cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Electrophysiological and Biochemical Pharmacology of the Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Dopamine Neurons

Since the early pioneering anatomical studies of Dahlstrom and Fuxe (1964), it has been known that midbrain dopamine (DA)-containing neurons project to and innervate not only the striatum but also various limbic regions. These observations and those of Ungerstedt (1971) led to the functional organization of midbrain DA neurons into the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA systems. However, in 1973, Thierry and colleagues presented biochemical evidence for the existence of DA in the cerebral cortex, independent of that normally present within the norepinephrine-containing neurons (Thierry et al, 1973a,b). Other work demonstrated that a DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase was present in the cortex (von Hungen and Roberts, 1973). Subsequent anatomical studies, which employed more sensitive fluorescence histochemical techniques, confirmed the presence of a mesocortical DA system (Berger et al., 1974, 1976; Hokfelt et al, 1974; Lindvall et al, 1977, 1978; Lindvall and Bjorklund, 1978a,b). During the last 10 years, much basic electrophysiological, pharmacological, and biochemical research has been directed toward providing a more detailed understanding of the functioning of these midbrain DA systems. The following review is an overview of those studies. The anatomy of these systems will also be discussed, as will the possible roles these systems play in conditioned and unconditioned behaviors. Although it is not within the scope of this discussion to review the nigrostriatal DA system exhaustively, reference will be made to studies of these neurons in order to assess similarities and differences among the midbrain DA pathways. Biochemical, behavioral, and anatomical aspects of the midbrain DA systems have been the topics of reviews in previous volumes of this Handbook (Sedvall, 1975; Iversen, 1977a; Lindvall and Bjorklund, 1978b).
Persistence in postural dynamics is dependent on constraints of vision, postural orientation, and the temporal structure of support surface translations

Activities of daily living require maintaining upright posture within a variety of environmental constraints. A healthy postural control system can adapt to different environmental constraints. Afferent sensory information is used to determine where the body is in relation to the gravitational vertical and efferent motor commands make corrections with the goal of keeping the center of mass within the base of support. The purpose of this research was to understand how vision, direction of translation, and the temporal correlation of the support surface stimuli affected the persistence characteristics of postural dynamics on short and long time scales. Ten healthy young adults performed a standing task with either eyes open or closed, oriented anteriorly or mediolaterally while the support surface underwent structured translations based on different levels of temporal correlation-white noise (no correlation), pink noise (moderate correlation), and red noise and sinusoidal movements (strong correlations). Center of pressure velocity was analyzed using fractal analysis to determine the dynamics of postural control. On the short time scale, persistence was shown to be stronger with eyes closed, in the mediolateral direction, and when the structure of translation contained stronger temporal correlation. On the long time scale, anti-persistence was stronger with eyes closed, in the mediolateral direction, and for all structures of movement except red noise. This study provides deeper insight into the flexibility existing in human movement responses to structured environmental stimuli through the fractal analysis of movement variability.
Measuring Adherence to Key Teaching Techniques in an Evidence-Based Treatment: A Comparison of Caregiver, Therapist, and Behavior Observation Ratings:

Traditionally, treatment adherence has been measured in outcome studies by highly trained, independent raters who code audio- or video-taped treatment sessions to understand therapists’ adherence t...
Functional reconstitution of vacuolar H+-ATPase from Vo proton channel and mutant V1-ATPase provides insight into the mechanism of reversible disassembly.

The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase; V1Vo-ATPase) is an ATP-dependent proton pump that acidifies subcellular compartments in all eukaryotic organisms. V-ATPase activity is regulated by reversible disassembly into autoinhibited V1-ATPase and Vo proton channel subcomplexes, a process that is poorly understood on the molecular level. V-ATPase is a rotary motor, and recent structural analyses have revealed different rotary states for disassembled V1 and Vo, a mismatch that is likely responsible for their inability to reconstitute into holo V-ATPase in vitro. Here, using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that a key impediment for binding of V1 to Vo is the conformation of the inhibitory C-terminal domain of subunit H (HCT). Using biolayer interferometry and biochemical analyses of purified mutant V1-ATPase and Vo proton channel reconstituted into vacuolar lipid-containing nanodiscs, we further demonstrate that disruption of HCT's V1-binding site facilitates assembly of a functionally coupled and stable V1Vo-ATPase. Unlike WT, this mutant enzyme was resistant to MgATP hydrolysis-induced dissociation, further highlighting HCT's role in the mechanism of V-ATPase regulation. Our findings provide key insight into the molecular events underlying regulation of V-ATPase activity by reversible disassembly.
Human electrocortical dynamics while stepping over obstacles.

