cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epo Modulation of Cell Cycle Regulatory Genes Via PY343/STAT5 and PI3K Pathways in Primary Erythroblasts.

Erythropoietin’s essential role in late erythropoiesis is ascribed to survival effects on colony forming unit-erythroid-derived erythroblasts. However, several studies have pointed to possible Epo regulation of cell cycle factors, and proliferation. To investigate this issue, developmentally-staged Kit pos CD71 high erythroblasts were prepared from murine marrow; were shown to proliferate in response to low-dose Epo (0.1U/ml); and were used in the Affymetrix 430 2.0 array-based discovery of Epo-modulated cell cycle regulatory genes. In keeping with certain prior studies, myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) was induced while cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27) was inhibited several-fold. Beyond this, four select cell cycle progression factors were rapidly up-modulated up to five-fold by Epo: nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1), G1 to S phase transition 1 (Gspt1), early growth response 1 (Egr1) and Ngfi-A binding protein 2 (Nab2). B-cell leukemia 6 (Bcl6) in contrast, was down-modulated several-fold. Finally, among cyclins, D2 was up-modulated ~5-fold while G2 was selectively down-modulated 4- to 5-fold (All findings were confirmed by RT-PCR). Studies in erythroblasts expressing knocked-in minimal erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) alleles indicated EpoR proximal tyrosine-343 (PY343) regulation of cyclin D2 induction, and EpoR C-terminal regulation of cyclin G2 inhibition. Despite the capacity of a PY-null EpoR-HM allele to support steady-state erythropoiesis, EpoR-HM erythroblasts proved to be skewed in cell cycle phases, especially in G2/M (0.01% vs ~5% for wt-EpoR and EpoR-H alleles). For cyclin D2, cyclin G2, p27 and Bcl6, in silico models for promoter regulation are outlined which highlight Stat and Forkhead action. In summary, specific new evidence is provided for erythroblast cell cycle entry modulation by Epo (especially as elevated during anemia) via discrete EpoR subdomains, and nine selectively modulated cell cycle regulatory genes.
Exploring the who, what, when, where, and why of automated vehicle disengagements

Abstract Automated vehicles are emerging on the transportation networks as manufacturers test their automated driving system (ADS) capabilities in complex real-world environments in testing operations like California’s Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program. A more comprehensive understanding of the ADS safety performances can be established through the California Department of Motor Vehicle disengagement and crash reports. This study comprehensively examines the safety performances (159,840 disengagements, 124 crashes, and 3,669,472 automated vehicle miles traveled by the manufacturers) documented since the inauguration of the testing program. The reported disengagements were categorized as control discrepancy, environmental conditions and other road users, hardware and software discrepancy, perception discrepancy, planning discrepancy, and operator takeover. An applicable subset of disengagements was then used to identify and quantify the 5 W’s of these safety-critical events: who (disengagement initiator), when (the maturity of the ADS), where (location of disengagement), and what/why (the facts causing the disengagement). The disengagement initiator, whether the ADS or human operator, is linked with contributing factors, such as the location, disengagement cause, and ADS testing maturity through a random parameter binary logit model that captured unobserved heterogeneity. Results reveal that compared to freeways and interstates, the ADS has a lower likelihood of initiating the disengagement on streets and roads compared to the human operator. Likewise, software and hardware, and planning discrepancies are associated with the ADS initiating the disengagement. As the ADS testing maturity advances in months, the probability of the disengagement being initiated by the ADS marginally increases when compared to human-initiated. Overall, the study contributes by understanding the factors associated with disengagements and exploring their implications for automated systems.
Black Mothering in Action: The Racial-Class Socialization Practices of Low-Income Black Single Mothers:

African Americans have long dealt with racism, discrimination, and racialized state and vigilante violence. As such, African American parents must educate their children about the realities of raci...
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Postoperative Pain: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND The treatment of postoperative pain is an ongoing challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Poorly controlled pain is associated with poorer patient outcomes, and the prescription of opioids may lead to prolonged, nonmedical use. Complementary and alternative medicine is widely adopted by the general public, and its use in chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions has been studied; however, its efficacy in a postoperative context has not yet been established. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review of 10 databases to identify all relevant publications. We extracted variables related to pain measurement and postoperative opioid prescriptions. RESULTS We identified 8 relevant publications from an initial pool of 2,517 items. Of these, 5 were randomized studies and 3 were nonrandomized studies. All 8 studies addressed postoperative pain, with 5 showing significant decreases (p < 0.05) in postoperative pain. Also, 5 studies addressed postoperative opioid use, with 2 showing significant differences (p < 0.05) in opioid consumption. Substantial heterogeneity among the studies precluded meta-analysis. No articles were found to be free of potential bias. CONCLUSIONS Currently, there is insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines for postoperative pain management or as an alternative to opioid use following orthopaedic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Bilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Infective Endocarditis

Purpose:This report describes a patient with bilateral, sequential central retinal artery occlusions (CRAOs) due to infective endocarditis (IE).Methods:A case report is presented.Results:A 35-year-...
LiSBOA (LiDAR Statistical Barnes Objective Analysis) for optimal design of lidar scans and retrieval of wind statistics – Part 1: Theoretical framework

Abstract. A LiDAR Statistical Barnes Objective Analysis (LiSBOA) for the optimal design of lidar scans and retrieval of the velocity statistical moments is proposed. LiSBOA represents an adaptation of the classical Barnes scheme for the statistical analysis of unstructured experimental data in N -dimensional space, and it is a suitable technique for the evaluation over a structured Cartesian grid of the statistics of scalar fields sampled through scanning lidars. LiSBOA is validated and characterized via a Monte Carlo approach applied to a synthetic velocity field. This revisited theoretical framework for the Barnes objective analysis enables the formulation of guidelines for the optimal design of lidar experiments and efficient application of LiSBOA for the postprocessing of lidar measurements. The optimal design of lidar scans is formulated as a two-cost-function optimization problem, including the minimization of the percentage of the measurement volume not sampled with adequate spatial resolution and the minimization of the error on the mean of the velocity field. The optimal design of the lidar scans also guides the selection of the smoothing parameter and the total number of iterations to use for the Barnes scheme. LiSBOA is assessed against a numerical data set generated using the virtual lidar technique applied to the data obtained from a large eddy simulation (LES). The optimal sampling parameters for a scanning Doppler pulsed wind lidar are retrieved through LiSBOA, and then the estimated statistics are compared with those of the original LES data set, showing a maximum error of about 4 % for both mean velocity and turbulence intensity.
Coupled multiple-response versus free-response conceptual assessment: An example from upper-division physics

An example of turning a free-response conceptual assessment into a forced-choice instrument that allows for easier scoring.
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better––Except in Big Tech?: Antitrust’s New Inhospitality Tradition

Today, the question of how competition is—or is not—functioning in the big tech space has become a particularly compelling topic. The last several years have seen an increasing popular interest in antitrust, and it appears that wave of interest may soon be cresting. Rhetoric has grown increasingly aggressive, and the list of alleged ills is long. Companies are simply too big, too influential, too powerful; they are destroying our democracy and undermining our social values. While allegations run the gambit, under particular attack are tech firms that operate in multiple, complementary markets. This critical rhetoric is eerily similar to that of a bygone era of antitrust enforcement—namely, the time when the inhospitality tradition prevailed. By the middle of the 20th century, antitrust courts routinely—often summarily—condemned any contract or behavior they deemed to be nonstandard or unusual. This approach reflected an extreme hostility to firm behavior—a hostility that seems to be making a resurgence today— and led to the coining of the phrase “inhospitality tradition” to describe the prevailing antitrust regime. The inhospitality tradition often led to incoherent, nonsensical outcomes. Courts condemned conduct that made firms better competitors in the name of preserving competition. And they ignored the actual or likely competitive effects of conduct before them because they found the form of that conduct offensive. The courts eventually abandoned this approach. As economic learning advanced and court experience grew, the negatives of condemning as per se unlawful large swaths of firm conduct on the basis of its form—rather than its effects—crystalized and could no longer be ignored. From this new economic learning, economists and scholars came to realize that many procompetitive reasons can, and often do, underlie much of the conduct that had been summarily condemned. And they learned that judging the conduct on its face, much like judging a book by its cover, tended to yield inferior outcomes. Part I of this Article delves into the history of the inhospitality tradition within antitrust law, tracing its rise and demise. Part II explicates the apparent resurgence of hostile sentiment, particularly as applied to the tech context. Part III then investigates whether there is evidence of a market failure in big tech. Part IV analyzes what may—or may not—be warranted given the current state of the empirical literature.
Modeling muscle regeneration in RNA toxicity mice

RNA toxicity underlies the pathogenesis of disorders such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Muscular dystrophy is a key element of the pathology of DM1. The means by which RNA toxicity causes muscular dystrophy in DM1 is unclear. Here, we have used the DM200 mouse model of RNA toxicity due to the expression of a mutant DMPK 3'UTR mRNA to model the effects of RNA toxicity on muscle regeneration. Using a BaCl2-induced damage model, we find that RNA toxicity leads to decreased expression of PAX7, and decreased numbers of satellite cells, the stem cells of adult skeletal muscle (also known as MuSCs). This is associated with a delay in regenerative response, a lack of muscle fiber maturation and an inability to maintain a normal number of satellite cells. Repeated muscle damage also elicited key aspects of muscular dystrophy, including fat droplet deposition and increased fibrosis, and the results represent one of the first times to model these classic markers of dystrophic changes in the skeletal muscles of a mouse model of RNA toxicity. Using a ligand-conjugated antisense (LICA) oligonucleotide ASO targeting DMPK sequences for the first time in a mouse model of RNA toxicity in DM1, we find that treatment with IONIS 877864, which targets the DMPK 3'UTR mRNA, is efficacious in correcting the defects in regenerative response and the reductions in satellite cell numbers caused by RNA toxicity. These results demonstrate the possibilities for therapeutic interventions to mitigate the muscular dystrophy associated with RNA toxicity in DM1.
Dynamics of voltage-driven oscillating insulator-metal transitions

Recent experiments demonstrated emerging alternating insulator and metal phases in Mott insulators actuated by a direct bias voltage, leading to oscillating voltage outputs with characteristic frequencies. Here, we develop a physics-based nonequilibrium model to describe the dynamics of oscillating insulator-metal phase transitions and experimentally validate it using a ${\text{VO}}_{\text{2}}$ device as a prototype. The oscillation frequency is shown to scale monotonically with the bias voltage and series resistance and terminate abruptly at lower and upper device-dependent limits, which are dictated by the nonequilibrium carrier dynamics. We derive an approximate analytical expression for the dependence of the frequency on the device operating parameters, which yields a fundamental limit to the frequency and may be utilized to provide guidance to potential applications of insulator-metal transition materials as building blocks of brain-inspired non-von Neumann computers.
Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion versus Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Posterior Instrumentation at L5/S1.

Objective To compare outcomes between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at L5/S1. Methods Primary, elective, single, MIS-TLIF, or ALIF with posterior fixation at L5/S1 were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected. Coarsened exact matching was used to control for significant differences. Achievement of minimum clinically important difference [MCID] was determined by comparing ΔPROM scores with threshold values. Demographic/perioperative characteristics were compared between MIS-TLIF and ALIF cohorts using χ2 Student t tests. Differences in mean PROM scores, MCID rates, and postoperative complications were evaluated using an unpaired t test. Results After coarsened exact matching, 93 patients received MIS-TLIF and 50 received ALIF. Cohorts differed in operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative narcotic consumption on postoperative day 0 (P Conclusions Patients undergoing ALIF showed significantly improved rates of MCID achievement for disability, physical function, and back pain during the early postoperative period. However, the overall MCID achievement rate for leg pain was higher for the MIS-TLIF cohort.
Non-parametric stochastic subset optimization utilizing multivariate boundary kernels and adaptive stochastic sampling

Abstract The implementation of NP-SSO (non-parametric stochastic subset optimization) to general design under uncertainty problems and its enhancement through various soft computing techniques is discussed. NP-SSO relies on iterative simulation of samples of the design variables from an auxiliary probability density, and approximates the objective function through kernel density estimation (KDE) using these samples. To deal with boundary correction in complex domains, a multivariate boundary KDE based on local linear estimation is adopted in this work. Also, a non-parametric characterization of the search space at each iteration using a framework based on support vector machine is formulated. To further improve computational efficiency, an adaptive kernel sampling density formulation is integrated and an adaptive, iterative selection of the number of samples needed for the KDE implementation is established.
IRIDOCYCLITIS IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Eight of 70 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have developed iridocyclitis. This complication occurred more frequently in patients with monoarticular and pauciarticular disease (29%) than in patients with polyarticular disease (2%). Seven of eight patients with iridocyclitis have monoarticular or pauciarticular disease; none has had prominent systemic manifestations or evidence of ankylosing spondylitis. Iridocyclitis preceded joint manifestations in two of the patients and followed arthritis by 1 to 10 years in six of the patients. Activity of iridocyclitis and arthritis seemed unrelated; four patients developed iridocyclitis while arthritis was inactive. In seven children iridocyclitis began insidiously without acute symptoms. Eye involvement has remained unilateral in six patients. Six children have had significant decrease in visual acuity, and six continue to have active ocular inflammation despite therapy. Iridocyclitis is potentially a major cause of disability in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Early signs and symptoms may be minimal. Patients at risk are those with limited forms of joint disease. Early detection and therapy are crucial for prevention of permanent ocular damage. Careful eye examination should be a routine part of physical examination of children with rheumatoid arthritis, and periodic slit lamp examinations should be performed even when arthritis is in remission.
Spinal Deformity Associated with Chiari Malformation

Despite the frequency of Chiari-associated spinal deformities, this disease process remains poorly understood. Syringomyelia is often present; however, this is not necessary and scoliosis has been described in the absence of a syrinx. Decompression of the hindbrain is often recommended. In young patients (<10 years old) and/or those with small coronal Cobb measurements (<40°), decompression of the hindbrain may lead to resolution of the spinal deformity. Spinal fusion is reserved for those curves that progress to deformities greater than 50°. Further research is needed to understand the underlying pathophysiology to improve prognostication and treatment of this patient population.
Failure of Bay K 8644 to induce RhoA kinase‐dependent calcium sensitization in rabbit blood vessels

Background and purpose: RhoA kinase (ROCK) participates in K+ depolarization (KCl)-induced Ca2+ sensitization of contraction. Whether constitutive, depolarization- or Ca2+-activated ROCK plays the major role in this signalling system remains to be determined. Here, we determined whether Bay K 8644, a dihydropyridine that promotes Ca2+ channel clusters to operate in a persistent Ca2+ influx mode, could cause ROCK-dependent Ca2+ sensitization. Experimental approach: Renal and femoral artery rings from New Zealand white rabbits were contracted with Bay K 8644. Tissues were frozen and processed to measure active RhoA and ROCK substrate (myosin phosphatase targeting subunit, MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, or loaded with fura-2 to measure intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Effects of selective inhibitors of contraction were assessed in resting (basal) tissues and those contracted with Bay K 8644. Key results: Bay K 8644 produced strong increases in [Ca2+]i, MLC phosphorylation and tension, but not in MYPT1 phosphorylation. ROCK inhibition by H-1152 abolished basal MYPT1-pT853, diminished basal MLC phosphorylation and inhibited Bay K 8644-induced increases in MLC phosphorylation and tension. MLC kinase inhibition by wortmannin abolished Bay K 8644-induced contraction and increase in MLC phosphorylation but did not inhibit basal MYPT1-pT853. H-1152 and wortmannin had no effect on MYPT1-pT696, but 1 µM staurosporine inhibited basal MYPT1-pT853, MYPT1-pT696 and MLC phosphorylation. Conclusions and implications: These data suggest that the constitutive activities of ROCK and a staurosporine-sensitive kinase regulate basal phosphorylation of MYPT1, which participates along with activation of MLC kinase in determining the strength of contraction induced by the Ca2+ agonist, Bay K 8644.
Guest Director's Line: AFS Policy Statement Regarding the Need for an Immediate‐Release Anesthetic/Sedative for Use in the Fisheries Disciplines

Abstract Availability of safe and effective fish sedatives or anesthetics is crucial to fisheries research, management, and culture activities. If fish are sedated prior to handling, the risk to both fish and handler is minimized. Currently, there is no ideal compound that can be legally used on fish without adhering to a lengthy withdrawal period. The absence of a suitable immediate-release sedative jeopardizes fish, fisheries, fish culture, and research, posing a risk to aquatic resources as well as those handling fish. A document, “AFS Policy Statement on the Need for an Immediate-Release Anesthetic/ Sedative for Use in the Fisheries Disciplines,” has been drafted to (1) describe the impediments preventing fisheries professionals from having access to a suitable immediate-release sedative; (2) characterize the constraints that this issue places on aquatic natural resources management, fisheries research, and the private aquaculture industry; and (3) recommend a course of action to facilitate the timely...
Poor Prognosis for Mucin-Producing Wilms ' Tumor

This report describes two cousins with Wilms' tumor and mucin detected in the sera with rapidly fatal courses. A review of the literature reveals five additional reported cases of Wilms' tumor where mucin was observed in the sera. The patients in this report are similar to those previously reported in that all had metastatic disease at diagnosis, and four of five died within one year of diagnosis. Both the extent of disease at diagnosis at the poor response to therapy in these two cases, and those from the literature suggest that evidence of mucin production may indicate poor prognosis in Wilms' tumor. In addition, evidence is reviewed that mucin itself may contribute to a rapid tumor growth and metastases. The genetics of Wilms' tumor and familial nature of these cases is also discussed.
Research Network Involvement and Addiction Treatment Center Staff: Counselor Attitudes toward Buprenorphine

The National Institute on Drug Abuse's Clinical Trials Network (CTN) aims to improve addiction treatment in the United States in part through technology transfer. Given the importance of clinicians in the technology transfer process, this research compares 561 CTN-affiliated and 1,745 non-CTN counselors' ratings of buprenorphine acceptability. CTN-affiliated counselors reported significantly greater acceptability than non-CTN counselors. This difference was not explained by controlling for counselor characteristics, but was completely attenuated by measures of buprenorphine-specific training and buprenorphine implementation. These data suggest that the CTN's impact on counselor attitudes may be attributed to the greater exposure to buprenorphine received by CTN-affiliated counselors.
Efficient Channel Reservation for Multicasting GTS Allocation and Pending Addresses in IEEE 802.15.4

The IEEE 802.15.4 MAC protocol supports the beacon- enabled working mode through periodically broadcasting superframe beacons. The beacons play the key role in channel access synchronization and are used to distribute channel information such as the length of contention avoidance period, etc. However, some information such as pending addresses and guarantee time slot allocation are also broadcasted, which can cause substantial energy waste in a personal area network, as they are not needed by all members. To overcome this inefficiency, this paper proposes a channel reservation scheme to multicast this information. Analysis shows that our proposed method can achieve energy savings with very loose conditions.
Looking back: why the electric automobile lost market share. How social behavior can affect product technology

The authors present a behavioral analysis of electric automobile market share loss, which shows that the explanation of technological trajectories requires more than a reference to performance characteristics and social factors. Although historical narratives furnish us with plausible accounts incorporating social and behavioral variables, they do not identify the underlying general processes and sometimes treat technology as a black box. The viewpoint developed here, grounded in behavioral archaeology, causes one to look at both the particular factors and general processes at work in a specific case. It gives one the tools for integrating technological, behavioral and social variables in the authors' explanations.
Does elevated peak bilirubin protect from retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight infants.

Does Elevated Peak Bilirubin Protect from Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Low Birthweight Infants
Single-breath measurements of pulmonary oxygen uptake and gas flow rates for ventilator management in ARDS.

Monitoring data in critical care and anesthesiology should be displayed to present a rapid and easily comprehensible definition of the patient's clinical status. A graphic computer display of the analog output of gas flow rates and the O 2 and CO 2 concentrations of respiratory gases profiles the expired breath for an estimation of pulmonary function and gas exchange. An estimate of pulmonary perfusion, cardiac output, and the general adequacy of cardiovascular circulation is obtained from the computer calculation of O 2 uptake and CO 2 elimination, dead space, and alveolar ventilation. Adjunctive data from the spirometric measurements of airway pressures, volumes, and compliance, supplemented by hemodynamic monitoring, aids in the diagnosis of physiologic changes. For > 10 years, we have used this system to monitor patients who are anesthetized, sedated, and receiving mechanical ventilation during anesthesia and surgery, and recently have extended the technique to intensive care areas. Our experience has shown good correlation of changes in the computer-assisted expired breath analysis with coinciding clinical events, including upper airway obstruction, bronchospasm, and alveolar volume/pulmonary capillary blood flow impairment. To demonstrate the use of this system, we describe the ventilator management for a patient with severe ARDS. In this patient, changes in ventilator management, including pressure control ventilation, improved pulmonary O 2 uptake (mean, 18.7 vs 8.5 mL/breath), CO 2 elimination (mean, 17 vs 13 mL/breath), and compliance (mean, 29.7 vs 19.0 mL/cm H 2 O), were compared with intermittent mandatory ventilation.
Introduction of the shell structure with gradient expansion corrections into the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac energy density functional for neutral atoms

Considering the Na atom as an example, an approximation to the electron number density is constructed from H-like wavefunctions. Using this electron density the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac energy density functional, with the Weizsacker and Hodges gradient expansion corrections to the kinetic energy term, is optimized with respect to the Z in the wavefunctions. The total energy obtained for the Na atom is −170.1 a.u., while the energy calculated by the Roothan-Hartree-Fock method is −161.8 a.u. The Weizsacker and Hodges corrections are found significant, with values of +9.8 a.u. and +1.4 a.u., respectively.
Correlation of fluctuations in the Blume-Capel model.

Using a 1/z expansion we study the correlation of fluctuations in a spin-1 Ising model with anisotropy. Previously, the 1/z expansion has been applied only to the second-order phase transitions of ferromagnets and granular superconductors. By imposing conditions on the free energy F and the parameter x=1-〈${\mathit{S}}_{1\mathit{z}}^{2}$〉, we use the 1/z technique to examine both the first- and second-order parts of the Blume-Capel phase diagram. In agreement with many numerical simulations and experiments on $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}^{4}$He mixtures, the value of x at the tricritical point is not shifted from its mean-field value of 2/3 to order 1/z. On the other hand, the tricritical values of the anisotropy parameter A and of the transition temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ are altered by the correlation of fluctuations. At least to order 1/z, all the derivatives of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ are continuous across the tricritical point.
The commercialisation of bioinformatics and the threat of open-source software

This study investigates the commercialisation process of a select group of bioinformatics companies and the impact of open-source software. Using the research–development–application translation model provides a framework for managers as an iterative mechanism. A Value Creation Pipeline is then introduced with five phases of the commercialisation process that provide specific financial benchmarks that can guide the firm through to successful commercialisation. Using trend and financial ratio analyses relative to returns, profitability and liquidity, the study finds that the surge in open-source licenses between 2003 and 2005 limited the sales for some firms. As for the claim that open-source software negatively impacts the success of bioinformatics commercialisation, there was little evidence to suggest a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Losses in returns, profitability and liquidity were just as common before the rise of open source as after its emergence. When firms report an overall record over a nine-year period of poor return on investment, assets and equity, there is little to attract potential investors. The lesson that can be drawn is that the innovation process and financial tracking must be integrated to ensure efficient and profitable use of investor funds.
Factorial Design Experiment to Analyze the Response of a Luminescent Photoelastic Coating

A luminescent photoelastic coating is a relatively new technique to measure full-field surface strain and determine principal strain directions that has many potential applications in engineering. Generally, luminescent photoelastic coating technology uses an in situ strain gage measurement to calibrate the detected optical response to maximum shear strain. This calibration requires the determination of two coating parameters: the polarization efficiency and the coating characteristic. A better understanding and modeling of these two parameters, particularly the polarization efficiency, will enable a simpler a priori calibration and greater measurement accuracy. This paper presents a factorial design experiment that assesses the effect of four factors on the optical strain response of an luminescent photoelastic coating. The factors examined were substrate reflectance, luminescent dye concentration, absorption dye concentration and cure time. Results show the polarization efficiency is strongly correlated with the emission anisotropy of the coating. When the polarization efficiency is modeled as the measured emission anisotropy, the two most significant factors are the substrate reflectance and the luminescent dye concentration. Absorption dye concentration and reflectance-luminescence interaction are minor but significant effects. The most significant tested factors in modeling the coating coefficient are absorption dye concentration and substrate reflectance. The resulting uncertainties for the polarization efficiency and coating characteristic are 1.3 and 3.7%, respectively.
Control of hippocampal theta rhythm by serotonin: Role of 5-HT2c receptors

Abstract The hippocampus plays an important role in learning and memory and has been implicated in a number of diseases, including epilepsy, anxiety and schizophrenia. A prominent feature of the hippocampal network is the capability to generate rhythmic oscillations. Serotonergic modulation is known to play an important role in the regulation of theta rhythm. 5-HT2c receptors represent a specific target of psychopharmacology and, in particular, the behavioral effects of the 5-HT2c receptor agonist mCPP have been thoroughly tested. The present study used this compound and the selective 5-HT2c receptor antagonist SB-242084 to elucidate the role of 5-HT2c receptors in the generation of hippocampal oscillations. Hippocampal EEG was recorded and the power in the theta frequency range was monitored in different behaviors in freely-moving rats and after brainstem stimulation in anesthetized animals. We found that in freely-moving rats, mCPP suppressed hippocampal theta rhythm and the effect was stronger during REM sleep than during waking theta states. Under urethane anesthesia, mCPP decreased the power for both spontaneous and elicited theta rhythm in a dose-dependent manner and the 5-HT2c antagonist reversed this effect. The results of this study demonstrate that 5-HT2c receptors are important element of the serotonergic modulation of hippocampal theta oscillations and thus pharmacological interactions with these receptors can modulate physiological and pathological processes associated with limbic theta activity. SB-242084 = 6-chloro-5-methyl-1-[6-(2-methylpyridin-3-yloxy)pyridin-3-yl carbamoyl]indoline mCPP = 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine dihydrochloride
Towards Enforceable Bans on Illicit Businesses: From Moral Relativism to Human Rights.

Many scholars and activists favor banning illicit businesses, especially given that such businesses constitute a large part of the global economy. But these businesses are commonly operated as if they are subject only to the ethical norms their management chooses to recognize, and as a result they sometimes harm innocent people. This can happen in part because there are no effective legal constraints on illicit businesses, and in part because it seems theoretically impossible to dispose definitively of arguments that support moral relativism. Progress is being made, however, towards a “second best” arrangement consisting of widespread institutional agreements regarding ethical norms. This development might eventually enable us to transcend moral relativism in some respects. Indeed, although some business ethicists who examine illicit business practices accept moral relativism, others attempt to surmount it. The latters’ endeavor, I show, is cross-cultural in nature in that it involves businesses that are deemed illicit in at least one but not every culture. I then recall some traditional solutions and their limits: ideological teachings are culture-specific, hence both temporally and spatially limited; legal constraints, though potentially helpful, are too diverse hence often narrow in reach. Especially problematic are defense industry businesses, which are inherently transcultural and, though uniquely harmful, are not effectively banned in any culture. Harm to quality of life (QoL) can, however, be measured. So I recommend institutional support for international human rights tied to QoL data as a workable way to counter moral relativism regarding illicit businesses.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Coarse-Grained Analysis of the Arp2/3 Complex

A molecular dynamics investigation and coarse-grained analysis of inactivated actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex is presented. It was found that the nucleotide binding site within Arp3 remained in a closed position with bound ATP or ADP, but opened when simulation with no nucleotide was performed. In contrast, simulation of the isolated Arp3 subunit with bound ATP, showed a fast opening of the nucleotide binding cleft. A homology model for the missing subdomains 1 and 2 of Arp2 was constructed, and it was also found that the Arp2 binding cleft remained closed with bound nucleotide. Within the nucleotide binding cleft a distinct opening and closing period of 10 ns was observed in many of the simulations of Arp2/3 as well as isolated Arp3. Substitution studies were employed, and several alanine substitutions were found to induce a partial opening of the ATP binding cleft in Arp3 and Arp2, whereas only a single substitution was found to induce opening of the ADP binding cleft. It was also found that the nucleotide type did not cause a substantial change on interfacial contacts between Arp3 and the ArpC2, ArpC3 and ArpC4 subunits. Nucleotide-free Arp3 had generally less stable contacts, but the overall contact architecture was constant. Finally, nucleotide-dependent coarse-grained models for Arp3 are developed that serve to further highlight the structural differences induced in Arp3 by nucleotide hydrolysis.
Cytoskeletal Reorganization Induced by Retinoic Acid Treatment of Human Endometrial Adenocarcinoma (RL95-2) Cells Is Correlated with Alterations in Protein Kinase C-α

We have shown previously that treatment of human endometrial adenocarcinoma (RL95-2) cells with either 13-cis or all-trans retinoic acid results in reorganization of actin filaments, indicating revers
Clinical practice. Preventing falls in elderly persons.

A 79-year-old woman with a history of congestive heart failure, arthritis, depression, and difficulty sleeping presents for a follow-up visit. She takes several prescription medications, including an antidepressant, a diuretic, an angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitor, and a beta-blocker, as well as over-the-counter sleep and allergy medications. Her chronic conditions appear to be stable. Her daughter reports that the patient has fallen twice during the past six months. What can be done to prevent future falls?
A saúde na pós-modernidade

Este artigo pretende demonstrar a influencia da pos-modemidade na saude e suas consequencias na protecao do direito a saude.
An Advanced System for Modeling Asymmetric Threats

In this paper, we introduce an advanced software tool for modeling asymmetric threats, the Adaptive Safety Analysis and Monitoring (ASAM) system. The ASAM system is a hybrid model-based system for assisting intelligence analysts to identify asymmetric threats, to predict possible evolution of the suspicious activities, and to suggest strategies for countering threats. It employs a novel combination of hidden Markov models (HMMs) and Bayesian networks (BNs) to compute the likelihood that a certain threat exists. It provides a distributed processing structure for gathering, sharing, understanding, and using information to assess and predict adversary network states. We illustrate the capabilities of the ASAM system by way of application to a hypothetical model of development of nuclear weapons program by an unknown hostile country. The simulation results show that the ASAM system is able to detect the modeled pattern with a high performance (greater than 95% clutter suppression capability).
Micro-satellite Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem Design and Implementation: Software-in-the-Loop Approach

The paper describes the development of a micro-satellite attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) and verification of its functionality by software-in-the-loop (SIL) method. The role of ADCS is to provide attitude control functions, including the de-tumbling and stabilizing the satellite angular velocity, and as well as estimating the orbit and attitude information during the satellite operation. In Taiwan, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), dedicating for students to design experimental low earth orbit micro-satellite, called AFITsat. For AFITsat, the operation of the ADCS consists of three modes which are initialization mode, de-tumbling mode, and normal modes, respectively. During the initialization mode, ADCS collects the early orbit measurement data from various sensors so that the data can be down linked to the ground station for further analysis. Particularly emphasized in this article, during the de-tumbling mode, ADCS implements the thrusters in plus-wide modulation control method to decrease the satellite angular velocity. ADCS provides the attitude determination function for the estimation of the satellite state, during normal mode. The three modes of micro satellite are adopted Kalman filter algorithm estimate micro satellite attitude. This article will discuss to use the SIL validation ADCS function and verify its feasibility.
The Need for Arts Researchers in Arts Organizations

The seemingly separate worlds of arts practitioner and arts researcher have been marching steadily toward each other. Recently, it became apparent that these two worlds have collided. In this study...
DOES SELF-EMPLOYMENT ENHANCE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Creative and qualified self-employed individuals contribute to economic growth by inventing new products, production processes, distribution methods and employing other people. Researchers are interested in self-employment if it can provide jobs to the unemployed population and also for those who face job discrimination. However, increase in self-employment is uncertain because entrepreneurial skills are assumed to be risky and self-employed workers can learn their skills gradually after starting their businesses. Economists pay special attention to finding the conceptual relationship between entrepreneurship as self-employment and economic development. Furthermore, studies show that the process of entrepreneurship has significant spatial autocorrelation and affects neighboring counties. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify and estimate the spatial impacts of self-employment in the economic development of the northeastern United States. The study expects to provide policy makers with vital information for policy measures designed for economic development. The study uses the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to estimate the relationship of employment, population and per capita income against self-employment. The results indicate that employment and population are positively linked to self-employment. Also, results highlight the positive contribution of self-employment on rural economic development.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe replication protein Cdc45/Sna41 requires Hsk1/Cdc7 and Rad4/Cut5 for chromatin binding

Cdc45 is a conserved protein required for firing of replication origins and processive DNA replication. We used an in situ chromatin-binding assay to determine factors required for fission yeast Cdc45p chromatin binding. Assembly of the pre-replicative complex is essential for Cdc45p chromatin binding, but pre-replicative complex assembly occurs independently of Cdc45p. Fission yeast Cdc45p associates with MCM proteins in asynchronously growing cells and cells arrested in S phase by hydroxyurea, but not in cells arrested at the G2/M transition. Both hsk1+ (the fission yeast CDC7 homologue) and rad4+/cut5+ (the fission yeast DPB11 homologue) are required for Cdc45p chromatin binding. Cdc45p also remains chromatin-bound in mutants that fail to recover from replication arrest. In summary, Cdc45p chromatin binding requires an intact pre-replicative complex as well as signaling from both the Dbf4-dependent kinase and cyclin-dependent kinases.
Sonography of acute appendicitis and its mimics in children

The diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant pain in a pediatric population is challenging. Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute surgical abdomen. The common mimics of acute appendicitis are acute gastrointestinal and gynecologic diseases. This article reviews the sonographic findings of the spectrum of common acute abdominal emergencies in children with a focus on imaging clues to a specific diagnosis. This awareness can impact on diagnostic accuracy and impact patient management.
Influence of deslorelin (GnRH-agonist) implant on plasma progesterone, first wave dominant follicle and pregnancy in dairy cattle.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of a synthetic GnRH-agonist (Deslorelin) implant on CL function and follicle dynamics when administered 48 h after PGF2 alpha, in a timed-insemination protocol, and to determine if the incorporation of a Deslorelin implant into a timed-insemination protocol to synchronize ovulation would be beneficial to the establishment of pregnancy. In Experiment 1, 15 non lactating cyclic Holstein cows received Buserelin (8 micrograms, i.m.) on Day-9, Lutalyse (25 mg, i.m.) on Day-2, and then on Day 0 received either a Deslorelin implant (700 micrograms, s.c.; n = 5), Buserelin (8 micrograms, i.m.; n = 5), or no treatment (control; n = 5). Blood samples were collected on Days-9, -2, 0 and thereafter daily until the next ovulation. Ovaries were scanned by ultrasound on Days-9, -2, 0, 1 (day of ovulation) and 3 times a week thereafter until a subsequent ovulation. From Days 0 to 15, the rate of increase of plasma progesterone (P4) was greater (P 9 mm) follicle was delayed (P Buserelin > Control; P 0.05) among treatments. In Experiment II, 16 lactating potentially subfertile (body condition score 2.25) cows received Cystorelin (100 micrograms, i.m.; Day-9), Lutalyse (25 mg, i.m.; Day-2), and either a Cystorelin injection (100 micrograms, i.m.; n = 8) or Deslorelin implant (700 micrograms, s.c.; n = 8) on Day 0 and inseminated 16 h later. Deslorelin-treated cows had a higher plasma P4 concentration between Days 0 and 16 (P < 0.05) than the 2 other groups, and 5 of the 8 cows in this group were pregnant (Day 45, palpation) compared with 1 of 8 cows in the Cystorelin group (P < 0.05). Incorporation of a Deslorelin implant into a timed-insemination protocol enhanced the pregnancy rate in cows of poor body condition. The results support the hypothesis that enhanced CL function and delayed establishment of the first-wave dominant follicle may enhance embryo survival.
Modeling the Initiation and Growth of Delaminations in Composite Structures

A method for modeling the initiation and growth of discrete delaminations in shell-like composite structures is presented. The laminate is divided into two or more sublaminates, with each sublaminate modeled with four-noded quadrilateral shell elements. A special, eight-noded hex constraint element connects opposing sublaminate shell elements, and makes the two opposing shell elements act as a single shell element until a prescribed failure criterion is satisfied. Once the failure criterion is met, the connection is broken, and a discrete delamination initiates or grows. This approach has been implemented in a three-dimensional finite element code. This code uses explicit time integration, and can analyze shell-like structures subjected to large deformations and complex contact conditions. Tensile, compressive, and shear laminate failures are also modeled. This paper describes the eight-noded hex constraint element used to model the initiation and growth of a delamination, and discusses associated impleme...
Free-electron-laser linewidth obtained from a master Fokker-Planck equation.

The problem of the intrinsic linewidth of a free-electron laser is analyzed. As opposed to the traditional Schawlow-Townes linewidth in atomic lasers, which is a quantum-mechanical result, the free-electron-laser linewidth is classical, that is, independent of \ensuremath{\Elzxh}. The theory of the ultimate linewidth of a free-electron laser is developed here, using the master Fokker-Planck approach with the advantage, over previous work, that it does not make use of any ansatz.
An efficient MAC protocol for underwater multi-user uplink communication networks

Multi-user uplink transmission has been proved to be a promising technique for spectrum-efficient communications. However, due to the unique features of underwater acoustic networks (UANs), such as the long propagation delay, low transmission rate and long preamble of acoustic modems, conventional medium access control (MAC) protocols proposed for terrestrial multi-user uplink communications need an overhaul to work efficiently in UANs. In this paper, we carefully consider these features and propose a new MAC protocol, called the competitive transmission MAC (CT-MAC), for underwater multi-user uplink networks. In CT-MAC, we aim to improve the channel utilization and energy efficiency of a network by using a parallel competition mechanism. With parallel competitions, the control packets produced by each user only need to reach the direct neighbors with a low transmission power to save energy. Meanwhile, the data generated by users in different time slots can join the competition transmission in parallel to improve the channel utilization. In addition, we propose two competition schemes for CT-MAC to achieve both the short-term and the long-term fairness in different network conditions. The theoretical analysis and simulation results illustrate that compared with the conventional multi-user uplink MAC protocols, CT-MAC can achieve higher channel utilization and much lower end-to-end delay in UANs, while maintaining comparable energy efficiency.