cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biophysics of Dynein In Vivo

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biophysics of dynein protein. It provides an understanding of molecular motors, whose function is to physically exert force and move cargos of a variety of types from one place to another inside cells, from an enzymatic point of view and from a biophysical one. It summarizes what is known about how single-molecule properties relate to ensemble function and how such properties can be regulated, providing an understanding of the regulated transport of cargos in vivo, starting from single-molecule properties of motors such as dynein in vitro. It begins by describing the functions determined for single-dynein motors in vitro, in a purified and controlled environment. Following this, it turns to the discussion of how the motors function in groups in vitro. Based on this, it reveals the properties emerging from groups of motors and explores which aspects of the single motors are important for their function as a group. Finally, it states that in the last few years, quite a number of factors regulating dynein function have been determined, and combining single-molecule-type approaches to quantifying function in vitro and in vivo with a variety of advanced fluorescence techniques in vivo is likely to allow rapidly accelerating progress in understanding the mechanisms of dynein regulation at a fundamental level.
Alternate gas washout indices: Assessment of ventilation inhomogeneity in mild to moderate pediatric cystic fibrosis lung disease.

INTRODUCTION Normalized phase III slope (Sn ) indices from multiple breath washout (MBW) estimate ventilation inhomogeneity. Alternate (*) protocols for Sn indices exist, however the utility of these outcomes in children with mild-to-moderate cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown. METHODS We measured nitrogen MBW and spirometry in 135 children (43 controls) aged 4-18 years. We assessed validity, practicability, and reliability of Sn protocols. Outcomes included the ability to detect abnormal lung function, test agreement, measurement duration, intra-test repeatability, and quality. RESULTS Lung clearance index (LCI) was abnormal in 80 (87%), Scond in 55 (60%), Scond* in 17 (19%), Sacin in 10 (11%), Sacin* in 11 (12%), and FEV in 28 (30%). Alternate protocols reduced measurement duration. Agreement of indices to detect abnormal lung function was poor. The quality of analysis and repeatability deteriorated with the alternate technique compared to standard. CONCLUSION In children with mild-to-moderate CF lung disease, alternate protocols seem practical but clinimetric properties of standard Sn protocols are preferable.
Theoretical Frameworks in Interior Design Literature between 2006 and 2016 and the Implication for Evidence-Based Design

The scope of interior design research is broad and diverse due to its inherent multidisciplinary nature. Assessment of the body of knowledge is necessary from time-to-time to gain trend insights. T...
An optimal-order error estimate of the lowest-order ELLAM-MFEM approximation to miscible displacement in three space dimensions

Abstract An optimal-order error estimate for the lowest-order ELLAM-MFEM time-stepping procedure for the coupled system of time-dependent nonlinear partial differential equations modeling miscible displacement that moves through the three-dimensional subsurface porous media is proved, under a practically reasonable time-step constraint of Δ t = O ( h ) . In the procedure, the Eulerian–Lagrangian localized adjoint method (ELLAM) and the mixed finite element method (MFEM) are used to solve the transport equation and the pressure equation, respectively. This mathematically justifies the numerical advantages of the ELLAM-MFEM solution procedure.
A multidisciplinary approach to VA ECMO cannulation in children.

Abstract Purpose Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supports gas exchange and circulation in critically ill patients. This study describes a multidisciplinary approach to ECMO cannulation using the expertise of pediatric surgery (PS) and interventional radiology (IR). Material and methods Pediatric patients ( Results Five patients were included in the series. Median age was 16 [12.5–17] years and 3 were female. Median ECMO arterial and venous catheter sizes were 19 [17–22] Fr and 25 [25–28] Fr, respectively. Both catheters were placed in the common femoral vessels. A 6Fr antegrade distal perfusion cannula (DPC) was also placed in the superficial femoral artery by IR at the time of cannulation. The median time from admission to procedure start was 10 [7–50] hours and the children were on ECMO for a median length of 3.2 [2.3–4.8] days. There were two episodes of bleeding. No patients had loss of limb circulation. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach to peripheral VA ECMO cannulation is feasible and safe. Maintenance of limb perfusion by percutaneous placement and removal of DPC may be an advantage of this collaborative approach. Level of Evidence IV. Type of Research Case series.
Crossing the Cervicothoracic Junction During Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: Is It Necessary

