cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Article 41 and the Right to Appeal

Extensive discussion of the Chinese Constitution focuses on the ways in which the Constitution is under-enforced or not implemented. This essay takes a different approach, examining one clause that is arguably at times over-enforced, providing for constitutional authorization for challenging legal determinations outside the legal system. This essay’s focus is Article 41 of the 1982 Constitution, which protects the rights of citizens to file complaints (shensu 申诉) against illegal conduct of state actors. My goal in this essay is to examine the ways in which the concept of shensu is used to provide a basis for challenges to state action both within and outside of the formal legal system. My central argument is that Article 41 provides insight into structural tensions inherent in China’s constitutional framework.
Untethered Micro-Actuators for Autonomous Micro-robot Locomotion: Design, Fabrication, Control, and Performance

This paper presents a micro-actuator that operates free of any physically restraining tethers. We show how capacitive coupling can be used to deliver power to untethered MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) devices, independently of their position and orientation. Our novel power delivery and actuation mechanisms are designed for use in autonomous mobile robots whose dimensions can be measured in tens to hundreds of micrometers. Test devices utilizing these mechanisms have been fabricated at scale using MEMS technology, and have been shown capable of untethered locomotion at speeds exceeding 1.5 mm/sec. The corresponding speed, scaled to a car-sized robot would be over 100 km/hr. The possibility of autonomous (untethered) microactuators and microrobots less than 80 μm in length opens the door to novel applications in distributed and parallel robotics.
Amazon River sediment transport in the Atlantic Ocean

On the basis of data from seven cruises in the Amazon River–Atlantic Ocean area, and with 14 anchored stations extending over complete tidal cycles, the currents, suspended sediment concentration, temperature, and salinity were measured at various depths. The physical circulation of water shows Amazon River water thrusting out across the continental shelf and over the sea water with some entrainment and mixing with the sea water. The brackish plume from the Amazon is then turned northwestward along the outer shelf by the Guiana current and longshore currents to parallel the coastline for 500 to 700 km. Sea water upwells and flows landward under this plume. The sediments of the Amazon River are thrust out onto the outer shelf, where a gradual depositional process occurs: the sand is deposited first, followed by the silt, and most of the mud is carried shoreward by the landward-moving bottom waters. This combination of processes results in the existing depositional facies pattern; modern mud deposits along the shoreline grade outward into silt deposits and finally into modern sand. The depositional process occurring is contrary to the classic model with sand along the shoreline.
Modeling Temporal Dynamics for Business Systems

Research in temporal database management has viewed temporal dynamics from a structural perspective, posing extensions to the Entity-Relationship (E-R) model to represent the state history of time-dependent attributes and relationships. We argue that temporal dynamics are semantic rather than structural and that the existing constructs in the E-R model are sufficient to represent them. Practitioners have long used E-R models without temporal extensions to design systems with rich support for temporality by modeling both things and events as entities — a practice that is consistent with the original presentation of the E-R model. This approach supports methodologies that leverage narrative and human cognitive processing capabilities in the development and verification of data models. Furthermore it maintains modeling parsimony and facilitates the representation of causality — why a particular state exists.
Strain‐Induced Reversal of Charge Transfer in Contact Electrification

We have contact! Material strain can have a dominating effect on contact electrification. When a deflated (relaxed) balloon is rubbed against teflon, the teflon surface charges positively, but when the same balloon is inflated (strained), the teflon surface charges negatively. This result illustrates that material strain can control contact electrification and alter the driving force of some (yet unknown) charge-transfer species.
A new dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) approach for identifying gene regulatory networks from time course microarray data

Motivation: Signaling pathways are dynamic events that take place over a given period of time. In order to identify these pathways, expression data over time are required. Dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) is an important approach for predicting the gene regulatory networks from time course expression data. However, two fundamental problems greatly reduce the effectiveness of current DBN methods. The first problem is the relatively low accuracy of prediction, and the second is the excessive computational time. Results: In this paper, we present a DBN-based approach with increased accuracy and reduced computational time compared with existing DBN methods. Unlike previous methods, our approach limits potential regulators to those genes with either earlier or simultaneous expression changes (up- or down-regulation) in relation to their target genes. This allows us to limit the number of potential regulators and consequently reduce the search space. Furthermore, we use the time difference between the initial change in the expression of a given regulator gene and its potential target gene to estimate the transcriptional time lag between these two genes. This method of time lag estimation increases the accuracy of predicting gene regulatory networks. Our approach is evaluated using time-series expression data measured during the yeast cell cycle. The results demonstrate that this approach can predict regulatory networks with significantly improved accuracy and reduced computational time compared with existing DBN approaches. Availability: The programs described in this paper can be obtained from the corresponding author upon request. Contact: sconzen@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
LR-Seluge: Loss-Resilient and Secure Code Dissemination in Wireless Sensor Networks

