cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controller design for flexible systems with friction: linear programming approach

The design of a controller for a flexible system under the influence of friction is presented. A linear programming technique for finding an optimal control of linear flexible systems is extended to fractional systems. A floating oscillator is used in the development, where friction and control input forces are acting on the first mass. The result of the linear programming is a control profile for rest-to-rest maneuvers where the static and Coulomb friction is included in the system model. The positive pulse controller is also developed based on the available friction force. These controllers can be applied to precision positioning systems and servo applications where the friction and flexibility are significant.
Nanobiopolymer for Direct Targeting and Inhibition of EGFR Expression in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Treatment options for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are generally limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Recently, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy has been introduced for TNBC patients. We engineered a novel nanobioconjugate based on a poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) nanoplatform for TNBC treatment. The nanobioconjugate carries anti-tumor nucleosome-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C5 to target breast cancer cells, anti-mouse transferrin receptor (TfR) antibody for drug delivery through the host endothelial system, and Morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (AON) to inhibit EGFR synthesis. The nanobioconjugates variants were: (1) P (BioPolymer) with AON, 2C5 and anti-TfR for tumor endothelial and cancer cell targeting, and EGFR suppression (P/AON/2C5/TfR), and (2) P with AON and 2C5 (P/AON/2C5). Controls included (3) P with 2C5 but without AON (P/2C5), (4) PBS, and (5) P with PEG and leucine ester (LOEt) for endosomal escape (P/mPEG/LOEt). Drugs were injected intravenously to MDA-MB-468 TNBC bearing mice. Tissue accumulation of injected nanobioconjugates labeled with Alexa Fluor 680 was examined by Xenogen IVIS 200 (live imaging) and confocal microscopy of tissue sections. Levels of EGFR, phosphorylated and total Akt in tumor samples were detected by western blotting. In vitro western blot showed that the leading nanobioconjugate P/AON/2C5/TfR inhibited EGFR synthesis significantly better than naked AON. In vivo imaging revealed that 2C5 increased drug-tumor accumulation. Significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in mice treated with the lead nanobioconjugate (1) [P = 0.03 vs. controls; P<0.05 vs. nanobioconjugate variant (2)]. Lead nanobioconjugate (1) also showed stronger inhibition of EGFR expression and Akt phosphorylation than other treatments. Treatment of TNBC with the new nanobioconjugate results in tumor growth arrest by inhibiting EGFR and its downstream signaling intermediate, phosphorylated Akt. The nanobioconjugate represents a new generation of nanodrugs for treatment of TNBC.
T-cell mRNA expression in response to Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination and Mycobacterium bovis infection of white-tailed deer.

Understanding immune responses of white-tailed deer (WTD) to infection with Mycobacterium bovis provides insight into mechanisms of pathogen control and may provide clues to development of effective vaccine strategies. WTD were vaccinated with either M. bovis BCG strain Pasteur or BCG strain Danish. Both vaccinees and unvaccinated controls were subsequently inoculated with virulent M. bovis via the intratonsillar route. Real-time PCR was used to assess T-cell mRNA expression in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from animals following vaccination and infection. Recall T-cell responses were measured by assessing the relative expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), T-cell-specific T-box transcription factor (Tbet), interleukin 12p40 (IL-12p40), IL-12p35, IL-23p19, FoxP3, IL-17, and GATA3 in PBL stimulated in vitro with purified protein derivative (PPD) of M. bovis or a recombinant fusion protein, ESAT6-CFP10. Animals vaccinated with BCG Danish expressed more IFN-γ and Tbet than either BCG Pasteur-vaccinated animals or unvaccinated controls. BCG Pasteur-vaccinated animals expressed more GATA3 than either group. After infection, unvaccinated controls expressed more Tbet and IL-12p40 than vaccinated animals. BCG Pasteur-vaccinated animals expressed more GATA3 than either the unvaccinated controls or the BCG Danish-vaccinated animals after infection. Animals were divided into pathology groups to correlate gene expression with severity of pathology. Animals in the visible lesion group expressed more Tbet and IFN-γ than animals that were culture negative, while Tbet and IFN-γ expression in the culture-positive, no-visible-lesion group was intermediate. GATA3 expression inversely correlated with pathology. Overall, expression of immune response genes correlated more closely with pathology than vaccination treatment.
Engineering work station for rapid proto-typing of real time display systems

The Displays Engineering Work Station (DEWS), a real-time, flexible, low-cost system used to support electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) development and demonstration activities, is described. Eight different DEWS systems have been developed from the original concept. Each is specifically tailored to meet a unique development, verification, or demonstration requirement. DEWS has been used to supply real-time simulated test data to avionic line replaceable units by ways of ARINC 429, ARINC 629, discrete, analog, and syncro inputs. It has been used to capture real-time test data from laboratory aircraft simulators by way of ARINC 429 data buses. It has been used to drive liquid crystal displays in a proto-typing and demonstration environment. EFIS application software development and debugging have also been supported using this platform, as well as simulation of graphic rendering hardware. DEWS is based on the PC 386 system with the VRTX real-time kernel. >
Retiming gated-clocks and precharged circuit structures

