpness results from these upper estimates. To illustrate the flexibility of the methods involved in this process, we describe how they can furnish even tighter forms of upper estimates (involving $$A_{\infty }\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ weight characteristics) for $$\left\| {\widetilde{H}}\right\| _{{\mathfrak {B}} \left( L^{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}},w\right) \right) }$$ in the framework of all weights $$w\in A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ . We close with a section devoted to the fine structure of a general periodization process for even $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ weights, thereby establishing a ubiquitous presence of $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {T}}\right) $$ weights. Our methods can also treat Calderon–Zygmund operators in weighted multivariable settings. However, this article focuses its main attention on norms of Hilbert transforms in the framework of weighted spaces based on $${\mathbb {R}}$$ and $${\mathbb {T}}$$ in order to examine how Calderon–Coifman–G. Weiss transference methods can expand to cover tight $$A_{p}\left( {\mathbb {R}} \right) -A_{\infty }\left( {\mathbb {R}}\right) $$ operator bounds in the arena of classical weighted settings.
Patterns of invasive plant abundance in disturbed versus undisturbed forests within three land types over 16 years

Aim: Long-term monitoring of forest understorey species was used to describe changes in native and invasive exotic plant abundances over time within different disturbed or undisturbed forest types. This information was then used to determine the predictive invasion model (passenger/opportunist, driver or back-seat driver). Location: Cheat Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, USA. Methods: Understorey vegetation of mature and clear-cut forests was sampled every 5–6 years for 16 years. Stands were stratified across three land types following a moisture gradient. Invasive plant richness, frequency and abundance were evaluated across land type and disturbance type with general linear mixed models. Change in richness, diversity and abundance of both native and invasive non-native plants was evaluated as a measure of impact. Results: The mesic mature stands had the greatest invasive plant richness, frequency and abundance. The moderately mesic clear-cut stands initially showed the greatest invasive plant richness, frequency and abundance, but over time these values became greater for the drier clear-cuts. The mature forests showed no change in native species abundance in response to invasion. Clear-cut-drier stands showed a decrease, while the more mesic stands showed an increase in native plant richness, diversity and abundance in response to invasion. The drier clear-cuts, with increasing invasions and negative native species impacts, were indicative of the back-seat driver model. The hitchhiker model, a new term, described increasing plant invasions with no measurable impacts. Main Conclusions: The drier clear-cut stands exhibit a lack of biotic resistance to invasion, unlike the mesic clear-cut stands. Increasing invasion in the mature forests suggests that a threshold may be reached that results in impacts on the native vegetation, but with no increase in native plant abundance to help alleviate these effects.
Dual Procurement of Lung and Heart Allografts Does Not Negatively Affect Lung Transplant Outcomes.

Abstract Background The data that exists regarding multiorgan procurement outcomes is conflicted. Given the increasing demand for pulmonary allografts, it is critical to assess the impact of dual procurement on lung transplant recipient outcomes. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing transplant registry was queried for all first-time adult (age ≥18) lung transplant recipients between 2006 and 2018 and stratified by concurrent heart donor status. Multiorgan transplant recipients and recipients with missing survival time were excluded. Donors were excluded if they were donating after circulatory death, did not consent or were not approached for heart donation, the heart was recovered for nontransplant purposes, or the heart was recovered for transplant but not transplanted. Post-transplant survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results A total of 18,641 recipients met inclusion criteria, including 6230 (33.4%) in the nonheart donor group (NHD) and 12,409 (66.6%) in the heart donor group (HD). HD recipients demonstrated longer survival at 10 years posttransplant, with a median survival of 6.5 years as compared with 5.9 years in NHD recipients. On adjusted analysis, HD and NHD recipients demonstrated comparable survival (AHR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90-1.01). Conclusions Concomitant heart and lung procurement was not associated with worse survival. This finding encourages maximizing the number of organs procured from each donor, particularly in the setting of urgency-driven thoracic transplantation.
Jumping liquid metal droplets controlled electrochemically

