cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of immune-metabolic interactions on age-related thymic demise and T cell senescence.

Abstract Emerging evidence indicates that the immune and metabolic interactions control several aspects of the aging process and associated chronic diseases. Among several sites of immune-metabolic interactions, thymic demise represents a particularly puzzling phenomenon because even in metabolically healthy middle-aged individuals the majority of thymic space is replaced with ectopic lipids. The new T cell specificities can only be generated in a functional thymus and, peripheral proliferation of pre-existing T cell clones provides limited immune-vigilance in the elderly. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the strategies that enhance thymic-lymphopoiesis may extend healthspan. Recent data suggest that byproducts of thymic fatty acids and lipids result in accumulation of ‘lipotoxic DAMPs’ (damage associated molecular patterns), which triggers the innate immune-sensing mechanism like inflammasome activation which links aging to thymic demise. The immune-metabolic interaction within the aging thymus produces a local pro-inflammatory state that directly compromises the thymic stromal microenvironment, thymic-lymphopoiesis and serves a precursor of systemic immune-dysregulation in the elderly. New evidence also suggests that ectopic thymic adipocytes may develop from specific intrathymic stromal cell precursors instead of a passive process that is simply a consequence of thymic lymphopenia. Thus the complex bidirectional interactions between metabolic and immune systems may link aging to health, T cell senescence, and associated diseases. This review discusses the immune-metabolic mechanisms during aging - with implications for developing future therapeutic strategies for living well beyond the expected.
Pathogenesis of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG6) revealed by a rat model.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness in the lower extremities that result from length-dependent central to peripheral axonal degeneration. Mutations in the non-imprinted Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome locus 1 (NIPA1) transmembrane protein cause an autosomal dominant form of HSP (SPG6). Here, we report that transgenic (Tg) rats expressing a human NIPA1/SPG6 mutation in neurons ( Thy1.2-hNIPA1G106R ) show marked early onset behavioral and electrophysiologic abnormalities. Detailed morphologic analyses reveal unique histopathologic findings, including the accumulation of tubulovesicular organelles with endosomal features that start at axonal and dendritic terminals, followed by multifocal vacuolar degeneration in both the CNS and peripheral nerves. In addition, the NIPA1G106R mutation in the spinal cord from older Tg rats results in an increase in bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor expression, suggesting that its degradation is impaired. This Thy1.2-hNIPA1G106R Tg rat model may serve as a valuable tool for understanding endosomal trafficking in the pathogenesis of a subgroup of HSP with an abnormal interaction with bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor, as well as for developing potential therapeutic strategies for diseases with axonal degeneration and similar pathogenetic mechanisms.
Experimental Object- Level Strategic Control With Cooperating Manipulators

This article presents the high-level control module and user interface of the Dynamic and Strategic Control of Cooperating Manipulators (DASCCOM) project at Stanford University's Aerospace Robotics Laboratory. In addition to cooperative dynamic control, DASCCOM incorporates real-time vision-ased feedback, a novel strategic programming technique, and an iconic 'object-only' graphical user interface. By focusing on the vertical integration problem, we are examining not only these subsystems, but also their interfaces and interactions. The control system implements a multilevel hierarchical structure interconnected via a real-time network. At the highest level, a mouse-driven graphical user interface allows an operator to direct the activities of the system conceptually. Strategic command is provided by an event-driven finite state machine. This methodology provides a powerful yet flexible technique for managing concurrent system interactions. The dynamic controller implements object impedance control - an extension of Neville Hogan's impedance control concept to cooperative multiple-arm manipulation of a single object. This article concentrates on user interfacing techniques and strategic programming capabilities. These modules allow the user to directly specify conceptual object relationships. Experimental results are presented, showing the system locating and identifying a moving object, 'catching' it, and performing a simple cooperative assembly. Each of these operations is executed autonomously, with only object-level task-specification direction from a remote operator.
Cure characterization of the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of linseed oil‐based thermosetting resins

BACKGROUND: Bio-based polymers from vegetable oils are excellent alternatives to petroleum-based resins for both environmental and economic reasons. A detailed understanding of the cure behavior of bio-based polymers is essential to optimize cure schedules and the final properties of the polymers. In this work, the cure of newly developed linseed oil-based thermosetting resins, synthesized using Grubbs' first-generation catalyst and a bis-norbornadiene cross-linking agent by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, is characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and parallel plate oscillatory rheometry. RESULTS: Experimental results reveal that the rate of cure increases and the gel time decreases with increasing cross-linker loading; however, the activation energy of the cure does not vary systematically with cross-linker loading. Phenomenological reaction models are used to describe the dynamic DSC measurements and to determine the kinetic parameters which facilitate cure predictions under isothermal conditions. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates that the cure kinetics of a linseed oil-based thermosetting resin can be controlled by varying the cross-linker loading. Furthermore, the kinetic parameters and cure rates at any cross-linker loading for this system can be described by a simple autocatalytic reaction model which facilitates development of cure schedules. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
M-ary orthogonal signaling in the presence of Doppler