This paper presents methods for retiming VLSI systems that contain precharged circuit structures and/or "gated" clock signals. Due to the tangible speed, power, and area benefits of circuit structures that utilize precharging techniques and/or gated clock signals, both are common in "high-performance" VLSI designs. Previous methods for performing retiming (i.e., optimizing the placement of latches) have not, however, addressed the pecularities of such circuit structures, and consequently, have not been applicable to many non-ASIC VLSI systems. The presented methods immediately lead to an algorithm which runs, to within a constant factor, in the same amount of time as previous retiming algorithms, yet is capable of handling precharged structures and gated clock signals. Using the algorithm, it is possible to apply retiming techniques to "full custom" VLSI designs. Though the paper focuses on the problem of retiming, the methods described are also applicable to the problem of timing verification. All results are based upon a general set of "timing" constraints which is directly applicable to circuits that contain precharged structures and gated clocks.
Simulation of electrospun nanofibre deposition on stationary and moving substrates

Electrospinning produces continuous fibres with diameters from single nanometres to microns by jetting polymer solutions in high electric fields. Electrospun non-woven filamentary materials attract rapidly growing interest for broad range of applications. Properties of these materials depend on their nano- and microstructure that is determined in turn by the electric field and nanofibre collector. Despite critical importance, deposition of electrospun fibres on substrates has not yet been extensively studied theoretically and new methods of nanofibre collection continue to be developed mostly empirically. The objective of this Letter was to develop and demonstrate numerical simulation of electrospun nanofibre deposition on moving collectors. A dynamic model of nanofibre deposition onto a fast rotating drum was developed and used to simulate partial nanofibre alignment on this collector. The results were compared with the filamentary deposits in two classical stationary collection methods. Good agreement with experimental observations demonstrated predictive ability of simulations. The developed models can be used for the analysis of mechanisms of fibre deposition and alignment on substrates in various electric fields. Better understanding of dynamic nanofibre interaction with the electric field and collectors can lead to improved collector devices enabling one-step integrated nanomanufacturing of the designer nanofilamentary assemblies and architectures.
Differential Performance of Tropical Soda Apple and Its Biological Control Agent Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Open and Shaded Habitats

The leaf feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth has been released since 2003 in the southeastern United States for biological control of tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum Dunal. In Florida, G. boliviana can be found on tropical soda apple growing in open pastures as well as in shady wooded areas. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of light intensity on the performance of tropical soda apple and G. boliviana under greenhouse conditions, and to determine the abundance and mortality of G. boliviana in open and shaded habitats. Leaves growing in the shade were less tough, had higher water and nitrogen content, lower soluble sugars, and less dense and smaller glandular trichomes compared with leaves growing in the open. Plants grew slightly taller and wider under shaded conditions but total biomass was significantly reduced compared with plants grown in the open. In the greenhouse, G. boliviana had higher immature survival, greater folivory, larger adult size, and higher fecundity when reared on shaded plants compared with open plants. Sampling of field populations revealed that the overall abundance of G. boliviana was lower but leaf feeding damage was higher in shaded habitats compared with the open habitats. The percentage of eggs surviving to adult was greater in shaded compared with open habitats. The abundance of predators was higher in the open pasture and was positively correlated with the abundance of G. boliviana. These results indicate that not only plant quality but also habitat structure are important to the performance of weed biological control agents.
Landscape-Level Assessment of Brood Rearing Habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse in Nevada

Abstract Loss of quality brood rearing habitat, resulting in reduced chick growth and poor recruitment, is one mechanism associated with decline of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations. Low chick survival rates are typically attributed to poor-quality brood rearing habitat. Models that delineate suitability of sage-grouse nesting or brood rearing habitat at the landscape scale can provide key insights into the relationship between sage-grouse and the environment, allowing managers to identify and prioritize habitats for protection or restoration. We used Southwest Regional Gap landcover types to identify early and late greater sage-grouse brood rearing in east-central Nevada. We conducted an Ecological Niche Factor Analysis to 1) examine the effect these landcover types and other ecogeographical variables have on sage-grouse selection of brood rearing habitat, and 2) generate landscape-scale suitability maps. We also evaluated if incorporating a fitness component (brood survival) in...
Genome-wide maps of polyadenylation reveal dynamic mRNA 3'-end formation in mammalian cell lineages.