Code dissemination in wireless sensor networks refers to the process of disseminating a new code image via wireless links to all sensor nodes after they are deployed. It is desirable and often necessary due to the need for, e.g., removing program bugs and adding new functionalities in a multi-task sensor network. A sound code dissemination scheme need be both loss-resilient and attack-resilient, which are crucial for sensor networks deployed in lossy and hostile environments. To the best of our knowledge, no existing scheme simultaneously satisfies both requirements. This paper fills this gap with the design and evaluation of LR-Seluge, a novel loss-resilient and secure code dissemination scheme. The efficacy and efficiency of LR-Seluge are confirmed by both theoretical analysis and extensive simulation results. In particular, LR-Seluge can reduce up to 40% communication overhead in lossy environments with the same level of attack resilience in contrast to existing schemes.
ANTIGEN-INDUCED STIMULATION OF GLUCOSAMINE INCORPORATION BY GUINEA PIG PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES IN DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY

The interaction between sensitized lymphocytes and specific antigen occurring in delayed hypersensitivity causes bystander macrophages to undergo a variety of light-microscopic, ultrastructural, and biochemical changes, which are reflected in alterations in cell movement and intercellular contacts. Since such alterations involve functions of the cell periphery, we postulated that metabolic changes in this polysaccharide-rich zone would accompany the expression of delayed hypersensitivity. We here demonstrate that the incorporation of radioactive glucosamine by peritoneal macrophages into TCA-precipitable, membrane-associated material is regularly enhanced when these are cultured in the presence of specific antigen and nonadherent cells (lymphocytes) primed for delayed hypersensitivity. Lymphocytes from unsensitized animals, or from animals immunized so as to form antibody but not delayed hypersensitivity, do not stimulate such incorporation. Antigen-induced glucosamine incorporation is maximal at 2 or 3 days of culture and is not observed earlier; it may be elicited with as little as 0.1 µg/ml PPD, and affords an exceedingly reproducible and sensitive index of delayed hypersensitivity. Radioautographic studies indicate that nearly all plastic adherent cells (90% macrophages) incorporate glucosamine and that grains are concentrated in the regions of the perinuclear zone and cell membrane. Subcellular fractionation indicates that nearly 30% of counts and the highest specific activity are associated with the membrane-rich microsomal fraction; the microsomal distribution of counts increases in both absolute and relative terms when macrophages are cultured in the presence of specific antigen and sensitized lymphocytes. Taken together, these data indicate that a sizable fraction of incorporated glucosamine is localized to the vicinity of the cell periphery but lack sufficient resolution to determine whether this material is associated with the cell membrane itself or with the extramembranous cell coat. This last possibility is of particular interest since we have previously shown that macrophage cell coat material is lost or altered as a consequence of an interaction between sensitized lymphocytes and specific antigen.
Dissection of CENP-C–directed Centromere and Kinetochore Assembly

Eukaryotic cells ensure accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis by assembling a microtubule-binding site on each chromosome called the kinetochore that attaches to the mitotic spindle. The kinet...
Changing territories, changing tunes: male loons, Gavia immer, change their vocalizations when they change territories

Male common loons produce a territorial vocalization called the yodel. Each male loon has a characteristic yodel that is stable from year to year and differs from that of other male loons on other lakes. Of 13 male loons whose yodels we recorded before and after they changed territories, 12 substantially changed their yodels either the first or second year on the new territory. Furthermore, this change increased the difference between the new resident's yodel and that of the previous resident. This result implies that loons not only change their vocalizations as the birds change territory, but also that the new owner is familiar with the yodel of the resident that it replaces.
Historical and Modern Disturbance Regimes, Stand Structures, and Landscape Dynamics in Piñon–Juniper Vegetation of the Western United States