To better understand human brain dynamics during visually guided locomotion, we developed a method of removing motion artifacts from mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and studied human subjects walking and running over obstacles on a treadmill. We constructed a novel dual-layer EEG electrode system to isolate electrocortical signals, and then validated the system using an electrical head phantom and robotic motion platform. We collected data from young healthy subjects walking and running on a treadmill while they encountered unexpected obstacles to step over. Supplementary motor area and premotor cortex had spectral power increases within ~200 ms after object appearance in delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands (3–13 Hz). That activity was followed by similar posterior parietal cortex spectral power increase that decreased in lag time with increasing locomotion speed. The sequence of activation suggests that supplementary motor area and premotor cortex interrupted the gait cycle, while posterior parietal cortex tracked obstacle location for planning foot placement nearly two steps ahead of reaching the obstacle. Together, these results highlight advantages of adopting dual-layer mobile EEG, which should greatly facilitate the study of human brain dynamics in physically active real-world settings and tasks.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) experience.

e16037Background: Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) extends overall survival in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients (pts) and pathologic ...
Acute Effects of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation on Vascular Function Detected at Quantitative MRI.

Nicotine-free e-cigarette aerosol inhalation in young, healthy nonsmokers resulted in transient impairment of vascular reactivity and endothelial function by using quantitative MRI metrics across m...
“Kingston Be Wise:” Jamaica’s Reggae Revival, Musical Livity, and Troubling Temporality in the Modern Global Music Industry

Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, is home to a cohort of creative and music industry workers organizing for creative industrial development and social uplift. This article uses interviews and textual analysis to historicize and contextualize one group, Manifesto Jamaica, and situates its work alongside close readings of new music written by political Jamaican artists organizing alongside Manifesto under the umbrella of the “Reggae Revival.” The groups’ media are characterized by two themes: (1) a cross-textual referencing practice connected to the Rastafari folk religion’s concept of livity , or collectivity; and (2) an intentional troubling of temporal order, which connects the politics and people of the 1970s reggae golden age to today through the use of riddims , or backing tracks. Together, Manifesto Jamaica and the Reggae Revival represent creative industries development and cultural production in a specific neocolonial and Afro-diasporic global context that is worthy of study for its connection to previous histories and its impact today.
Social Determinants of Polypharmacy in First Generation Mexican Immigrants in the United States.

Introduction: Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators are among the main social determinants of health and illness. Less, however, is known about the role of SES in the epidemiology of polypharmacy in immigrant Latino Americans living in the United States. This research studied the association between three SES indicators, education, income, and employment, and polypharmacy in older first generation Latino American immigrant adults. Methods: Data was obtained from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA, 1996-2008). A total of 632 older first generation Mexican-American immigrants to the U.S. entered this analysis. The independent variables were education, income, and employment. Polypharmacy was the outcome. Age, gender, physical health, smoking, and drinking were the covariates. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Employment was associated with lower odds of polypharmacy. The association between education and polypharmacy was above and beyond demographic factors, physical health, health behaviors, and health insurance. Neither education nor income were associated with polypharmacy. Other determinants of polypharmacy were poor self-rated health (SRH) and a higher number of chronic medical conditions (CMCs). Conclusion: Employment appears to be the major SES determinant of polypharmacy in older foreign-born Mexican Americans. Unemployed older Mexican American immigrants with multiple chronic diseases and those who have poor SRH have the highest need for an evaluation of polypharmacy. Given the age group of this population, most of them have health insurance, which provides an opportunity for reducing their polypharmacy.
Transcriptomic profiles reveal differences between the right and left ventricle in normoxia and hypoxia.

Chronic hypoxia from diseases in the lung, such as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can increase pulmonary vascular resistance, resulting in hypertrophy and dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV). In order to obtain insight into RV biology and perhaps uncover potentially novel therapeutic approaches for RV dysfunction, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of RV and LV tissue from rats in normal ambient conditions or subjected to hypoxia (10% O2 ) for 2 weeks. Gene ontology and pathway analysis of the RV and LV revealed multiple transcriptomic differences, in particular increased expression in the RV of genes related to immune function in both normoxia and hypoxia. Immune cell profiling by flow cytometry of cardiac digests revealed that in both conditions, the RV had a larger percentage than the LV of double-positive CD45+ /CD11b/c+ cells (which are predominantly macrophages and dendritic cells). Analysis of gene expression changes under hypoxic conditions identified multiple pathways that may contribute to hypoxia-induced changes in the RV, including increased expression of genes related to cell mitosis/proliferation and decreased expression of genes related to metabolic processes. Together, the findings indicate that the RV differs from the LV with respect to content of immune cells and expression of certain genes, thus suggesting the two ventricles differ in aspects of pathophysiology and in potential therapeutic targets for RV dysfunction.
Technical noteMonopolar rheoencephalography