Post-transcriptional regulation, often mediated by miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins at the 3 ′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, is implicated in important roles in the output of transcriptome. To decipher this layer of gene regulation, it is essential to measure global mRNA expression quantitatively in a 3 ′ -UTR-specific manner. Here we establish an experimental and bioinformatics pipeline that simultaneously determines 3 ′ -end formation by leveraging local nucleotide composition and quantitatively measures mRNA expression by sequencing polyadenylated transcripts. When applied to purified mouse embryonic skin stem cells and their daughter lineages, we identify 18,060 3 ′ UTRs representing 12,739 distinct mRNAs that are abundantly expressed in the skin. We determine that ∼78% of UTRs are formed by using canonical A[A/U]UAAA polyadenylation signals, whereas ∼22% of UTRs use alternative signals. By comparing to relative and absolute mRNA abundance determined by qPCR, our RNA-seq approach can precisely measure mRNA fold-change and accurately determine the expression of mRNAs over four orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, only 829 out of 12,739 genes show differential 3 ′ -end usage between embryonic skin stem cells and their immediate daughter cells, whereas the numbers increase to 933 genes when comparing embryonic skin stem cells with the more remotely related hair follicle cells. This suggests an evolving diversity instead of switch-like dynamics in 3 ′ -end formation during development. Finally, core components of the miRNA pathway including Dicer, Dgcr8, Xpo5, and Argonautes show dynamic 3 ′ -UTR formation patterns, indicating a self-regulatory mechanism. Together, our quantitative analysis reveals a dynamic picture of mRNA 3 ′ -end formation in tissue stem cell
Regulation of cathepsin D gene expression in HL-60 cells by retinoic acid and calcitriol

Cathepsin D (ctsd) is a lysosomal acid protease found in neutrophils and monocytes. We investigated whether differentiating agents increase the expression of ctsd mRNA in HL-60 cells. Treatment with either retinoic acid or calcitriol enhances the steady-state levels of ctsd mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulation by retinoic acid requires new protein synthesis. Pretreatment with retinoic acid enhances the response of the ctsd gene to prostaglandin E2. To determine whether the effects of retinoic acid and calcitriol are associated with differentiation, we pretreated Hl-60 cells for 120 h with inducers of granulocytic differentiation (lithium chloride, DMSO, and retinoic acid) and monocytic differentiation (calcitriol, sodium butyrate, and phorbol ester). Lithium chloride and DMSO do not significantly affect ctsd mRNA expression, and none of the granulocytic inducers alters the subsequent response of the ctsd gene to calcitriol. All of the monocytic inducers stimulate ctsd mRNA, and both calcitriol and sodium butyrate significantly potentiate the subsequent response to retinoic acid. Transcription initiation of the ctsd gene occurs at one major and several minor sites and is unaffected by treatment with retinoic acid and calcitriol or pretreatment with other differentiating agents. Although differentiation appears to influence ctsd mRNA expression, calcitriol and retinoic acid stimulate ctsd gene expression via mechanisms that are independent of their role in differentiation.
Hydrogel-Based Integrated Antenna-pH Sensor

In this paper, a miniaturized integrated antenna-sensor based on a pH-sensitive hydrogel is designed, fabricated and characterized. The proposed sensor geometry is based on a 5-mm-long slot antenna whose frequency is controlled by a back-metal coated on the pH-sensitive hydrogel that is patterned on a glass substrate. When the antenna is immersed in a solution whose pH changes from 5 to 12 it shows a variation of its resonant frequency by approximately 160 MHz around a center frequency of 21.7 GHz. Except for an abnormal behavior around the pH=l state caused by the back-metal-hydrogel bond, the pH-antenna frequency mapping exhibits a well-defined monotonic region from pH=5 to 12 thus covering many practical solutions.
Commensalistic Interaction Between Lactobacillus acidophilus and Propionibacterium shermanii.

Propionibacterium shermanii and Lactobacillus acidophilus were grown in batch mixed culture in a 5-liter fermenter under controlled conditions of pH 5.8 and 35°C on a semisynthetic medium with glucose as an energy source. Cellular efficiencies and fermentation balances were developed for this pair and compared with P. shermanii grown in pure culture on glucose, lactate, and a mixture of these substrates and with L. acidophilus grown on glucose. P. shermanii had ATP yield coefficient values of 17 for each substrate alone but had an average value of 30 for substrate mixtures. Growth rates were similar for P. shermanii on glucose or lactate but higher cell yields were observed for glucose. P. shermanii used both lactate and glucose in mixed substrate until lactate was exhausted, and growth rates slowed thereafter. L. acidophilus had a similar ATP yield coefficient of 15 but produced lower cell yields than did P. shermanii on glucose. Mixed culture of both microorganisms on glucose resulted in much faster and nearly equal growth rates for both and no lactate accumulation in the medium. Acetic acid production rates per generation were lower in mixed culture, suggesting use by the growing culture. The cause of the synergistic effect was not determined but may be due to the rapid production and removal of lactate or CO2 enhancement in mixed culture.
Positive selection drives a correlation between non-synonymous/synonymous divergence and functional divergence

Motivation: Functional divergence among proteins is often assumed to be strongly influenced by natural selection, as inferred from the ratio of non-synonymous nucleotide divergence (dN) to synonymous nucleotide divergence (dS). That is, the more a mutation changes protein function, the more likely it is to be either selected against or selectively favored, and because the dN/dS ratio is a measure of natural selection, this ratio can be used to predict the degree of functional divergence (dF). However, these hypotheses have rarely been experimentally tested. Results: I present a novel method to address this issue, and demonstrate that divergence in bacteria-killing activity among animal antimicrobial peptides is positively correlated with the log of the dN/dS ratio. The primary cause of this pattern appears to be that positively selected substitutions change protein function more than neutral substitutions do. Thus, the dN/dS ratio is an accurate estimator of adaptive functional divergence. Contact: tennessj@science.oregonstate.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data, including GenBank Accession numbers, are available at Bioinformatics online.
Nuclear DNA content and genome size of American ginseng

