cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Speed, Compact, Adaptive Lenses Using In-Line Transparent Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Membranes

Electrically tunable adaptive lenses provide several advantages over traditional lens assemblies in terms of compactness, speed, efficiency, and flexibility. We present an elastomer-liquid lens system which makes use of an in-line, transparent electroactive polymer actuator. The lens has two liquid-filled cavities enclosed within two frames, with two passive outer elastomer membranes and an internal transparent electroactive membrane. Advantages of the lens design over existing systems include large apertures, flexibility in choosing the starting lens curvature, and electrode encapsulation with a dielectric liquid. A lens power change up to 40 diopters, corresponding to focal length variation up to 300%, was recorded during actuation, with a response time on the order of tens of milliseconds.
Direct determination of systemic blood pressure and production of hypertension in the rabbit.

SummaryA method is described for determination of direct mean systemic blood pressure in the femoral artery of the unanesthetized rabbit. Weekly blood pressures of 24 rabbits, for 3 successive weeks, and of 6 other rabbits, for 12 weeks, are given. Production of persistent renal hypertension, unaccompanied by significant impairment of renal excretory function, is described and illustrated. It is hoped that publication of this method for determination of the blood pressure of the unanesthetized rabbit will stimulate others to employ this animal more often in future studies of experimental hypertension.
Multiple trophic resources for a chemoautotrophic community at a cold water brine seep at the base of the Florida Escarpment

The biological community that surrounds the hypersaline cold water brine seeps at the base of the Florida Escarpment is dominated by two macrofaunal species: an undescribed bivalve of the family Mytilidac and a vestimentiferan worm, Escarpia laminata. These animals are apparently supported by the chemoautotrophic fixation of carbon via bacterial endosymbionts. Water column and sediment data indicate that high levels of both sulfide and methane are present in surface sediments around the animals but absent from overlying waters. Stable isotopic analyses of pore water indicate that there are two sources of sulfide: the first is geothermal sulfide carried in groundwater leaching from the base of the escarpment, and the second is microbial sulfide produced in situ. The vestimentiferan E. laminata, and the mytilid bivalve (seep mussel) live contiguously but rely on different substrates for chemoautotrophy. Enzyme assays, patterns of elemental sulfur storage and stable isotopic analyses indicate that E. laminata relies on sulfide oxidation and the seep mussel on methane oxidation for growth.
Treatment of aerosolized cowpox virus infection in mice with aerosolized cidofovir.

Abstract The Brighton strain of cowpox virus causes lethal bronchopneumonia when delivered as a small-particle (1 μm) aerosol to weanling BALB/c mice. We showed previously that this disease can be prevented or cured with one subcutaneous injection of cidofovir (HPMPC, Vistide®). To determine whether even better results could be obtained by delivering the drug directly to the respiratory tract, we administered cidofovir by small-particle aqueous aerosol before or after aerosolized cowpox infection. In a series of five experiments, aerosol doses of 0.5–5 mg/kg were always more effective than 25 mg/kg and sometimes more effective than 100 mg/kg injected subcutaneously, as measured by changes in body and lung weight, lung viral titers, pulmonary pathology and survival. A cyclic analog ((1-[( S )-2-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,4,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl] cytosine) (cHPMPC) was less protective. The results suggest that aerosolized cidofovir would be effective for prophylaxis or early post-exposure therapy of human smallpox or monkeypox virus infection.
Two results on the weighted Poincaré inequality on complete Kähler manifolds

In this paper we consider complete noncompact K\"{a}hler manifolds $M^m$ that satisfy the weighted Poincar\'{e} inequality with a weight function $\rho (x)$ that has limit zero at infinity of $M$. We prove that if the Ricci curvature lower bound $Ric_M(x)\geq -4\rho (x)$ holds on $M$ then the manifold has one nonparabolic end and if the bisectional curvature is bounded from below by $BK_M(x)\geq -\frac{\rho (x)}{m^2}$ then the manifold has one end, thus it is connected at infinity. The two results that we prove are the K\"{a}hler version of Theorem 6.3 and Theorem 7.2 in \cite{L-W4} and improve some results in \cite{L-W}.
Exploring the Determinants of Nonprofit Coproduction of Public Service Delivery: The Case of k-12 Public Education

Americans have long formed nonprofits to voluntarily coproduce public services. However, demand perspectives on the development of the nonprofit sector and supply perspectives on the activation of civic engagement suggest potentially contradictory explanations of collective coproduction. Using the case of nonprofit support for public k-12 education, the authors explore the community- and school-level determinants of nonprofit coproduction of public education. Their findings suggest that nonprofit coproduction is influenced by unmet demand for public services and the supply of human and financial resources necessary to engage in collective action. Although the formation of a nonprofit to support a public school may be related to the demand generated by heterogeneous preferences of service beneficiaries and the human capital to self-organize, the ability to generate a significant level of financial resources to support coproduction is related to the resources of the service beneficiaries and their integration into the larger community.
Ex-PRESS glaucoma filter: an MRI compatible metallic orbital foreign body imaged at 1.5 and 3 T