Background Posterior cervical fusion (PCF) is performed to treat cervical myelopathy, radiculopathy, and/or deformity. Constructs ending at the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) may lead to higher rates of adjacent segment disease, and much debate exists regarding crossing the CTJ due to paucity of data in the literature. Objective To determine whether extension of PCF constructs across the CTJ decreases incidence of adjacent segment disease and need for revision surgery. Methods A single-center retrospective case series of patients undergoing multilevel PCFs since 2011 with at least 6-mo follow-up was conducted. Outcomes were analyzed and compared based on caudal extent of instrumentation via multivariate regression. Results A total of 149 patients underwent PCF, with a mean follow-up of 18.9 mo. A total of 15 (10.1%) revisions were performed, 7 (4.7%) of which were related to the construct. Five (8.3%) revisions were performed for constructs ending at C6, 1 (5.3%) at C7, 1 (2.6%) at T1, and none (0%) at T2 (P = .035). Mean procedure duration was 215 min at C6, 214 min at C7, 239 min at T1, and 343 min at T2 (P = .001). Mean estimated blood loss was 224 mL at C6, 178 mL at C7, 308 mL at T1, and 575 mL at T2 (P = .001). There was no difference in length of stay, disposition, surgical site infection, or radiographic parameters. Conclusion Extension of PCFs across the CTJ leads to lower early revision rates, but also to increased procedure duration and estimated blood loss. As such, decisions regarding caudal extent of instrumentation must weigh the risk of pseudarthrosis against that of longer procedures with higher blood loss.
SARS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swabs scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent?

Background The global pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has resulted in unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems. One barrier to widespread testing has been a paucity of traditional respiratory viral swab collection kits relative to the demand. Whether other sample collection kits, such as widely available MRSA nasal swabs can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. Methods We compared simultaneous nasal MRSA swabs (COPAN ESwabs ® 480C flocked nasal swab in 1mL of liquid Amies medium) and virals wabs (BD H192(07) flexible mini-tip flocked nasopharyngeal swabs in 3mL Universal Transport Medium) for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing using Simplexa COVID-19 Direct assay on patients over a 4-day period. When the results were discordant, the viral swab sample was run again on the Cepheid Xpert Xpress ® SARS-CoV-2 assay. Results Of the 81 included samples, there were 19 positives and 62 negatives in viral media and 18 positives and 63 negative in the MRSA swabs. Amongst all included samples, there was concordance between the COPAN ESwabs ® 480C and the viral swabs in 78 (96.3%). Conclusion We found a high rate of concordance in test results between COPAN ESwabs ® 480C in Amies solution and BD H192(07) nasopharyngeal swabs in in 3 mL of Universal Viral Transport medium viral media. Clinicians and laboratories should feel better informed and assured using COPAN ESwabs ® 480C to help in the diagnosis of COVID-19.
Observer-Reported Outcomes and Cosmetic Procedures: A Systematic Review.

Background Cosmetic procedures have demonstrated beneficial effects on physical appearance based on anatomic markers as well as patient-perceived self-image and quality of life. Recent studies of observer-reported outcomes (OROs) suggest an additional benefit from aesthetic interventions. Objective The authors aimed to review the evidence of OROs from cosmetic procedures performed on the head and neck. Patients, methods and materials PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies, yielding 24 included original investigations. Results These studies captured 686 total patients, 8,257 observer evaluations, and a variety of interventions including face-lifts, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and minimally invasive treatments including botulinum toxins and hyaluronic acid fillers. Forty-one distinct reported OROs were grouped into 12 descriptive domains. Domains were further grouped into 3 higher-order categories: aesthetics and wellness, social capacities, and skills and competencies. Improved perception after cosmetic intervention is most reproducibly demonstrated for the following ORO domains: age, attractiveness, sociability, relationship success, and occupational and financial competency. Conclusion The synthesized findings imply a tertiary layer of benefit for cosmetic intervention beyond anatomical and patient-centered outcomes through enhanced perceptions of others. These findings may inform the pre-procedure risk-benefit discussion with patients of cosmetic medicine and drive future research into longitudinal outcomes.
Dynamically Tunable Amplitude and Phase Modulation using Vanadium Dioxide Huygens Metasurfaces

We design and fabricate continuously tunable vanadium dioxide Huygens metasurfaces for optical modulation in an all-in-one device. Simulation results show near π continuous phase modulation and ∼20 dB amplitude modulation at near infrared wavelengths. Experimental verification is in progress.
Child maltreatment and cognitive and academic functioning in two generations.

Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment has been associated with deficits in cognitive functioning and poor academic performance. Not known is whether these characteristics are the direct consequence of the childhood maltreatment (that is, maltreatment plays a causal role) or whether other factors explain the relationship. Objectives To examine whether childhood maltreatment predicts cognitive and academic functioning and whether these relationships are explained by other factors (parent cognitive and academic functioning, family social class, or parent maltreatment). Participants Data are from a longitudinal study of previously maltreated children, matched controls, and a subset of their offspring (697 parent-offspring dyads) interviewed in 2009−2010. Method Cognitive and academic functioning were assessed in both parents and offspring with the same measures. Maltreatment was determined through official records. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to examine predictors of offspring cognitive and academic functioning. Results Childhood maltreatment was associated with poorer cognitive functioning and worse academic performance in both generations. Controlling for age, sex, race, and whether the parent had more than one child in the study, offspring maltreatment predicted offspring cognitive functioning when it was the only predictor in the model. In a final model with all variables, only parent cognitive functioning predicted offspring cognitive functioning and parent academic functioning and parent history of maltreatment predicted offspring academic functioning. Conclusion These results challenge assumptions that childhood maltreatment directly causes deficits in cognitive and academic functioning. Policy makers and practitioners may need to rethink the design of interventions to improve the cognitive and academic functioning of maltreated children.
Characterizing children hospitalized for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors

BACKGROUND Despite alarming increases in suicide deaths among preadolescent children, knowledge of the precipitants of suicide risk and the characteristics of children who seek treatment for suicidality is limited. This study's purpose is to describe children (ages 6-12) hospitalized for suicide-related concerns and compare demographic and diagnostic differences between children and adolescent (ages 13-18) patients. METHODS This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 502 children and adolescents ages 6-18 admitted for suicide-related risk to one psychiatric inpatient hospital in southeastern United States between 2015 and 2018. RESULTS Patients were predominantly White (63.5%), female (64.5%), and non-Hispanic/Latino (85.1%). We conducted descriptive analyses and a series of logistic regressions comparing children and adolescents with data extracted from discharge summaries, (i.e. primary reasons for admission, environmental stressors, and diagnostic categories). Common environmental stressors included school (63.2%) and family (60.7%), and the most common diagnosis included depressive disorders. Compared to adolescents, children were more likely to be Black (OR = 1.99), male (OR = 1.94), and receive neurodevelopmental disorder (aOR = 3.0) or trauma and stress-related disorder (aOR = 2.6) diagnoses, but less likely to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder (aOR = 0.4). Across both age-groups, Black patients were more likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders and less likely to receive internalizing disorder diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Characteristics of children hospitalized for suicide-related risk are relatively similar to characteristics of children dying by suicide. Compared to adolescents, hospitalized children are more likely to be Black, male, and have a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis. Proactively identifying and providing strengths-based supports for Black boys and families appear critical for suicide prevention in children.
A Placebo-Controlled, Pseudo-Randomized, Crossover Trial of Botanical Agents for Gulf War Illness: Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), and Epimedium (Epimedium sagittatum)

This report is third in a three-part clinical trial series screening potential treatments for Gulf War Illness (GWI). The goal of the project was to rapidly identify agents to prioritize for further efficacy research. We used a placebo-controlled, pseudo-randomized, crossover design to test the effects of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), stinging nettle (Uritca dioica), and epimedium (Epimedium sagittatum) in 29 men with GWI. Participants completed 30 days of symptom reports for baseline, then a botanical line consisting of 30 days of placebo, followed by 30 days each of lower-dose and higher-dose botanical. After completing a botanical line, participants were randomized to complete the protocol with another botanical, until they completed three botanical trials. GWI symptom severity, pain, and fatigue were contrasted between the four conditions (baseline, placebo, lower-dose, higher dose) using linear mixed models. GWI symptom severity was unchanged from placebo in the reishi lower-dose condition (p = 0.603), and was higher in the higher-dose condition (p = 0.012). Symptom severity was not decreased from placebo with lower-dose stinging nettle (p = 0.604), but was significantly decreased with higher-dose stinging nettle (p = 0.048). Epimedium showed no significant decreases of GWI symptoms in the lower (p = 0.936) or higher (p = 0.183) dose conditions. Stinging nettle, especially at higher daily dosages, may help reduce the symptoms of GWI. Epimedium does not appear to beneficially affect GWI symptom severity, and reishi may exaggerate symptoms in some GWI sufferers. These results are in a small sample and are preliminary. Further research is required to determine if stinging nettle is indeed helpful for the treatment of GWI, and what dosage is optimal. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02909686).
Radiation testing of a back illuminated, small pixel, CMOS compatible CCD

Next-generation X-ray imaging missions require fast, low-noise detectors that can survive the harsh environment of space without significant loss of performance. As part of a detector development effort toward a mission such as Lynx, we report on the effects of proton exposure on the spectral performance, dark current and charge transfer efficiency of a back illuminated MIT Lincoln Laboratory CCID93. The CCD has 8 micron pixels and can be clocked with 2.5MHz pixel speeds with CMOS compatible voltage swings. The 40 MeV proton dose is chosen to represent typical on orbit exposure. Variations with charge injection, temperature, and clocking speed are explored. These results are compared with those of the front illuminated version of the same device.
Transformativist Measurement Development Methodology: A Mixed Methods Approach to Scale Construction:

Social justice research is popular in education, but social scientists have limited emancipatory methodological procedures, especially in scale construction approaches that empower marginalized com...
Diagnostic approaches to respiratory abnormalities in craniofacial syndromes.