The performance degradation of an M-ary orthogonal keying (MOK) system due to relative motion between its transmitter and receiver can be minimized by selecting good signaling sets. A formulation for evaluating good signaling sets, or code sets, is developed for Walsh function data modulations. A union bound performance measure which closely approximates the exact probability of a demodulation error, is devised to allow for convenient evaluation of Walsh function codesets. The best Walsh function codesets for codevectors up to length 10 and for M=2, 4, 8 and 16, found by exhaustive search, are presented, along with their performance. In addition, codesets based on error-correcting codes are presented, along with a performance bound expressed in terms of the code's minimum distance. >
A novel methodology for modelling yard cranes at seaport terminals to support planning and real–time decision making

This paper addresses the need by terminal operators to optimise the yard crane operations at seaport terminals. It introduces a novel agent–based approach to model yard cranes, where each crane acts as an autonomous agent that seeks to maximise its utility. A key component of the proposed agent–based simulation model is a set of utility functions that properly capture the essential decision making attributes of crane operators in choosing the next truck to serve. Simulation results reveal important insights about distance–based service strategy and time–based service strategy and how they can be used together to accomplish the terminal's operational objectives. The developed simulation tool can be used by terminal management to make strategic planning and/or real–time operational decisions to improve and optimise yard crane operations.
Simulations of the concept of using a small nonscanning Doppler radar for wind shear detection

The concept of using a small nonscanning Doppler radar, called the weather mini-radar, for automatically detecting and quantitatively measuring low-altitude wind shear along approach and departure paths to airport runways is introduced. This work focuses on the implementation of the weather mini-radar design on a general-purpose pulse Doppler radar computer simulation. This simulation uses microburst model data generated with the aid of a supercomputer as the input, and the output is used to test prototype automatic detection algorithms proposed for use with the weather mini-radar. Test results indicate that the weather mini-radar concept of automating wind shear detection and measurement is sound. >
Resurrecting the Ecological Underpinnings of Ocean Plankton Blooms

Nutrient and light conditions control phytoplankton division rates in the surface ocean and, it is commonly believed, dictate when and where high concentrations, or blooms, of plankton occur. Yet after a century of investigation, rates of phytoplankton biomass accumulation show no correlation with cell division rates. Consequently, factors controlling plankton blooms remain highly controversial. In this review, we endorse the view that blooms are not governed by abiotic factors controlling cell division, but rather reflect subtle ecosystem imbalances instigated by climate forcings or food-web shifts. The annual global procession of ocean plankton blooms thus represents a report on the recent history of predator-prey interactions modulated by physical processes that, almost coincidentally, also control surface nutrient inputs.
Effector Peptides from Glutathione-S-Transferase-pi Affect the Activation of jun by jun-N-Terminal Kinase

We have previously found that the pi-isozyme of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-pi) is a strong and selective inhibitor of the phosphorylation of the transcriptional activating protein jun by its activating kinase, jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). We further performed molecular dynamics calculations on the 3-dimensional structure of GST-pi free and bound to an inhibitor that blocks its ability to inhibit the JNK-jun activation. We thus identified 4 putative domains that may be involved in the interaction between GST-pi and the JNK-jun complex: residues 34-50, 99-121, 165-182 (with 2 overlapping sub-domains 165-175 and 169-182), and 194-201. We have synthesized each of these domains and tested them for their abilities to affect the GST-JNK-jun system, first in a cell-free system. We find that peptides corresponding to residues 99-121 and 194-201 strongly inhibit the binding of GST to the JNK-jun complex but do not inhibit JNK-induced phosphorylation of jun, while peptides corresponding to residues 34-50 and 165-182 do not inhibit GST binding but, except for the 165-175 subdomain peptide, strongly inhibit jun phosphorylation. A control peptide, X13, had no effect on either process. Peptide effects on jun phosphorylation appear to be selective for the JNK-jun system since the 34-50 peptide has no effect on other kinase systems (eg, casein kinase, MAP kinase). Three of the domain peptides, 34-50, 165-175, and 194-201 have been attached on their carboxyl-terminal ends to a penetratin sequence, enabling transmembrane transport into cells, and have been introduced into human astrocytes in which JNK was activated with anisomycin. We find that the 34-50-penetratin peptide strongly inhibits intracellular jun phosphorylation while the 194-201-penetratin peptide has no effect; the 165-175-penetratin peptide has a weak effect on this process. Thus, the effects in cells parallel those in the cell-free system. We conclude that all putative domains, identified in our prior structural studies, appear to interact with the JNK-jun complex. The 34-50 peptide may be useful in selectively blocking uncontrolled mitogenic signaling involving the JNK-jun pathway and may be a potential agent for blocking oncogenic ras-p21-induced cell transformation.
Nonperturbative dynamics for abstract (p,q) string networks