Aim To report on the MRI compatibility of the Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device, a tiny metallic implant placed into the anterior chamber of the eye that is much smaller than traditional glaucoma shunts, and to educate the radiology community regarding its appearance. Materials and methods Seven patients with Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration devices were identified that had undergone MRI at San Francisco General Hospital/University of California San Francisco Medical Center by searching and cross-referencing the radiology reporting system and the electronic medical record. MRI images were reviewed for artefact interfering with interpretation. Ophthalmology examinations were reviewed for evidence of complications. Results Eighteen individual MRI examinations were performed during 12 unique MRI events on these 7 patients. 13/18 individual MRI examinations and 7/12 MRI events were performed at 3 T with the others performed at 1.5 T. Mean time from Ex-PRESS implantation to MRI was 17.5 months. Mean time from MRI to first ophthalmology examination was 1.1 months and from MRI to latest ophthalmology examination was 6.6 months. Susceptibility artefact did not interfere with image interpretation and no complications related to MRI were encountered. Conclusion The Ex-PRESS glaucoma filtration device appears to be safe for MRI at 1.5 and 3 T and does not produce significant susceptibility artefact to affect diagnostic interpretation adversely.
STATE JURISDICTION OVER OIL SPILLS IN A FEDERAL SYSTEM

ABSTRACT A comparison of the bases for state and federal jurisdictions, in the light of Canadian Arctic, Florida, Maine and Federal Water Pollution Control Acts, shows when, how and why state and federal officials will find they have overlapping jurisdictions. The results of this preliminary study point to several areas in which the overlaps should be kept and some key ways in which they may be more rationally related, especially in preventive measures and contingency planning.
Influence of auxiliary winding resonance on the harmonic behavior of single phase capacitor motors

Single phase capacitor run induction motors have long held a significant presence in the distribution system because of their use in domestic appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners and fans. Because they are so widespread in number, their characteristics and response towards harmonic voltages present in single phase distribution systems are important. This paper outlines the response of these motors to harmonic voltages in some detail. It explains how the auxiliary winding circuit in these motors causes certain behaviors not normally associated with single winding run motors. This paper provides some background to understanding this behavior and then provides experimental demonstration for the peculiar phenomena that occur when the motor is subjected to a source voltage containing harmonics.
Ediacaran Gaskiers Glaciation of Newfoundland reconsidered

Newly discovered palaeosols in the Gaskiers Formation of Newfoundland provide a new perspective on its palaeoenvironment, and are evidence that it was not a deep submarine tillite, nor an anoxic deep-sea floor, nor a ‘cap carbonate’ from extreme geochemical perturbation of the global ocean. Discovery of oxidized palaeosols and re-evaluation of sedimentary facies and stratigraphic relationships now suggest reinterpretation as a coastal plain with glacial moraines in the forearc basin of a continental volcanic arc, like modern Japan. Ediacaran palaeosols of the Gaskiers Formation lack large root traces, but show soil profile differentiation (clay enrichment and depletion of alkali and alkaline earth elements at the expense of feldspar and rock fragments) and diagnostic soil structures (blocky peds, argillans, sepic plasmic fabric). These palaeosols are evidence of a humid temperate climate and marked marine regression accompanying the Gaskiers Glaciation of the early Ediacaran (580 Ma). Geochemical weathering trends in the palaeosols, especially phosphorus depletion, are characteristic of biologically active soils. Ediacaran microbial earth ecoystems may have been responsible for filamentous disruption of bedding in the palaeosols.
Optical fiber probe transit anemometer for particle velocity measurements in fluidized beds

A compact optical fiber probe to measure the velocity of solid particles in two-phase flows was constructed. The probe has been used to measure particle velocities and obtain flow trajectories of solids in the distributor grid region of a two-dimensional fluidized bed. Air was used as the fluidizing medium in a bed of glass beads of size ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 mm. Particle velocities were measured at corresponding points within a jet in the two-dimensional bed, using the optical fiber probe and a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The probe measurements compare well with the LDV results in the main jet region. Particle velocities were also measured with the probe in the dense phase region of the fluidized bed where measurements were not possible using LDV. The resulting flow maps clearly indicate solids circulation patterns around jets and identify dead zones formed on the distributor plate.
Two-dimensional ESPRIT with tracking for radar imaging and feature extraction

Estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) appears to be the best of the known spectral-analysis methods. It has the highest resolution, has no spectral splatter and is robust in the presence of noise. It answers immediately and explicitly the question "What frequencies, real or complex, are present and what are their amplitudes?" Fourier methods (and other high-resolution methods), answer the less direct question "What amplitudes, applied to a set of regularly-spaced real frequencies, best represent the data?" They then present the problem of interpreting the amplitudes. These attributes of ESPRIT, in the two-dimensional (2-D) version described here, make it a natural for radar signal processing, where it answers the need for high-resolution imaging, free of sidelobes in range and range rate, and for high-fidelity feature extraction. The paper starts with the mathematical data model, describes a "resampling" procedure to fit the data better to the model, summarizes the 2-D ESPRIT algorithm itself, and presents examples of its performance. The paper covers the details of this least-squares version of ESPRIT, including an enhancement that allows the scatterers to be tracked individually. The algorithm properly distinguishes between scatterers having one coordinate in common, and it automatically pairs correctly the range and range-rate of each scatterer.
MRI and encephalography in fatal eastern equine encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is the most severe of the mosquito-borne encephalitides, with a case fatality rate estimated at 36%.1 We describe 2 fatal cases of seropositive EEE in men. In both patients, EEG monitoring revealed periodic 0.25- to 0.5-Hz transients with lower voltages (∼20–40 μV) than typically seen in herpes encephalitis (∼100–500 μV), and MRI revealed a symmetric pattern of T2 hyperintensity in the lentiform nuclei, as previously noted1,2 (figure). Considered together, these MRI and EEG findings suggest a distinctive pattern that may be pathognomonic for EEE in the appropriate clinical context.
V region carbohydrate and antibody expression.

N -Linked carbohydrates are frequently found in the V region of Ig H chains and can have a positive or negative effect on Ag binding affinity. We have studied a murine anti-α(1→6) dextran V H that contains a carbohydrate in complementarity-determining region 2 (CDR2). This carbohydrate remains high mannose rather than being processed to a complex form, as would be expected for glycans on exposed protein loops. We have shown that the glycan remained high mannose when murine-human chimeric Abs were produced in a variety of cell types. Also, when another carbohydrate was present in CDR1, CDR2, or CDR3 of the L chain, the V H CDR2 glycan remained high mannose. Importantly, we found that when the anti-dextran V H CDR2 replaced CDR2 of an anti-dansyl V H , the glycosylation site was used, but H chains were withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and did not traffic to the Golgi apparatus. These results suggest that inappropriate V region glycosylation could contribute to ineffective Ab production from expressed Ig genes. In some cases, a carbohydrate addition sequence generated by either V region rearrangement or somatic hypermutation may result in an Ab that cannot be properly folded and secreted.
Requirement of Heat Shock Protein 90 for Human Hepatitis B Virus Reverse Transcriptase Function

The initiation of reverse transcription and nucleocapsid assembly in hepatitis B virus (HBV) depends on the specific recognition of an RNA signal (the packaging signal, epsilon) on the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) by the viral reverse transcriptase (RT). RT-epsilon interaction in the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) was recently shown to require the molecular chaperone complex, the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). However, the requirement for RT-epsilon interaction in the human HBV has remained unknown due to the inability to obtain a purified RT protein active in specific epsilon binding. We now report that Hsp90 is also required for HBV RT-epsilon interaction. Inhibition of Hsp90 led to diminished HBV pgRNA packaging into nucleocapsids in cells, which depends on RT-epsilon interaction. Furthermore, using truncated HBV RT proteins purified from bacteria and five purified Hsp90 chaperone factors, we have developed an in vitro RT-epsilon binding assay. Our results demonstrate that Hsp90, in a dynamic process that was dependent on ATP hydrolysis, facilitated RT-epsilon interaction in HBV, as in DHBV. Specific epsilon binding required sequences from both the amino-terminal terminal protein and the carboxy-terminal RT domain. Only the cognate HBV epsilon, but not the DHBV epsilon, could bind the HBV RT proteins. Furthermore, the internal bulge, but not the apical loop, of epsilon was required for RT binding. The establishment of a defined in vitro reconstitution system has now paved the way for future biochemical and structural studies to elucidate the mechanisms of RT-epsilon interaction and chaperone activation.
Alternative measures of fertility compromise.

Fertility has been defined in many ways—from the demographers practice of simply recording the number of children born, to the precise (but difficult to measure) monthly probability of conception. Infertility is likewise variably defined, making comparison of data across studies difficult. Furthermore, there is debate about which measures/indicators/contributors are the most useful to try to track when trying to understand fertility/infertility, fecundity/subfecundity trends.
Cognitive impairment and hypothymia in post stroke patients

129 patients aged 18-84 in early rehabilitation period of the first hemispheric ischemic stroke and 48 patients with cerebrovascular disorders without stroke in anamnesis were observed. Cognitive functions (MMSE, FAB, Clock Drawing Test, the 5-Word test, attention assessment, Semantic Verbal Fluency test) and emotional sphere (CES-D) were studied. Investigation was carried out twice during the early recovery period 3-4weeks and 3months after the stroke. Statistically significant decrease of cognitive functions in comparison with control group data was revealed. Cognitive deficiency and depressed mood were fixed in patients after the first hemispheric ischemic stroke. The level of cognitive decline correlated with expression of neurological deficiency and age. The expression of hypothymia correlated with age, dominated by women, did not depend on stroke localization and education. Women, elderly people and patients with severe neurological deficits had higher risk of emotional disorders after the first hemispheric ischemic stroke. There was a tendency to reduce the frequency of hypothymia and cognitive decline in the early rehabilitation period.
Inhibition of pupillary orienting reflex by heteromodal novelty