Abstract Craniofacial syndromes are a complex cluster of genetic conditions characterized by embryonic perturbations in the developmental trajectory of the upper airway and related structures. The presence of reduced airway size and maladaptive neuromuscular responses, particularly during sleep, leads to significant alterations in sleep architecture and overall detrimental gas exchange abnormalities that can be life-threatening. The common need for multi-stage therapeutic interventions for these craniofacial problems requires careful titration of anatomy and function, and the latter is currently evaluated by overnight polysomnography in sleep laboratories. The cost, inconvenience, and scarcity of pediatric sleep laboratories preclude the frequent evaluations that could optimize the overall process of treatment and corresponding outcomes. Here, we critically examine reductionist approaches to polysomnography in children to establish the parallel approximation of such techniques to infant with craniofacial disorders. The need for prospective longitudinal multicenter studies with side-by-side comparisons aimed at identifying an optimal diagnostic and long-term monitoring paradigm for these potentially life-threatening conditions is emphasized.
Lemur macaco (Black lemur)

These karyotypes were kindly supplied by Dr. D. H. Wurster-Hill, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. They were prepared from skin cultures of display animals of the San Diego Zoological Park, San Diego, California, USA. As in most lemurs, a number of microchromosomes are present that are difficult to classify. Identification of the X chromosome is unequivocal.
Book Reading and Americans' Political Attentiveness

Polls conducted for the Times Mirror/Pew Research Center between 1994 and 2006 reveal that less than two- fifths of adults reported reading a book for pleasure the day before being interviewed. Young people are less likely than their elders to say they read a book "yesterday," and exposure to higher education does not make much difference. Reading books has salubrious effects on political attentiveness; reading's impact is statistically significant even when other key predictors of how closely people follow news of politics are taken into account.
Bis(5-hy­droxy­isophthalato-κO1)bis­[4-(pyridine-3-carboxamido-κN3)pyridinium]copper(II) tetra­hydrate

In the title compound, [Cu(C11H10N3O)2(C8H4O5)2]·4H2O, the CuII ion, located on a crystallographic inversion center, is coordinated in a square-planar environment by two trans-O atoms belonging to two monodentate 5-hy­droxy­isophthalate (hip) dianions and two trans nicotinamide pyridyl N-donor atoms from monodentate protonated pendant N-(pyridin-4-yl)nicotinamide (4-pnaH) ligands. The protonated 4-pyridyl­amine groups engage in N—H+⋯O− hydrogen-bond donation to unligated hip O atoms to construct supra­molecular chain motifs parallel to [100]. Water mol­ecules of crystallization, situated between the chains, engage in O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding to form supra­molecular layers and the overall three-dimensional network structure.
Verdet constant and magnetic permeability in microstructured FePt nanoparticles in PS-P2VP copolymer composite films

Complex Faraday effect and magnetic permeability measurements on iron-platinum (FePt) nanoparticles embedded in a polystyrene-poly(2-vinyl)pyridine (PS-P2VP) copolymer matrix are reported. Possible applications include high performance biomagnetic field sensors and optical isolators.
Screening for Lead Poisoning in an Urban Pediatric Clinic Using Samples Obtained by Fingerstick

OBJECTIVE: To assess the false positive rate of blood lead (BPb) determinations on samples obtained by fingerstick from children screened in an urban clinic. METHOD: From a single fingerstick (N = 1573), blood was collected in a capillary tube for determining lead concentration (CPb) by graphite furnace and an additional sample was absorbed onto a filter paper for determining lead concentration (FPb) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with Delves cup. Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) was measured immediately and a confirmatory venous lead (VPb) specimen was obtained at the same visit if the ZPP was > or = 35 micrograms/dL (0.6 mumol/L); children with either a CPb or FPb > or = 15 micrograms/dL (0.7 mumol/L) were later recalled for determining VPb. RESULTS: For the 172 children who had a VPb on the same day as the screening tests, the false positive rates (95% confidence intervals) at a lead threshold of 15 micrograms/dL (0.7 mumol/L) were: CPb, 13.5% (6.7-20.3); FPb, 19.1% (11.8-26.4). Analyses using all 679 screens with a paired venous specimen (mean delay between screen and venous testing = 30 days) yielded much higher false positive rates (CPb, 31.3%; FPb, 46.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Screening for lead poisoning is feasible within an urban pediatric clinic by direct measurement of lead concentration in blood samples obtained by fingerstick. The false positive rate that can be obtained is acceptable given the precision of measuring BPb concentration. Practitioners using a staged screening protocol may incorrectly attribute a higher false positive rate to the screening tests, when much of the error may be due to the temporal variability of BPb resulting from both biologic variability in BPb concentration and intermittent exposures.
Monte Carlo dosimetric characterization of the IsoAid ADVANTAGE 103Pd brachytherapy source.