Jumping droplets are interesting because of their applications in energy harvesting, heat transfer, anti-icing surfaces, and displays. Typically, droplets “jump” from a surface when two or more drops coalesce. Here, we demonstrate an approach to get a single droplet of liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium) to jump by using electrochemistry in a solution of 1M NaOH. Applying a positive potential to the metal (∼1 V relative to the open circuit potential) drives electrochemical surface oxidation that lowers the interfacial tension from ∼450 mN/m to ∼0 mN/m. In the low interfacial tension state, the droplet flattens due to gravity. Rapid switching to a negative potential (relative to the open circuit potential) reduces the surface oxide, returning the deformed droplet to a state of high interfacial tension. This rapid change in interfacial tension in the flattened state generates excess surface energy, which drives the droplet to return to a spherical shape with enough momentum that the liquid droplet jumps. This work is unique because (1) the jumping is controlled and tuned electrically, (2) the approach works with a single droplet, (3) it does not require a superhydrophobic surface, which is typically used to prevent droplets from adhering to the substrate, (4) the drops jump through a viscous medium rather than air, and (5) the potential energy obtained by the jumping drops is one order of magnitude higher than previous approaches. Yet, a limitation of this approach relative to conventional jumping drops is the need for electrolyte and a source of electricity to enable jumping. Herein, we characterize and optimize the jumping height (∼6 mm for a 3.6 mm diameter drop) by changing the reductive and oxidative potential and time.
Digital aripiprazole as a human technology

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first ever ‘digital’ drug, an antipsychotic (aripiprazole) embedded with a sensor (Abilify MyCite) that tracks data about drug ingestion...
Global Climate Change: A Matter of Transnational Ethical Concern

This Chapter serves several substantive and methodological purposes. First, it addresses a possible concern that one might have about how much can possibly be discovered about the moral nature and limits of state sovereignty by assessing a single challenge like climate change. In short, focusing on climate change serves several objectives. In addition, as was argued in Chap. 6, for this inquiry regarding climate change to be relevant, it must be the case that a conflict exists between climate change and the moral imperatives it generates and sovereign discretion. Whether such a conflict exists depends on whether the challenge under consideration and the imperatives it generates are transnational, ethical and non-discretionary. As such, the second purpose served by this chapter is to answer this threshold issue by establishing that climate change and the moral imperatives it generates are transnational, ethical and non-discretionary and thus in conflict with the moral discretion afforded sovereign states.
Prevalence of avascular necrosis in idiopathic inflammatory myositis: a single center experience.

Objectives To assess the prevalence of avascular necrosis (AVN) in a large cohort of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and define the major associated risk factors. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients with a definitive diagnosis of IIM enrolled in our registry between 2003-2017 and followed until 2020. Pertinent demographic, clinical, serologic and imaging data were collected. A matched group of patients without AVN was then selected for comparison. Results 1680 patients were diagnosed with IIM. Fifty-one patients developed AVN, with an overall prevalence of 3%. Musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging (MSK MRI) was available for 1085 patients and AVN was present in 46 patients (43 lower extremities and 3 upper extremities MRI studies), with a relative prevalence of 4.2%. Most patients with AVN were Caucasian females (57%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 44.5 ± 12.4 years. 61% had dermatomyositis (DM) and 29% had polymyositis (PM). The median time from onset of IIM to diagnosis of AVN was 46 months. The hip joint was most commonly involved in 76% of cases, followed by the knee joint in 15% and shoulder joint in 9%. 81% of patients were asymptomatic. Established risk factors for AVN were not found to be associated with the development of AVN in IIM patients. Conclusion Although mostly asymptomatic and incidental, the overall prevalence of AVN in IIM was 3% and the prevalence by MRI was 4.2%. None of the established risk factors were found to be associated with AVN development.
An information diffusion model using information vitality and its statistical properties of complex networks

With widespread social media in recent years, information transmission by individuals has become more active, and information diffusion has had a more significant impact on society. So, there have been many studies on information diffusion from the increasing interest. Some of the studies propose mathematical models that consider the ambiguity and the importance of information, but the reproducibility of diffusion behavior has not been verified yet. This research tried to compose an actual social network to verify the reproducibility of information diffusion's simulation data. The results have demonstrated that our composed networks satisfy the statistical properties of the complex network.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Arimetamycin A and Its Daunorubicin and Doxorubicin Hybrids.