Flow cytometry analysis of propidium iodide (PI) stained nuclei isolated from leaf tissues was used to estimate the genome size of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) and evaluate inhibitory effects of its secondary compounds on PI intercalation. American ginseng nuclear DNA content was estimated to be 10.05 ± 0.04 pg/2C, and therefore its haploid (1C) genome size is 4914 Mbp. There was no significant inhibition of PI fluorescence of reference standard nuclei co-processed with American ginseng. This indicates that secondary compounds of American ginseng do not interfere with PI intercalation. By comparison, the genome size of American ginseng is 31.30 and 10.03 times bigger than that of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, respectively, and is 1.58 times bigger than that of its sister species Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Asian ginseng). Thelarge genome size of American ginseng will have valuable implications on its sequencing,structural and functional genomics research. Key words: Panax quinquefolius, flow cytometry, ginsenosides, propidium iodide.
Plant Nucleotide Sugar Formation, Interconversion, and Salvage by Sugar Recycling

Nucleotide sugars are the universal sugar donors for the formation of polysaccharides, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycolipids, and glycosylated secondary metabolites. At least 100 genes encode proteins involved in the formation of nucleotide sugars. These nucleotide sugars are formed using the carbohydrate derived from photosynthesis, the sugar generated by hydrolyzing translocated sucrose, the sugars released from storage carbohydrates, the salvage of sugars from glycoproteins and glycolipids, the recycling of sugars released during primary and secondary cell wall restructuring, and the sugar generated during plant-microbe interactions. Here we emphasize the importance of the salvage of sugars released from glycans for the formation of nucleotide sugars. We also outline how recent studies combining biochemical, genetic, molecular and cellular approaches have led to an increased appreciation of the role nucleotide sugars in all aspects of plant growth and development. Nevertheless, our understanding of these pathways at the single cell level is far from complete.
“That’s So Gay”: Heterosexual Male Undergraduates and the Perpetuation of Sexual Orientation Microagressions on Campus

“That’s so gay,” a popular expression on campuses, is a sexual orientation microaggression that can contribute to a hostile environment for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students. Using data from a campus climate survey conducted at a large urban university, we investigated use of the phrase among heterosexual male undergraduates who are emerging adults (18–25 years). Multiple regression analysis suggested that saying the phrase is positively associated with hearing peers say it and with holding negative perceptions of feminine men, whereas having LGB acquaintances was negatively associated with use of this expression. We offer practice and policy recommendations for curbing its use, thereby enhancing campus climate.
Benzyladenine Improves Summer Quality of Hosta

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of benzyladenine (BA) on improving summer quality of hosta in container production and in the landscape. For container production, stock plants of Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’, H. sieboldiana ‘Elegans’, H. ‘Francee’, H. sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’, H. plantaginea, and H. ‘Tokudama’ were divided and potted. When they showed signs of summer dormancy or foliar decline, half the plants of each cultivar/species received a single foliar spray application of 3000 ppm BA. In the landscape, half the established field-planted hosta with 27–4 initial offsets (‘Francee’) or 0–3 initial offsets (‘Frances Williams’) received a single foliar spray application of 3000 ppm BA when plants began to show signs of summer dormancy. BA stimulated the outgrowth of axillary and rhizomic buds in all cultivars/species in both parts of the study. Offsets formed more leaves on plants treated with BA compared to the untreated hosta. Offset leaf number was dependent on cultivar in...
Strategic Global Mass Customization: Supporting Generic And Global Strategies

Production processes have moved beyond mass production to more customized approaches. Global mass customization moves beyond Woodward’s models of production to create business models that allow customers to get what they want, although not quite when they want it. This paper explores Woodward’s approaches to production processes, extends mass production to include global mass customization and discusses the process as it supports generic and global strategies.
Antineutrino analysis for continuous monitoring of nuclear reactors: Sensitivity study

This paper explores the various contributors to uncertainty on predictions of the antineutrino source term which is used for reactor antineutrino experiments and is proposed as a safeguard mechanism for future reactor installations. The errors introduced during simulation of the reactor burnup cycle from variation in nuclear reaction cross sections, operating power, and other factors are combined with those from experimental and predicted antineutrino yields, resulting from fissions, evaluated, and compared. The most significant contributor to uncertainty on the reactor antineutrino source term when the reactor was modeled in 3D fidelity with assembly-level heterogeneity was found to be the uncertainty on the antineutrino yields. Using the reactor simulation uncertainty data, the dedicated observation of a rigorously modeled small, fast reactor by a few-ton near-field detector was estimated to offer reduction of uncertainty on antineutrino yields in the 3.0–6.5 MeV range to a few percent for the primary power-producing fuel isotopes, even with zero prior knowledge of the yields.
DESCRIPTION OF OGMA PANAMENSIS N. SP. AND NEW REPORTS OF KNOWN CRICONEMATIDAE SPECIES IN USA