Pinon–juniper is a major vegetation type in western North America. Effective management of these ecosystems has been hindered by inadequate understanding of 1) the variability in ecosystem structure and ecological processes that exists among the diverse combinations of pinons, junipers, and associated shrubs, herbs, and soil organisms; 2) the prehistoric and historic disturbance regimes; and 3) the mechanisms driving changes in vegetation structure and composition during the past 150 yr. This article summarizes what we know (and don't know) about three fundamentally different kinds of pinon–juniper vegetation. Persistent woodlands are found where local soils, climate, and disturbance regimes are favorable for pinon, juniper, or a mix of both; fires have always been infrequent in these woodlands. Pinon–juniper savannas are found where local soils and climate are suitable for both trees and grasses; it is logical that low-severity fires may have maintained low tree densities before disruption of fire regimes following Euro-American settlement, but information is insufficient to support any confident statements about historical disturbance regimes in these savannas. Wooded shrublands are found where local soils and climate support a shrub community, but trees can increase during moist climatic conditions and periods without disturbance and decrease during droughts and following disturbance. Dramatic increases in tree density have occurred in portions of all three types of pinon–juniper vegetation, although equally dramatic mortality events have also occurred in some areas. The potential mechanisms driving increases in tree density—such as recovery from past disturbance, natural range expansion, livestock grazing, fire exclusion, climatic variability, and CO2 fertilization—generally have not received enough empirical or experimental investigation to predict which is most important in any given location. The intent of this synthesis is 1) to provide a source of information for managers and policy makers; and 2) to stimulate researchers to address the most important unanswered questions.
Market Reactions To Company Layoffs: Evidence On The Financial Distress Versus Potential Benefit Hypothesis And The Effect Of Predisclosure Information

The current study extends theory developed by Malatesta and Thompson (1985) to the area of corporate downsizing, and finds that the magnitude of the stock price reaction to announcements of corporate layoffs is a function of two factors, (1) the economic impact of the announced layoff, and, (2) the degree to which the announcement and signal about the underlying conditions related to the announcement have been anticipated by investors and incorporated previously into the stock price (predisclosure information). For firms experiencing a negative overall stock price reaction at the date of a layoff announcement, the larger the layoff (proxy for economic impact), the more negative the stock price reaction. Also for these firms, the smaller the firm size (proxy for the level of predisclosure information), the more negative the stock price reaction. This provides evidence that for some firms, the financial distress effect dominates, and the market incorporates previously unknown negative information into the stock price, which results in the negative stock price reaction. For these firms, the larger the impact and the less the event is anticipated, the more negative is the stock price reaction. For firms experiencing a positive overall stock price reaction at the date of a layoff announcement, the larger the layoff (proxy for economic impact), the more positive the stock price reaction. Also for these firms, the smaller the firm size (proxy for level of predisclosure information), the more positive the stock price reaction. This provides evidence that for some firms, the potential benefit effect dominates. The market has previously incorporated negative information associated with the conditions leading up the layoff, and is now incorporating positive information about the benefits to be achieved by the layoff, which results in the positive stock price reaction. For these firms, the larger the impact and the less the event is anticipated, the more positive is the stock price reaction. In this study, hypotheses are developed which combine the effects of both economic impact and predisclosure information with the financial distress and potential benefit hypotheses developed in prior research in corporate downsizing. Instead of offering the these two hypotheses as competing and mutually exclusive, evidence is provided that supports the conclusion that these hypotheses simultaneously explain concurrent and additive effects on the stock price reaction to announcements of company layoffs. Finally, results indicate that the relationship between economic impact, predisclosure information and stock price reaction to layoff announcements depends on the relative dominance of the signals provided by the layoff about both financial distress and potential benefit.
Agreement between paramedic-estimated weights and subsequent hospital measurements in adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of paramedic estimates of adult body weights in cardiac arrest cases. HYPOTHESIS Paramedics could accurately estimate the weights of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. DESIGN Retrospective data analysis of a 15-month, multicenter study involving nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Paramedic estimates of body weights were compared to weights measured in the hospital. Patients were included in the analysis only if both a paramedic weight and a measured in-hospital weight were recorded. SETTING Six urban emergency medical services systems. PARTICIPANTS The study population included adults with return of spontaneous circulation who subsequently were admitted to the hospital. MEASUREMENTS Pearson correlation analysis of paramedic-estimated weights and measured weights. RESULTS Among the 133 study patients, the correlation coefficient (R) for paramedic estimates and the actual measured weight was 0.93. Paramedic estimates of weight were within 10% of the measured weights in 74% of the patients, and within 20% of measured weights in 93% of the patients. CONCLUSION Paramedic weight estimates correlated well with measured weights.
The Interface Between Spirituality and Violence in the Lives of Immigrant African Women: Implications for Help Seeking and Service Provision

ABSTRACTImmigration is one of many risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) due to the resulting stressors of acculturation and discrimination, in addition to economic changes in the family. Research is limited on African immigrant survivors of IPV in the United States, specifically in terms of women’s experiences with faith-based leaders when seeking help. Although informal help seeking with family elders is the preferred help-seeking method, in light of limited family support available in the United States, women often seek help from faith-based leaders. This qualitative study explored 15 African women’s experiences and perceptions of help seeking with faith-based leaders, and examined the role of spirituality in the lives of African immigrant women who experience IPV. Results indicate experiences of feeling blamed, stigmatized, and misunderstood, in addition to lack of practical help. Women’s self-isolation, however, did not preclude them from engaging in spiritual behaviors, forgiveness, and b...
Contextual Modulation of Vocal Behavior in Mouse: Newly Identified 12 kHz “Mid-Frequency” Vocalization Emitted during Restraint