The arimetamycin A glycan governs the compound’s cytotoxicity (IC50). To study this branched, deoxy-amino disaccharide, we designed and synthesized a modified acyl donor that underwent glycosylation with three anthracycline aglycones: steffimycinone, daunorubicinone, and doxorubicinone. The result of the approach was a synthesis of arimetamycin A and two novel hybrid anthracyclines. Each molecule exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity in comparison to the parent anthracyclines, steffimycin B, daunorubicin, and doxorubicin. An orienting mechanistic evaluation revealed that the daunorubicin hybrid inhibits the ability of human topoisomerase IIα to relax negatively and positively supercoiled DNA.
Broadband Dual-Pumped Normal-GVD Kerr Combs

We demonstrate broadband Kerr comb generation spanning >250 nm in a normal group-velocity-dispersion silicon-nitride microresonator using two frequency-nondegenerate pumps. Numerical modeling using a modified Lugiato-Lefever equation reveals the onset of switching waves.
A longitudinal investigation of the meaning-making model in midlife adults who have experienced trauma.

INTRODUCTION Park and Folkman's (1997) meaning-making model posits that distress from traumatic events stems from discrepancies between one's global meaning framework and appraised situational meaning of the traumatic event, with meaning making diminishing these discrepancies and thus bolstering well-being. The current study investigates this supposition over a 19-year span in mid-life adults. METHODS We selected participants from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study who had indicated the experience of a negatively impactful traumatic event (N = 1687). We hypothesized that increased positive reappraisal (a type of meaning making) would have an indirect effect on positive and negative affect through the three dimensions of meaning in life (significance, coherence, and purpose). RESULTS All direct and indirect effects were significant and supported hypotheses. CONCLUSION Results suggest that the assertions of the meaning-making model hold true over a period of nearly two decades among mid-life adults who have experienced traumatic events.
Nuclear dependence of the production of. Upsilon. resonances at 800 GeV

The yields of the 1S and the sum of the 2S and 3S \ensuremath{\Upsilon} resonances have been measured for 800-GeV protons incident on targets of $^{2}\mathrm{H}$, C, Ca, Fe, and W. A significant nuclear dependence is seen in the yield per nucleon which, within errors, is the same for the \ensuremath{\Upsilon}(1S) and \ensuremath{\Upsilon}(2S+3D) states. A large decrease in the relative yield from heavy nuclei is found for the range ${\mathit{x}}_{\mathit{F}}$0. Significant nuclear dependence is also observed in the ${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{t}}$ distribution. Differential cross sections for the \ensuremath{\Upsilon}(1S) for $^{2}\mathrm{H}$ are presented over the ranges 0.24\ensuremath{\le}${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{t}}$\ensuremath{\le}3.4 GeV/c and -0.15\ensuremath{\le}${\mathit{x}}_{\mathit{F}}$\ensuremath{\le}0.5.
Smoothing and Compression of Lines Obtained by Raster-to-Vector Conversion

This paper presents analyses of different methods of post-processing lines that have resulted from the raster-to-vector conversion of black and white line drawing. Special attention was paid to the borders of connected components of maps. These methods are implemented with compression and smoothing algorithms. Smoothing algorithms can enhance accuracy, so using both smoothing and compression algorithms in succession gives a more accurate result than using only a compression algorithm. The paper also shows that a map in vector format may require more memory than a map in raster format. The Appendix contains a detailed description of the new smoothing method (continuous local weighted averaging) suggested by the authors.
On motion planning with six degrees of freedom: Solving the intersection problems in configuration space