We describe abstract $(p,q)$ string networks which are the string networks of Sen without the information about their embedding in a background spacetime. The non-perturbative dynamical formulation invented for spin networks, in terms of causal evolution of dual triangulations, is applied on them. The formal transition amplitudes are sums over discrete causal histories that evolve $(p,q)$ string networks. The dynamics depend on two free $\mathrm{SL}(2,Z)$ invariant functions which describe the amplitudes for the local evolution moves.
The influence of emotional intelligence on performance

Abstract Emotional intelligence (EI; the ability to perceive, integrate, understand, and manage emotions) may influence appraisals of stressful tasks and subsequent task performance. This study examined the relationship of ability-based EI facets with performance under stress. We expected high levels of EI would promote challenge appraisals and better performance, whereas low EI levels would foster threat appraisals and worse performance. Undergraduates (N = 126) performed mental math and videotaped speech tasks. Certain dimensions of EI were related to more challenge and enhanced performance. Some EI dimensions were related to performance after controlling for cognitive ability, demonstrating incremental validity. This pattern of findings differed somewhat for males and females.
Regulatory Needs for International Control of Animal Diseases

An abbreviated history of animal domestication is presented. Early movement of livestock is depicted from nomadic tribesmen of Asia and Africa to the advent of jet airline transportation. Associated disease implications are illustrated with the need for better regulatory measures emphasized. Means through which this may be accomplished are suggested.
A new, small-sized transmission line impedance transformer, with applications in high-speed optoelectronics

A small-sized transmission line transformer (TLT) which matches 50- Omega circuits to low-input resistance components, such as semiconductor lasers and PIN photodiodes, is described. This TLT is formed by different coplanar waveguide configurations and printed on a very high-dielectric constant substrate ( in /sub r/=80). This TLT considerably improves the temporal response of high-speed photodiodes as compared with the conventional coupling scheme. >
Structural instability of the Rikitake disk dynamo

The Rikitake-type disk dynamo, consisting of two identical single Faraday-disk dynamos of the Bullard type coupled together, has been analyzed intensively for more than thirty years by: (a) mathematicians interested in its ability to behave chaotically, and (b) geophysicists needing low-dimensional electromechanical analogues of the geodynamo in their efforts to elucidate the complex time series of geomagnetic polarity reversals over geological time. Implicit in the theory is what now appears to be an unwarranted assumption, namely that mechanical friction is unimportant both qualitatively and quantitatively as a dissipative agency in comparison with ohmic effects, and can therefore safely be neglected. The assumption is inconsistent with the findings of the present study, which shows that mechanical friction can render the Rikitake dynamo “structurally unstable” and consequently incapable of producing chaotic oscillations. Research on low-dimensional analogues of the geodynamo should concentrate attention on structurally stable systems, with properties less dependent on the starting conditions.
Digital pathology: A systematic evaluation of the patent landscape

Introduction: Digital pathology is a relatively new field. Inventors of technology in this field typically file for patents to protect their intellectual property. An understanding of the patent landscape is crucial for companies wishing to secure patent protection and market dominance for their products. To our knowledge, there has been no prior systematic review of patents related to digital pathology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically identify and evaluate United States patents and patent applications related to digital pathology. Materials and Methods: Issued patents and patent applications related to digital pathology published in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database ( www.uspto.gov ) (through January 2014) were searched using the Google Patents search engine (Google Inc., Mountain View, California, USA). Keywords and phrases related to digital pathology, whole-slide imaging (WSI), image analysis, and telepathology were used to query the USPTO database. Data were downloaded and analyzed using the Papers application (Mekentosj BV, Aalsmeer, Netherlands). Results: A total of 588 United States patents that pertain to digital pathology were identified. In addition, 228 patent applications were identified, including 155 that were pending, 65 abandoned, and eight rejected. Of the 588 patents granted, 348 (59.18%) were specific to pathology, while 240 (40.82%) included more general patents also usable outside of pathology. There were 70 (21.12%) patents specific to pathology and 57 (23.75%) more general patents that had expired. Over 120 unique entities (individual inventors, academic institutions, and private companies) applied for pathology specific patents. Patents dealt largely with telepathology and image analysis. WSI related patents addressed image acquisition (scanning and focus), quality (z-stacks), management (storage, retrieval, and transmission of WSI files), and viewing (graphical user interface (GUI), workflow, slide navigation and remote control). An increasing number of recent patents focused on computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and digital consultation networks. Conclusion: In the last 2 decades, there have been an increasing number of patents granted and patent applications filed related to digital pathology. The number of these patents quadrupled during the last decade, and this trend is predicted to intensify based on the number of patent applications already published by the USPTO.
IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE IN BONE MARROW-DERIVED LYMPHOCYTES I. EVIDENCE FOR AN INTRACELLULAR MECHANISM OF INACTIVATION OF HAPTEN-SPECIFIC PRECURSORS OF ANTIBODY-FORMING CELLS