When recognition memory is well formed, pupillary orienting reflex to novel auditory stimulus items is inhibited. Instead, pupillary dilation occurs to familiar stimulus items provided the task is relatively difficult. The relation between orienting reflex and recognition memory is interpreted in terms of negative induction arising from the direction of the reflex in the context of Pavlov’s theory.
The role of porosity in filtration part 3: Variable‐pressure—variable‐rate filtration

Virtually all filtration literature has been concerned with constant rate or constant pressure with greater emphasis on the latter. In contrast to these types of operations, industrial filtrations involving centrifugal pumps are accomplished under variable-pressure—variable-rate conditions. In spite of its importance virtually no work has been reported in connection with variable-rate—variable-pressure filtration. Formulas developed for constant pressure and constant-rate filtration are not in general applicable to operations effected by centrifugal pumps. Methods solving variable-pressure—variable-rate filtration problems are presented. A method of determining average filtration resistance as a function of compressive pressure under variable-pressure—variable-rate conditions is discussed, and formulas for determining point filtration resistance from data for average resistances are presented.
Regional citrate anticoagulation for slow continuous ultrafiltration: risk of severe metabolic alkalosis.

Background. Slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF) is a safe and efficient treatment for fluid overload in patients who are hemodynamically unstable, have low urine output, and are not in need of dialysis or hemofiltration for solute clearance. Sustained anticoagulation is required for these long treatments, thus posing clinically challenges for patients having contraindications to systemic anticoagulation with heparin. Regional citrate anticoagulation would be an alternative option; however, we believed that this would be problematic due to citrate kinetics that predicted the development of metabolic alkalosis. Methods. In that patients’ serum bicarbonate reached 45 mEq/L and arterial pH rose to 7.59 after just 3 days of SCUF, we developed equations to study this phenomenon. We report here the acid–base balance calculations quantifying base accumulation in SCUF compared to continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). Results. This kinetic approach demonstrates the importance of accounting for the high citrate clearance into CVVH hemofiltrate, which prevents development of the alkalosis seen with the relatively low ultrafiltration rates in SCUF: there was net bicarbonate accumulation of ~1400 mmol/day with SCUF, compared to 664 to as low as 274 mmol/day during CVVH. The calculations underscore the importance of the relative fluid flow rates as well as the bicarbonate and citrate levels in the various infused solutions. We also discuss how citrate’s acid–base effects are potentially complicated by metabolism via gluconeogenic and ketone body pathways. Conclusions. These acid–base balance findings emphasize why clinicians must be mindful of the risk of metabolic alkalosis when using continuous renal replacement therapy modalities with low rates of ultrafiltration, which thereby presents a contraindication for using citrate anticoagulation for SCUF.
A multitask neuromorphic controller for redundant robots

In this article, we propose a multitask neuromorphic controller with a hierarchical architecture, which consists of two artificial neural network (ANN) sub-systems. Based on Hopfield model, the higher level neural network system is designed to solve kinematics problems for redundant robots with several constraints in an environment of collision-free. The lower neural network system at servolevel, built on backpropagation (BP) algorithm, is employed to control joints of the manipulator with approximate dynamic model to track the reference trajectory accurately. The stability characteristics of the subcontroller and the convergence property of the ANNs are mathematically analyzed. Furthermore, improvements on learning of the proposed ANNs are also addressed in this paper. >
Metabolic Shift of Escherichia coli under Salt Stress in the Presence of Glycine Betaine

An important area of food safety focuses on bacterial survival and growth in unfavorable environments. In order to understand how bacteria adapt to stresses other than nutrient limitation in batch cultures, we need to develop mechanistic models of intracellular regulation and metabolism under stress. We studied the growth of Escherichia coli in minimal medium with added salt and different osmoprotectants. To characterize the metabolic efficiency with a robust parameter, we identified the optical density (OD) values at the inflection points of measured “OD versus time” growth curves and described them as a function of glucose concentration. We found that the metabolic efficiency parameter did not necessarily follow the trend of decreasing specific growth rate as the salt concentration increased. In the absence of osmoprotectant, or in the presence of proline, the metabolic efficiency decreased with increasing NaCl concentration. However, in the presence of choline or glycine betaine, it increased between 2 and 4.5% NaCl before declining at 5% NaCl and above. Microarray analysis of the transcriptional network and proteomics analysis with glycine betaine in the medium indicated that between 4.5 and 5% NaCl, the metabolism switched from aerobic to fermentative pathways and that the response to osmotic stress is similar to that for oxidative stress. We conclude that, although the growth rate appeared to decrease smoothly with increasing NaCl, the metabolic strategy of cells changed abruptly at a threshold concentration of NaCl.
Catalytic P systems, semilinear sets, and vector addition systems