The Movers' problem is to find a continuous, collision-free path for a moving object through an environment containing obstacles. The classical formulation of the three-dimensional Movers' problem is as fellows: given an arbitrary rigid polyhedral moving object P with three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom, find a contineous, collision-free path taking P from some initial configuration to a desired goal configuration. The six degree or freedom Movers' problem may be transformed into a point, navigation problem in a six-dimensional configuration space (called C-Space). The C-Space obstacles, which characterize the physically unachievable configurations, are directly represented by six-dimensional manifolds whose boundaries are five dimensional C-surfaces. By characterizing these surfaces and their intersections, collision-free paths may be found by the closure of three operators which (i) slide along 5-dimensional level C-surfaces parallel to C-Space obstacles; (ii) slide along 1- to 4-dimensional intersections of level C-surfaces; and (iii) jump between 6-dimensional obstacles. We show how to construct and represent C-surfaces and their intersection manifolds. We also demonstrate how to intersect trajectories with the boundaries of C</-Space obstacles. The theory and representations we develop extend to Cartesian manipulators with six degrees of freedom.
Transition frequencies and absolute strengths of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18 in the 6.2-micron region

High-resolution spectra of oxygen-enriched samples of water vapor were recorded with a Fourier-transform spectrometer covering transitions in the (010)-(000) bands. The measured line frequencies were used along with measurements taken from studies at microwave and far-infrared frequencies to obtain rotational energy levels in the (000) and (010) states of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18. Measurements of the line strengths were fitted to a model in which as many as 18 transition moment parameters were determined. The results produced computed line-strength values that are in excellent agreement with the 623 H2 O-17 experimental transition strengths and 696 H2 O-18 values. These results provide a more accurate representation of the line positions and strengths for the (010)-(000) bands of H2 O-17 and H2 O-18 than those previously available.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Porcine-Derived Extracellular Matrix

An extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from the submucosa of the porcine small intestine (SIS) has been shown to induce angiogenesis and host tissue remodeling when used as a xenogeneic bioscaffold ...
Partial or total hemipelvectomy in the management of sarcomas in nine dogs and two cats

The functional results of partial or total hemipelvectomy in seven dogs and two cats with sarcomas involving the pelvis were excellent, and the cosmetic outcome was acceptable to all owners. Tumors in two dogs were inoperable. Locally recurrent cancer occurred in two animals and metastases occurred in three animals. Three dogs survived longer than 2.5 years and the overall and disease-free survival at 12 months was 62%. It appears that osteosarcoma of the pelvis is at least as aggressive as osteosarcoma of limbs and, unless effective adjuvant therapy is used, poorer survival results are likely in dogs with osteosarcoma than with other sarcomas of the pelvis. Hemipelvectomy is an aggressive surgical procedure that can be used successfully in selected dogs and cats with cancer involving the pelvis.
Dislocation-density studies in MOCVD GaAs on Si substrates

Abstract The evaluation of dislocation density as well as EPD in GaAs/Si by plan-view TEM and molten KOH etching has been performed. The dislocation density of GaAs/Si was reduced by in-situ thermal cyclic annealing (TCA) and by the combined growth method including both in-situ TCA and strained-layer-superlattice (SLS) structures. In the combined growth method, three different kinds of SLS structures were grown with or without misfit dislocations. The ratio of EPD to dislocation density varied from 3:10 to 5:10. The experimental results indicate that EPD is a good measure of dislocation density between 10 6 and 10 8 cm −2 . Experiments also revealed that the combined growth method is more effective than using only TCA for the reduction of the dislocation density in GaAs/Si.
Direct observation of radiation-induced coated cavities☆

Cavities in neutron-irradiated aluminum are coated. The coating apparently consists predominantly of silicon with some aluminum based on EDS analyses which would not detect elements of Z < 11. The coatings display no evidence of crystallinity even though the concurrently-produced silicon precipitates in the matrix are crystalline. The shell thickness of the cavities usually averaged about 4 nm but in cases where strata were evident was sometimes as high as 11 nm. Some of the cavities released from the matrix by electropolishing collapsed but remained intact rather than shattering, suggesting that the shell material has either rubber-like elasticity or is highly plastically deformable. Recognition of coated cavities might be an important step in understanding and controlling radiation-induced swelling.
Integrating network optimization capabilities into a high-level modeling language

Research in network optimization has reached the stage where large-scale problems-linear or non-linear, pure or generalized-are solved very efficiently with minimal computing resources. Representing such problems for solution on the computer, however, remains a rather cumbersome task. Taking advantage of developments in high-level modeling languages, we design and implement integrated systems to facilitate the representation and solution of network problems. Such systems integrate the flexibility and robustness of modeling languages with the efficiency of network optimizers.We describe two alternative modes for this integration, which can be achieved for linear and nonlinear problems alike. The use of the resulting systems is demonstrated with the solution of large-scale problems from diverse applications and with the implementation of network decomposition algorithms.
Application of Data Collection Techniques by Human Performance Technology Practitioners.