Administration of the 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) derivative of the copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine (D-GL) to inbred mice induces a state of DNP-specific tolerance in such animals irrespective of their immune status at the time of treatment. Taking advantage of the relative ease with which DNP-D-GL can induce tolerance in an animal previously primed with an immunogenic DNP-carrier conjugate, we have established conditions for tolerance induction in an adoptive cell transfer system. Thus, the adoptive secondary anti-DNP antibody response of DNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed spleen cells was completely, or almost completely, abolished by exposure of such cells to DMP-D-GL either in vivo or in vitro. Tolerance induction in vivo occurred irrespective of whether the DNP-primed cells were exposed to DNP-D-GL in the donor animal before adoptive transfer or in recipient mice after transfer. In the latter situation, it was possible to show that tolerance induction in this model occurs very rapidly (1 hr) and with relatively low doses of tolerogen (50 µg). Incubation of DNP-KLH-primed cells with DNP-D-GL in vitro under varying culture conditions also resulted in depression of the adoptive secondary response of such cells, although the kinetics and degree of tolerance induction in this way were slightly different from that obtained by in vivo tolerization. Utilizing the adoptive transfer tolerance system, it was possible to approach certain questions concerning the mechanism of tolerance induction and fate of tolerant bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes in the DNP-D-GL model. The possibility that suppression of anti-DNP antibody from the DNP-D-GL reflects blocking of surface receptor molecules on B lymphocytes has been ruled out by several experimental observations. The most conclusive evidence on this point derives from the failure of enzymatic treatment with trypsin to reverse the tolerant state induced by in vitro exposure of primed cells to DNP-D-GL, whereas trypsinization completely restored the immunocompetence of DNP-KLH-primed cells rendered unresponsive by exposure to DNP-ovalbumin in vitro. The present studies also demonstrate that the tolerant state induced by DNP-D-GL represents a predominantly irreversible inactivation of specific B lymphocytes. This conclusion is derived from experiments in which it was found that tolerance was maintained through as many as two serial adoptive transfers performed over a period of time of at least 24 days from the single exposure of such cells to the tolerogen. Moreover, the possibility that maintenance of tolerance through such serial transfers was due to inadvertent transfer of tolerogenic doses of DNP-D-GL was definitively ruled out. It appears, therefore, that DNP-specific tolerance induced by DNP-D-GL is an example of irreversible inhibition of cell reactivity to antigen reflecting yet-to-be-determined events at the intra- and subcellular levels.
Physician preferences for educational media.

Background Although educational media have expanded in variety, information on physicians' preferences for types of educational media remains limited. Method An assessment form was distributed to 14 medical societies evaluating their members' medical education media preferences and society antimicrobial-resistance educational offerings. Results These 14 medical societies represent 349,685 physicians. All supported educational offerings, most frequently as professional meetings, followed by audiotapes, computer programs, Internet sites, or print-based self-study materials. Only 5 (36%) societies had measured how many members used their educational offerings. Eight (57%) societies had made antimicrobial resistance an educational priority for their medical societies. Antimicrobial treatment was the most commonly offered educational topic on antimicrobial resistance. Conclusions These 14 medical societies help to educate over one half the practicing US physicians. However, less than one half of the societies knew how many of their members used the educational materials they offered, or how their members would prefer to obtain medical education. Understanding how physicians want to obtain medical information potentially could improve the delivery of medical knowledge to physicians.
Equity, Attribution, and Reactance in Giving and Receiving Gifts of Clothing

This study explores equity, attribution, and reactance theories as they relate to giving and receiving gifts of clothing. About 100 each of male and female subjects responded to a set of affective statements written to express the three theories and other aspects of giving and receiving clothing gifts. Factor analyses of responses resulted in four factors for each sex, three of which were similar in content. For each sex, the first factor concerned receiving gifts and incorporated the three theories. The following two factors were concerned with giving gifts, one factor emphasizing the recipient's well-being, the other factor the self-esteem of the giver. Content of the fourth factors differed for males and females. Attribution, equity, and reactance statements did not form separate factors, but were mixed with other statements. Results supported suggestions in the literature that theories overlap in explaining gift-giving behavior. Findings were consistent with others' reports of sex differences in gift-...
ZEOLITE PSA CYCLES FOR PRODUCING A HIGH-PURITY HYDROGEN FROM A HYDROGEN-LEAN MIXTURE.