We look at 1-region membrane computing systems which only use rules of the form Ca → Cv, where C is a catalyst, a is a noncatalyst, and v is a (possibly null) string of noncatalysts. There are no rules of the form a → v. Thus, we can think of these systems as "purely" catalytic. We consider two types: (1) when the initial configuration contains only one catalyst, and (2) when the initial configuration contains multiple catalysts. We show that systems of the first type are equivalent to communication-free Petri nets, which are also equivalent to commutative context-free grammars. They define precisely the semilinear sets. This partially answers an open question (in: WMC-CdeA'02, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2597, Springer, Berlin, 2003, pp. 400-409; Computationally universal P systems without priorities: two catalysts are sufficient, available at http://psystems.disco.unimib.it, 2003). Systems of the second type define exactly the recursively enumerable sets of tuples (i.e., Turing machine computable). We also study an extended model where the rules are of the form q:(p, Ca → Cv) (where q and p are states), i.e., the application of the rules is guided by a finite-state control. For this generalized model, type (1) as well as type (2) with some restriction correspond to vector addition systems. Finally, we briefly investigate the closure properties of catalytic systems.
GARP, SEPARABILITY, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE AGENT

We examine whether annual, quarterly, and monthly U.S. aggregate consumption data could have been generated by a utility-maximizing representative agent with intertemporally separable utility. The model appears inapplicable over the full time periods covered by the NIPA data, which are the sample periods often used in the literature. The model does appear applicable, however, over long subsamples. The data also are inconsistent with separability assumptions routinely made in the literature. In particular, the main categories of consumption (nondurables, services, and durables) are not mutually separable. We consider the implications of our results for inference about consumption based on the representative-agent model.
Long-period surface waves and mantle boundary undulations

SUMMARY We address two questions with synthetic experiments. (1) Is there sufficient signal in long-period surface wave data to provide useful constraints on topography on the internal boundaries in the upper mantle and around the Transition Zone? (2) What is the magnitude and nature of the bias caused by undulations on internal discontinuities on inversions for volumetric structures that do not also include boundary structures? The synthetic experiments rest on models of boundary topography on three upper mantle and Transition Zone discontinuities at 220, 400 and 660 km depth. The 660 km topographic model is that of Shearer & Masters (1992). We consider the effect of two different 400 km models; one is identical to Shearer and Master's model (Model A) and the other is their model sign flipped (Model B). The 220 km model is ad hoc, but has been motivated by the work of Revenaugh & Jordan (1989, 1991b) who argue that the 220 km discontinuity is not a global feature at all, but has a continental affinity. For simplicity, our 220 km model is global, but the jump in material properties across the discontinuity has been reduced relative PREM by a factor of two and is based on a continent-ocean model which is depressed up to 25 km below continents and ascends 10 km under oceans. These resulting boundary models have a significant effect on long-period fundamental spheroidal mode structure coefficients, with a magnitude on average of 15-30per cent relative to the volumetric models M84A + LO2.56 between harmonic degrees 20≤l≤75. Inversion for volumetric structures of the structure coefficients computed with the boundary models alone, devoid of volumetric structure, shows that simple mantle volumetric structures can be found to fit the boundary structure coefficients nearly perfectly. This demonstrates the essential trade-off between boundary and volumetric mantle structures using surface wave data alone. Destructive interference between the effects of the 660km boundary and Model B of the 400 km boundary requires a somewhat oscillatory volumetric mantle model to fit the structure coefficients, but the resulting volumetric model is no more oscillatory than current models of the upper mantle. Both boundary Models A and B produce on average a 30 per cent volumetric bias relative to M84A + LO2.56 from the base of the crust to 1000 km depth. The relative nature of the 400 km and 660 km undulations strongly affects the radial distribution of the volumetric bias, but has less of an effect on the average size of the bias.
Pulsed plasma microjets: A new tool for plasma kinetics and molecular spectroscopy

Summary form only given. The recent development of microcavity plasma devices fabricated in an Al/Al2O3 system has resulted in robust, chemically inert devices exhibiting relatively low breakdown voltages at near-atmospheric pressures. Due to their small size and near-atmospheric operating pressure, these and similar microcavity devices have been shown to produce metastable molecules, such as Xe2* and XeO*. Additionally, microjets having diameters as small as 300 μm have been demonstrated in Al/Al2O3 structures. These plasma devices enable the generation of transient molecules and radicals requiring an atmospheric pressure plasma environment. In this work, we investigate an Al/Al2O3 microjet combined with a pulsed gas system as a means of generating highly excited and/or metastable molecules at background pressures in excess of one atmosphere. Upon creation, these molecules are subsequently ejected into a vacuum environment, where they cool via supersonic expansion and are available for study in a setting that offers a greatly reduced degree of collisionality. Thus we are able to report a new tool for the study of not only metastable molecules, but of plasma kinetics in general. Recent results of experiments probing dissociative recombination of Ne2+ and Ar2+ will be described.
AAV gene transfer delays disease onset in a TPP1-deficient canine model of the late infantile form of Batten disease

