cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adeno-associated virus 2-mediated high efficiency gene transfer into immature and mature subsets of hematopoietic progenitor cells in human umbilical cord blood

Recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV) virions were constructed containing a gene for resistance to neomycin (neoR), under the control of either the herpesvirus thymidine kinase (TK) gene promoter (vTK-Neo), or the human parvovirus B19 p6 promoter (vB19-Neo), as well as those containing an upstream erythroid cell-specific enhancer (HS-2) from the locus control region of the human beta-globin gene cluster (vHS2-TK-Neo; vHS2-B19-Neo). These recombinant virions were used to infect either low density or highly enriched populations of CD34+ cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood. In clonogenic assays initiated with cells infected with the different recombinant AAV-Neo virions, equivalent high frequency transduction of the neoR gene into slow-cycling multipotential, erythroid, and granulocyte/macrophage (GM) progenitor cells, including those with high proliferative potential, was obtained without prestimulation with growth factors, indicating that these immature and mature hematopoietic progenitor cells were susceptible to infection by the recombinant AAV virions. Successful transduction did not require and was not enhanced by prestimulation of these cell populations with cytokines. The functional activity of the transduced neo gene was evident by the development of resistance to the drug G418, a neomycin analogue. Individual high and low proliferative colony-forming unit (CFU)-GM, burst-forming unit-erythroid, and CFU-granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte colonies from mock-infected, or the recombinant virus-infected cultures were subjected to polymerase chain reaction analysis using a neo-specific synthetic oligonucleotide primer pair. A 276-bp DNA fragment that hybridized with a neo-specific DNA probe on Southern blots was only detected in those colonies cloned from the recombinant virus-infected cells, indicating stable integration of the transduced neo gene. These studies suggest that parvovirus-based vectors may prove to be a useful alternative to the more commonly used retroviral vectors for high efficiency gene transfer into slow or noncycling primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells, without the need for growth factor stimulation, which could potentially lead to differentiation of these cells before transplantation.
Rheotactic response of two strains of juvenile landlocked Atlantic salmon: Implications for population restoration

Abstract Rheotactic response—the directional response to water current—was compared between two strains of juvenile landlocked Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to determine the presence of inherited migratory differences. Juvenile rheotactic response was examined because it is known to be an inherited behavior in other salmonids. An inlet-spawning strain (Sebago Lake, Maine) and an outlet-spawning strain (West Grand Lake, Maine) were compared in common experimental environments. The strains were compared as newly hatched fry (age 0) and were expected to remain instream for a year. Fry movements were compared in indoor artificial stream channels in 1999 at two levels of water velocity (6 and 12 cm/s) and density (one fish/m2 and two fish/m2). The inlet strain fry (Sebago Lake strain) had a stronger positive rheotactic response (upstream movement) than the outlet strain fry (West Grand Lake strain). Age, density, and water velocity also affected fry movement: upstream movement was lower in older fry, downstream ...
GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb injection lasers for remote sensing applications

Double heterostructures of InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb quaternary alloys on (100) GaSb substrates were grown by the liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) technique. Room temperature operation near 2.1 micron wavelength has been achieved under pulsed conditions with pulsed threshold current density of 7kA/sq cm.
The Iran-Iraq War Has to End

Last week I spoke to a friend about the Middle East, about the Muslim countries, and about the Iran-lraq war. I said, "This war has to stop and I must do something about it." My friend asked, "Do you know the problem, do you know the details of this bloody war?" My answer was, "No I do not. If I had known I would have found an excuse for the war to continue. Ali that I know is this war is senseless, it is against the basic and fundamental teachings of Islam, it is against humanity, and it has to stop." He asked, "How can you stop it? Who are you? Respectful organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Conference, and more important people such as the Secretary General of the U.N. have failed. Why do you think you will succeed?" I said, "The Organization of Islamic Conference is considered by those fighting as not representing the Nation of Islam, but instead representing politicians on the top, while the Secretary General speaks a diplomatic language. I am not a politician, I am not a diplomat; I am a human being, I am a Muslim. Islam is in my heart, and my heart bleeds for my brothers in lraq and Iran". He said, "Why not enjoy your life and enjoy what God provided for you. You do not live in the Middle East. You are not even an Iraqi nor an Iranian." 1 said, "The color of the shedded blood is the same as mine, and those whose blood is flowing in the battlefields, in the bombed towns, in the ravaged villages are my brothers. How can I close my eyes and ears? Islam has no boundaries, no borders. I will speak from my heart to the heart of the leaders of both countries. J have nothing to gain except the acceptance and the blessings of God. I do not work for a country and I am not paid by any person. l spend a life full of actions, good and bad; full of achievements, great and small. What time is left for me is not too long, definitely less than what I have spenl. Eventually I will meet the Almighty God. He will then ask me what did you do with your life? . I
RSK2 Mediates Muscle Cell Differentiation through Regulation of NFAT3