Abstract Two pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycles are used to produce a high-purity H2 from an H2-lean mixture containing strongly adsorbable gases. Zeolite 5A is used as the sorbent. The use of an evacuation step in the cycle is found necessary for this difficult separation. In addition, a new vacuum purge step is found efficient and a promising step for commercial application. A bidisperse pore diffusion model along with a simple algorithm is developed for the cycle performance. The model is simpler than all previous bidisperse pore models due to two justified simplifying assumptions: parabolic concentration profiles in crystal and pellet, and a double volume-average technique. The effects of both micropore and macropore diffusion resistances on the cyclic separation are found to be small but significant. A basic understanding of the transient adsorber dynamics is obtained through the bidisperse pore diffusion model.
Vertical distribution of fruit-feeding butterflies with evidence of sex-specific differences in a Tanzanian forest

Tropical forests accommodate rich species diversity, particularly among insects. Habitat heterogeneity along the vertical gradient extending from the forest understorey to the tree canopy influences diversity. The vertical distribution of forest insects is poorly understood across Africa, most especially eastern Africa. Food-baited traps were used to study the vertical stratification of adult fruit-feeding nymphalid butterflies in Mtai Forest Reserve, north-eastern Tanzania. Traps were located in the forest canopy and understorey. A total of 277 individuals of 24 species were captured. Species composition differed by trap locations: 33% of the species captured were found in both the canopy and understorey strata; however, significantly more species were captured in the understorey (54%) than canopy (13%). Males were significantly more abundant than females and captured in both strata. A greater proportion of females were captured in the understorey than the canopy. The time of day affected capture rates, with more individuals caught in the afternoon; however, there was no association between the time period and the sex of individuals captured in canopy versus understorey locations. Understanding how the sexes of butterflies vary in understorey versus canopy offers new biological insights into the vertical stratification of insects. Resume Les forets tropicales hebergent une riche diversite d'especes, specialement des insectes. L'heterogeneite de l'habitat suivant le gradient vertical qui va du sous-bois jusqu’a la canopee des arbres influence cette diversite. La distribution verticale des insectes forestiers est mal connue en Afrique, specialement en Afrique de l'Est. Nous avons utilise des pieges appâtes avec de la nourriture pour etudier la stratification verticale de papillons nymphalides frugivores adultes dans la Reserve Forestiere de Mtai, dans le nord de la Tanzanie. Les pieges ont ete places dans la canopee et dans les sous-bois forestiers. Un total de 277 individus ont ete captures, appartenant a 24 especes. La composition des especes differait selon l'emplacement du piege : 33% des especes se trouvaient dans la canopee et a l’etage des sous-bois, mais il y eut plus d'especes capturees dans le sous-bois (54%) que dans la canopee (13%). Les mâles etaient significativement plus nombreux que les femelles et etaient captures aux deux niveaux. Une plus grande proportion de femelles etaient capturees dans le sous-bois que dans la canopee. L'heure de la journee affectait le taux de captures, et plus d'individus etaient captures l'apres-midi. Cependant, il n'y avait pas de lien entre l'heure et le sexe des individus captures dans la canopee vs dans le sous-bois. Le fait de comprendre comment le sexe des papillons varie dans le sous-bois par rapport a la canopee offre un nouvel apercu biologique de la stratification verticale des insectes.
Parameter measurements to study surge propagation in induction machines

Winding failures in induction machines have been a major concern in the past several years, and more so recently with the addition of variable-speed drives (VSDs). Both the introduction of the vacuum breaker, and the use of pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) drives, utilizing fast switching insulated gate bipolar transistors, have resulted in an increase in winding failures in induction machines. Two mechanisms that cause winding failures are steep-fronted surges, like those caused during the opening and closing of vacuum breakers, and transient overvoltages caused by impedance mismatch between the cable and load during VSD operation. There has been a fair amount of work done to date on the propagation of vacuum-breaker-induced steep-fronted surges in the windings of the induction machine. More recently, work has been progressing on overvoltages at the machine terminals as a result of VSDs operating with long cables connecting the drive and machine. However, the propagation of these surges down the coils and the interference of these PWM surges with each other in the coils as well as the coupling between turns and coils have not been thoroughly investigated. Such an investigation would allow more benign PWM strategies to be developed, which do not build up in the machine to unacceptably high levels. The relevant parameters to be used are unknown and difficult to calculate and measure. To this end, this paper presents a measurement technique to determine the machine parameters for surge studies in machines. Detailed parameter measurements are made of each turn section (slot versus overhang), which are then used to determine the surge impedance of each section. Also included are the mutual capacitive and inductive couplings. Reflection and refraction coefficients are calculated which may then be used for further analysis of surges in machines.
Flow regimes in a circular Couette system with independently rotating cylinders