We have observed that different REG techniques yield different REG tracings on the same individual. When large input electrodes (4 cm and greater) are used, the position of the monopolar reference electrode is important. To the extent we have compared electrical models of the different REG techniques to observations on patients, we have found models accurately predict the results. Our studies have shown that the monopolar technique which we have developed is better suited for localized impedance studies than other techniques. This technique is not very sensitive to scalp impedance changes when large input electrodes (6 cm dia.) are used.
Modeling User Activity Space from Location-Based Social Media: A Case Study of Weibo

Activity space studies are beneficial for discovering meaningful activity patterns and providing a deeper understanding of human behaviors. There is insufficient research, however, on how reliable ...
Methamphetamine pre-exposure induces steeper escalation of methamphetamine self-administration with consequent alterations in hippocampal glutamate AMPA receptor mRNAs

Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is often modeled using rodent self-administration (SA) experiments. Noncontingent injections of a drug given to rodents before self-administration training can increase drug SA. In the present study, we injected methamphetamine before putting rats through methamphetamine SA to investigate SA escalation. We also measured consequent changes in the expression of glutamate receptors in the hippocampus. Experimental groups included rats that received the methamphetamine injection prior to self-administration (MM) and those that received a prior saline injection before they underwent methamphetamine SA (SM). After SA training, rats also underwent tests of relapse potentials at one day and one month after withdrawal from methamphetamine SA. We used qPCR to identify potential changes in mRNA expression of AMPA, NMDA, and mGluR glutamate receptors. MM rats showed greater escalated methamphetamine intake in comparison to SM animals. There were no differences in incubation of methamphetamine craving between the two groups. In the hippocampus, MM rats showed decreased levels of GluA2 and GluA3 mRNAs in comparison to controls and of GluN2c mRNA in comparison to SM rats. In addition, SM rats had increased mGluR3 mRNA levels in comparison to control and MM rats. These data implicate hippocampal glutamate receptors in the longterm effects of methamphetamine. Further studies are necessary to identify the specific role that changes in the expression of these receptors might play in escalated intake of methamphetamine by human users.
Systems-informed genome mining for electroautotrophic microbial production

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems can store renewable energy and CO2 in many-carbon molecules inaccessible to abiotic electrochemistry. Here, we develop a multiphysics model to investigate the fundamental and practical limits of MES enabled by direct electron uptake and we identify organisms in which this biotechnological CO2-fixation strategy can be realized. Systematic model comparisons of microbial respiration and carbon fixation strategies revealed that, under aerobic conditions, the CO2 fixation rate is limited to 50 μmol/cm2/hr for microbes using the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. Phylogenetic analysis, validated by recapitulating experimental demonstrations of electroautotrophy, uncovered multiple probable electroautotrophic organisms and a significant number of genetically tractable strains that require heterologous expression of
Navigation from Low‐Earth Orbit

The promise of broadband low‐Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals for positioning, navigation, and timing has been demonstrated in the past decade. This chapter describes the LEO satellite receiver pseudorange, carrier phase, and Doppler measurement model. It gives a brief overview of LEO satellite orbital dynamics, which are used in the navigation filter to estimate the LEO satellites’ states in the simultaneous tracking and navigation (STAN) framework. The chapter discusses error sources affecting the navigation performance of the STAN framework. It overviews the existing Orbcomm LEO satellite constellation and describes how to estimate Doppler measurements from these satellites. The chapter also overviews the proposed Starlink constellation according to filings which SpaceX has made to the Federal Communications Commission. It formulates the carrier‐phase differential LEO framework. The chapter analyzes the position dilution of precision with some existing and future LEO satellite constellations.
The Patient Mania Questionnaire (PMQ-9): a Brief Scale for Assessing and Monitoring Manic Symptoms

Measurement-based care is an effective clinical strategy underutilized for bipolar disorder partly due to lacking a widely adopted patient-reported manic symptom measure. To report development and psychometric properties of a brief patient-reported manic symptom measure. Secondary analysis of data collected in a randomized effectiveness trial comparing two treatments for 1004 primary care patients screening positive for bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. Two analytic samples included 114 participants with varied diagnoses and test-retest data, and 179 participants with psychiatrist-diagnosed bipolar disorder who had two or more assessments with the nine-item Patient Mania Questionnaire-9 [PMQ-9]). Internal and test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change were assessed. Minimally important difference (MID) was estimated by standard error of measurement (SEM) and by standard deviation (SD) effect sizes. The PMQ-9 had high internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88) and test-retest reliability (0.85). Concurrent validity correlation with manic symptom measures was high for the Internal State Scale-Activation Subscale (0.70; p<0.0001), and lower for the Altman Mania Rating Scale (0.26; p=0.007). Longitudinally, PMQ-9 was completed at 1511 clinical encounters in 179 patients with bipolar disorder. Mean PMQ-9 score at first and last encounters was 14.5 (SD 6.5) and 10.1 (SD 7.0), a 27% decrease in mean score during treatment, suggesting sensitivity to change. A point estimate of the MID was approximately 3 points (range of 2–4). The PMQ-9 demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and sensitivity to change and was widely used and acceptable to patients and clinicians in a pragmatic clinical trial. Combined with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measure of depressive symptoms this brief measure could inform measurement-based care for individuals with bipolar disorder in primary care and mental health care settings given its ease of administration and familiar self-report response format.
Long-term surveillance of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 in Los Angeles County