Abstract RSK2, an ERK downstream kinase, is a novel mediator of skeletal muscle cell differentiation through its regulation of NFAT3 activity. We found that the N-terminal (amino acids (aa) 1-68) and C-terminal (aa 416-674) kinase domains of RSK2 directly interacted with nuclear localization signal 1, the Ser/Pro repeat, and the polyproline domains (aa 261-365) of NFAT3. Upon A23187 stimulation, RSK2 induced nuclear localization of NFAT3. RSK2 phosphorylated NFAT3 in vitro (Km = 3.559 μm), and activation of NFAT3 by RSK2 enhanced the promoter activity of NFAT3 downstream target genes in vivo. Furthermore, nuclear accumulation of NFAT3 was attenuated markedly in RSK2-/- cells compared with wild-type RSK2+/+ cells. Notably, RSK2 and NFAT3 induced a significant differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts to multinucleated myotubes. Multinucleated myotube differentiation was inhibited by small interfering RNA against RSK2, ERK1/2, or NFAT3. These results demonstrate that RSK2 is an important kinase for NFAT3 in mediating myotube differentiation.
Predicting the Adoption of Electronic Health Records by Physicians: When Will Health Care be Paperless?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was threefold. First, we gathered and synthesized the historic literature regarding electronic health record (EHR) adoption rates among physicians in small practices (ten or fewer members). Next, we constructed models to project estimated future EHR adoption trends and timelines. We then determined the likelihood of achieving universal EHR adoption in the near future and articulate how barriers can be overcome in the small and solo practice medical environment. Design: This study used EHR adoption data from six previous surveys of small practices to estimate historic market penetration rates. Applying technology diffusion theory, three future adoption scenarios, optimistic, best estimate, and conservative, are empirically derived. Measurement: EHR adoption parameters, external and internal coefficients of influence, are estimated using Bass diffusion models. Results: All three EHR scenarios display the characteristic diffusion S curve that is indicative that the technology is likely to achieve significant market penetration, given enough time. Under current conditions, EHR adoption will reach its maximum market share in 2024 in the small practice setting. Conclusions: The promise of improved care quality and cost control has prompted a call for universal EHR adoption by 2014. The EHR products now available are unlikely to achieve full diffusion in a critical market segment within the timeframe being targeted by policy makers.
DO REGIMES MATTER - EPISTEMIC COMMUNITIES AND MEDITERRANEAN POLLUTION-CONTROL

International regimes have received increasing attention in the literature on international relations. However, little attention has been systematically paid to how compliance with them has been achieved. An analysis of the Mediterranean Action Plan, a coordinated effort to protect the Mediterranean Sea from pollution, shows that this regime actually served to empower a group of experts (members of an epistemic community), who were then able to redirect their governments toward the pursuit of new objectives. Acting in an effective transnational coalition, these new actors contributed to the development of convergent state policies in compliance with the regime and were also effective in promoting stronger and broader rules for pollution control. This suggests that in addition to providing a form of order in an anarchic international political system, regimes may also contribute to governmental learning and influence patterns of behavior by empowering new groups who are able to direct their governments toward new ends.
Leveraging genetic algorithm and neural network in automated protein crystal recognition

We propose a classification framework combined with a multi-scale image processing method for recognizing protein crystals in high-throughput images. The main three points of the processing method are the multiple population genetic algorithm for region of interest detection, multi-scale Laplacian pyramid filters and histogram analysis techniques to find an effective feature vector. Using human (expert crystallographers) classified images as ground truth, the current experimental results gave 88% true positive and 99% true negative rates, resulting in an average true performance of ∼93.5% validated on an image database which contained over 79,000 images.
Subordinate Participation in Audit Budgeting Decisions: A Comparison of Decisions Influenced by Organizational Factors to Decisions Conforming with the Vroom‐Jago Model*

This study examines the role of subordinate participation in the effectiveness of audit hours budget decisions in accounting firms. The study compares decisions influenced by organizational factors (such as organizational policies or the preferences of the superior) to decisions that conform to the Vroom-Jago (VJ) model. Our results indicate that actual level of participation used in budget decisions appears to be based primarily on perceived preferences of superiors and participation styles available under the circumstancesof the individual audit. However, results also indicate that decisions consistent with the Vroom-Jago model are characterized by higher decision quality and increased subordinatedevelopment. Since managers are apparently reluctant to use decision styles that conflictwith organizational factors, accounting firms may wish to gather information regarding the attributes of the decision context and use the VJ model to establish their available decision styles and determine the preferences of superiors. Doing so has the advantage of considering decision-specific attributes while enhancing the probability of manager compliance with a desired decision style.
Low-drift and low-jitter microwave signal synthesis from mode-locked lasers

