cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thyroid response to partial thyroidectomy, thyroxine and 2,4-dinitrophenol in rats with hypothalamic lesions.

Neural regulation of thyrotrophic function of the anterior pituitary has been investigated in the rat. Using in vivo thyroid I131 release as a measure of thyroid activity, the effects of thyroxine, partial thyroidectomy and 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) have been studied in normal rats and in rats with hypothalamic lesions that had produced a reduction in baseline thyroid function. L-thyroxine injections, 15 µg. per day, inhibited thyroid activity in 22 operated and 8 control rats to an equal degree. Partial thyroidectomy was followed by functional activation of the remnant in 14 out of 15 rats with lesions and in all of 12 control animals; thyroid regeneration occurred in all control rats, but was blocked in 7 of 15 rats with lesions. DNP produced thyroid inhibition in all of 46 control animals. In 56 rats with lesions DNP was significantly less effective in causing thyroid inhibition than in normal rats and in 5 animals thyroid activity was increased after DNP administration. These observations are interprete...
Integrating Eclipse Optics Into The AEC Air Force Flying Laboratory

The Los Alamos Scientific Labora tory (LASL) has participated in five airborne total solar eclipse expedi tions designed to measure the temperature, sensity, structure, motions, and composition of the sun's corona. This information is being gathered as part of a study of the sun's behavior throughout its eleven, year cycle. The advantage of these airborne observations over earthbound ones is that they are made above eighty percent of the atmosphere and its clouds and water vapor. The consequent reduction in atmospheric turbulence, scattered light, and water-vapor absorption greatly improves visibility. Because the plane moves with the eclipse shadow, the time available for making the observations is up to one half longer than a ground observer's time.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Technique for Producing Wide-Angle Holographic Displays

A new technique has been devised for recording and reconstructing holograms which can be viewed from a wide range of angles simultaneously by a large number of people. The problems which arise through the use of this technique have been analyzed and the limitations delineated. Satisfactory wide angle, three-dimensional displays have been constructed in the manner described by using absorption holograms. The features of these holographic displays agree qualitatively with the predicted theoretical limitations.
Open-Loop Beamforming for Frequency-Division Duplex Mobile Wireless Access

An open-loop eigen beamformer is designed for frequency-division duplex (FDD) mobile wireless access. In this approach, the base station transmitter does not need any channel feedback nor does the mobile receiver need knowledge of the channel or the transmit beamforming weights. The transmit beamforming weights in the downlink are generated based on the estimate of the uplink spatial covariance matrix. The base station assigns multiple beamforming weights for transmission in the signal subspace, and the mobile combines signals from multiple dimensions to preserve the received signal strength against fast channel fading. Simulation results show that, when the distance between the uplink and downlink signal subspaces is negligible, the open-loop beamformer can improve the performance of FDD systems without spatial covariance matrix transformation from uplink to downlink frequency.
Effects of aging on the stress-strain and creep behaviors of lead free solders

Solder materials demonstrate evolving micro structure and mechanical behavior that changes significantly with environmental exposures such as isothermal aging and thermal cycling. These aging effects are greatly exacerbated at higher temperatures typical of thermal cycling qualification tests for harsh environment electronic packaging. In the current study, mechanical measurements of thermal aging effects and material behavior evolution of lead free solders have been performed. Extreme care has been taken so that the fabricated solder uniaxial test specimens accurately reflect the solder materials present in actual lead free solder joints. A novel specimen preparation procedure has been developed where the solder uniaxial test specimens are formed in high precision rectangular cross-section glass tubes using a vacuum suction process. The tubes are then sent through a SMT reflow to re-melt the solder in the tubes and subject them to any desired temperature profile (i.e. same as actual solder joints). Using specimens fabricated with the developed procedure, isothermal aging effects and viscoplastic material behavior evolution have been characterized for 95.5Sn-4.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC405) and 96.5Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) lead free solders which are commonly used as the solder ball alloy in lead free BGAs and other components. Analogous tests were performed with 63Sn-37Pb eutectic solder samples for comparison purposes. In our total experimental program, samples have been solidified with both reflowed and water quenching temperature profiles, and isothermal aging has been performed at room temperature (25 degC) and elevated temperatures (100 degC, 125 degC and 150 degC). In this paper, we have concentrated on reporting the results of the room temperature aging experiments. Variations of the temperature dependent mechanical properties (elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate strength, creep compliance, etc.) were observed and modeled as a function of room temperature aging time. Micro structural changes during room temperature aging have also been recorded for the solder alloys and correlated with the observed mechanical behavior changes
The Two Futures of Governing: Decentering and Recentering Processes in Governing