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an effective and versatile tool for monitoring communal viral load. In addition, WBE can enhance clinical surveillance by identifying potential under testing communities. Here we report the results of WBE surveillance of Los Angeles County, CA, one of the largest and most populated metropolises in the United States. We collected weekly samples of 24 hour flow-weighted composite influent from five wastewater treatment plants for 44 weeks. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels were quantified using RT-qPCR targeting the CDC recommended nucleocapsid genes N1 and N2. During our study, wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels in Los Angeles County experienced two large spikes, once during July–August 2020 and a second during December 2020–January 2021. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels peaked at 3.85E + 05 N1 gene copies per L and 3.79E + 05 N2 gene copies per L during the first spike and 2.55E + 06 N1 gene copies per L and 2.15E + 06 N2 gene copies per L during the second spike. Pearson correlation analysis of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels with clinical data showed strong correlations of r = 0.94, p ≪ 0.01 for N1 and N2. Further, wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels from samples collected once a day, over the course of a week, led clinical data by up to 5 days, which suggests WBE could be used as an early warning system for rising community infections. Monte Carlo simulations, using our measured wastewater SARS-CoV-2 dataset, estimated that the number of infected individuals peaked on January 19th, 2021 with about 1.25 million active cases. The estimated total number of infected individuals for the duration of this study was 3.42 million people, which represents 34.2% of the population residing in Los Angeles County. Interestingly, our estimated number exceeds the cumulative clinical case count by almost 2 million people. This study demonstrates the utility of WBE to track infection dynamics within large communities. Further, WBE data can be used in Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the size of the infected population and complement clinical data-based models to better understand the disease impact on different communities.
Timing of First Sexual Experience with a Same-Sex Partner: A Life Course Approach

Theories of sexual identity development recognize the initiation of sexual experience with same-sex partners (SESSP) to be a significant event in the coming-out process, yet the research literature lacks a population-based description of its timing and variation across population subgroups. Using data from the 2011–2017 National Survey of Family Growth and guided by the life course paradigm, we explored the timing and correlates of first SESSP among individuals (1425 women; 545 men) who identified as lesbian (n = 307), gay (n = 285), or bisexual (n = 1378) (LGB). Descriptive findings revealed that the median age at first SESSP was about 19 years for lesbian women and gay men and one to two years later for bisexual women and men. Notably, initiation of SESSP occurred over a wide age range, particularly among bisexual men. Multivariable results indicated that the probability of first SESSP did not vary by demographic characteristics or family background among men. Among women, nativity status, family stability, and independent living were associated with probability of first SESSP. Coital experience predicted timing among both women and men. Tests for statistical interactions suggested that age at first SESSP was contingent on mother’s education (women), sexual identity (men), family stability (men), and birth cohort (women and men). Our findings highlight the complicated nature of LGB sexual experiences, and we end with a call for greater effort to ensure that LGB individuals are represented in national surveys designed to provide data on sexual and reproductive health.
Unsaturated Downdraft Thermodynamics in Cumulonimbus.

Abstract The thermodynamic structure of unsaturated downdrafts driven by the evaporation of falling rain can be parameterized using an evaporation pressure scale related to downdraft speed, rain rate and raindrop population. The larger this evaporation scale, which can be inferred diagnostically from bulk downdraft data, the more unsaturated the downdraft. Simple solutions exist for constant evaporation scale in which the downdraft temperature asymptotically approaches a wet adiabat, and for buoyancy driven downdrafts where the downdraft thermodynamic paths and speed can be related to the environmental stratification. The pressure difference to the lifting condensation level for the downdraft outflow may be an observable measure of the evaporation pressure scale.
Initial stages of oxide nanodot heteroepitaxial growth: Cu2O on SrTiO3(100)

The growth mechanism in a heteroepitaxy of oxide nanodots is investigated by a combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy, and theoretical modeling. In contrast to the majority of semiconductor systems, in the studied metal oxide system of Cu2O–SrTiO3(100) the growth process starts without wetting layer formation with the appearance of small (∼10nm) square-based planar Cu2O nanodots. Continued deposition leads mainly to increase of the nanodot density, practically, without change of their size. Only after reaching some critical density (∼1013cm−2 for 760K growth temperature), growth of scattered, significantly larger islands starts through the coalescence of small nanodots. XPS analysis suggests that the interface between small nanodots and substrate is abrupt with only weak Cu–O(SrTiO3) interaction.
Absence of innate MyD88 signaling promotes inducible allograft acceptance.