While several studies have investigated mouse ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by isolated pups or by males in mating contexts, studies of behavioral contexts other than mating and vocalization categories other than USVs have been limited. By improving our understanding of the vocalizations emitted by mice across behavioral contexts, we will better understand the natural vocal behavior of mice and better interpret vocalizations from mouse models of disease. Hypothesizing that mouse vocal behavior would differ depending on behavioral context, we recorded vocalizations from male CBA/CaJ mice across three behavioral contexts including mating, isolation, and restraint. We found that brief restraint elevated blood corticosterone levels of mice, indicating increased stress relative to isolation. Further, after three days of brief restraint, mice displayed behavioral changes indicative of stress. These persisted for at least two days after restraint. Contextual differences in mouse vocal behavior were striking and robust across animals. Thus, while USVs were the most common vocalization type across contexts, the spectrotemporal features of USVs were context-dependent. Compared to the mating context, vocalizations during isolation and restraint displayed a broader frequency range, with a greater emphasis on frequencies below 50 kHz. These contexts also included more non-USV vocal categories and different vocal patterns. We identified a new Mid-Frequency Vocalization, a tonal vocalization with fundamental frequencies below 18 kHz, which was almost exclusively emitted by mice undergoing restraint stress. These differences combine to form vocal behavior that is grossly different among behavioral contexts and may reflect the level of anxiety in these contexts.
SUPPRESSION BY ENDOTOXIN OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO ACTINOPHAGE IN THE MOUSE.

SummaryRepeated injections of 4 mg endotoxin/kg, subsequent to antigenic stimulation with actinophage MSP8, retarded the early and late immune response in the mouse and resulted in an accelerated loss of preformed antibody. Cessation of endotoxin treatment permitted phage neutralizing activity in stimulated animals to increase.
Frictional Interactions in High-speed Sliding Contact

Rail-sled systems used for high-speed, ground-based testing are susceptible to material wear that increases operating expenses and, in certain circumstances, may jeopardize the success of the test. Modeling of frictional interactions during sliding at speeds exceeding 1 km/sec raises several important questions about the appropriate choice of physical parameters, and their dependence on load level, velocity, prior wear, heating, phase change, and other factors. Furthermore, the level of detail in the models employed to simulate the event affects the choice of friction properties, since finer models account for some sliding interactions directly. This paper investigates the dependence of the appropriate friction coefficient upon load, velocity, and model resolution, with special emphasis on conditions related to predicting wear rates at the Holloman High Speed Test Track facility in New Mexico. The studies reported are performed using a Lagrangian code (ABAQUS) at velocities much less than those of ultimate interest. The results of this investigation are intended to support higher-velocity models using an Eulerian code (CTH) in ongoing research studies conducted by the Air Force Institute of Technology. Nomenclature Ak, Bk = Fourier coefficients of surface profile c = wave speed E = material modulus k = wave number n = number of points in surface scan N = number of points in one-dimensional surface profile p = pressure at contact surface
Cytosolic pH regulates GCl through control of phosphorylation states of CFTR.

Our objective in this study was to determine the effect of changes in luminal and cytoplasmic pH on cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) Cl− conductance (G Cl). We monitored CFTRG Cl in t...
Longitudinal Volumetric Assessment of Glioblastoma Brain Tumor in 3D Bio-Printed Environment by Mesoscopic Fluorescence Molecular Tomography

3D optical reconstruction of in-vitro Glioblastoma brain tumors was evaluated longitudinally with Mesoscopic Fluorescence Molecular Tomography. Tumor response to the Temozolomide, a clinical drug, were evaluated through volumetric change.
An InP/InGaAs tunnel junction fabricated on (311)B InP substrate by MOCVD

We investigated the doping characteristics of InP/InGaAs on the (311)B plane by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) using metalorganic group-V regents. For both n-type Si-doping and p-type Zn-doping, we found that dopant incorporation is higher on the (311)B plane than the (100) plane, and that we can dope both n-type and p-type layers more than 10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/ at the same growth condition. Applying this result, we grew a tunnel junction on (311)B InP substrates at a constant growth temperature. The as-grown junction showed good current-voltage characteristics and is promising for device applications.
Differential Regulation of Gene Expression by Cholesterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors That Reduce (Pravastatin) or Enhance (Squalestatin 1) Nonsterol Isoprenoid Levels in Primary Cultured Mouse and Rat Hepatocytes