Abstract: Reforms of the public sector have helped create a more efficient and effective public sector, but also have created a number of problems. Both, the New Public Management and "governance" reforms have contributed to the contemporary problems in governing. These problems have been political to a great extent, reflecting the tendency to emphasize administrative rather than democratic values. Governments have begun to react to the real and perceived problems within the public sector by developing a number of "meta-governance" instruments that can help steer public organizations but which involve less direct command and control. This paper addresses the contemporary governance tasks of restoring political direction and policy coherence while at the same supporting the autonomy of public organizations, and the involvement of policy networks, in governing.;
STABLE GOVERNMENTS AND THE ALLOCATION OF POLICY PORTFOLIOS

Different members of coalition governments typically have responsibility for different aspects, or dimensions, of policy. Such responsibilities are allocated as portfolios to government members. Given a distribution of such portfolios, final government policy is derived as the accumulation of individual members' decisions in regard to their respective responsibilities. We develop a portfolio allocation model of government formation and policy decision in multiparty legislatures. In particular, we focus on stable portfolio allocations, where a stable allocation is one that yields a policy that no legislative coalition is willing or able to overturn. Several notions of stability are considered and related to the usual concept of the core. Among the results are that although stable allocations are not guaranteed, such allocations can exist with minority governments; and that final policy outcomes associated with stable governments need not be “centrist.“
Occurrence of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) Around a Porcupine (Rodentia: Erthethizontidae) Carcass at Camp Ripley, Minnesota

In May 2000, a dead porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum Culiver) was found on an infrequently traveled dirt road at Camp Ripley, MN. The presence of late instar Calliphoridae suggested that the porcupine died within the past 4 to 7 d. Adult carrion (Silphidae) and rove (Staphylinidae) beetles were observed under the carcass. In June, a large number of adult American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), were observed questing on the porcupine and the surrounding grass. Six zones were established around the carcass, and each zone was sampled for ticks once a month from June through September. Ticks were captured in June and July, and 93% were captured within 2 m of the carcass. Gases released as part of the decomposition process were believed to attract the ticks to the carcass.
A thin permeable-membrane device for single-molecule manipulation

Single-molecule manipulation instruments have unparalleled abilities to interrogate the structure and elasticity of single biomolecules. Key insights are derived by measuring the system response in varying solution conditions; yet, typical solution control strategies require imposing a direct fluid flow on the measured biomolecule that perturbs the high-sensitivity measurement and/or removes interacting molecules by advection. An alternate approach is to fabricate devices that permit solution changes by diffusion of the introduced species through permeable membranes, rather than by direct solution flow through the sensing region. Prior implementations of permeable-membrane devices are relatively thick, disallowing their use in apparatus that require the simultaneous close approach of external instrumentation from two sides, as occurs in single-molecule manipulation devices like the magnetic tweezer. Here, we describe the construction and use of a thin microfluidic device appropriate for single-molecule studies. We create a flow cell of only ∼500 μm total thickness by sandwiching glass coverslips around a thin plastic gasket and then create permeable walls between laterally separated channels in situ through photo-induced cross-linking of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels. We show that these membranes permit passage of ions and small molecules (thus permitting solution equilibration in the absence of direct flow), but the membranes block the passage of larger biomolecules (thus retaining precious samples). Finally, we demonstrate the suitability of the device for high-resolution magnetic-tweezer experiments by measuring the salt-dependent folding of a single RNA hairpin under force.
Synacril black AN. A new stain for normal and abnormal human megakaryocytes.

After methanol fixation and ribonuclease digestion, normal and abnormal human megakaryocytes displayed intense red-purple coloration of the cytoplasm and dark brown nuclei when stained with the cationic textile dye Synacril® black AN. In other marrow cells, cytoplasm stained cream color or pale blue in the case of eosinophils. In eosinophils, granules stained pink. As a complement to more complex immunologic technics, staining of megakaryocytes with Synacril black AN may represent a rapid screening method for identification of these cells.
A Novel Technique for the Fabrication of Free-Standing Adhesive Films Using a Polymer Template

A technique has been developed that allows the application of free-standing membranes of polymer adhesives used in microfabricated structures. The film is made free-standing by the application of the adhesive to a polymer template, followed by an adhesion step to a microfabricated substrate, and the final release of the film by the removal of the polymer template. It was found that the surface treatment used to treat the Teflon template made it adhere too strongly to the adhesive film for this application. The results show that Gel-Paks make a suitable template for the transference of polymer films over holes of at least micron size.
Catecholamine-Induced Desensitization of Adenylate Cyclase in Rat Glioma C6 Cells: Evidence for a Specific Uncoupling of Beta-Adrenergic Receptors from a Functional Regulatory Component of Adenylate Cyclase