By content-analyzing 22 published cases from a variety of professional and academic books and journals, this study examines the status quo of human performance technology (HPT) practitioners' application of five major data collection techniques in their everyday work: questionnaire, interview, focus group, observation, and document collection. The result shows that Analysis and Evaluation phases have the most frequent application of data collection techniques by HPT practitioners. It also shows that during application, HPT practitioners usually apply more than one technique to collect data, and they collect data from more than one source. Information in the cases is limited regarding the rigor of using the various data collection techniques. Limitations of the study are discussed and future study has been suggested.
The Maguk Scaffolding Protein CASK Regulates TMEM16A Channel Function by Phosphorylation

Ca-activated Cl channels (CaCCs) encoded by TMEM16A (Ano1) play essential roles in many physiological processes including epithelial fluid secretion, gut motility, and smooth muscle tone. Using a quantitative SILAC proteomics approach, we discovered that CASK, a unique MAGUK protein containing an N-terminal CaM-kinase homology domain, is very highly enriched in the TMEM16A interactome. CASK contains multiple protein-protein interaction domains linking receptors and signaling molecules at membrane-cytoskeletal interfaces and has unique protein kinase activity that is inhibited by Mg2+. Here we show that CASK co-immunoprecipitates with TMEM16A and regulates the voltage-dependence of TMEM16A in Mg2+-sensitive manner. In the presence of 1 μM free intracellular Ca2+, decreasing intracellular Mg2+ from 2 mM to 0 mM shifts the conductance-voltage (G-V) relationship 98.4 mV in a hyperpolarizing direction without changing GMAX or Ca2+ sensitivity. The Mg2+-dependent shift in the G-V curve is dependent on CASK protein kinase activity because shRNA-knockdown of CASK or replacement of ATP with AMP-PNP eliminates the shift. Mutation of S639 in TMEM16A identifies this amino acid is the site phosphorylated by CASK. The G-V curve of the S639A mutant is unaffected by Mg2+ or ATP and has a V0.5 value similar to WT in the presence of 2 mM Mg2+ [WT(+Mg2+) 98.6 mV; S639A(0Mg2+) 78.8 mV]. The G-V curve of the phosphomimetic S639E mutant is unaffected by Mg2+ or ATP, but the V0.5 value is similar to WT in the absence of Mg2+ [WT(0 Mg2+) −3.5 mV; S639A(2 Mg2+) 7.7 mV]. Inhibitory autocamtide-2 (AIP-2), a CaMKII inhibitory substrate that also interferes with the catalytic activity of CASK in the internal solution efficiently abolishes the effect of Mg2+ on TMEM16A currents. These data suggest that CASK may regulate TMEM16A channels, although the physiological significance in cells remains to be determined.
Integration of design and manufacturing: solving setup generation and feature sequencing using an unsupervised-learning approach

Abstract An approach to the integration of design and manufacturing knowledge is presented that uses a feature-based design environment and an unsupervised learning algorithm to categorize features into a setup for machining. Setup generation is a pivotal step in automated process planning as it greatly influences machine/tool selection, machining sequences and fixture configuration. The proposed algorithm and architecture incorporate multiple objective functions into setup generation. Intersecting and nonintersecting features within a setup are identified and classified using an associative memory. After the feature sequence has been determined, several algorithms are proposed to obtain the best tool sequence for creating the features in a setup.
A new synthetic approach to the ferritin core uncovers the soluble iron(III) oxo-hydroxo aggregate [Fe11O6(OH)6(O2CPh)15].