Our flow-visualization and spectral studies of flow between concentric independently rotating cylinders have revealed a surprisingly large variety of different flow states. (The system studied has radius ratio 0.883, aspect ratios ranging from 20 to 48, and the end boundaries were attached to the outer cylinder.) Different states were distinguished by their symmetry under rotation and reflection, by their azimuthal and axial wavenumbers, and by the rotation frequencies of the azimuthal travelling waves. Transitions between states were determined as functions of the inner- and outer-cylinder Reynolds numbers, Ri and Ro, respectively. The transitions were located by fixing Ro and slowly increasing Ri. Observed states include Taylor vortices, wavy vortices, modulated wavy vortices, vortices with wavy outflow boundaries, vortices with wavy inflow boundaries, vortices with flat boundaries and internal waves (twists), laminar spirals, interpenetrating spirals, waves on interpenetrating spirals, spiral turbulence, a flow with intermittent turbulent spots, turbulent Taylor vortices, a turbulent flow with no large-scale features, and various combinations of these flows. Some of these flow states have not been previously described, and even for those states that were previously described the present work provides the first coherent characterization of the states and the transitions between them. These flow states are all stable to small perturbations, and the transition boundaries between the states are reproducible. These observations can serve as a challenge and test for future analytic and numerical studies, and the map of the transitions provides several possible codimension-2 bifurcations that warrant further study.
Reducing localization errors in sensor ad hoc networks

In this paper, we present a localization system comprising two simple and efficient localization algorithms for sensor networks. We refer to the proposed localization system as the differential ad-hoc positioning system (DAPS). Differential GPS motivated the underlying idea on which the proposed localization system is based. Specifically, the algorithms use a differential error correction scheme that is designed to reduce the cumulative distance and positioning error accumulated over the multiple hops. Using simulation, we investigate DAPS and compare the proposed algorithms with non-differential based schemes. The key contribution of this work is the illustration of how differential error corrections can be calculated and incorporated into the localization process to effectively reduce the range measurement errors and, as such, significantly improve positioning accuracy.
Synaptic Patterning by Morphogen Signaling

Gradients of secreted small morphogenic molecules control cell proliferation and patterning throughout animal development. Recent years have seen the discovery of surprising roles for morphogens in later developmental processes, including axon pathfinding and synaptogenesis. The latest addition is a role for the TGF-β superfamily morphogen Activin in synaptic patterning of the Drosophila visual system. In contrast to classical instructive and long-range morphogen gradients, Activin acts as a permissive and local motility restriction signal around several hundred individual photoreceptor axon terminals. Activin must therefore act in concert with other instructively attracting and repelling signals as part of a larger genetic program for brain wiring.
Correlating the Impact of Well-Defined Oligosaccharide Structures on Physical Stability Profiles of IgG1-Fc Glycoforms

As part of a series of articles in this special issue describing 4 well-defined IgG1-Fc glycoforms as a model system for biosimilarity analysis (high mannose-Fc, Man5-Fc, GlcNAc-Fc and N297Q-Fc aglycosylated), the focus of this work is comparisons of their physical properties. A trend of decreasing apparent solubility (thermodynamic activity) by polyethylene glycol precipitation (pH 4.5, 6.0) and lower conformational stability by differential scanning calorimetry (pH 4.5) was observed with reducing size of the N297-linked oligosaccharide structures. Using multiple high-throughput biophysical techniques, the physical stability of the Fc glycoproteins was then measured in 2 formulations (NaCl and sucrose) across a wide range of temperatures (10°C-90°C) and pH (4.0-7.5) conditions. The data sets were used to construct 3-index empirical phase diagrams and radar charts to visualize the regions of protein structural stability. Each glycoform showed improved stability in the sucrose (vs. salt) formulation. The HM-Fc and Man5-Fc displayed the highest relative stability, followed by GlcNAc-Fc, with N297Q-Fc being the least stable. Thus, the overall physical stability profiles of the 4 IgG1-Fc glycoforms also show a correlation with oligosaccharide structure. These data sets are used to develop a mathematical model for biosimilarity analysis (as described in a companion article by Kim et al. in this issue).
Cloud Holes: Unraveling an Erstwhile Weather Mystery