Catecholamine-induced desensitization was compared in two strains of rat glioma C6 cells [low passage (C6LP) and high passage (C6HP)]. When exposed to isoproterenol, C6LP cells accumulated high levels of cyclic AMP (3-4 nmoles/mg of protein), whereas C6HP cells did not. After prolonged exposure to isoproterenol, both C6LP and C6HP cells exhibited a diminished response when rechallenged with the agonist. The desensitization process was both time- and dose-dependent and similar parameters were observed for C6LP and C6HP cells. C6HP cells exposed to isoproterenol in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor initially accumulated large amounts of cyclic AMP, but the inhibitor did not alter the time course of agonist-induced desensitization. In addition, the inhibitor, which by itself elevated cyclic AMP levels more than did isoproterenol by itself in C6HP cells, did not induce a refractory state. Agonist-induced loss in beta -adrenergic receptors was much slower than the rate of desensitization. Membranes from desensitized cells, however, exhibited an apparent lower affinity for agonist as measured by agonist displacement of labeled antagonist binding. A substantial loss of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes prepared from agonist-treated C6LP and C6HP cells was observed without a significant loss in NaF-stimulated activity. Isoproterenol-treated C6HP cells remained completely responsive to cholera atoxin. Desensitized C6LP cells exhibited a reduced response to the toxin, which was partially overcome by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Activation of cyclase, however, was not reduced in either C6LP or HP cells treated with agonist and then toxin. Furthermore, cyclase was activated to the same extent when membranes from control or desensitized cells were incubated with the A1 subunit of cholera toxin and NAD. We conclude that the large accumulation of cyclic AMP in C6LP cells exposed to beta -agonists does not mediate the subsequent desensitization process. Instead, the initial stages of catecholamine-induced desensitization in both C6LP and C6HP cells appear to represent a specific uncoupling of the beta -adrenergic receptor from a functional regulatory component of adenylate cyclase.
Tanning beds: Impact on health, and recent regulations

As the use of indoor tanning beds gained popularity in the decades after their appearance in the market in the early 1970s, concerns arose regarding their use. Clinical research has revealed an association between indoor tanning and several health risks, including the subsequent occurrence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, the development of psychologic dependence, and a tendency toward other high-risk health behaviors. In the face of mounting evidence, legislation has been passed, which includes the restriction of access to tanning beds by minors in 42 states and the District of Columbia, and the recent reclassification by the Food and Drug Administration, which now categorizes tanning beds as class II devices and worthy of restrictions and oversight. Early evidence suggests that these labors are resulting in cultural change, although continued efforts are necessary to limit further exposure and better inform the public of the dangers associated with indoor tanning use.
Elevated Blood Pressures in Obese Young Men With Mild Hypertension Are Sustained During the Day and Night

The major goal of this study was to determine if the elevated blood pressures in obese men < 45 years old with mild hypertension persist outside the clinic. A secondary aim was to determine if hyperinsulinemia is associated with accentuated diurnal changes of blood pressure. To address these objectives, the clinic and ambulatory blood pressures as well as a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test measurements were obtained from 9 lean normotensive, 9 lean hypertensive, and 22 obese hypertensive men < 45 years old. The week before study, volunteers ate an isocaloric diet with 220 mEq of NaCl/day. Obese hypertensives, subdivided by high (n = 11) and low (n = 11) insulin areas-under-the-curve (AUCs) in response to oral glucose, and lean hypertensives maintained higher ambulatory blood pressure than lean normotensives (130 +/- 3/74 +/- 1, 136 +/- 4/78 +/- 2, 132 +/- 5/77 +/- 3 v 118 +/- 4/65 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively, P < .05). As expected, the insulin AUC during the glucose tolerance test was higher in obese hypertensives with higher insulin AUCs than in obese hypertensives with lower insulin AUCs, lean hypertensives, or lean normotensives (13.9 +/- 1.2 v 7.9 +/- 0.3, 7.2 +/- 0.7, 5.7 +/- 0.7 mU-min/dL, P < .05). Insulin AUCs were not significantly different in obese hypertensives with lower insulin levels, lean hypertensives, or lean normotensives. The diurnal increases of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate and pressure-rate product were similar in all four groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Renal Hemangiopericytoma: Surgical, Radiological and Pathological Implications

AbstractThe first case of renal hemangiopericytoma presenting radiologically as a hypovascular mass is described. Preoperative diagnostic evaluation included ultrasonography, retrograde pyeloureterography, computerized tomography and angiography. Electron microscopy is helpful to distinguish this lesion from histologically similar juxtaglomerular cell tumors. Although renal hemangiopericytoma may appear benign on pathological examination it should be treated as a low grade malignancy and followed carefully.
Kinetics, salivary excretion of amphetamine isomers, and effect of urinary pH

Amphetamine was administered to healthy subjects as the racemic mixture and as (+)- and (-)-isomers under conditions of urine acidification and alkalinization. Plasma and saliva concentration of each isomer was measured and the kinetics of the individual isomers were determined. (+)-amphetamine was eliminated more rapidly than the (-)-isomer. The difference in half-life between isomers was maximal under basic urinary pH conditions. Saliva amphetamine levels were higher than plasma levels and in the postabsorptive phase were predictably proportional to plasma drug levels.
Methodology of Comparable Earnings and DCF