The most common form of the childhood neurodegenerative disease late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (also called Batten disease) is caused by deficiency of the soluble lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) resulting from mutations in the TPP1 gene. We tested whether TPP1 gene transfer to the ependyma, the epithelial lining of the brain ventricular system, in TPP1-deficient dogs would be therapeutically beneficial. A one-time administration of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) expressing canine TPP1 (rAAV.caTPP1) resulted in high expression of TPP1 predominantly in ependymal cells and secretion of the enzyme into the cerebrospinal fluid leading to clinical benefit. Diseased dogs treated with rAAV.caTPP1 showed delays in onset of clinical signs and disease progression, protection from cognitive decline, and extension of life span. By immunostaining and enzyme assay, recombinant protein was evident throughout the brain and spinal cord, with correction of the neuropathology characteristic of the disease. This study in a naturally occurring canine model of TPP1 deficiency highlights the utility of AAV transduction of ventricular lining cells to accomplish stable secretion of recombinant protein for broad distribution in the central nervous system and therapeutic benefit.
Noise, fluctuations, and nonlinear mechanical properties of living cells (Presentation Recording)

Living cells are a non-equilibrium mechanical system, largely because intracellular molecular motors consume chemical energy to generate forces that reorganize and maintain cytoskeletal functions. Persistently under tension, the network of cytoskeletal proteins exhibits a nonlinear mechanical behavior where the network stiffness increases with intracellular tension. We examined the nonlinear mechanical properties of living cells by characterizing the differential stiffness of the cytoskeletal network for HeLa cells under different intracellular tensions. Combining optical tweezer-based active and passive microrheology methods, we measured non-thermal fluctuating forces and found them to be much larger than the thermal fluctuating force. From the variations of differential stiffness caused by the fluctuating non-thermal force for cells under different tension, we obtained a master curve describing the differential stiffness as a function of the intracellular tension. Varying the intracellular tension by treating cells with drugs that alter motor protein activities we found the differential stiffness follows the same master curve that describes intracellular stiffness as a function of intracellular tension. This observation suggests that cells can regulate their mechanical properties by adjusting intracellular tension.
Molecular Basis of Oncogenesis by Non-Acute Avian Retroviruses

A majority of naturally occurring cancers associated with retrovirus infection are caused by non-acute retroviruses. These viruses do not carry oncogenes of their own and induce cancer in their hosts only after a long latency period. They are believed to be the progenitor viruses which gave rise to the acute retroviruses through recombination with host oncogenes (1,2). The hosts of these viruses include most vertebrate species. An excellent review of the neoplasms induced by non-acute retroviruses of a variety of organisms is presented by Varmus (3). The focus of this review will be restricted to the non-acute avian retroviruses.
Dissociation Constants of Some Substituted Nitrophenols in Aqueous Solution at 25 °C.

The dissociation constants of twelve substituted phenols with a nitro group in the o- or p-position have been determined by spectrophotometric measurements in aqueous solution at 25 °C.
EFFECT OF ETHIONINE-INDUCED PANCREATIC DAMAGE ON INTESTINAL ENZYME ACTIVITY OF THE RAT.

SummaryRats fed d1-ethionine for 25 days showed a significant decrease in small intestinal trypsin, chymotrypsin and lipase activity when compared to controls. The results suggest that levels of intestinal enzyme activity may be used as a quantitative indicator of pancreatic exocrine damage.We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. David C. H. Sun for helpful criticism of the data and manuscript and to Miss Jeanne Chen for technical advice.
Impact of mode-dependent loss on long-haul transmission systems using few-mode fibers

We investigate the impact on system reach in FMF transmission due to MDL from FM-EDFAs. While mode-scrambling can reduce the growth rate of MDL with distance, there may be stringent MDL requirements for the mode-scramblers.
Effects of Stimulant and Relaxant Drugs on Tension and Cyclic Nucleotide Levels in Canine Femoral Artery

Cyclic nucleotide levels and isometric tension were monitored simultaneously in isolated strips of canine femoral arteries after exposure to various drugs. Phenylephrine (5 µM) produced sustained contractions of the vascular strips but had no significant effect on tissue levels of guanosine 39,59-cyclic monophosphate or adenosine 39,59-cyclic monophosphate. Carbachol (100 µM), which had no effect on the tension developed by the arteries, significantly increased tissue levels of cyclic GMP but not of cyclic AMP. Papaverine (100 µM) and nitroglycerin (200 µM) both consistently relaxed phenylephrine-contracted femoral arteries and significantly increased their cyclic GMP levels. Cyclic GMP levels were increased by as much as 73% during papaverine-induced relaxation, and by 1540% during nitroglycerin-induced relaxation. Neither drug had any significant effect on cyclic AMP levels under these conditions. These results are not consistent with the earlier suggestion that contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle are mediated by increases in tissue levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP, respectively.
Imaging of skeletal and soft tissue injuries in and around the knee