Hydrolytic polymerization of iron(III) occurs in many reactions in vivo, for example, the formation of bacterial magnetite in magnetotactic organisms, biomineralization of iron and the synthesis of the metallic core of the iron-storage protein ferritin. The ferritin core contains aggregates of up to 4,500 oxygen-bridged, octahedrally coordinated, high-spin iron(III) centres and is attached to the protein shell through carboxylate groups of amino-acid side chains. The X-ray and electron-diffraction patterns of this core resemble those of the mineral ferrihydrite, a hydrated iron oxide formed in nature, inter alia, by iron-dependent bacteria. The preparation and structural characterization of such large poly-iron aggregates has been a challenge to inorganic chemists. We have recently shown that tri- and tetranuclear iron(III) oxo complexes of the type thought to be important in ferritin-core formation can be prepared by reacting mononuclear [FeCl4]- and binuclear [Fe2OCl6]2- components in aprotic solvents (ref. 9 and S.M.G., W. H. Armstrong and S.J.L., in preparation). Here we report the discovery of a remarkable new molecule, [Fe11O6(OH)6(O2CPh)15], obtained by hydrolysis of the [Fe2O]4+ unit in the presence of limited amounts of water and carboxylate salts. The synthesis and properties of this soluble iron(III) oxohydroxo aggregate should help to elucidate the mechanism of formation of poly-iron centres.
Differences of Induction Motor Field Efficiency Measuring Techniques

Contrary to testing of motor efficiency in a laboratory, certain methods given in IEEE Standard 112 cannot be used for motor efficiency evaluations in the field. For example, it is difficult to load a motor in the field with a dynamometer when the motor is already coupled to driven equipment. The motor efficiency field evaluation faces a different environment from that for which IEEE Standard 112 is chiefly written. A field evaluation method consists of one or several basic methods. This paper separates and compares the basic methods according to their physical natures. Their accuracies are also discussed. This paper is useful for field engineers to select or to establish a proper efficiency evaluation method by understanding the theories and error sources of the methods.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Evidence for the regulation of pyridoxal 5-phosphate formation in liver by pyridoxamine (pyridoxine) 5 -phosphate oxidase.

Abstract Pyridoxamine (pyridoxine) 5′-phosphate oxidase (EC 1.4.3.5) purified from rabbit liver is competitively inhibited by the reaction product, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. The Ki, 3 μM, is considerably lower than the Km for either natural substrate (18 and 24 μM for pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate and 25 and 16 μM for pyridoxine 5′-phosphate in 0.2 M potassium phosphate at pH 8 and 7, respectively). The Ki determined using a 10% rabbit liver homogenate is the same as that for the pure enzyme; hence, product inhibition in vivo is probably not diminished significantly by other cellular components. Similar determinations for a 10% rat liver homogenate also show strong inhibition by pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. Since the reported liver content of free or loosely bound pyridoxal 5′-phosphate is greater than Ki, the oxidase in liver is probably associated with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. These results also suggest that product inhibition of pyridoxamine-P oxidase may regulate the in vivo rate of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate formation.
A generalized Fourier transform and convolution on time scales

In this paper, we develop some important Fourier analysis tools in the context of time scales. In particular, we present a generalized Fourier transform in this context as well as a critical inversion result. This leads directly to a convolution for signals on two (possibly distinct) time scales as well as several natural classes of time scales which arise in this setting: dilated, closed under addition, and additively idempotent. We explore the properties of these time scales and demonstrate the utility of these concepts in discrete convolution, Mellin convolution, and transformations of a random variable.
Epo Receptors Are Not Detectable in Primary Human Tumor Tissue Samples