The conversion of optical signals into electronic signals is the major bottleneck in transfer of timing stability. Excess phase noise and drift in the photodetection processes limits the achievable microwave signal quality. We report on the microwave signal synthesis from mode-locked lasers using a new type of an optoelectronic phase-locked loop (PLL). This PLL is based on the phase detection between optical pulse trains and microwave signals in a differentially-biased Sagnac loop interferometer. The measured out-of-loop timing jitter in a 1 MHz bandwidth integrated over 10 hours is 6.8 fs (rms). The relative timing stability in the microwave signal read-out process reaches 1.9times10-19 in 36000 seconds.
Novel Instrumentation for Radiation Monitoring at NAL

Since the radiation safety policy adopted by NAL is a departure from conventional practices at other accelerators, special instrumentation had to be developed to implement it. The policy and the instruments are described briefly.
Textured substrate based organic solar cell for higher absorption and improved performance

The performance of polymer-based photovoltaic devices is limited by several factors like high band-gap and low charge-carrier mobility, to name a few. Thicker active-layers have high optical absorption but the transport of carriers in them is inefficient. Thus the optimal thickness of the active-layers has to be determined carefully. This conflict can be resolved using a three-dimensional (3D) microscale textured grating shaped solar cell geometry. The solar cells in this study were fabricated on photoresist gratings to give them 3D texture required for enhanced light absorption. Introduction of texturing has a significant effect on over all power conversion efficiency of the devices. Grating based solar cell having 2 micron pitch showed improved power conversion efficiency over the flat solar cell. In addition to favorable guiding of optical modes, the improvement in efficiency is accomplished by homogenous coverage of the spin-coated active layer, which is a challenging process for non-flat surfaces. Uniform thickness in this study was facilitated by the sufficiently high pitch and low height of the underlying photoresist gratings.
Assessing model fit in phylogeographical investigations: an example from the North American sandbar willow Salix melanopsis

Aim Coalescent models enable the direct estimation of parameters with clear biological relevance (i.e. divergence time, migration rate and rate of expansion), but they have typically been applied to phylogeographical research without a priori assessment of their fit to the empirical system. Here we explore the extent to which phylogeographical inference can be misled by evaluating the fit of several population genetic models to empirical data collected from the sandbar willow, Salix melanopsis. Location The Pacific Northwest mesic forest of North America. Methods We collected sequence data from five loci in 145 individuals. We assessed model fit in: (1) models delimiting previously proposed races within S. melanopsis; (2) historical biogeographical models, each describing the timing and pattern of diversification; and (3) coalescent models that correspond to those implemented in popular software packages such as IMa, lamarc, and Migrate-n. Results We found little evidence for previous hypotheses of cryptic races delimited by habitat type (mesic, lowland or subalpine); rather, our results suggested that these variants originated from the same source population. Historical biogeographical models demonstrate that S. melanopsis has recently expanded from a single refugial population, probably located in the northern Rocky Mountains. An analysis using approximate Bayesian computation indicated that the single population expansion model implemented in lamarc is a better fit to the data than multi-population models incorporating migration and/or divergence as implemented in Migrate-n and IMa, suggesting that the parameters estimated from the latter are potentially misleading for this system. Main conclusions Our research highlights the importance of assessing model fit in addition to estimating parameters to understand evolutionary processes. Taken together, they allow us to infer the historical demography of S. melanopsis in a manner that is not biased by previous work in the system.
Distribution and reproduction of the planktonic copepod, Calanus pacificus, off southern California during winter-spring of 1992, relative to 1989–91

Abundance and production of eggs by female Calanus pacificus off southern California were assessed in February and April, 1992, together with biomass of chlorophyll and abundance of larval anchovy. Because 1992 was an anomalous year as a result of a Californian El Nino, the patterns were compared with analogous data for 1989-91. Female Calanus were much less abundant in both February and April of 1992 than in the earlier years, and the anomalies were negatively related to temperature anomalies, but the biomass of chlorophyll and per capita egg production were anomalously low only in February. The horizontal distribution of female Caianus was similar to that of chlorophyll in winter, but was more efficient (in the sense of permitting more complete utilization of the available chlorophyll) in April, 1992, than in the earlier springs. The abundances of larval anchovy were positively correlated with the reproduction of the Calanus population in 1992 and in the earlier years, but the larvae were poorly distributed with respect to Calanus spawning, in both 1992 and the earlier years, to take best advantage of the resulting nauplii as food.
Sensory Determinants of Head Direction Cell Activity

Other portions of this volume provide a description of the fundamental properties of Head Direction (HD) cells and the brain structures that are important in processing this directional coding (see the Preface and Chapter 9). This chapter focuses on the types of sensory information that affect HD cell activity. We first consider how cues external to the body can affect HD cell discharge and then discuss the efficacy of cues derived from the body’s movements (i.e., those involved in path integration; see Chapter 9). We then discuss experiments that have examined how HD cells respond when these two types of information come in conflict with one another. Because many animals function in a three-dimensional environment, we’ll also describe studies that have examined HD cell activity when the animal is in different earth-centered planes. Finally, we conclude by discussing experiments that have explored the development of cue control and spatial orientation as it relates to HD cells.
Numerical Analysis of Experimental Data of Subsea Jumper Vortex Induced Vibrations

Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV) may cause fatigue damage to subsea jumpers that are exposed to bottom currents. ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company (URC) has been conducting research on VIV of subsea jumpers since 2011. Model tests conducted on an “M” shaped jumper in 2012 showed that VIV can occur in subsea jumpers over a wide range of bottom current speeds and directions [1]. Presently, there is no well-established industry practice for assessing subsea jumper VIV and determining the need for its suppression. In this paper, we present two different methods for characterizing jumper VIV response based on the model test data described in [1]. Specifically, these methods consist of spectral analysis of local response and modal scalar analysis of global response. These methods are used to analyze measured response over a wide range of towing speeds and towing directions. A brief summary of the findings are provided and some general conclusions are drawn.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Here Comes the Rain Again: Weather and the Intertemporal Substitution of Leisure

I revisit the intertemporal labor supply framework, using exogenous variations in daily weather to see how time at work varies with rain. In my model, a rainy day is associated with a lower enjoyment of leisure, effectively increasing wages and bringing more hours at work. I test the model using data from the American Time Use Survey, supplemented with daily weather. I find that, on rainy days, men shift on average 30 minutes from leisure to work. Computations give a rough estimate of the intertemporal elasticity of labor supply of around 0.01, in line with the rest of the literature.
Coherence as a resource in decision problems: The Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm and a variation

That superpositions of states can be useful for performing tasks in quantum systems has been known since the early days of quantum information, but only recently has a quantitative theory of quantum coherence been proposed. Here we apply that theory to an analysis of the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, which depends on quantum coherence for its operation. The Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm solves a decision problem, and we focus on a probabilistic version of that problem, comparing probability of being correct for both classical and quantum procedures. In addition, we study a related decision problem in which the quantum procedure has one-sided error while the classical procedure has two-sided error. The role of coherence on the quantum success probabilities in both of these problems is examined.
Energy-optimal voltage model supporting a wide range of nodal switching rates for early design-space exploration

This paper explores the models of the energy-optimal voltage (VOPT) of near/sub-threshold digital VLSI circuits with a focus on the support for a wide range of nodal switching rates. The previous models can estimate the VOPT of the circuits having relatively high nodal switching rates (VOPT, H), but can become inaccurate in finding the VOPT of the circuits having low nodal switching rate. In this work, therefore, we develop the models for finding (i) the VOPT of the circuits having low nodal switching rates (VOPT, L) and (ii) the critical nodal switching rate point (αcrit) below which the VOPT, L should be used. The models are verified with inverter chains and sub-threshold 10-transistor SRAM arrays in SPICE-level simulation. The model takes only process technology parameters to estimate VOPTs, and can be suitable for early-stage design-space exploration.
Lens Fluorescence in Aging and Cataract Formation

The phenomenon of lens fluorescence in aging and cataract formation is reviewed and two specific fluorogens are demonstrated in the normal aging lens. Evidence is presented regarding the role of UV radiation (above 290 nm) in the generation of at least one fluorogen by means of a free radical induced photodegradation reaction involving protein bound tryptophan in the lens (particularly in the nucleus). The fluorogens can serve as aging parameters and are associated with the development of two other aging parameters; the increase in insoluble protein and decline in SH with age. A mechanism is proposed to account for lenticular aging and nuclear (brown) cataract formation as related to the effects of prolonged exposure of the lens to UV radiation above 290 nm.
Perceived Benefits of Yoga among Urban School Students: A Qualitative Analysis

This study reports on the findings of a qualitative evaluation of a yoga intervention program for urban middle and high school youth in New York City public and charter schools. Six focus groups were conducted with students who participated in a year-long yoga program to determine their perceptions of mental and physical benefits as well as barriers and challenges. Results show that students perceived the benefits of yoga as increased self-regulation, mindfulness, self-esteem, physical conditioning, academic performance, and stress reduction. Barriers and challenges for a yoga practice include lack of time and space. The extent to which the benefits experienced are interrelated to one another is discussed. Suggestions for future research and school-based programming are also offered.
Abstract 13: Development of Functionalized Nanoparticle Platform for Reducing Atherosclerosis

No therapy is currently available to enhance the removal of cholesteryl esters (CE) from existing atherosclerotic plaques to facilitate plaque regression. Such a strategy is crucial to reduce the burden of existing disease in addition to preventing the progression targeted by the current therapeutics. Earlier studies from our laboratory have established the anti-atherogenic role of CE hydrolase (CEH)-mediated CE mobilization from macrophage foam cells and final elimination of cholesterol by the liver. While transgenic expression of CEH was used in pre-clinical animal studies, increase in human CEH by activation of Liver-X-receptor (LXR) was also established. Increased lipogenesis induced by LXR ligands precludes their use. The current studies focused on the development of mannose-functionalized dendrimer nanoparticles (DNPs) for the delivery of LXR ligand (TO901317) or CEH expression vector to plaque associated macrophage foam cells. As shown in the Figure, mannose functionalization restricts the uptake of DNPs to macrophages and minimal uptake was seen with primary hepatocytes ( A ). Western diet fed LDLR-/- mice were injected (iv) with DNPs and tissues harvested 48 later to monitor gene expression by QPCR. DNP-mediated delivery of LXR ligand (DNP-LXR) increased the target gene expression (ABCA1, ABCG1) in plaque associated macrophage foam cells in the aortic arch with no effects on target gene expression in the liver ( B ) demonstrating the specific delivery of LXR ligand. Comparable increase in CEH activity was seen following exposure of macrophages to free LXR ligand and DNP-delivered LXR ligand ( C ) and DNP-mediated delivery of CEH expression vectors driven either by CMV or SR-A promoter induced dramatic increase in CEH expression ( D ). These data establish functionalized DNP as a suitable platform for specific and functional delivery of drugs or DNA to plaque associated macrophages to enhance processes involved in cholesterol removal and plaque regression. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
“Carried in the Arms of Standing Waves:” The Transmotional Aesthetics of Nora Marks Dauenhauer

In recent years, Native, Indigenous, First Nations, and Aboriginal scholars and writers have forged alliances to initiate and support decolonization efforts and the reassertion of native survivance. Native and non-Native scholars have responded to modern challenges by reconceptualizing notions of peoplehood, identity, and nationalism. Following these intellectual contours, rather than conceiving of native culture as totalizing, static, and/or incommensurable—as always already foreign—responsive readings informed by the critical work of Gerald Vizenor can support more sophisticated understandings of native literary production while revealing sites of native transmotion. Through a thusly informed examination of the work of the Tlingit poet, Nora Marks Dauenhauer, this essay highlights sites of transmotional fidelity between Tlingit aesthetics and classic Japanese Zen poetry. Through the development of a succinct, yet complex syncretic aesthetic vision, Dauenhauer is able to create new conceptions of native (trans)nationalism and indigenous survivance, while resisting facile classifications and essentialist conclusions. By employing a critical approach to poetics informed by cospolitainism, survivance, and transmotion, which is apparent in her appropriation of Basho’s haiku form, Dauenhauer is able to reinforce the implicit epistemological nexus that is unmistakably present between Tlingit and classic Japanese thought. As a result, Dauenhauer’s poetry succeeds in simultaneously representing a dynamic portrait of Tlingit cultural survivance, while at the same time promoting a unique transmotional approach that celebrates the immanent interconnectivity of all things.
Perineal body stretch during labor does not predict perineal laceration, postpartum incontinence, or postpartum sexual function: a cohort study

Introduction and hypothesis The perineum stretches naturally during obstetrical labor, but it is unknown whether this stretch has a negative impact on pelvic floor outcomes after a vaginal birth (VB). We aimed to evaluate whether perineal stretch was associated with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, and we hypothesized that greater perineal stretch would correlate with worsened outcomes.
The Effect of Load Fluctuations on the Effluent Concentration Produced by Fixed-Film Reactors

Although time-varying loads to biological treatment processes are common, typical kinetic models are based on steady-state loads and conditions. This paper uses nonsteady-state kinetics to demonstrate the impact of load variations on the effluent concentration and load from fixed-bed biofilm reactors. The different responses for reactors having average loads that are high, intermediate, and low are compared. In most cases, time-varying input loading, in comparison with steady input loading, causes an increase in average effluent concentration; however, certain combinations of load variation and reactor type allow better performance than do steady-state loads.
Diversity and duplicity: Human fcγ receptors in host defense and autoimmunity

Given the central role of Ig in bridging the innate and acquired immune systems through both the affector and effector arms, it is not surprising that receptors for Ig play an important role in immune function. Strategies to block their function have been developed by microbial pathogens, and evolution has endowed humans with a diverse set of physiologically relevant receptor variants, presumably to allow fine tuning of the immune response. At least several of these variants appear to be risk factors for autoimmune disease, and they demonstrate the importance of more subtle variation in structure and function. These observations may assist in guiding the engineering of MAbs and Fc-fusion proteins for more effective Ig-based therapeutics.
FLC-based Landing Approach and Collision Avoidance Path Planner for Multiple Aircraft and Runways

The complexities of safely landing multiple aircraft on multiple runways within a controlled airspace pose many issues for human air traffic controllers, as well as in potential future situations wherein UAVs are introduced. Fuzzy logic control provides many benefits with properties such as universal approximation and exploitation of expert-provided heuristics and can aid in providing safe landing approach path planning and collision avoidance. This paper addresses an egocentric, autonomous method, wherein each aircraft applies fuzzy logic locally to avoid potential collision with other, landing aircraft in the airspace (as opposed to exocentric, collaborative control, wherein all aircraft are aware of all flight paths and base decisions on this knowledge). Given a two-dimensional airspace with multiple aircraft—each at constant airspeed, with a minimum turn radius, and neglecting maneuvering dynamics—and multiple runways, a fuzzy logic controller was designed and coupled with a simple, geometric path planner and supporting simulation code in Matlab.
High-gradient microelectromechanical system quadrupole electromagnets for particle beam focusing and steering

Fabrication and beam tests of miniature quadrupole electromagnets with sub-mm gap indicate path to multi-kT/m gradients.
Choleretic Effect of Chloroaeetylcholine

SummaryChloroacetylcholine chloride provokes a large but delayed increase in the formation of bile in the dog, similar to the choleresis following administration of chloroacetate. The comparative choleretic effects of the 2 agents are discussed in regard to the mechanism of chloroacetate choleresis.
Growth-Stimulating Properties of Cystine and Tryptophan

It was reported in a previous study ia that the amino-acid tryptophan was apparently necessary to the growth of certain strains of Clostridium botulinum when the organisms were grown on mediums in which the only source of nitrogen was hydrolyzed casein and the preparations made from such hydrolysates. It was found that a medium prepared of hydrolyzed casein alone would not support growth but that when purified tryptophan was added in proportions sufficient to replace the original tryptophan of the casein, which had been destroyed during the course of acid (H2S04) hydrolysis, growth not only took place but was most profuse. It was later found, in a study lb of the growth of the same strains of bacteria on synthetic mediums, that tryptophan per se was not necessary to growth and that the organisms grew well in the complete absence of this amino-acid.
Evidence for a Regime Shift in Nitrogen Export from a Forested Watershed

In this study, we document a functional regime shift in stream inorganic nitrogen (N) processing indicated by a major change in N export from a forested watershed. Evidence from 36 years of data following experimental clearcut logging at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, NC, suggests that forest disturbance in this area can cause elevation of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) loss lasting decades or perhaps longer. This elevation of N export was apparently caused by an initial pulse of organic matter input, reduced vegetation uptake, increased mineralization of soil organic N, and N fixation by black locust-associated bacteria following clearcut logging. In forested reference watersheds at Coweeta, maximum DIN concentration occurs in summer when base flow is low, but the clearcut watershed shifted to a pattern of maximum winter DIN concentration. The seasonal pattern of DIN concentration and export from reference watersheds can be explained by terrestrial and in-stream processes, but following clearcutting, elevated DIN availability saturated both terrestrial and in-stream uptake, and the N export regime became dominated by hydrologic transport. We suggest that the long-term elevation of stream DIN concentration and export along with the changes in seasonality of DIN export and the relationship between concentration and discharge represent a functional regime shift initiated by forest disturbance.
Coupled model of gas-solid in coal seams based on dynamic process of pressure relief and gas drainage

On the basis of seepage theory of gas flow in coal seams,elastic theory of coal deformation,together with the coupling relationship between gas permeability and porosity,a mathematical model for coupled gas-solid in coal collieries is established.By using the gas-solid coupled model,the mining induced pressure relief,the gas pressure changes,gas drainage and the associated characteristics of gas permeability and gas pressure in coal seam during mining were numerically simulated.The numerical simulation is helpful for understanding the gas drainage mechanisms and for taking effective measures to prevent the occurrences of gas outbursts in collieries.
DTA++: Dynamic Taint Analysis with Targeted Control-Flow Propagation.

Dynamic taint analysis (DTA) is a powerful technique for, among other things, tracking the flow of sensitive information. However, it is vulnerable to false negative errors caused by implicit flows, situations in which tainted data values affect control flow, which in turn affects other data. We propose DTA++, an enhancement to dynamic taint analysis that additionally propagates taint along a targeted subset of control-flow dependencies. Our technique first diagnoses implicit flows within information-preserving transformations, where they are most likely to cause undertainting. Then it generates rules to add additional taint only for those control dependencies, avoiding the explosion of tainting that can occur when propagating taint along all control dependencies indiscriminately. We implement DTA++ using the BitBlaze platform for binary analysis, and apply it to off-the-shelf Windows/x86 applications. In a case study of 8 applications such as Microsoft Word, DTA++ efficiently locates just a few implicit flows that could otherwise lead to under-tainting, and resolves them by propagating taint while introducing little over-tainting.
Role of calcium in mediating action of carbachol in T84 cells

To examine the role of calcium in mediating carbachol's action in secretory epithelia, we simultaneously measured intracellular free [Ca] [( Ca]i) and transepithelial chloride transport in T84 cells grown on collagen-coated filters. [Ca]i was measured with fura-2 and fluorescence microscopy and expressed as a relative value [( Ca]'i) normalized to control. Chloride transport was measured as the short-circuit current (Isc) with a voltage clamp. Monolayers were pretreated with cyclic AMP to augment the response of Isc to carbachol, a procedure that did not qualitatively change the response of the monolayer to carbachol. The carbachol-induced changes in Isc appeared to be dependent on the increase in [Ca]i. First, carbachol caused both Isc and [Ca]'i to increase in parallel. Isc increased from 32 +/- 5 to 70 +/- 9 microA and then declined to 57 +/- 16 microA while [Ca]'i increased from 72 +/- 14 to 156 +/- 22 nM and then declined to 133 +/- 45 nM. Second, the carbachol-induced increases in Isc and [Ca]'i were correlated. The greater the hormone-stimulated rise in [Ca]'i, the higher the increase in Isc. Third, carbachol's stimulation of Isc was blunted by preventing the calcium spike with the cellular calcium buffer 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid (BAPTA). Although the carbachol-induced increase in [Ca]'i appeared necessary for the increase in Isc, it was not clear if carbachol's action was solely the result of an increase in [Ca]'i. Increasing [Ca]'i with ionomycin, although causing Isc and [Ca]'i to increase in parallel, failed to increase Isc to the levels observed with carbachol. These experiments suggest that although the carbachol-induced increase in Isc is dependent on the increase in [Ca]i, the hormone may activate a second process that increases the sensitivity of the calcium-activated transport process to changes in [Ca]i.
Indomethacin block of normal onset of parturition in primates.

Indomethacin, a known inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, prolonged gestation and prevented the normal initiation of parturition in pregnant rhesus monkeys. These findings indicate that prostaglandins are necessary prerequisites for the physiologic onset of labor in primates, suggest the utility of indomethacin as a uterine relaxant, and suggest caution in the use of aspirin-like compounds in late pregnancy.
Mechanical valves: a comparative analysis of the Starr-Edwards and Björk-Shiley prostheses.

Despite the requirement of anticoagulation, mechanical valve prostheses offer the advantage of proven durability. We have compared the long-term results of 467 aortic valve replacements and 342 mitral valve replacements using the Starr-Edwards prosthesis with 110 aortic valve replacements and 105 mitral valve replacements using the Bjork-Shiley prosthesis from 1973 through 1977. Improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was noted in greater than 80% of patients in all four groups. Long-term survival with mean follow-up over 5 years was not significantly different between respective groups. The probability of thromboembolic complications, however, was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) with the Starr-Edwards prosthesis in both the aortic and mitral positions. The probability of valve failure, although low for all groups, was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in the Bjork-Shiley mitral group due to late thrombotic occlusion. Use of the Starr-Edwards and Bjork-Shiley prostheses is associated with satisfactory functional improvement and similar long-term survival rate. However, the increased risk of valve failure due to late thrombotic occlusion of the Bjork-Shiley prosthesis should be considered when choosing a mechanical mitral prosthesis.
Kontinuumstheorie der optischen Konstanten

Die Kontinuumstheorie geht von makroskopischen Grosen aus und bringt gemessene Daten miteinander in Zusammenhang. Bei der Aufstellung der Gleichungen werden keine Annahmen uber den Aufbau der Materie gemacht. Die Folgerungen, die aus diesen Erfahrungsgesetzen gezogen werden, mussen also, solange bei der Rechnung keine Vereinfachungen oder Annahmen gemacht werden, strenge Gultigkeit besitzen.
Shock Wave Interaction with Periodic Obstacles

We present experimental results for the interaction of shock waves with periodically distributed obstacles. In general, it is difficult to directly investigate the effect of shock waves on materials since they travel at supersonic speeds and are characterized by discontinuous jumps in the stress state. Optical techniques, such as Schlieren and Shadowgraph, have been shown to be valuable in exploring shock waves in solids, liquids, or gases. We have used a Schlieren setup in conjunction with a high-speed camera to visualize the interaction of shock waves with periodically distributed obstacles. To simulate an explosion, we have used a small shock tube consisting of a low-molecular weight gas chamber and an expansion tube. The higher pressure driving gas chamber is separated from the expansion tube by a thin diaphragm. A shock wave is produced in the expansion tube when the driving gas reaches a critical pressure and ruptures the diaphragm. This produces controlled, reproducible shockwaves useful for observing the shockwave interaction with the obstacles and the resulting dynamic effects with potential application in shock mitigation.
Strategic Stakeholder Engagement in Public Diplomacy

“Strategic stakeholder engagement,” as a term, concept, or practice has yet to gain wide currency within public diplomacy. That gap, however, may soon close as the international arena transitions from the information age, dominated by the mass media and message-driven strategies, to the global communication era dominated by the social media and relational and network strategies. Earlier models of public diplomacy were based on a one-way flow of information that was detached and impersonal, which are now becoming obsolete. For public diplomats, strategic stakeholder engagement represents a two-fold challenge of identifying the “who” (stakeholders) and the “what” (engagement). This seeks to address those challenges, drawing upon multiple perspective, including business, public relations, development communication, and traditional diplomacy. The paper includes illustrative examples of information, relational and networking public diplomacy initiatives from around the globe.
Diversity as a function of energy flow

Ecologists, in common with many other professionals, have their articles of faith, that is, oversimplified and generalized beliefs which may not stand up under deductive analysis. One such belief is that high diversity is a property of stable, natural systems and, accordingly, is a desirable feature for the systems of man. A comparable article of faith in economics is the idea of the economy of scale or bigger is better with unit costs declining with output. In reality, relationships between input quantity and output benefit, when plotted as performance curves are not ever-rising curves but convex or ‘humped-back’ curves. Which is to say that too much as well as too little is not optimum.
Case 14-2017 - A 20-Year-Old Man with Pain and Swelling of the Left Calf and a Purpuric Rash

A 20-year-old man with a history of Crohn’s disease was evaluated for pain and swelling of the left calf and a purpuric rash. Three weeks earlier, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, and chills had developed. Diagnostic tests were performed.
AOI-based data-centric circuits for near-memory processing

This paper presents the designs of two digital circuits in which processing of data (stored in volatile and non-volatile memories) is locally performed and routed; these circuits are referred to as data-centric and therefore, amenable to Near-Memory (NM)operation. Two circuits are proposed; they utilize at logic level a 2-2AOI gate, but with different types of selector. Simulation results using HSPICE are provided for logic data path and memory access performance. Comparison between designs with either a Programmable Metallization Cell (PMC), or a Phase Change Memory (PCM), is assessed; simulation confirms that in most cases of memory operations, a PMC based data-centric circuit has better performance than a PCM-based circuit in terms of delay. The proposed data-centric circuits are evaluated also for implementation of more complex functional blocks (such as adders and encoder) as well as a balanced FIFO merger for sorting application.
Team-Entlohnung: Vergütungsstruktur und Implikationen für die Organisationsgestaltung

Bei der Gestaltung von Anreizvertragen fur Teams stellen sich im Vergleich zum EinAgenten-Fall die zusatzlichen Fragen, ob und gegebenenfalls in welcher Weise die Entlohnung eines Agenten auch von den Ergebnissen der anderen Agenten abhangig gemacht werden sollte. In der Literatur werden diese Fragen im Spannungsfeld der beiden Extreme ‚Team-Entlohnung‘ versus ‚Wettbewerb‘ diskutiert — zumeist jedoch nur fur den (zu) speziellen Fall zweier Agenten und oftmals ohne explizite Modellierung kooperativen Verhaltens. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, ein Bewusstsein fur die Limititationen dieser Vorgehensweise zu schaffen, einen alternativen Modellierungsansatz vorzuschlagen und das mit ihm verbundene Optimierungspotenzial aufzuzeigen. Hierzu werden im Rahmen des LEN-Modells die aus der Literatur bekannten Konzeptionen rekapituliert, auf den Fall mit mehr als zwei Agenten verallgemeinert und mit einer alternativen Vertragsform verglichen. Im Vordergrund steht dabei die Herleitung von Aussagen zur relativen Vorteilhaftigkeit der verschiedenen Varianten. Des Weiteren wird den Fragen nachgegangen, inwieweit Anreizvertrage mit Kooperationsklauseln gegen Manipulationsversuche seitens der Agenten geschutzt werden mussen. Es zeigt sich, dass durch die Relaxierung der weit verbreiteten Beschrankung auf die beiden Extremfalle vollstandiger Kooperation beziehungsweise vollstandiger Konkurrenz (jeweils zwischen allen Agenten) oft eine deutlich spurbare Entscharfung des Agency-Problems erreicht werden kann.
Technical note: feasibility of photoacoustic guided hysterectomies with the da Vinci robot

This technical note provides an overview of our work to explore the combination of photoacoustic imaging with the da Vinci surgical robot, which is often used to perform teleoperated hysterectomies (i.e., surgical removal of the uterus). Hysterectomies are the prevailing solution to treat medical conditions such as uterine cancer, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse. One complication of hysterectomies is accidental injury to the ureters located within millimeters of the uterine arteries that are severed and cauterized to hinder blood flow and enable full uterus removal. By introducing photoacoustic imaging, we aim to visualize the uterine arteries (and potentially the ureter) during this surgery. We developed a specialized light delivery system to surround a da Vinci curved scissor tool and an ultrasound probe was placed externally, representing a transvaginal approach to receive the resulting acoustic signals. Photoacoustic images were acquired while sweeping the tool across a custom 3D uterine vessel model covered in ex vivo bovine tissue that was placed between the 3D model and the light delivery system, as well as between the ultrasound probe and the 3D model (to introduce optical and acoustic scattering). Four tool orientations were explored with the scissors in either open or closed configurations. The optimal tool orientation was determined to be closed scissors with no bending of the tool’s wrist, based on measurements of signal contrast and background signal-to-noise ratios in the corresponding photoacoustic images. We also introduce a new metric, dθ, to determine when the image will change during a sweep, based on the tool position and orientation (i.e., pose), relative to previous poses. Overall, results indicate that photoacoustic imaging is a promising approach to enable visualization of the uterine arteries and thereby guide hysterectomies (and other gynecological surgeries). In addition, results can be extended to other minimally invasive da Vinci surgeries and laparoscopic instruments with similar tip geometry.