This article addresses the place of MR imaging in the diagnosis of knee injuries. MR imaging of subtle fractures and bone contusions is described with emphasis placed on those types of fractures frequently associated with specific patterns of soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are divided into ligamentous, meniscal, and muscular; each is discussed separately. The MR imaging appearance of these lesions is explained.
Quantifying effects of age on balance and gait with inertial sensors in community-dwelling healthy adults

Although balance and gait deteriorate as a person ages, it is unknown if all balance and gait measures change similarly across the adult age span. We developed the Instrumented Stand and Walk test (ISAW) to provide a quick quantification of key components of balance and walking: postural sway, anticipatory postural adjustments during step initiation, gait, and turning using body-worn, inertial sensors. Our aims were to characterize how different balance and gait measures change with age and to identify key age-related measures of mobility, in a wide age range of healthy, community-dwelling adults. A total of 135 healthy, community-dwelling subjects of age range 21-89years with no history of falls were enrolled. Subjects wore inertial sensors on the wrists, ankles, sternum and lumbar area; 37 reliable and valid measures of postural sway, step initiation, gait and turning were computed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine how the measures changed with age. Several distinct correlation patterns between age and ISAW measures were observed: linear deterioration, deterioration after plateau, and subtle, or no, worsening. Spatial, but not temporal, measures of gait were age-related. The strongest age correlation was found for centroidal frequency of mediolateral postural sway (r=-0.50, p≤0.001). A hierarchical regression model revealed that age was the most important predictor of mediolateral centroidal frequency, with lower sway frequencies associated with older age, independent of gender, weight, and height. Our results showed that balance and gait represent independent control systems for mobility and not all balance and gait measures deteriorate the same way with age. Postural sway during stance was more strongly related to age than any gait, gait initiation or turning measure.
Hybrid Perovskite Thin Films as Highly Efficient Luminescent Solar Concentrators

High refractive index and broad absorption spectrum theoretically make perovskites ideal for luminescent solar concentrators. Monte Carlo simulations show that perovskites perform better than CdSe/CdTe quantum dots.
The presentation and management of aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade

Abstract Objective Gastroduodenal artery aneurysms (GDAAs) and pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs) are uncommon lesions associated, however, with a significant risk of rupture. This study describes the clinical presentation, associated imaging findings, and operative strategies for these aneurysms. Methods The records of all patients with GDAAs or PDAAs identified through an institutional database by axial imaging between 1994 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on presenting symptoms, comorbid conditions, imaging findings, and outcomes after operative intervention were collected and examined. Results We identified 11 GDAAs and 25 PDAAs in 35 patients. Mean size of the GDAAs was 31.1 mm (range, 10-60 mm) and mean size of the PDAAs was 19.1 mm (range, 10-48 mm). At presentation, 13 aneurysms (36%) were symptomatic and seven aneurysms (19.4%) were ruptured. Median size of ruptured aneurysms was 20 mm (range, 10-60 mm). On axial imaging, 24 aneurysms (67%) were associated with a severe stenosis or occlusion of the celiac axis origin, and 11 aneurysms (31%) were thought to be associated with compression of the celiac axis in the setting of median arcuate ligament syndrome. Twenty-four aneurysms (67%) underwent repair. Of these aneurysms, 18 (75%) were successfully managed with primary endovascular repair (coil embolization with or without celiac stent), whereas endovascular therapy failed in two (8%) and required open repair. Four aneurysms (17%) were treated with primary open repair. Overall 30-day morbidity and mortality after aneurysm repair were 29% and 4%, respectively. Conclusions GDAAs and PDAAs are uncommon lesions that are often associated with a celiac axis stenosis/occlusion leading to altered hemodynamics in the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. These aneurysms are prone to rupture regardless of size, and intervention is accordingly recommended for all aneurysms upon recognition. Despite the concordant celiac axis obstruction and concern for maintenance of hepatic circulation, endovascular repair of these aneurysms is generally successful and should be considered as the initial operative approach.
Acquisition, retention and transfer of simulated laparoscopic tasks using fNIR and a contextual interference paradigm

Abstract Background Using functional near infrared spectroscopy, a noninvasive, optical brain imaging tool that monitors changes in hemodynamics within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), we assessed performance and cognitive effort during the acquisition, retention and transfer of multiple simulated laparoscopic tasks by novice learners within a contextual interference paradigm. Methods Third-year medical students (n = 10) were randomized to either a blocked or random practice schedule. Across 3 days, students performed 108 acquisition trials of 3 laparoscopic tasks on the LapSim ® simulator followed by delayed retention and transfer tests. Performance metrics (Global score, Total time) and hemodynamic responses (total hemoglobin (μm)) were assessed during skill acquisition, retention and transfer. Results All acquisition tasks resulted in significant practice schedule X trial block interactions for the left medial anterior PFC. During retention and transfer, random performed the skills in less time and had lower total hemoglobin change in the right dorsolateral PFC than blocked. Conclusions Compared with blocked, random practice resulted in enhanced learning through better performance and less cognitive load for retention and transfer of simulated laparoscopic tasks.
Magnetic dynamics of ferrofluids: mathematical models and experimental investigations

Magnetite ferrofluids with unique magnetic behaviors are attractive for biomedical applications such as magnetic fluid hyperthermia and magnetic particle imaging. A precise nanoparticle-specific characterization by theoretical models and experiments to predict dynamics of ferrofluids and optimize their behaviors for emerging biomedical applications is necessary. In this paper, combining experiments and modeling, we have uncovered interesting magnetic dynamics of nanoparticles that are dependent on magnetic field strength, polymer coating of nanoparticles, viscosity of ferrofluid, and dipolar interactions. It is concluded that either by changing the magnitude of magnetic field or the concentrations of nanoparticles, we are able to convert the dominating relaxation process of magnetic nanoparticles from Neel to Brownian, and vice versa. Polymer coatings on nanoparticles and viscosity of ferrofluids are demonstrated to have varying degrees of influence on effective relaxation times of nanoparticles with different sizes and under different field strengths. Our theoretical models are used to predict the magnetic response of ferrofluid consisting of 35 nm magnetite nanoparticles under alternating magnetic fields, and it turns out that our theoretical data fits well with the experimental data.
Constitutional Avoidance and Presidential Power

Recent developments have brought renewed attention to statutes designed to constrain and discipline the President. The federal anti-nepotism statute, the federal conflict of interest statute, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the Freedom of Information Act all appear set to endure unusual stress in the coming years. Troublingly, these statutes have already been given limited constructions that weaken their power to restrain the President. Under the constitutional avoidance canon, courts construe statutes so as to avoid constitutional questions. Citing the avoidance canon and the President’s actual (or merely arguable) constitutional prerogatives, courts have limited the scope of statutes meant to discipline the presidency. Constitutional avoidance is a time-honored principle, but its application in this context is uniquely troubling. The President is an active participant in the legislative process, and can use his veto power to protect his prerogatives for himself. As a result, this type of judicial involvement can distort results in a way that is difficult, if not impossible, for Congress to reverse. The President’s unique powers also make the application of constitutional avoidance particularly problematic in this context.
Longitudinal changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the Dallas Heart Study.

SummaryContext While the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is well described in various populations, limited data are available regarding longitudinal variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Objectives To evaluate the temporal trends in serum 25(OH)D, prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and factors influencing these trends. Participants, Design and Setting: Adults enrolled in the Dallas Heart Study, a longitudinal, probability-based, multiethnic, population study in Dallas, Texas, USA. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and predictors of change in serum 25(OH)D. Results A total of 2045 participants had serum 25(OH)D measured on two occasions (2000-2002 and 2007-2009) at a median interval of 7 years. Serum 25(OH)D decreased (42.7-39.4 nmol/L, P<.001) and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <50 nmol/L] increased significantly (60.6%-66.4%, P<.0001) despite vitamin D supplementation increasing over the interval (7.2%-23.0%; P<.0001). In a multivariable model adjusting for sex, race, BMI, age, season of blood draw, smoking and exercise, a greater decline in serum 25(OH)D was noted in men compared with women (−8.0 vs −3.5 nmol/L, P<.0001), in participants of Hispanic ethnicity vs White and Black ethnicity (P<.0001), in nonobese vs obese participants (−7.2 vs −4.0 nmol/L, P=.005) and in nonusers vs users of vitamin D supplements (−5.7 vs −1.7 nmol/L, P=.032). Conclusions Despite increased vitamin D supplementation, serum 25(OH)D decreased in an ethnically diverse cohort of Dallas County residents between 2000-2002 and 2007-2009. Features most predictive of a decline in serum 25(OH)D include male sex, Hispanic ethnicity and weight gain.
Latent space superposition of multiple solutions to predict emergent behaviors of nonlinear cellular systems

Multiple cells interacting within an extracellular matrix (ECM) lead to complex emergent behaviors described through nonlinear and extensive mechanisms. Consequently, modeling cells at the population scale becomes more difficult as the cell population increases due to the increased complexity and nonlinearity of the system. One possible solution is to first statistically linearize the nonlinear dynamics of individual cells and then superpose multiple solutions to predict overall population interactions.
Stochastic control of systems with control multiplicative noise using second order FBSDEs

The Hamilton Jacobi Bellman (HJB) PDE for the stochastic optimal control (SOC) problem for diffusion SDE dynamics which have affine controls and state and control multiplicative noise is a second order fully nonlinear PDE. The previously known linearly solvable optimal control framework as well as the first order forward backward SDEs (FBSDEs) frameworks therefore have a characteristic inadequacy to support sampling algorithms for this SOC problem. We present the framework of second order FBSDEs for solving this SOC problem in this paper. We derive the nonlinear Feynman Kac representation of the second order fully nonlinear HJB PDE corresponding to diffusions with state and control multiplicative noise. The Feynman Kac representation enables a sampling based scheme for solving this SOC problem. This scheme is then leveraged to develop a least squares Monte Carlo regression based algorithm for implementations. The algorithm is validated by examples of simulated control of an underactuated system and comparison against an analytical characterization.