In this chapter the methodology of the comparable earnings and DCF methods will be discussed. The discussion of the comparable earnings approach is short, reflecting my opinion that there is little to be said concerning it. The discussion of DCF is considerably more lengthy reflecting the fact that there are substantial empirical issues associated with its use. In contrast to the comparable earnings approach, there seems to be a lot to say about it. We will first discuss the comparable earnings approach.
Perspectives of Advanced Confinement Programs

One of the main motivations to construct devices producing an axisymmetric toroidal confinement configuration, in which an important component (poloidal) of the confining magnetic field is produced by the current induced in the plasma, is their relative simplicity. The series of Tokamak experiments developed in Russia originally had this motivation. The Alcator program, that was proposed when the Tokamak experiments were still viewed with almost universal skepticism in the West, had adopted this configuration in view of its versatility in order to explore new high and low density plasma regimes.
Animal Models for the Study of Erectile Function and Dysfunction

A plethora of animal models have been incorporated into the study of erectile dysfunction (ED) with varying levels of success mimicking the human condition. Several conditions contribute to the development of ED including diabetes, aging, prostatectomy-induced peripheral neuropathy, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. For each contributing factor for ED, animal models have been developed and used extensively to examine molecular, morphological, and physiological changes that precede and accompany ED development. In this article we will discuss some of the most commonly studied animal models, examine similarities and differences to the human condition, limitations of the models and ease of study.
Thinking after Drinking: Impaired Hippocampal-Dependent Cognition in Human Alcoholics and Animal Models of Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol use disorder currently affects approximately 18 million Americans, with at least half of these individuals having significant cognitive impairments subsequent to their chronic alcohol use. This is most widely apparent as frontal cortex dependent cognitive dysfunction, where executive function and decision making are severely compromised, as well as hippocampus dependent cognitive dysfunction, where contextual and temporal reasoning are negatively impacted. This review discusses the relevant clinical literature to support the theory that cognitive recovery in tasks dependent on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus is temporally different across extended periods of abstinence from alcohol. Additional studies from preclinical models are discussed to support clinical findings. Finally, the unique cellular composition of the hippocampus and cognitive impairment dependent on the hippocampus is highlighted in the context of alcohol dependence.
Should Early Prone Positioning Be a Standard of Care in ARDS With Refractory Hypoxemia? Wrong Question.

To the Editor: Marini et al[1][1] offer a comprehensive and thorough review of the decades of research surrounding prone positioning in ARDS. The authors meticulously recite the literature and data to formulate an extensive list of the pros and cons surrounding prone positioning's utility in the
Observation of spatial quantum correlations in the macroscopic regime

Spatial quantum correlations in the transverse degree of freedom promise to enhance optical resolution, image detection, and quantum communications through parallel quantum information encoding. In particular, the ability to observe these spatial quantum correlations in a single shot will enable such enhancements in applications that require real-time imaging, such as particle tracking and in situ imaging of atomic systems. Here, we report on measurements in the far field that show spatial quantum correlations in single images of bright twin beams with ${10}^{8}$ photons in a 1-$\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ pulse using an electron-multiplying charge-coupled-device camera. A four-wave mixing process in hot rubidium atoms is used to generate narrowband, bright pulsed twin beams of light. Owing to momentum conservation in this process, the twin beams are momentum correlated, which leads to spatial quantum correlations in the far field. We show around 2 dB of spatial quantum noise reduction with respect to the shot-noise limit. The spatial squeezing is present over a large range of total number of photons in the pulsed twin beams.
Comprehensive, Quantitative Crack Detection Algorithm Performance Evaluation System

AbstractAutomated pavement crack detection is essential to a cost-effective pavement asset management system. Many automated crack detection algorithms (CDAs) have been developed, but they lack a s...
A Comparison of Risk Factors for Twin Preterm Birth in the United States Between 1981–82 and 1996–97

Objective: This paper examines risk factors for twin preterm birth in 1981–82 and 1996–97 in the United States in order to see if they have changed over time. Methods: We studied all U.S. twin births for the years examined (N = 346,567). Since the gestational age distributions for twins differs from singletons, the risk of preterm birth was examined at <33, 33–34, and 35–36 weeks. Logistic regression was used to examine the contributions of sociodemographic and obstetric factors at each period. Results: While the <33 week twin preterm rate rose 7% from 1981–82 to 1996–97, the 33–34-week rate rose 31%, and the 35–36-week rate rose 51%. Women with less education, teenagers, unmarried women, primiparas, and blacks were more likely to deliver preterm across all three preterm birth levels. However, the effect of these low socioeconomic status markers diminished over the study period. Additionally, the odds of preterm birth among blacks increased with earlier gestational ages. Women who had intensive prenatal care utilization as compared with less than adequate utilization were more likely to deliver preterm (35–36 weeks) in 1996–97 (odds ratio (OR) = 2.05) compared with 1981–82 (OR = 1.44). Smaller increases were noted for <33 and 33–34 weeks. Conclusions: Obstetric factors appear to be playing a greater role in the rise of twin preterm births at 35–36 weeks gestation. Temporal sociodemographic changes do not explain the rise in the preterm rate. Changing clinical practices may be having unintended consequences on the public health goals of reducing preterm and low birthweight rates in the United States.
Cancer Informatics: A Powerful Approach to Cancer Research in the Post- Genomic Age