Day dawned clear on December 12, 2014, in Boynton Beach, Florida. As the sun rose, the sky turned deep blue. Atmospheric clarity stayed pristine all day, but a strong west wind aloft soon herded fl...
The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (Team) Study: Direct Measurement of Personal Exposures through Air and Water for 600 Residents of Several U.S. Cities

We are exposed daily to toxic or carcinogenic chemicals in our air, water, and food. However, the extent of our exposure is not known in many cases due to the lack of sufficiently sensitive measuring instruments (Wallace 1982) or to the lack of sufficiently extensive population exposure studies. Without knowing the extent of our exposure, governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot quantify relative risks of different chemicals and thereby prioritize efforts to reduce public exposure, nor can the major sources of exposure be determined.
Vertical flow of collectivistic leadership: An examination of the cascade of visionary leadership across levels

This study explores the connection between formal leaders and collective leadership in teams through the examination of how collective strategic vision flows downward in organizations and the function that formal leaders play in the resulting cascade of collective leadership. Building from a sensemaking framework, we propose that a supervisor's perceptions of the collective navigator role (the establishing and enacting of strategic vision among members of a team) in their immediate supervisor-level work group ultimately links to the collective leadership navigator role in the lower-level team he or she leads thereby illustrating the vertical flow of collective leadership across organizational levels. To understand how this cascading process operates, we propose that two key characteristics of supervisors, their job satisfaction and empowering leadership behaviors, mediate the linkage between collective strategic visions at these different levels. We find support for this connection in our study of teams within a large manufacturing company.
Contrasting physiological plasticity in response to environmental stress within different cnidarians and their respective symbionts

Given concerns surrounding coral bleaching and ocean acidification, there is renewed interest in characterizing the physiological differences across the multiple host–algal symbiont combinations commonly found on coral reefs. Elevated temperature and CO2 were used to compare physiological responses within the scleractinian corals Montipora hirsuta (Symbiodinium C15) and Pocillopora damicornis (Symbiodinium D1), as well as the corallimorph (a non-calcifying anthozoan closely related to scleractinians) Discosoma nummiforme (Symbiodinium C3). Several physiological proxies were affected more by temperature than CO2, including photochemistry, algal number and cellular chlorophyll a. Marked differences in symbiont number, chlorophyll and volume contributed to distinctive patterns of chlorophyll absorption among these animals. In contrast, carbon fixation either did not change or increased under elevated temperature. Also, the rate of photosynthetically fixed carbon translocated to each host did not change, and the percent of carbon translocated to the host increased in the corallimorph. Comparing all data revealed a significant negative correlation between photosynthetic rate and symbiont density that corroborates previous hypotheses about carbon limitation in these symbioses. The ratio of symbiont-normalized photosynthetic rate relative to the rate of symbiont-normalized carbon translocation (P:T) was compared in these organisms as well as the anemone, Exaiptasia pallida hosting Symbiodinium minutum, and revealed a P:T close to unity (D. nummiforme) to a range of 2.0–4.5, with the lowest carbon translocation in the sea anemone. Major differences in the thermal responses across these organisms provide further evidence of a range of acclimation potential and physiological plasticity that highlights the need for continued study of these symbioses across a larger group of host taxa.
Cross-Sectional Analysis of Neurocognitive Function, Retinopathy, and Retinal Thinning by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Sickle Cell Patients

Purpose: The purpose was to examine the relationship between neurocognitive function and two distinct forms of retinopathy in sickle cell disease. Materials and Methods: Patients with sickle cell disease (n = 44, age range: 19-56 years, 70% female) were prospectively recruited for this cross-sectional study. Retinopathy was characterized by: (1) Presence of focal retinal thinning on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and (2) determination of the sickle retinopathy stage on funduscopic exam based on Goldberg classification. Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Philadelphia Brief Assessment of Cognition (PBAC), a validated test of cognition. Univariate and multivariate analyses for PBAC score outcomes were performed. Retinal thinning and retinopathy stage were primary variables of interest and age, gender, genotype, education, and history of stroke were covariates. Results: Univariate analysis revealed associations with total PBAC score and age (P = 0.049), history of stroke (P = 0.04), and genotype (P < 0.001). Focal retinal thinning and Goldberg retinopathy stage were not associated with each other in this sample. Neither the presence of focal retinal thinning nor degree of retinopathy was associated with total PBAC score in univariate or multivariate analyses. Conclusions: We find an association between lower cognitive function and older age, history of stroke and sickle cell genotype SS in patients with sickle cell disease. Our data do not provide evidence to support an association between cognitive function and retinopathy in sickle cell patients.
Laser-Machined Tantalum Collimator for Space Applications