Prior experimental strategies to induce transplantation tolerance have focused largely on modifying adaptive immunity. However, less is known concerning the role of innate immune signaling in the induction of transplantation tolerance. Using a highly immunogenic murine skin transplant model that resists transplantation tolerance induction when innate immunity is preserved, we show that absence of MyD88, a key innate Toll like receptor signal adaptor, abrogates this resistance and facilitates inducible allograft acceptance. In our model, absence of MyD88 impairs inflammatory dendritic cell responses that reduce T cell activation. This effect increases T cell susceptibility to suppression mediated by CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells. Therefore, this study provides evidence that absence of MyD88 promotes inducible allograft acceptance and implies that inhibiting innate immunity may be a potential, clinically relevant strategy to facilitate transplantation tolerance.
Reflections on the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Design of Mapping the Universe

We describe our experience of developing scientific software in an ongoing multidisciplinary research project participated by information scientists and astronomers. In particular, we reflect on how the interdisciplinary collaboration is facilitated by the development of a unique boundary object --- a hybrid map of the Universe and scientific discoveries. With reference to theories of interdisciplinary communication, we underline that information visualization serves a fundamental role in scientific software development. The impact of information visualization can go far beyond the content representation, and can facilitate communications across distinct disciplines.
CYTOGENETIC AND MOLECULAR STUDIES OF NON-DISJUNCTION IN TRISOMY 13

We have been using chromosome heteromorphisms and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) to investigate the mechanism of origin of trisomy 13, and the possible association between errors of recombination and the non-disjunctional event leading to trisomy. To date, we have studied 33 liveborn or spontaneously aborted trisomy 13 conceptions. By combining analysis of chromosome heteromorphisms with analysis of seven probes detecting chromosome 13 RFLPs, we have been able to determine the parental origin of 23 cases, with 20 being maternal and 3 paternal in origin. In eight cases in which we have both cytogenetic and molecular information, we can make inferences regarding recombination in the two non-disjoined chromosomes. We have evidence for recombination in two of three cases in which the extra 13 originated in maternal meiosis I and in both instances this observation is based on results from several probes. This suggests that absence of recombination due to pairing failure is unlikely to be an important mechanism in the genesis of human trisomy. Furthermore, analysis of recombination in all eight cases provides no evidence for an association between reduced recombination and non-disjunction leading to trisomy 13, as has recently been suggested to be the case for trisomy 21.
Big data and visual analytics in anaesthesia and health care

Advances in computer technology, patient monitoring systems, and electronic health record systems have enabled rapid accumulation of patient data in electronic form (i.e. big data). Organizations such as the Anesthesia Quality Institute and Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group have spearheaded large-scale efforts to collect anaesthesia big data for outcomes research and quality improvement. Analytics--the systematic use of data combined with quantitative and qualitative analysis to make decisions--can be applied to big data for quality and performance improvements, such as predictive risk assessment, clinical decision support, and resource management. Visual analytics is the science of analytical reasoning facilitated by interactive visual interfaces, and it can facilitate performance of cognitive activities involving big data. Ongoing integration of big data and analytics within anaesthesia and health care will increase demand for anaesthesia professionals who are well versed in both the medical and the information sciences.
Comparison of microburst-wind loads on low-rise structures of various geometric shapes

Abstract Microburst can produce downdraft and strong divergent outflow wind, whose characteristics are distinct from the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind. In the present study, microburst-wind loading effects on low-rise structures − a cubic-shaped building, a grain bin and two gable-roofed buildings – are evaluated and compared by performing laboratory tests on scaled models using a microburst simulator at Iowa State University. Velocity and turbulence intensity profiles at selected locations were studied. The distribution of mean and root-mean-square pressure coefficients for the models are shown for selected cases and compared with those obtained in the ABL wind. Results suggest that wind loads change significantly as the radial location, orientation and geometric shape of the structures vary. It was observed that at or near the center of the microburst, high external pressures occur for all structures, resulting in a large downward force on the roof. In the outburst region, the distribution of pressure coefficients on the structure envelope was found to be similar to those in the ABL wind, although actual wind load magnitudes may be much larger in the microburst wind. Different roof slopes and its cross-section resulted in different pressure distribution and overall wind loads on the models located in the outburst region. The low-angle gable roof and conical-shaped roof experience lower drag but larger uplift in the outburst region compared to buildings with flat roof and high-angle gable roof. The geometric parameters of the roof did not influence the wind loads at or near the center of the microburst where high positive static pressures govern the wind loads. Finally, it is found that the effect of geometric scale of a model on the mean wind loads in the outburst region is minor when it is within a blockage ratio of 3% as tested in the present study.
Contact deformation of a micromechanical structure