Squalene synthase inhibitors (SSIs), such as squalestatin 1 (SQ1), reduce cholesterol biosynthesis but cause the accumulation of isoprenoids derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), which can modulate the activity of nuclear receptors, including the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), farnesoid X receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). In comparison, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (e.g., pravastatin) inhibit production of both cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids. To characterize the effects of isoprenoids on hepatocellular physiology, microarrays were used to compare orthologous gene expression from primary cultured mouse and rat hepatocytes that were treated with either SQ1 or pravastatin. Compared with controls, 47 orthologs were affected by both inhibitors, 90 were affected only by SQ1, and 51 were unique to pravastatin treatment (P < 0.05, ≥1.5-fold change). When the effects of SQ1 and pravastatin were compared directly, 162 orthologs were found to be differentially coregulated between the two treatments. Genes involved in cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were up-regulated by both inhibitors, consistent with cholesterol depletion; however, the extent of induction was greater in rat than in mouse hepatocytes. SQ1 induced several orthologs associated with microsomal, peroxisomal, and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and repressed orthologs involved in cell cycle regulation. By comparison, pravastatin repressed the expression of orthologs involved in retinol and xenobiotic metabolism. Several of the metabolic genes altered by isoprenoids were inducible by a PPARα agonist, whereas cytochrome P450 isoform 2B was inducible by activators of CAR. Our findings indicate that SSIs uniquely influence cellular lipid metabolism and cell cycle regulation, probably due to FPP catabolism through the farnesol pathway.
Impact of radical prostatectomy in the management of clinically localized disease.

AbstractThe cancer specific death rate following radical prostatectomy in patients with organ confined and specimen confined disease was 10% at 13.5 years, less than the noncancer death rate of 20% for patients in these disease extent categories. The median age of all patients in these categories was 65 years. Cancer remains the dominate cause of death in patients with margin-positive disease, being 40% at 13.5 years. Disease detected by prostate specific antigen (PSA) rather than digital rectal examination appears to be of smaller volume and to have a higher probability of negative margins. Data argue that early detection of PSA will shift patients to a more favorable disease category at surgical intervention.Disease recurrence or persistence by PSA detection seems to precede clinical detection of disease by 3 to 5 years. Disease recurrence by PSA detection does not predict survival outcome, probably does not differentiate between local and distant microscopic recurrence, and is not predictive of biologi...
Identification of gene family of caspases in rat kidney and altered expression in ischemia-reperfusion injury

In the present study, we demonstrate that rat kidney contains caspase activity that was markedly inhibited by specific peptide inhibitors of caspases but not by inhibitors of Ser, Cys, Asp, or meta...
Silica Overcoating of CdSe/CdS Core/Shell Quantum Dot Nanorods with Controlled Morphologies

CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dot nanorods (QDNRs) exhibit anisotropic optical properties. Overcoating QDNRs with silica (SiO2) shells is desirable for protecting the surface of the inorganic core, imparting dispersibility in water, and allowing functionalization with silanes. While several methods have been developed for encapsulating spherical CdSe-based quantum dots in SiO2, extension of these approaches to QDNRs has been limited. Here, we report a reverse microemulsion approach for controlled deposition of SiO2 overcoatings with thicknesses of 2–12 nm onto CdSe/CdS QDNRs with aspect ratios of up to 19. Addition of poly(ethylene glycol) silane during SiO2 deposition terminates the reaction and allows facile control over the shell thickness, especially for thinner shells. By independently controlling the amounts of tetraethyl orthosilicate, ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), and water, morphological control is achieved, giving uniform SiO2 shells or heterogenenous deposition onto the ends of QDNRs as lobed struc...
Stepping back from the trees to see the forest: a network approach to valuing intelligence

Determining the value of intelligence can be a difficult problem. One way to value intelligence is to judge a document’s worth by its location within a structure of a given corpus of documents. Citation networks and Google’s PageRank algorithm are examples of valuing information based on its location within a structure. Dynamic network analysis (DNA) has been used to allow a multilayered approach to social network analysis by including multi-nodal networks and creating inferences across networks with common nodes. We introduce the application of the DNA layered approach to information networks in an attempt to determine the value of intelligence.
Perceived Exertion Is Lower When Using a Functional Electrical Stimulation Neuroprosthesis Compared With an Ankle-Foot Orthosis in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study.

