cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of separation performance with ADS-B at the Louisville key site

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Surveillance and Broadcast Services (SBS) Program Office is implementing a ground infrastructure that supports the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data service. One of the main applications of this new surveillance service will be to support air traffic control (ATC) separation procedures that are performed exclusively with radar surveillance today. As part of the initial activities to assess the system, the ADS-B data is being incorporated into four different automation platforms in four different key sites. The first key site to integrate ADS-B data is the Louisville Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) which uses Common Automated Radar Terminal System (Common ARTS) to process and display radar data to controllers today. The Louisville Common ARTS has been augmented to accept ADS-B data and display aircraft using system track positions that are calculated from a variety of surveillance inputs, including multiple radars and ADS-B. As part of the SBS evaluation, a working group was created that worked specifically to evaluate the end-end performance in terminal separation applications of the ADS-B avionics, ADS-B surveillance service on the ground, and the updated Common ARTS software. The evaluation used a comparative approach with current monopulse secondary surveillance radar (MSSR) systems as a baseline; if the new system performed as good or better than MSSR systems in separation applications, then the system was acceptable for operation. This paper summarizes some of the efforts of that SBS working group to evaluate the operational performance in Louisville, including the metrics, assumptions made, scenarios developed for evaluation, and results from simulation, analysis of targets of opportunity (TOO), and controlled flight testing.
Electron Spin Resonance of Tripositive Curium in Th O 2 and Ce O 2

The ESR spectra of $^{244}\mathrm{Cm}^{3+}$-doped Th${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and Ce${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ single crystals were measured at approximately 10 Gc/sec and liquid-helium temperatures. Sites of cubic symmetry were observed in both hosts, with the crystal-field splitting being larger than the microwave quanta used. The ground states are ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{6}$ doublets, indicating that the fourth-order parameter of the cubic crystal-field Hamiltonian is negative. For Th${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, the $g$ value was 4.484\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002, and for Ce${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, it was 4.475\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002.
16S RRNA GENE SEQUENCING FOR BACTERIAL PATHOGEN IDENTIFICATION IN THE CLINICAL LABORATORY

For many years, sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene has served as an important tool for determining phylogenetic relationships between bacteria. The features of this molecular target that make it a useful phylogenetic tool also make it useful for bacterial detection and identification in the clinical laboratory. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene is a powerful mechanism for identifying new pathogens in patients with suspected bacterial disease, and more recently this technology is being applied in the clinical laboratory for routine identification of bacterial isolates. Several studies have shown that sequence identification is useful for slow-growing, unusual, and fastidious bacteria as well as for bacteria that are poorly differentiated by conventional methods. The technical resources necessary for sequence identification are significant. This method requires reagents and instrumentation for amplification and sequencing, a database of known sequences, and software for sequence editing and database comparison. Commercial reagents are available, and laboratory-developed assays for amplification and sequencing have been reported. Likewise, there are an increasing number of commercial and public databases. Despite the availability of resources, sequence-based identification is still relatively expensive. The cost is significantly reduced only by the introduction of more automated methods. As the cost decreases, this technology is likely to be more widely applied in the clinical setting.
777-5 The Relationship Between Impedance and Temperature During Radiofrequency Ablation of Accessory Pathways

Temperature monitoring is a useful tool for radiofrequency (RF) ablation of accessory pathways (AP), but this technology is not universally available and is not suitable for some catheter designs. Impedance monitoring is also helpful and prior studies in humans have demonstrated that an impedance fall of 20 ohms is predictive of coagulum formation or a loss of AP conduction. The purpose of this study was to prospectively quantitate the correlation between impedance and temperature during RF ablation of APs. Thirty-three consecutive patients, each with a single AP, underwent RF ablation using a thermistor ablation catheter. Temperature and impedance were continually recorded during each RF application. The initial and final temperatures and impedance measurements for 319 applications of RF energy were analyzed. The initial and final impedance and temperature measurements were 109 ± 17 ohms and 102 ± 17 ohms (p l 0.000t). and 37 ± 1°C and 57 ± 11°C (p l 0.0001). Among the 319 applications of RF energy, 158 were associated with ≥20°C increase in tissue temperature. There were 10 applications of RF energy associated with coagulum formation. A ≥20°C increase in tissue temperature was observed in 84 of 104 applications associated with a 5–10 ohm decrease in impedance (81% positive predictive value and 93% negative predictive value). The mean change in impedance for applications associated with and without coagulum formation was–19 ± 7 ohms and –6 ± 6 ohms (p l 0.0001), respectively, and was never less than 12 ohms. In conclusion, successful tissue heating without coagulum formation can be achieved by titrating the power to achieve a 5–10 ohm decrement in impedance. Impedance decrements beyond 10 ohms increase the likelihood of excessive tissue heating and coagulum formation.
Effects of synaptic antagonists on perforant path paired-pulse plasticity: differentiation of pre- and postsynaptic antagonism.

Abstract The effects of different synaptic antagonists on paired-pulse plasticity of medial perforant path responses were studied in rat hippocampal slices. Baclofen reduces the response to activation of the perforant path, but does not have the same net effect on the first and second responses to paired stimulation: baclofen lessens the percent paired-pulse depression of medial perforant path responses. Furthermore, at doses that reduced the control medial perforant response by half, paired-pulse plasticity changed from paired-pulse depression to paired-pulse potentiation. A similar effect on medial perforant path paired-pulse plasticity is produced by decreasing extracellular calcium concentration. Kynurenic acid reduces the first and second responses to paired stimulation proportionately the same, and, therefore, has no effect on the percent paired-pulse depression. These results suggest that baclofen acts presynaptically to reduce the synaptic response, whereas kynurenate acts postsynaptically. Adenosine was also found to be a potent antagonist of medial perforant path responses, with effects on paired-pulse plasticity similar to baclofen: a new synaptic antagonist, N- p -chlorobenzoyl-piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylate, was found to have effects like kynurenate, suggesting that it is also postsynaptic receptor blocker.
Photochemistry of 1-nitro-2-phenylnaphthalene available to the environment

Abstract Photolysis (254 nm, 72h) of 1-nitro-2-phenylnaphthalene 1 in methanol gave 2-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-4-monoxime 2 , 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-binaphth-1,1′-diol 3 and 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-binaphth-1,1′-dione 4 . Straightforward reactions available to the environment account for the formation of the products: (a) isomerisation of the nitro compound into a nitrite ester followed by either (a) migration of the nitroso group and isomerisation into the oxime 2 or (b) oxidative coupling and solvolysis into the binaphthol 3 and followed by oxidation into the binaphthone 4 .
Co57 decay scheme

Abstract The weak gamma radiations from Co 57 were studied. In addition to the well known 14, 123, and 137 keV gamma rays, a 708 keV gamma ray was observed, having an intensity of 2 × 10 −3 gamma rays per disintegration. No annihilation radiation was observed; an upper limit of 5 × 10 −4 can be put on the number of positons per disintegration. There was no evidence for any other gamma rays. Although peaks appear in the pulse-height spectrum at 100 keV and 30 keV, they can be accounted for by scattering and X-ray escape effects in the scintillator.
Regge poles, natural frequencies, and surface wave resonance of a circular cylinder with a constant surface impedance

The radar cross section (RCS) of an infinitely long circular cylinder with a constant surface impedance is obtained via a high frequency ray solution. The ray solution provides a physical picture of the scattering process in terms of a geometrical optics ray and two surface waves. It is shown that the surface wave resonanee phenomenon in the RCS of the cylinder can be predicted in terms of the Regge poles or the natural frequencies of the cylinder. The numerical results for the RCS of the cylinder obtained via the high frequency ray solution show excellent agreement with the eigenfunction results. The condition for predicting the surface wave resonance is also discussed.
Cryoablation of right-sided accessory pathways in children: report of efficacy and safety after 10-year experience and follow-up.

Aims The aim of this study was to report the 10-year experience of our Institution in cryoablation of supraventricular tachycardia due to a right accessory pathway (AP). Methods and results Seventy-one cryoablations of right AP were performed between July 2002 and October 2011 in our Institution in 66 patients (mean age 12 + 3 years, 56% males). Acute procedural success rate was 97%: 80% in patients with concealed AP and 100% in those with manifest AP ( P < 0.05). Acute procedural success rate was not related to institutional experience. No permanent complication occurred. Sixteen patients had recurrences during the follow-up (18.6 ± 6.6 months; range 3–111), 13 within the first month of follow-up, 2 within the 6 months of follow-up, and 1 within 12 months of follow-up. Cox regression showed that sex, patient age, number of delivered cryo-bonus, and presence of manifest or concealed AP are not independent predictors of procedural success. Among the 16 patients with recurrences, in 10 a cryoablation redo was successful and with no further AP recurrences. The mean fluoroscopy time was 28.4 min (range 19.7–44.6) with a significant decrease ( P = 0.033) in relation to the increase of the institutional experience. There were no permanent ablation-related complications. Conclusion Cryoablation of right-sided AP is effective and very safe in children. Better results are achieved in manifest AP. The learning curve has a real impact in the attempt to reduce the fluoroscopy time.
IMPROVED LINEAR REPRESENTATION OF OCEAN SURFACE WAVES

We apply the idea of choosing new variables that are nonlinear functions of the old in order to simplify calculations of irrotational, surface gravity waves. The usual variables consist of the surface elevation and the surface potential, and the transformation to the new variables is a canonical (in Hamilton's sense) one so as to maintain the Hamiltonian structure of the theory. We further consider the approximation of linear dynamics in these new variables. This approximation scheme exactly reproduces the effects of the lowest-order nonlinearities in the usual variables, does well at higher orders, and also captures important features of short waves interacting with longer waves. We provide a physical interpretation of this transformation which is correct in the one-dimensional case, and approximately so in the two-dimensional case.
Beyond superficial siderosis: Introducing “duropathies”

Superficial siderosis (SS) of the CNS results from hemosiderin deposition in the subpial layers of the brain and spinal cord.1,–,3 The hemosiderin deposition results from recurrent and persistent bleeding into the subarachnoid space and has a predilection for the cerebellum, spinal cord, and cranial nerves I, II, and VIII. Patients often present in adulthood with slowly progressive gait (less commonly appendicular) ataxia, and sensorineural hearing impairment. The presentation may mimic a degenerative cerebellar disorder. A remote history of injury or intradural surgery (frequently involving the posterior fossa) is common. Often decades elapse between the presumed inciting event and development of symptoms attributable to SS. MRI is the investigation of choice. The typical MRI finding is a characteristic, marginal, confluent T2 hypointensity on the surface of the brain and cord (figure 1, A–I).3 This is better appreciated on gradient-echo sequences. With widespread use of MRI, presymptomatic cases are being diagnosed and it is difficult to be certain about the true incidence of the disorder. In recent years SS has also been recognized as an MRI marker of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.4 Red blood cells or xanthochromia may be seen on CSF studies. Despite extensive investigations (brain and spine MRI, CT myelogram, magnetic resonance angiography, cerebrospinal angiography), the cause of bleeding is often not apparent. Figure 1 Neuroimaging findings in superficial siderosis (SS) (A–I) All images are from a 76-year-old woman with SS. T2-weighted axial (A–E, H, I) and sagittal (F, G) brain (A–E), cervical spine (F, H), and thoracic spine (G, I) MRIs show the characteristic confluent T2 hypointensity due to hemosiderin deposition along the cerebellar folia (A: arrows), around the medulla (A: dotted arrow), pons (B), midbrain (C), along the sylvian fissures (D), interhemispheric fissure (E), and along (F, G) and around (H, I) the cervical (F, H) and thoracic (G, …
An analysis of delay based PUF implementations on FPGA

Physical Unclonable Functions promise cheap, efficient, and secure identification and authentication of devices. In FPGA devices, PUFs may be instantiated directly from FPGA fabric components in order to exploit the propagation delay differences of signals caused by manufacturing process variations. Multiple delay based PUF architectures have been proposed. However, we have observed inconsistent results among them. Ring Oscillator PUF works fine, while other delay based PUFs show a significantly lower quality. Rather than proposing complex system level solutions, we focus on the fundamental building blocks of the PUF. In our effort to compare the various delay based PUF architectures, we have closely examined how each architecture maps into the FPGA fabric. Our conclusions are that arbiter and butterfly PUF architectures are ill suited for FPGAs, because delay skew due to routing asymmetry is over 10 times higher than the random variation due to manufacturing process.
Hollow metal cylinders produced from diacetylenic lipid

A method was presented for the formation and metallization of cylindrical tubules from a diacetylenic lipid. This improved technique allowed for the production of metal microcylinders without the need for preliminary lipid purification and in large quantities. The physical and electrical properties of the material were investigated, and composites were used to form parallel plate capacitors. A comparison of the conductivity of the bulk material with the derived conductivity of a composite showing electromagnetic percolation showed the proportionality of the specific packing density and the critical volume fraction characteristic of percolating systems.
The Egyptian Text of the Four Gospels and Acts

During recent years the trend of New Testament textual studies has been toward the identification and establishment of local texts. If these be old, they serve as witnesses to the original text, if late, they are helpful in showing the trends of textual development and add to our knowledge of the history of the Church. We are far removed from the New Testament studies and problems of 1898, when Grenfell and Hunt published the first papyrus fragment of the New Testament, Oxyrhynchus 2 containing Matthew 1, 1–20.
Evolutionary divergence and functions of the human acyl-CoA thioesterase gene ( ACOT ) family.

The acyl-CoA thioesterase gene (ACOT) family encodes enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of acyl-CoA thioester compounds, also known as activated fatty acids, to their corresponding non-esterified (free) fatty acid and coenzyme A (CoASH). These enzymes play a very important role in lipid metabolism by maintaining cellular levels and proper ratios of free and activated fatty acids, as well as CoASH. Within the acyl-CoA family there are two distinct subgroups, type I and type II. Despite catalysing the same reaction, the two groups are not structurally similar and do not share sequence homology, strongly suggesting convergent evolution. This suggestion is further supported if one compares the human with the mouse and rat ACOT gene families. To date, four human type I ACOTs have been identified which belong to the α/β-hydrolase fold enzyme superfamily. Type II ACOTs fall into the 'hot dog' fold superfamily. There are currently six human type II genes; however, two homologous proteins, thioesterase superfamily members 4 (THEM4) and 5 (THEM5) share common type II structural features and, in the case of THEM4, acyl-CoA thioesterase activity -- suggesting that the family may be larger than previously realised. Although recent studies have greatly expanded the current understanding of these proteins and their physiological importance, there are a number of members whose functions are relatively unexplored and which warrant further investigation.
Increased Level of E Protein Activity during Invariant NKT Development Promotes Differentiation of Invariant NKT2 and Invariant NKT17 Subsets

E protein transcription factors and their natural inhibitors, Id proteins, play critical and complex roles during lymphoid development. In this article, we report that partial maintenance of E protein activity during positive selection results in a change in the cell fate determination of developing iNKT cells, with a block in the development of iNKT1 cells and a parallel increase in the iNKT2 and iNKT17 subsets. Because the expression levels of the transcription factors that drive these alternative functional fates (GATA-3, RORγT, T-bet, and Runx-3) are not altered, our results suggest that E protein activity controls a novel checkpoint that regulates the number of iNKT precursors that choose each fate.
Bordetella pertussis infection or vaccination substantially protects mice against B. bronchiseptica infection.

Although B. bronchiseptica efficiently infects a wide range of mammalian hosts and efficiently spreads among them, it is rarely observed in humans. In contrast to the many other hosts of B. bronchiseptica, humans are host to the apparently specialized pathogen B. pertussis, the great majority having immunity due to vaccination, infection or both. Here we explore whether immunity to B. pertussis protects against B. bronchiseptica infection. In a murine model, either infection or vaccination with B. pertussis induced antibodies that recognized antigens of B. bronchiseptica and protected the lower respiratory tract of mice against three phylogenetically disparate strains of B. bronchiseptica that efficiently infect naive animals. Furthermore, vaccination with purified B. pertussis-derived pertactin, filamentous hemagglutinin or the human acellular vaccine, Adacel, conferred similar protection against B. bronchiseptica challenge. These data indicate that individual immunity to B. pertussis affects B. bronchiseptica infection, and suggest that the high levels of herd immunity against B. pertussis in humans could explain the lack of observed B. bronchiseptica transmission. This could also explain the apparent association of B. bronchiseptica infections with an immunocompromised state.
Comparing indices of understory light availability between hemlock and hardwood forest patches

We evaluated whether two indices of light availability resolved differences among microsites within deeply shaded understories (<12% of above-canopy photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)) and also whether marked differences in forest canopy structure affected how the two indices related to direct measures of incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Incident PAR was measured with gallium–arsenide–phosphide photodiodes at numerous points in two adjacent forest patches in Michigan, USA: one dominated by the evergreen conifer eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere), and the other by the deciduous hardwood sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.). The two indices tested were canopy openness, measured with the LI-COR LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer, and the percentage of above-canopy PPFD measured in the understory during overcast conditions (%PPFD). Canopy openness and %PPFD did not effectively predict the long-term mean of daily PPFD. However, both indices reliably predicted the long-term me...
A quantitative comparison of motion detection algorithms in fMRI

An important step in the analysis of fMRI time-series data is to detect, and as much as possible, correct for subject motion during the course of the scanning session. Several public domain algorithms are currently available for motion detection in fMRI. This paper compares the performance of four commonly used programs: AIR 3.08, SPM99, AFNI98, and the pyramid method of Thevenaz, Ruttimann, and Unser (TRU). The comparison is based on the performance of the algorithms in correcting a range of simulated known motions in the presence of various degrees of noise. SPM99 provided the most accurate motion detection amongst the algorithms studied. AFNI98 provided only slightly less accurate results than SPM99, however, it was several times faster than the other programs. This algorithm represents a good compromise between speed and accuracy. AFNI98 was also the most robust program in presence of noise. It yielded reasonable results for very low signal to noise levels. For small initial misalignments, TRU's performance was similar to SPM99 and AFNI98. However, its accuracy diminished rapidly for larger misalignments. AIR was found to be the least accurate program studied. © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Experimental Signatures of Phase Transition to Quark Matter in High-energy Collisions of Nuclei

Colliding high-energy heavy nuclei is the only known way to experimentally study the phase transition from nucleonic to quark matter. Observations are, however, frustrated by the fact that secondary $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons are formed in the later stages of the interaction and are therefore insensitive to the early stages when quark matter is formed. We speculate on two types of experimental signatures of phase transition to quark matter. (i) The structure in the rapidity distribution of the secondaries from a near central collision of two heavy nuclei. We estimate that the reduction in shear viscosity between the colored quark-gluon plasma and the peripheral spectator part of each nucleus leads to an observable separation in rapidity of the secondaries from each component. (ii) Abundant production of prompt photons with $\frac{{n}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}{{n}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}}\ensuremath{\simeq}30%$ for central collisions with about 50 GeV energy per nucleon.
Routing in the frequency domain

The design of single transceiver based multi-channel multi-hop wireless mesh networks focuses on the trade-off between rapid neighbor synchronization and maximizing the usage of all available channels. Existing designs are confined to the MAC layer and scale poorly as the network grows in coverage and density. We recently proposed Dominion as a cross-layer architecture that includes both medium access control and routing. Dominion eliminates the need for neighbor synchronization at the MAC layer and pushes the intelligence up the network stack. At the MAC layer, a node switches channels according to a deterministic schedule which guarantees that a node converges with each of its neighbors periodically. At the network layer, the channel-hopping aware routing substrate routes traffic along the frequency domain, i.e., packets along a multi-hop route generally traverse via multiple channels. In this paper, we present the complete design, analysis and evaluation of Dominion and make four new contributions. Firstly, we extend Dominion to support goal-oriented routing: source nodes can locally choose to maximize throughput or minimize end-to-end latency without requiring any changes in the network. Secondly, we describe a technique that eliminates intra-flow interference. In absence of extrinsic interference, Dominion now allows network flows to maintain constant throughput and deterministic end-to-end latencies irrespective of distance. Thirdly, via theoretical modeling and analysis, we provide expected throughput and end-to-end latencies for network flows. Finally, via extensive QualNet simulations we show that Dominion achieves 1064% higher throughput than IEEE 802.11 while being 299% fairer.
Oxygen limitation modulates pH regulation of catabolism and hydrogenases, multidrug transporters, and envelope composition in Escherichia coli K-12

In Escherichia coli, pH regulates genes for amino-acid and sugar catabolism, electron transport, oxidative stress, periplasmic and envelope proteins. Many pH-dependent genes are co-regulated by anaerobiosis, but the overall intersection of pH stress and oxygen limitation has not been investigated. The pH dependence of gene expression was analyzed in oxygen-limited cultures of E. coli K-12 strain W3110. E. coli K-12 strain W3110 was cultured in closed tubes containing LBK broth buffered at pH 5.7, pH 7.0, and pH 8.5. Affymetrix array hybridization revealed pH-dependent expression of 1,384 genes and 610 intergenic regions. A core group of 251 genes showed pH responses similar to those in a previous study of cultures grown with aeration. The highly acid-induced gene yagU was shown to be required for extreme-acid resistance (survival at pH 2). Acid also up-regulated fimbriae (fimAC), periplasmic chaperones (hdeAB), cyclopropane fatty acid synthase (cfa), and the "constitutive" Na+/H+ antiporter (nhaB). Base up-regulated core genes for maltodextrin transport (lamB, mal), ATP synthase (atp), and DNA repair (recA, mutL). Other genes showed opposite pH responses with or without aeration, for example ETS components (cyo,nuo, sdh) and hydrogenases (hya, hyb, hyc, hyf, hyp). A hypF strain lacking all hydrogenase activity showed loss of extreme-acid resistance. Under oxygen limitation only, acid down-regulated ribosome synthesis (rpl,rpm, rps). Acid up-regulated the catabolism of sugar derivatives whose fermentation minimized acid production (gnd, gnt, srl), and also a cluster of 13 genes in the gadA region. Acid up-regulated drug transporters (mdtEF, mdtL), but down-regulated penicillin-binding proteins (dacACD, mreBC). Intergenic regions containing regulatory sRNAs were up-regulated by acid (ryeA, csrB, gadY, rybC). pH regulates a core set of genes independently of oxygen, including yagU, fimbriae, periplasmic chaperones, and nhaB. Under oxygen limitation, however, pH regulation is reversed for genes encoding electron transport components and hydrogenases. Extreme-acid resistance requires yagU and hydrogenase production. Ribosome synthesis is down-regulated at low pH under oxygen limitation, possibly due to the restricted energy yield of catabolism. Under oxygen limitation, pH regulates metabolism and transport so as to maximize alternative catabolic options while minimizing acidification or alkalinization of the cytoplasm.
Attitudes towards biopsychosocial concerns in primary care: Prediction, gender and changes across cohorts

The Washington Primary Care Interest Inventory (WPCII) assesses student attitudes regarding the appropriateness of a range of biopsychosocial concerns for which a patient might seek care from a primary care provider. The WPCII holds promise for understanding the relationship between attitudes, career choice, gender, and cohort. Methods: We longitudinally examined WPCII scores across medical school cohorts and by gender. We also explored the influence of attitudes in predicting career choice. Results: Four findings emerged. First, WPCII scores were positively associated with student preferences for primary care specialties. Second, across 14 years, there has been a significant upward trend in WPCII scores. Third, women exhibit higher scores on the WPCII. Finally, WPCII scores at the start of medical school show some ability to predict student residency match. Discussion: We discuss the WPCII’s promise for understanding shifts in career choice and the influence of gender in selecting primary care specialties.
A Dominant Role for Fcγ Receptors in Antibody-Dependent Corneal Inflammation

Although production of specific Ab is a critical element of host defense, the presence of Ab in tissues leads to formation of immune complexes, which can trigger a type III Arthus reaction. Our studies on a mouse model of river blindness showed that Ab production is essential for recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the cornea and for development of corneal opacification. In the current study, we determined the relative contribution of complement and FcγR interactions in triggering immune complex-mediated corneal disease. FcγR−/− mice, C3−/− mice, and immunocompetent control (B6/129Sj) mice were immunized s.c. and injected intrastromally with Onchocerca volvulus Ags. Slit lamp examination showed that control mice, C3−/− mice, and control mice injected with cobra venom factor developed pronounced corneal opacification, whereas corneas of FcγR−/− mice remained completely clear. Furthermore, recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the corneal stroma was significantly impaired in FcγR−/− mice, but not in C3−/− mice or cobra venom factor-treated mice. We therefore conclude that FcγR-mediated cell activation, rather than complement activation, is the dominant pathway of immune complex disease in the cornea. These findings demonstrate a novel role for FcγR interactions in mediating ocular inflammation.
Suitability of celery cultivars to infection by populations of Meloidogyne hapla

In addition to a limited number of commercially available cultivars, celery has least known status against plant-parasitic nematodes such as Meloidogyne hapla. The interactions of the cvs Dutchess and Green Bay, most widely used, and P-6848 Pybas and S-1355, new entries, and populations of M. hapla, Mh 1, Mh 2 and Mh 3, isolated from sandy/sandy loam soils, and Mh 4 and Mh 5, isolated from organic (muck) soil typical of celery production, were examined in a one nematode-generation glasshouse experiment. The tomato cv. Rutgers, a susceptible host on which the M. hapla populations were cultured, was used as a nematode viability control. Mh 5 followed by Mh 3 were the most infective of the populations of M. hapla. The celery cultivars ranged between 32% and 67% of the suitability of Rutgers tomato to M. hapla. In 3-month long experiments, inocula of 3500 and 9100 Mh 4 eggs (600 cm3 soil)−1 suppressed celery growth, suggesting the potential of these populations of M. hapla to cause yield loss. However, the varying degree of host suitability suggests that the severity of the problem will likely vary by cultivar and population of M. hapla. The study establishes numerical references for selecting cultivars and/or designing suitable location-specific management practices.
Sequence Evolution Correlates with Structural Dynamics

Biochemical activity and core stability are essential properties of proteins, maintained usually by conserved amino acids. Structural dynamics emerged in recent years as another essential aspect of protein functionality. Structural dynamics enable the adaptation of the protein to binding substrates and to undergo allosteric transitions, while maintaining the native fold. Key residues that mediate structural dynamics would thus be expected to be conserved or exhibit coevolutionary patterns at least. Yet, the correlation between sequence evolution and structural dynamics is yet to be established. With recent advances in efficient characterization of structural dynamics, we are now in a position to perform a systematic analysis. In the present study, a set of 34 enzymes representing various folds and functional classes is analyzed using information theory and elastic network models. Our analysis shows that the structural regions distinguished by their coevolution propensity as well as high mobility are predisposed to serve as substrate recognition sites, whereas residues acting as global hinges during collective dynamics are often supported by conserved residues. We propose a mobility scale for different types of amino acids, which tends to vary inversely with amino acid conservation. Our findings suggest the balance between physical adaptability (enabled by structure-encoded motions) and chemical specificity (conferred by correlated amino acid substitutions) underlies the selection of a relatively small set of versatile folds by proteins.
Isolation and Characterization of Nrf1p, a Novel Negative Regulator of the Cdc42p GTPase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The Cdc42p GTPase and its regulators, such as the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc24p guanine-nucleotide exchange factor, control signal-transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells leading to actin rearrangements. A cross-species genetic screen was initiated based on the ability of negative regulators of Cdc42p to reverse the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc42p suppression of a S. cerevisiae cdc24(ts) mutant. A total of 32 S. pombe nrf (negative regulator of Cdc forty two) cDNAs were isolated that reversed the suppression. One cDNA, nrf1(+), encoded an approximately 15 kD protein with three potential transmembrane domains and 78% amino-acid identity to a S. cerevisiae gene, designated NRF1. A S. pombe Deltanrf1 mutant was viable but overexpression of nrf1(+) in S. pombe resulted in dose-dependent lethality, with cells exhibiting an ellipsoidal morphology indicative of loss of polarized cell growth along with partially delocalized cortical actin and large vacuoles. nrf1(+) also displayed synthetic overdose phenotypes with cdc42 and pak1 alleles. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Cdc42p and GFP-Nrf1p colocalized to intracellular membranes, including vacuolar membranes, and to sites of septum formation during cytokinesis. GFP-Nrf1p vacuolar localization depended on the S. pombe Cdc24p homolog Scd1p. Taken together, these data are consistent with Nrf1p functioning as a negative regulator of Cdc42p within the cell polarity pathway.
The Thromboxane A2 Receptor Activates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase via Protein Kinase C-Dependent Gi Coupling and Src-Dependent Phosphorylation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade is used by many G protein-coupled receptors to initiate functional events. In this study, activation of the Gq/G11-coupled thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor (TP) by the TxA2 mimetic IBOP in ECV304 cells was found to induce extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which were inhibited by the TP antagonist SQ29548, the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478, the Src family kinase inhibitor PP1, the Gi/o protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (PTX), or the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C. TP activation also increased Src kinase activity, which was blocked by PTX, PP1, and calphostin C, but not by AG1478, indicating that Src activation occurs before phosphorylation of EGFR. Blockade of Src activity by expression of dominant negative mutant of Src inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation induced by TxA2. ERK activation induced by the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate was inhibited by PTX, PP1, AG1478, and calphostin C. In contrast, activation of ERK by lysophosphatidic acid, a Gi-coupled receptor activator, was inhibited by PTX, PP1, and AG1478, but not by calphostin C. Thus, TP-stimulated ERK activation requires Gi, which in turn requires PKC activation. Immunoprecipitation of Gαi showed increased association of Gαi with TPα following PKC activation. In conclusion, TPα is directly coupled to the Gi protein by a PKC-regulated mechanism; Gi coupling causes Src-dependent transactivation of the EGFR, which is the dominant pathway in TP-mediated ERK activation.
Exact and efficient crosstalk estimation

With the reducing distances between wires in deep submicrometer technologies, coupling capacitances are becoming significant as their magnitude becomes comparable to the area capacitance and fringing capacitance of a wire. This causes an increasing susceptibility to failure due to inadvertent noise and leads to a requirement for accurate noise estimation. An incorrect estimation of the noise could lead either to circuit malfunction in case of underestimation or to wasted design resources due to overestimation. This paper presents a new time-efficient method for the precise estimation of crosstalk noise. While existing fast noise estimation metrics may overestimate the coupling noise by several orders of magnitude, the proposed metric computes the coupling noise with a good accuracy as compared to SPICE.
SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS: THE PHENOMENON, THE MARKETS THAT DRIVE IT AND THE ORGANISATIONS THAT PROMOTE IT *

This article will define the concepts of smuggling and trafficking in human beings and discuss the difficulty in applying the definition. The magnitude and scope of the problem will be examined as well as its causes. Trafficking in human beings will be analysed as an illegal market, particularly with reference to its relationship with other illegal markets and the involvement of organised crime groups. The phenomenon will be discussed in more depth focusing on countries and regions where projects are currently being implemented under the auspices of the United Nations Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings. The discussion closes with an overview of situations which facilitate the practice, and current measures and recommendations to stem the tide of smuggling and trafficking.
Online Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Top-Down Proteomics

Recent progress in top-down proteomics has led to a demand for mass spectrometry (MS)-compatible chromatography techniques to separate intact proteins using volatile mobile phases. Conventional hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) provides high-resolution separation of proteins under nondenaturing conditions but requires high concentrations of nonvolatile salts. Herein, we introduce a series of more-hydrophobic HIC materials that can retain proteins using MS-compatible concentrations of ammonium acetate. The new HIC materials appear to function as a hybrid form of conventional HIC and reverse phase chromatography. The function of the salt seems to be preserving protein structure rather than promoting retention. Online HIC-MS is feasible for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. This is demonstrated with standard proteins and a complex cell lysate. The mass spectra of proteins from the online HIC-MS exhibit low charge-state distributions, consistent with those commonly observed in native MS. Furthermore, HIC-MS can chromatographically separate proteoforms differing by minor modifications. Hence, this new HIC-MS combination is promising for top-down proteomics.
The Liberty Bell Award - Symbol of Law Day

This article explores the history of the Liberty Bell Award. Many bar associations present Liberty Bell Awards as a part of Law Day celebrations on May 1 each year. The award honors persons who have contributed to a greater understanding of the American legal system or helped strenghten our system of justice. Few persons are aware of the origin of the award, however. The Liberty Bell Award was conceived by Flint, Michigan attorney William P. Daniel and first awarded by the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan in 1962. The American Bar Association in 1964 formally endorsed the award for use by bar associations nationally. Since then the Liberty Bell Award has enhanced the observation of Law Day across the nation, and thousands of individuals have received recognition for extraordinary contributions to the American legal system. [Includes photographs.]
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Control During Labor and Delivery A Case Report

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used to diminish postoperative pain1 and many forms of chronic pain2 with reportedly good results. There have been few reports of the use of TENS during childbirth in the physical therapy literature. Several European studies have reported good effects of TENS in the reduction of pain associated with labor and delivery.3–6 Because TENS is a noninvasive analgesic procedure and no maternal or fetal side effects have been encountered,3–5 a firsthand evaluation of this modality seemed appropriate. In this case study, we portray how TENS was used with one patient to prompt physical therapists and other health care providers to develop protocols and conduct research for use of this modality. Melzack and Wall's gate control theory of pain provides one theoretical foundation for TENS.7 According to this hypothesis, electrical stimulation of the large, afferent, high velocity fibers prevents the smaller, slow velocity, pain-carrying A delta and C fibers from transmitting pain signals to the higher brain centers.…
Ethics and Social Responsibility in Marketing Channels and Supply Chains: An Overview

The purpose of this overview is to present a framework that provides the context for understanding corporate social responsibility and ethics in marketing channels and supply chains. First, definitions of ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability are provided from a supply chain perspective. Next, an overview of the International Organization for Standardization is provided as an important benchmark to manage ethics, compliance, and social responsibility. In addition, there is an overview of the five articles that have been included in this special issue that address contemporary issues. These issues include the need for private governance in the supply chain, following up on audit results, a theoretical model to demonstrate how sustainable supply chain management influences consumers' brand evaluations and intended behaviors, nonprofit franchising to achieve a social purpose, and the integral role of corporate social responsibility in apparel retail supply chains.
Comparatives in counterpart theory: another approach

In a recent paper in ANALYSIS [11], Peter Milne raises a difficulty for my version of counterpart theory, 'FCT' (see [2], [6]), having to do with the logic of comparatives. Milne argues that resolving the problem narrows the gap between FCT and the original counterpart theory due to David Lewis, 'LCT' (see [7]). In this paper I argue that Milne's proposal is not as good as another one I shall sketch, one which preserves the distance between the two versions of counterpart theory. I should say at the start that my disagreements with Lewis, and perhaps also with Milne, may ultimately derive from fundamentally different perspectives on the subject matter. For Lewis, counterpart theory affords the most literal means of describing modal reality, and so, for example, in his eyes there is a real metaphysical issue as to whether individuals are worldbound or not. For me there is no real issue here: a standard Kripke model is itself a special case of a counterpart-theoretic model, one in which each possible object is its own sole counterpart at every world. I view counterparttheoretic semantics as merely the appropriate technical framework in which to build a quantified modal logic on top of fuzzy logic (see [3]); and I would say that it is the modal language, not the counterparttheoretic one, that affords the most literal means of describing modal reality. The examples which, according to Milne, force revisions in FCT, involve crossworld comparisons. For precision, I have made somewhat pedantic modifications in their formulation:
Reliability Concerns in Measuring Respondent Skin Tone by Interviewer Observation

The current study assesses the intercoder reliability of one of the most important skin tone measurement instruments-the Massey-Martin scale. This scale is used in several high-profile social surveys, but has not yet been psychometrically evaluated. The current evaluation is only possible because, for the first time, the General Social Survey's 2010-2014 panel used the instrument to guide interviewers' skin tone observation of the same respondents in two different years (2012 and 2014). Despite the widespread use of the Massey-Martin scale to investigate potential effects of skin tone on social attitudes and outcomes, the data suggest that the measure has low intercoder reliability. Implications for researchers and survey practitioners are discussed.
Thoracentesis: State-of-the-Art in Procedural Safety, Patient Outcomes, and Physiologic Impact

Pleural effusions are common and account for high morbidity and mortality in a range of patients. Thoracentesis can provide significant symptom relief and improvement in physiologic parameters including dyspnea, exercise, and sleep. Recent advances, including the use of ultrasound and dedicated procedural teams, have improved the safety of thoracentesis. This has allowed thoracentesis to be performed on higher-risk individuals including those with elevated bleeding risk and bilateral pleural effusions. This review will summarize recent advances in thoracentesis procedural safety, symptom relief following thoracentesis, and understanding of the physiologic basis for such improvements.
The study on real-time edge detection method of lidar based on embedded multi DSP

In order to achieve the real-time edge detection of lidar image,a real-time edge detection system of lidar based on embedded multi DSP is studied. The image edge detection module has three DSP,and each DSP is connected by two other. The image is pretreated by FPGA to improve the detection efficiency. The detection algorithm is the improved universal gravitational edge detection algorithm. The algorithm can reduce the impact of noise for the detection result,and increase the detection accuracy of details. The experimental results show that the system can detect the edge information of various objects accurately,and the operation time is no more than 13 ms,so it has good timeliness.
Multi-branch Truss-Z (MTZ)

This chapter introduces the concept of multi-branch Truss-Z (MTZ). First, the creation of MTZ networks based on alignment to multiple guide paths is described. Next, the optimization method based on Evolution Strategy is described and illustrated with the Case Study III.