Traditionally, the cancer biology has been an experimental science. However, with the advent of post-genomic age, the trend is shifting. The informatics approach is playing an increasingly important role in cancer research. In fact, a huge amount of cancer genomic data has emerged with rapid advances in genome technology. Since the end of 1990s, the microarray technology has been used to rapidly measure the expression levels of tens of thousands of genes in a single experiment [1]. This technology has facilitated the molecular exploration of cancer [2-9]. For example, for medical applications, microarray gene expression profiling has been used to develop classifiers of prognosis or sensitivity to particular treatments [10-15].
Water pollution and human health

This study deals with the question of establishing a statistical model to test the hypothesis that the use of ‘pure’ water reduces deaths from diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. The statistical analysis is based on data for 48 states of the United States for the year 1970. The results of this study suggest that an increase in the use of ‘pure’ water would, ceteris paribus, decrease death rates due to certain diseases. The findings of this study are especially useful for developing nations where a very small proportion of the population is still served by publicly supplied water.
Exocellular, microbial polysaccharides.

Publisher Summary This chapter emphasizes on the microbial exopolysaccharides that are produced commercially and those whose potential for commercialization is very likely. The general background of polysaccharides and microbial polysaccharides having antitumor activity is discussed in the chapter. A common feature of bacteria, fungi (yeasts and molds), and higher living organisms is the production of polysaccharides. Morphologically, there are three types: intracellular polysaccharides located inside or as part of the cytoplasmic membrane, cell-wall polysaccharides, and exocellular polysaccharides located outside the cell wall. Some exocellular polysaccharides are found covalently attached to the cell as a true capsule, whereas others are secreted unattached into the growth medium. In some cases, both capsular and unattached exopolysaccharides can be found associated with the same microbe. The expected rising cost of petroleum-derived, synthetic polymers has now elicited interest in natural polymers from replenishable resources. Microbial polysaccharides are also increasingly being used in the recovery of crude oil.
Mercury Concentration and Isotopic Composition of Epiphytic Tree Lichens in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal that is found associated with fossil fuel deposits and that can be released to the atmosphere during fossil fuel combustion and/or processing. Hg emitted to the atmosphere can be deposited to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems where it can be methylated by bacteria. Methylmercury is strongly biomagnified in food webs and this leads to toxic levels in high trophic level fish, the consumption of which is a major human exposure pathway. Epiphytic tree lichens have been widely used to investigate the relationship between atmospheric point sources of Hg and regional Hg deposition patterns. An intensive study of Hg concentration and stable isotopic composition of the epiphytic tree lichen Hypogymnia physodes was carried out in the area within 150 km of the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) industrial developments. Concentrations of Hg were comparable to background values measured in previous studies from remote areas and were far below the values observed near significant atmospheric industrial sources of Hg. Spatial patterns provide no evidence for a significant atmospheric point source of Hg from the oil sands developments, and Hg accumulation actually decreases in lichens within 25 km of the northern AOSR development, presumably due to physiological responses of H. physodes to enhanced SO2 deposition. Stable Hg isotope ratios show an increase in Δ199Hg and Δ201Hg within 25 km of the AOSR, and we speculate that this is due to a change in the proportion of the various ligands to which Hg is bonded in the lichens, and a resulting change in the isotope fractionation during partial photochemical reduction and loss of Hg from lichen surfaces.
Blurring Boundaries: Freedom, Enclosure, and Death

In this chapter, Brian Seitz argues that many of the traditional boundaries with which we understand the world and our relation to the nonhuman have collapsed in modernity. Seitz argues that this development is literally embodied in the mutation of wildlife habitat; in the New World things have gone fundamentally haywire. In relation to this mutation Seitz considers the ambiguous and continually shifting dynamic between the rural and the urban. This dynamic might be linked to the distinction between Old World and New World, provided this distinction refers to differing configurations of bioregionality, addressed in terms of history and evolving culture/nature.
Investigation of the Coating Parameters for the Luminescent Photoelastic Coating Technique