Objective This study investigates the direct comparison of energy cost, efficiency, and effort between an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device for foot drop in ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis. Design Twenty adults (32-74 years old; 55% female) with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis resulting in foot drop participated in a crossover, counterbalanced preliminary study. Each participant was tested on different days, with each session consisting of a separate walk trial per prosthetic device. Heart rate, oxygen consumption, speed, distance, and self-reported exertion were measured independently for each device walk trial. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with device and visit number as within-participants independent variables were run for the primary outcome variables of perceived exertion, energy, and metabolic efficiency. Results A significant main effect of device was found for perceived exertion (P = 0.01), with participants reporting decreased exertion levels (Borg Scale) when using the FES compared with the AFO (mean difference, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-2.76). Energy and efficiency did not significantly differ by device. Conclusion Results suggest that further investigation of the potential advantages of FES devices over traditional AFO is warranted. To claim cme credits Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME CME OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) describe the potential differences between an AFO and FES for the treatment of foot drop in patients with multiple sclerosis, (2) understand the mechanisms and prevalence of foot drop in patients with multiple sclerosis, and (3) recognize the potential benefit of improved perceived exertion found when using FES for the treatment of foot drop in patients with multiple sclerosis. Level Advanced ACCREDITATION: The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Clinical Status of Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract Cerebral ischemia, resulting in neuronal death, is seen in a wide range of conditions. Most often, it results from arterial occlusion secondary to thromboembolic or atherosclerotic diseases. Trauma is also a common cause of ischemia. In other instances, it can be iatrogenic in the setting of interventional treatments, such as those for carotid stenosis or cerebral aneurysms. Neuroprotective strategies in clinical practice fall into one of the three categories: to prevent disruption of ion homeostasis in the neurovascular unit before reaching ischemic threshold, to salvage at-risk territory (ischemic penumbra), and to prevent secondary injury in normal brain tissue near ischemia-related cerebral edema. In this chapter, we review these categories and their roles in the current clinical practice.
A Research Guide to California Water Law

California water law is a complex subject. It is governed by both state and federal law, and is part property law and part environmental law. This topic has important historical roots, based in common law concepts of private rights to water, but is now dominated by federal legislation aimed at achieving environmental purposes. Adding to this complexity is the existence of a large number of federal, state and local agencies which play a role in the allocation and management of the state’s water resources.This research guide explains the basic concepts a researcher needs in order to begin understanding the current legal regime that controls the water of California. The guide covers a wide variety of resources, both print and online, some of which are freely available but others only through paid subscriptions. The greater emphasis is on California statutes, cases and regulations, but the secondary sources discussed will provide the necessary explanation of how federal law applies.
Initiating language in LIDA: Learning the meaning of vervet alarm calls

Abstract This paper initiates language in LIDA by using the Learning Intelligent Decision 1 Agent’s (LIDA) perceptual learning mechanism to suggest how an infant vervet, Chlorocebus pygerthrus, learns the meanings of vervet monkey alarm calls. We consider a multiple meanings approach which includes a feeling-based meaning, an action-based meaning, and a referential meaning. Simulations first test the learning of the meanings of these alarm calls while the infant is physically attached to the mother. The second simulations study the infant’s understanding of these alarm calls while the infant is detached physically from the mother. Our results confirm that a LIDA based agent simulating a vervet infant is capable of learning such multiple meanings. The agent learned in sequence the feeling-based meaning, the action-based meaning, and the referential meaning. The LIDA agent achieved a good understanding of each of these meanings. This work can be seen as a starting step toward modeling the learning of human language in the LIDA cognitive architecture. Such modeling of language use would be a significant addition to the LIDA model.
Microstructural Infarct Border Zone Remodeling in the Post-infarct Swine Heart Measured by Diffusion Tensor MRI

Introduction: Computational models of the heart increasingly require detailed microstructural information to capture the impact of tissue remodeling on cardiac electromechanics in, for example, hearts with myocardial infarctions. Myocardial infarctions are surrounded by the infarct border zone (BZ), which is a site of electromechanical property transition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging method for characterizing microstructural remodeling and focal myocardial infarcts and the BZ can be identified with late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) MRI. Microstructural remodeling within the BZ, however, remains poorly characterized by MRI due, in part, to the fact that LGE and DT-MRI are not always available for the same heart. Diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) can evaluate microstructural remodeling by quantifying the DT apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC, increased with decreased cellularity), fractional anisotropy (FA, decreased with increased fibrosis), and tissue mode (decreased with increased fiber disarray). The purpose of this work was to use LGE MRI in post-infarct porcine hearts (N = 7) to segment remote, BZ, and infarcted myocardium, thereby providing a basis to quantify microstructural remodeling in the BZ and infarcted regions using co-registered DT-MRI. Methods: Chronic porcine infarcts were created by balloon occlusion of the LCx. 6-8 weeks post-infarction, MRI contrast was administered, and the heart was potassium arrested, excised, and imaged with LGE MRI (0.33 × 0.33 × 0.33 mm) and co-registered DT-MRI (1 × 1 × 3 mm). Myocardium was segmented as remote, BZ, or infarct by LGE signal intensity thresholds. DT invariants were used to evaluate microstructural remodeling by quantifying ADC, FA, and tissue mode. Results: The BZ significantly remodeled compared to both infarct and remote myocardium. BZ demonstrated a significant decrease in cellularity (increased ADC), significant decrease in tissue organization (decreased FA), and a significant increase in fiber disarray (decreased tissue mode) relative to remote myocardium (all p < 0.05). Microstructural remodeling in the infarct was similar, but significantly larger in magnitude (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: DT-MRI can identify regions of significant microstructural remodeling in the BZ that are distinct from both remote and infarcted myocardium.
Effects of opiates on brain development.