Ogma panamensis n. sp. is reported as a new species. This species is characterized by submedian lobes and two annuli at the lip region. The first lip annulus is smooth and distinctly wider than the second annulus, which has a fringe of short scales. Body annuli bear a continuous fringe of long and digitate scales with smooth ends. The tail is elongated sharply conoid with a pointed terminus and two to four digitate scales in last slender and longer annuli. Known species of Criconematidae identified in this study were: Ogma fimbriatum, O. hungaricum, O. serratum, Hemicycliophora californica, H. micoletzkyi, H. nucleata, H. sheri, Hemicriconemoides californianus, Gracilacus acicula, and Paratylenchus vandenbrandei. These species were identified from the permanent nematode slide collection of R. T. Robbins and were submitted to the USDA Nematode Collection in Beltsville, Maryland, USA and other institutions, as taxonomic references.
Interactions of Nonaqueous Solvents with Textile Fibers Part VII: Dyeability of Polyester Yarns after Heat and Solvent-Induced Structural Modifications

Pretreatment of polyester yarns with a strongly interacting solvent (dimethylformamide) leads to modifications of the fiber structure which permit rapid diffusion of even “high-energy” disperse dye...
Effects of magnetic fields on yield and growth in strawberry ‘Camarosa’

SummaryThis study was carried out in a heated greenhouse on the short-day strawberry ‘Camarosa’ as experimental material. Strawberry plants were treated with magnetic flux density fields (MF) of control (natural), 0.096, 0.192 and 0.384 Tesla (T). Fruit yield per plant and average fruit weight were greater at low MF strengths than the control and the high MF strength. Increasing MF strength from control to 0.096 T increased fruit yield per plant (208 and 246.g, respectively), but MF strengths higher than 0.096 T reduced fruit yield. All the MF strengths increased average fruit weight compared with the control, although the largest fruit (8.92.g) were determined at 0.096 T. On the other hand, MF had positive effect in terms of number of leaves, fresh and dry root weight but crown per plant and leaf area was not significantly affected by MF. In addition, high MF strength had a negative effect on plant growth.
Synthesis of Zn:Cu2O Thin Films Using a Single Step Electrodeposition for Photovoltaic Applications

Zinc-doped cuprous oxide (Zn:Cu2O) thin films have been prepared via single step electrodeposition from an aqueous solution containing sodium perchlorate. The Zn/Cu molar ratio in the Zn:Cu2O films can be tuned between 0.006 and 0.236 by adjusting the magnitude of the applied potential and the sodium perchlorate concentration. Electrical characterization reveals that zinc dopants increase the Fermi level in Zn:Cu2O films, enabling a 3-fold improvement in the power conversion efficiency of a fully electrodeposited Cu2O homojunction photovoltaic device.
Delay of Quantum Correlations with an Atomic System

We use a four-wave mixing process in an atomic system to delay quantum correlations in twin beams. We have obtained a delay of 13 ns without a significant degradation of the intensity-difference squeezing.
Further notes on Oriental Tabanidae (Diptera) V. New species of Tabanus from Southeast Asia.

Described as new from Southeast Asia are the following female Tabanus : from Viet Nam, T. perileucus, T. albocreus and T. maurus ; from Thailand, T. admelanopygus and T. cnecus ; and from Mindanao, Philippine Is., T. caligneus .
Enhanced expression of the complement regulatory protein, membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (CD59), is regulated at the level of transcription

The membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (MIRL) is an 18-Kd glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchored membrane glycoprotein that inhibits the cytolytic activity of complement. MIRL is expressed by all hematopoietic elements and by a wide variety of nonhematopoietic tissues. A deficiency of MIRL is primarily responsible for the greater sensitivity of the erythrocytes of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria to complement mediated lysis. Because of its critical role in protecting host cells from injury by complement, we hypothesized that mechanisms exist that allow MIRL expression to be regulated. To investigate this hypothesis, both MIRL RNA and MIRL protein expression were analyzed following exposure of K562 erythroleukemia cells to a variety of potential stimulants. Incubation with dexamethasone, calcium ionophore, lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, hemin, and cyclic AMP had no effect on MIRL expression. However, incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA), induced a marked increase in MIRL RNA as determined by Northern blot analysis. This enhanced expression of MIRL RNA was associated with an increase in MIRL protein expression as determined by immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled proteins, Western blot analysis, and immunobinding assay. Enhanced MIRL RNA expression was first detected after 8 hours and increased through 24 hours of observation. Inhibitors of either protein synthesis or transcription abrogated the PMA-induced enhancement of MIRL RNA expression. Together, these results are consistent with a model in which PMA induces synthesis of a trans acting protein that enhances transcription of the MIRL gene.
Discovering additional violations of Java API invariants

In the absence of formal specifications or test oracles, automating testing is made possible by the fact that a program must satisfy certain requirements set down by the programming language. This work describes Randoop, an automatic unit test generator which checks for invariants specified by the Java API. Randoop is able to detect violations to invariants as specified by the Java API and create error tests that reveal related bugs. Randoop is also able to produce regression tests, meant to be added to regression test suites, that capture expected behavior. We discuss additional extensions that we have made to Randoop which expands its capability for the detection of violation of specified invariants. We also examine an optimization and a heuristic for making the invariant checking process more efficient.
Coronal Brow Lift