ABSTRACT: For many years, 125I and 103Pd sources have been used in the treatment of various malignant diseases such as prostate cancer. A variety of new sources have been marketed and produced to meet this growing demand for new sources in which to use to treat these diseases. Recently, IsoAID LLC. created the ADVANTAGETM 103Pd source. In order to sell this source, various dosimetric parameters must be determined in order to facilitate treatment planning using this source. These dosimetric characteristics, dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function, were theoretically determined following the AAPM Task Group 43U1 recommendations. Theoretical calculations were performed in liquid water using the PTRAN Monte Carlo code version 7.44. The results indicate that the dose rate constant of the new source in water is 0.709 + 0.014 cGy ? h?1 ? U-1. The radial dose function of the new source was calculated in liquid water at distances up to 10.0 cm. The anisotropy function, F(r,), of the new source was calculated in liquid water at distances ranging from 0.5 cm to 7 cm from the source. From the anisotropy function, the anisotropy factors and anisotropy constant were derived. The anisotropy constant of the ADVANTAGETM 103Pd source in water was theoretically found to be 0.880 + 0.040. The dosimetric characteristics of this new source compared favorably with other commercially available sources and are presented in this manuscript. KEYWORDS: 103Pd, Dosimetry, Monte Carlo, and Brachytherapy
Concept-Based Questionnaire System

In this paper, we go beyond the traditional web search engines that are based on keyword search and the Semantic Web which provides a common framework that allows data to be shared and reused across application,. For this reason, our view is that “Before one can use the power of web search the relevant information has to be mined through the concept-based search mechanism and logical reasoning with capability to Q&A representation rather than simple keyword search”. In this paper, we will focus on development of a framework for reasoning and deduction in the web. A new web search model will be presented. One of the main core ideas that we will use to extend our technique is to change terms-documents-concepts (TDC) matrix into a rule-based and graph-based representation. This will allow us to evolve the traditional search engine (keyword-based search) into a concept-based search and then into Q&A model. Given TDC, we will transform each document into a rule-based model including it’s equivalent graph model. Once the TDC matrix has been transformed into maximally compact concept based on graph representation and rules based on possibilistic relational universal fuzzy–type II (pertaining to composition), one can use Z(n)-compact algorithm and transform the TDC into a decision-tree and hierarchical graph that will represents a Q&A model. Finally, the concept of semantic equivalence and semantic entailment based on possibilistic relational universal fuzzy will be used as a basis for question-answering (Q&A) and inference from fuzzy premises. This will provide a foundation for approximate reasoning, language for representation of imprecise knowledge, a meaning representation language for natural languages, precisiation of fuzzy propositions expressed in a natural language, and as a tool for Precisiated Natural Language (PNL) and precisation of meaning. The maximally compact documents based on Z(n)-compact algorithm and possibilistic relational universal fuzzy–type II will be used to cluster the documents based on concept-based query-based search criteria.
On the discrepancy between Chandra and XMM temperature profiles for A1835

This short technical note addresses a large discrepancy between the temperature profiles for the galaxy cluster A1835 derived by Schmidt et al. (2001) using Chandra and by Majerowicz et al. (2002) using XMM. The causes of this discrepancy may be instructive for the Chandra and XMM cluster analyses in general. The observation used by Schmidt et al. was affected by a mild background flare that could not be identified by the usual technique. This flare biased upwards the measured temperatures at large radii. The remaining discrepancy appears to be due to the XMM PSF scattering that was not taken into account in the published analyses. While the XMM PSF is narrow, the surface brightness of a typical cluster also declines very steeply with radius. For the moderately distant, cooling flow cluster A1835, about 1/3 of the observed XMM brightness at any radius is due to the PSF scattering from the smaller radii. As a result, the contamination from the bright cool cluster center biases low the measured temperatures near the core, and in general, any temperature gradients are underestimated.
SOLITARY TESTICULAR METASTASIS FROM CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

SUMMARY Two unusual cases of testicular metastases from carcinoma of the prostate are reported. In the first patient, the lesion became apparent 10 years after the onset of the disease and was discovered pre-operatively. The metastasis in the second case was found only at autopsy following a relatively short course of the cancerous process and in association with other distant manifestations.
Alignment of game design features and state mathematics standards: Do results reflect intentions?

Abstract This paper describes the results of a randomized control trial of a standards-based mathematics software on elementary school students' (3rd–5th graders; N = 10,860) mathematics achievement. Spatial Temporal Mathematics (ST Math) engages students by presenting them with a series of game-like activities that are directly tied to the California State Standards for mathematics. We report the effects of the program on students' specific mathematics skills, as well as uncover which elements of the design of the games could be responsible for gains in achievement. We pay particular attention to the alignment of design features of the games, the standards to which developers intended to align their games, and assessments of specific mathematics skills. Results indicate a statistically significant effect of the program on students' basic number sense skills as measured by a standardized measure of mathematics achievement (effect size of 0.14). Subsequent coding of the games for elements that are related to number sense, such as the occurrence of number lines and objects that represent numbers, revealed that these design elements occur throughout the software. We discuss these findings as they relate to the development and design of standards-based mathematics curricula as well as how these features relate to their assessment.
Nonlinear controllers for wing morphing trajectories of a heave dynamics model

A multiple component structure consisting of two Euler-Bernoulli beams connected to a rigid mass is used to model the heave dynamics of an aeroelastic wing micro air vehicle that is acted upon by a nonlinear aerodynamic lift force. In this work we consider two different strategies for designing nonlinear controllers that achieve specified wing morphing trajectories, namely (a) linearization followed by linear quadratic tracking and (b) a feedback linearization inner loop with sliding mode outer loop. We seek to analyze the relative performance of the two controllers as we note the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Regulation of sFlt-1 and VEGF secretion by adenosine under hypoxic conditions in rat placental villous explants

The role of adenosine in the regulation of cardiovascular function has long been acknowledged, but only recently has its importance in angiogenesis been appreciated, most notably, through its direct regulation of the proangiogenic growth factor, VEGF. Recent work has established that proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, specifically VEGF and and the soluble VEGF receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), are directly influenced by hypoxia in placental ischemia. While adenosine has been reported to be an important regulator of VEGF in vascular tissue, the importance of adenosine in regulating VEGF and sFlt-1 in placental tissue is unclear. Here, we have investigated the role of adenosine in the secretion of VEGF and the antiangiogenic protein sFlt-1 in placental villous explants. Under normoxic conditions (6% oxygen), the nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-sulphophenyltheophylline (8-SPT) had no effect on either VEGF (P = 0.38) or sFlt-1 (P = 0.56) secretion. However, under hypoxic conditions (1% oxygen), 8-SPT attenuated the increase in the secretion of both VEGF and sFlt-1 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively). Exogenous and the adenosine transporter inhibitor dipyridamole (which increases extracellular levels of adenosine) showed differential effects under normoxic conditions: sFlt-1 levels in media increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas VEGF was unaffected (P = 0.67 and P = 0.19, respectively). These data indicate that extracellular adenosine can regulate VEGF and sFlt-1 secretion in the hypoxic placenta and could, therefore, control the balance of these competing angiogenic factors in diseases characterized by placental ischemia.
We Do Not Dream of the 3 R's: Implications for the Nature of Dreaming Mentation

This report examines the extent to which dream recall involves the “3 R's” (reading, writing, and arithmetic). Two separate studies were done. In the first study, two scorers rated, on a blind basis, a total of 456 written dream reports, available from five previous studies. There was perfect agreement between the two scorers. They agreed that there were no instances of reading, no instances of writing, and one instance of probable calculating in the 456 dreams. The second study was a questionnaire survey. Complete responses were obtained from 240 frequent dreamers (who reported remembering a mean of seven dreams per week). The study examined in two ways the frequency of the 3 R's in their recalled dreams. First, in answer to direct questions as to how frequently they dreamt about each activity, roughly 90% of the respondents reported that they “never” or “hardly ever” dreamt about each of four activities: reading, writing, typing, and calculating. In answers to other questions, this group reported spending a mean of six hours per day engaged in these activities. Second, responses as to the relative prominence of six activities (walking, writing, talking with friends, reading, sexual activity, typing) in dreaming versus waking produced two clear groupings of activities. “Walking,” “talking with friends,” and “sexual activity” were each rated almost as prominent in dreaming as in waking whereas the second group consisting of “writing,” “reading,” and “typing” were rated as far more prominent in waking than in dreaming. The two activity groups differed at p < .0001. Thus, the 3 R's appear to occur very infrequently in dreams. These findings are placed in a theoretical frame which suggests that dreaming (compared to waking) deals very little with serial activities characterized by “input—rapid-processing—output” in which the neural nets function in a feed-forward mode. Rather, dreaming may be characterized by relatively broad or loose connection making in which the nets function more in an autoassociative mode.
Timescale effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol on behavioral consistency in male threespine stickleback

While the effects of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on male-typical behaviors are well studied, much less is known about the timing of these effects or the context in which these effects occur as most studies assay behavior at a single time point or in a single context. Additionally, exposure may affect behavior at levels beyond overall responsiveness, such as by altering behavioral consistency over time. Male threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) experienced three different contexts (single female, single male, paired female-male) over the course of 8 days, with an experimental group of males receiving EE2 after the first day. Exposure to EE2 disrupted responsiveness, behavioral consistency, and behavioral variation in all three social contexts. The timescale over which alterations in behavior occurred differed based on whether the conspecific was presented singly or paired with an opposite sex conspecific, stressing the importance of examining the effects of contaminants in multiple contexts.
Fluorescent Lifetime Trajectories of a Single Fluorophore Reveal Reaction Intermediates During Transcription Initiation

Single molecule (SM) techniques are relatively new additions to the field of biophysics that allow one to manipulate individual molecules and study their behavior. To make these studies more relevant to what actually happens in the cell, one needs to move beyond the studies of individual molecules in isolation and study many different molecules working in concert. This presents a technical challenge as most SM experiments measure only one observable as a function of time, whereas complex biomolecular systems require multidimensional SM analysis. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is one of the most common single molecule approaches and can report on the real time distance changes. However, FRET requires two fluorophores which will ultimately limit the degree of multiplexing in future SM applications. It will be useful if a single fluorophore can be used to provide equivalent information. In this communication, we show that fluorescence lifetime analysis of a single Cy3 fluorophore attached to the pr...
What Do Russian Managers Really Do? An Observational Study with Comparisons to U.S. Managers

Recent events have generated considerable interest, but little empirical evidence, in Russian management. This observation study of a sample of managers (N=66) in a large textile factory in Russia used the same definitions, methodology and procedures as a stream of research conducted by Luthans and his colleagues on U.S. "Real Managers" (see Luthans, Hodgetts and Rosenkrantz [1988]). Similar to American managers, the Russian managers in this factory were observed, in order, to perform traditional management, communication, human resources and networking activities. Also similar to the managers studied in the U.S., the Russian managers' networking activity generally related to their success. The relationship between the Russian managers' various activities and their effectiveness was less clear, but, like the American managers, the communication activity was a significant predictor across analysis techniques. The implications these findings have for Russia's transition to a market economy are discussed.
C/EBP and C-Myb sites are important for the functional activity of the human myeloperoxidase upstream enhancer

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme active against bacterial and fungal infections, is expressed specifically in myeloblasts and promyelocytes and minimal in other cell types. We recently identified and partially characterized an upstream enhancer located between -4100 and -3844 bp of the MPO gene. We showed that an AML1 site contributes to enhancer activity and specificity. We now demonstrate three additional footprints within the MPO enhancer and provide evidence that C/EBP and c-Myb sites contribute to its functional, tissue-specific activity. This distal enhancer appears to play an important role in the control of MPO transcription during differentiation of myeloid cells.
Who is the mother of the potato? - restriction endonuclease analysis of chloroplast DNA of cultivated potatoes.

Chloroplast DNA from 44 lines of 16 wild and 7 cultivatedSolanum species were compared by restriction endonuclease analysis. Seven chloroplast genome types were identified among them by 5 restriction enzymes: Type A (S. tuberosum ssp.andigena andS. maglia); Type S (S. goniocalyx, S. phureja, S. stenotomum, S. ×chaucha and a line of ssp.andigena); Type C (S. acaule, S. bukasovii, S. canasense, S. multidissectum andS. ×juzepczukii); Type T (S. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum); Type W (other wild species); Type W′ (S. chacoense f.gibberulosum) and Type W″ (S. tarijense). From this cytoplasmic identification, it was concluded thatS. goniocalyx, S. phureja, S. ×chaucha and ssp.andigena were derived fromS. stenotomum or its primitive type, which may have originally evolved itself fromS. canasense. The chloroplast genome of the European potato, however, was introduced from the Chilean potato, which might have been primarily constructed with the nuclear genome from ssp.andigena and with cytoplasm from other species. The cytoplasmic donor of the Chilean potato could not be determined.
Parlamentarismo x presidencialismo no mundo moderno: revisão de um debate atual

presente trabalho trata de quatro temas centrais:— relacoes civico-militares;— a queda da democracia;— a dimensao institucional na politica;— e a problematica da consolidacao democratica.Vou continuar tratando desses quatro temas, mas o foco especifico deminha pesquisa atual e uma analise comparativa entre opresidencialismo e o parlamentarismo.Nesta sala, ha gente que tem interesse neste tema e, no mundo, meuscolegas academicos — como o professor espanhol Juan Linz, oprofessor alemao Dieter Nohlen, o professor brasileiro BolivarLamounier, o professor chileno-americano Arturo Valenzuela e quasevinte outros — tambem estao trabalhando nele.No mundo politico ha igualmente muito interesse. Por exemplo, noChile, a consideracao do parlamentarismo e um ponto importante doprograma do PPD de Ricardo Lagos.Eu ainda tenho oito meses de meu sabatico para fazer pesquisas para olivro em tempo integral. Portanto, para mim e uma honra e umaoportunidade valiosa passar essa tarde com voces no Instituto deEstudos Avancados, para explorar o meu proximo livro em sua formapreliminar.Por enquanto, na minha cabeca, o livro tera seis capitulos e umapendice, mas, obviamente, se eu for um pesquisador serio, esseesquema ainda vai mudar. Comecei, entretanto, com o seguinte planode pesquisa.
A Method of Measuring the Dynamic Characteristics of Muscle Rigidity, Strength, and Tremor in the Upper Extremity

A new method of quantitating muscle rigidity in terms of energy consumption per cycle of passive motion has been presented. The chief advantage of this method is its relative freedom from exact positioning of the patient with respect to the testing machine and its greater sensitivity as compared to torque measurements. Additional uses for the instrument include the measurement of tremor and strength.
State Feedback Assisted Classical Control: An Incremental Approach to Control Modernization of Existing and Future Nuclear Reactors and Power Plants

A new control concept, state feedback assisted classical control, is described. The concept incorporates a classical output feedback control system as an easily understood inner control loop and ca...
Diversity in the veterinary profession.

SIR, — I read with concern about the attempts to artificially encourage applicants from ‘under-represented’ sections of our society. Why? If someone wants to be a veterinary surgeon then they will apply. We should then judge them on their individual merits alone and not their socioeconomic or
The photoacoustic effect generated by laser irradiation of an isotropic solid cylinder

Abstract The properties of the photoacoustic effect generated by laser irradiation of an optically thin, isotropic solid cylinder surrounded by a transparent fluid are discussed. Solutions to the wave equation for the displacement potential in the solid and the surrounding fluid are found, which, together with the conservation equations for acoustic waves at the solid-fluid interface, give the frequency domain pressure. The response of the solid cylinder to a delta function heating pulse is obtained by Fourier transformation of the frequency domain expression. The photoacoustic waveform generated by a short radiation pulse is shown to depend on the radius of the cylinder, the density and longitudinal sound speed of the cylinder relative to those in the surrounding fluid, and the transverse-to-longitudinal sound speed ratio for the solid. Experiments with solid rods irradiated by a Q-switched laser are reported.
A family of neighborly polytopes

Ad-polytopeP is said to be neighborly provided each [d/2] vertices determine a face ofP. We construct a family ofd-polytopes that are dual to neighborly polytopes by means of facet splitting. We use this family to find a lower bound on the number of combinatorial types of neighborly polytopes. We also show that all members of this family satisfy the famous Hirsch conjecture.
Coronal Heating: Energy Release Associated with Chromospheric Magnetic Reconnection

We examine a one-dimensional circularly symmetric supergranulation reconnection model with typical quiet-Sun values. In this model, the assumed source rate of elements determines heating, because all emerged elements eventually annihilate; the assumed collision cross section determines mean field—the more efficient the interaction, the fewer elements exist at any time; and the effective element diffusivity determines the ratio of field strengths in the network and cell interior. Power-law indices for the variation of the heating flux with the mean magnetic field were computed in order to allow comparisons to observations. The indices are found to be in the range 1.9-2.0, and the only parameter that was found to have much effect on them was the effective element diffusivity, where the index declines roughly logarithmically with decreasing diffusivity. Even this effect is fairly shallow, however; a tenfold reduction in diffusivity only lowers the power-law index from 1.9 to 1.7.
Coincident occurrence of small-bowel atresia and duplication

A case of ileal atresia associated with duplication is reported. A review of the literature revealed similar previously reported cases. As an accidental coincidence of both intestinal malformations appears to be unlikely, pathogenetic theories explaining both are discussed. Duplication is considered to be the basic abnormality, probably due to defective development of the notochord. Atresia, however, may be the result of a “vascular accident” caused by the latter.
Restrictions of an invertible chaotic operator to its invariant subspaces

Abstract Let M be a closed subspace of a separable, infinite dimensional Hilbert space H with dim ( H / M ) = ∞ . We show that a bounded linear operator A : M → M has an invertible chaotic extension T : H → H if and only if A is bounded below. Motivated by our result, we further show that A : M → M has a chaotic Fredholm extension T : H → H if and only if A is left semi-Fredholm.
Preferential involvement of larger vessels in a rat model of diabetes-induced graft vasculopathy.

Using previously described models of diabetes-induced transplant coronary artery atherosclerosis (TxCAD), we quantitatively assessed TxCAD using computer-assisted morphometric measurements. More than 95% of the evaluated vessels were intramyocardial vessels. The first and last tertile of the vessel size distribution were evaluated for the presence of TxCAD. Severe TxCAD, defined as a luminal occlusion ≥75%, was more prevalent in the larger vessels. We observed a differential involvement based on vessel size in diabetes-induced TxCAD.
Calcium EXAFS establishes the Mn-Ca cluster in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II.

The proximity of Ca to the Mn cluster of the photosynthetic water-oxidation complex is demonstrated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We have collected EXAFS data at the Ca K-edge using active PS II membrane samples that contain approximately 2 Ca per 4 Mn. These samples are much less perturbed than previously investigated Sr-substituted samples, which were prepared subsequent to Ca depletion. The new Ca EXAFS clearly shows backscattering from Mn at 3.4 angstroms, a distance that agrees with that surmised from previously recorded Mn EXAFS. This result is also consistent with earlier related experiments at the Sr K-edge, using samples that contained functional Sr, that show Mn is {approx}; 3.5 angstroms distant from Sr. The totality of the evidence clearly advances the notion that the catalytic center of oxygen evolution is a Mn-Ca heteronuclear cluster.