Perinatal morphine administration affects neuronal growth in the developing animal. Neuronal packing density was reduced by morphine treatment in both primary somatosensory cortex and preoptic area of the hypothalamus. However, glial packing density was increased, but only in hypothalamus, which could reflect greater severity of opiate-induced neurotoxicity in hypothalamus. Cortical pyramidal neurons show morphine-induced reduction of basilar dendritic growth limited to late-developing terminal branches. This effect is completely reversed by concurrent naltrexone administration. This selective effect could be caused by morphine acting at opiate receptors to inhibit extrinsic determinants of dendritic growth (e.g., afferent supply). The ontogeny of opiate receptors is also affected by perinatal morphine administration in a regionally-dependent manner. Mureceptors are downregulated by morphine in hypothalamus, but not in cortex. Differential maturity of receptors in these regions could be a factor in such differential drug effects. Therefore, different critical periods for opiate action in different regions of the developing brain could exist.
Von Willebrand Factor and P-Selectin Targeting to and Release from Endothelial Cell-Specific Storage Granules

A readily releasable pool of von Willebrand factor (vWf) was first realized after Prentice and colleagues (1972) observed that exercise or the administration of adrenaline caused an increase in circulating vWf. vWf was later reported in the alpha granules of platelets (Zucker et al., 1979; Jeanneau et al., 1984) and the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells (Weibel and Palade, 1964; Wagner et al., 1982). Recently, a transmembrane protein, P-selectin (PADGEM, GMP140, CD62), was also identified in these two cell-specific storage granules (Stenberg et al., 1985; Berman et al., 1986; Bonfanti et al., 1989; McEver et al., 1989). The release of Weibel-Palade bodies occurs by stimulation of the endothelium with various secretagogues which are effective within minutes in inducing the release of von Willebrand factor (for review, Wagner 1990) and P-selectin (Hattori et al., 1989) which are the only proteins known to be stored in these storage granules. There is substantial evidence that the increased circulating levels of vWf observed in patients treated with 1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), a pharmacological analogue of the hormone L-arginine vasopressin, originates from a storage pool of vWf present in the endothelium. However, DDAVP in vitro does not directly cause Weibel-Palade body release (for review, Mannucci, 1986). vWf is an adhesive multimeric glycoprotein which has at least two functions in hemostasis: it is important in the initial events in hemostasis such as platelet adhesion to the subendothelium, and platelet aggregation and spreading and it complexes with fVIII, the factor deficient in hemophilia A, to protect it from proteolysis. The highest molecular weight multimers are the most biologically effective in adhesion but all multimeric forms are capable of complexing with fVIII (Wagner, 1990). P-selectin is a transmembrane protein present on the surface of activated endothelium and platelets and is effective in the early stages of inflammation and wound healing by recruiting neutrophils and monocytes (Larsen et al., 1989; Hamburger and McEver 1990; Geng et al., 1990) through recognition of Sialyl-Lex antigen (Larsen et al., 1990; Corral et al., 1990; Polley et al., 1991) on these white blood cells.
Seeding Green Roofs with Native Grasses

During six years of native grass establishment and growth on four green roofs, we sought to understand appropriate seeding seasons and spacing, the amount of time to reach the industry 80% coverage threshold (FLL 2008), the seed yield projections for volunteer plant infill. We also produced and tested methods for successfully and inexpensively seeding and determined “as needed” irrigation protocols. The suite of techniques examined improves and enhances the use, establishment, and management of native grasses on green roofs and reduces green roof costs.
Chromatin Accessibility as a Strategy to Detect Changes Associated With Development, Disease, and Exposure and Susceptibility to Chemical Toxins

Abstract In addition to their role in chromatin architecture, nucleosomes create a barrier to DNA-templated processes. The placement of nucleosomes creates organization in the chromatin that influences transcriptional activation, DNA damage repair, replication, RNA processing, and nuclear organization. However, nucleosome positioning is not random. Multiple cellular factors converge to control precise nucleosomal location and spacing. Intricately linked to the overall regulatory environment specific to each cell lineage, chromatin organization offers an unbiased overview of the epigenetic influences associated with cellular replication, development, differentiation, and disease. Here, we review the utility of chromatin architecture in understanding both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms affecting normal development and diseases and outline assays that are currently available to interrogate in vivo chromatin accessibility.
Peripheral neuropathy associated with silver toxicity