Contact deformation of a plate-like micromechanical structure subjected to external force was analysed by considering the effect of adhesion energy. Using the linear plate theory and energy criterion, closed-form solutions of the contact deformation under different constraints were obtained, from which simple relations between the adhesion energy and bending moment at the edge of the contact zone were derived. The bending moment decreases with the adhesion energy and bending stiffness of the structure. A lower bound of the critical gap between the structure and the substrate for the occurrence of jump-in contact instability under the load-free condition was found to be proportional to the square of the structure length and the square root of the adhesion energy.
Smart thermostats: are we ready?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the important product features that are to be included in smart grid devices. This will help the decision makers to prioritize the product feature implementations.Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a quantitative approach to determine the important product features. Data used in the model have been gathered by conducting a survey among 22 potential customers who have been living in residential areas.Findings – Although customers understand that a feature to respond to price signals could benefit them, they overwhelmingly prefer cost benefit that an energy demand system would provide.Originality/value – At a time when many are rushing in to implement technologies such as demand side management and any smart devices that go with them, this paper shows that customers may have different preferences than those implementing the technologies.
Basis for the Isoform-specific Interaction of Myosin Phosphatase Subunits Protein Phosphatase 1c β and Myosin Phosphatase Targeting Subunit 1

Myosin II association with actin, which triggers contraction, is regulated by orchestrated waves of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain. Blocking myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation with small molecule inhibitors alters the shape, adhesion, and migration of many types of smooth muscle and cancer cells. Dephosphorylation is mediated by myosin phosphatase (MP), a complex that consists of a catalytic subunit (protein phosphatase 1c, PP1c), a large subunit (myosin phosphatase targeting subunit, MYPT), and a small subunit of unknown function. MYPT functions by targeting PP1c onto its substrate, phosphorylated myosin II. Using RNA interference, we show here that stability of PP1c β and MYPT1 is interdependent; knocking down one of the subunits decreases the expression level of the other. Associated changes in cell shape also occur, characterized by flattening and spreading accompanied by increased cortical actin, and cell numbers decrease secondary to apoptosis. Of the three highly conserved isoforms of PP1c, we show that MYPT1 binding is restricted to PP1c β, and, using chimeric analysis and site-directed mutations, that the central region of PP1c β confers the isoform-specific binding. This finding was unexpected because the MP crystal structure has been solved and was reported to identify the variable, C-terminal domain of PP1c β as being the region key for isoform-specific interaction with MYPT1. These findings suggest a potential screening strategy for cardiovascular and cancer therapeutic agents based on destabilizing MP complex formation and function.
A taxonomy of reasoning mechanisms and data synchronization framework for road excavation productivity monitoring

Project management tasks, such as productivity monitoring and cost estimation, require data to be fused from multiple data sources, which are typically spatial and temporal in nature. In order to fuse a pair of spatial and temporal data sources, a number of different types of reasoning mechanisms are needed. This paper presents a taxonomy of spatial and temporal reasoning mechanisms needed to fuse spatial and temporal data sources to support construction productivity monitoring. In addition, the paper also describes two different approaches (i.e., interpolation and nearest neighbor approaches) that can be used to synchronize the temporal and/or spatial data sources. The developed taxonomy has been validated based on representative queries of construction engineers and managers that are identified in previous research studies. The interpolation and nearest neighbor approaches have been validated with real and simulated construction data sources.
Bipolaron dynamics in nearly degenerate quasi-one-dimensional polymers

We study a nondegenerate conjugated polymer by means of a modified Su-Schrieffer-Heeger-type model Hamiltonian. Analytical solutions are presented for the ground state and dynamic equations are solved numerically. We present solutions representing a bipolaron oscillating between two stages (a kink-antikink pair and a bound-polaron pair). We show that the creating of such a dipolaron can be energetically favorable in the case of either doping or photoexcitation. Our results compare well with the experimental photoluminescence spectrum of cis-(CH${)}_{\mathrm{x}}$.
Red Devils, Royals, and the River Thames The ambassadorial role of sports in heightening country-of-origin image

Purpose – Previous research has solidly demonstrated that successful sports teams and athletes can sway purchase behavior and other critical outcomes (Braunstein-Minkove et al.; McEvoy; Bush et al.). The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that a globally prominent sports team can have on perceptions of the country by foreigners. The importance of a country's image as a cue in consumer choice behavior is well recognized in the business literature. However, relatively little empirical research has been done in determining what factors influence the formation of country-of-origin (COO) image in the minds of potential consumers and tourists. The paper theorizes that loyalty and viewership of a country's sports team will be a significant predictor of COO image. Design/methodology/approach – In all, 951 individuals from four different countries were surveyed to determine their loyalty and viewership of Manchester United Football Club and their perceptions of the geographic home of the team. Findings...
Kre29p is a novel nuclear protein involved in DNA repair and mitotic fidelity in Candida glabrata

Candida glabrata KRE29 is an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae KRE29. S. cerevisiae Kre29p has been identified by affinity purification as a subunit of the Smc5–Smc6 complex, which is required for DNA repair and chromosome segregation. However, mutant phenotypes of S. cerevisiae KRE29 have not been well characterized and none of its orthologs’ functions has been reported. Here we report phenotypic characteristics of a C. glabrata kre29 deletant. The absence of C. glabrata Kre29p resulted in decreased viability, exhibiting cell cycle arrest between late S-phase and metaphase even under normal growth conditions, and also caused an increase of plasmid loss rate, implying that Kre29p is required for mitotic chromosome transmission fidelity. The deletant showed increased sensitivity to high temperature as well as to DNA damaging agents including UV, gamma ray, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and methyl methanesulfonate, and the phenotypes were restored in the KRE29 reintegrant. Consistent with the Δkre29 phenotypes, a Kre29p-GFP fusion protein was located in the nucleus. Furthermore, Kre29p-GFP became concentrated and formed distinct foci after exposure to 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. These results suggest the involvement of C. glabrata Kre29p in DNA repair. To our knowledge, this is the first report addressing a cellular protein involved in DNA repair in C. glabrata.
An Introduction to Conversation Analysis by LIDDICOAT, ANTHONY J.

The article reviews the book "An Introduction to Conversation Analysis," by Anthony J. Liddicoat.
ATRACTOMORPHA ECHINATA GEN. ET SP. NOV., A NEW ANISOGAMOUS MEMBER OF THE SPHAEROPLEACEAE (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1,2

Atractomorpha echinata gen. et sp. nov. is described from isolates derived from zygotes present in a dry soil sample obtained from Texas. The new genus is distinguished from Sphaeroplea primarily by its pattern of vegetative growth. While Sphaeroplea is distinctly filamentous with numerous coenocytic cells uniseriately arranged, Atractomorpha grows as individual, multinucleate, spindle-shaped cells with sharply pointed extremities. Such cells may vary considerably in length (25–6000 μm, or more) and normally lack septa. In young, rapidly growing cultures the cells often attain lengths of 300–500 μm, but rarely exceed 1800 μm. The new species is further characterized by: (1) the regular formation of biflagellate zoospores in asexual reproduction, (2)anisogamy (occasionally oogamy) and (3) the size and ornamentation of its zygotes. Variations in vegetative morphology are discussed as are conditions for obtaining gametogenesis.
Applying a visual language for image processing as a graphical teaching tool in medical imaging

Typical user interaction in image processing is with command line entries, pull-down menus, or text menu selections from a list, and as such is not generally graphical in nature. Although applying these interactive methods to construct more sophisticated algorithms from a series of simple image processing steps may be clear to engineers and programmers, it may not be clear to clinicians. A solution to this problem is to implement a visual programming language using visual representations to express image processing algorithms. Visual representations promote a more natural and rapid understanding of image processing algorithms by providing more visual insight into what the algorithms do than the interactive methods mentioned above can provide. Individuals accustomed to dealing with images will be more likely to understand an algorithm that is represented visually. This is especially true of referring physicians, such as surgeons in an intensive care unit. With the increasing acceptance of picture archiving and communications system (PACS) workstations and the trend toward increasing clinical use of image processing, referring physicians will need to learn more sophisticated concepts than simply image access and display. If the procedures that they perform commonly, such as window width and window level adjustment and image enhancement using unsharp masking, are depicted visually in an interactive environment, it will be easier for them to learn and apply these concepts. The software described in this paper is a visual programming language for imaging processing which has been implemented on the NeXT computer using NeXTstep user interface development tools and other tools in an object-oriented environment. The concept is based upon the description of a visual language titled `Visualization of Vision Algorithms' (VIVA). Iconic representations of simple image processing steps are placed into a workbench screen and connected together into a dataflow path by the user. As the user creates and edits a dataflow path, more complex algorithms can be built on the screen. Once the algorithm is built, it can be executed, its results can be reviewed, and operator parameters can be interactively adjusted until an optimized output is produced. The optimized algorithm can then be saved and added to the system as a new operator. This system has been evaluated as a graphical teaching tool for window width and window level adjustment, image enhancement using unsharp masking, and other techniques.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mobilization of Myeloma Cells Involves SDF-1/CXCR4 Signaling and Downregulation of VLA-4

Adhesion molecules and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 signaling play key roles in homing and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Active signaling through SDF-1/CXCR4 and upregulation of adhesion molecules are required for homing, whereas downregulation of adhesion molecules and disruption of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling are required for mobilization of HSC. We studied the surface expression of CXCR4 very late activation antigen (VLA)-4 and VLA-5 on myeloma cells mobilized with cyclophosphamide and GM-CSF in 12 multiple myeloma patients undergoing HSC mobilization for autologous transplantation. We also studied the plasma levels of SDF-1 in apheresis collection of these patients. We observed a statistically significant decrease in the levels of SDF-1 and surface expression of CXCR4 on myeloma cells in four consecutive apheresis collections compared with premobilization bone marrow specimens. We also observed a statistically significant decrease in surface expression of VLA-4 in myeloma cells in the apheresis collections compared with premobilization bone marrow samples. Furthermore, myeloma cells derived from apheresis collections had decreased adhesion and trans-stromal migration in response to SDF-1, which could be reversed by short incubation with interleukin-6. Hence, mobilization of myeloma cells involves SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling and downregulation of VLA-4.
Cocaine potentiates the disruptive effects of phencyclidine on repeated acquisition in monkeys

Abstract Patas monkeys acquired a different four-response chain each session by responding sequentially on three keys in the presence of four geometric forms. The response chain was maintained by food presentation under a fixed-ratio schedule. Errors produced a brief timeout but did not reset the chain. Each day there were four 15-min sessions, with a 10-min intersession interval. Cumulative dose-effect curves for phencyclidine were obtained by giving an IM injection before each of the four sessions; successive injections increased the cumulative dose by 1 4 log-unit steps. When phencyclidine was administered alone, overall response rate decreased and percent errors increased with increasing doses. When cocaine was injected IM before the first session at a dose that was ineffective when given alone, the phencyclidine dose-effect curves for both rate and accuracy tended to shift to the left. After pretreatment with the lowest effective dose of cocaine, which decreased rate without affecting accuracy when given alone, the rate-decreasing and error-increasing effects of phencyclidine were generally even more pronounced in two of three subjects. The results indicate that cocaine potentiates the disruptive effects of phencyclidine on complex operant behavior in monkeys.
The In Situ Permeable Flow Sensor: A Ground‐Water Flow Velocity Meter

A new technology called the In Situ Permeable Flow Sensor has been developed at Sandia National Laboratories. These sensors use a thermal perturbation technique to directly measure the direction and magnitude of the full three-dimensional ground-water flow velocity vector in unconsolidated, saturated, porous media. The velocity measured is an average value characteristic of an approximately 1 cubic meter volume of the subsurface. The sensors are permanently buried in direct contact with the formation at the point where the velocity measurement is to be made. While this deployment strategy means that the approximately $2,500 instruments are not recovered, borehole effects which can negatively influence the quality of the measurement are avoided. The sensors can be connected to a data acquisition system which can be monitored remotely, via modem and telephone connection, for extended periods of time. The technology is able to measure flow velocities in the range of 5 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} to 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}3} cm/s, depending on the thermal properties of the medium in which it is buried.
Existence and uniqueness for a class of quasilinear elliptic boundary value problems

Abstract We prove existence and uniqueness of positive solutions for the boundary value problem (r N−1 φ(u′))′=−λr N−1 f(u), u′(0)=u(1)=0, where φ(x)=|x|p−2x, f(x)/xp−1 may not be decreasing on (0,∞), and λ is a large parameter.
Stochastically independent randomization and uncertainty aversion

This paper proposes a preference-based condition for stochastic independence of a randomizing device in a product state space. This condition is applied to investigate some classes of preferences that allow for both independent randomization and uncertainty or ambiguity aversion (a la Ellsberg). For example, when imposed on Choquet Expected Utility (CEU) preferences in a Savage framework displaying uncertainty aversion in the spirit of Schmeidler [27], it results in a collapse to Expected Utility (EU). This shows that CEU preferences that are uncertainty averse in the sense of Schmeidler should not be used in settings where independent randomization is to be allowed. In contrast, Maxmin EU with multiple priors preferences continue to allow for a very wide variety of uncertainty averse preferences when stochastic independence is imposed. Additionally, these points are used to reexamine some recent arguments against preference for randomization with uncertainty averse preferences. In particular, these arguments are shown to rely on preferences that do not treat randomization as a stochastically independent event.