The luminescent photoelastic coating (LPC) technique is an optical method to measure the full-field strain on 2D and 3D structural components. The maximum shear strain–or separated principal strain when oblique incidence is performed–and its corresponding principal strain direction are related to the relative changes in emission magnitude with respect to analyzer position. The amplitude of the emission change is termed optical strain response, OSR, and is a function of maximum shear strain, in the plane perpendicular to light propagation and two coating calibration parameters: the polarization efficiency, , and the coating characteristic, . Determining the coating parameters plays an important role since they affect the accuracy of the measurement. Generally, the coating parameters are calibrated in-situ with strain gage measurements and assumed independent of surface inclination. A better theoretical understanding of the two calibration coefficients, specifically the polarization efficiency, dependence on oblique excitation or emission inclination is necessary to improve full-field, strain-separation accuracy of the measurement. This study investigates and reports the effects of the coating parameters on OSR, and the current methods to determine the coating parameters.
Electroconformational Coupling: A Fundamental Process of Biomolecular Electronics for Signal Transductions

Biomolecules are like electronic elements and are built to process information. Proteins of a cell membrane are adept to receive and to decipher even the very weak electromagnetic signals. Experiments on ion channel activity and on electric activation of [Na, K] -ATPase and mitochondrial ATPase reveal a fundamental process of the biomolecular electronics, the “Resonance Electroconformational Coupling”. An alternating electric field of a defined amplitude and frequency is shown to induce oscillation of protein conformers. The process can turn the activity of the protein on and off much like a molecular switch. When coupled to ligand binding it also allows the molecule to use the binding energy of a ligand to drive an endergonic reaction.
Abstract 5432: Cancer-induced hypercalcemia promotes breast cancer progression via AP-1 transcription factor mediated upregulation of malignancy-associated genes

Cancer-induced hypercalcemia (CIH), is common in breast cancer patients with metastatic disease and in up to 30% of cases with solid tumors without evidence of metastasis. However, its role in the development of large and aggressive breast tumors remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that prolong exposure of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to high Ca2+ is accompanied by reduced sensitivity of the calcium sensing receptor to high Ca2+, increased growth and tumor cell motility. Gene expression profiling of TNBC cells cultured at high Ca2+ (5.0 mM) revealed that in addition to early response genes (FOS/FOSB), high extracellular Ca2+ also modulated the expression of MAGEC2/CT10 and PAI-2 and other malignancy associated genes (MAGs). To determine whether the expression of MAGs is regulated by FOS/FOSB we show that down regulation of FOSB strongly inhibited the high Ca2+-induced expression of MAGEC2 and that FOSB, as a component of the AP-1 transcription factor bound to the MAGEC2 promoter at high Ca2+. We also show that down regulation of MAGEC2 or FOSB affected the migration and proliferation of TNBC cells at high Ca2+. These data suggest that high Ca2+-induced expression of malignancy promoting genes such as MAGEC2/CT10 underlie the successful tumor cell survival, growth and/or motility in calcium-rich microenvironments and presumably, during the hypercalcemia prone late stages of the disease. This research is supported by NIH/NIGMS 5SC2 CA170244 and 1SC1 CA211030, NIH/NCI 2U54CA 163069-07 Citation Format: Heather K. Beasley, Sarrah E. Widatalla, Stephen D. Williams, Diva S. Whalen, Olga Y. Korolkova, Amos M. Sakwe. Cancer-induced hypercalcemia promotes breast cancer progression via AP-1 transcription factor mediated upregulation of malignancy-associated genes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5432.
Microbes adjust to heat

Two soil respiration studies conducted at different spatial and temporal extents each find evidence that thermal adaptation of microbial communities compensates for loss of soil carbon under idealized conditions.
An Exploration of Advertorials Used to Attract Foreign Direct Investment

Native advertising has attracted a lot of attention among academics interested in the ad format designed to mimic editorial content and provide consumers with often hard-to-find and detailed inform...
Selective or living organopolymerization of a six-five bicyclic lactone to produce fully recyclable polyesters

Organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization (O-ROP) of a six-five bicyclic lactone, 4,5-trans-cyclohexyl-fused γ-butyrolactone (4,5-T6GBL), can be topologically selective or living at room temperature, depending on catalyst structure. A screening of (thio)urea [(T)U] and organic base pairs revealed unique trends in reactivity for this monomer as well as the most active catalyst pairs, which were employed as received commercially to produce relatively high molecular weight (Mn up to 106 kDa), low dispersity (Đ = 1.04) linear poly(4,5-T6GBL) in a living fashion. The ROP using a hybrid organic/inorganic pair of TU/KOMe in neat conditions led to poly(4,5-T6GBL) with even higher molecular weight (Mn = 215 kDa, Đ = 1.04). In comparison to the metal-catalyzed system, (T)U-base pairs exhibited competitive kinetics and reached higher monomer conversions, and their reactions can be performed in air. In addition, the resulting polymers required less purification to produce materials with higher onset decomposition temperature. (T)U-base pairs were selective towards linear polymerization only, whereas triazabicyclodecene can catalyze both polymerization and (quantitative) depolymerization processes, depending on reaction conditions. Cyclic polymers with Mn = 41–72 kDa were selectively formed via N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated zwitterionic O-ROP.
Decreased sound tolerance associated with blast exposure