Silver is known to be a potent bactericidal agent. It has a proinflammatory effect by inducing inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Silver can also have a direct cytotoxic effect on immune cells and can cause endothelial cell injury.1 At low levels, silver is thought to be nontoxic. It only deposits in the skin and causes a silver-blue discoloration called argyria. Lately, there has been an increase in the use of silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents or via alternative medicine, which reignited interest in further studying silver toxicity. In the CNS, silver can disrupt the blood–brain barrier and be toxic to neurons and astrocytes.1 There have been case reports of silver toxicity associated with seizures, cortical basal degeneration, and psychosis.2–4 On the other hand, the effect of silver on the peripheral nervous system remains poorly explored. In this report, we present a case of a peripheral neuropathy associated with argyria with detailed clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings.
Crystal Growth and Magnetic Measurements on Aligned Single Crystals of the Oxides Sr3NiPtO6 and Sr3CuPtO6

Crystals of Sr3NiPtO6 and Sr3CuPtO6 were grown from a K2CO3 flux containing SrCO3, NiO or CuO, and Pt metal powder, at 1150 °C. The structure of Sr3NiPtO6 was solved by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structure was refined in space group R3c, with a = 9.5832(1) A and c = 11.1964(1) A. Sr3CuPtO6 and Sr3NiPtO6 are structurally related to the parent compound, A4PtO6 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba), and contain infinite chains of alternating, face-sharing PtO6 octahedra and A‘O6 (A‘ = Ni, Cu) trigonal prisms. Magnetic measurements were carried out on both samples using 3−5 mm long single crystals. Magnetic susceptibility studies on oriented single crystals of Sr3NiPtO6 indicate the presence of Ni(II) ions with a large single-ion anisotropy (D = 93.7(5) K, g∥ = 2.143(6), and g⊥ = 2.392(4)). In contrast, Sr3CuPtO6 exhibits S = 1/2 Heisenberg linear chain antiferromagnetism with J/k = −24.7(1) K, J‘/k = −7.3(8) K, g∥ = 2.127(6), and g⊥ = 2.150(6).
The Role of Temperature and Embryo Development Time in the Diel Timing of Spawning in a Coral-reef Damselfish with High-frequency Spawning Synchrony

We studied the diel timing of spawning in the demersally spawning Hawaiian damselfish, Dascyllus albisella, from mid-June to late-September 1997 at two small patch reefs in Hawaii. Our objectives were to elucidate daily timing of spawning in relation to water temperature, diel timing of hatching, and short-period spawning synchrony. Spawning occurred every 5–7 days at both reefs, with all spawning on a reef concluded either within a single day (1-day spawning) or within two successive days (2-day spawning). Spawning began in early morning and continued for most of the day. There was a significant, positive linear relationship between mean daily average water temperature (= daily average temperature averaged over the period starting from the day following the last spawning day of the preceding nest cycle till the day before the first spawning day of the current cycle) and peak spawning hour of day, for 1-day spawning, and the first and second days of 2-day spawning at both reefs. The relationship between mean daily average water temperature and peak spawning hour of day was comparable among all spawning-day classes and reefs. Hatching occurred on the fourth day of development throughout the study despite the 26.5–29.1°C change in water temperature during the study period, and hatching was restricted to within two hours after sunset. We propose that D. albisella's peak spawning time is positively correlated with increased water temperature because it maintains the benefits of synchronous spawning within two constraints: the narrow daily period of hatching, and the inverse relationship between water temperature and embryo developmental time.
String-math 2012

We review a construction of a new class of algebraic curves, called super-A-polynomials, and their quantum generalizations. The super-A-polynomial is a two-parameter deformation of the A-polynomial known from knot theory or Chern-Simons theory with SL(2,C) gauge group. The two parameters of the super-A-polynomial encode, respectively, the t-deformation which leads to the "refined A-polynomial", and the Q-deformation which leads to the augmentation polynomial of knot contact homology. For a given knot, the super-A-polynomial encodes the asymptotics of the corresponding S^r-colored HOMFLY homology for large r, while the quantum super-A-polynomial provides recursion relations for such homology theories for each r. The super-A-polynomial also admits a simple physical interpretation as the defining equation for the space of SUSY vacua in a circle compactification of the effective 3d N=2 theory associated to a given knot (complement). We discuss properties of super-A-polynomials and illustrate them in many examples.