Erythropoietin (Epo) is a cytokine that binds and activates an Epo receptor (EpoR) expressed on the surface of erythroid progenitor cells to promote erythropoiesis. While early studies suggested EpoR transcripts were expressed exclusively in the erythroid compartment, low-level EpoR transcripts were detected in nonhematopoietic tissues and tumor cell lines using sensitive RT-PCR methods. However due to the widespread use of nonspecific anti-EpoR antibodies there are conflicting data on EpoR protein expression. In tumor cell lines and normal human tissues examined with a specific and sensitive monoclonal antibody to human EpoR (A82), little/no EpoR protein was detected and it was not functional. In contrast, EpoR protein was reportedly detectable in a breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) and breast cancer tissues with an anti-EpoR polyclonal antibody (M-20), and functional responses to rHuEpo were reported with MCF-7 cells. In another study, a functional response was reported with the lung tumor cell line (NCI-H838) at physiological levels of rHuEpo. However, the specificity of M-20 is in question and the absence of appropriate negative controls raise questions about possible false-positive effects. Here we show that with A82, no EpoR protein was detectable in normal human and matching cancer tissues from breast, lung, colon, ovary and skin with little/no EpoR in MCF-7 and most other breast and lung tumor cell lines. We show further that M-20 provides false positive staining with tissues and it binds to a non-EpoR protein that migrates at the same size as EpoR with MCF-7 lysates. EpoR protein was detectable with NCI-H838 cells, but no rHuEpo-induced phosphorylation of AKT, STAT3, pS6RP or STAT5 was observed suggesting the EpoR was not functional. Taken together these results raise questions about the hypothesis that most tumors express high levels of functional EpoR protein.
Truncation of blood curves to enhance imaging and therapy with monoclonal antibodies.

Targeting of monoclonal antibody (Mab) to solid tumor sites is a function of the blood curve of activity versus time. It has been suggested that the blood curve be artificially reduced to approach zero so that the contrast between tumor and blood uptake is maximized. We analyzed tumor uptake as a function of the time t c of blood curve truncation. By using a convolution approach, we were able to find the optimal times for setting the blood curve to zero in either diagnostic or therapeutic animal examples. Two iodinated cT84.66 anti-CEA engineered fragments, diabody and minibody, were considered using previous data from nude mouse studies involving the LS174T colorectal tumor model. Figures of merit (FOMs) were used to compare ordinary and truncated blood curves and their associated tumor accumulations. Using a 123 I label, it was seen that the appropriate time for diagnostic truncation occurred when tumor uptake, as measured, was a maximum. The corresponding point for therapy (with 131 I as a label) was at infinite time. We also demonstrated that the use of traditional indices led to ambiguities in the choice of truncation times. The traditional therapy index, the ratio of the integral of the tumor uptake to the integral of the blood uptake, was found to be a numerical constant independent of t c . This ratio was proved to be the integral of the tumor impulse response function. Use of such convolution techniques to assess truncation of the perfused material is probably also applicable to multistep processes as well as to lesion targeting with other tumor-specific pharmaceuticals.
What’s in a name? Subliminally activating trusting behavior

Abstract Because the choice to trust is inherently risky, people naturally assess others’ trustworthiness before they engage in trusting actions. The research reported here suggests that the trust development process may start before the conscious assessment of trustworthiness, via the activation of a relational schema. We present three experiments that examined the automatic, non-conscious activation of interpersonal trusting behavior via a variety of subliminal cues: positive or negative, relational or non-relational, and trust-related or not. In all three studies, subliminal relational cues influenced subsequent trusting behavior, apparently without conscious awareness. Results from the third study also indicated that subliminal relational cues that were specifically trust-related influenced trustors’ expectations of the likelihood of reciprocity. Overall, the data provide initial evidence that the development of interpersonal trust can start before and beneath conscious awareness.
A phase I study of ambulatory continuous infusion paclitaxel.

Chemotherapy given by continuous infusion may have different toxicity profiles and efficacy than when given by bolus administration. Thirty-one patients with refractory tumors entered a phase I trial in which paclitaxel was administered for 7 days by continuous infusion every 28 days. Only one patient required hospitalization for treatment, because of an initial poor performance status, and most carried out normal activities on an ambulatory basis. After the first three patients, patients were entered in cohorts of five with the starting dose of 120 mg/m2. Each subsequent cohort was begun at a dose 10% higher than the previous cohort. Later courses within each cohort were increased 10% in an individual patient, if toxicity allowed. Nausea was rare. Of 15 patients with a soft tissue sarcoma refractory to doxorubicin, dacarbazine, ifosfamide, and etoposide, there were: one partial response (PR), five stable diseases and eight progressive; one patient was not evaluable for response. The PR occurred in a patient with a very aggressive sarcoma and very bulky disease, and was maintained for more than 1 year. We conclude that paclitaxel given by ambulatory continuous i.v. infusion is well tolerated with a maximally tolerated starting dose of 160 mg/m2.