Current research on blast and other injuries sustained by United States Service members and Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars reveals a multitude of auditory complaints linked to exposures experienced during these conflicts. Among these complaints is decreased sound tolerance, which refers to a class of auditory-related problems including physical and/or psychological reactions to aspects of everyday sounds. Limited attention has been given to the possible relationship between blast exposure and decreased sound tolerance in Service members and Veterans, which is the purpose of this report. Baseline data were gathered and analyzed from 426 Service members (n = 181) and Veterans (n = 245) who participated in the Noise Outcomes in Servicemembers Epidemiology (NOISE) Study. Logistic regression analyses were performed to generate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each group, adjusted for age and sex. Of those who reported blast exposure, 33% of Service members (adjusted OR = 1.4; CI = 0.7–2.8) and 48% of Veterans (adjusted OR = 1.9; CI = 1.1–3.3) reported decreased sound tolerance. Among Service members and Veterans who did not report blast exposure, 28% and 34% respectively, also reported decreased sound tolerance. Overall, blast exposure increased the likelihood of participants reporting decreased sound tolerance. The strength of this association was significant in Veterans.
Bed nuclei of the stria terminalis modulate memory consolidation via glucocorticoid-dependent and -independent circuits

There is extensive evidence that glucocorticoid hormones enhance memory consolidation, helping to ensure that emotionally significant events are well remembered. Prior findings suggest that the anteroventral region of bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (avBST) regulates glucocorticoid release, suggesting the potential for avBST activity to influence memory consolidation following an emotionally arousing learning event. To investigate this issue, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent inhibitory avoidance training and repeated measurement of stress hormones, immediately followed by optogenetic manipulations of either the avBST or its projections to downstream regions, and 48 h later were tested for retention. The results indicate that avBST inhibition augmented posttraining pituitary-adrenal output and enhanced the memory for inhibitory avoidance training. Pretreatment with a glucocorticoid synthesis inhibitor blocked the memory enhancement as well as the potentiated corticosterone response, indicating the dependence of the memory enhancement on glucocorticoid release during the immediate posttraining period. In contrast, posttraining avBST stimulation decreased retention yet had no effect on stress hormonal output. Subsequent experiments revealed that inhibition of avBST input to the paraventricular hypothalamus enhanced stress hormonal output and subsequent retention, whereas stimulation did not affect either. Conversely, stimulation-but not inhibition-of avBST input to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray impaired consolidation, whereas neither manipulation affected glucocorticoid secretion. These findings indicate that divergent pathways from the avBST are responsible for the mnemonic effects of avBST inhibition versus stimulation and do so via glucocorticoid-dependent and -independent mechanisms, respectively.
A Dynamical Study of the Non-Star Forming Translucent Molecular Cloud MBM16: Evidence for Shear Driven Turbulence in the Interstellar Medium

We present the results of a velocity correlation study of the high latitude cloud MBM16 using a fully sampled $^{12}$CO map, supplemented by new $^{13}$CO data. We find a correlation length of 0.4 pc. This is similar in size to the formaldehyde clumps described in our previous study. We associate this correlated motion with coherent structures within the turbulent flow. Such structures are generated by free shear flows. Their presence in this non-star forming cloud indicates that kinetic energy is being supplied to the internal turbulence by an external shear flow. Such large scale driving over long times is a possible solution to the dissipation problem for molecular cloud turbulence.
IT AND THE PRICING OF NEW SECURITIES: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF A DIRECT AUCTION SYSTEM WITH TRADITIONAL UNDERWRITING

Experimental economics techniques are used in this paper to examine the benefits and potential adoption of Internet-based electronic auctions for the initial public offerings (IPO) market. The IPO market is dominated by investment banks, which organize the promotion, pricing, and allocation of new securities. The high transaction costs and inefficiency evident in the IPO market make it an apparent anomaly among modern financial markets. Issuers pay high commissions, issues tend to be underpriced, and individual investors have virtually no direct access to the market. Emerging Internet-based markets organized as electronic auctions offer an alternative to traditional practices, and can potentially reduce costs and improve market quality. The auction and traditional intermediated market structures were replicated in a laboratory environment. Subjects playing the role of investors and investment bankers participated in simulated IPO markets involving various levels of risk and buying pressures similar to those expected in actual IPOs. The offer price and the revenue to the market participants observed in the auction were compared to those collected in the intermediated market. Results show that auction prices were greater than traditional intermediated market prices when the value of the securities offered was more uncertain. As uncertainty decreased, auction prices became comparable to intermediated market prices. Issuers received larger proceeds when going public through the auction. Investors’ overall profits were positive in both market structures, although they were significantly higher in the intermediated market.
Control Design for Inverters: Beyond Steady-State Droop Laws.

This paper presents a novel control structure and control synthesis method for regulating the output voltage/frequency and power injection of DC-AC inverters. The traditional droop method offers attractive solution to achieve compromise between clashing power and voltage/frequency regulation objectives. However, it relies on use of nonlinear power variables through slow outer control loop. In this paper we formulate the traditional droop method as a feedback control problem based on static power-flow equations and show how neglecting the dynamics of inverter and transmission line restricts the attainable closed-loop bandwidth and stability and robustness margin. Then we introduce a mapping between power variables and current in $dq$ frame under given PLL condition, allowing for replacing the fast acting current variables as a proxy for power. Consequently, we present a novel control structure and control synthesis method based on disturbance rejection framework, and demonstrate inherent droop like characteristics in underlying dynamics for special cases of resistive and inductive line. Moreover, we generalize the proposed control synthesis procedure to include a generalized complex line dynamical model and introduce concept of hybrid-sourced-intverter. Finally, we validate higher bandwidth and better transient performance of our proposed design through experimental validation.
After Gun Violence: Deliberation and Memory in an Age of Political Gridlock: Craig Rood. University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State U P, 2019. 190 pages. $22.95 paperback.

Evidence of political gridlock abounds amid both the worst viral pandemic in a century and civil unrest against a pandemic of systemic racism at home and abroad. In the United States, guns are a co...
Extraordinarily ordinary: Us Weekly and the rise of reality television celebrity

In Extraordinarily Ordinary, Erin A. Meyers excavates the preeminent place of the most popular celebrity gossip magazine of the 2000s, Us Weekly, in driving the construction of reality television c...
Less is more: clinical utility of postoperative labs following minimally invasive hysterectomy for endometrial cancer

Objectives: With the Increasing rates of same day discharge following minimally invasive endometrial cancer (EC) surgery, the need for and value of routine postoperative testing is unclear. We determined whether routine postoperative labs following minimally invasive hysterectomy for EC led to clinically significant changes in postoperative care. Methods: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for EC by a gynecologic oncologist. A random sample was selected from an existing database of patients who underwent surgery for EC between June 2014-2017. Patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, operative and postoperative data, and pathologic findings were manually extracted from the patients’ medical records. The financial burden of laboratory evaluation was computed using hospital-level cost data. Results: Of the 266 women included in the analysis, the majority (91.4%) were White, with a mean age of 61.5 years, and mean BMI of 38.0±10.1kg/m2. The most common comorbidities were diabetes (29.3%, n=78), chronic pulmonary disease (7.9%, n=21), and renal disease (3.8%, n=10). The mean operative time was 152.1±37.8 minutes and mean EBL was 105±91.7mL. Most patients (66.5%, n=177) underwent LAD, of which 77.4% had sentinel (n=78) and/or complete pelvic LAD (n=128), and an additional 42.4% (n=75) underwent paraaortic lymph node assessment. All patients had post-operative labs ordered: 100% complete blood count, 99.2% chemistry, 55.3% magnesium, 44.7% phosphate, 39.8% calcium, 3.4% PT/PTT/INR, 1.9% liver function tests, and 15% other. The mean pre- and post-operative hemoglobin was 13.5±1.4g/dL and 11.5±1.3g/dL, respectively. Mean pre- and post-operative creatinine were 0.83±0.21mg/dL and 0.78±0.20mg/dL. Thirteen patients (4.9%) had a change in management due to postoperative lab results (Table 1). Of these, only two patients (0.8% of entire cohort) had no symptoms or change in clinical status that would have otherwise prompted labs to be performed: one received a blood transfusion for asymptomatic anemia and the other electrolyte repletion for asymptomatic hypomagnesemia of 1.2mg/dL. There were no preoperative or operative factors significantly associated with a postoperative change in management due to labs, postoperative creatinine or postoperative hemoglobin. Routine postoperative laboratory evaluation in this cohort increased hospital costs by $118,455 or approximately $445 per patient. Download : Download high-res image (159KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Routine postoperative labs are unlikely to lead to significant changes in management for women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for EC, and may increase cost without providing a discernable clinical benefit. In the setting of strict post-operative guidelines, laboratory tests should be ordered when clinically indicated rather than as part of routine postoperative management for women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for EC.
Characterization of a family of rotationally symmetric spherical quadrangulations

A spherical quadrangulation is an embedding of a graph G in the sphere in which each facial boundary walk has length four. Vertices that are not of degree four in G are called curvature vertices . In this paper we classify all spherical quadrangulations with n -fold rotational symmetry ( n ≥ 3 ) that have minimum degree 3 and the least possible number of curvature vertices, and describe all such spherical quadrangulations in terms of nets of quadrilaterals. The description reveals that such rotationally symmetric quadrangulations necessarily also have dihedral symmetry.