This chapter describes in detail the surgical steps involved in the open coronal approach to brow lift. Anatomical landmarks, pitfalls, and planes of dissection at different levels and locations are discussed. Resection of frown muscles and fixation of scalp are outlined. Indications, preoperative markings, surgical steps, postoperative care, operative dictation, and suggested readings are included.
Inverse Subordination of Excessive Functions

Let X be a right process, and let M be a multiplicative functional (MF) of X. We use the standard terminology and notation for right processes. See [BG], [S] or [DM87]. In particular let S := inf{t : M t = 0} and E M := {x : P x (S > 0) = 1} = {x : P x (M 0 = 1) = 1}. The operator P M 1 is defined for q ≥ 0 by $$P_M^qf(x): = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{P^x}\smallint _0^\infty {e^{ - qt}}f({X_t})( - d{M_t}),x \in {E_M}} \\ {f(x),x{ \notin _M}.} \end{array}} \right.$$ (1.1) Here and elsewhere in this paper, f, g, u, v; with or without affixes denote positive universally measurable functions (i.e., elements of pɛ*) unless stated otherwise.
Sexual function and satisfaction among heterosexual and sexual minority U.S. adults: A cross-sectional survey.

Background Despite known health disparities for sexual minorities, few studies have described sexual function by sexual orientation using a robust approach to measurement of sexual function. We compared recent sexual function and satisfaction by sexual orientation among English-speaking US adults. Methods and findings Cross-sectional surveys were administered by KnowledgePanel® (GfK), an online panel that uses address-based probability sampling and is representative of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population. Data were collected in 2013 from the general population (n = 3314, 35% response rate) and in 2014 from self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults (n = 1011, 50% response rate). Sexual function and satisfaction were measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® Sexual Function and Satisfaction measure version 2.0 (PROMIS SexFS v2). The PROMIS SexFS v2 is a comprehensive, customizable measurement system with evidence for validity in diverse populations. A score of 50 (SD 10) on each domain corresponds to the average for US adults sexually active in the past 30 days. We adjusted all statistics for the complex sample designs and report differences within each sex where the 95% CIs do not overlap, corresponding to p<0.01. Among US men who reported any sexual activity in the past 30 days, there were no differences in erectile function or orgasm-ability. Compared to heterosexual men, sexual minority men reported higher oral dryness and lower orgasm-pleasure and satisfaction. Compared to heterosexual men, gay men reported lower interest, higher anal discomfort and higher oral discomfort. Among sexually active women, there were no differences in the domains of vulvar discomfort-clitoral, orgasm-pleasure, or satisfaction. Compared to heterosexual women, sexual minority women reported higher oral dryness. Lesbian women reported lower vaginal discomfort than other women; lesbian women reported higher lubrication and orgasm-ability than heterosexual women. Bisexual women reported higher interest, higher vulvar discomfort-labial and higher anal discomfort than other women, as well as higher oral discomfort compared to heterosexual women. Conclusions Recent sexual function and satisfaction differed by sexual orientation among US adults. Sexual minority men and women had decrements in domains of sexual function that have not traditionally been included in multi-dimensional self-report measures. Clinicians should make themselves aware of their patients’ sexual concerns and recognize that sexual minority patients may be more vulnerable to certain sexual difficulties than heterosexual patients.
Close the Circuit 'N Play the Electrons: Learning Electricity with an Augmented Circuit Exhibit

In this demo, we present Spark, an augmented circuit exhibit that enables visitors to make circuits using a set of tangible components and observe a simulation of electrons flowing through the circuit. Our goal is to use multiple representations of a circuit to help convey basic concepts of current and resistance. In Spark, the electron simulation and tangible circuit components are coupled using augmented reality techniques. We developed our system through a three-year iterative design process. We tested earlier versions of the design at a science museum with parent-child dyads and found that having access to the electron simulation could benefit children to better understand the concepts of electricity. We also observed that coupling the electron simulation through augmented reality can significantly enhance the learning benefits of the exhibit.
Improving the Efficiency of Configurational-Bias Monte Carlo: Extension of the Jacobian-Gaussian Scheme to Interior Sections of Cyclic and Polymeric Molecules.

The Jacobian–Gaussian method, which has recently been developed for generating bending angle trials, is extended to the conformational sampling of inner segments of a long chain or cyclic molecule where regular configurational-bias Monte Carlo was found to be very inefficient or simply incapable (i.e., for the cyclic case). For these molecules, a new conformational move would be required where one interior section is relocated while the rest of the molecule, before and after this section, is fixed. Techniques have been developed to extend the regular configurational-bias Monte Carlo to such a fixed-end points case by introducing a biasing probability function. Each trial is weighted by this function to ensure the closure of the molecule by selecting appropriate growth direction. However, the acceptance rate might be reduced significantly due to the incongruity of this weight and the energy weight. In addition, the last steps of closing the molecule include several bending and torsional energies that are c...
Inflammaging and the Lung

With the coming of the “silver tsunami,” expanding the knowledge about how various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the immune system in the elderly is timely and of immediate clinical need. The global population is increasing in age. By the year 2030, more than 20% of the population of the United States will be older than 65 years of age. This article focuses on how advanced age alters the immune systems and how this, in turn, modulates the ability of the aging lung to deal with infectious challenges from the outside world and from within the host.
Convective Transport Phenomena on the Suction Surface of a Turbine Blade Including the Influence of Secondary Flows Near the Endwall

A naphthalene sublimation technique is employed to study the mass transfer distribution on the suction (convex) surface of a simulated turbine blade. Comparison with a heat transfer study shows good agreement in the general trends in the region of two-dimensional flow on the blade. Near the endwall, local convective coefficients on the suction surface are obtained at 4608 locations from two separate runs. The secondary flows in the passage significantly affect the mass transfer rate on the suction surface and their influence extends to a height of 75 percent of the chord length, from the endwall, in the trailing edge region
Ionospheric correction of InSAR data for accurate ice velocity measurement at polar regions

Abstract Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has become an essential tool for measuring ice sheet velocity in the Polar Regions. At low radar frequencies, e.g. L-band (1.2 GHz) but also at higher frequency, e.g. C-band (5.6 GHz), the ionosphere has been documented to be an important source of noise in these data. In this paper, we employ a split-spectrum technique and investigate its performance for correcting ionospheric effects in InSAR-based ice velocity measurements in Greenland and Antarctica. Three case studies using ALOS PALSAR data are used to assess the performance of the split spectrum technique for ionosphere correction over a range of environmental parameters. We employ several approaches to evaluate the results, including visual inspection, profile analysis, comparison of experimental and theoretic errors, comparison with reference data from other sources, generation of double difference interferograms, and analysis of time series of multi-temporal data. Our experiments show that ionospheric distortions are observed regularly, and in our analyzed Greenland dataset and Antarctic dataset the ionospheric noise reaches 14 m/yr and 10 m/yr, respectively, which exceeds the signal associated with ice motion. Our analysis using several different approaches demonstrates that the split-spectrum technique provides an effective correction. The split spectrum technique is also found to be superior to currently used approaches such as baseline fitting and multi-temporal averaging. The noise level is reduced by a factor of 70% in Greenland test areas and 90% in Antarctic test areas.
Lignin-Derived Carbon Fibers as Efficient Heterogeneous Solid Acid Catalysts for Esterification of Oleic Acid

The production of biodiesel by the esterification of oleic acid, as an example of free fatty acid (FFA), was explored by using a new solid acid catalyst derived from lignin, a highly abundant low-cost biomass material. The catalyst was synthesized from lignin-derived carbon fiber by straightforward sulfonation and contains 1.86 mmol/g of sulfonic acid (-SO3H) groups. The catalyst was characterized by a variety of techniques including PXRD, TGA, TPD-MS, SEM, and XPS to understand the surface chemistry and the result of sulfonation. It was found that the sulfonated lignin-derived carbon fiber (CF-SO3H) catalyst was very efficient at esterifying oleic acid at 80 oC in 4 hours, with 10 wt. % catalyst (in terms of oleic acid content) and at a 10:1 molar ratio of methanol: oleic acid with a yield of 92%. Furthermore, the catalyst can be reused with no significant loss in activity after 4 cycles. Hence, synthesizing solid acid catalysts from lignin-derived carbon fiber affords a novel strategy for producing biodiesel via ‘green chemistry’.
Quantum-State-Resolved Scattering of NO(2Π1/2) from Hot Molten Au(liq): On the Role of Thermal Electron–Hole Pairs in Vibrational Excitation Dynamics

Energy transfer at the gas–molten Au interface is investigated in quantum-state-resolved molecular beam experiments of supersonically cooled NO scattered from liquid Au (TS = 1400(40) K) and detect...
Contextual Factors Influencing Recommendations for Service Provision by Guardian ad litem and Court-Appointed Special Advocates:

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of county-level variables on services offered to children who have guardian ad litem/court-appointed special advocate (GAL/CASA) representation. An...
Whole body capillary exchange of albumin. Alterations in diabetic microangiopathy.

Until the mid eighties most conceptual knowledge of peripheral transcapillary plasma protein transport has been based on experiments with the lymph collection methods, picturing macromolecular exchange as a slow, mainly unidirectional flux from plasma to lymph. All sieving or restriction is assumed to occur at the capillary membrane level reducing interstitial as well as lymphatic plasma protein concentrations. However, in newer experiments using rapidly resolving tracer techniques, transcapillary albumin fluxes are found 10 to 20 times higher than the lymphatic return. This may imply serial barriers to plasma-lymph transport, i.e. a relatively permeable porous endothelial barrier, and a tight interstitial barrier. The possible outline of this hypothesis and its major implications are discussed. The interstitial barrier is assumed to be formed by the contents of the interstitial space itself, preferentably by the anionic glycosaminoglycanes (GAGs) of the interstitial gel matrix. In the interface between the barriers immediately below the endothelial lining, interstitial plasma protein concentrations may reach close to plasma levels. Thus diseases or conditions that alter plasma protein concentrations, plasma protein fluxes or matrix composition are likely to promote coagulation or precipitation in this interzone. In diabetic microangiopathy loss of fixed anionic charge in the glomerular basal membrane is an important initial step leading to proteinuria. However, the loss of anionic charge seems to be general, afflicting the GAG components of the glomerular membrane, the interstitial matrix, and in the walls of large arteries. By raising the interstitial protein flux as well as by decreasing the antiprecipitating and anticoagulative properties of the matrix, this may lead to increased precipitation. It may therefore be the single pathogenetic factor most likely to explain the perivascular hyalinosis and accelerated atherosclerosis of the disease. Very similar mechanisms may enhance atherosclerosis in nondiabetic patients precipitated by factors like elevated plasma levels of lipoproteins and fibrinogen, aging, and hypertension.
LBP13: HLA MUTATIONS OBSERVED IN EBV-TRANSFORMED AND EXPANDED B-LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL LINES (BLCLS)

Aim Swabs created from BLCLs transformed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or expanded from existing BLCLs are used in the Be The Match Registry (BTMR) HLA QC program. The aim of this project was to document mutation as a cause of HLA typing discrepancies observed in 2 BLCLs. The first discrepancy arose in expanded BLCLs, sequenced in 2002 on a donor-derived BLCL. BLCL swabs were routinely typed multiple times using SSO and SBT methodologies as B∗49:01; however, in 2009, an SBT lab reported a potential new allele, B∗49:15, which was described in 2010 and confirmed in 2011 on the expanded BLCL by two labs. B∗49:15 differs from B∗49:01:01 by a single non-synonymous nucleotide polymorphism at NT 176 in exon 2, G/C. In 2013, a lab reported that the B49-specific amplicon showed a double peak, suggesting two alleles were present. Typing of other loci ruled out contamination. The second discrepancy arose in a BLCL transformed from patient-derived PBMC, originally typed as C∗02:09 using DNA extracted from PBMC in 2004. BLCL swabs repeatedly typed as C∗02:02 by SSO, SBT, and NGS. C∗02:09 differs from C∗02:02:01 by a synonymous nucleotide polymorphism at NT 315 in exon 2, A/G, and a non-synonymous polymorphism at NT 613 in exon 3, C/T. Methods PBMCs, fresh buccal swabs and expanded BLCL swabs were obtained for SBT and NGS of B∗49:15. Archived extracted DNA, PBMCs, failed cell culture, and transformed BLCL swabs were obtained for SBT of C∗02:09. Results Three labs confirmed B∗49:01:01 by SBT and NGS on archived PBMCs and newly obtained buccal swabs. NGS revealed the BLCL DNA contained both B∗49:15 and B∗49:01:01 in a 64/36 ratio and a 75/25 ratio in 2 samples. C∗02:09 was confirmed in archived extracted DNA used for the original allele description and in archived PBMC. SBT confirmed C∗02:02 on a failed cell culture from the PBMC to BLCL expansion and on additional transformed BLCL swabs. Conclusion It is likely these discrepancies arose as the result of mutations that occurred during the transformation of PBMC to BLCL and/or during the expansion of existing BLCLs. As a result of this work, B∗49:15 was deleted from the IMGT/HLA database in 6/2014. C∗02:09 was typed by 2 labs using DNA from the same cell, but should now be confirmed by SBT on a second subject. Purified DNA extracted from whole blood has begun to replace BLCL swabs in the BTMR QC program.
Valuing Brand Collaboration: Evidence From a Natural Experiment

We study complementarities between brands in the context of collaborations across museums. Over the course of our sample, one major museum with a highly recognized brand closed temporarily and sequentially collaborated with two established local museums. With individual panel data on museum memberships around these events, we measure how collaborations affect demand using an empirical framework of complementarities that are newly applied to the branding context. We observe two counter-acting demand patterns. First, customers with no history of buying membership from either museum enter the market, suggesting brand complementarities. Second, a sub-group of customers who previously purchased from either or both of the museums display decreased demand, consistent with brand dilution. Any structural approach that models the demand for collaboration with existing preferences for separate brands fails to create accurate demand predictions. The magnitude of the offsetting forces varies between collaboration events, which makes demand prediction even more challenging. These results call for a theory of brand being beyond a fixed utility primitive and have implications for counterfactuals that involve combining or altering of brands..
Impact of Nonmedical Factors on Neurobehavior and Language Outcomes of Preterm Infants

Preterm infants are at increased risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The impact of maternal, NICU, and social environmental factors on early neurobehavior and language outcomes of preterm infants is recognized. There is a need for health care professionals to have a clear understanding of the importance of facilitating positive mother-infant relationships, and to address not only the infant's sensory and language environment, but also focus on adverse maternal mental health and social adversities to optimize infant outcomes.
Safety of Periocular Mohs Reconstruction: A Two-Center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUNDRepair of periocular defects poses unique functional and aesthetic challenges. Data on the safety of periocular repairs by Mohs surgeons are limited.OBJECTIVEAnalyze the frequency and types of postreconstruction complications encountered with periocular repairs performed by Mohs surgeons,