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 7654, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20375, USA E-mail: marc.chrisophersen@nrl.navy.mil ** U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6363, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20375, USA NRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 7654, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20375, USA Praxis Inc., 5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 700, Alexandria, VA 22303, USA
A Thermoregulated Foot Cradle for the Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease

ConclusionsThe optimum temperature for the feet of my patients proved to be considerably below their mouth temperature. It corresponded closely with the skin temperature of the feet of normal persons. When this temperature was rigidly maintained comfort was at a maximum and the color of the feet most closely approached the normal. Slight deviations from it were accompanied by pain and cyanosis.It appears reasonable to believe that strict maintenance of the optimum temperature would increase the chances of recovery in many cases of gangrene secondary to peripheral vascular disease.
Effect of Cecal Cultures Encapsulated in Alginate Beads or Lyophilized in Skim Milk and Dietary Lactose on Salmonella Colonization in Broiler Chicks

Cultures of cecal bacteria that were grown under anaerobic conditions were prepared as lyophilized powder or encapsulated and lyophilized in alginate beads and compared with broth cultures for control of Salmonella typhimurium enteric colonization and for ease of delivery in four experiments. Day-old broiler chicks were provided a standard corn-soybean diet with: 1) no culture, no lactose (control); 2) dietary lactose; 3) broth culture by crop gavage; 4) culture in lyophilized powder; or 5) culture encapsulated and lyophilized in alginate beads. Two percent lactose (wt/wt) was included in the diet of chicks in Groups 2 to 5. The lyophilized powder was provided by mixing with the feed. Alginate beads were force-fed or top-dressed on the feed. All groups were challenged on Day 3 with 10(4) cfu of S. typhimurium per chick. Culture by gavage and culture in alginate beads and dietary lactose significantly (P < .05) reduced mean Salmonella colony-forming units in cecal contents by 3.4 to 5.3 log10 units at 10 d of age. Likewise, the number of cecal-culture-positive chicks in the groups provided culture by gavage or in beads was significantly less than controls. Eighty to 90% of the beads provided were consumed by the chicks within 2 h. The results indicated that cultures of cecal bacteria encapsulated and lyophilized in alginate beads were as effective as culture by crop gavage for the reduction of Salmonella colonization in broiler chicks and provide an effective and practical method of delivery.
Localization and operative methods of neoplasm under fiberoptic ductoscope

【Objective】To explore the localization and operative methods of neoplasm under fiberoptic ducto-scope.【Methods】A guide wire was placed under fiberoptic ductoscope for 22 cases with papillary lesions,then the neoplastic lesions were resected under the guide of the wire.【Results】Among the 22 cases,there were one infiltra-tive ductal carcinoma,one intraductal carcinoma,eighteen intraductal papilloma and two intraductal papillomatosis.【Conclusions】To lay a guide wire under fiberoptic ductoscope can accurately mark the intraductal papillary le-sions.Then operation under the guide of the wire can narrow the operative range and reduce injury.It can also raise the specificity of diagnosis.
The Rural Rotation in a Medical Technology Program: A Ten-year Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a rural rotation as a tool to recruit medical technology program graduates to medically underserved areas. DESIGN: A paper survey was distributed to all 1994 – 2003 graduates of the West Virginia University Medical Technology Program. SETTING: The survey was mailed to the graduates9 homes. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four of the two hundred six surveys were returned for a response rate of 45.6%. INTERVENTIONS: Surveys were mailed in January 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to questions regarding choice of site for rural rotation, whether or not a job was offered at the rural site, and whether the graduate subsequently worked at a rural site were tabulated. Responses to questions concerning whether the rotation helped the respondent to appreciate the needs of rural health facilities and whether the rotation resulted in a greater interest in working in a rural area were tabulated. Responses were also tabulated for questions about the value of the rural rotation to the respondent9s education and whether the rural rotation was recommended for future students. RESULTS: Of respondents, 70.2% chose their rural rotation sites due to proximity to their homes and 38.3% were offered jobs at their rural rotation sites. 50% of all respondents subsequently worked at a rural site. Of respondents, 73.4% indicated strong agreement that the rotation helped them appreciate the needs of the rural facility, and 37.2% indicated agreement with becoming more interested in working at a rural site. Of respondents, 65% indicated that the rural rotation was beneficial and that they would recommend it to future students. CONCLUSION: Results of the survey suggest that a prior rural affinity is a factor associated with selection of rural sites for medical technology program graduates. The survey results also suggest that a rural rotation during medical technology education is beneficial to individuals, including those who elect not to go to rural sites after graduation. ABBREVIATIONS: Health professions shortage areas (HPSAs) nurse practitioners (NP) medically underserved areas (MUAs) West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP).